• H H H Feringa, J J Bax, and D Poldermans.
• Afd. Cardiologie, Erasmus MC-Centrum, Dr.Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam.
• Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2008 Nov 29;152(48):2606-11.

AbstractCardiovascular complications are the leading cause of death after noncardiac surgery. Preoperative identification of patients with underlying coronary artery disease is important, and appropriate treatment strategies should be implemented in these patients in order to reduce the risk of perioperative complications. Based on recent findings, preoperative risk stratification models have been developed to identify high-, intermediate- or low-risk patients; the concentration of natriuretic peptides is a promising new preoperative risk marker. beta-blockers considerably reduce this risk. In clinical practice, important factors are adequate beta-blocker dosage, tight perioperative heart-rate control and continuation of beta-blockers after discharge. Recently, statins have emerged as drugs with perioperative cardioprotective properties, but more randomized clinical trials are needed before routine administration ofstatins can be recommended. Perioperative medical management should focus on improvements not only in the short-term but also in the long-term.

21 keywords...

hide…