title: Effects of spinal anesthesia on maternal circulating catecholamines.
abstract: This study evaluated the effects of spinal anesthesia on maternal circulating catecholamines. Spinal anesthesia was administered in two groups of patients undergoing cesarean section. Nine patients were in labor; 14 were not in labor. Spinal anesthesia was followed by a significant reduction in norepinephrine (NE) in patients in labor (p less than 0.05). No such reduction was observed in the patients not in labor despite sensory levels of the fourth thoracic vertebra--or higher. There were no changes in epinephrine (E) levels in either groups. Ephedrine was administered to seven patients not in labor who developed hypotension. There were no significant changes in either NE or E.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D013748:Tetracaine
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D013748:Tetracaine; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine