Prevention of hypotension after induction of general anesthesia using point-of-care ultrasound to guide fluid management: a randomized controlled trial

Hypotension after induction of general anesthesia (GAIH) is common and is associated with postoperative complications including increased mortality. Collapsibility of the inferior vena cava (IVC) has good performance in predicting GAIH; however, there is limited evidence whether a preoperative fluid bolus in patients with a collapsible IVC can prevent this drop in blood pressure.

We conducted a single-centre randomized controlled trial with adult patients scheduled to undergo elective noncardiac surgery under general anesthesia (GA). Patients underwent a preoperative point-of-care ultrasound scan (POCUS) to identify those with a collapsible IVC (IVC collapsibility index ≥ 43%). Individuals with a collapsible IVC were randomized to receive a preoperative 500 mL fluid bolus or routine care (control group). Surgical and anesthesia teams were blinded to the results of the scan and group allocation. Hypotension after induction of GA was defined as the use of vasopressors/inotropes or a decrease in mean arterial pressure < 65 mm Hg or > 25% from baseline within 20 min of induction of GA.

Forty patients (20 in each group) were included. The rate of hypotension after induction of GA was significantly reduced in those receiving preoperative fluids (9/20, 45% vs 17/20, 85%; relative risk, 0.53; 95% confidence interval, 0.32 to 0.89; P = 0.02). The mean (standard deviation) time to complete POCUS was 4 (2) min, and the duration of fluid bolus administration was 14 (5) min. Neither surgical delays nor adverse events occurred as a result of the study intervention.

A preoperative fluid bolus in patients with a collapsible IVC reduced the incidence of GAIH without associated adverse effects.

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05424510); first submitted 15 June 2022.