Effects of Spinal Anesthesia on the Fetal Autonomic Nervous System

University Hospital, Lille50 enrolled

Overview

Elective cesarean deliveries account for over 10% of births in France and are often scheduled around 39 weeks of gestation. When feasible, spinal anesthesia is considered the gold standard in such a clinical situation. However, a well-known complication is maternal hypotension, which may lead to placental hypoperfusion and fetal acidosis. Heart rate variability (HRV) markers reflect autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity, which plays a key role in maintaining fetal homeostasis. The Lille University Hospital has developed a technology to assess parasympathetic activity through HRV analysis. This technology has been adapted to obtain an HRV markers specific of the fetal autonomic nervous system assessment: the Fetal Stress Index (FSI). Preclinical studies have shown that FSI correlates with parasympathetic fluctuations and fetal acidosis. This pilot study aims to evaluate the impact of spinal anesthesia on fetal ANS activity during elective cesarean delivery using a continuous beat-to-beat fetal heart rate recording device: the TOCONAUTE device. FSI will be retrospectively computed to assess fetal autonomic response. Maternal ANS activity will also be monitored using the Analgesia Nociception Index (ANI). A secondary objective is to explore the predictive value of ANI and FSI for maternal hypotension or fetal hypoxia.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

DIAGNOSTIC

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Obstetrics: Elective Caesarean Delivery

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 45 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Pregnant woman scheduled for elective cesarean delivery * Age: over 18 and under 45 years * Gestational age ≥ 37 weeks of amenorrhea * Singleton pregnancy * Proficient in the French language * Participant has provided written informed consent to take part in the study * Affiliated with a national health insurance scheme Exclusion Criteria: * Requirement for general anesthesia or combined epidural-spinal analgesia * Fetal malformation * Intrauterine fetal demise * Maternal and/or fetal cardiac rhythm disorders * History of heart transplantation * Open wound in an area covered or enclosed by one of the study devices * Risk of viral or infectious contamination of any component of the device * Hospitalization for medical termination of pregnancy * Sensory disorders resulting in lack of pain perception on the skin * Ongoing treatment that may alter autonomic nervous system activity (e.g., beta-blockers, anticholinergics, atropine) * Participant with an implanted medical device (e.g., pacemaker) * Known allergy to any component of the devices: polyamide, polyester, elastane, silver, or other synthetic materials * Participant whose anatomical area intended for ClearSight sensor placement is insufficient to allow proper application * Concurrent participation in another interventional research study

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

To assess the impact of spinal anesthesia on fetal autonomic nervous system activity during elective cesarean delivery.

Rate of Fetal Stress Index (FSI) compared with the pre-anesthesia baseline, computed from continuous fetal heart-rate recordings acquired with the TOCONAUTE device.

Time frame: At 12 minutes after intrathecal injection

Secondary Outcomes

To assess the impact of spinal anesthesia on fetal autonomic nervous system activity at intermediate time points during elective cesarean delivery.

Rate of Fetal Stress Index (FSI) at multiple intermediate time points after intrathecal injection (at placement, at injection (T0) and at T+1, T+3, T+6, and T+9 minutes) compared with the pre-anesthesia baseline, computed from continuous fetal heart-rate recordings acquired with the TOCONAUTE device.

Time frame: At placement, at injection, 1 min, 3 min, 6 min and 9 min during elective cesarean delivery.

To evaluate the evolution of maternal blood pressure following spinal anesthesia placement, up to 12 minutes after injection.

Change from baseline in ClearSight® (Edwards Lifesciences®) monitoring parameters (systolic arterial pressure (SAP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) measured at intrathecal injection (T0) and at T+1, T+3, T+6, T+9, and T+12 minutes, relative to the pre-spinal anesthesia baseline.

Time frame: At intrathecal injection (T0) and at T+1, T+3, T+6, T+9, and T+12 minutes,

To evaluate the evolution of cardiac output following spinal anesthesia

Change from baseline in ClearSight® (Edwards Lifesciences®) monitoring parameter: cardiac index (CI) measured relative to the pre-spinal anesthesia baseline.

Time frame: At intrathecal injection (T0) and at T+1, T+3, T+6, T+9, and T+12 minutes

To evaluate the evolution of cardiac output following spinal anesthesia

Change from baseline in ClearSight® (Edwards Lifesciences®) monitoring parameter: Hypotension Prediction Index (HPI) measured relative to the pre-spinal anesthesia baseline.

Time frame: At intrathecal injection (T0) and at T+1, T+3, T+6, T+9, and T+12 minutes

Change in ANI measurements measured at placement, at intrathecal injection (T0) and at T+1, T+3, T+6, T+9, and T+12 minutes, relative to the pre-spinal anesthesia baseline, measured by ANI monitor medical device.

Change in ANI measurements measured relative to the pre-spinal anesthesia baseline.

Time frame: At placement, at intrathecal injection (T0) and at T+1, T+3, T+6, T+9, and T+12 minutes

To compare fetal and maternal heart rate variability markers measured during the 12 minutes following spinal anesthesia placement, according to the maternal hypotension status.

Rate of FSI (Fetal Stress Index) and HPI (Hypotension Prediction Index) measured at placement, at intrathecal injection (T0) and at T+1, +3, +6, +9, and +12 minutes.

Time frame: At placement, at intrathecal injection (T0) and at T+1, +3, +6, +9, and +12 minutes

To compare fetal and maternal cardiac output values measured during the 12 minutes following spinal anesthesia placement, according to the maternal hypotension status.

Rate of FSI and ANI measured at placement, at intrathecal injection (T0) and at T+1, +3, +6, +9, and +12 minutes.

Time frame: At placement, at intrathecal injection (T0) and at T+1, +3, +6, +9, and +12 minutes

To compare fetal and maternal heart rate variability markers measured during the 12 minutes following spinal anesthesia placement, according to the neonatal acidosis status.

Rate of FSI and HPI measured at placement, at intrathecal injection (T0) and at T+1, +3, +6, +9, and +12 minutes, with analyses stratified by the presence or absence of neonatal acidosis (defined as umbilical arterial pH \< 7.20 at birth).

Time frame: At placement, at intrathecal injection (T0) and at T+1, +3, +6, +9, and +12 minutes

To compare fetal and maternal cardiac output values measured during the 12 minutes following spinal anesthesia placement, according to the neonatal acidosis status.

Rate of FSI and ANI measured at placement, at intrathecal injection (T0) and at T+1, +3, +6, +9, and +12 minutes, with analyses stratified by the presence or absence of neonatal acidosis (defined as umbilical arterial pH \< 7.20 at birth).

Time frame: At placement, at intrathecal injection (T0) and at T+1, +3, +6, +9, and +12 minutes

Effects of Spinal Anesthesia on the Fetal Autonomic Nervous System

Overview

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes

Central Contacts