Changes in cardiac index during labour analgesia: A double-blind randomised controlled trial of epidural versus combined spinal epidural analgesia - A preliminary study

Figures

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  Figure 1. Consort flow diagram of number of parturients recruited, number completed in each group, ephedrine use in each group and foetal heart rate changes observed

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  Figure 2. Cardiac index versus time. Solid lines = E group, n = 13. Dotted lines = Combined spinal epidural group, n = 10. Cardiac index continuous data expressed from time zero, regional analgesia bolus completion, up to 60 min

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  Figure 3. A cardiac index (cardiac output/body surface area) measured at 1 min intervals up to 60 min following initiation of epidural or combined spinal-epidural analgesia. Solid line represents the average values of the combined spinal epidural group (n = 10). Dotted line represents the average values of the E group (n = 13). No difference between the two groups at baseline. Statistical significance starts at 15 min (P = 0.006) after initiation of bolus. The difference between the two groups continues until 45 min (P = 0.0003). No difference noted from 45 min to 60 min. *P < 0.05, significant change from baseline within the same group, **P < 0.05, significant difference at specific time point between the two groups

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  Figure 4. Heart rate trends measure at baseline, 15 min, 30 min, 45 min and 60 min following initiation of E or combined spinal-epidural analgesia. Solid line represents the average values of the combined spinal epidural group (n = 10). Dotted line represents the average values of the E group (n = 13). *P < 0.05, a significant change from baseline within the same group. There is no difference between combined spinal epidural and E group throughout all time points. However, heart rate drops significantly within the combined spinal epidural group

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  Figure 5. (a) Systolic blood pressure measured at baseline, 15 min, 30 min, 45 min, and 60 min in following the initiation of combined spinal epidural or E analgesia. Solid line represents the average values of the combined spinal epidural group (n = 10). Dotted line represents the average values of the E group (n = 13), (b) diastolic blood pressure measured at baseline, 15 min, 30 min, 45 min and 60 min following initiation of combined spinal epidural or E analgesia. Solid line represents the average values of the combined spinal epidural group (n = 10). Dotted line represents the average values of the E group (n = 13). *P < 0.05, significant change from baseline within the same group. No difference between the two groups throughout