Spinal anesthesia does not cause left ventricular dysfunction in patients older than 60 years without cardiovascular disease

Elderly patients are undergoing surgery more frequently than ever. In this population, spinal anesthesia, which is known to cause sympathetic blockade associated with arterial vasodilation, is proposed as an excellent option. However, its effects on left ventricular systolic function have not been studied. To evaluate left ventricular systolic function by transthoracic echocardiography in patients older than 60 years, without prior cardiovascular disease, under spinal anesthesia. Prospective observational study with a total of 54 patients older than 60 years without prior cardiovascular disease, in whom, after the completion of subarachnoid anesthesia with hyperbaric 0.5% bupivacaine with sensory block equal to or greater than T10, left ventricular systolic function was measured using MAPSE. In addition, CI-IVC, LVOT-VTI and CO were measured. Values at 5 min after the blockade were compared with those obtained previously. A 3.3% decrease in MAPSE and a slight decrease in LVOT-VTI and CO were found, with no statistical or clinical significance. 14.8% of the patients presented MAP equal to or less than 60 mmHg. Comparison of echocardiographic changes between hypotensive and non-hypotensive patients was not statistically significant or clinically relevant. Our study shows that spinal anesthesia with anesthetic level T10 or higher in patients older than 60 years without cardiovascular disease is a safe technique since it does not significantly alter echocardiographic parameters measuring left ventricular systolic function. Cada vez son más los pacientes mayores llevados a cirugía, en quienes se propone la anestesia subaracnoidea como una excelente opción, de la que se sabe su bloqueo simpático se asocia a vasodilatación arterial. Sin embargo, no se han estudiado los efectos que ésta pueda tener sobre la función sistólica ventricular izquierda. Evaluar la función sistólica ventricular izquierda por ecocardiograma transtorácico en pacientes mayores de 60 años, sin enfermedad cardiovascular, bajo anestesia subaracnoidea instaurada. Estudio observacional prospectivo con un total de 54 pacientes mayores de 60 años sin enfermedad cardiovascular, a quienes, tras la instauración de una anestesia subaracnoidea con bupivacaina hiperbárica al 0,5% con bloqueo sensitivoT10 o mayor, se les midió la función sistólica ventricular izquierda a partir del MAPSE (Mitral anular plane systolic excursion). Además, se midió el índice de colapsabilidad de vena cava inferior (ICVCI),