[Management of hypotension during spinal anaesthesia for elective caesarean section: a survey of practice in Lorraine region].

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the survey was to describe current practice in management of hypotension during spinal anaesthesia for elective caesarean section in Lorraine.

STUDY

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study by a mail survey.

METHODS

A 20-item postal questionnaire was sent to all anaesthetists working in public or private hospital with a maternity unit in Lorraine.

RESULTS

The response rate was 65%. Fifty-one percent of the respondents did not have a written procedure for the management of spinal-induced hypotension. Fluid preloading with or without vasopressor was the most common practice. Colloids were used by 20% of the respondents. For prevention of hypotension, 37% used ephedrine, 28% used phenylephrine mostly in association with ephedrine and 9% based their choice on heart rate. Twenty-six percent did not administer any vasopressor to prevent hypotension. First choice vasopressor for treatment of hypotension was ephedrine. Anaesthetists in academic practice were more likely to use coloading and phenylephrine administration, but none of them used colloids for pre- or coloading.

CONCLUSION

Management of hypotension during spinal anaesthesia for elective caesarean section was significantly influenced by the type of practice.