Hemodynamic Effects of Alpha Blockers in Patients With Spinal Anesthesia

Although α-1 adrenergic receptor blockers were initially developed for the treatment of hypertension, they have been widely used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) over the last decade. α-1 adrenergic blockers are frequently used in the treatment of conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), which are common in older age groups. α-1 adrenergic receptor blockers contribute to symptom relief by relaxing the smooth muscles of the prostate and bladder neck through inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system . However, blockers that are not receptor selective and cause vascular effects cause an increased risk of hypotension and dizziness when used at therapeutic levels. The hemodynamic effects of α-1 adrenergic blockers are a potential concern, especially in elderly patients. Physiologic changes with age, such as decreased cardiac output, impaired baroreceptor sensitivity, decreased plasma renin levels and renal function, make this patient group more vulnerable to complications related to vasodilation induced by α-blockers. This group of patients also frequently undergoes urological surgery and these procedures are usually performed under spinal anesthesia. Spinal anesthesia may cause significant vasodilatation and thus hemodynamic changes such as hypotension by causing sympathetic nerve blockade. It is predicted that these effects of spinal anesthesia may be increased especially in individuals using α-1 adrenergic blockers. However, there is insufficient data in the literature on the effect of α-1 adrenergic blocker use on intraoperative hemodynamic changes in patients undergoing spinal anesthesia. Existing publications have mostly focused on cases of severe hypotension after general anesthesia. The aim of this study was to compare the intraoperative hemodynamic changes in patients undergoing elective urologic surgery under spinal anesthesia between α-1 adrenergic blocker users(Group 1) and non-users(Group 2).

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification I,II or III over 18 years of age scheduled for elective urologic surgery under spinal anesthesia

Exclusion criteria

• Patients not undergoing spinal anesthesia, non-alpha-blocker vasoactive drug users, patients with cardiac disease, medical/surgical history of brain or spinal cord, neurological or psychiatric disease