Incidence and Risk Factors of Spinal Anesthesia Induced Bradycardia

Abstract

          Bradycardia is a complication of spinal anesthesia that can lead to cardiac arrest. The knowledge of the incidence and risk factors of bradycardia during spinal anesthesia is important for anesthetic personnel to prevent adverse event and to promote patients’ safety. A retrospective, descriptive study was conducted to study the incidence of bradycardiaa and its relating factors during spinal anesthesia in patients underwent surgery under spinal anesthesia at Warinchamrab Hospital. Patients’ characteristic data, preoperative condition, anesthetic drugs and surgical data were collected from anesthetic sheets in January - December 2011. Data were analyzed using chi-square test and multiple logistic regressions and presented by 95% confidence interval and p-value. Of the overall 294 patients, the incidence of bradycardia was 9.2%. There was one patient having cardiac arrest. Average time from injection of local anesthetic drug to bradycardia was 37.3 minutes (2-90 min.) The significant risk factors were gender (male), baseline heart rate < 60 beats/min. and premedication with benzodiazepine.