ABSTRACT
In addition to having systemic atherosclerosis, patients undergoing vascular surgery are also commonly advanced in age, afflicted with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), showing effects of tobacco abuse, and suffering from other medical comorbidities. Accordingly, Cardiopulmonary complications are the most frequent perioperative problem facing this patient population. As with any complication, evaluating and intervening in an attempt to avoid potential problems is preferred to attending them after they occur. Hence, a considerable amount of investigation has been performed in an effort to better define, profile, and preemptively address those at high risk for Cardiopulmonary difficulties after vascular surgery. Obviously, this strategy is an attempt to minimize the short-and long-term morbidity and mortality from Cardiopulmonary disease experienced by this population. Yet it remains difficult to clearly define specifics regarding the risks and benefits of preoperative evaluation; the ability to approach this analysis sensibly is one of the most important aspects in the management of the vascular surgical patient.
