In a double blind controlled, randomized clinical trial study,we have

    investigated  the  efficacy of I.M  ephedrine in 100  patients undergoing

    surgery under spinal anaesthesia to level T.

         Fifty patients recieved ephedrine 0.5mg kg(2cc)in deltoid muscle of

   right  arm  just  before  spinal  anaesthesia.  Fifty  patients  recieved equal

   volume of disttiled  water (2cc).  Patients in  both groups  were  given the

   same volumes  of N/S (10 . kg ).

         Mean   arterial   pressure  during   the   first  60  min  after  anaesthesia

   remained significantly more stable  in the  ephedrine group (P= 0.000002)

   and the  incidence  of  hypotension lower than base MAP was very lower

   than  placebo group(2% versus 40% and P=0.000009).

         We concluded  that   0.5   mg. kg ephedrine  I.M  just  before  spinal

   anaesthesia is a simple  and  effective  means of reducing  the incidence

   of hypotension episode after spinal anaesthesia.