[Haemodynamic changes in infrarenal aortic aneurysm operations (author's transl)]

Haemodynamic changes after aortic cross-clamping were measured during operation of 11 patients suffering from infrarenal aortic aneurysm. Systemic vascular resistance, mean arterial pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure are increased, while cardiac index is significantly decreased. Heart rate and right atrial pressure remain nearly unchanged. The elevations in systemic vascular resistance, mean arterial pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure are reversed by continuous nitroglycerin infusion, cardiac index is increased.

1. meticulous haemodynamic monitoring is very important in operations including abdominal aortic cross-clamping in order to prevent imminent cardiac complications. 2. the haemodynamic changes induced by aortic cross-clamping can be reversed by infusion of nitroglycerin.