Anesthesia-linked heart injury after non-cardiac surgery

Anesthesia Induced Myocardial Injury in Non-cardiac Surgery (AIMY)

This project will see if anesthesia and non-cardiac surgery are linked to increases in cardiac troponin (a marker of heart muscle injury) in adults aged 40–80 who have at least two cardiovascular risk factors.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 3000 (estimated)
• Ages: 40 Years to 80 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University Hospital Tuebingen (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Tübingen)
• Trial ID: NCT07179029 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is an observational study enrolling adults 40–80 undergoing elective or emergency non‑cardiac surgery with at least two cardiovascular risk factors and ASA II–IV. Researchers will obtain perioperative cardiac troponin measurements and collect clinical data to identify episodes of myocardial injury and their timing. The protocol excludes cardiac and obstetric procedures, minor surgeries not requiring anesthesia, and patients unable to give consent. Analyses will describe the frequency, timing (with attention to the first two postoperative days), and risk factors associated with perioperative myocardial injury.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 40–80 having elective or emergency non‑cardiac surgery who have at least two cardiovascular risk factors, an ASA status of II–IV, and can give written informed consent are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Young, low‑risk patients, those undergoing cardiac or obstetric procedures, minor surgeries without anesthesia, or patients unable to consent are unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, findings could help clinicians detect high‑risk patients earlier and guide monitoring or preventive strategies to reduce perioperative cardiac complications.

How similar studies have performed: Previous observational work (for example Botto et al.) has shown that perioperative troponin rises are common and predict worse outcomes, so the approach is supported by existing evidence though not proven to change outcomes yet.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Elective or emergency non-cardiac surgery
* Cardiovascular risk: At least two of the following: Age \>60 years, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, cerebrovascular disease, chronic renal insufficiency, chronic heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, active smoking
* Age criteria: Adults aged 40-80 years.
* ASA status: ASA classification II-IV.
* Written consent after prior explanation

Exclusion Criteria:

* o Patients unable to give consent: intubated and sedated patients

  * Types of surgery: cardiac surgery, including coronary artery bypass grafting, heart valve repair or replacement, and heart transplantation; obstetric procedures, including cesarean section; minor surgical procedures that do not require general or regional anesthesia (e.g., minor dermatological or ophthalmological procedures)
  * Cardiovascular risk: patients without at least two of the following risk factors: age \<40 or \>80, no history of hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, cerebrovascular disease, chronic renal failure, chronic heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and non-smoker status
  * Age criteria: Patients under 40 or over 80 years of age
  * ASA status: ASA classification of I.

Where this trial is running

Tübingen

• University Clinic of Tuebingen — Tübingen, Germany (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Michael Koeppen, MD — University Clinic of Tuebingen
• Study coordinator: Michael Koeppen, MD

Conditions: Perioperative Myocardial Injury, troponin, Perioperative myocardial injury