Effects of prophylactic atropine in prevention of spinal anesthesia induced hypotension and bradycardia in geriatrics undergoing urological surgeries at a resource limited setting in Central Ethiopia, 2018; prospective cohort study.

Abstract Background: Spinal anesthesia induced hypotension and bradycardia are common and hazardous in elderly patients. Many techniques are being tried to prevent and treat these problems even if there is a controversy. The effects of prophylactic atropine on prevention of spinal anesthesia induced hypotension and bradycardia in geriatrics for urologic surgeries are not well-established. Objective: To assess the effects of prophylactic atropine in prevention of spinal anesthesia induced hypotension and bradycardia in geriatrics undergoing urological surgeries at a resource limited setting in Central Ethiopia from December 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018 G.C. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study that recruits 76 patients who underwent elective urological surgeries. Independent t-test and Manny Whitney tests were used for numeric data while Chi-Square or Fisher exact test was used for categorical variables. P-values < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Results: There was no significant difference in baseline heart rate, mean arterial pressure, type & duration of surgery and total fluid administrations. There was a statistically significant difference in mean heart rate and mean arterial pressure at different times of measurement between the exposed and un-exposed groups. Total one hour vasopressor consumption was minimal in the exposed group (P = 0.038). Conclusion: Prophylactic atropine with in one minute of induction of spinal anesthesia in elderly patients undergoing urological surgery might reduce the incidence of hypotension and bradycardia.