JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association
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To determine the causes of and risk factors for mortality following noncardiac surgery. ⋯ Even in patients at high risk of cardiac complications following surgery, noncardiac causes of death are more common. Patients with a history of hypertension, severely limited activity, and reduced renal function appear to be at especially high risk of in-hospital mortality after noncardiac surgery.
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Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) are sophisticated techniques that are increasingly being used to monitor for myocardial ischemia during noncardiac surgery. We examined whether the routine use of these techniques has incremental clinical value in identifying patients at high risk for perioperative ischemic outcomes when compared with preoperative clinical data and intraoperative monitoring using continuous two-lead bipolar ECG. ⋯ When compared with preoperative clinical data and intraoperative monitoring using two-lead ECG, routine monitoring for myocardial ischemia with TEE or 12-lead ECG during noncardiac surgery has little incremental clinical value in identifying patients at high risk for perioperative ischemic outcomes.
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To determine the long-term (2-year) cardiac prognosis of high-risk patients undergoing noncardiac surgery and to determine the predictors of long-term adverse cardiac outcome. ⋯ The incidence of long-term adverse cardiac outcomes following noncardiac surgery is substantial. At increased risk are patients with chronic cardiovascular disease; at highest risk are patients with acute perioperative ischemic events. We conclude that survivors of in-hospital perioperative ischemic events, specifically myocardial infarction, unstable angina, and postoperative ischemia, warrant more aggressive long-term follow-up and treatment than is currently practiced.