Goal-directed fluid therapy may improve hemodynamic stability in parturient women under combined spinal epidural anesthesia for cesarean section and newborn well-being

Aim To investigate whether goal‐directed fluid therapy (GDFT) with the LiDCOrapid system can reduce the incidence of maternal hypotension and improve neonatal outcome. Methods One hundred healthy term parturient women scheduled for elective cesarean section were recruited. After loading with 10 mL/kg Lactated Ringer's solution, parturient women were randomized to the GDFT and control group. In the GDFT group, individualized fluid therapy was implemented to optimize stroke volume, guided by the LiDCOrapid system. The control group received routine fluid therapy. Primary endpoints included onset of maternal hypotension, and vasopressor doses prior to delivery. The secondary endpoints included umbilical blood gas abnormalities and neonatal adverse events. Results Incidence of hypotension and mean phenylephrine dose administered prior to delivery were significantly higher in the control group than in the GDFT group (P < 0.01). There was no difference in Apgar score between the two groups. In the control group, mean umbilical artery and vein blood pH were significantly lower, corresponding to significantly higher incidences of neonatal hypercapnia and hypoxemia, compared with the GDFT group (P < 0.05). Conclusions LiDCOrapid‐guided GDFT may provide benefit to healthy parturient women and their newborns.