Imagine you’re planning a big event with lots of moving parts. As you make preparations, you find out that there’s a potential risk that could spoil everything: hypertriglyceridemia. This condition, characterized by high levels of triglycerides in the blood, has been associated with an increased likelihood of stroke in older patients who undergo non-cardiac, non-neurological surgery. In a recent study, researchers set out to investigate this connection further. They conducted a nested case-control study, analyzing data from over 9,600 patients who underwent surgery between 2015 and 2021. The results revealed that patients with hypertriglyceridemia were significantly more likely to experience postoperative stroke compared to those without the condition. The findings were consistent even after controlling for other factors that could influence the results. These findings underscore the importance of identifying and managing hypertriglyceridemia in older surgical patients to minimize the risk of postoperative stroke. To learn more about this study and its implications, check out the full article!
IntroductionGeriatric postoperative stroke is a rare but serious complication after surgery. The association between hypertriglyceridemia and postoperative stroke remains controversial, especially in older patients undergoing non-cardiac, non-neurological surgery. The study aims to address this clinical dilemma.Materials and methodsWe conducted a nested case-control study among 9601 aged patients undergoing non-cardiac non-neurological surgery from October 2015 to 2021. A total of 22 positive cases were matched for the surgical type and time, to 88 control patients by a ratio of 1:4. The effect of hypertriglyceridemia on the occurrence of postoperative stroke within 30 days after surgery was estimated using conditional logistic regression analysis by adjusting to various potential confounders.ResultsA total of 22 cases developed ischemia stroke after surgery, and compared with the non-stroke group, they had more postoperative ICU admission, longer postoperative hospitalization and higher total cost (all p < 0.05), and more patients were presenting with preoperative hypertriglyceridemia [8 (36.4%) vs. 15 (17.0%), p = 0.045]. There was a significant association between hypertriglyceridemia and postoperative stroke, with adjusted odds ratios of 6.618 (95% CI 1.286, 34.064) (p = 0.024). The above results remained robust in the sensitivity analyses.ConclusionAmong older patients undergoing non-cardiac and non-neurological surgery, hypertriglyceridemia was associated with significant increased risk of postoperative stroke.
Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
Armed with a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Lowemann has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation, delving into ways to optimize human performance, cognition, and overall well-being. His work at the Institute revolves around a profound commitment to harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to help individuals lead more fulfilling and intelligent lives.
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