Persistent Orthostatic Hypotension Following Surgery for Adult Spinal Deformity: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Cardiovascular Evaluation

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. PURPOSE: To understand the prevalence of persistent orthostatic hypotension (POH), as well as its risk factors and cardiovascular pathology, in patients receiving surgery for the adult spinal deformity (ASD). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Although reports of the incidence of and risk factors for POH in different spinal disorders have recently been published, we are not aware of the comprehensive evaluation of POH following surgery for ASD. METHODS: We examined medical records from a single central database for 65 patients receiving surgical treatment for ASD. Statistical comparisons were made between patients who experienced postoperative POH and those who did not, by examining patient and operative characteristics, such as age, sex, comorbidities, functional status, preoperative neurological function, vertebral fractures, three-column osteotomy, total operative time, estimated blood loss, length of stay, and radiographic parameters. The determinants of POH were assessed using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: We showed that postoperative POH was a complication of ASD surgery, with a 9% incidence rate. Patients with POH were statistically considerably more likely to require supported walkers due to partial paralysis and to have comorbidities including diabetes and neurodegenerative disease (ND). Furthermore, ND was an independent risk factor for postoperative POH (odds ratio, 4.073; 95% confidence interval, 1.094–8.362; p=0.020). Moreover, perioperative evaluation of the inferior vena cava showed that patients with postoperative POH had preoperative congestive heart failure and had hypovolemia lower postoperative diameter of the inferior vena cava than patients without POH. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative POH is a potential complication of ASD surgery. The most pertinent risk factor is having an ND. According to our study, patients who have surgery for ASD may experience alterations in their hemodynamics.