Anaesthesia for abdominal vascular surgery

Abdominal vascular surgery is required for aneurysmal and symptomatic occlusive disease of the aorta. Abdominal aortic aneurysms account for more than 8,500 deaths per year in England and Wales. Most deaths occur as a result of rupture of the abdominal aortic aneurysm, which has an overall mortality of 80%. These deaths are potentially preventable because elective repair of the abdominal aorta can be performed with an operative mortality of less than 7%. This article reviews the current indications and anaesthetic practices for open and endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.