OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of intramuscular ephedrine for prevention of hypotension following subarachnoid block (SB) in the elderly. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized double blind study vs placebo. PATIENTS: Twenty patients, aged 60 years or more, of physical class ASA 2 or 3, scheduled for surgical fixation of fractured neck of femur under SB, allocated into two groups of ten each. METHODS: After oral premedication with hydroxyzine 50 mg, 90 min before surgery, and preloading with cristalloid solution 10 mL.kg-1, the subarachnoid space was punctured with the patient in lateral position using a 22 Gauge spinal needle at the L3-L4 or L4-L5 interspace. Patients were given 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine intrathecally, according to body weight. Patients in ephedrine group received intramuscular ephedrine 30 mg immediately after SB. Patients in placebo group received 1 mL of intramuscular saline immediately after SB. When blood pressure decreased below 100 mmHg repeated bolus of ephedrine 6 mg were given intravenously. RESULTS: Patients in both groups experienced a significant decrease in systolic pressure after SB, the decrease being significantly greater in the placebo group. CONCLUSION:Prophylactic intramuscular ephedrine is effective to prevent hypotension associated with SB in the elderly.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of intramuscular ephedrine for prevention of hypotension following subarachnoid block (SB) in the elderly. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized double blind study vs placebo. PATIENTS: Twenty patients, aged 60 years or more, of physical class ASA 2 or 3, scheduled for surgical fixation of fractured neck of femur under SB, allocated into two groups of ten each. METHODS: After oral premedication with hydroxyzine 50 mg, 90 min before surgery, and preloading with cristalloid solution 10 mL.kg-1, the subarachnoid space was punctured with the patient in lateral position using a 22 Gauge spinal needle at the L3-L4 or L4-L5 interspace. Patients were given 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine intrathecally, according to body weight. Patients in ephedrine group received intramuscular ephedrine 30 mg immediately after SB. Patients in placebo group received 1 mL of intramuscular saline immediately after SB. When blood pressure decreased below 100 mmHg repeated bolus of ephedrine 6 mg were given intravenously. RESULTS:Patients in both groups experienced a significant decrease in systolic pressure after SB, the decrease being significantly greater in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic intramuscular ephedrine is effective to prevent hypotension associated with SB in the elderly.