Usefulness of N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide to predict postoperative cardiac complications and long-term mortality after emergency lower limb orthopedic surgery

Abstract

After emergency orthopedicgeriatric surgery, cardiac complications are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The utility of N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NTpro-BNP) for the prediction of cardiac complications and mortality was evaluated. NTpro-BNP was tested pre- and postoperatively in 89 patients >60 years of age. They were followed for 2 years for cardiac complications (defined as acute myocardial infarction, congestive cardiac failure, atrial fibrillation or major arrhythmia) or death. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to determine the optimal discriminatory level for cardiac events and death using NTpro-BNP. Twenty-three patients (25.8%) sustai..