Early intraoperative hypotension and its associated factors among surgical patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia: An observational study

Abstract Background Early intraoperative hypotension (eIOH) is a common complication of general anesthesia and is significantly associated with postoperative morbidity and mortality. The incidence of eIOH was high, especially in resource-limited settings. Identifying the factors associated with the occurrence of eIOH might allow avoidance and planning of a timely treatment of it. Objective To assess the incidence of early intraoperative hypotension and its associated factors among surgical patients undergoing Surgical procedures under general anesthesia at XX Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, North-central Ethiopia, 2021. Methods A total of 424 surgical patients under general anesthesia were included in this prospective observational study. The data were collected by a structured questionnaire. Variables with p-values of less than 0.2 in the bivariable logistic regression were fitted to multivariable logistic regression. Data was presented in odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data. Results The incidence of early intra-operative hypotension (eIOH) was 21.2%. In this study older age (age≥ 60 years) (AOR: 2.063 (95% CI;1.194, 3.563)), ASA physical status (AOR: (II2.259 (95% CI;1.229, 4.153)), III(AOR: 2.810 (95% CI;1.319, 5.986)), a BMI of 25–29.9 kg/m2 (AOR: 2.098 (1.128, 3.901), a BMI of ≥30 kg/m2 (AOR: 3.090 (95% CI;1.324, 7.210)), emergency surgical procedures (AOR: 2.215 (95% CI;1.287, 3.810)), the estimated blood loss greater than 500ml (AOR: 2.510 (95% CI;1.478, 4.261)) were found to be independent factors of eIOH. Conclusion This study revealed that the incidence of eIOH was high (21.2%). Older age, ASA II and III, BMI ≥25, emergency surgical procedures, and a significant amount of blood loss (EBL ≥500 ml) were the main predictors of an increased occurrence of eIOH.