title: [Premedication visits. Economizing at the cost of the patient?].
abstract: The older the patient, the higher the risk of perioperative cardiac complications. Therefore, patients at risk have to be identified and the appropriate diagnostic or therapeutic measures initiated. The most important factor in this context is whether a planned surgery can be postponed. Several strategies have been developed (e.g. Goldman index, Eagle criteria) and the American Heart Association (AHA/ACC) has produced guidelines concerning perioperative diagnosis and therapy of cardiac risk patients. The common goal of these strategies is always the risk classification of the patient by combining the operative risk and the risk factors of the patient. The further procedure (diagnostic or therapeutic measures) is based on the risk classification. If further invasive therapy proves to be necessary, the determining factor is the period of time for which the operation can be delayed. This appears to be about 3 months but if this is not possible the outcome could be improved with a beta-blocker therapy in advance. A working group from the university hospital in Marburg has developed a strategy for risk classification and further diagnostic and therapeutic measures as outlined in this article.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Anästhesie und Intensivmedizin, Klinikum der Philipps-Universität Marburg.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Kratz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Christ
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Maisch
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kerwat
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Olt
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zielke
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hellinger
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wulf
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Geldner
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000572:American Heart Association; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics*; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000009:adverse effects; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists