The predictive role of carotid artery flow time for anesthesia-induced hypotension in high-risk elderly patients

Hypotension induced by general anesthesia is associated with postoperative complications, increased mortality, and morbidity, particularly elderly patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of corrected carotid artery flow time (FTc) for predicting hypotension following anesthesia induction in patients over 65 years old. After faculty ethical committee approval and written informed consent, 138 patients (65 years and older, ASA physical status I–III) who scheduled for elective surgery were included in this study. In the pre-operative anesthesia unit, the carotid artery FTc value was measured by ultrasound and hemodynamic values were recorded. Following anesthesia induction with propofol, hemodynamic data were recorded at 1-minute intervals for 3 min. Measurements were terminated prior to endotracheal intubation, as direct laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation could cause sympathetic stimulation and hemodynamic changes. Hypotension occurred in 52 patients (37.7