Intravenous albumin administration for prevention of spinal hypotension during cesarean section

Five percent albumin in Ringer's lactate with 5% dextrose solution (D5RL) (15 ml/kg) was prophylactically infused preanesthetically over 15 to 20 minutes to prevent hypotension during spinal anesthesia in 46 patients undergoing elective cesarean section. Apgar scores and the incidence and severity of hypotension were compared to results obtained in 41 patients who were given D5RL solution without albumin (15 ml/kg). The incidence of hypotension was significantly less in patients given 5% albumin than in patients hydrated with D5RL alone. Mean arterial pressure decreased up to 18 torr from control values in patients hydrated with D5RL but mean arterial pressure did not change significantly in patients given 5% albumin. The Apgar scores, both at 1 minute and 5 minutes, were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in infants born of mothers given albumin than in infants whose mothers were given D5RL solution. Prophylactic administration of 5% albumin in D5RL solution is an effective method for prevention of spinal hypotension.