Arterial oxygenation and mean arterial blood pressure in patients undergoing total hip replacement: cemented versus...

Arterial oxygen tension and mean arterial blood pressure were measured during total hip replacement with either cemented (n = 10) or uncemented components (n = 10). All surgery was performed under general anaesthesia. Compared with baseline values, mean arterial oxygen tension decreased by 16% (p < 0.05) and mean arterial pressure increased by 23% (p < 0.05) and 20% (p < 0.05) after insertion of cemented acetabular and femoral components, respectively. In the uncemented group, arterial oxygen tension and mean arterial pressure remained unchanged after insertion of both components. This implies that for some patients, particularly those with cardiovascular or respiratory disease, the risk of significant immediate complications may be lower with the insertion of uncemented, rather than cemented, components.