Cardiac evaluation and management before vascular surgery

The most common and significant morbidity and mortality of vascular surgical procedures remain coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, and heart failure. Cardiac evaluation and medical optimization provide the groundwork for best medical practice in an otherwise high-risk surgical population. The goal of this study is to review the most current literature and guidelines for evaluating patients prior to vascular surgical interventions. From this, we have made our own recommendations regarding both the preoperative and perioperative management of vascular surgical patients.

Risk stratification using a modified Lee index may be best to assess perioperative cardiac risk. Coronary revascularization should be reserved for those patients with significant coronary disease irrespective of symptoms. β-blockers, statins, and antiplatelet agents should be considered for all patients with peripheral vascular disease.

The preoperative management of vascular surgical patients requires a complete understanding of the patient's medical history as it relates to their perioperative cardiac risk. Overwhelming data support the use of medical therapy as adjunct to minimize or prevent the risk of future cardiovascular events. As vascular surgery transitions to the outpatient setting, further studies will be required to better elucidate cardiac evaluation in this patient population.