What type of anesthesia is contraindicated for patients with severe cardiac conditions?

General anesthesia is contraindicated for patients with severe cardiac conditions due to its systemic effects that can significantly impact cardiovascular function. General anesthesia typically involves the use of agents that cause loss of consciousness and affect the entire body, potentially leading to respiratory depression, cardiovascular instability, and changes in hemodynamics that could exacerbate existing cardiac issues.

In contrast, local and regional anesthesia primarily involve targeting specific areas of the body and typically do not require the same level of physiological compromise as general anesthesia. Intravenous anesthesia is also less typically associated with the systemic cardiovascular impact seen with general anesthesia, although caution is still warranted depending on the specific agents used and the patient's overall cardiovascular health. Therefore, the risk associated with general anesthesia makes it the most unsuitable option for patients with severe cardiac conditions.