Orthopedics
Risk factors for cardiovascular complications following total joint replacement surgery
Article first published online: 24 JUN 2008
DOI: 10.1002/art.23607
Copyright © 2008 by the American College of Rheumatology
Additional Information
How to Cite
Basilico, F. C., Sweeney, G., Losina, E., Gaydos, J., Skoniecki, D., Wright, E. A. and Katz, J. N. (2008), Risk factors for cardiovascular complications following total joint replacement surgery. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 58: 1915–1920. doi: 10.1002/art.23607
Publication History
- Issue published online: 24 JUN 2008
- Article first published online: 24 JUN 2008
- Manuscript Accepted: 4 APR 2008
- Manuscript Received: 6 AUG 2007
Funded by
- New England Baptist Hospital
- NIH. Grant Numbers: K24-AR-02123, P60-AR-47782
- Abstract
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- Cited By
Abstract
Objective
To determine risk factors for cardiac complications following total joint replacement (TJR) surgery.
Methods
We performed a case–control study of patients who had undergone a primary or revision total knee or total hip replacement surgery. Cases consisted of those who received a TJR and experienced a cardiac complication during the surgical admission period (myocardial infarction [MI], congestive heart failure [CHF], unstable angina, arrhythmia, symptomatic hypotension, or pulmonary embolus). Controls consisted of those who received a TJR and did not experience a cardiac complication during the surgical admission period. Controls were matched to the cases for age at surgery, year of surgery, and surgeon. Case and control status and identification of potential risk factors were ascertained by review of medical records. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of cardiac complications.
Results
The sample included 209 cases and 209 controls. Factors associated with a higher risk of cardiac complications included a history of arrhythmia (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.6 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.5–4.3]), a history of coronary artery disease, MI, CHF, or valvular heart disease (OR 1.6 [95% CI 0.9–2.6]), revision surgery (OR 2.2 [95% CI 1.2–3.9]), and bilateral surgery (adjusted OR 3.5 [95% CI 1.6–8.0]). Even though controls were matched for age (within age brackets), age was still associated with a higher risk of cardiac complications (OR 1.7 [95% CI 0.9–3.4]).
Conclusion
This case–control study identified 2 new risk factors for cardiac complications following TJR: bilateral and revision surgery. The study also confirmed previously documented risk factors, including older age at surgery and a history of arrhythmia and of other cardiac problems. These findings should help clinicians anticipate and prevent cardiac complications following TJR surgery.

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