What is hypotension syndrome?

  When hypotension is combined with corresponding symptoms or signs, we call it a hypotensive syndrome, which is defined as an absolute or relative decrease in blood pressure with symptoms of ischemia in the corresponding target organs, especially the cerebral circulation. We often classify hypotensive syndromes into chronic and acute according to their onset, and neurogenic and non-neurogenic, mixed according to their etiology.  As the population ages, the incidence of hypotension is increasing, with studies reporting that more than half of hospitalized elderly patients over 65 years of age can have hypotension due to acute or chronic ischemia of important organs during hypotension, reducing cerebral circulation perfusion, increasing the risk of stroke and dementia; weakening the stability of standing balance, increasing the risk of falls; reducing cardiac perfusion, increasing the incidence of coronary events, and also aggravating structural and functional damage to the left ventricle It also increases the incidence of atrial fibrillation; decreases renal perfusion, leading to deterioration of renal function, etc., thus increasing overall disability, hospitalization and all-cause mortality rates.  Hypotensive syndrome can be seen in several disciplines, such as gastroenterology, cardiology, neurology, endocrinology, respiratory medicine, nephrology, neurosurgery, post cardiac and vascular interventions, obstetrics, etc., and is cross-titled with different names such as upright hypotension, postprandial hypotension, idiopathic hypotension, supine hypotension in late pregnancy, dialysis-related hypotension, post carotid stenting hypotension, endocrine hypotension, cardiogenic hypotension, pulmonary hypotension, pharmacogenic hypotension (antihypertensives, etc.), postanesthetic hypotension, carotid sinus hypersensitivity hypotension, Shy-drag syndrome, etc.  The three elements of blood pressure maintenance include cardiac pumping function, peripheral vascular resistance, and blood volume. The regulation of blood pressure also requires neural and humoral regulation and muscle tension to complete, and abnormalities in any of these links may disrupt blood pressure maintenance. Ageing has a significant impact on blood pressure regulation mechanisms. As age increases, decreased cerebral blood flow, impaired pressure receptor reflexes, reduced renal water and sodium storage, and impaired early left ventricular diastolic filling make the elderly less able to regulate blood pressure and more susceptible to hypotensive syndromes.  Common neurogenic factors include painful or injurious stimuli, situational stimuli (urination, coughing, defecation, etc.), carotid sinus hypersensitivity, fear, prolonged standing, heat exposure, etc. Among the non-neurogenic risk factors, cardiovascular factors are the most dangerous, such as arrhythmia C tachycardia or bradycardia, aortic sinus rupture or clamping rupture, valvular stenosis, cardiomyopathy causing outflow tract obstruction, pulmonary embolism, and subclavian artery steal, etc. In addition, there are some mixed factors, such as diuretics, antihypertensive drugs, alcohol intake, and dehydration, so when we face a patient with hypotensive syndrome, we need to think and judge from many aspects and perspectives.  The diagnosis of a patient with hypotensive syndrome requires not only continuous blood pressure monitoring, observation of the ambulatory electrocardiogram, and the exclusion of other relevant risk factors, but also the detection of cardiac autonomic function is particularly important. Hypotensive syndrome is a multidisciplinary clinical phenomenon, and the risks of hypotension do not end with stroke, falls and fractures.  Although the treatment of patients with hypotensive syndrome includes physical and pharmacological treatments, including fludrocortisone, midodrine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, selective 5-hydroxytryptamine reuptake inhibitors, droxidopa (central nervous system drugs/anti-motility disorders/anti-parkinsonian drugs), and others (erythropoietin, testosterone propionate, herbal medicine), different hypotensive patients still require individualized, targeted treatment.  As people become more aware of the dangers of hypotension, hypotension syndrome will become a clinical topic that will be increasingly emphasized and intensively studied.