Background: Maintenance of intraoperative hemodynamic stability is a cornerstone of safe anesthesia practice. Preoperative blood pressure (BP) control may influence intraoperative cardiovascular fluctuations & perioperative outcomes. This study was a prospective observational study conducted over a 06 months period at Pacific Institute of Medical Sciences, Udaipur. The study aimed to assess the impact of preoperative blood pressure control on intraoperative hemodynamic stability in adult patients undergoing elective, non-cardiac surgery. Aim: To evaluate the effect of preoperative BP control on intraoperative hemodynamic stability in patients undergoing elective surgery. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 100 adult patients undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery under general anesthesia. Patients were divided into two groups: controlled BP (Group C) & uncontrolled BP (Group U). Hemodynamic parameters including heart rate (HR), systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), & mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded intraoperatively. Incidence of hypotension, hypertension, & need for vasoactive drugs were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square & t-tests. Results: Intraoperative hypotension was significantly higher in Group U (46%) compared to Group C (18%) (p=0.002). MAP variability was greater in Group U (p=0.01). Requirement of vasoactive drugs was significantly higher in uncontrolled patients (p=0.004). 56% vs 20% for both groups for vasoactive drug use. Conclusion: Adequate preoperative BP control is associated with improved intraoperative hemodynamic stability & reduced pharmacological interventions.
In order to guarantee sufficient organ perfusion & lower perioperative morbidity & mortality, hemodynamic stability during surgery is crucial. Even brief periods of intraoperative hypotension have been linked to unfavorable consequences include myocardial damage, acute renal damage, & stroke [1].
Intraoperative hemodynamic responses are frequently thought to be significantly predicted by preoperative blood pressure. Its precise function is still debatable, though. Preoperative hypertension may put patients at risk for larger blood pressure swings, according to some research, although intraoperative variables may be more important [2].
Patients with chronic hypertension require higher perfusion pressures to sustain organ blood flow due to physiological changes in autoregulation. As a result, abrupt drops in blood pressure during surgery may not be well tolerated [3–4].
Perioperative optimization techniques, including as fluid management & pharmacologic control, have been shown in earlier studies to dramatically lower intraoperative hypotension. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of prospective evidence assessing how preoperative blood pressure regulation directly affects intraoperative hemodynamic stability. Thus, the purpose of this work is to close this gap.
The degree of fluctuation in an individual's ambulatory outpatient blood pressure over years is known as blood pressure variability (BPV). The standard deviation (SD), average change, or biggest change in systolic & diastolic blood pressure can be used to compute BPV, which is different from hypertension [5-7]. BPV is likely to have a complex etiology that includes both extrinsic factors like treatment compliance & patient anxiety as well as internal patient characteristics like autonomic instability4 & alterations in the biology of the vascular wall. Surgical patients with chronically high preoperative blood pressure (excluding acute preoperative blood pressure changes) may be more susceptible to myocardial infarction (MI), cerebral vascular accident (CVA), renal failure, readmission, & mortality following elective surgery, regardless of the cause of the BPV, according to recent reports [8–9]. Preoperative BPV is consequently of importance for the prediction of bad outcomes in surgical patients because to this linked increase in adverse events.
All patients had their BP checked during the preoperative anesthesia assessment. BP measurements were made using an automated cuff sphygmomanometer, & three consecutive readings were taken at 5-minute intervals. In Group U, antihypertensive medications were adjusted to achieve a BP <140/90 mmHg, if possible. In contrast, patients in Group C had stable BP control & were not adjusted preoperatively.
Intraoperative Management
Anesthesia Protocol: All patients were given general anesthesia using a combination of propofol, fentanyl, & a muscle relaxant (rocuronium or cisatracurium). Volatile anesthetics (sevoflurane) were administered to maintain anesthesia, & standard monitoring equipment (ECG, non-invasive BP, SpO2, capnography, & temperature) was used throughout the procedure.
Hemodynamic Parameters: HR, SBP, DBP, & MAP were recorded intraoperatively at 5-minute intervals starting from induction to extubation. BP measurements were taken from an automated non-invasive cuff. The variability in MAP & any episodes of intraoperative hypotension (defined as MAP <65 mmHg) or hypertension (defined as MAP >110 mmHg) were noted.
Study Design: A prospective observational study conducted over 06 months.
Study Population: 100 adult patients (age 18–65 years) scheduled for elective non-cardiac surgery under general anesthesia.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Grouping
Patients were divided into:
Group C (Controlled BP): BP <140/90 mmHg
Group U (Uncontrolled BP): BP ≥140/90 mmHg
Data Collection
Baseline HR, SBP, DBP, MAP
Intraoperative monitoring at 5-minute intervals
Episodes of:
Hypotension (MAP <65 mmHg)
Hypertension (MAP >110 mmHg)
Outcome Measures
Primary: Intraoperative hemodynamic stability
Secondary: Need for vasoactive drugs
Statistical Analysis
SPSS version 25
Continuous variables: Mean ± SD
Categorical variables: Chi-square test
p < 0.05 considered significant.
