Perioperative cardiac evaluation: novel interventions and clinical challenges

Cardiac complications are one of the most important sources of morbidity and mortality after noncardiac surgery. In this review, we discuss the pathophysiology of postoperative cardiac complications and published risk indices and guidelines that allow an estimation of preoperative risk. Recent evidence has challenged the primary role of perioperative beta blockers as a risk reduction strategy. The highest level of evidence for their use is for patients with coronary artery disease or multiple risk factors undergoing vascular surgery. Beta blockers may provide no benefit or may be potentially harmful for low- and intermediate-risk patients and surgeries. For patients with contraindications to beta blockers, diltiazem and clonidine are alternative agents that reduce cardiac risk. Statins are emerging as another potential strategy to reduce cardiac risk, although the evidence is based primarily on retrospective analyses. Coronary artery revascularization does not reduce cardiac complications after noncardiac surgery among patients with stable coronary artery disease.