ABSTRACT
The urgency of an operation may limit the time available for preoperative preparation. Physiological reserve decreases with age. Impairment of one or more organ systems and the degree of impairment influences operative mortality as assessed by the ASA classification. Risk for cardiac complications in non cardiac surgery are assessed by the Goldman criteria. Goldman Class III is associated with 11% life threatening complications and 3% deaths. Mitral stenosis is symptomatic only when the valve area is < 2.5 cm2.
