Influence of spinal hypotension on fetal oxidative status during elective cesarean section in uncomplicated pregnancies

Abstract

Methods: We examined the relation between spinal hypotension (systolic blood pressure: <100 mmHg or <80% of the baseline value) and fetoplacental oxygen free radicals during elective cesarean section. Plasma xanthine, serum uric acid and plasma malondialdehyde levels in umbilical venous blood and blood gases in the umbilical artery were measured in patients receiving spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean section complicated with (n=26) and without (n=26) spinal hypotension. Patients with spinal hypotension were divided to two groups on the duration of the hypotension: those with the duration of <2 min (n=19) and those with the duration of > or =2 min (n=7).

Results: There were no measurable differences in these variables between the control and the hypotension with the duration of <2 min groups. While, the plasma xanthine, serum uric acid and plasma malondialdehyde levels in the hypotension group with the duration of > or =2 min were significantly higher than those in the control group without the significant differences in blood gases and pH-levels.