Patients with Asymptomatic Aortic Stenosis: Why Perioperative Complications Shouldn't Be a Concern
Research team from the Department of Cardiology at Samsung Medical Center published a study in the Journal of the American Heart Association, demonstrating that the risk of noncardiac surgery for asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis is similar to that of the general patient population. This study aimed to address the issue that patients with severe aortic stenosis often face difficulties in undergoing surgery for other conditions due to the perception that they are at high cardiac risk.
The research team analyzed 218 patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis at Samsung Medical Center between 2011 and 2019. They were compared to 436 control subjects of similar age and health conditions. The results revealed no significant difference in the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events after surgery between the two groups. In particular, there was no difference in perioperative complications such as death, heart attack, and stroke. Furthermore, this study was the first to identify that heart damage detected by symptoms rather than echocardiography, was a major risk factor.
This study highlights that, in cases of severe aortic stenosis, the risks of noncardiac surgery are comparable to that of the general patient population. It aims to foster an environment where these patients can undergo necessary surgeries without undue concern. The research team hoped the results would enhance the accuracy of risk assessments for noncardiac surgery in patients with asymptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis and establish a foundation for safer treatment.