Variables associated with hypotension in postoperative total knee arthroplasty patients receiving epidural analgesia

The purpose of the study was to identify variables that may place the total knee arthroplasty patient receiving epidural analgesia at risk for hypotension postoperatively. A review of medical records of this convenience sample of 99 subjects was conducted in this retrospective, descriptive, correlational study. Variables predictive of postoperative hypotension using stepwise multiple regression included low postoperative systolic BP on the nursing unit the day of surgery (R2 = .26, p less than .001), low diastolic BP in postanesthesia room (R2 = .31, p less than or equal to .01), low hemoglobin the third postoperative day (R2 = .37, p less than or equal to .01), use of diuretics preoperatively (R2 = .40, p less than or equal to .05), and total fluid intake first day postoperatively (R2 = .43, p less than or equal to .05). These variables accounted for 43% of the variability in the occurrence of hypotension. Identification of variables predictive of hypotension should provide direction for future care givers and researchers.