Survey of preoperative cardiology consultation

: Cardiology consultations are often requested preoperatively for patients with cardiovascular problems. However, there are frequently differences in the evaluation of preoperative cardiac risks among cardiologists, surgeons and anesthesiologists. In order to obtain possible solutions to this problem, we conducted a survey of preoperative cardiology consultations performed directly by cardiologists. The survey indicates a lack of interaction with anesthesiologists and insufficient information on the surgical procedures and anesthesia for cardiologists to assess compromising cardiac risks. In addition, many cardiologists suggested that exercise tolerance required for surgical procedures should be 7 METs or more for surgical patients.