Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Nov 2008
Review[Perioperative risk reduction in vascular surgery via cardio-protective medication].
Cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of death after noncardiac surgery. Preoperative identification of patients with underlying coronary artery disease is important, and appropriate treatment strategies should be implemented in these patients in order to reduce the risk of perioperative complications. ⋯ Recently, statins have emerged as drugs with perioperative cardioprotective properties, but more randomized clinical trials are needed before routine administration ofstatins can be recommended. Perioperative medical management should focus on improvements not only in the short-term but also in the long-term.