Reducing the risk of vascular surgery

SummaryVascular surgery is associated with high rates of cardiopulmonary morbidity and mortality compared with other types of major non-cardiac surgery. Anaesthetists need to carefully evaluate the patient and consider strategies to reduce risk. Attention to detail is of paramount importance. In emergencies, risk can be minimised by rapid but appropriate correction of hypotension and coagulopathy. In elective cases strategies include identifying those patients most at risk and then using medication and other medical therapies to optimise medical co-morbidity prior to operation. Risks for the newer surgical techniques for vascular surgery are also discussed.