RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ABDOMINAL CIRCUMFERENCE AND INCIDENCE OF HYPOTENSION DURING CESAREAN SECTION UNDER SPINAL ANESTHESIA

Abstract

Introduction: The spread of local anaesthetics during spinal anaesthesia is affected by various factors and can be unpredictable especially in parturients undergoing caesarean section. Previous studies have shown a positive association between the abdominal circumference and size of the uterus. Enlarged uterus can compress the inferior vena cava and cause hypotension when lying supine.

Methods: After obtaining well informed written consent, total 88 women were studied. Patients were divided into two groups according to the median abdominal circumference (<98 cm and ≥98 cm). The primary outcome of this study was the relationship between abdominal circumference and incidence of hypotension after spinal anaesthesia in term pregnant women. Unpaired t-test was used for data analysis.

Results: There was no difference in incidence of hypotension between the groups. However, the decrease in mean arterial pressure and its percentage decrease from baseline were greater in the larger than in the smaller abdominal circumference.

Conclusion: Large abdominal circumference in pregnancy is associated with greater decreases in mean arterial pressure from baseline. However, there was no significant difference in incidence of hypotension between larger and smaller abdominal circumference groups.