Hypotension Begins at 110 mm Hg: Redefining Hypotension With Data

Abstract

Background: Clinicians routinely refer to hypotension as a systolic blood pressure (SBP) less than or equal to 90 mm Hg. However, few data exist to support the rigid adherence to this arbitrary cutoff. We hypothesized that the physiologic hypoperfusion and mortality outcomes classically associated with hypotension were manifest at higher SBPs. Methods: A total of 870,634 patient records from the National Trauma Data Bank with emergency department SBP and mortality data were analyzed. Patients (140,898) with severe head injuries, a Glasgow Coma Score less than 8, and base deficit (BD) less than 5, or missing data items were excluded from analysis. Admission BD, as a measure of metabolic hypoperfusion, was evaluated in 81,134 patients and mortality was plotted against SBP. Results: Baseline mortality was less than 2.5%. However, at 110 mm Hg, the slope of the mortality curve increased such that mortality was 4.8% greater for every 10-mm Hg decrement in SBP. This effect was consistent to a maximum of 26% mortality at a SBP of 60 mm Hg. Hypoperfusion (change in the slope of BD curve) began to increase above baseline of 4.5 at a SBP 118 mm Hg. Conclusion: Taking the BD and mortality measurements together, this analysis shows that a SBP less than 110 mm Hg is a more clinically relevant definition of hypotension and hypoperfusion than is 90 mm Hg. This analysis will also be useful for developing appropriately powered studies of hemorrhagic shock.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 19, 2007
Accession Number
ADA627808

Entities

People

  • Brian J. Eastridge
  • Charles E Wade
  • Eileen M. Bugler
  • John B Holcomb
  • John G. McManus
  • Josè Salinas
  • Lorne Blackburn
  • Victor A. Concertino
  • William H. Cooke

Organizations

  • United States Army Institute of Surgical Research

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Blood Volume
  • Brain Injuries
  • Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena
  • Data Sets
  • Demographic Cohorts
  • Health Care
  • Health Services
  • Heart Rate
  • Hemorrhagic Shock
  • Hospitals
  • Hypotension
  • Medical Personnel
  • Patient Care
  • United States
  • Vital Signs

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Mathematics or Statistics
  • Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Care for Military Service Members and Veterans with Limb Loss or Disability.
  • Toxicology/Environmental Toxicology