Spinal induced hypotension in pre-eclamptic and healthy parturients

Background: Preeclampsia/eclampsia is the third leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and severity of spinal-induced hypotension in preeclamptic and healthy parturients. Material & Methods: A total of 60 pregnant patients undergoing a C-Section with spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated into two groups. Group I: Preeclamptic 0.5%, 2.5cc (12.5mg) Hyperbaric Bupivacaine group: 30 patients. Group II: Normotensive 0.5%, 2.5cc (12.5mg) Hyperbaric Bupivacaine group: 30 patients.  The blood pressure values were recorded before spinal anesthesia and 2.5 minutes after a spinal puncture. Results: The mean age of the study group was 25.17+3.61 years (Mean +S.D.) and range is 18-30Years. The BP falls from baseline were significantly greater in the healthy parturients compared to those with preeclampsia (25.8% ± 10.1 vs 18.8% ± 17.0 for SBP, 28.5% ± 8.8 vs 22.5% ± 10.4 for DBP, and 31.2% ± 14.2 vs 18.2% ± 12.6% for MAP, p < 0.05). The incidence rate of hypotension in preeclamptic was 53% compared to 25% in healthy parturients (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The incidence of spinal-induced hypotension associated with patients undergoing C-Section is more in preeclamptic than in healthy parturients.