[Epidural anesthesia with ropivacaine by computerized infusion pump].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the feasibility of epidural anesthesia with ropivacaine by computerized infusion pump.


METHODS
Sixty patients scheduled for obstetric operation were divided into a continuous pump infusion group (Group A, n=30) and a conventional injection group (Group B, n=30). The initial doses of 0.75% ropivacaine 12 mL and 15 mL were respectively injected into the patient's epidural space in Group A and Group B. The dose of 6 mL of 0.75% ropivacaine per hour was continuously pumped to maintain the anesthesia till the end of the operation in Group A, and 6 mL of 0.75% ropivacaine was injected 80 min later in Group B.


RESULTS
Blood pressure in some patients markedly decreased at 90 min after the first injection in Group B while it is relatively stable in Group A (P<0.05). The number of patients who had to inject ephedrine to raise the blood pressure in Group A was smaller than that in Group B during the operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the anesthetic level between Group A and Group B (P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Epidural anesthesia with ropivacaine by computerized infusion pump is safe, which can not only provide an excellent anesthetic effect but also keep the hemodynamics stable.
Li
Min
M
Department of Anesthesiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. deanli2006@gmail.com
Cai
Hong-Wei
HW
Ren
Fei
F
Chen
Jiang-Hui
JH
Sun
Bei
B
D000328:Adult; D000577:Amides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016362:Analgesia, Obstetrical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003201:Computers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D013997:Time Factors
D000577:Amides; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077212:Ropivacaine