title: Utility of B-type natriuretic Peptide for predicting perioperative cardiovascular events in patients without history of cardiovascular disease undergoing major non-cardiac surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patients without previous history of cardiac disease can be regarded as low-risk when undergoing major non-cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to examine whether preoperative B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level predicted postoperative cardiac events in these patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Preoperative BNP level was measured in 163 patients whose risk was considered low according to the Revised Cardiac Risk Index. Postoperative cardiac events, including death during hospitalization, myocardial injury, arrhythmia, cerebrovascular accidents and congestive heart failure were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postoperative cardiac events occurred in 8 patients (4.9%). Preoperative BNP levels were significantly higher among patients who experienced postoperative cardiac events, compared to those who did not (130.6±148.8 vs. 57.9±70.8 pg/mL, p=0.009).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preoperative BNP level may provide prognostic information in low-risk patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Eun
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Dae-Gyun
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jun Hee
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kyoo Rok
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Dong Jin
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Oh