[Hemodynamic effects of continuous epidural infusion with local anesthetics]

Epidural blockade with local anesthetic may cause hypotension resulting from sympathetic block and/or systemic effect produced by absorbed local anesthetic through epidural blood vessels. In the present study, we compared the hemodynamic effects of saline 0.5 ml.h-1, lidocaine 0.5 ml.h-1, bupivacaine 0.5 ml.h-1, lidocaine 2 ml.h-1, and bupivacaine 2 ml.h-1, which were given epidurally combined with morphine. There was not significant difference in hemodynamics among 5 groups. Continuous epidural infusion with a small dose of local anesthetic agent combined with morphine is unlikely to induce apparent hemodynamic effects during postoperative period.