Effect of Epidural Analgesia on the Parameter ANI During Childbirth

Effect of Epidural Analgesia on the Parameter ANI During Childbirth

There are many methods used for the assessment of pain in the area of anesthesia including heart rate variability which reflects the influence of the autonomic nervous system on the heart. An original index, the ANI (Analgesia Nociception Index), quantifies pain during anesthesia. Obstetric epidural analgesia is particularly suited to evaluate ANI in conscious patients with a comparison of ANI with the measurement of pain by a visual analog scale (VAS).

Evaluation of ANI is performed just before epidural catheter insertion and during the 10 first minutes after saline, sufentanil or lidocaine epidural administration.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Over 18 years,
• ASA I or II,
• No history of cardiovascular or respiratory disease
• No cardiovascular medication
• No treatment with a tocolytic agent(salbutamol, nicardipine)
• Desiring epidural analgesia at the early phase of labor pain

Exclusion Criteria:

• Too fast labour
• A pain score at or above 70 on the pain scale
• A disturbed EKG signal or extrasystoles
• Pace-Maker
• Diabetes mellitus