Risk of Adverse Cardiac Events After Surgery in People with Lupus

New research finds people with lupus are at higher risk of experiencing a major negative or adverse cardiac event (heart attack, stroke or death) after undergoing a noncardiac surgery. Additionally, those at high-risk and with lupus received less heart testing 2 months prior to surgery than other groups which is worrisome.

The surgical records of 4,750 people with lupus with and without diabetes, and which had undergone a noncardiac surgery were examined. Having diabetes is already recognized as a major risk for postoperative major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after noncardiac surgery. Those with lupus and diabetes had a significant increase in MACE. The risk of MACE in those with lupus was 1% and 1.5% at 1 and 3 months, respectively.

Those without diabetes and lupus also saw significant increases in MACE at 1 month (49%) and at 3 months (83%). The increase of MACE in those with lupus is likely due to increased presence of comorbidities and cardiovascular disease in those with the condition. Further research into pre- and post-surgical care in people with lupus is needed to better manage risk and curtail negative outcomes. Learn more about how lupus affects the heart.

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