Recent studies have shown a link between intraoperative hypotension (IOH) and injury to the patient, from acute kidney injury (AKI) and adverse cardiac events to inadequate organ perfusion. Though the data suggest that a link exists, there is not yet clear evidence of a causal link, and no clear standard for avoiding IOH-related injuries specifically. As studies continue to search for answers, clinicians are faced with a choice of how to best treat patients based on limited information and, of course, the desire to avoid injury that could be mitigated.
IOH arises during general anesthesia, with an incidence ranging from 5%-99% (Anesthesiology 2007;107:213-20) and may be associated with organ ischemia (Anesth Analg 2021;132:1654-65). During noncardiac surgery, IOH is common and associated with increased 30-day major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events, which are magnified with increasing hypotension severity (Anesth Analg 2021;132:1654-65). Research also found a...
