Objectives: Parameters characterizing arterial stiffness - augmentation index (AIx) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) - are autonomous and independent cardiovascular risk factors. In this study we examined if the spinal anesthesia has considerable effects on the peripheral and central blood pressure, augmentation pressure, AIx and PWV.

Methods: The measurements were carried out using SphygmoCor (AtCor Medical, Australia) device. Spinal anesthesia was performed in all patients because of surgery, due to varicosity of lower extremity. Spinal anesthesia was performed uniformly by 3.2 milliliters of bupivacaine (0.5 %) via the L3 interstice. One liter of crystalloid infusion was administrated before the procedure. Patients were examined before anesthesia, and after enrollment of sensory analgesia and motor block.

Results: 29 patients (10 males and 19 females, aged: 53.7±12.9 years) were included in the study. As a result of spinal anesthesia not only the systolic (143.4±20.4 vs. 119.5±16.4 mmHg, p<0,0001) and diastolic peripheral (83.2±11.3 vs. 68.3±10.7 mmHg, p <0.0001), but also the systolic 132.6±18.3 vs. 105.2±14.8 mmHg, p<0.0001) diastolic (85.8±12.1 vs. 69.3±11.2, p<0.0001) central BP, mean pressure (105.8±13.9 vs. 84.7±13.1, p< 0.0001) and pulse pressure (60.2±13.9 vs. 51.2±10.8, p<0.02) decreased. We also observed a significant difference in the augmentation pressure (14.6±7.9 vs. 6.1±3.8 mmHg, p<0.001), and AIxHR75 (26.8±6.9 vs. 15.1±10.9%, p<0.001), respectively. There were no significant difference in PWV (9.3±3.7 vs. 9.1±3.4 m/s, p=0.8).

Conclusion: As a result of spinal anesthesia and so regional sympathetic nervous block not only the peripheral and central BP, but also the AIx decreased significantly, while PWV remained unchanged.