Medical Evaluation of the Surgical Patient

Abstract

Medical evaluation prior to surgery includes risk assessment and the institution of therapies to decrease perioperative morbidity and mortality to improve patient outcomes. The most effective medical consultation for surgical patients begins with an assessment of the individual patient and knowledge of the planned surgery and anesthesia followed by clear communication of a concise and specific recommended plan of perioperative care to the surgical team. This chapter describes anesthetic, cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, nutritional, and endocrine risk assessment. Perioperative thrombotic management and postoperative care and complications, including fluid management; pulmonary, cardiac, renal complications; and delirium are discussed. Tables outline the American Society of Anesthesiologists class and perioperative mortality risk, a comparison of the Revised Cardiac Risk Index and National Surgery Quality Improvement Program, Duke Activity Status Index, high-risk stress test findings, markers for increased perioperative risk in pulmonary hypertension, aortic stenosis and nonemergent noncardiac surgery, risk factors for pulmonary complications in noncardiac surgery, the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score to predict postoperative mortality, venous thromboembolism risk factors and options for pharmacologic prophylactic regimens, perioperative management of warfarin, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital guidelines for postoperative blood product replacement. Figures include a care algorithm for noncardiac surgery, an illustration of types of myocardial infarction, and an algorithm for the treatment of postoperative delirium. This chapter contains 3 highly rendered figures, 12 tables, 68 references, and 5 MCQs.