ASSESSMENT OF SPINAL ANESTHESIA INDUCED HYPOTENSION VIA PERFUSION INDEX IN PATIENTS PRESENTING FOR CAESAREAN SECTION AT TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN PESHAWAR PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: The Perfusion Index (PI) is a revolutionary parameter that has been attempted to predict hypotension during spinal anesthesia for lower segment caesarean sections (LSCS). The purpose of this study was to look into the relationship between the incidence of hypotension after SAB in LSCS and the baseline perfusion index at tertiary care hospital in Peshawar. Methods: Descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in department of gynaecology at tertiary care hospital in Peshawar. We have selected 100 sample sizes by convenient sampling technique. Our study inclusion criteria include age 20 to 40,single foetus, ASA 1 and 2 physical status, spinal anesthesia and exclusion criteria include diabetics patients, obese patients with BMI >40kg/m2, general anesthesia. All variables being categorical were analysed by  frequency and percentage using SPSS version 29. Results: Our study found a notable correlation between baseline perfusion index (PI) exceeding 3.5 and an increased incidence of hypotension during spinal anesthesia for elective lower segment caesarean sections. In the third interval, 48% of patients exhibited a PI greater than 3.5, with 61% subsequently developing hypotension. These results emphasize the potential of PI as a valuable predictive tool in optimizing perioperative management and patient outcomes. Conclusion: A greater frequency of hypotension after spinal anesthesia in elective LSCS is linked to a baseline perfusion index greater than 3.5.

Keywords: Hypotension, perfusion index, pregnancy, spinal anesthesia