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Plasma noradrenaline levels during labour. Influence of electric lumbar epidural blockade
Plasma noradrenaline was assayed during augmented labour in nine patients receiving electric lumbar epidural blockade and in 11 patients using other forms of pain relief. Similar noradrenaline levels were seen in each group before induction of labour (epidural subjects 1.28; SEM 0.45 nmol/litre and non-epidural subjects 1.53; SEM 0.44 nmol/litre). At the onset of the second stage of labour the non-epidural patients showed a significant rise in plasma noradrenaline to 2.91; SEM 0.56 nmol/litre (p less than 0.01). The rise to 1.88; SEM 0.55 nmol/litre in the epidural group was not significant. Electric lumbar epidural block may influence plasma noradrenaline during labour.
Plasma noradrenaline was assayed during augmented labour in nine patients receiving electric lumbar epidural blockade and in 11 patients using other forms of pain relief. Similar noradrenaline levels were seen in each group before induction of labour (epidural subjects 1.28; SEM 0.45 nmol/litre and non-epidural subjects 1.53; SEM 0.44 nmol/litre). At the onset of the second stage of labour the non-epidural patients showed a significant rise in plasma noradrenaline to 2.91; SEM 0.56 nmol/litre (p less than 0.01). The rise to 1.88; SEM 0.55 nmol/litre in the epidural group was not significant. Electric lumbar epidural block may influence plasma noradrenaline during labour.
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