Emergency vascular surgical care in populations with unique physiologic characteristics: Pediatric, pregnant, and frail populations

Semin Vasc Surg. 2023 Jun;36(2):340-354. doi: 10.1053/j.semvascsurg.2023.04.015. Epub 2023 Apr 30.

Abstract

Vascular surgical emergencies are common in vascular surgical care and require complex decision making and multidisciplinary care. They are especially challenging when they occur in patients with unique physiological characteristics, such as pediatric, pregnant, and frail patients. Among the pediatric and pregnant population, vascular emergencies are rare. This rarity challenges accurate and timely diagnosis of the vascular emergency. This landscape review summarizes these three unique populations' epidemiology and emergency vascular considerations. Understanding the epidemiology is the foundation for accurate diagnosis and subsequent management. Considering each population's unique characteristics is crucial to the emergent vascular surgical interventions decision making. Collaborative and multidisciplinary care is vital in gaining expertise in managing these special populations and achieving optimal patient outcomes.

Keywords: ACTA2; Frailty; Loeys Dietz syndrome; Marfan syndrome; Palliative care; Pediatric; Pregnancy; Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Child
  • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Emergencies
  • Emergency Treatment
  • Female
  • Frail Elderly
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures / adverse effects