Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Spinal anaesthesia is the method of choice for caesarean section, especially in case of elective procedures, because it avoids the most common risks associated with general anaesthesia, such as aspiration, difficult intubation and negative effects of general anaesthetics on the foetus. The present study was compared intravenous norepinephrine and mephentermine for maintenance of blood pressure during spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section. Materials & Methods: 100parturientsselected for elective caesarean section (CS) under SAB (subarachnoid block) were divided into 2 groups of 50 each. Group I received boluses of intravenous norepinephrine 8 µg and group II received mephentermine 6 mg for SAIH. Results: The mean age in group I was 28.5 years and in group II was 27.3 years, height was 156.2 cm in group I and 158.1 cm in group II, weight was 64.4 kgs in group I and 65.1 kgs in group II, duration of surgery was 47.3 minutes in group I and 48.2 minutes in group II, APGAR score at 1st minute was 7.25 in group I and 7.22 in group II and at 5 minutes was 9.04 in group I and 9.02 in group II. The difference was non- significant (P> 0.05). Number of requirement of doses were 1 time seen in 5in group I and 17 in group II, 2 times seen 10 in group I and 12 in group II, 3 times seen 14 in group I and 9 in group II, 4 times seen 8 in group I and 5 in group II, 5 times seen 4in group I and 6 times seen 3 in group I. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). A non- significant difference in change in systolic blood pressure in both groups (P> 0.05). A non- significant difference in change in diastolic blood pressure in both groups (P> 0.05). Side effects reported were shivering seen 5 in group I and 4 in group II, hypertension seen in 2 in group I and 1 in group II.Nausea/ vomiting seen 6 in group I and 5 in group II and headache was seen 8 in group I and 7 in group II. The difference was non- significant (P> 0.05). Conclusion: Intravenous norepinephrine was comparable with mephentermine in maintenance of blood pressure in caesarean section.