Table 1: Demographic Characteristics
|
Parameter |
Group C (n=50) |
Group U (n=50) |
p-value |
|
Age (years) |
45.2 ± 10.3 |
47.8 ± 11.1 |
0.28 |
|
Gender (M/F) |
28/22 |
30/20 |
0.68 |
|
BMI (kg/m²) |
24.5 ± 3.1 |
25.2 ± 3.4 |
0.31 |
|
ASA II/III |
35/15 |
33/17 |
0.65 |
No significant difference between groups.
Table 2: Intraoperative Hemodynamic Parameters
|
Parameter |
Group C |
Group U |
p-value |
|
Mean HR (bpm) |
78 ± 10 |
86 ± 12 |
0.001 |
|
Mean SBP (mmHg) |
122 ± 12 |
138 ± 15 |
0.0001 |
|
Mean DBP (mmHg) |
76 ± 8 |
88 ± 10 |
0.0002 |
|
Mean MAP (mmHg) |
91 ± 9 |
105 ± 11 |
0.0001 |
Significantly higher intraoperative BP variability in uncontrolled group.
Table 3: Incidence of Hemodynamic Instability
|
Variable |
Group C (%) |
Group U (%) |
p-value |
|
Hypotension |
18% |
46% |
0.002 |
|
Hypertension |
12% |
38% |
0.003 |
|
Tachycardia |
20% |
44% |
0.01 |
|
Bradycardia |
6% |
10% |
0.42 |
Uncontrolled BP strongly associated with instability.
Table 4: Vasoactive Drug Requirement
|
Parameter |
Group C |
Group U |
p-value |
|
Vasopressor use |
10 (20%) |
28 (56%) |
0.004 |
|
Antihypertensive use |
8 (16%) |
26 (52%) |
0.002 |
|
Total drug interventions |
18 |
54 |
0.001 |
Higher pharmacological intervention in uncontrolled BP.
This study shows a strong correlation between intraoperative hemodynamic stability & preoperative blood pressure regulation. Hypotension, hypertension, & overall variability were substantially more common in patients with uncontrolled blood pressure.
The results are consistent with earlier research highlighting how crucial it is to keep MAP steady during surgery in order to avoid problems [10].
It is interesting to note that patients with uncontrolled hypertension had both hypertension & hypotension, indicating compromised autoregulatory systems. This is in line with physiological models in which cerebral autoregulation curves are shifted by persistent hypertension [11]. The idea that preoperative blood pressure adjustment lessens anesthetic instability is further supported by Group U's noticeably greater requirement for vasoactive medications.
Our results are similar to research showing that preoperative optimization techniques like hydration treatment minimize blood pressure swings.
Preoperative BP & Intraoperative Hemodynamics
During the perioperative period, patients with uncontrolled hypertension (Group U) showed notable blood pressure swings. This group had a significantly greater incidence of intraoperative hypotension (46% vs. 18%, p=0.002). This result implies that controlling blood pressure before to surgery is essential for maintaining blood pressure stability. Patients with long-term hypertension frequently exhibit poor blood pressure autoregulation & altered vascular compliance [12]. These individuals' circulatory systems may find it difficult to make up for a fast drop in blood pressure following the induction of anesthesia. Impaired baroreceptor reflex function & a diminished capacity to vasoconstrict in response to anesthetic-induced hypotension are probably the causes of Group U's higher incidence of hypotension.
The idea that uncontrolled hypertension can result in increased hemodynamic instability is further supported by Group U's higher MAP variability (p=0.01). This blood pressure fluctuation is a major factor in determining organ perfusion during surgery, especially in vital organs like the kidneys & brain. During surgery, unstable MAP is linked to an increased risk of complications, such as myocardial infarction (MI) & acute kidney damage (AKI).
Vasoactive drug use was substantially higher in Group U (56% vs. 20%, p=0.004) than in Group C. During surgery, vasoactive medications are usually used to treat hypertension or hypotension [13]. A Study found that preoperative hypertension frequently requires additional pharmacologic interventions during anesthesia, which is consistent with the higher need for such medications in the uncontrolled BP group.
These patients' usage of phenylephrine or norepinephrine to treat hypotension suggests that their autonomic responses might not be adequate to sustain stable blood pressure. In a similar vein, Group U's hypertension was more commonly treated with antihypertensive medications (such as labetalol). The necessity of these measures emphasizes how crucial it is to optimize blood pressure prior to surgery in order to lessen the need for vasoactive drugs, which may have adverse effects & change the level of anesthesia [14].
Postoperative Results with Hemodynamic Instability
Although intraoperative blood pressure changes were the main focus of our investigation, it is crucial to remember that preoperative blood pressure state may also have an impact on postoperative outcomes. Preoperative hypertension is a major risk factor for postoperative complications such stroke & cardiac events, according to several studies [15]. The higher prevalence of intraoperative hypotension in Group U may put these patients at risk for poor postoperative recovery, including prolonged mechanical breathing, ICU hospitalizations, or organ failure, however long-term outcomes were not examined in this investigation.
Clinical Implications
Preoperative BP optimization should be routine
Avoidance of intraoperative hypotension is critical
Tailored anesthetic management may improve outcomes
Limitations
Single-center study
Small sample size
No long-term outcome assessment.
Preoperative blood pressure control significantly improves intraoperative hemodynamic stability & reduces the need for vasoactive interventions. Strict BP optimization protocols should be integrated into preoperative assessment to enhance perioperative safety.