[Preoperative cardiac risk assessment and perioperative cardiac management in non-cardiac surgery. The 2009 ESC guidelines].

In November 2009 the first European guidelines were presented regarding preoperative risk assessment and perioperative management in non-cardiac surgery. They were designed by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and endorsed by the European Society of Anesthesiology.In a standardized manner, patient-specific clinical variables, their exercise capacity and surgery-specific risk factors are summarized to a recommendation concerning medication and preoperative cardiac evaluation. These guidelines are straightforward and feasible for cardiologists as well as specialists in internal medicine and general practicioners. Nevertheless, some points still lack evidence.