Abstract
BACKGROUND: Bezold Jarisch reflex (BJR) is mediated by peripheral serotonin receptor 5-HT(3) type. BJR and sympathetic blockade are important causes of hypotension and bradycardia after spinal anaesthesia. Premedication with serotonin receptor antagonists has a role in the attenuation of hemodynamic disturbances. AIM: To compare the effect of intravenous granisetron and ondansetron on the hemodynamic and sensory-motor block after spinal anaesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine in patients undergoing elective surgery. METHODOLOGY: Ninety patients posted for elective surgery under spinal anaesthesia were randomly divided into three groups of 30 each. Group A patients received ondansetron 4mg, group B received granisetron 1mg, and group C received normal saline intravenously. Hemodynamic variables such as heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and peripheral oxygen saturation, were recorded at baseline and then 2 minutes intervals for 20 minutes and thereafter every 5 minutes till the end of the surgery. The onset and duration of sensory and motor block were recorded at baseline and then every 2 minutes till the complete block was achieved. RESULT: No patient was excluded from our study. During the intergroup comparison, heart rate and mean arterial pressure remained stable in group A compared to groups B and C. Time to reach peak sensory block level T4 was faster in group A compared to group B and group C. The rate of sensory block regression to two segments (T4 to T6) and thereafter up to T10, T12, and S1 was faster in group B compared to groups A and C. The attainment of complete motor block, Modified Bromage Score (MBS)=4 was faster in group A compared to group B and group C. The rate of motor block regression to MBS=3 and MBS=0 was faster in group B compared to group A and group C. CONCLUSION: Premedication with ondansetron 4mg and granisetron 1mg intravenously significantly reduces ephedrine use. Ondansetron provides better hemodynamic stability, earlier onset of the sensory and motor blocks as well as prolonged duration of sensory and motor blocks, and duration of analgesia compared to granisetron.