The team is investigating whether N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and other cardiac markers are useful for predicting outcomes for patients undergoing vascular surgery. By measuring NT-proBNP before and after surgery, the investigators may be able to determine which patients are at risk of an adverse outcome, such as a heart attack or death.
Patients who are equal to or over 18 years old
Infrainguinal arterial reconstruction
Aortic aneurysm
Aorto-bifemoral bypass / or aortic endarterectomy
Patients undergoing emergency surgery
Those who are unable or unwilling to give informed consent
Patients with unstable coronary syndromes (acute or recent MI with evidence of important ischemic risk by clinical symptoms or stress testing or unstable or severe angina pectoris)
Patients with decompensated heart failure (new onset shortness of breath and rales together with echocardiographic evidence of cardiac dysfunction or deterioration of chronic heart failure despite heart failure therapy)