Intraoperative cardiac emergencies.

Intraoperative cardiac emergencies require prompt recognition and management in order to optimize patient safety and recovery. This article addresses the perioperative management of hypertension, myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, autonomic dysreflexia, tamponade, and tension pneumothorax. These complications can occur in patients with underlying coexisting disease, but can also occur in surgical patients regardless of the underlying disorder.