Carotid Flow Measurements in Pregnant Women

Overview

The goal of this observational study is to reveal the relation between carotid flow changes and post-spinal hypotension in pregnant women between the ages of 20-40. The main question it aims to answer is: Do the carotid flow blood flow measurements and corrected flow time change before and after spinal anaesthesia related to postspinal hypotension? Participants are already receiving spinal anaesthesia to receive a caesarean section. As part of their regular anaesthesia management protocol, they will answer questions about anaesthesia management. The participants will only examined by ultrasound twice.

In this study, Doppler ultrasound measurements will be taken to evaluate the diameter and flow velocity of the left carotid artery in pregnant women aged 20-40 years, classified as ASA 1-2 term and uncomplicated, upon their arrival at the operating room in the supine position. Measurements will be performed three times at the cricoid level, before the carotid bifurcation, and directly from the arch to mitigate any errors due to the measurer. These measurements will be conducted by the same individual (B.C) and repeated three minutes after returning to the supine position post-spinal anaesthesia, with changes between the two measurements recorded. The spinal anaesthesia dose will be standardized with 10 mg of heavy bupivacaine and 10 mcg of fentanyl. Hemodynamic data from the time patients enter the operating room until baby delivery will be recorded. Hypotension during this period will be defined as (1) a decrease in systolic blood pressure \>30% or a decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP) \>20% from baseline, or (2) systolic blood pressure \<90 mmHg or MAP \<65 mmHg. Carotid flow measurements and the amount of crystalloid administered during spinal anaesthesia will be noted in hypotensive and non-hypotensive patients.

Conditions