Comparison between the Effects of Thiopental Sodium and Propofol on Maternal Hemodynamics during Cesarean Section Under General Anesthesia and Apgar score of the newborns

Abstract Background Cesarean delivery is one of the most current surgeries in women and one of the most significant challenges of anesthesiologists in this kind of surgery is the fetuses' exposure to anesthetic drugs. Regional anesthesia is generally preferred during cesarean section, but general anesthesia may be the only option under certain circumstances such as patient preference, back deformities. The most common drugs which are used in cesarean section to induce general anesthesia are thiopental sodium and propofol. Aim compare the effect of sodium thiopental induction versus propofol induction on hemodynamics of mothers undergoing elective cesarean section under general anesthesia and their effect on Apgar score of their newborns. Materials and Methods A total 260 healthy patients were included in an open randomized study, among whom 130 patients received Thiopentone and 130 received Propofol. These patients were premedicated with granisetron and ranitidine, after induction dose the maintenance was similar for both groups. APGAR scoring and umbilical cord venous gas analysis were among the parameters used for determining the general well-being of newborns. There were no significant difference between the two groups regarding Apgar scoring in 1st, 2nd and 5th minutes. Umbilical cord blood gas values were similar . There was no metabolic acidosis in newborns of mothers receiving thiopental or propofol as anesthetic agents during cesarean section. Results Group (T) received general anesthesia with thiopental at a dose of ( 4-6 mg/kg) while patients in group (P) received general anesthesia with propofol at a dose of (2mg/kg). As regards hemodynamic changes, there were no significant difference in maternal heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean blood pressure during their measurement throughout the procedure-preoperatively, after delivery of the baby,15 minutes after delivery, after extubation and in recovery room- but after intubation, there were significantly lower in propofol group which suppressed hemodynamic response to intubation . Conclusion Thiopental and propofol can be safely used in cesarean sections, but the use of propofol is more advantageous than thiopental because it provides adequate anesthetic suppression of pressor response of intubation without any depressive effect on newborns.