Volume: 3
Year: 2026, Page: 1-9,
Received: Sept. 5, 2025 Accepted: Dec. 22, 2025 Published: Jan. 20, 2026
Hypotension is a frequent complication of subarachnoid block (SAB) that frequently requires pharmacological treatment. The purpose of this study was to compare the relative efficacy of two pre-loaded colloid preparations, Hydroxyethyl Starch (HES 6%) and Haemaccel, in decreasing the frequency and severity of hypotension after subarachnoid block (SAB). A prospective randomised controlled trial was conducted with 200 patients who underwent elective lower abdominal and lower limb surgery under spinal anaesthesia in a tertiary care hospital. Patients were randomised into two groups: HA (Haemaccel) and HES (Hydroxyethyl Starch 6%). Inclusion criteria were ASA grade I and II patients, age between 20 and 65 years. Preloading with 10 ml/kg of either Haemaccel or HES 6% was given 15 minutes before spinal anaesthesia. Vital signs were observed, and hypotension was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) <90 mmHg or <70% of the baseline. Ephedrine and atropine were administered as needed for the treatment of hypotension and bradycardia. Hypotension incidence and ephedrine use were documented and compared between the groups. The baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar. Group-HA exhibited a higher pulse rate and more significant reductions in SBP and MAP at 10, 15, 20, and 25 minutes compared to Group-HES. There were no significant differences in the requirement for ephedrine or adverse events between the two groups. Nine patients in the Group-HA and four in the Group-HES required ephedrine administration. Although no serious complications occurred, Group-HA did experience a higher incidence of bradycardia, nausea, vomiting, and allergy. With these findings we conclude that Haemaccel and Hydroxyethyl Starch were efficacious in reducing hypotension following a subarachnoid block. However, more stable haemodynamic results were achieved in the Group-HES. Ephedrine requirements and overall safety profiles were comparable between the two colloid groups, indicating that either colloid may be used to effectively avoid hypotension.
Keywords: Hypotension; Subarachnoid Block; Haemaccel; Hydroxyethyl Starch 6%; Colloid Preloading
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© 2026 by the authors. Submitted for possible open access publication under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Published by Ascentia Publishers
Priyanka VN, Kumari G. Comparative Efficacy of Hydroxyethyl Starch and Haemaccel Preloading in Preventing Hypotension During Subarachnoid Block. Advances in Preclinical and Clinical Research. 2026; 1:202601.