Intraoperative blood pressure considerations in pediatric anesthesia.

Abstract

The measurement and interpretation of blood pressure in the perioperative period is a basic and fundamental practice for quality perioperative care. Children present unique considerations and challenges in the measurement and interpretation of blood pressure intraoperatively due to their varying anatomical size and developing physiology. This narrative review will investigate how hypotension is defined in anesthetized children, describe the challenges in noninvasive automated blood pressure monitoring, identify complications of intraoperative hypotension, and discuss how to individualize blood pressure management strategies in children under anesthesia.