JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association
-
To determine the incidence, clinical predictors and prognostic importance of perioperative ventricular arrhythmias. ⋯ Almost half of all high-risk patients undergoing noncardiac surgery have frequent ventricular ectopic beats or nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. Our results suggest that these arrhythmias, when they occur without other signs or symptoms of myocardial infarction, may not require aggressive monitoring or treatment during the perioperative period.
-
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.