Muhammad Salman Maqbool

ABSTRACT

Objective: To appraise that objective heart rate variations, can predict hypotension following block, in parturients undergoing spinal cesarean delivery.  

Study Design: Observational study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Anesthesia Department, Islam Teaching Hospital, Islam Medical College, Sialkot from 03-4-2012 to 18-9-2012.

Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty eight term parturients scheduled for spinal cesarean delivery, with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status class 1-3 were inducted in the study. Preanesthetic assessment was done and informed written consent taken. Excluded were parturients with contraindications of regional anesthesia.

Results: Spearman’s  Rank  correlation  co-efficient  ( r)  value  came out  to  be 0.326 and  significant  at  0.01  level. Objective observation of heart rate variations i.e baseline and immediately following intra-thecal block along with baroreceptor response (ratio of changes in heart rate to change in systolic blood pressure) were noted in 128 term parturients undergoing spinal cesarean section.

Conclusion: The objective observation of heart rate changes following spinal sympathetic block correlated with subsequent systolic blood pressure patterns, representing autonomic (sympathetic and parasympathetic) efferent influences on heart.The hemodynamic changes also guided further management, thus help in lowering severity of maternal hypotension and reducing maternal morbidity. Key Words: Baroreflex, Spinal, Cesarean, Heart Rate

Citation of articles: Maqbool MS. Evaluation of Heart Rate Variability and Baroreflex Sensitivity in Cesarean Spinal Delivery. Med Forum 2018;29(3):78-82.