Correlation Between Perioperative Autonomic Function and Post-induction Hypotension in Elderly Patients

Overview

Elderly patients have a higher risk of post-induction hypotension (PIH). The decreased cardiovascular autonomic function at baseline in elderly patients may contribute to the development of PIH. The objective of our study is to effect of preoperative cardiovascular autonomic modulation in PIH, we will recruit elderly patients who are going to have general anesthesia surgery and measure preoperative baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and heart rate variability (HRV). The primary outcome will be PIH. Secondary outcomes included: early intraoperative hypotension, postoperative complications, and 30-day postoperative mortality.

With the deepening of the aging population, the number of elderly patients undergoing surgery is also increasing. These elderly patients have a declining physiological reserve and face challenges in anesthesia management: studies have shown that elderly patients are at high risk of intraoperative adverse events and postoperative complications. Post-induction hypotension (PIH) refers to the hypotension that occurs between anesthesia induction and skin incision. The current diagnostic criteria have not been fully unified. Patients with intraoperative PIH have a higher risk of postoperative death and damage to vital organs such as the heart and kidneys, and have a poor prognosis. Elderly patients are a high-risk group for PIH. Therefore, it is of great meaning to quantify the risk factors of PIH in elderly patients. Cardiovascular autonomic function may play an essential role in intraoperative blood pressure regulation. The pressure sensor of the cardiovascular system sends the blood pressure signal to the central nervous system, and regulates the blood pressure to an appropriate level through a compensatory reflex (i.e., baroreflex). Baroreflex function can be quantified by observing the R-R interval response to an arterial blood pressure change and the results are expressed as baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). In addition to BRS, heart rate variability (HRV) can also be used to assess cardiovascular autonomic function. HRV is a promising quantitative marker of autonomic activity, which includes the time domain and frequency domain analysis of R-R interval rhythm. Some studies have explored the relationship between preoperative cardiovascular autonomic function and PIH. However, these studies did not assess preoperative volume status, and they did not measure BRS, which is probably more connected with baroreflex. We hypothesized that the decreased baroreflex sensitivity at baseline in elderly patients may contribute to the development of PIH. To explore the effect of preoperative cardiovascular autonomic modulation in PIH in elderly patients, we are going to measure preoperative BRS and HRV in those who were about to undergo general anesthesia surgery. We are conducting a single-center, prospective cohort study. Elderly patients (over 65 years of age) who are going to have elective surgery under general anesthesia will be recruited and will have BRS and HRV measurements taken for approximately 20 minutes, one day before surgery and on the day of surgery. We use LiDCO rapid to conduct non-invasive pulse and beat-to-beat blood pressure monitoring. In addition to spontaneous BRS and HRV assessment, the patients will be instructed to perform round-lip breathing at 0.1 Hz for 1 minute to gain more information about BRS and HRV through respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA). The primary outcome will be PIH. Secondary outcomes included: early intraoperative hypotension, postoperative complications, and 30-day postoperative mortality. Anesthesia induction medications and intraoperative monitoring data will be recorded. The intraoperative monitoring meets the standards of basic physiologic monitors recommended by American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). We will use Clavien-Dindo classification to describe postoperative complications. Patients will be followed up during hospitalization and 30 days after the surgery by telephone.