Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion to predict arterial hypotension caused by general anesthesia induction

Hypotension, which may develop after anesthesia induction, may cause ischemic stroke, myocardial damage, acute kidney injury, and postoperative mortality. Various assessments can be used to predict hypotension. We aimed to test the relationship of tricuspid annular plane systolic movement (TAPSE) with hypotension.

A total of 47 patients aged 18-65 years, who were scheduled for general anesthesia for elective surgery, had ASA I-II, and had no known cardiovascular disease, were included in the study. TAPSE was calculated in an apical four-chamber view by placing an M-mode cursor along the tricuspid annulus, and measuring the longitudinal movement amount in the peak systole. TAPSE was measured 30 minutes before the surgery. The primary objective of the present study was to test the relationship between TAPSE and hypotension because of general anesthesia induction. We accepted hypotension as a decrease of 30% or more from baseline in systolic blood pressure (SBP) in the first 10 minutes following induction or a decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP) below 60 mmHg.

Statistically significant differences were detected in TAPSE values compared to the hypotension status after general anesthesia induction (P<0.001). The value of TAPSE had an optimal cut-off value of ≤2.48cm for the diagnostic yield of the development of hypotension after the general anesthesia induction. This cut-off value had a sensitivity and specificity of 90.00% and 95.83%.

TAPSE predicted the development of hypotension after general anesthesia induction. Further studies are required to prove the diagnostic accuracy of TAPSE as a predictor of hypotension after general anesthesia induction.