Pre‑op pulmonary risk assessment

Pulmonology, Sleep Medicine, Primary Care and Urgent Care Telehealth Visits in Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan

If you’re scheduled for surgery and have a respiratory condition or certain risk factors, a pre-operative pulmonary risk assessment is an important step in making your surgery safer. Core Virtual Medicine, led by Richard Cardillo, MD, offers telehealth services in Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan, and the experienced team ensures you can get a thorough evaluation from the comfort of your home, without delaying your procedure. Schedule your virtual visit today by phone or online to get started.

Pre‑op pulmonary risk assessment Q & A

What is a pre-op pulmonary risk assessment?

Your Core Virtual Health provider can order a pre-op pulmonary risk assessment to evaluate how well your lungs are functioning and how likely you are to experience breathing-related complications during or after surgery.

It aims to identify lung-related risk factors before surgery and optimize your respiratory health ahead of time. This reduces your risk of post-operative complications such as pneumonia and also helps your surgical and anesthesia teams take steps to keep you safe.

Who needs a pre-op pulmonary risk assessment?

You may benefit from a pre-op pulmonary risk assessment if you:

Have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, or chronic bronchitis
Have a history of smoking or vaping
Experience shortness of breath with routine activity
Have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
Have had prior lung surgery or chest radiation
Are undergoing major surgery, especially abdominal, chest, or upper airway procedures

You’ve had complications with anesthesia in the past
Your surgeon or anesthesiologist requests pulmonary clearance
You’ve had recent respiratory infections

Your Core Virtual Health provider can help determine whether this evaluation is necessary based on your medical history and planned procedure.

What happens during a pre-op pulmonary risk assessment?

Your virtual evaluation begins with a detailed discussion of:

Your lung and heart health history
Smoking or vaping history
Exercise tolerance and daily activity level
Current respiratory symptoms (cough, wheezing, shortness of breath)
Details about your upcoming surgery

This conversation with your provider is a vital part of risk assessment. They’ll also review your medical tests, including:

Previous pulmonary function tests (PFTs)
Chest imaging (X-rays or CT scans)
Sleep studies if you have sleep apnea
Recent hospitalizations or respiratory infections

If additional diagnostic testing is needed, your telehealth provider can order it locally.

What happens after a pre-op pulmonary risk assessment?

Based on your evaluation, your provider may:

Adjust inhalers or breathing medications
Recommend you quit smoking or temporarily change your medication
Provide airway clearance or breathing exercise guidance
Offer recommendations for anesthesia planning

Your provider makes sure to summarize their findings in a clear report. They provide risk stratification and recommendations and send documentation to your surgeon or anesthesiologist. This ensures everyone on your care team is aligned and prepared for your procedure.

A pre-op pulmonary risk assessment makes surgery safer. Schedule your next visit by calling Core Virtual Health or booking online today.