[The perioperative myocardial infarction - an interdisciplinary task].

Cardiovascular complications, particularly perioperative myocardial infarction (PMI), are major contributors to mortaliyt after noncardiac surgery. PMI often occurs unnoticed without symptoms or ECG changes. Despite ist silent presentation, PMI is associated with increased mortality. The combination of high associated mortality and diagnostic challenges mandates increased awareness of PMI. Perioperative myocardial infarction may result from plaque rupture (PMI type I) or be caused by a myocardial supply-demand imbalance of oxygen without plaque rupture (PMI type II). Most PMIs occur within the first 3 days after surgery, highlighting the need for clinical monitoring in order to allow fast diagnosis and initiation of appropriate therapy. Measurement of cardiac troponin and 12-lead ECG are the diagnostic cornerstone. Therapy of PMI represents a challenge for physicians and requires a collaboration of surgeons, anesthesiologists and cardiologists.