The Impact of Routine Measurement of Cardiac Troponin (hsTnT) on Outcome in Elderly Patients Undergoing Major Surgery

Overview

To document levels of cardiac troponin hsTnT in patients above 75y undergoing high risk surgery and the relationship between elevated levels and outcome in terms of hospital stay and 30 day mortality.

Elevated troponin (Tn) hsTnT levels occur as a result of myocardial damage and are used in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI). However, there are multiple different causes that also result in abnormal Tn levels, such as direct myocardial-cell injury, impaired renal excretion and sepsis. Because of this, elevated Tn level is a common finding in hospitalized patients. Several studies on patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) without MI show that Tn elevation is a mortality risk factor and an independent predictor of hospital mortality. Up till now it is not yet known if the routine measurement of Tn in elderly patients undergoing surgery can significantly improve their outcome and that is the primary aim of this study. In addition, it is not known what the impact could be if a diastolic function assessment could be performed peri-operatively. This study will examine the correlation between elevated Tn levels in elderly patients undergoing major surgery and their short-term outcome (in-hospital). Before and immediately after surgery, diastolic function will be assessed by means of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes