Postspinal hypotension in elderly patients undergoing orthopedic surgery, prophylactic ephedrine versus polygeline 3.5.

Context: Perioperative fluid management in elderly poses considerable challenge to the anesthesiologist. The conventional crystalloid loading may not be a preferred regime in this subgroup of patients since an exaggerated hemodynamic response is expected due to blunted sympathetic response and compromised cardiorespiratory system.

Aims: This study was designed in the elderly patient for comparing efficacy, side-effects and limitations of prophylactic ephedrine 30 mg (intramuscular [i.