Table 34-10
- Vasopressors
- Ephedrine: 5–10 mg IV treats causes of hypotension by increasing cardiac output (venous return) and systemic vascular resistance
- Dopamine: Long-term infusion because tachyphylaxis can develop to repeated doses of ephedrine
- Phenylephrine: Increases blood pressure by increasing systemic vascular resistance, which may decrease cardiac output; this may be specific treatment for hypotension during epidural anesthesia provided by epinephrine-containing local anesthetic solutions
- Fluid Administration
- Prehydration with 500–1500 mL of crystalloid solution (cannot be relied on to prevent hypotension); 6% hetastarch (500 mL) may be an alternative to crystalloids