Ephedrine Remains the Vasopressor of Choice for Treatment of Hypotension during Ritodrine Infusion and Epidural Anesthesia

Abstract

Although ephedrine and phenylephrine provided similar restoration of maternal mean arterial pressure, ephedrine was superior to phenylephrine in restoring uterine blood flow during ritodrine infusion and epidural anesthesia-induced hypotension in gravid ewes. Also, ephedrine, but not phenylephrine, significantly improved fetal oxygenation, when compared to normal saline--control.