Buerger's Disease and Anaesthesia: The Neglected Cardiac Angle

Abstract

Distal limb amputations and respiratory complications are common in patients with Buerger’s disease. Nicotine in cigarette is arrhythmogenic as it blocks cardiac potassium channels. Preoperative Holter ECG monitoring may be useful if preoperative electrocardiogram is normal. If the patient is undergoing major surgery, preservative free lignocaine & amiodarone infusions and a cardioverter defibrillator should be available for the intraoperative cardiac rhythm disturbances.

Keywords

• Buergers disease
• onco-surgery
• general anaesthesia
• arrhythmias