Contributions of the anesthetist to the management of patients requiring abdominal aortic surgery must complement the roles of the cardiologist and vascular surgeon. Identification of risk factors and assessment of the degree of functional impairment of vital organs allows the anesthetist the best opportunity to provide the vascular patient with as stress-free a surgical experience as possible. Patient profiles, monitoring, induction and maintenance phases in the administration of the anesthetic, and concerns of the early postoperative period are discussed from the anesthetist's perspective. General principles are emphasized. Specific details of assessment and management must be guided by local experience and resources.