Effect of pre-operative heart rate on post spinal hypotension in obstetric patients

The purpose of the study was to determine the association between of pre-operative heart rate and post spinal hypotension in women undergoing cesarean section. It was a quasi-experimental study. It was conducted at Anaesthesia Department Combined Military Hospital Lahore and was of one year duration from June 2006 to May 2007. Two hundred patients undergoing caesarean section were included in the study selected on non probability convenience sampling technique. The patients were divided into two groups depending upon their pre operative heart rate. Spinal anesthesia was administered and number of patients developing hypotension was noted. Among 200 patients, who were included in the study, 112 were placed in group A and 88 were placed in group B depending on mean heart rate of 90 beats per minute or less or 91 beats per minute or more respectively. In group A 14 [11.86%] patients developed hypotension where as in group B 28 [31.82%] patients developed hypotension. Pre operative heart rate is significantly associated with post spinal hypotension in obstetric patients undergoing cesarean section