ABSTRACT
Introduction: Hypotension during spinal anaesthesia remained one of the most common complications since decades. Various factors such as posture, fluid status, and characteristics of local anaesthetic affect the overall incidence of hypotension in a parturient. This study was conducted to compare the incidence of spinal induced hypotension with 0.75% isobaric ropivacaine-fentanyl and 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine-fentanyl combination. Methods: 80 ASA I & II parturient were randomly divided into two groups to receive either 10 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine(0.5%)+ 25 μg fentanyl(BF) or 15 mg isobaric ropivacaine(0.75%)+ 25 μg fentanyl(RF).The sensory and motor block characteristics, haemodynamic parameters as well as any adverse effects were recorded. Results: Sensory block onset time was 4.5±1.2 min in BF v/s 6.6±1.8 min in RF group. Time to achieve maximum cephalad spread was 8.9±1.5 min in BF v/s 12.6±2.2 min in RF. Onset of motor block was significantly faster in group BF (2.6±1.3 min in BF v/s 5.1±1.3 min in RF). Time to first analgesic requirement was 243.8±20.1 min in BF v/s 236.3±12.4 min in RF. Haemodynamic parameters were more stable in RF. Conclusion: Intrathecal isobaric Ropivacaine-fentanyl combination is a suitable option for caesarean section as it shows less incidence of hypotension with adequate analgesia.