Feedback

Preoperative Evaluation Adult Cardiac Surgery

Thomas M. Beaver, MD, MPH, George J. Arnaoutakis, MD
Preoperative Evaluation Adult Cardiac Surgery is a topic covered in the Adult and Pediatric Cardiac.

To view the entire topic, please or .

STS Cardiothoracic Surgery E-Book from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons provides expert guidance for Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery. Sections include Pearson’s General Thoracic, Esphageal, Adult Cardiac, and Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Surgery. Explore these free sample topics:

-- The first section of this topic is shown below --

Introduction

Adult cardiac surgical patients present for surgical intervention with varying acuity, from the elective clinic patient with no or minimal symptoms, to the emergent patient in extremis from a life-threatening cardiovascular condition. Although the time available to the cardiothoracic surgeon for preoperative evaluation and optimization varies based on the patient scenario, the following overarching objectives of preoperative evaluation are consistent:

  1. Ascertain or confirm the primary cardiac diagnosis.
  2. Identify comorbid conditions.
  3. Review prior testing and obtain additional indicated testing when feasible.
  4. Assess perioperative risk for mortality and other complications, facilitating informed consent with the patient and family regarding expectations and prognosis.

There may be ample time to safely accomplish the above objectives, or time may be very limited. Nevertheless, each patient should undergo a systematic preoperative evaluation with the above 4 objectives in mind.

-- To view the remaining sections of this topic, please or --

Introduction

Adult cardiac surgical patients present for surgical intervention with varying acuity, from the elective clinic patient with no or minimal symptoms, to the emergent patient in extremis from a life-threatening cardiovascular condition. Although the time available to the cardiothoracic surgeon for preoperative evaluation and optimization varies based on the patient scenario, the following overarching objectives of preoperative evaluation are consistent:

  1. Ascertain or confirm the primary cardiac diagnosis.
  2. Identify comorbid conditions.
  3. Review prior testing and obtain additional indicated testing when feasible.
  4. Assess perioperative risk for mortality and other complications, facilitating informed consent with the patient and family regarding expectations and prognosis.

There may be ample time to safely accomplish the above objectives, or time may be very limited. Nevertheless, each patient should undergo a systematic preoperative evaluation with the above 4 objectives in mind.

There's more to see -- the rest of this topic is available only to subscribers.

Last updated: September 4, 2020