Cardiovascular Consequences of General and Regional Anesthesia

General anesthesia leads to a reduction in systemic vascular resistance, arterial blood pressure, and cardiac output. Success and failures in the perioperative period rely on a thorough understanding of the cardiovascular physiologic changes associated with administering general and regional anesthesia. Unanticipated spread of local anesthetic during a spinal anesthetic or local anesthetic systemic toxicity can have a devastating impact on the cardiovascular system. Cardiac complications account for 25%–50% of mortality after noncardiac surgery. Understanding cardiac risk and anticipating physiologic changes can allow for successful treatment in the perioperative period and allow for less major cardiac complications following procedures.