Effect of Preoperative Fluid Therapy on Post-induction Hypotension

This prospective, randomized, controlled study was approved by the Ministry of Health, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Göztepe Training and Research Hospital Clinical Research Ethics Committee (approval number 2022/0263, dated 27 April 2022) and was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT 06231472). The study was conducted by the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. Written and verbal informed consent was obtained from all participants.

This study was conducted between May 2022 and November 2023. A total of 122 female patients aged 18 years and older, scheduled for gynaecological pelvic surgery with an American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status score of I-III, were included in this study. Exclusion criteria included unstable haemodynamics (persistent hypotension preventing extubation, arrhythmia, ejection fraction/EF < 40%), valvular heart disease, cardiac pacing, obesity (Body mass index/BMI >35), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), increased intra-abdominal pressure, open wounds at the ultrasound site, preoperative severe hypertension (systolic blood pressure/SBP > 180 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure/DBP > 110 mmHg), use of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I), and refusal to participate in the study.

Randomization was performed using the sealed envelope method. Envelopes were randomly numbered, and each patient selected an envelope to determine her group. Patients who selected an envelope with an even number were assigned to Group A (n = 55), while those who selected an envelope with an odd number were assigned to Group B (n = 55).

All patients underwent preoperative evaluation and medical optimization in the preoperative assessment clinic. A detailed explanation of the weight-based fluid therapy protocol was provided to the patients on the evening before surgery, and informed consent was obtained. Bowel preparation was performed by the gynecological surgery team, and oral intake was discontinued at midnight in accordance with standard institutional protocols.

Patients in Group A were managed according to a weight-based intravenous fluid protocol. The fluid was administered during the preoperative fasting period using a standardized formula: 4 mL/kg for the first 10 kg of body weight, 2 mL/kg for the next 10 kg, and 1 mL/kg for each remaining kilogram. Patients in Group B, who served as the control group, did not receive any preoperative fluid therapy. The total volume of fluid administered to Group A was calculated and documented upon the patient's arrival in the operating room.

Once in the operating theatre, standard monitoring was initiated, including 5-lead electrocardiography (ECG), pulse oximetry, and non-invasive blood pressure monitoring (Fabius GS Premium Drager Anesthesia monitor). A Masimo Rainbow (Adult/Neonatal Pulse CO-Oximeter Adhesive sensor) probe was placed on the left index finger for the measurement of PI and PVI.

Preoperative US assessment of the IVC was performed while the patient was spontaneously breathing in the supine position for at least 5 minutes before induction [14]. The IVC was visualized using a low-frequency convex probe (CA1-7AD Samsung probe) under a subcostal approach with the US (Samsung Medison H60 system). The maximum (IVC max) and minimum (IVC min) diameters of the IVC were measured during the respiratory cycle, and the CI (%) was calculated using the formula:

CI (%) = (dIVCexp-dIVCinsp) / dIVCexp ×100 Where dIVC_exp is the expiratory diameter, and dIVC_insp is the inspiratory diameter of the IVC.

For anesthesia induction, 1 mg/kg midazolam and 1 µg/kg fentanyl were administered intravenously for sedation. Induction agents included 2 mg/kg propofol and 0.6 mg/kg rocuronium bromide. Anesthesia maintenance was achieved using a sevoflurane/oxygen/air mixture with a minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of 0.8-1.0, and remifentanil was infused at 0.05-1 µg/kg/min as an analgesic. Ventilation settings included a tidal volume of 8 ml/kg, a frequency of 12-16 breaths/min, and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 5 cm/H2O.

After induction, an intravenous cannula was inserted into the right radial artery under aseptic conditions for invasive blood pressure monitoring. PPV was recorded post-induction. Non-invasive measurements of heart rate (HR), SBP, MBP, PI, PVI, and PPV were recorded every 10 minutes during the intraoperative period.

Hypotension was defined as an MBP < 60 mmHg or a decrease of 30% or more from baseline. Patients who developed hypotension (Group H) were treated with a 3 ml/kg bolus of infused fluid, and IV 5 mg ephedrine was administered if haemodynamics did not improve. Fluid replacement was provided according to the surgical fluid losses and diuresis during the intraoperative period.

Anaesthesia was discontinued at the end of surgery. Neuromuscular blockade was reversed using IV sugammadex. Patients who met extubation criteria were transferred to the recovery room and later discharged to the ward after achieving a Modified Aldrete score of 12.

The primary outcome of this study was to compare the incidence of hypotension following anaesthesia induction between two groups of patients undergoing elective pelvic gynecological surgery with mechanical bowel preparation: patients receiving prophylactic weight-based fluid therapy (Group A) and those who did not (Group B). Secondary outcomes included the assessment of the predictive efficacy of dIVC, CI (%), PI, PVI, and PPV parameters for hypotension in this patient population.