Recent epidemiological data from an European study suggests that the 30-day postoperative mortality rate reaches a rate of about 1 in 50. A similar rate has been observed at Barnes-Jewish Hospital (BJH) according to the investigators published and unpublished data from the B-Unaware (NCT00281489) and BAG-RECALL (NCT00682825) clinical trials. Many factors are associated strongly and independently with postoperative morbidity and mortality; including patient age, functional status, comorbid medical conditions, and duration and invasiveness of the surgery. It is imperative to identify modifiable factors for possible intervention.
With the advent of electronic intraoperative medical record, intraoperative hemodynamic factors can be assessed as a potential contributor to postoperative morbidity and mortality. Recent studies have shown that intraoperative hypotension occurs commonly and is associated with both early and late postoperative mortality. The investigators goal is to conduct a study that might help to clarify whether intraoperative blood pressure management might be interdependently associated with postoperative morbidity and mortality. There are two phases in this trial: pre-quality improvement phase and post quality improvement phase. Pre-quality improvement phase data will be used as a baseline control group. Data from this phase will also be used to establish whether there appears to be an independent association between intraoperative blood pressure management and postoperative morbidity and mortality. The Anesthesiology Departments at Washington University in St. Louis and at the University of Michigan are implementing quality improvement initiatives in relation to intraoperative blood pressure management. Following implementation of the quality improvement initiatives, the investigators plan to determine whether: a) there is an improvement in intraoperative blood pressure management; b) whether there is a decrease in postoperative morbidity and mortality.
