Anesthetic management of patients with cardiac disease

The course of anesthesia for patients with cardiac disease includes assessment and management of complications during the entire perioperative period. A thorough understanding of the pharmacology of anesthetic drugs and their interactions with medications taken by patients with heart disease is of utmost importance. The rapid changes in intraoperative circulatory status may often necessitate second-to-second invasive monitoring techniques to maintain stability. Finally, knowledge of complications occurring commonly in such patients allows the anesthesiologist to prepare ahead of time for corrective measures which may be lifesaving.