Biomarker-based preoperative risk stratification for patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery

Abstract

Perioperative morbidity and mortality remains a substantial problem and is strongly associated with patients’ cardiac comorbidities. Guidelines for the cardiovascular assessment and management of patients at risk of cardiac issues while undergoing non-cardiac surgery are traditionally based on the exclusion of active or unstable cardiac conditions, determination of the risk of surgery, the functional capacity of the patient, and the presence of cardiac risk factors. In the last two decades, strong evidence showed an association between cardiac biomarkers and adverse cardiac events, with newer guidelines incorporating this knowledge. This review describes a biomarker-based risk-stratification pathway and discusses potential treatment strategies for patients suffering from postoperative myocardial injury or infarction.