Key result
Mild, brief intra-operative hypotension in healthy children is likely not a cause for concern and is not associated with adverse outcomes, though formal studies cannot ethically be performed.
Why the study?
Does mild intra-operative hypotension cause adverse outcomes in children undergoing anaesthesia?
Does mild intra-operative hypotension cause adverse outcomes in children undergoing anaesthesia?
Mild, brief intra-operative hypotension in healthy children is generally considered benign and not associated with adverse outcomes.
Mild intra-operative hypotension (IOH) in children is not usually a cause for concern. However, what is normal, and how low is low? Some studies in adults have shown that IOH is associated with increased mortality. A study of adult patients by Bijker et al1 showed no causal relationship between mortality and IOH, but the definition of IOH was problematic. However, there was a trend towards increased mortality in the elderly with sustained IOH. In a population of healthy children, is brief, mild IOH even an issue when there is seemingly no causal relationship in elderly vascular patients? Probably not but, ethically, this study could never be performed. Thousands of children have undergone anaesthesia and have been subjected to episodes of mild brief IOH without any adverse outcomes.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
J SHung (2010) conducted an editorial in Intra-operative hypotension. Intra-operative hypotension was evaluated. Mild, brief intra-operative hypotension in healthy children is likely not a cause for concern and is not associated with adverse outcomes, though formal studies cannot ethically be performed.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: