Detection and management of perioperative myocardial ischemia
1Perioperative Research Group, Department of Anaesthetics, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Insights
Most patients with myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery are asymptomatic but face significant mortality risks. New diagnostic criteria and postoperative troponin surveillance are needed for better detection and management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Anesthesiology
- Perioperative Medicine
Background:
- Perioperative myocardial ischemia is a significant concern in noncardiac surgery.
- Current diagnostic criteria for myocardial infarction may not be optimal in the perioperative setting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current evidence on detecting and managing perioperative myocardial ischemia.
- To advocate for the adoption of 'myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery' as a clinical entity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing evidence on perioperative myocardial ischemia.
- Analysis of diagnostic criteria and management strategies.
Main Results:
- Myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS) is often asymptomatic.
- MINS is linked to increased short-term and long-term mortality from both cardiac and noncardiac causes.
Conclusions:
- Adopt 'myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery' over nonsurgical myocardial infarction criteria for accurate prevalence assessment.
- Investigate the feasibility of widespread postoperative troponin surveillance.
- Urgent need for clinical trials on therapies for MINS.
Purpose Of Review:
To review the current evidence for detection and management of perioperative myocardial ischemia.
Recent Findings:
Patients who sustain a myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery are predominantly asymptomatic. Myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery is associated with both short-term and long-term mortality. Mortality from both cardiac and noncardiac causes is significant.
Summary:
Perioperative physicians should refrain from the use of nonsurgical diagnostic criteria for myocardial infarction and adopt the clinical entity known as myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery in order to allow for better determination of the prevalence of this perioperative complication. Studies should focus on establishing the feasibility of broad postoperative troponin surveillance following noncardiac surgery. Clinical trials of potential therapies for myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery are urgently needed.
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