Preoperative cardiac evaluation is unnecessary in most patients undergoingvascular operations

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the impact of Goldman's index (GI), radion uclide ventriculography (RVG), and dipyridamole-thallium scintigraphy (DTS) on predicting cardiac outcome after vascular operations. METHODS: A total of 463 consecutive patients undergoing vascular operations were divided into those who had no DTS, those who had reversible ischemia by DTS, and those who had no reversible ischemia by DTS, GI, ejection fract ion, wall motion abnormalities, rate of coronary angiography, and revascula rization were determined for each group. RESULT: Coronary revascularization was ultimately performed in 8% of patien ts with no DTS, 7% of patients with no ischemia by DTS, and 9% of patients with ischemia by DTS, The GI of 6.1 in patients who died postoperatively wa s significantly higher than the GI of 3.6 in patients who survived (P = 0.0 2), RVG did not predict mortality, morbidity, or need for coronary revascul arization. CONCLUSION: Clinical assessment remains a good predictor for cardiac outcom e in patients undergoing vascular operations. More extensive cardiac testin g should be reserved for patients with higher GI and active cardiac problem s. Am J Surg. 1998;176:671-675, (C) 1998 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.