[Fatal postoperative myocardial infarction (author's transl)].

Between 1965 and 1975 43384 operations were performed (including general surgical, vascular and traumatological operations). 79 patients (0,18%) died postoperatively due to myocardial infraction (all confirmed by autopsy). 67 cases (27 women, 40 men) between 51 and 90 years of age were analysed. 63% of these patients died during the first postoperative week. Due to the difficult clinical diagnosis clinical and pathological cause of death was only identical in 35%. The immediate postoperative ECG-monitoring of risk patients and cooperation with experienced cardiologists are emphasized.