Metaraminol infusion during spinal anesthesia for cesarean section resulted in significantly fewer cases of umbilical arterial pH < 7.2 compared to ephedrine (0% vs 39%, P=0.0005).
RCT (n=50)
Double-blind
randomized
Does metaraminol improve maternal hemodynamics and neonatal acid-base status compared to ephedrine in women having elective cesarean section with spinal anesthesia?
Metaraminol infusion provides better maternal blood pressure control and less neonatal acidosis compared to ephedrine during spinal anesthesia for cesarean section.
Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 39%
p-value: p=0.0005
BACKGROUND: Although ephedrine is usually recommended as the first-line vasopressor in obstetrics, its superiority over other vasopressors has not been proven in humans. METHODS: In a double-blind study, the authors randomized women having elective cesarean section with spinal anesthesia to receive an intravenous infusion of ephedrine, starting at 5 mg/min (n = 25), or metaraminol, starting at 0.25 mg/min (n = 25), titrated to maintain systolic arterial pressure in the target range 90-100% of baseline. Umbilical cord gases, maternal hemodynamics, uterine artery puLsatility index, and Apgar scores were compared. RESULTS: Systolic arterial pressure was maintained more closely in the target range in the metaraminol group compared with the ephedrine group. In the metaraminol group, umbilical arterial pH was greater (median and interquartile range, 7.31 and 7.31-7.33 vs. 7.24 and 7.14-7.29; P < 0.0001), and umbilical venous pH was greater (7.36 and 7.35-7.38 vs. 7.33 and 7.26-7.34; P < 0.0001) compared with the ephedrine group. No patient in the metaraminol group had umbilical arterial pH less than 7.2, compared with nine patients (39%) in the ephedrine group (P = 0.0005). Apgar scores were similar between groups. Changes in uterine artery pulsatility index were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: When used by infusion to maintain arterial pressure during spinal anesthesia for cesarean section, metaraminol was associated with less neonatal acidosis and more closely controlled titration of arterial pressure compared with ephedrine.
Kee et al. (2001) conducted an RCT in elective cesarean section with spinal anesthesia (n=50). Metaraminol vs. Ephedrine (starting at 5 mg/min) was evaluated on umbilical arterial pH less than 7.2 (p=0.0005). Metaraminol infusion during spinal anesthesia for cesarean section resulted in significantly fewer cases of umbilical arterial pH < 7.2 compared to ephedrine (0% vs 39%, P=0.0005).