Clinical cardiology
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Clinical cardiology · May 2006
ACC/AHA guidelines for preoperative cardiovascular evaluation for noncardiac surgery: a critical point of view.
This review examines the issue of preoperative cardiac evaluation from a critical point of view, based on recent medical literature. We reviewed the history of that field and focused on the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines, which are a cornerstone in the field of cardiac patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. ⋯ Nevertheless, there are some weaknesses in the guidelines. We believe that a better understanding of the guideline limitations will allow an improved and more educated practice of its recommendations.