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. 2006 Dec 5;29(5):195–198. doi: 10.1002/clc.4960290505

ACC/AHA guidelines for preoperative cardiovascular evaluation for noncardiac surgery: A critical point of view

Michal Barak 1, Ron Ben‐Abraham 2, Yeshayahu Katz 3,4,✉
PMCID: PMC6654091  PMID: 16739390

Abstract

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. These guidelines synthesized the data into a comprehensive format and established the concept of integrating the patient's risk with the surgical risk. 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.

Keywords: guidelines, cardiac morbidity, myocardial ischemia, perioperative risk, anesthesia

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