The effects of hemodynamic management using the trend of the perfusion index and pulse pressure variation on tissue perfusion: a randomized pilot study

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative hemodynamic management is challenging because precise assessment of the adequacy of the intravascular volume is difficult during surgery. Perfusion index (PI) has been shown to reflect changes in peripheral circulation perfusion. Pulse pressure variation (PPV) reflects the preload responsiveness. The hypothesis of this study was that hemodynamic management using the trend of the PI and PPV would improve tissue perfusion. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, parallel design, single-blind, single-center pilot study. Patients undergoing elective open gynecological surgery requiring a direct arterial line were included. The patients were randomly allocated to two groups. The intervention group received hemodynamic management using the trend of the PI and PPV in an effort to improve tissue perfusion. The control group received hemodynamic management at the discretion of the anesthesia care provider. The primary outcome was the peak lactate level during surgery. The secondary outcomes were the duration of hypotension, intraoperative fluid balance, intraoperative urine output, and postoperative complication rate. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t test and Fisher’s exact test. A P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Although the intervention significantly decreased the duration of hypotension and intraoperative fluid balance, the peak lactate level was not different between the intervention group and the control group. Intraoperative urine output and postoperative complication rate were not different between the groups. CONCLUSION: Hemodynamic management using the trend of the PI and PPV does not improve tissue perfusion in patients undergoing open gynecological surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was prospectively registered on a publicly accessible database (UMIN Clinical Trials Registry ID: UMIN 000026957. Registered 12 April 2017, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000030916).