A study to assess the management of hypertension for pre and post-operative care hypertensive cancer patients

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prescribing pattern of antihypertensive medication in cancer patients undergoing surgery, to assess the control of hypertension postoperatively and to assess the cardiovascular complications post operatively if any in patients who had been admitted in a tertiary care hospital, South Bangalore, India. Subject and methods: A prospective observational study was carried out for 6 months in 152 patients of above 40yrs of age who were on antihypertensive medication and undergoing cancer surgery. Patients pre and post-operative blood pressure readings were recorded (3 readings at 6hr time interval) and patients pre and post-operative antihypertensive medication were recorded. The data was analyzed. Results: Calcium channel blockers (31.74%) and angiotensin receptor blockers (49.20%) were mostly prescribed monotherapy agents. ARB + diuretics (42.16%) were mostly prescribed combination therapy agents followed by ARB+CCB (18.07%), CCB + beta blocker (14.45%), CCB + alpha blocker (10.84%), ARB + beta blocker (9.63%). Amlodipine + atenolol was found to be significant in controlling of B. P in hypertensive cancer patients with Prob >F= 0.013, and other drugs were found to be not significant. Conclusion: Management of hypertension preoperatively is important to prevent peri and postoperative cardiovascular complications. It was found that patient taking combination antihypertensive agents like calcium channel blocker and alpha blocker or angiotensin receptor blocker and diuretics were more effective in controlling their hypertension. Calcium channel blockers and angiotensin receptor blockers were commonly prescribed monotherapy agents. Amlodipine + atenolol was found to be most prescribed agent and effective in blood pressure control in hypertensive cancer patients.