Medical hypotheses
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Intraoperative hypotension is associated with adverse outcomes. The preferred treatment for intraoperative hypotension is to address its cause. In the interim the blood pressure can be supported by the anesthesia team with volume resuscitation and vasopressors. ⋯ Therefore we propose bilateral femoral artery compression as a new technique to increase vital organ perfusion during intraoperative hypotension. This results in shunting of blood flow from the legs and towards the vital organs. Bilateral femoral artery compression can be employed by the surgical team to immediately improve blood pressure until other counter-measures against intraoperative hypotension take effect.