Maternal cardiovascular dynamics. V. Cesarean section under thiopental, nitrous oxide, and succinylcholine anesthesia.

Abstract

Abstract Serial hemodynamic measurements were carried out in 17 normal pregnant women undergoing repeat cesarean section at term under thiopental, nitrous oxide, and succinylcholine anesthesia. The peak cardiac output reached 7 L. per minute (41 per cent over control values) 10 minutes after delivery. A maximum arterial pressure of 131/82 mm. Hg was found just prior to delivery (18 per cent above control values). The peripheral resistance showed little change except for a slight decline post partum. The hemodynamic fluctuations were found to be significantly smaller than those previously reported during cesarean section under subarachnoid block anesthesia and during labor and vaginal delivery under local and caudal anesthesia. From the hemodynamic data presently available, cesarean section under balanced anesthesia should be considered as an alternate method for delivering the infant of the seriously ill pregnant cardiac patient (Classes III and IV).