Patient Selection Criteria

My goal is to provide the safest anesthetic possible for your patients. However, there are some patients who

have a more complex medical history that would not be safe for outpatient, office-based anesthesia. The list

below is meant to be a GUIDELINE so as to allow you to schedule patients that can be done safely and

effectively in your office.

If there are any questions or concerns, I’m always available to talk it over, or even call the patient for

clarification. It’s always better to handle a “nonissue” over the phone, than be surprised by a “big issue” the

day of surgery!

For patients who see a specialist for medical conditions, they should have their specialist (ie: Cardiologist,

Pulmonologist, Hematologist) submit a Clearance Letter along with any pertinent records stating that they are

stable enough for office-based IV general anesthesia.

Absolute Contraindications

A patient with any of the below conditions CANNOT be done in the office setting.

• Congestive Heart Failure with Ejection Fraction below 40%

• Known Difficult Airway

• Failure to follow fasting instructions outlined in patient pre/post instruction sheet

• Uncontrolled Hypertension (BP >180/100)

• Uncontrolled Diabetes (Hgb A1C >10% or 13 mmol/L)

• Heart Attack or Stroke within last 6 months

• Recent onset or Untreated Atrial Fibrillation (A.Fib)

• Automatic Internal Cardiac Defibrillator (AICD)

• Dialysis

• Pregnancy

• BMI >50 (BMI calculators available online)

• Active Respiratory Infection/Wheezing within past 1 week

Relative Contraindications

For any of the below conditions, please CALL TO CONFIRM they are safe to proceed

• Severe Asthma

• Moderate to Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea

• Any Heart Valve Disease or Heart Rhythm Issues

• Severe Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

• BMI >40

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD or Emphysema)

• Pacemaker

• History of Blood Clots (DVT) or currently taking blood thinners

• Heart Attack or stroke within last 12 months

• Previous Moderate to Severe Anesthesia Complications

• Personal or Family History of Malignant Hyperthermia

• Respiratory Infection/Wheezing within past 2 weeks