[Preoperative cardiovascular assessment of patients with vascular diseases]

Pathologic cardiovascular symptoms and signs were assessed preoperatively in 72 consecutive patients scheduled for vascular surgery. All postoperative cardiovascular complications were monitored and statistical relation to the preoperative pathology was tested using the X2-method. The following preoperative cardiovascular symptoms are associated with a significant incidence of postoperative complications: Angina pectoris (p < 0.05); congestive heart failure (p < 0.025); ventricular and/or supraventricular arrhythmias (p < 0.01); pathologic ECG (p < 0.01); ejection fraction < 50% in echocardiography (p < 0.05); myocardial hypokinesias in echocardiography (p < 0.025). The use of preoperative echocardiography as a reliable and accurate method is emphasized.