Preoperative Clearance Program

The physicians at Park East Cardiovascular are experts in pre-operative risk assessment. In a single visit we can usually provide all of the diagnostic services necessary for pre-operative clearance.

Who needs a pre-operative risk assessment?

• Everyone should have a pre-operative risk assessment
  prior to surgery or anesthesia
• Regardless of age or prior medical conditions,
  surgery is stressful both physically and
  mentally
• Patients with diabetes, chronic kidney disease,
  prior stroke or TIA, are at increased risk for
  cardiovascular complications from non-cardiac
  surgery
• People who are about to undergo surgical procedures
  such as aortic and peripheral vascular surgery, bariatric surgery, carotid endarterectomy, orthopedic surgery, abdominal surgery, as well as head and neck procedures

Why do you need a pre-operative risk assessment?

• Cardiovascular disease can hold you back from having the surgical procedures you need and desire
• A proper risk assessment can help reduce your risk of cardiovascular complications
• An incomplete risk assessment can put you at risk for serious complications associated with surgery
• Even young people with no symptoms can have underlying heart disease
• People with diabetes, renal insufficiency, prior stroke or TIA, and sedentary lifestyles are at increased risk for complications from cardiovascular and peripheral arterial disease
• Many procedures and surgeons require that a formal risk assessment be performed

What does a risk assessment entail?

• A thorough history and physical exam including:
  
  • A review of your current symptoms
  • A review of your medications
  • A review of prior medical conditions and procedures
  • A complete physical exam
  • A review of your electrocardiogram
  • A review of your test results
• Any exams that need to be performed to estimate your cardiovascular risk profile
  
  • Echocardiography
  • Stress testing
  • Holter and event monitors
  • Carotid sonography
  • Cardiac radionuclde myocardial perfusion imaging (thallium stress testing)
  • Chest x-ray or CT scans as needed
  • Coronary calcium scoring (done off-site)
  • Coronary CTA (done off-site)
  • Lipid profile analysis
  • Calculation of Framingham and Reynolds risk scores