Eur Heart J

Cardiology consult linked to improved outcomes after peri‑operative myocardial injury

January 30, 2026

In a large observational study of 1,048 high‑risk patients with perioperative myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery, those evaluated by a cardiologist had substantially better outcomes than those who weren't. Patients seen by a specialist had a 35% lower risk of all-cause mortality and a 46% lower risk of major cardiac events at one year. Cardiologist-reviewed patients were more likely to undergo cardiac imaging and receive intensified medical therapy. Although observational and not proof of causation, the findings support structured cardiology consultation when postoperative troponin elevation signals possible heart injury.

Clinical takeaway: Consider routine cardiology evaluation for high‑risk surgical patients with postoperative troponin elevation to guide monitoring and management.

Source:

Glarner N, et al. (2026, January 30). Eur Heart J. Peri-operative myocardial infarction/injury after non-cardiac surgery: association between cardiologist evaluation and outcomes. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41610880/