Perioperative myocardial infarction in peripheral vascular surgery: Table 1

Abstract

The commonest major complication in patients undergoing peripheral vascular surgery is perioperative myocardial infarction.1 No study in Britain has prospectively assessed this risk, but a recent retrospective study found an incidence of 6.3% in patients undergoing aortic surgery.2 We report the incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction in our unit, which is a regional centre for peripheral vascular surgery. We studied consecutive patients undergoing peripheral vascular surgery after excluding those who were undergoing surgery for trauma, venous surgery, and minor procedures. Patients thought to be at high risk of perioperative myocardial infarction were referred to a cardiologist for further preoperative assessment. Concentrations of creatinine kinase MB isoenzymes were measured (by Imx STAT) for the first three days after surgery, and electrocardiograms were recorded on admission, …