title: The relationship between symphysis-fundal height and intravenous ephedrine dose in spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean section.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A decreased lumbosacral subarachnoidal space volume is a major factor in the cephalad intrathecal spread of local anesthetics in term parturients and their subarachnoidal space is decreased due to the compressive effect of huge uteri. Therefore, they show a higher level of sensory block and hypotensive episodes. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the symphysis-fundal height (SFH) correlates with the highest sensory level and the amount of ephedrine administered under spinal anesthesia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-two uncomplicated parturients who consented to spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean section were studied. The SFH of all parturients had been measured just before the spinal anesthesia administered by one person. Hyperbaric bupivacaine with fentanyl 20 µg, was administered for spinal anesthesia. The amount of 0.5% bupivacaine was adjusted according to the patient's height and weight. The level of sensory block and the amounts of ephedrine to treat hypotension, nausea and vomiting were assessed. Linear regression and correlation analysis were applied to analyze the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  According to the results of correlation analysis, there was no significant correlation between the level of sensory block and SFH. There were statistically significant positive correlations between the amount of ephedrine administered due to hypotension and SFH.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In term parturients choosing elective cesarean section, the SFH is not correlated with the sensory level of spinal anesthesia, but is correlated with the amount of ephedrine administered during spinal anesthesia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, College of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Hyeon Jeong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jong-Yeon
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kum-Hee
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Duk-Hee
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Chun
authors.forename: Byeong-Kuk
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Kim