PREDICTION OF POSTSPINAL HYPOTENSION BASED ON PREOPERATIVE HEART RATE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING CAESEREAN SECTION: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Background: Hypotension is most common side effect of spinal anaesthesia in obstetrics patients undergoing caesarean section. It has chances of affecting both mother and fetal well-being. Systemic hemodynamics are modulated by autonomic nervous system (ANS). Evaluation of ANS may be helpful in predicting hypotension. The present study is designed to identify the subset of pregnant patients at higher risk of developing post-spinal hypotension based on baseline heart rate (HR) prior to administration of spinal anaesthesia. Materials and Method: This was a prospective study conducted on 100 patients aged 20-30 years, of American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) grade I or II, posted for elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. Patients were divided into two groups based on their preoperative HR. Incidence of hypotension and mephentermine requirement following spinal anaesthesia were noted. Results: 39% patients out of 100 developed hypotension , of whom 27 were in the group with HR >/=91 beats per minute (bpm) (50.9%) and 12 patients were in the group with HR