OBJECTIVES: To identify and report the effects of anesthetics on hemodynamic variables and cardio vascular system of inpatients admitted to the selected general surgery wards of a tertiary health care hospital.

METHODS: A prospective observational study of 6 months was carried out on inpatients aged above 18 years who received at least one anaesthetic drug. The patients were monitored for haemodynamic-cardio complications during the peri-operative period. Parameters like blood pressure and heart rate were analysed after the administration of anaesthesia. The data retrieved from medical records, anesthesia log papers, ECG reports, 2D-Echo reports and patient interviews was transcribed into specially designed data collection forms. The causal relationship of ADRs was assessed using Naranjo’s scale.

RESULTS: A total of 117 patients were studied, out of which 66(56.4%) were operated under General Anesthesia (GA) and 51(43.6%) under Local Anesthesia (LA). GA included a combination of propofol, fentanyl, atracurium, midazolam and isoflurane while LA comprised of bupivacaine and buprenorphine. The dose of anaesthetics was titrated in individual patients based on their body mass index. Out of the 137 ADRs identified, haemodynamic and cardiovascular system related side effects contributed to 113 (82.5%) which mainly comprised of hypotension 66 (58.4%), bradycardia 13 (11.5%), tachycardia 11 (9.7%), hypertension 12 (10.6%), ECG changes 7 (6.2%) and arrhythmia 2 (1.8%).Hypotension was common after GA (65.1%), whilst tachycardia (63.6%) and ECG changes (57.1%) were prominent in patients administered with LA. 102(90%) ADRs were possible and 11(10%) were probable according to naranjo scale. Therapeutic interventions were required for 47 ADRs(40.1%).

CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated a dominant parasympathetic effect and dose dependant myocardial depression by anaesthetics. Hence, the results can be contemplated to optimise patients safety which substantially improves therapeautic outcomes.