Lower Body Elevation for Low Blood Pressure

Overseen By Erikka Washington

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Prisoners, Emergency surgery, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

200 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether lifting the legs (lower extremity elevation) can prevent low blood pressure after general anesthesia. Researchers aim to determine if this simple action reduces the need for certain blood pressure medications and improves heart function. The trial includes two groups: one with leg elevation and one without. It suits individuals who require general anesthesia and have no allergies to common anesthesia medications. As an unphased trial, it provides a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding simple, non-invasive methods for improving recovery after surgery.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that lower extremity elevation is safe for reducing postinduction hypotension?

Research shows that raising the legs safely manages low blood pressure. Studies have found that this method can significantly reduce the risk of low blood pressure after surgeries involving spinal anesthesia, sometimes cutting the risk by nearly half.

Raising the legs is non-invasive, requiring no surgery or medication, which often results in fewer side effects. Many patients find it easy to tolerate, and no serious side effects have been reported with this method.

Overall, current evidence suggests that raising the legs is a safe option for managing low blood pressure without medications. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Lower Extremity Elevation (LEE) technique for managing low blood pressure because it offers a simple, non-invasive approach that differs from standard treatments like medication or compression garments. Unlike these more traditional methods, which can involve side effects or require ongoing management, LEE is a mechanical technique that involves raising the legs to increase blood flow to the heart, potentially stabilizing blood pressure quickly. This straightforward method could provide an immediate and accessible option for those experiencing sudden low blood pressure, making it a promising area of exploration.

What evidence suggests that lower extremity elevation is effective for reducing postinduction hypotension?

Research has shown that raising the legs, known as lower extremity elevation (LEE), might help prevent low blood pressure after certain medical procedures. Some studies suggest that LEE can reduce the risk of low blood pressure after spinal procedures by up to 47%. This method improves blood flow back to the heart, helping to stabilize blood pressure. However, not all research agrees, and some studies find it less effective during surgery. In this trial, participants will be divided into two groups: one group will receive LEE, while the other will not. Overall, LEE is a simple and promising approach, but its effectiveness can vary depending on the situation. ^{1 3 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Ranganathan Govindaraj, MD

Principal Investigator

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for patients with a moderate or lower risk during anesthesia (ASA 3 or below) who need general anesthesia but aren't pregnant, allergic to common anesthetic drugs, requiring emergency surgery, rapid induction, or are prisoners.

Inclusion Criteria

My health is stable enough for surgery.

I need general anesthesia for my treatment.

Exclusion Criteria

I am allergic to common anesthesia drugs like fentanyl and propofol.

Prisoners

Pregnant women

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Induction and Treatment

Participants undergo induction of general anesthesia with or without lower extremity elevation (LEE) to assess hemodynamic stability

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Immediate Follow-up

Participants are monitored for hypotension and nadir blood pressure immediately after induction

5 minutes

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any delayed effects post-anesthesia

1 week

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Lower Extremity Elevation

Trial Overview The study tests if raising the legs (LEE) can prevent low blood pressure after starting general anesthesia. It compares how often vasoactive drugs are used and checks if LEE affects cardiac output in patients with and without leg elevation.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Group 1: LEE Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Group 2: no LEE Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Lead Sponsor

Trials

974

Recruited

361,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7463362/

Effectiveness of Leg Elevation to Prevent Spinal ... Additionally, leg elevation reduces risk of developing postspinal hypotension by 47%. The result of our study is in line with the study ...

2. bmcanesthesiol.biomedcentral.com bmcanesthesiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12871-025-03299-1

Limited effect of leg elevation in preventing intraoperative ... In conclusion, leg elevation did not significantly reduce the incidence of intraoperative hypotension or cerebral desaturation; however, it ...

3. dovepress.com dovepress.com/effectiveness-of-leg-elevation-to-prevent-post-spinal-hypotension-in-e-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-OAS

Leg-elevation to Prevent Post-Spinal Hypotension | OAS A majority of the evidence revealed that leg elevation following spinal anaesthesia in a caesarean delivery was effective in preventing post-spinal-induced ...

4. ijlbpr.com ijlbpr.com/uploadfiles/137vol14issue6pp803-807.20250621060820.pdf

Spinal Hypotension In Lower Abdominal Surgeries Leg elevation, a simple mechanical technique, has been explored as an effective means to improve venous return and mitigate hypotension. By ...

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352013218302163

Effect of lower leg compression during cesarean section on ... A positive correlation is identified between the muscle mass volume compressed and the elevation in blood pressure. In-depth analysis of this ...

6. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-hypotension-6-2024-306af

Lower Body Elevation for Low Blood Pressure ... Lower Extremity Elevation will have tolerable side effects & efficacy for patients with Low Blood Pressure and Low blood pressure. See if you qualify today!

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12570588/

The influence of thirty-degree leg elevation on noradrenaline ... A radioisotope scan study demonstrated that a 20-degree leg elevation resulted in a 34% redistribution of blood volume toward the central ...