Incidence of Spinal Anesthesia Induced Severe Hypotension among the Pregnant Women Undergoing Cesarean Section at Muhima Hospital.

Background: The spinal induced severe hypotension is frequently reported during cesarean section; the literature counts 70% of severe hypotension following spinal anesthesia for cesarean section. This complication is thought to be serious and even fatal, when not well managed; however, in Rwanda, we have a limited data about that spinal induced life-threatening complication. Objectives: To determine the incidence and factors associated with spinal anesthesia induced severe hypotension during caesarian section at Muhima hospital. Methodology: The study was cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical in design. The study population was the pregnant women scheduled for cesarean section, and a sample size of 108 was used. A self-developed questionnaire was used as data collection tool. Results: Forty percent of participants' experienced spinal anesthesia induced severe hypotension; while preloading, left tilt position and infusion of ephedrine, were associated with lower incidence of severe hypotension. Conclusion: The incidence of spinal induced severe hypotension is high, however, preloading; left lateral position and co-infusion of ephedrine were found to protect the participants from spinal induced severe hypotension. Therefore, these techniques should be promoted.