Effects of subarachnoid block on plasma nitric oxide level in the patients with pregnancy induced hypertension

Objective To observe the effects of subarachnoid block on plasma nitric oxide level of the pregnancy induced hypertension patients Methods Twenty female patients ASA class I ,scheduled for elective gynecological surgery served as non pregnancy group, 20 normal late stage gravidas as pregnancy group,and 20 severe pregnancy induced hypertension(PIH) gravidas as PIH group The intravenohs blood samples were taken immediately before subarachnoid block and 10 min following subarachnoid block(before incision),to quantify the plasma concentration of nitric oxide by measuring the metabolic production of nitric oxide:nitrite and nitrate Results Immediately before subarachnoid block,the plasma nitric oxide level decreased significantly in non pregnancy group and PIH group compared with that in pregnancy group (P0 05 or 0 01 ) The plasma nitric oxide level increased significantly after subarachnoid block in all three groups(P0 05 or 0 01) Conclusions Subarachnoid block can improve plasma nitric oxide level in the patient with pregnancy induced hypertension ,indicating to produce therapeutic effect on pregnancy induced hypertension