Background
The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence, clinical impact and outcome of perioperative myocardial infarction (PMI) in patients undergoing pancreatic surgery.
Methods
A data of 1,625 patients undergoing pancreatic resection were prospectively collected and analysed with regard to PMI. Demographic aspects, co-morbidities and clinical course were evaluated. Cardiac risk factors (ASA and NYHA), postoperative complications and mortality were compared in a match-pair analysis (1:3) with patients without PMI.
Results
Twenty-nine patients with PMI after pancreatic surgery were identified. PMI occurred after all types of pancreatic operations and was observed most frequently (72.2 %) within the first postoperative week. In a total of 90 %, PMI fulfilled the criteria of non-STEMI. Nearly half of the patients (48 %) were clinically asymptomatic. Both ASA III and heart failure were more frequent in patients with PMI. The in-hospital mortality was significantly increased after PMI (p < 0.002), with post-pancreatectomy haemorrhage (PPH) as the most relevant underlying risk factor.
Conclusion
PMI is a rare but severe complication after pancreatic operations, contributing significantly to in-hospital mortality. Clinical management mainly includes an anti-coagulant approach. This may be related with an increased risk for PPH. Therefore, the use of anti-coagulant drugs in the early postoperative period—especially in asymptomatic patients—should be critically evaluated.