title: Preoperative evaluation in non-cardiac surgery: cardiac risk assessment.
abstract: Nine hundred and ninety patients, ages 20 years or older, undergoing non-cardiac elective surgery were prospectively studied to identify high cardiac risk preoperative factors in a case-mix population and to assess cardiological risk. The prevalence of major cardiac complications was 2.3%, including 0.8% mortality. Univariate analysis showed that: age; history of chest pain; dyspnea; hypertension; presence of systolic murmur and third sound; diastolic pressure greater than 95 mmHg; electrocardiogram left ventricular hypertrophy; cardiothoracic ratio greater than 0.5 and valvular calcifications are associated with cardiac complications (p = 0.001-0.02), with low sensitivity (range: 14-38%) and high specificity (range: 85-98%). Cardiological referral was required for 169 patients (17%) that showed a higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (85%) and of cardiac complications (5.3%). Cardiologists required further tests for 13 patients (7.7%) and modified therapy for 93 (55%). High cardiac risk patients are identified preoperatively in current practice and cardiological referral is frequent; further studies are mandatory to evaluate the most effective and efficacious procedures.
authors.affiliation: Arturo Pinna Pintor Foundation, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maggio
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bonzano
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Conte
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Libertucci
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Panarelli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bobbio
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Pintor
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002309:Cardiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors