Intraoperative hypotension and complications after vascular surgery: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative hypotension during major surgery is associated with adverse health outcomes. This phenomenon represents a potentially important therapeutic target for vascular surgery patients, who may be uniquely vulnerable to intraoperative hypotension. This review summarizes current evidence regarding the impact of intraoperative hypotension on postoperative complications in patients undergoing vascular surgery, focusing on potentially modifiable procedure- and patient-specific risk factors.

METHODS

A scoping review of the literature from Embase, MEDLINE, and PubMed databases was conducted from inception to December 2019 to identify articles related to the effects of intraoperative hypotension on patients undergoing vascular surgery.

RESULTS

Ninety-two studies met screening criteria; 9 studies met quality and inclusion criteria. Among the 9 studies that defined intraoperative hypotension objectively, there were 9 different definitions. Accordingly, the reported incidence of intraoperative hypotension ranged from 8% to 88% (when defined as a fall in systolic blood pressure of >30 mm Hg or mean arterial pressure <65). The results demonstrated that intraoperative hypotension is an independent risk factor for longer hospital length of stay, myocardial injury, acute kidney injury, postoperative mechanical ventilation, and early mortality. Vascular surgery patients with comorbid conditions that confer increased vulnerability to hypoperfusion and ischemia appear to be susceptible to the adverse effects of intraoperative hypotension.

CONCLUSION

There is no validated, consensus definition of intraoperative hypotension or other hemodynamic parameters associated with increased risk for adverse outcomes. Despite these limitations, the weight of evidence suggests that intraoperative hypotension is common and associated with major postoperative complications in vascular surgery patients.