Anesthesia case management for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

The incidence of angiopathology involving the aorta and microvasculature is expected to become more prevalent because of increased life expectancy and incidence of obesity. With the advent of endovascular aortic repair (EVAR), patients who were not considered surgical candidates for abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy because of their tenuous physical status can undergo corrective treatment and return to their activities of daily living. Because of the limited invasiveness of the procedure, it is unnecessary to cross-clamp the aorta, which minimizes hemodynamic variability and release of inflammatory mediators. As a result, the rate of myocardial ischemia, acute kidney injury, mesenteric ischemia, and blood loss is decreased. However, there are serious complications that can occur with EVAR, which include cerebral and myocardial ischemia, rapid massive hemorrhage, damage to access vessels, and endoleak. Presently, the most common anesthetic technique provided to patients undergoing EVAR is local anesthesia and monitored anesthetic care. A thorough understanding of the surgical procedure, perioperative process, and anesthetic considerations is vital to provide comprehensive care.