EVALUATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PREOPERATIVE ANXIETY LEVELS AND INTRAOPERATIVE HEMODYNAMIC INSTABILITY IN ADULT PATIENTS UNDERGOING ELECTIVE SURGERY

Abstract

Background: Preoperative anxiety is a common emotional response experienced by patients before 
undergoing surgical procedures. Aim: To investigate the relationship between preoperative anxiety levels and 
intraoperative hemodynamic instability in adult patients undergoing elective surgery. Additionally, the study 
explored the impact of a history of cardiovascular disease on preoperative anxiety and its association with 
intraoperative hemodynamic instability. Methods: A total of 100 adult patients scheduled for elective surgery 
were included in this prospective observational study. Preoperative anxiety levels were assessed using the 
State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scale. Intraoperative hemodynamic parameters, including heart rate, blood 
pressure, oxygen saturation, were closely monitored during the surgical procedures. Statistical analysis, 
including Pearson correlation, chi-square, t-tests, were performed to evaluate the association between 
preoperative anxiety and intraoperative hemodynamic instability. Results: The mean preoperative anxiety 
score among the 100 patients was 35.2 (± 8.9) on the STAI scale. The majority of patients (n = 65) exhibited 
mild-to-moderate preoperative anxiety levels, while a smaller subset (n = 35) experienced high levels of 
anxiety. During the intraoperative period, 27% of patients experienced hemodynamic instability, characterized 
by fluctuations in heart rate, blood pressure, or oxygen saturation. Patients who experienced hemodynamic 
instability had a significantly higher average preoperative anxiety score of 42.8 (± 9.5) compared to patients 
without instability. Conclusion: This study provides evidence of a significant association between 
preoperative anxiety levels and intraoperative hemodynamic instability in adult patients undergoing elective 
surgery. Patients with higher preoperative anxiety scores, especially those above 40, were at a higher risk of 
experiencing hemodynamic instability during surgery.