title: Comparison of pentastarch and Hartmann's solution for volume preloading in spinal anaesthesia for elective caesarean section.
abstract: We studied 160 patients undergoing elective Caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia who received a preloading volume of 15 ml kg-1 of 10% pentastarch in 0.9% saline, or Hartmann's solution, in a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. We compared the incidence of spinal-induced hypotension in each group. Hypotension was defined as a decrease in systolic arterial pressure to less than 70% of baseline values or < or = 90 mm Hg, whichever was the greater. The groups were comparable in physical characteristics and there was no serious morbidity. Fetal outcome was similar in both groups. Significantly more patients in the Hartmann's group (n = 38, 47.5%) developed hypotension than in the pentastarch group (n = 10, 12.5%) (P < 0.0001). Linear regression analysis showed that the only significant variable was type of fluid used. Blood glucose concentrations were not related to the presence of hypotension. We conclude that starches may be suitable for preloading in Caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia and provide an alternative to the aggressive use of vasoconstrictors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthetics, Northampton District General Hospital, Cliftonville, UK.
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: French
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Howell
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Popat
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007022:Hypotension / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007552:Isotonic Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010952:Plasma Substitutes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000077331:Ringer's Solution
chemical_list: D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D010952:Plasma Substitutes; D000077331:Ringer's Solution