Korean J Anesthesiol.  2000 Nov;39(5):638-644. 10.4097/kjae.2000.39.5.638.

The Effect of Epidural Phenylephrine on Hypotension Induced by Epidural Anesthesia for Cesarean Delivery

• Kim MO

• KMID: 2031630
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2000.39.5.638

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hypotension can occur after high level of epidural anesthesia. Like ephedrine, epidural phenylephrine is known to reduce the incidence of hypotension induced by the epidural administration of lidocaine. The purpose of this study was to determine whether combining epidural phenylephrine can reduce the incidence of hypotension in epidural anesthesia. METHODS: Ninety-two patients undergoing a cesarean section were divided into three groups. Patients assigned to three groups received 20-25 ml of lidocaine containing fentanyl 50 microgram with one of three doses of phenylephrine; 0 microgram (Group 1), 100 microgram (Group 2), or 200 microgram (Group 3), injected via the lumber epidural catheter. The mean blood pressure and heart rate were recorded every 10 min for 1 h after injection and were compared among the groups. Pinprick testing was performed to determine the highest level of sensory block and the time to two-segment regression. Also, the incidence of hypotension and ephedrine required were investigated. RESULTS: The incidence of hypotension was 37%, 28%, and 40% in Group 1-3, respectively. The time to two-segment regression was 94.7 +/- 21.6 in group 1, 100.8 +/- 20.1 min in Group 2, compared to 118.2 +/- 26.3 min in Group 3. CONCLSIONS: We found that epidural phenylephrine significantly prolonged the duration of epidural anesthesia, but it was ineffective for preventing hypotension induced by lidocaine epidural anesthesia.

Keyword

Anesthetic techniques: epidural; Pregnancy: cesarean section; Sympathetic nervous system: pharmacology; phenylephrine

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia, Epidural*
Blood Pressure
Catheters
Cesarean Section
Ephedrine
Female
Fentanyl
Heart Rate
Humans
Hypotension*
Incidence
Lidocaine
Phenylephrine*
Pregnancy
Ephedrine
Fentanyl
Lidocaine
Phenylephrine