Anesthesia and Neurocerebral Monitoring for Aortic Dissection

Patients presenting to the operating room for repair of aortic dissection are challenging in all aspects of their care. Without exception, they require a multidisciplinary team approach. This article will review some of the specific challenges faced by anesthesiologists and neurologists when confronted with such a diagnosis. Specifically, we will discuss the myriad anesthetic issues that present in the preoperative stage and continue into the postoperative period. Neurologic complications during dissection repair result in increased morbidity and mortality. A variety of neurophysiologic monitoring techniques exist that may reduce this risk and will be discussed in detail. Finally, we will present some “controversies in care,” emphasizing that our respective fields continue to grow, learn, and improve what information we have on the morbidity and mortality of aortic dissection.