A Comparative Study to Evaluate the Effect of Norepinephrine and Phenylephrine in the Treatment of Post Spinal Hypotension for Caesarean Section

Background: Maternal hypotension due to spinal anaesthesia in caesarean section is commonly seen. Alongwith fluid loading, phenylephrine is used to manage the hypotension. However, this drug is associated with cardiovascular side effects. Methods: This is a prospective double blinded study which was conducted on 100 term parturients scheduled from elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia, randomly assigned into two groups. After spinal anaesthesia patients of group N and P were treated with norepinephrine (5mcg) and phenylephrine (50mcg) respectively as an IV bolus for hypotension. Blood pressure, heart rate, number of bolus doses given, and neonatal APGAR score was noted. Results: Patients of both groups were comparable with respect to haemodynamic parameters (HR, SBP, DBP, AND MAP). Incidence of bradycardia was higher in group P (22%, n=11) compared to group N (14%, n=7). Neonatal APGAR scores at different time intervals were similar in both groups. Conclusion: Intermittent boluses of norepinephrine were effective in the treatment of spinal anaesthesia induced hypotension during caesarean section and can be considered as an alternative to phenylephrine.

Norepinephrine as an Alternative in Hypotension Prophylaxis During Cesarean Sectionunder Spinal Anesthesia

Background Spinal anesthesia is the preferred method for elective cesarean sections (C.S.) due to considerable risks regarding airway management associated with physiological changes of pregnancy. Hypotension is reported to occur in up to 80% of spinal anesthesia cases. Many approaches have been investigated to prevent spinal hypotension, e.g., fluid loading, vasopressors, or both. Thus we compare the administration of intermittent I.V. boluses of norepinephrine and ephedrine to guard against the hypotensive effect of spinal anesthesia during cesarean delivery. Patients and Methods 120 female patients undergoing electiveC.S.were randomly divided into “group-E” for Ephedrine and “group-N” for Norepinephrine. Results Compared with ephedrine, norepinephrine maintained maternal blood pressure and uterine artery blood flow. Further, it was associated with lower numbers of hypotension and hypertension episodes and less frequency of bradycardia and tachycardia during cesarean delivery. Conclusion Norepinephrine can be used as an alternative vasopressor to maintain maternal blood pressure during spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery, with no adverse effect on neonatal outcome.

Comparative study of Prophylactic Intravenous Ondansetron in the Attenuation of Post Spinal Hypotension versus Dexamethasone in Parturient Undergoing Caesarean Delivery

Background Spinal anaesthesia (SA) is the preferred anaesthesia technique for Caesarean section. Hypotension and bradycardia are the most common side effects encountered and are more pronounced in pregnant patients, the incidence being as high as 52.6% and 2.5% in normal patients. The occurrence of hypotension can be dangerous as it compromises placental circulation and can have a detrimental effect on the foetus. Objectives The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of ondansetron versus dexamethasone in decreasing incidence of spinal induced hypotension in parturient undergoing cesarean surgery. Patients and Methods This study was conducted at Ain Shams University Hospitals between March 2019 till September 2019. After approval is obtained from the research ethics committee of faculty of medicine, Ain Shams University & patients’ informed consents consent from each patient after full explanation of the procedure possible side effects and complications., 75 healthy parturient, (ASA)physical status I and II undergoing elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia. Results 8 mg ondansetron is more effective than 8 mg dexamethasone in the attenuation of post spinal hypotension. Also, that Dexamethasone 8 mg was as effective as ondansetron 8 mg in providing a simple, safe, cheap, and effective intra and postoperative nausea and emesis prevention method with the advantage of being cheaper decreasing the economic burden. Conclusion The present study demonstrated that, among patients who received spinal anesthesia with bupivacaine and fentanyl as adjuvant for elective for cesarean section, prophylactic intravenous 8 mg ondansetron compared to dexamethasone significantly decreases hypotension, HR fluctuation, yet the need for rescue doses for ephedrine were significantly higher in ondansetron.

Optimum Dose of Spinal Ropivacaine with or Without Single Intravenous Bolus of S-Ketamine During Elective Cesarean Delivery: A Randomized, Sequential Dose-Finding Study

Background Post-spinal hypotension has a high occurrence during cesarean delivery, and can lead to adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. The purpose of the study was to determine the optimal dose of spinal ropivacaine for cesarean section with or without intravenous single bolus of S-ketamine and to observe the incidences of hypotension of both methods. Methods Eighty women undergoing elective cesarean delivery were randomly allocated into Group ropivacaine or Group ropivacaine with intravenous S-ketamine. If the upper sensory level of the patient reached T6 and the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores continuously below 3 before delivery, the next patient had a 1/9th chance of receiving a lower dose or an 8/9th chance of receiving the same of previous dose. If the patient had VAS scores above 2 or needed an extra epidural rescue bolus before delivery, a higher dose was used for the next patient. The primary outcome was the successful use of spinal ropivacaine to maintain VAS of patients below 3 before delivery and the incidence of post-spinal hypotension of both groups. Secondary outcomes included the incidences of hypotension related symptoms and managements, upper sensory level of anesthesia, level of sedation, neonatal outcomes, Edinburgh postnatal depression scale scores on admission and discharging of hospital and post-operative analgesic effect. The 90% effective dose (ED90) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were estimated by isotonic regression. Results The estimated ED90 of ropivacaine was 11.8 mg (95% CI 11.7–12.7) with and 14.7 mg (95% CI 14.6–16.0) without intravenous S-ketamine using biased coin up-down sequential dose-finding method, and the incidences of hypotension and its related symptoms were significantly lower in S-ketamine group. Conclusions A spinal dose of ropivacaine 12 mg with single intravenous 0.15 mg/kg bolus dose of S-ketamine may significantly reduce the risk of hypotension and provide sedative status before delivery, thus the method could be cautiously used in parturients with high risks of hypotension or extreme nervousness. Clinical trial registration: http://www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2000040375; 28 Nov 2020)

O40 Predictive models of individual risk of elective caesarean section complications: a systematic review

Introduction With increasing caesarean section (c-section) rates, personalised communication of risk has become paramount. A reliable tool to predict complications would support evidence-based discussion around planned mode of birth. Method MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library were searched on 27th January with the terms relating to c-section, prognostic models, and complications such as infection. Any study developing and/or validating a prognostic model for maternal complications of c-section in the English language after January 1995 was included. Data extracted encompassed: source of data, participant criteria, outcome to be predicted, candidate predictors, actual predictors, sample size, model development, and model performance. PROBAST (Prediction model Risk Of Bias Assessment Tool) was utilised for risk of bias analysis and applicability concern in the prognostic model studies. Result 7,752 studies were identified, of which 16 were reviewed producing 3 studies where 3 prognostic models were identified which predicted risk of: blood transfusion, spinal hypotension, and postpartum haemorrhage. From the 3 studies, a total of 29 unique candidate predictors were identified and 15 predictors in the final model. Study authors deemed their studies to be exploratory, exploratory, and confirmatory respectively. None were externally validated and all had a high risk of bias due to analysis technique. Conclusion Few models have been developed to predict complications of elective c-section. Existing models predicting blood transfusion, spinal hypotension, and postpartum haemorrhage cannot be recommended for clinical practice. Future research should focus on identifying predictors known before surgery and validating resulting models. Take-home Message Systematic review of prediction models for planned C-section complications found none suitable for practice.