Postgraduate medicine
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Postgraduate medicine · Nov 2000
ReviewPerioperative cardiovascular evaluation. Step-by-step approach to risk assessment and follow-up care.
One of the integral responsibilities in primary care medicine is medical consultation, especially when a surgical procedure is contemplated. A good grasp of the elements of multiple specialties and an understanding of the complexity of a proposed operation are essential for an appropriate preoperative evaluation. This article covers the steps in assessing cardiovascular risk in candidates for noncardiac surgery, including consideration of patient-specific and surgery-specific factors. The authors also recommend close postoperative follow-up to reduce morbidity and mortality.