ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the general principles of the preoperative evaluation to assess the major cardiac and noncardiac risk factors that can be used to guide decision-making by the surgical team. One factor that greatly impacts the risk of complications, which must be considered preoperatively, is the type of operation the patient will undergo. There is a significant distinction between emergent and elective procedures in terms of evaluation and risks. The second factor of the risk equation is determined by the patient’s health. The evaluation of cardiac risk always involves a thorough history and directed physical exam. The primary goal of any cardiac risk assessment is to evaluate for active cardiac conditions. Pulmonary function is altered in patients undergoing surgery. Decreased functional residual capacity, productive coughs, atelectasis are all frequent causes of operative morbidity. The most important part of the preoperative evaluation will be a complete medical history and thorough physical examination of the patient.
