Anaesthesia for vascular emergencies

Patients undergoing emergent vascular surgery, such as ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, acute ischaemic limb revascularization, and postoperative evacuation of haematoma after carotid surgery, have significantly higher morbidity and mortality than for the equivalent elective procedures. This is partly caused by the high risk of the procedures. In addition, these patients have significant comorbidity, and are usually under-assessed and under-prepared for such surgery, and often present out of normal working hours. Careful selection and application of anaesthetic techniques are important to minimize this morbidity, but also experienced anaesthetists and surgeons should be involved from the outset in managing these patients.