Incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction among high risk patients who undergo preoperative evaluation for non-cardiac surgery by cardiologists

High risk patients who undergo a non-cardiac surgery often develop a perioperative myocardial infarction (PMI). To study the incidence of PMI among high risk patients who undergo preoperative evaluation for non-cardiac surgery by cardiologists. This study was a cross-sectional study, performed at Thammasat Hospital for one year Eligible patients were subjects older than 40 years with pre-existing cardiovascular disease or with at least one major cardiovascular risk factor including chronic kidney disease who underwent non-cardiac surgery with preoperative cardiovascular evaluation. The primary outcome is perioperative myocardial infarction. Fifty-three patients (mean age 70.5 years, 54.7% female) were eligible for the study. Most of these patients underwent orthopedic surgery (24 patients, 45.3%) and general surgery (18 patients, 34%). Four female patients developed PMI, representing the incidence of 7.5 percent. Chronic kidney disease and peripheral arterial disease were statistically significant associated with PMI. The incidence of PMI in this study was slightly higher than those reported in previous studies. Therefore, physicians should be aware of the diagnosis and proper management of this condition.