Effects of anthropometric measurements on spinal anaesthesia block characteristics and hemodynamics

Abstract

We aimed to determine the effects of some anthropometric values on sensorial block characteristics of spinal anesthesia and hemodynamics in patients unergoing elective cesarean sections performed under spinal anesthesia. Weight, length, body surface area, and body mass index, abdominal, waist, and hip circumferences of 50 patients were measured. Spinal anesthesia was applied while the patient was sitting erect. The time of sensorial block to reach the T4 level and the maximum sensorial block level were recorded in each case. Cases who developed hypotension and bradycardia during the spinal anesthesia were recorded. In this study hypotension was observed in 54% of patients and it was determined that the prevalence of hypotension increased in patients with a shorter height, larger abdominal circumference, higher body mass index, lower body surface area and a higher waist/hip ratio. It was found that the prevalence of bradycardia increased in patients with a shorter height, higher body mass index, lower body surface area and a higher waist/hip ratio. This study also determined a positive correlation between the values of height, weight and body surface area and the time of sensorial block to reach the T4 dermatome; and a positive correlation between the body mass index and the dermatome area of the maximum sensorial block In line with the values provided by simple and non-time consuming anthropometric measurements the patients who are planned to receive a spinal anesthesia may be priorly prepared against advers effects of bradycardia and hypotension that may develop, and to estimate the sensorial block characteristics of the spinal anesthesia.