Utero-placental perfusions after epidural analgesia for cesarean section

ABSTRACT

The blood flow resistance in the maternal utero-placental and fetal umbilical artery circulation were studied in 20 pregnant patients with uneventful pregnancy undergoing elective lower segment Caesarean section. The systolic/diastolic [A/B] ration for utero-placental and fetal umbilical circulation were determined by Doppler velocimetry waveform analysis and were used as an index blood flow resistance. Each patients received 1 liter intravenous crystalloid infusion before an epidural bupivacaine infection. Epidural anaesthesia resulted in significant decease in the maternal utero-placental systolic/diastolic [A/B] ration associated with a decrease in fetal umbilical artery [A/B] ratio. This study suggests a beneficial fetal effect from the improved maternal uterine perfusion after epidural anaesthesia