Perioperative cardiac risk stratification: is functional capacity assessment able to predict perioperative complications, including death?

INTRODUCTION: Perioperative risk screening seeks to optimize medical decision-making by identifying cardiac risk in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. The current guidelines of organizations such as the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the Brazilian Society of Cardiology (SBC)incorporate assessments of subjective functional capacity, often using the threshold of 4 METs as a marker of low functional capacity. Despite recent updates to these guidelines, the literature remains conflicting, and the predictive power of subjective tools for perioperative outcomes is uncertain. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review, in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, on the effectiveness of subjective functional capacity assessment tools regarding their predictive power for perioperative cardiac complications, including death. Four databases were searched: PUBMED, SCOPUS, WOS, and Science Direct. RESULTS: The results indicate that the self-reported ability to climb two flights of stairs, although demonstrating associative power, often did not improve the predictive power of risk models. In contrast, more comprehensive assessment tools with continuous data, such as the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) and weekly levels of physical activity, appear to be more promising. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that current perioperative risk stratification guidelines need to be critically re-evaluated with regard to the inclusion of subjective functional capacity. It is of paramount importance to effectively distinguish the associative power of the subjective assessment of functional capacity from its predictive power when compared with information already obtained from the patient.