Extrait

Background and study aims Low blood pressure during surgery (also known as intraoperative hypotension or IOH) is thought to be very common. It happens as a side effect of the medicines used during anaesthesia (sedation during surgery). In patients aged over 65 years, this may lead to an increased risk heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and death following surgery. This risk increases as the degree and duration of low blood pressure increases. Patients aged over 65 years are at increased risk because their body is less able to cope with low blood pressure. Finding out how common IOH is can be difficult, as there is no clear and universally accepted definition. The purpose of this study is twofold. Firstly to determine how often low blood pressure occurs during operations in elderly patients in the UK and whether this is linked to a higher risk of complications. Secondly, to determine how and why anaesthetists treat low blood pressure during operations. Who can participate? Patients aged 65 years or older and having surgery under anaesthesia What does the study involve? Taking part in this study does not change the care patients would receive if they were not taking part. The researchers review the anaesthetic charts of participants undergoing surgery and record instances of IOH, as well as how serious it is and how long it lasts. Other key medical and background information is also recorded for each patient. Patients included in the study are followed up to assess their recovery up to 30 days after surgery. All information is obtained from patient records rather than face-to-face encounters. Anaesthetists, who looked after a participant, are given a questionnaire asking about individual practice in relation to the treatment of low blood pressure during surgery. The responses are collected and assessed to determine national consensus on this topic. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? There are no notable benefits or risks involved with participating. Where is the study run from? University College Hospital and 200 of NHS hospitals (UK) When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? June 2015 to June 2017 Who is funding the study? National Institute of Academic Anaesthesia (UK) Who is the main contact? Dr Alex Wickham [email protected]

Critère d'inclusion

• Specialty: Anaesthesia, perioperative medicine and pain management, Primary sub-specialty: Anaesthesia, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management; UKCRC code/ Disease: Other/ General symptoms and signs

Liens

• isrctn