Postoperative complications in cardiac patients undergoing noncardiac surgery

In this article we review the current knowledge on the underlying mechanisms of perioperative myocardial injury, the preoperative methods of predicting these complications, the diagnostic tools for detecting perioperative myocardial injuries, and the available protective strategies to prevent or attenuate the extent of myocardial injury.

The last years' new insights have provided a better understanding of the problem of perioperative myocardial injury and infarction. Specifically, the importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment are increasingly getting attention. Concomitantly, the results of recent large multicenter studies have challenged classical therapeutic approaches in the perioperative treatment of cardiac patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.

These new insights will help to better tailor individual strategies to prevent or minimize perioperative cardiac complications. Especially, early diagnosis and intensification of treatment will get specific interest in the coming years.