Cardiovascular: Aortic Dissection

Abstract

In this chapter the essential aspects of anesthesia for aortic dissection are discussed. Subtopics include hemodynamic therapy, different dissection subtypes, and vasopressor support. The case presented is a patient with hypertension needing emergent repair of a thoracic aortic dissection. The chapter is divided into preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative sections with important subtopics related to the main topic in each section. Preoperative topics include heart murmur, classification for dissection, and assessment of cardiac, pulmonary, and renal status. Issues discussed related to intraoperative management include monitoring, airway management, and aortic cross-clamping. Postoperative concerns discussed include extubation, treatment of postoperative hypothermia, and diagnosing and responding to a patient’s delayed awakening from anesthesia.