• E H L Lim and E H C Liu.
• Department of Paediatric Anaesthesia, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, 100 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 229899. ducktai@singnet.com.sg
• Singap Med J. 2003 Jul 1;44(7):340-3.

IntroductionPre-operative Chest X-ray (CXR) and electrocardiograms (ECG) are routinely ordered locally for patients above a certain age. This study examines the usefulness of such a practice and its clinical impact.MethodsProspective audit of 875 consecutive anaesthetic patients over a one-month period, assessing the proportion and impact of abnormal CXR or ECG findings.ResultsThe proportion of patients with abnormal CXR or ECG increased with worsening ASA status. There was little impact of routine pre-operative CXR and ECG on anaesthetic management. Only 11/324 CXR and 13/375 ECG affected anaesthetic technique or choice of therapeutic procedure.ConclusionTargeted investigations should be performed as indicated by clinical findings rather than on the basis of arbitrary age cut-offs.

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