Hypotension Prediction Index (HPI) has been shown to reduce IOH significantly in
non-cardiac and major abdominal surgeries.The role of HPI beyond reducing IOH has also
been a subject of research. Andrzejeska et al. demonstrated that the use of HPI in
adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery leads to lower reductions in post-surgery
haemoglobin levels, shorter duration of hypotension and shorter hospital admissions.
Additionally, the intervention group had shorter timeframes from the end of surgery to
extubation.
The development of a non-invasive finger blood pressure device compatible with HPI called
the Acumen IQ cuff, made it possible to use HPI without inserting an arterial catheter.
The arterial pressure waveform generated by a non-invasive finger cuff was reliable and
in agreement with the radial artery blood pressure. A retrospective analysis was
conducted by Frassanito et al. to determine the performance of HPI using arterial
waveform recorded by a non-invasive finger probe to predict hypotension in patients
undergoing CS under spinal anaesthesia. They have found that HPI, using this non-invasive
probe, was able to predict hypotension with a sensitivity and specificity of 83% and 83%
at 3 minutes, 97% and 97% at 2 minutes, and 100% and 100% at 1 minute, before it occurs.
This study aims to determine if the solution to reduce IOH lies in predicting
intraoperative hypotension during lower segment ceaserean section (CS). The benefits of
HPI may extend beyond reducing the incidence and severity of IOH, to bringing positive
outcomes to the foetus. This study will determine whether integrating an early warning
system produces benefits significant enough to justify changing our anaesthetic practice.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Varying methods have been utilised to reduce IOH in CS. A novel software, HPI, was
developed to predict hypotension, enabling clinicians to institute guided treatment
before maternal hypotension occurs. The investigator need to determine if HPI has
benefits in CS, thus leading to better maternal and neonatal outcomes.
RESEARCH QUESTION
Can HPI using the non-invasive continuous arterial pressure waveforms reduce the duration
and severity of hypotension in patients undergoing CS under spinal anaesthesia?
OBJECTIVES
Study objective:
To determine if HPI has benefits in CS, thus leading to better maternal and neonatal
outcomes compared to oNIBP.
Primary outcome:
The duration and severity of hypotensive events reported as a time-weighted average (TWA)
- MAP < 65 mmHg in HPI group (intervention) versus standard oNIBP.
Secondary outcomes:
To determine whether the use of HPI leads to better maternal outcomes (incidence of
nausea and vomiting, blood loss, length of hospital stay, maternal satisfaction,
incidence of surgical site infection)
To determine whether the use of HPI leads to better foetal outcomes (Apgar scores,
umbilical cord pH, length of hospital stay)
To determine the amount of vasopressors and inotropes administered throughout CS if
HPI is used versus conventional oNIBP monitoring
RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
Additional parameters from HPI in the CS under spinal anaesthesia will reduce the
duration and severity of intraoperative hypotension and provide better maternal and
neonatal outcomes.