Perioperative myocardial damage and the incidence of type 2 myocardial infarction in patients with intermediate and high cardiovascular risk.

OBJECTIVE

Perioperative myocardial infarction is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing surgical operations. We aimed to determine the incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction in patients with intermediate- or high-risk Framingham scores.

METHODS

One hundred and one patients (62 males, 39 females) over 40 years of age (mean age 72±11 years) median 73 (65-81), min- max (46-96), with Framingham risk scores of 10% or higher, and scheduled for surgical interventions in the orthopedics and urology departments of our hospital were included in the study. Patient demographics, comorbidities, blood pressures, and biochemical data were recorded. Troponin values and electrocardiographic findings were obtained during the immediate preoperative period and on postoperative day 2 and then compared. Perioperative myocardial injury and infarction were diagnosed using the third universal definition of myocardial infarction.

RESULTS

In 44 (43%) patients, postoperative troponin values were compared with the preoperative values. In 26 (25%) patients, the changes were consistent with myocardial ischemia or damage. Alterations in troponin values with significant electrocardiogram (ECG) changes were found in 6 patients (6%).

CONCLUSION

The risk of postoperative myocardial damage was high in our patients with intermediate or high-risk Framingham scores. This im-plies that close follow-up of these patients with abnormal ECG and troponin values during the pre- and postoperative period is required.