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Original research article
Trends in cardiovascular risk factor and disease prevalence in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery
  1. Nathaniel R Smilowitz1,
  2. Navdeep Gupta2,
  3. Yu Guo1,
  4. Joshua A Beckman3,
  5. Sripal Bangalore1,
  6. Jeffrey S Berger1,4
  1. 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York City, New York, USA
  2. 2Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
  3. 3Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
  4. 4Department of Surgery, New York University School of Medicine, New York City, New York, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Jeffrey S Berger, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York City, NY 10016, USA; Jeffrey.berger{at}nyumc.org

Abstract

Objectives Cardiovascular risk factors are prevalent in the population undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Changes in perioperative cardiovascular risk factor profiles over time are unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate national trends in cardiovascular risk factors and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) among patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

Methods Adults aged ≥45 years old who underwent non-cardiac surgery were identified using the US National Inpatient Sample from 2004 to 2013. The prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, obesity and chronic kidney disease) and ASCVD (coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease and prior stroke] were evaluated over time.

Results A total of 10 581 621 hospitalisations for major non-cardiac surgery were identified. Between 2008 and 2013, ≥2 cardiovascular risk factors and ASCVD were present in 44.5% and 24.3% of cases, respectively. Over time, the prevalence of multiple (≥2) cardiovascular risk factors increased from 40.5% in 2008–2009 to 48.2% in 2012–2013, P<0.001. The proportion of patients with coronary artery disease (17.2% in 2004–2005 vs 18.2% in 2012–2013, P<0.001), peripheral artery disease (6.3% in 2004–2005 vs 7.4% in 2012–2013, P<0.001) and prior stroke (3.5% in 2008–2009 vs 4.7% 2012–2013, P<0.001) also increased over time. The proportion of patients with a modified Revised Cardiac Risk Index score ≥3 increased from 6.6% in 2008–2009 to 7.7% in 2012–2013 (P<0.001).

Conclusions Among patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery, the burden of cardiovascular risk factors and the prevalence of ASCVD increased over time. Adverse trends in risk profiles require continued attention to improve perioperative cardiovascular outcomes.

  • risks factors
  • coronary artery disease

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Footnotes

  • Contributors NRS had full access to all of the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Concept and design: NRS and SB. Acquisition, analysis or interpretation of data: all authors. Drafting of the manuscript: NRS and JSB. Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: all authors. Statistical analysis: NRS, NG and YG. Supervision: JSB and SB.

  • Competing interests JAB reports serving on advisory boards for AstraZeneca, Sanofi, Aralez and Abbott Vascular and has received research grants from Merck. The remainder of the authors report no relationships that could be construed as a conflict of interest.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.