CARDIOLOGY
CARDIAC RISK ASSESSMENT FOR NONCARDIAC SURGERY
Preoperative evaluation
Figure 1-7 ACC/AHA approach to preoperative cardiovascular evaluation for noncardiac surgery
Preoperative testing and assessment
• ECG if ≥1 risk factor and planned vascular surgery or if known vascular disease and intermediate risk surgery. ? prior to any vascular surgery.
• TTE if dyspnea of unknown origin or if HF w/ ↑ dyspnea and no TTE in past 12 mo
• Stress test if active cardiac issues (see above) or vascular surgery w/ ≥3 risk factors & it will Δ mgmt. Overall low PPV to predict periop CV events.
• ? consider CXR and ECG in preop evaluation of severely obese Pts (Circ 2009;120:86)
• Comorbidity indices (eg, Charlson index) may predict mortality (Am J Med Qual 2011;26:461)
Pre- & perioperative management
• Coronary revascularization should be based on standard indications (eg, ACS, refractory sx, lg territory at risk). Has not been shown to Δ risk of death or postop MI when done prior to elective vasc. surgery based on perceived cardiac risk (NEJM 2004;351:2795) or documented extensive ischemia (AJC 2009;103:897), but systematic angio ↓ 2–5 y mortality in a vascular surgery trial ( JACC 2009;54:989).
• Continue ASA: ↓ MACE in Pts w/ cardiac risk factors (Br J Anaesth 2010;104:305)
• Given need for dual antiplatelet Rx after stenting, wait 4–6 wk after BMS and ideally >12 mo after DES before discontinuing ADP receptor blockade
• If possible, wait >4–6 wk after MI (even if 
ETT or 
ETT & revascularized). If no
revasc, wait 6 mo before elective surgery.
• Preop statins: ↓ ischemia & CV events in Pts undergoing vascular surg (NEJM 2009;361:980); may reduce AF, MI, LOS in statin-naïve Pts (Arch Surg 2012;147:181)
Perioperative β-blocker (Circ 2009;120:2123; JAMA 2010;303:551; Am J Med 2012;125:953)
• Conflicting evidence: some studies show ↓ death & MI (NEJM 1996;335:1713 & 1999;341:1789), another showed ↓ MI, but ↑ death & stroke and ↑ bradycardia/HoTN (Lancet 2008;371;1839)
• ? consider if CAD, stress test, or ≥2 cardiac risk factor, esp. if vascular surgery
• Ideally initiate weeks prior to surgery and titrate slowly and carefully to achieve desired individual HR and BP goal (? HR ~55–65). Avoid bradycardia and hypotension. Do not discontinue bB abruptly postop, as may cause sympathetic activation from withdrawal.
Postoperative monitoring
• ✓ Postop ECG if known CAD or high-risk surgery. Consider if >1 risk factor for CAD.
• ✓ Postop troponin only if new ECG Δs or chest pain suggestive of ACS