Potential role of coronary computed tomography angiogram in cardiac preoperative evaluation

Preoperative assessment of the cardiac patients before noncardiac surgery is concern in the clinical practice of anesthesiologist, surgeon, and medical consultant. The preferred stress testing is exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) in patients who are able to exercise and have normal ECG; however, eith...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Ahmed Fathala
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2011-01-01
Series:Saudi Journal of Anaesthesia
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.saudija.org/article.asp?issn=1658-354X;year=2011;volume=5;issue=3;spage=342;epage=344;aulast=Fathala
Description
Summary:Preoperative assessment of the cardiac patients before noncardiac surgery is concern in the clinical practice of anesthesiologist, surgeon, and medical consultant. The preferred stress testing is exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) in patients who are able to exercise and have normal ECG; however, either stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) or stress echocardiography is necessary if further testing is appropriately indicated before surgery. Unfortunately, stress MPs or stress echocardiography is not widely available and has some limitations. Coronary computed tomography angiogram (CCTA) has demonstrated excellent diagnostic accuracy in detecting coronary artery disease and accurate left ventricle function measurement. CCTA seems to be feasible, reliable, and has strong potential of becoming sole screening test before surgery.
ISSN:1658-354X