title: Preoperative cardiac evaluation. Assessing risk before noncardiac surgery.
abstract: Primary care physicians are often asked to evaluate a surgical candidate's cardiovascular and general health status. In some patients, history taking and physical examination provide enough information to assess risk for the proposed procedure. In others--especially those with cardiac risk factors--more extensive testing is required, such as electrocardiography, stress testing, or angiography. Once clearance for surgery has been given, primary care physicians can suggest risk-reduction strategies that may help to minimize perioperative morbidity or mortality.
authors.affiliation: Oakland University/Beaumont Graduate Anesthesia Program, Royal Oak, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Almany
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mileto
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kahn
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011300:Preoperative Care; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors