Timing of Heart Surgery Linked to Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Deaths
Study Reveals Optimal Timing for Heart Surgery
New Delhi, Jan 10: A recent study indicates that scheduling heart surgeries later in the morning may elevate the risk of cardiovascular fatalities compared to earlier times in the day.
Researchers from The University of Manchester in the UK propose that incorporating the body's circadian rhythms into surgical planning could enhance personalized medicine, as individuals have varying body clock patterns, with some being morning-oriented and others night-oriented.
The research analyzed national datasets involving over 24,000 patients across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, revealing that surgeries starting late in the morning were associated with an 18% increased risk of death from heart-related issues compared to those performed in the early morning.
Notably, the most frequent surgical time frame was between 07:00 am and 09:59 am, representing 47% of all procedures.
While the timing did not affect complication rates or readmission statistics, these findings raise important considerations regarding the optimal scheduling of heart surgeries.
Published in the journal Anaesthesia, the study sheds light on how the body's internal clock may impact surgical outcomes.
Lead author Dr. Gareth Kitchen, a Clinical Senior Lecturer at The University of Manchester, stated, “This research indicates that heart surgeries commencing in the late morning may carry a slightly higher risk of mortality related to heart conditions. Even minor adjustments in scheduling could significantly benefit patients.”
He further reassured that while the risk is statistically significant, it remains relatively low, and most patients are unlikely to be affected. However, it is essential for clinicians to strive for optimal outcomes, and adjusting surgery timings could be a cost-effective strategy.
“As we gain a deeper understanding of individual variations in body clock biology, the personalized scheduling of cardiac surgeries may lead to improved patient outcomes in the future,” the researcher concluded.