Cardiac complications in patients after elective pelvic reconstruction in ischemia of the lower extremities

: The authors investigated the incidence of cardiac complications in patients after elective pelvic reconstructions on account of ischaemic disease of the lower extremities in 1985-1990 and in 1990-1993. The first group of patients was examined by an experienced internist and the second by a cardiologist. The second group had a substantially higher percentage of risk factors than the first one. In the first group the postoperative cardiac morbidity was 3.4 and the mortality 2.1%. In the second group of patients both morbidity and mortality were 2.7%. The mortality quoted in the world literature is lower than 3%. The authors emphasize the necessity of comprehensive preoperative examination of patients indicated for pelvic reconstruction, perfect surgical technique and anaesthesia provided by an anaesthesiologist with experience with patients suffering from vascular diseases. It is very important to monitor rheological parameters in patients during the postoperative period immediately after surgery.