Effect of Spinal Anaesthesia on QT interval: Comparative study of severe pre eclamptic and normotensive parturients undergoing caesarean section.
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria.
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to compare the effect of spinal anesthesia on QT interval
in severe pre-eclamptic and normotensive parturients who underwent cesarean
section in a Nigerian tertiary hospital. Patients and Methods: Twelve-lead
electrocardiogram (ECG) was obtained before, and at intervals after spinal
anaesthesia on fifty severe pre‑eclamptic (Group A) and fifty normotensive
parturients (Group B) who underwent caesarean section. The effect of spinal
anaesthesia on QT interval was compared. Results: The preoperative (baseline)
mean QT interval was longer in group A than in group B; 453.10 ± 34.11 ms versus
399 ± 18.79 ms, P < 0.001. The prevalence of prolonged QT interval in the severe
pre‑eclamptic group before spinal anesthesia was 80% while in the normotensive
group it was 0%, P < 0.001. At 5, 30, 60, and 120 min after the establishment
of spinal anesthesia, the mean QT interval in the severe pre-eclamptic group was
shortened and maintained within normal limits; 414.74 ± 28.05, 418.28 ± 30.95,
411.18 ± 19.21 and 401.36 ± 17.52 ms with P < 0.001 throughout. In the
normotensive group, there was no significant change in the mean QT interval.
Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the QT interval was more prolonged
among the severe pre‑eclamptic parturients. Spinal anesthesia using 0.5%
hyperbaric bupivacaine normalized the QT interval and maintained it within
normal limits during the study period.
Description
Keywords
Bupivacaine, pre‑eclampsia, QT interval, spinal anesthesia
Citation
Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice 25(4):401-405.