Noncardiac Surgery in Cardiac Patients

Abstract

Evaluation of the cardiac patient scheduled for noncardiac surgery should include a carefully taken history and a complete physical examination, with electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, urinalysis, and routine blood determinations. In addition to the symptoms of heart disease, the history should include a meticulous review of all the drugs the patient is taking. An increasing number of medications have been found to alter the cardiac hemodynamics during and after operation.