Vit Gunka
FRCPC, MD
Investigator, BC Children's Hospital
The assessment of hemoglobin concentration is one of the most common laboratory tests in pregnant patients admitted for vaginal or cesarean delivery. Normally the hemoglobin is measured in a blood sample after a needle stick. I investigate the accuracy of a non-invasive hemoglobin device (a finger clip) compared to the traditional laboratory hemoglobin measurement.
Magnesium therapy has been indicated for prevention of neonatal cerebral palsy in women delivering at less than 34 weeeks of gestational age. About half of these pre-term patients require cesarean delivery under spinal or epidural anesthesia. My research focuses on the combined effects of magnesium and anesthesia on mothers, specifically assessing the degree of the breathing muscle weakness and maternal sedation.
Epidural analgesia provides the most effective pain control in labouring women. Traditionally the epidural insertion point is selected by feel (palpation) on the patient's lower back. Ultrasound allows more precise identification of the epidural needle insertion point and provides assessment of the proper epidural needle insertion depth. In collaboration with the UBC Department of Engineering I investigate 2D and 3D ultrasound technology application for labour epidural analgesia.
Low blood pressure is the most common complication of spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery occurring in up to 80% of patients. Low blood pressure may adversely affect both mother (nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, stomach content aspiration to lungs) and baby (decrease of oxygen flow to the placenta). My research interest focuses on the use of phenylephrine infusion to prevent low blood pressure and identification of patients who are prone to develop low blood pressure despite the use of phenylephrine.
Master Teacher Award, Department of Anesthesia, University of British Columbia (2004)
Master Teacher Award, Department of Anesthesia, University of British Columbia (2003)
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