Case
High RCRI despite adequate functional capacity
A case on how to avoid false reassurance when a patient appears well but carries a high RCRI score.
Teaching points
- Functional capacity reflects current performance. RCRI reflects statistical risk burden. Both coexist independently.
- An adequate FC with RCRI ≥ 3 means you can proceed — not that you proceed as normal. How you proceed changes.
- 'Proceed with awareness' means strengthening perioperative monitoring and team communication, not simply moving forward.
Next clinical question
This patient has a prior history of ischaemic heart disease. What needs to be confirmed before surgery?
Case: Ischemic heart disease history →Apply this in practice
Enter the RCRI factors and functional capacity into the Cardiac Risk Navigator to confirm the integrated assessment.
Assess perioperative cardiac risk →