Intravenous use of Ondansetron reduces frequency of maternal hypotension in parturient women undergoing cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia.

In women having cesarean section, a randomized controlled trial sought to assess the prevalence of maternal hypotension with or without Ondansetron intravenous injection.

A total of 84 pregnant women (aged 18 to 35 years) who were recruited for spinal anesthesia for cesarean section (C-section) were incorporated. Subjects with a history of hyperglycemia, heart, lung, or kidney disease, hypo- or hypertension, tachycardia, or bradycardia were not included.

By employing codes placed in sequentially numbered, sealed envelopes, the patients were randomized to receive 8  mg/4ml Ondansetron (Group A, mean age: 26.57 ± 5.28 years, gestational age: 39.36 ± 1.65 weeks) and 4 ml of normal saline (Group B, mean age: 26.88 ± 4.62 years, gestational age: 39.79 ± 1.47 weeks). Following spinal anesthesia, recording of the heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure was done every three minutes for the first ten minutes, then every five minutes till the next 30 minutes.

Overall 38.10% (n = 32) of volunteers were classified as American Society of Anesthesiology I (ASA I) and 61.90% (n = 52) as ASA II. Notably, 138.44 ± 13.59 mmHg was the mean arterial pressure. In Group A, there were fewer cases of maternal hypotension when compared to Group B, as illustrated in Table 1:

In women undergoing C-section under spinal anesthesia, prophylactic use of Ondansetron is beneficial for maternal hypotension prevention.