[Risk assessment before non-cardiac surgery: what do anesthesiologists expect from cardiologists?]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Anesthesiology
• Perioperative Medicine

Context:

• Patients with cardiac pathology are susceptible to perioperative cardiac complications.
• Non-cardiac surgery necessitates thorough cardiac risk assessment.
• Risk stratification depends on surgery type, patient symptoms, and functional capacity.

Purpose:

• To outline the importance of preoperative cardiac risk evaluation before non-cardiac surgery.
• To guide the selection of appropriate, non-invasive diagnostic tests.
• To emphasize the need for patient preparation and medication management.

Summary:

• Cardiac risk assessment involves evaluating surgery type, patient's clinical status, and physical effort tolerance.
• Non-invasive examinations are selected based on the specific cardiac pathology and information required.
• Cardiologic consultation is vital for optimizing cardioprotective medications, antithrombotic/antiplatelet therapy, and overall patient management.

Impact:

• Facilitates collaborative decision-making between cardiologists and anesthesiologists.
• Aims to decrease the incidence of perioperative cardiac complications.
• Improves the safety and outcomes for patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.