Heart surgery starting late in the morning may increase the risk of cardiovascular deaths compared to other times, as per a study by researchers at The University of Manchester, UK. The study, analyzing data from over 24,000 patients in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, revealed an 18% higher risk of heart-related deaths with late-morning surgeries. Most surgeries, 47%, typically commence between 07:00 am to 09:59 am.
The timing of heart surgery did not affect complication rates or readmissions, but the findings raise concerns about the optimal scheduling of such procedures. The research, published in the journal Anaesthesia, highlights the potential impact of the body clock on surgical outcomes. Lead author Dr. Gareth Kitchen emphasized the importance of considering timing-related outcomes for better patient results.
Dr. Kitchen noted that while the increased risk of heart-related mortality with late-morning surgeries is statistically significant, it remains relatively modest, reassuring most patients of minimal impact. He stressed the need for clinicians to optimize outcomes, suggesting that adjusting surgery timings could be a cost-effective strategy. Understanding individual variations in body clock biology could pave the way for personalized scheduling of cardiac surgeries, potentially improving patient outcomes.
