Endovascular aortic repair

Endovascular aortic repair

Anesthesia type	General vs neuraxial (endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair) vs rarely, local with MAC
Airway	ETT vs non-invasive O2
Lines and access	PIV x 2 with at least 1 large bore (14-16 G), arterial line (right sided preferred)
Monitors	Standard ASA monitors, 5-lead EKG, arterial line, TEE (endovascular thoracic aortic aneurysm repair)
Primary anesthetic considerations
Preoperative
Intraoperative
Postoperative
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Endovascular stent grafting of aortic aneurysm is a surgical procedure by which a stent graft is deployed along the extent of the aortic lesion through vascular access commonly via the common femoral vessels. The stent graft protects the aneurysmal wall from high blood pressure in the aorta decreasing the risk of rupture. This procedure is indicated when aneurysm size is larger than 5.5 cm or if the growth rate of the aneurysm is 10 mm or more per year due to the increased risk of rupture. Endovascular stent grafting of aortic aneurysm involves obtaining vascular access to allow introduction of stent deployment apparatus. Prior to introduction of stent deployment apparatus, systemic heparinization is provided. Fluoroscopy is performed with IV contrast to evaluate vascular anatomy and guide stent graft deployment apparatus placement.  Once the stent graft is deployed and fluoroscopy/TEE confirmed optimal placement without the presence of endoleak or aortic dissection, stent graft introducer is removed and vascular access sites are closed to obtain hemostasis .

Preoperative management

Patient evaluation

System	Considerations
Neurologic	Assess for presence of history cerebrovascular disease or carotid stenosis by obtaining baseline neurologic exam especially strength of lower extremities and auscultation
Cardiovascular	Assess for presence of myocardial ischemia, previous myocardial infarction, valvular dysfunction, heart failure and peripheral arterial disease. Obtaining baseline EKG and functional status assessment are mandatory. Review diagnostic transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) as most patients have completed as part of their workup. Exercise or pharmacologic stress testing or radionuclide imaging may be warranted in this patient population if there are any abnormal findings.
Respiratory	Assess for COPD, cigarette smoking, and reversible pulmonary pathology Smoking cessation of at least 8 weeks
Gastrointestinal
Hematologic
Renal	Preoperative hydration and avoidance of nephrotoxic drugs during the perioperative period are important to reduce the risk of kidney injury due to IV contrast used during the procedure.
Endocrine
Other

Labs and studies

• Type and screen in the occasion that transfusion is needed
• Contrast-enhanced spiral CT scans of the thorax and thoracic aortography to assess the dimensions of the aneurysms
  • This allows for the assessment of adequate proximal and distal neck for surgical planning. The CT scan also helps assess the adequacy of the vessel used for vascular access for the stent introducer system
• EKG to assess for any myocardial ischemia or previous infarction
• TTE to assess valvular disease, size and extent of aneurysm, and LV function

Patient preparation and premedication

• IV midazolam for anxiety
• PO acetaminophen for pain control

Regional and neuraxial techniques

Spinal and/or epidural may be considered for endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Intraoperative management

Monitoring and access

• Standard ASA monitors
• 5-lead EKG
• Arterial line is required as it allows prompt vasopressor titration in response to blood pressure change, particularly just prior to stent deployment and post stent deployment
  • Right sided preference as left sided vascular access from the surgical team may be needed allowing for an easier approach to the aorta compared to right sided approach. Also, the stent graft may block the L subclavian artery leading to false reading
• TEE used to assist in the identification of aneurysm necks, monitor the deployment of the stent graft, endoleaks status post deployment, and aortic dissection (Endovascular Thoracic Aneurysm Repair)
• Urine output monitoring in the setting of possible renal vessel occlusion from deployment of stent graft and contrast induced nephropathy
• Spinal drain monitoring if placed for high risk patient undergoing endovascular thoracic aneurysm stent grafting
• Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) may be used to assess for spinal ischemia for patient undergoing endovascular thoracic stent grafting
• At Least 1 large bore IV (14-16G) in the situation of bleeding from vascular injury or rupture

Induction and airway management

• Most common anesthesia type is general anesthesia
  • Standard induction with propofol or etomidate, short acting opioid to blunt sympathetic response, neuromuscular blockade for endotracheal intubation
• If regional anesthesia is chosen, minimal to deep sedation with midazolam, fentanyl, propofol or dexmedetomidine is reasonable.
• Rarely, local anesthetic placement by the surgical team with monitored anesthesia care is implemented depending on patient cooperativity. Minimal to deep sedation is reasonable

Positioning

• Supine +/- slight right lateral decubitus (endovascular thoracic aortic aneurysm repair)

Maintenance and surgical considerations

• Volatile anesthetics supplemented with opioids for analgesia if neuromonitoring is not used
• If neuromonitoring is used, 0.5 MAC of volatile anesthetic supplemented by IV anesthetic/opioids or TIVA and avoiding neuromuscular blockade after intubating dose
• Administration of heparin

• Verification of activated clotting time (ACT) throughout the case with goal of 200 seconds until introducer is removed
• Maintenance of baseline MAP as this patient population have increase risk of CVA, MI, aortic dissection, and paraplegia
• Just prior to stent deployment, BP must be decrease to reduce the risk of graft migration during deployment with vasodilators
• Post stent graft deployment, BP is increased to ensure perfusion especially if there is a risk of spinal ischemia with vasopressors

Emergence

• PONV prophylaxis
• Reversal of neuromuscular blockade if used
• Assessment of hip flexion if spinal cord is at risk for ischemia
• Reversal of heparin with protamine with confirmation of ACT returning to normal value

Postoperative management

Disposition

• PACU
• Floor
• If any complications requiring ICU, then ICU

Pain management

• Postoperative pain is usually mild

• Multimodal pain management
  • PO/IV acetaminophen
  • PO/IV opioid
  • Local anesthetic at vascular access sites
  • Epidural analgesia if chosen as anesthetic technique
  • Usually avoiding NSAID due to pre-existing renal disease or potential renal injury

Potential complications

• Endoleaks
• Vascular injury
• Graft migration
• Stent frame fractures
• Breakdown of graft material
• Spinal cord ischemia or infarction secondary to occlusion of intercostal arteries
• Intra-abdominal ischemia secondary to occlusion of vessels supplying the gastro-intestinal organ including the celiac artery, superior mesenteric artery, inferior mesenteric artery, and renal arteries

• Bleeding from groin site or retroperitoneal bleeding
• Contrast induced nephropathy

Procedure variants

	Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms	Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Unique considerations	Use of TEE and possible neuro-monitoring and lumbar drain
Position	Supine +/- slight right lateral decubitus	Supine
Surgical time	1-3 hours	1-3 hours
EBL	Minimal, unless vascular injury	Minimal, unless vascular injury
Postoperative disposition	Usually PACU to the floor, possible ICU	Usually PACU to the floor
Pain management	Multimodal	Multimodal
Potential complications	Paraplegia	Intra-abdominal ischemia/infarction