Prediction of Hypotension Using Perfusion Index Following Spinal Anesthesia

In orthopedic lower extremity surgeries, spinal anesthesia is a preferred method of anesthesia compared to general anesthesia. Spinal anesthesia may cause severe hypotension and adverse effects in the patient due to pharmacologic sympathectomy. Especially elderly patients and patients with comorbid diseases are at risk. Hypoperfusion and vasopressor drugs to be used in treatment may lead to adverse effects.

Perfusion index is calculated as the ratio non-pulsatile to pulsatile flow in peripheral capillary blood flow. Perfusion index is a non-invasive method that provides insight into the dynamics of vascular tone using pulse oximetry. It can be used to evaluate perfusion dynamics due to changes in peripheral vascular tone and to detect the possibility of developing hypotension following spinal anesthesia. There is insufficient data to assess whether PI is a marker of hypotension after spinal anesthesia in older patients compared to non-elderly patients. The planned study aims to investigate whether PI predicts hypotension after spinal anesthesia in older patients as well as non-elderly patients.

Preoperative demographic data of the patients, preoperative heart rate, noninvasive systolic, and diastolic blood pressures, mean arterial pressures, and peripheral oxygen saturations will be measured and noted. For the initial perfusion index (PI) value, PI measurements will be taken 3 times at a few minute intervals with a noninvasive probe attached to the finger, and the average will be recorded as the initial PI value. Spinal anesthesia will be applied by injecting an appropriate dose of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine intrathecally, depending on the patient is structure and the type of surgery, to ensure adequate sensory and motor blockade. The patient will be immediately placed in the supine position. After the appropriate period, the level of sensory blockade will be evaluated. Heart rate, noninvasive systolic, and diastolic blood pressures, mean arterial pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation, and perfusion index will be recorded. Hypotension after spinal anesthesia will be defined as systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg, systolic blood pressure decrease by more than 25% from the preoperative baseline value, or average blood pressure less than 60 mmHg. Patients under the age of 65 or over the age of 65 who will undergo lower extremity surgery under spinal anesthesia will be evaluated in two groups. It will be examined whether there are differences between the groups in terms of demographic data (age, gender, comorbidity, etc.) and perfusion index.

The study's primary outcome is to investigate whether PI values have a predictive value in predicting post-spinal hypotension between the two groups and, if so, whether there is a statistically significant difference.

The secondary outcome is to evaluate whether the perfusion index can be used to predict spine-induced hypotension in orthopedic lower extremity surgery.