+++
PREOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS
++
One of the main purposes of the preoperative history and physical exam is to identify any preoperative medical comorbidity that may lead to an increased perioperative morbidity or mortality. If comorbidities are identified, the surgeon should obtain medical consultation to ensure that the patient’s medical conditions are optimized and stable enough to proceed with surgery at an acceptable risk.
+++
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
++
Most gynecologic surgeries fall in the category of low (< 1%) or intermediate (1–5%) risk of cardiac death or nonfatal myocardial infarction (Table 47–1). It is crucial to obtain a careful preoperative history to discover cardiac and/or comorbid diseases that would place the patient in a high surgical risk category. If the patient is found to have active cardiac conditions, such as unstable coronary syndrome, decompensated heart failure, significant arrhythmias, or severe valvular disease, the surgery should be delayed or cancelled (unless emergent), and the patient should be evaluated and treated (Table 47–2).
++++