Electrical Acupoint Stimulation Reduces Intrathecal Anesthesia Induced Hypotension

The parturients may suffer from hypotension after spinal anesthesia and the incidence could be as high as 70-80% when pharmacological prophylaxis is not used. Acupuncture was reported to treat hypotension both in human and animal studies. Possible mechanisms include modulating cardiovascular and sympathetic system. In this prospective, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial, we tend to investigate the effect of transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on hypotension in parturients undergoing cesarean section.

Inclusion Criteria:age ≥18 yearsAmerican Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ-Ⅱsingleton pregnancyfull-term gestation (≥38 weeks)Exclusion Criteria:Parturients suffering from preeclampsiaParturients with hypertension, diabetes, or cardiac dysfunction