ECG Peri-Operative Cardiovascular Evaluation for Non-Cardiac Surgery
Reference # GAC 20
ECG: Peri-Operative Cardiovascular
Evaluation for Non-Cardiac Surgery
Eagle, K.A. et al. (2002). ACC/AHA Guideline Update on Perioperative Cardiovascular Evaluation for
Noncardiac Surgery: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task
Force on Practice Guidelines (Committee to Update the 1996 Guidelines on Perioperative Cardiovascular
Evaluation for Noncardiac Surgery). Available at: http://www.acc.org/clinical/guidelines/perio/dirIndex.htm
Rating (out of 4):
Scope
This guideline is aimed at physicians who are involved in the preoperative, operative and
postoperative care of patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.
Clinical Question
Should every patient who is undergoing non-cardiac surgery have a preoperative 12-lead rest ECG?
Excellent/Good Evidence
•
To recommend the procedure in patients who have had a recent episode of chest pain or
ischemic equivalent, who are at medium to high risk for cardiac complications during
surgery, and who are scheduled for intermediate or high-risk surgery.
•
NOT TO recommend when done as a routine test in patients with no cardiac symptoms
who are having low-risk types of surgery.
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ECG Peri-Operative Cardiovascular Evaluation for Non-Cardiac Surgery
Reference # GAC 20
Fair Evidence
•
To recommend the procedure in patients who have diabetes mellitus but no cardiac
symptoms.
Insufficient Evidence
to recommend FOR or AGAINST the procedure in the following cases
•
in patients with prior coronary revascularization
•
in asymptomatic males (45 years and older) or females (55 years and older) who have at
least two risk factors for atherosclerosis
•
in patients who have been previously hospitalized for cardiac causes.
Effective Date: December, 2001
Planned Review Date: December, 2004
Ontario Guidelines Advisory Committee
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Toronto, ON M5G 1V7
Telephone: 1-888-512-8173
Fax: 416-971-2462
Email: contact@gacguidelines.ca
www.gacguidelines.ca
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