[Severe bradycardia and hypotension during spinal anesthesia: a report of five cases without morbidity]

We reported five cases of sudden onset of bradycardia and hypotension during spinal anesthesia in which measurable parameters of the patients were monitored continuously by inter-operating-room local area network system. In the first two cases, episodes of bradycardia and hypotension were caused by incomplete spinal blockade. In the third patient, severe bradycardia was preceded by gradual decrease of heart rate following high spinal blockade. In the last two cases of high spinal anesthesia, no remarkable change of the heart rate was observed before sudden onset of bradycardia and hypotension. All five patients were easily and adequately treated and they showed no signs of hypoxia. We would like to emphasize the importance of adequate and continuous monitoring during spinal anesthesia.