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Hypertensive patients may have higher risk of blood pressure spike before cataract surgery
Indian J Ophthalmol. 2010;58(6):493-495.
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Hypertensive patients with well-controlled blood pressure and no major comorbidities had an increased risk of elevated blood pressure before cataract surgery, a study found.
"The preoperative evaluation is a unique opportunity to identify patients with hypertension and to evaluate them for adequate control of condition," the study authors said. "These results reinforce the importance of preoperative evaluation of hypertension in cataract patients."
The prospective study included 822 patients (427 normotensive and 395 hypertensive). Males constituted 52.5% of the normotensive group and 54.7% of the hypertensive group. Mean patient age was 66 years.
Patients were examined 1 month preoperatively to verify good control of blood pressure (systolic pressure less than 140 mm Hg and diastolic pressure less than 90 mm Hg).
Investigators assessed blood pressure 30 minutes before surgery. The threshold of preoperative blood pressure rise was systolic pressure of 180 mm Hg or higher and diastolic pressure of 110 mm Hg or higher, with an identified need to change or augment blood pressure medication.
Study data showed that 3.7% of normotensive patients and 10.9% of hypertensive patients had a preoperative rise in blood pressure. The difference was statistically significant (P < .001).