Comparison of Mallampati scores and hemodynamic responses between elderly and younger patients: Prospective cohort study

Summary Background This study aimed to evaluate the effect of aging on the Mallampati score, intubation time, and hemodynamic response for endotracheal intubation during induction of anesthesia. Methods One hundred and twenty patients were enrolled and allocated according to age to either group N (35–49 years, n = 60) or group E (65–74 years, n = 60). Patients were administered 3 MAC (minimum alveolar concentration) of sevoflurane for 5 min to induce anesthesia. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse pressure (PP), and heart rate (HR) were recorded before (baseline), immediately after (T 0 ), and at 1-min intervals during the first 4 min after endotracheal intubation (T 1 –T 4 ). The Mallampati score and intubation time were also recorded. Results There were significant differences between groups with regard to overall changes in SBP, MAP, DBP, and HR. The change in SBP and MAP was higher in group E than in group N at T 0 and T 1 . HR was significantly lower in group E than in group N at T 0 , T 1 , and T 2 . The Mallampati score and intubation time were significantly higher in group E than in group N. After controlling for the Mallampati score, there were no significant differences between the groups; however, HR was significantly lower in group E than in group N. Conclusion After intubation, the changes in SBP, MAP and DBP, Mallampati score, and intubation time were higher, and changes in HR were lower in elderly patients. The changes in SBP, MAP and DBP in elderly patients are associated with the changes in Mallampati score.