ANESTHESIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF SURGICAL-TRE ATMENT

In Takyasu's arteriitis, chronic inflammation of the aorta and its lar ger branches leads to stenosis, occlusion and the formation of aneurys ms. Clinically, the disease becomes manifest at a young age, showing t he symptoms of chronic inflammation with ischaemic complications affec ting the ar-ter-ies involved, together with secondary arterial hyperte nsion. Corticosteroids, platelet aggregation inhibitors and anti-hyper tensive agents all improve the prognosis considerably. Advanced stenos es and aneurysms are treated by means of PTCA and bypass surgery. Anae sthesiological problems arise from rite disordered cerebral and renal perfusion, and by cardiac involvment in the disease (cardiac damage). Preoperative evaluation and improvement (optimization) of circulatory and perfusion status, extended intra-operative monitoring and postoper ative aftercare in an ICU should guarantee reliable patient management .