Echocardiography for assessing cardiac risk in patients having noncardiac surgery
Article Abstract:
Routine transthoracic echocardiography before non-heart surgery does not seem to be effective in identifying patients at risk for heart complications during and after surgery. Transthoracic echocardiography is an ultrasound technique that graphically records the position and motion of the heart walls and structures. Doctors evaluated echocardiographs of 339 male patients scheduled for non-heart surgery who had a history of heart disease. Abnormal function displayed on the echocardiographs correctly predicted only 28% to 31% of the patients who later developed heart complications.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1996
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Atrial fibrillation following coronary artery bypass graft surgery: predictors, outcomes, and resource utilization
Article Abstract:
People with a history of atrial fibrillation have a higher risk of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass. Atrial fibrillation is a rapid contraction of the atrium, which is the upper chamber of the heart. A survey of 2,417 patients having coronary artery bypass found that 27% had atrial fibrillation after surgery. Older patients and men were more likely to have postoperative atrial fibrillation. Those with a history of atrial fibrillation or congestive heart failure also had a higher risk. Certain surgical procedures were also associated with a higher risk.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1996
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