A Comparative Study Of Ringer Lactate Solution And 6% Hydroxyethyl Starch Solution As Preloading Fluid For Prevention Of Hypotension In Patients Undergoing Elective Caesarean Section Under Spinal Anaesthesia – A Randomised Clinical Trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Regional anesthesia has been the choice of preference for elective cesarean sections. Hypotension remains a common and potentially serious complication during spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery. Fluid preloading attenuates the hypotensive response to spinal anesthesia. Preloading of patients with either crystalloid or colloid solutions reduces the incidence and severity of hypotension. AIMS: Our aim was to compare the preloading efficacy of Ringer’s lactate solution at 20 ml/ Kg body weight and 6% Hydroxyethyl starch at 10 ml/ Kg body weight in prevention of hypotension following spinal anesthesia in parturients undergoing elective caesarean section. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted at Shri B.M.Patil Medical College & Hospital,Vijayapur. 72 non labouring ASA class 1 women undergoing elective caesarean section were randomly divided into two groups of 36 patients each. Each subject was preloaded over a period of 20 minutes before spinal anesthesia with either of the fluids. Group RL - Preloaded with Ringer lactate 20ml/kg. Group HES - Preloaded with 6%Hydroxyethyl starch 10ml/kg. RESULTS: Demographic characters of both groups were comparable. There was significant difference in both the groups comparing mean systolic blood pressure, mean diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure. Insignificant change in mean heart rate was noted between the Ringer’s lactate group and Hydroxy