Adult coarctation of the aorta: Anaesthesia and postoperative management

The complications following surgery for the correction of aortic coarctation are reviewed. The immediate postoperative increase in blood pressure is associated with a very high (750%) increase in plasma noradrenaline concentrations. The pre-operative management and preparation of the patient, the use of induced hypotension during surgery with careful haemodynamic control to prevent the hypoperfusion of the lower segment of the aorta, and the postoperative management with special reference to adequate control of blood pressure are discussed.