[Hemodynamic monitoring in microneurosurgical excision by sub- and retro-sinus approach in seated position in acoustic neurinoma].

Haemodynamic data (thermodilution Swan-Ganz catheter and radial artery cannula) were collected in 17 patients (52.4 +/- 8 yr) during retrosigmoid approach for removal of an acoustic tumour in the seated position. Measurements were made before stimulation of posterior fossa structures (period 1) and during tumour dissection along the brain stem (period 2). Significant increases in systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressures, in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, in cardiac index and in stroke index were observed during period 2, whereas heart rate, right atrial pressure and systemic vascular resistances were unaffected. The greater the size of the tumour and the difficulties in dissection, the greater were these intraoperative haemodynamic changes. In addition, the pulmonary arterial blood temperature and the noradrenaline plasma concentrations (double isotope enzymatic assay) increased significantly during period 2. In conclusion, the prolonged microsurgical technique of acoustic tumour dissection through the retrosigmoid approach may modify left ventricular loading conditions and may lead to pulmonary oedema, even if intravascular volume expansion was minimal and ventricular function was near normal.