Reduction of Shivering by Warming Intravenous Fluid in Cesarean Section under Spinal Anesthesia

Abstract

     Shivering associated with spinal anesthesia is uncomfortable and may interfere with monitoring. One of the causes may occur from large amount of unwarm intravenous fluid in a very short period of time. This randomized prospective study aimed to investigate whether warm intravenous fluid may prevent perioperative hypothermia and shivering in patients undergoing elective cesarean deliveries with spinal anesthesia.

     Sixty obstetric patient s scheduled for non-emergent cesarean delivery were enrolled in two groups. The patients were randomly assigned to warm intravenous fluid group (temperature 34.5 - 36.0 o C) and control group (unwarm intravenous fluid). The investigators assessed oral temperature and shivering at 30 minutes interval until discharged from post anesthetic care unit.

     The incidence of shivering occurred in 5 of 30 patients in control group and 2 of 30 patients receiving warm intravenous fluid. Either control group or warm intravenous fluid group has no effect on the cause of shivering. But unwarm intravenous fluid group has three times (OR = 2.8) of shivering more than warm intravenous fluid group.

     We concluded that warm intravenous fluid intraoperatively may help reduce risk of shivering in obstetric patients who have cesarean deliveries under spinal anesthesia.