Hypovolemic patients can develop postintubation hypotension (PIH). Our objective is to review the literature regarding PIH and the association with mortality. We searched MEDLINE from inception to February 2018. A meta-analysis was performed to assess the effect of PIH on mortality. The results of the meta-analysis were reported in forest plots of the estimated effects of the included studies with a 95 per cent confidence interval. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I² test, which corresponded to low (I² < 25%), medium (I² = 25-75%), and high (I² > 75%) heterogeneity. We identified 243 records. Four studies were included in the meta-analysis. The studies reported 2044 patients with 36.8 per cent (n = 753) developing PIH. Data indirectly reflecting the hemodynamic status were available in three studies (n = 1117 patients). Overall mortality was 24.6 per cent (n = 503) and was significantly higher in patients that developed PIH [mortality, n (%): PIH = 250/753 (33.2%) vs 253/1291 (19.6%), P < 0.001]. Patients that develop PIH have an increased mortality. Considering a targeted resuscitation in hypovolemic patients is pivotal to minimize PIH.