Anesthetic Considerations in a Patient with Large Cavernous Carotid Aneurysm

Abstract

Cavernous carotid aneurysms (CCA) are a rare form of intracranial aneurysms. Patients undergoing clipping of a large unruptured CCA pose multiple anesthetic concerns including intraoperative trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR). The anesthetist's role is paramount, specifically, preprocedure anesthetic preparation, close vital monitoring, familiarity with surgical steps, provision of a relaxed brain, and meticulous control of hemodynamics. Closed-loop communication with the surgeons throughout the surgical procedure is paramount. When TCR occurs, unnecessary use of anticholinergics should be discouraged as the hemodynamic perturbations resolve with cessation of the surgical stimulus.

Keywords

• cavernous
• aneurysm
• trigeminocardiac reflex
• anesthesia