Abstract Patients presenting for cardiac surgery pose many challenges for the anaesthetist. The clinician has to manage both the presenting cardiac pathophysiology and, increasingly, significant co-morbid disease. Thorough preoperative assessment, investigation and preparation allow identification of those patients at higher risk of perioperative complications, and permits development of indiv…
Abstract Continued advances in the understanding and management of congenital heart disease (CHD) mean that over 90% of children born with CHD now survive to adulthood. This in turn results in greater numbers of adult patients presenting for medical and surgical care at non-specialist centres. A simple classification of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) according to complexity can help cli…