Abstract

The cardiovascular effects of neuraxial blocks are similar in some ways to the combined use of intravenous α1- and β-adrenergic blockers: decreased heart rate and arterial blood pressure. The sympathectomy that accompanies the techniques depends on the height of the block, with the sympathectomy typically described as extending for two to six dermatomes above the sensory level with spinal anaesthesia and at the same level with epidural anaesthesia. A prospective randomized case controlled study was done to analyse the clinical effects of combined spinal epidural anaesthesia versus spinal anaesthesia in major surgical procedures in the Department of Anaesthesiology, Pain and Critical care. A total of 66 patients were enrolled for the study with the following inclusion and exclusion criteria. The mean basal systolic blood pressure was comparable between the two groups (p=0.846). The Mean systolic pressure was lower in group B throughout the surgery compared to group A (p<0.001). It was less than 100 mmHg in group B between 15-40 minutes.

Description