Rama Krishna Reddy Mudiganti1, Rajkumar J2, Aruna Subhash T3
CONTEXT (BACKGROUND)
Hypotension following spinal anaesthesia is a common problem. Preloading with IV Fluids alone is not sufficient, because inadequately treated hypotension during Caesarian section causes undue effects on both mother and fetus. So concomitant use of vasopressor drugs to treat spinal hypotension proved useful and well established.
AIM
To compare the efficacy of intravenous phenylephrine versus intravenous ephedrine for correction of intra operative hypotension following spinal anaesthesia for elective as well as emergency caesarean sections.
DESIGN
A randomized controlled study of patients undergoing surgery under spinal anaesthesia for elective and emergency caesarean section.
METHODS & MATERIALS
The present study includes 100 patients divided into two groups each of 50 patients. Group P (Phenylephrine group), Group E (Ephedrine group.) The baseline heart rate, systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressures were measured. Whenever Hypotension ( fall in BP >20% of baseline or less than 90 mm of Hg )occurred, Group P received Phenylephrine 40 mcg and Group E received 6 mg Ephedrine as intravenous bolus.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
Was done using Student’s t test and Mann-Whitney test. ‘p’ value of less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant
RESULTS & CONCLUSION
Phenylephrine in a dose of 40 microgram is more efficacious in comparison to Ephedrine 6 milligrams in maintaining arterial blood pressure following hypotension after spinal anaesthesia in Caesarean section. Phenylephrine has a quicker peak effect (within 2 minutes of IV bolus) as compared to Ephedrine (within 10 minutes of IV bolus) APGAR Score at 1 and 5 minutes is comparable in both Group P and Group E.
