Introduction: Since 1980, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), non invasive technique, has revolutionized the management of renal stones. Although ESWL is safe in most cases, life threatening complication has been reported. In this study, the role of ESWL (Dornier Medtech Systems GmbH, Germany) on mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) was investigated.
Methods: on 80 patients (54 male and 26 female), 17 to 72 years old (mean age 40.92 years) with normal blood pressure and kidney lithiasis in prone position. Patients were excluded if they had symptoms of heart disease, hypertension, high stress or anxiety and obesity (body weight>100 kg). Patients were evaluated noninvasively by measurement of HR and MAP before, during and after lithotripsy. The amount of shock waves applied in each case ranged from 1200 to 3400, with a mean of 2800 shock waves at a mean intensity of 14.4 kv.
Results: In the male patients the mean arterial pressure increased from 93.48 (+/- 9.64) to 98.61 (+/- 12.51) mmHg and in female o from 88.20 (+/- 10.46) to 97.43 (+/- 14.18) mmHg during ESWL. The HR was not change during ESWL, although the HR was statistically lower after lithotripsy. Incidence of patients diastolic pressure greater than or equal to 100 mm Hg was 7.5% during ESWL.
Conclusion: This result suggests risk of hypertension during ESWL but hypertension occurrence following ESWL and a prospective study is required.