Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of prophylactic ephedrine infusion and crystalloid preloading on spinal induced hypotension
during elective caesarean section.
STUDY DESIGN: A Randomized control trial.
PLACE AND DURATION: Department of Anesthesiology at Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi from 1st Jan 2012 to 30th Jun 2012.
METHODOLOGY: One hundred and fourteen parturient participated in this randomized control trial and were randomly divided into
the two groups A and B. Patients were preloaded with Ringer lactate 500 ml in crystalloid preloading group (Group B) prior to
Subarachnoid Block (SAB) while in Ephedrine infusion group (Group A) patients were not preloaded, and were given prophylactic
ephedrine infusion after SAB. Maternal hypotension was studied in each group.
RESULTS: The incidence of hypotension was significantly lower in the Ephedrine infusion group (22.81%) as compared with the
crystalloid preloading group (80.70%).
CONCLUSION: This study results indicate that ephedrine infusion is more efficacious in preventing maternal hypotension during spinal
anesthesia for elective cesarean section.

Key words: Ephedrine infusion, Crystalloid, Hypotension, Caesarean Section.