Perfusion index as a predictor of hypotension after Propofol induction of general anesthesia in elderly patients undergoing elective surgery

Abstract

Anesthesia with Propofol is often associated with hypotension, particularly in the elderly population. Hypotension can lead to perioperative organ hypoperfusion, increasing the risk of postoperative complications and mortality. This study aimed to determine the cutoff value of baseline perfusion index that can predict the incidence of hypotension after receiving Propofol under general anesthesia in elderly patients. It was a prospective observational study involving 29 patients scheduled for general anesthesia for elective surgery at Mahasarakham Hospital. A perfusion index measurement device with a soft-tip device (model PHILIPS M1191B2) and a PHILIPS pulse oximeter for measuring oxygen saturation were used. Perfusion index, heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation were recorded every minute until 10 minutes after intubation. The data were analyzed to identify the relationship between baseline perfusion index and the occurrence of hypotension using the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve. The study found that within the first 10 minutes after induction, the incidence of hypotension was 65.52%. The baseline perfusion index value was significantly associated with the occurrence of hypotension (p<0.001), with a baseline perfusion index value ≤ 1.6 indicating a risk of hypotension after receiving Propofol under general anesthesia in elderly patients. The sensitivity was 100.00 (76.8-100.0) and specificity was 66.67 (38.4-88.2). A baseline perfusion index ≤ 1.6 is correlated with the incidence of hypotension and can be used to predict its occurrence after Propofol administration under general anesthesia in elderly patients.