The Use of Ephedrine in Epidural Analgesia

Abstract

The changes in arterial blood pressure following high epidural blockade with bupivacaine adrenaline, etidocaine adrenaline and HS 37 adrenaline have been retrospectively evaluated from a clinical study in middle-aged and elderly patients, with special emphasis on the role of ephedrine premedication. Epidural blockade without the use of vasopressors was usually followed by hypotension, but after ephedrine premedication the changes in blood pressure were insignificant. The heart rate did not change more in groups with ephedrine than in those without ephedrine premedication, although the incidence of bradycardia was lower with ephedrine premedication. No side effects of ephedrine were noted.