Anesthetic management for thoracic aortic procedures

Surgical and anesthetic management for the repair of thoracic aorta pathology represents a significant clinical challenge and is associated with relatively high morbidity and mortality. Although open surgical correction of the thoracic aorta has traditionally been the gold standard for the management of a variety of thoracic aortic pathologies, newer hybrid or endovascular techniques have been developed in an effort to mitigate risk in patients with amenable anatomy. This chapter will focus on the anesthetic considerations for open surgical repair of aortic aneurysm and dissection. The anesthetic management of the endovascular and hybrid approach for repair of thoracic aortic pathology will be discussed elsewhere in this book.