Intraoperative myocardial ischaemia in surgical patients with treated ischaemic heart disease

Twenty patients were divided into 2 groups. Group - A had 10 ASA Grade I while Group - B consisted of 10 asymptomatic patients with ECG evidence of ischaemia. One week of coronary dilator treatment was given to the patients in group-B before surgery. Intra operative cardioscopic monitoring was done in both the groups. In group-B, 5 patients showed ECG evidence of intraoperative myocardial ischaemia, and/or ventricular ectopics, which were in most cases attributable to anaesthetic/surgical stimuli but were not always associated with increased Rate pressure product. In group-A only one patient showed ECG evidence of ischaemia intraoperatively. It is therefore concluded that patients with optimal therapy for IHD continue to be at risk of intraoperative cardiovascular abnormalities.