BLOOD PRESSURE IN OPERATIVE SURGERY

As a factor in the preliminary examination, for judging the condition of the patient during operation and in following up the postoperative recovery, the blood pressure examination is of great importance although as yet imperfectly appreciated.

PREOPERATIVE EXAMINATIONS  The physical examination, which should invariably be made before any patient undergoes a surgical operation, is incomplete without a study of the blood pressure. Some of the pathologic conditions which bear directly on the chance of recovery from the operation and the anesthetic are indicated by characteristic blood pressure readings. Nephritis is accompanied by a marked increase in the systolic and diastolic pressures. Tuberculosis is regularly accompanied by a low systolic pressure. Myocarditis is indicated by a low pulse pressure. Incompetence of the aortic valve is indicated by a high pulse pressure and a low diastolic pressure. In some cases of aortic disease and also of exophthalmic goiter, the fourth phase of