The Incidence of Abnormal Electrocardiogram Findings in Preoperative Screening Tests / 대한마취과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUD To study the prevalence of abnormalities found in routine preoperative eletrocardiograms (ECGs) and to analyze abnormal ECG findings in different age groups. METHODS: 9,709 patients undergoing elective surgery requiring anesthesia at Busan Paik Hospital from January to December 2002 were retrospectively studied. Preoperative ECGs were analyzed in terms of age, sex and specific abnormal ECG findings that might alter anesthetic management. RESULTS: 1,683 of 9,709 patients (17.3%) had abnormal electrocardiogram findings. The incidences of ventricular hypertrophy, bundle branch block, myocardial ischemia, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction and atrioventricular block were 5.3%, 4.1%, 3.9%, 2.5%, 1.0% and 0.5%. Those over 75 years, 43% had abnormal findings and the incidence of myocardial ischemia, arrhythmia and ventricular hypertrophy were 11.7%, 9.7% and 8.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of unexpected preoperative ECG abnormalities among elective surgery patients is high, especially among older patients. Given the wealth of information provided by preoperative ECG at low cost, ECG is necessary to establish the components of routine preoperative assessment for cardiovascular disease, especially for older adults.