The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 24, 323-329, Copyright © 1977 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Diagnosis of perioperative myocardial infarction after coronary artery bypass
CH Moore, FT Gordon, JA Allums, TJ Reeves, TA Lombardo, GW Barclay, AB Brady and RL Sweet
The diagnosis of perioperative myocardial infarction (POMI) in patients
undergoing coronary artery bypass is uncertain because the criteria of
infarction are unclear. Fifty patients who underwent coronary artery bypass
were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with serial ECGs,
creatine phosphokinase (CPK), isoenzyme determinations, and technetium
pyrophosphate myocardial scans. Clinical evaluation correlated with
exercise testing and postoperative angiography supported the diagnosis in
questionable cases. Thirty-five patients (70%) had no evidence of POMI by
any criteria, and 2 patients (4%) had unequivocal evidence of infarction by
all criteria. Our studies indicate the complexities of diagnosing POMI. We
believe that the serially recorded ECG is the most useful diagnostic
technique. CPK isoenzyme determinations may be useful but are difficult to
interpret in the operative setting. Preoperative cardiac scans are
necessary so as to avoid a high incidence of false-positive scans
postoperatively. In doubtful cases, postoperative coronary arteriography
and left ventricular angiography may provide the most definitive
information.