Cardiac Risk by Type of Surgery

CARDIOLOGY, HealthCare

AKA: Surgery-specific cardiac Risk, Risk of Cardiac Death and Nonfatal MI for Noncardiac Surgical Procedures

Cardiac Risk by Type of Surgery (% cardiac Death / nonfatal MI)

“The degree of surgical risk contributes to a patient’s risk for cardiac complications. In general, procedures that are longer and have greater potential for blood loss, hemodynamic instability, and intravascular fluid shifts carry greater risk.” Cleveland Clinic. “The surgical cardiac risk is considered low if the risk of a perioperative cardiac event is less than 1 percent, intermediate if 1 to 5 percent, and high if greater than 5 percent. Patients should have preoperative ECG before undergoing a high-risk procedure.” AAFP

RISK OF PROCEDURE EXAMPLES

High (> 5%)

Aortic surgery
Major vascular surgery (other than aorta),
Peripheral vascular surgery

Intermediate (1 to 5%)

Intraperitoneal surgery,
Intrathoracic surgery,
Carotid endarterectomy,
Head and neck surgery,
Orthopedic surgery,
Prostate surgery

Low (< 1%)

Ambulatory surgery,
Breast surgery,
Endoscopic procedures,
Superficial procedures,
Eye Surgery e.g. Cataract surgery
References

Am Fam Physician. 2013 Mar 15;87(6):414-418.

http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/preventive-medicine/perioperative-evaluation/

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