[Coronary disease and noncardiac surgery. An evaluation of the surgical risk].

Coronary artery disease is one of the leading causes of death in developed countries and one of the factors contributing to high mortality associated with noncardiac surgical procedures. This is the reason why is so important to correctly assess surgical risk in patients with ischemic heart disease. These patients can be evaluated by a simple clinic examination, electrocardiogram and chest X-ray. In asymptomatic patients or in patients with angina (Class I-II), normal electrocardiogram and chest X-ray, the operative risk is low. On the other hand, patients with severe heart failure (Class IV NYHA), unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction have a high surgical risk. The exercise stress testing must be performed in some cases in order to identify preoperative factors (electrocardiographic ischemic changes, low functional capacity) that might affect the development of cardiac events after noncardiac surgery. When not possible a thallium-dipyridamole scintigraphy should be considered. We discuss preoperative indications for coronary angiography and coronary revascularization. Coronary artery bypass surgery must be thought based on clinic severity, therapeutic results, left ventricular function and patient age, among other factors.