Maintaining Blood Pressure During Anesthesia

Abstract

Problems in alteration of blood pressure during anesthesia in the aged are best considered in terms of cardiac output, peripheral resistance, volume of circulating blood, viscosity of blood, and elasticity of blood vessel walls. Actual blood pressure is less important than the direction and degree of fluctuation from a patient's norm. When sudden changes occur, precipitate action may easily worsen the situation. Treatment should be directed toward removing the underlying cause.