title: Relevant aspects of coronary artery disease in candidates for non-cardiac surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Due to its prevalence, coronary artery disease (CAD) represents the main cause of morbidity and mortality in elective surgeries, which justifies this review, whose objective was to establish preoperative conducts based on rules and directive to minimize peri- and postoperative morbidity and mortality of patients with CAD.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  General characteristics of CAD, as well as its physiopathogenic mechanisms, the main variables related to preoperative care of patients with CAD, and the conducts for patients with greater surgical risk are presented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with CAD who are candidates for non-cardiac surgeries should be evaluated judiciously. Those identified as being at high risk can benefit from preoperative myocardial ischemia-provoking tests, as well as from invasive coronary interventions preceding elective surgeries. In selected patients, one should consider the use of beta-blockers and statins.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department of Hospital Samaritano de Goiânia/GO, Brazil. gilson.ramos@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Gilson Cassem
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Ramos
mesh_terms: D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative