**5.4. Patients posted for non-cardiac surgery**

RCM presents a huge challenge for anaesthetists due to the high risk of morbidity and mortality. General anaesthesia causes vasodilation, suppresses the myocardium, and reduces venous return. The latter can be worsened by intermittent positive pressure ventilation resulting in cardiac arrest. Invasive arterial blood pressure monitoring and transesophageal echocardiography are useful in identifying the causes of cardiovascular instability [6].

The overall aims of anaesthesia are:

