Comparison of metaraminol and ephedrine infusions for maintaining arterial pressure during spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean section.
BACKGROUND
Although ephedrine is usually recommended as the first-line vasopressor in obstetrics, its superiority over other vasopressors has not been proven in humans.


METHODS
In a double-blind study, the authors randomized women having elective cesarean section with spinal anesthesia to receive an intravenous infusion of ephedrine, starting at 5 mg/min (n = 25), or metaraminol, starting at 0.25 mg/min (n = 25), titrated to maintain systolic arterial pressure in the target range 90-100% of baseline. Umbilical cord gases, maternal hemodynamics, uterine artery puLsatility index, and Apgar scores were compared.


RESULTS
Systolic arterial pressure was maintained more closely in the target range in the metaraminol group compared with the ephedrine group. In the metaraminol group, umbilical arterial pH was greater (median and interquartile range, 7.31 and 7.31-7.33 vs. 7.24 and 7.14-7.29; P < 0.0001), and umbilical venous pH was greater (7.36 and 7.35-7.38 vs. 7.33 and 7.26-7.34; P < 0.0001) compared with the ephedrine group. No patient in the metaraminol group had umbilical arterial pH less than 7.2, compared with nine patients (39%) in the ephedrine group (P = 0.0005). Apgar scores were similar between groups. Changes in uterine artery pulsatility index were similar between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
When used by infusion to maintain arterial pressure during spinal anesthesia for cesarean section, metaraminol was associated with less neonatal acidosis and more closely controlled titration of arterial pressure compared with ephedrine.
Ngan Kee
W D
WD
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin. warwick@cuhk.edu.hk
Lau
T K
TK
Khaw
K S
KS
Lee
B B
BB
D000328:Adult; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal; D001034:Apgar Score; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; D004809:Ephedrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008680:Metaraminol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D008680:Metaraminol; D004809:Ephedrine