Abstract: Objective To determine the preoperative and intraoperative predictors of postoperative cardiac events (PCE) in elderly patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Methods 1510 elderly CAD patients, aged 60 years and older, who underwent intermediate- to high-risk non-cardiac surgery at five academic medical centers in China, were enrolled in this clinical prospective observational study from Jan. 2008 to Dec. 2009. Clinical variables were evaluated, The PCE were followed by the examinations of 12-lead ECG and Troponin I(cTnI) levels. Results PCE occurred in 104 patients (6.9%). Cardiac death occurred in 9 patients (0.6%). The independent risk factors were age ≥ 75 years old, history of MI, high-risk surgery, intraoperative hypoxemia, and intraoperative hypotension. Conclusions Age ≥ 75 years old, or history of MI, or high-risk surgery could increase the risk of PCE in CAD patients individually. Preventing intraoperative hypoxemia and hypotension may reduce the occurrence of PCE in these high risk patients.

Key words: Key words: aging, coronary artery disease, non-cardiac surgery, postoperative cardiac events, risk factors