A reevaluation of the role of crystalloid preload in the prevention of hypotension associated with spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean section.
BACKGROUND
Hypotension after spinal anesthesia for cesarean section remains a common and serious complication despite the use of uterine displacement and volume preloading. The current study revaluated the role of crystalloid volume preloading in this context.


METHODS
In a two-stage open sequential design, patients presenting for elective repeat cesarean section were allocated to receive either no preload or 20 ml/kg crystalloid administered over 15-20 min before spinal anesthesia. Hypotension was defined as a decrease in systolic pressure to less than 100 mmHg and to less than 80% of baseline value, and the study was designed to detect a 20% difference in the incidence of hypotension between the groups, with statistical significance at the 10% (alpha = 0.1) level, one-tailed.


RESULTS
One hundred forty patients were studied. Hypotension occurred in 43 (55%, 95% CI 43.4-66.4) preloaded and 44 (71%, 95% CI 58-81.8) unpreloaded subjects, a difference in incidence of 16% (95% CI 0.04-31.6), which was statistically significant. There were no significant differences in the severity, timing, or duration of hypotension; the dose requirement for ephedrine; or the clinical and biochemical status of neonates between the groups. The only difference seen was a lower mean base excess (-3.4, SD 2.81 mM-1) in the neonates of hypotensive mothers compared to neonates of nonhypotensive mothers (-2.4, SD 1.99 mM-1).


CONCLUSIONS
The study confirms that hypotension associated with spinal anesthesia for cesarean section cannot be eliminated by volume preloading in the supine wedged patient. The relatively small reduction in incidence of hypotension challenges our perception of the value of crystalloid preload. Though volume preload in the elective cesarean section is advocated, the requirement for a mandatory administration of a fixed volume before spinal anesthesia for urgent cases has been abandoned.
Rout
C C
CC
Department of Anaesthetics, University of Natal, Durban, South Africa.
Rocke
D A
DA
Levin
J
J
Gouws
E
E
Reddy
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D002045:Bupivacaine; D002585:Cesarean Section; D000077324:Crystalloid Solutions; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D010952:Plasma Substitutes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011229:Preanesthetic Medication; D011247:Pregnancy
D000077324:Crystalloid Solutions; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D010952:Plasma Substitutes; D002045:Bupivacaine