Lower incidence of hypotension following spinal anesthesia with 6% hydroxyethyl starch preload compared to 9 ‰ saline solution in caesarean delivery.

Background: Hypotension is a common complication following spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery. Techniques to prevent hypotension include preloading intravenous fluid.

Objective: To compare the effect of two preloading regimens: 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) and 9‰ saline solution, to prevent hypotension after spinal anesthesia in cesarean delivery.

Methods: 105 patients undergoing intrathecal anesthesia for elective cesarean delivery were randomized and allocated to receive a preload of 500 ml HES 130/0.4 (HES Group) or a preload of 1500 ml 9‰ saline solution (CR group). Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded at baseline and after spinal anesthesia (every minute for the first 10 min, every 3 min for the next 10 min, and then every 5 min for the last 20 min). The primary outcome was to compare the incidence of hypotension (defined as a 20% reduction in systolic arterial pressure from baseline) between the two preloading regimens. Vasopressor requirements (i.v. bolus of 6 mg ephedrine) were also compared.

Results: The incidence of hypotension was 87% in the CR group and 69% in the HES group (p= 0.028). Ephedrine requirement, incidence of nausea, and/or vomiting and neonatal outcome did not significantly differ between the two groups.

Conclusions: The incidence of hypotension was lower after preloading of 500 mL of HES 130/0.4 than preloading with 1500 mL of 9‰ saline solution.