Peak postoperative troponin levels outperform preoperative cardiac risk indices as predictors of long-term mortality after vascular surgery Troponins and postoperative outcomes.

Abstract Background The utility of postoperative troponins as an independent predictor of long-term mortality after vascular surgery is unknown. Methods One hundred sixty-four consecutive patients underwent vascular surgery and postoperative mortality was determined at 2.5 years. Troponins were drawn within 48 hours postsurgery and the peak levels, defined by the upper reference limit (URL), were categorized as negative ( Results Mortality in the high positive (n = 44), low positive (n = 41), and negative (n = 79) troponin groups was 46%, 17%, and 6%, respectively ( P P P = .043), and use of statins (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.07-0.49; P c index for peak troponin levels was 0.75 (95% CI, 0.68-0.82; P Conclusions Among patients undergoing vascular surgery, an elevated postoperative troponin level provides incremental value in predicting long-term outcomes, when compared with standard preoperative cardiac and surgical risks.