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Abstract Hip fracture is a common and critical event for elderly patients. Both general and regional anesthesia is associated with side effects in geriatric patients. Although regional anesthesia might have benefits over general anesthesia hemodynamic stability may be impaired and can lead to myocardial ischemia. Hypotension is more common, and also more hazardous, in elderly patients, as they may have decreased physiological reserve and compromised blood supply to various vital organs. Many different techniques, such as IV crystalloid and vasopressor administration, have been used to attenuate this complication. However, rapid infusion of large amounts of IV fluid may be detrimental to patients with cardiacdysfunction. Moreover, ephedrine and vasopressors can lead to serious cardiac side effects (excessive hypertension or tachycardia). A smaller dose of local anesthetic reduces the severity and incidence of hypotension during spinal anesthesia. These findings are of particular interest in elderly patients with high risk of sympathectomy induced hypotension. |