Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology : the journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
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Observational Study
Analgesia nociception index as a tool to predict hypotension after spinal anaesthesia for elective caesarean section.
Arterial hypotension is the main disadvantage of spinal anaesthesia (SA) for caesarean delivery with deleterious effects on maternal-foetal outcomes. Recently, a non-invasive device 'analgesia nociception index' (ANI) has been developed to evaluate the parasympathetic component of the nervous autonomous system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of ANI to predict the risk of hypotension after SA for elective caesarean section. ⋯ What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? ANI is an effective tool in predicting the risk of spinal anaesthesia-related hypotension. These findings are of potential clinical importance in the obstetrical anaesthesia setting. Further studies are required in order to implement this simple tool and optimise prophylactic measures especially vasopressors.