Forbes (2/28,
6.03M) contributor Larry Husten writes that research published in The Annals of
Thoracic Surgery suggests that dental extraction prior to cardiac surgery may
not be as safe as previously believed. Investigators looked at data from more
than 200 patients who had a tooth extracted before undergoing a cardiac
operation. The researchers “found a higher than expected (8%) rate of adverse
outcomes, defined as death, acute coronary syndrome, stroke, renal failure
requiring dialysis, and postoperative mechanical ventilation.” In a press
release, first author Mark Smith said, “Guidelines from the American College of
Cardiology and American Heart Association label dental extraction as a minor
procedure, with the risk of death or non-fatal heart attack estimated to be
less than 1%.” But, according to Smith, “Our results...documented a higher rate
of major adverse outcomes, suggesting physicians should evaluate individualized
risk of anesthesia and surgery in this patient population.”
Posted
by: Steven Almany M.D.
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