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ABSTRACT Peňpheralperfusionindex(PI) provides information about vascular tone and fluid status by interpreting the data obtained from pulse oximetry. However, the vascular tone may be affected by anxiety in patients. Impaired perfusion index in patients with high anxiety may cast a shadow on the predictive power of the PI. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between anxiety and perfusion index values. Preoperatively, anxiety scores of the patients were measured by APAIS and STAI tests. Perfusion index values were also recorded in the preoperative room. The correlation between these values was evaluated. 95 patients aged 18-65 years were included in the present study. Mean anxiety scores of all patients were 48.35+4.42. Perfusion index values were significantly lower in the patients with higher anxiety. In addition, we have found a negative and significant correlation between anxiety and perfusion index. The perfusion index is a non-invasive, easy to apply and cost-effective method. It has been used in the important studies such as predicting the development of hypotension induced by anesthesia. However, according to the results of our study, this technique is affected by the anxiety levels of the patients. It may be misleading in patients whose anxiety is not obvious. Anxiety levels should be questioned in awake patients and it should be kept in mind that perfusion index may decrease in high anxiety levels.
Key Words: Preoperative Anxiety; Peripheral Perfusion Index; Preoperative Monitorization.
Introduction
Peripheral perfusion index (PI) is a non-invasive measurement with the ratio of pulsatile and non-pulsatile photoplethysmographic signals obtained from pulse oximetry (1). This non-invasive and easily applicable technique can be used before or after anesthesia to obtain information about the fluid status and vascular tone of the patients. Pulsatile flow time prolongation is observed as an increase in perfusion index when the vascular tone is low.
With this measurement, the ability of patients to respond to fluid treatment can be predicted or with an increase in perfusion index, conclusions can be drawn about the success of sympathetic blockade (2, 3).
Perioperative anxiety may have many effects on anesthetic or postoperative analgesia requirements by affecting the neuroendocrine response of the patients (4, 5). The use of the perfusion index is expanding with an increasing number of studies in patients (6-8). Increased...