Is it possible to predict hypotension during onset of spinal anesthesia in elderly patients?

Study ObjectiveTo evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of various predictors of hypotension during onset of spinal anesthesia in elderly patients.DesignProspective study.Setting32 ASA physical status I, II, and III patients, aged ≥60 years, scheduled for elective lower limb surgery with spinal anesthesia.InterventionsPatients received spinal anesthesia with 10-17.5 mg of bupivacaine. No prophylactic ephedrine or fluid preloading was used.MeasurementsA 5-minute baseline was recorded and during onset of spinal anesthesia, hemodynamic changes were measured every 10 seconds from the radial artery pressure curve. Data collection ended when patients were ready for surgery, or if ephedrine was given to increase mean arterial pressure.Main Results21 patients had hypotension. Baseline blood pressure variability low-frequency band power (BPV LF) >8 mmHg2 and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) reduction ≥5% had high sensitivity (0.73 and 0.90, respectively) and specificity (0.78 and 0.64, respectively), and were significantly associated with the development of hypotension.ConclusionsOnly NIRS and BPV LF could significantly predict hypotension among the elderly.