LI-KUEI CHENLin C.J.CHI-HSIANG HUANGWang M.H.PEI-LIN LINCHIEN-NAN LEEWEI-ZEN SUN2021-02-042021-02-0420060007-0912https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-31744447987&doi=10.1093%2fbja%2faei311&partnerID=40&md5=eca43ff7d173ca87335530de8c418ed8https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/547835Background. The transient effects of epidural bupivacaine 0.25-0.5% on the Doppler velocimetry of umbilical and uterine arteries had been reported, but the effects of continuous lower dose epidural bupivacaine (0.05-0.1%) infusion for labour analgesia have never been reported. In this study, we evaluated the effects of continuous epidural bupivacaine 0.075% on the Doppler velocimetry of uterine arteries. Methods. Twenty pregnant women for labour analgesia received continuous epidural bupivacaine 0.075% infusion. We used a 4-MHz continuous-wave Doppler probe (Multigon 500A) with a 200 Hz thump filter to detect uterine blood flow velocity. We recorded the velocimetry data for uterine relaxation and contraction during five time periods: Pre-epidural insertion, 1, 2, and 4 h post-epidural infusion, and after delivery of fetus. Results. Our data showed that the velocimetric indices of uterine vascular resistance were significantly increased 1, 2, and 4 h after epidural infusion when compared with the pre-epidural level; these returned to the baseline after delivery. Conclusion. Continuous epidural analgesia with bupivacaine 0.075% increases the resistance of uterine artery and therefore possibly reduces the uterine blood flow. ? The Board of Management and Trustees of the British Journal of Anaesthesia 2005. All rights reserved.[SDGs]SDG3[SDGs]SDG8bupivacaine; lidocaine; article; bradycardia; childbirth; clinical article; continuous epidural anesthesia; controlled study; Doppler flowmetry; drug dose regimen; drug efficacy; drug infusion; female; fetus; fetus disease; filter; human; hypotension; hypovolemia; medical record; obstetric anesthesia; postoperative period; pregnant woman; preoperative period; priority journal; uterine artery; uterus blood flow; uterus contraction; uterus relaxation; vascular resistancejournal article10.1093/bja/aei311163776452-s2.0-31744447987