Description
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has an incidence of up to 10% in males over 65. Aneurysm rupture carries high mortality and elective surgical repair is therefore performed to avert future rupture and reduce the associated mortality and morbidity. However, the complexity of the surgical procedure and the nature of the patient group present a significant challenge to the anaesthetist in order to achieve the best possible outcome. The following review provides a systematic summary of both the physiological processes involved in AAA repair and the best evidence available to improve peri-operative outcome. Although we acknowledge endovascular aneurysm repair as an upcoming technology, with improved short term outcome,1 it will not be covered in this article.
