Prophylactic Perioperative Infusion of Ephedrine Versus Noradrenaline in Patients Undergoing Cesarean Delivery Under Spinal Anesthesia

The Preventive Role of Prophylactic Perioperative Infusion of Ephedrine Versus Noradrenaline in Patients Undergoing Cesarean Delivery Under Spinal Anesthesia: A Randomized, Prospective Double-blinded Study

This study aimed to compare the effects of prophylactic ephedrine and nor-epinephrine infusion on maternal hemodynamics and neonatal outcomes following spinal anesthesia in cesarean deliveries.

Neuraxial anesthesia for cesarean delivery (CD) has significantly reduced maternal mortality by avoiding Manipulation of the airway, the mother being awake, and promoting early bonding of mother and child, adequate Postoperative analgesia, and quicker maternal recovery.

Systemic vascular resistance decreases as a result of a reduction in sympathetic tone of the arterial circulation, leading to peripheral arterial vasodilation, the extent of which depends on the number of spinal segments involved. Other theories are proposed to explain hypotension during spinal anesthesia, among them: 1)direct depressive circulatory effect of local anesthetics, 2) relative adrenal insufficiency, 3) skeletal muscle paralysis, 4) ascending medullary vasomotor block, and 5) concurrent mechanical respiratory insufficiency. Loss of sympathetic input to the heart, leaving vagal parasympathetic innervations unopposed, and a decrease in cardiac preload are the main reasons for bradycardia during spinal anesthesia.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age more than 21 years.
• American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status II and III.
• Full-term singleton pregnant women scheduled for elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Morbid obesity [body mass index (BMI)>40].
• Diabetes Mellitus.
• Severe cardiovascular disease.
• Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
• Chronic kidney disease.
• Non-assuring fetal status.
• Peripartum bleeding.