[Continuous blood pressure monitoring in cataract operations under local anesthesia]

Clinical data of 69 patients due to undergo ECCE with PCIOL implantation were evaluated in a standardized fashion. The preliminary results show that the blood pressure measured preoperatively and intraoperatively necessitated antihypertensive therapy. The averaged systolic blood pressure in the ward was 147.2 +/- 20.4 mm Hg; before retrobulbar anesthesia 159.9 +/- 30.4 mm Hg; after retrobulbar anesthesia 172.6 +/- 24.2 mm Hg; and at the start of surgery 154.2 +/- 18.4 mm Hg. Maximum intraoperative blood pressure was 156.2 +/- 20.7 mm Hg; at the end of surgery it was 144.3 +/- 19.5 mm Hg. In 12 patients (17%), systolic blood pressure higher than 200 mm Hg was measured after retrobulbar anesthesia. Antihypertensive therapy (nifedipine, nitroglycerin) was initiated in 44 patients (64%). These data support the recommendation that blood pressure should be monitored continuously both before and during the operation in order to minimize the rate of surgical and general complications.