The effect of abdominal aortic cross-clamping on myocardial function

Abstract

This study of 27 patients undergoing abdominal aortic operations was under-taken in an effort to define myocardial and peripheral vascular responses more precisely. Thirteen patients underwent resection of abdominal aortic aneurysms and fourteen patients underwent operation for aortoiliac occlusive disease. Both groups of patients demonstrated falls in cardiac index with a rise in total peripheral resistance following anesthesia and aortic crossclamping. The patients undergoing aneurysmal resection demonstrated a persistent altered myocardial function that was not observed in the occlusive disease patients. This difference may reflect the inability of the patients with aneurysmal disease or an extensive collateral network to handle the acute increase in afterload placed upon the myocardium.