The Electrocardiogram in the Preoperative of Low Risk Surgeries: The Responsibility of the Cardiologist

Abstract

Low risk surgeries are many times followed by a request of a number of preoperative exams, including the electrocardiogram, without bringing any advantages to the patients. In this article we discuss some reasons for this practice and present the main cardiology guidelines about the electrocardiogram request for low risk surgeries. Finally, we give some suggestions to try to change this reality that does not bring any advantage to the patients and that almost always delay the surgeries