Crystalloids, colloids, blood and blood products and substitutes
Abstract Intravenous fluids are a core therapy in critical care and perioperative practice. Although most fluids that we use today are very similar to those of the mid 20 th…
General principles of paediatric anaesthesia
Abstract Annually in the UK, around half a million children and infants undergo general anaesthesia. The provision of anaesthesia for this patient group can be a daunting task; the size…
Neurological and humoral control of blood pressure
Abstract There is a relationship between arterial blood pressure, cardiac output and vascular resistance described mathematically, that helps us to understand short-term control of blood pressure in terms of a…
Applied cardiovascular physiology
Abstract Maintaining an equilibrium between oxygen supply and demand is a principal function of the cardiovascular system. In times of altered metabolic demand, mechanisms exist to maintain the balance between…
The perioperative management of frailty in patients presenting for vascular surgery
Abstract The volume of patients who are older and living with frailty presenting for surgery is increasing. Frailty is a multifactorial clinical syndrome associated with decreased metabolic and physiological reserve…
Anaesthesia for carotid surgery
Abstract Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality and may be preceded by a transient ischaemic attack (TIA). 20% will have a carotid stenosis caused by atheromatous plaque…
Postoperative care and analgesia in vascular surgery
Abstract Patients undergoing major vascular surgery are at high risk for myocardial infarction, renal failure, respiratory complications and death. Invasive procedures confer greater risk of complication, with patients undergoing open…
Anaesthesia for endovascular aneurysm repair
Abstract Surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) can be done via an open or endovascular approach; surgical and patient factors determine which is most appropriate. Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR)…
Self-assessment
Multiple choice questions 1 Anaesthesia for carotid surgery Which of the below are true regarding the neurological monitoring techniques during carotid endarterectomy? A. Stump pressure monitoring following clamping measures the…
Risk modification and preoperative optimization of vascular patients
Abstract Major vascular surgery is associated with a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Targeted optimization of organ systems most likely to suffer morbidity should be made prior to elective…
