Survey of anesthesiologists as to the value of prior ECG in a patient with nonspecific ST-T wave changes.
BACKGROUND
An abnormal ECG often must be assessed preoperatively in the absence of prior tracings. We surveyed anesthesiologists to determine if their concern about nonspecific ST-T (NSST) wave changes is influenced significantly by the availability of a prior ECG for comparison.


METHODS
Forty-eight anesthesiologists rated their concern (O=none, 1=minor, 2=moderate, 3=marked) about a patient with an intermediate cardiac risk factor and new NSST, NSST of indeterminate duration (no old ECG for comparison), or old NSST.


RESULTS
Concern for patients with more recent development of NSST was significantly greater for each of the interage comparisons; P=0.019 for new vs indeterminate, P=0.003 for new vs old, and P=0.008 for indeterminate vs old. This was associated with increased tendency to obtain cardiology consultation.


CONCLUSIONS
The efficiency of preoperative assessment of patients with NSST on ECG would be improved by consistent availability of prior ECG tracings to enable determination of the newness of current findings.
Tantawy
Hossam
H
Department of Anesthesiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8051, USA.
Silverman
Tyler J
TJ
Silverman
David G
DG
Akhtar
Shamsuddin
S
D000776:Anesthesiology; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D002309:Cardiology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires