BACKGROUND

Recent studies indicate that survivin (BIRC5) is sensitive to the existence of previous ischemic heart disease, since it is activated in the process of tissue repair and angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine the potential of survivin (BIRC5) as a new cardiac biomarker in the preoperative assessment of cardiovascular risk in comparison with clinically accepted cardiac biomarkers and one of the relevant clinical risk scores.

METHODS

We included 79 patients, female (41) and male (38), with the mean age of 71.35±6.89. Inclusion criteria: extensive non-cardiac surgery, general anesthesia, age >55 and at least one of the selected cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, smoking and positive family history). Exclusion criteria: emergency surgical procedures and inability to understand and sign an informed consent. Blood sampling was performed 7 days prior surgery and levels of survivin (BIRC5), hsCRP and H-FABP were measured.

RESULTS

Revised Lee score was assessed based on data found in patients' history. Levels of survivin (BIRC5) were higher in deceased patients (P<0.05). It showed AUC=0.807 (95% CI, P<0.0005, 0.698-0.917), greater than both H-FABP and revised Lee index, and it increases the mortality prediction when used together with both biomarkers and revised Lee score. The determined cut-off value was 4 pg/mL and 92.86% of deceased patients had an increased level of survivin (BIRC5), (P=0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Survivin (BIRC5) is a potential cardiac biomarker even in elderly patients without tumor, but it cannot be used independently. Further studies with a greater number of patients are needed.