Hemodynamic and Metabolic Changes After Tourniquet Release in Patients Undergoing Spinal and General Anesthesia

Abstract

Pneumotic tourniquets are frequently used during operations on the extremities to provide a bloodless surgical field. The hemodynamic and metabolic effects of deflation of pneumotic tourniquests were assessed in spinal and general anesthesia groups. Blood samples were drawn immediately before and 1, 5, 15 and 30 min after release of the tourniquet for measurements of pH, oxygen tension in arterial blood, carbon dioxide tension in arterial blood, bicarbonate, negative standart base excess, sodium, potassium, calcium levels and heart rate, rhythm, oxygen saturation and blood pressure were recorded at the above mentioned intervals. Sistolic blood pressure did not change with tourniquet deflations in both groups but heart rate increased at the 5th and 15th minutes in the general anesthesia group. Significant increases were seen in carbon dioxide tension in arterial blood at the 15th and 30th minutes and arterial potassium concentration at the 5th and 15th minutes after tourniquet release while pH dropped at the 5th and 15th minutes in general anesthesia group (p < 0.05). It was concluded that less hemodynamic and metabolic changes were seen after tourniquet release in patients undergoing spinal anesthesia compared to general anesthesia.