title: Practical points for the patient with preexisting cardiac disease.
abstract: As the first in a series, the purpose of this article is to discuss common preexisting cardiac diseases seen in patients presenting for surgery. Defining characteristics, pathophysiology, etiologies, and treatments are presented along with perioperative nursing implications.
authors.affiliation: University of Mexico, College of Nursing, Albuquerque, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Litwack
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D013527:Perioperative Nursing / Q000379:methods*