Tourniquet-induced hypertension

Abstract

The anaesthetic records of 600 patients undergoing lower limb surgery were reviewed to determine the frequency of intxaoperanve arterial hypertension (defined as a 30% increase in either systolic or diastolic pressure compared with the first pressure recording after incision). The overall frequency of hypertension during operation m 500 patients to whom a tourniquet was applied during surgery was 11% The probability of hypertension was increased if the patient was elderly, had cardiac enlargement shown by x-ray or e c g , or had nitous oxide and narcotic anaesthesia. Pre-existing hypertension, increased serum creatirune concentration, anaemia, or treatment with antihypertensives, diuretics, or steroids were not strongly associated with inrraoperative hypertension A control group of 100 patients undergoing hip surgery without application of a tourniquet exhibited hypertension in 1 % of cases. © 1982 Macmillan Publishers Ltd.