Abstract
Maternal cardiovascular changes and neonatal acid-base status, including lactate levels, were assessed in 30 healthy women undergoing elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. Patients were allocated randomly to receive IV ephedrine infusion (n=15) (5 mg.min -1 ) immediately after the spinal injection or bolus administration of IV ephedrine (n=15) (10 mg) in case of development of hypotension. Maternal and neonatal blood pressure, heart rate and acid-base status including lactate levels were compared between the groups. Systolic blood pressure in the bolus group was significantly lower when compared to the infusion group. Nausea was observed in one patient (6%) in the infusion group and nausea and vomiting were observed in 10 patients (66%) in the bolus group. Although umbilical arterial pH values were significantly lower in the bolus group, lactate levels were similar. In conclusion, ephedrine infusion prevented maternal hypotension, reduced the incidence of nausea and vomiting and led to improved umbilical blood pH during spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section.