The impact of novel coronavirus infection on blood pressure variability in patients undergoing painless gastrointestinal endoscopy

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aims to examine the impact of COVID-19 infection on blood pressure variability among patients undergoing painless gastrointestinal endoscopy. Materials and methodsWe conducted an analysis on a cohort of 53 patients who received painless gastroscopy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between November 2022 to January 2023. Non-invasive cuff pressure measurements were taken every minute upon the patient's arrival. Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP), Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP), and Pulse Pressure (PP) were recorded both 5 min before and after induction. The variability in these parameters was calculated as the standard deviation (SD) over the mean, multiplied by 100%. Patients were grouped based on their history of COVID-19 infection. ResultsOur findings revealed significant differences in blood pressure variability between patients with a history of COVID-19 infection and those without. Prior to, substantial increases in variability were observed in DBP, MAP, and PP, while no significant change was in SBP. Following induction, COVID-19 positive patients exhibited heightened variability in all parameters. The most pronounced changes were seen in Pulse Pressure both before and after induction, suggesting a heightened cardiovascular response in patients with a history of COVID-19. These differences were statistically significant, indicating a clear impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular stability during endoscopic procedures. ConclusionThe study underscores the influence of COVID-19 on increased blood pressure variability in patients undergoing painless gastrointestinal endoscopy. These findings highlight the need for vigilant cardiovascular monitoring in COVID-19 affected individuals during similar medical procedures.