Preoperative Evaluation

Abstract

Evaluation of the patient with congenital cardiac lesion consists of a complete understanding of the anatomical detail of the lesion as well as its pathophysiological impact. To achieve this goal, the clinician should first gather information from medical history, physical examination, and paraclinical studies; this includes a sophisticated detailed preoperative evaluation. In this chapter, the preoperative evaluation is discussed mainly under the following subtitles using sequential steps of a rational preoperative evaluation in patients with congenital cardiac disease: Medical History. Physical Examination. Paraclinical Diagnostic Tests including chest radiography, electrocardiography; echocardiography, computerized tomography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI), cardiac catheterization & angiography, central nervous system assessment. Scientific analysis of information gathered from medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests could guide the surgeon to choose the best management plan.