Ephedrine-induced increases in arterial blood pressure accelerate regression of epidural block.
We investigated the hypothesis that ephedrine-induced increases in blood pressure accelerate the regression of epidural block. In patients undergoing minor gynecologic surgery, we performed lumbar epidural blockade using 2% lidocaine containing 1:200,000 epinephrine to which was added 0.1 mg of fentanyl. Eighty minutes after the epidural injection, we started an ephedrine infusion to increase the systolic blood pressure by 20% in 10 min and maintained the value for the following 20 min. Then we compared the proximal extent of sensory analgesia at 80 min with that at 140 min. Ephedrine significantly (P = 0.001) hastened the regression of sensory analgesia. We conclude that an ephedrine-induced blood pressure increase accelerates regression of epidural blockade.
Ueda
W
W
Department of Anesthesiology, Kochi Medical School, Japan.
Kataoka
Y
Y
Takimoto
E
E
Tomoda
M K
MK
Aono
J
J
Sagara
Y
Y
Manabe
M
M
D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia; D000328:Adult; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D004809:Ephedrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004837:Epinephrine; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D013997:Time Factors
D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008012:Lidocaine; D004809:Ephedrine; D005283:Fentanyl; D004837:Epinephrine