Boston researchers found osteoarthritis patients who underwent total knee or hip joint replacement surgery have an increased risk of heart attack in the postoperative period, according to News-Medical.
Here are five takeaways from the study.
1. The study included 13,849 patients who underwent total knee replacement surgery and 13,849 matched controls that did not have surgery. Participants were 50 years old and were diagnosed with knee or hip osteoarthritis between January 2000 and December 2012.
2. The findings found 306 patients in the arthroplasty group and 286 in the non-surgical group developed myocardial infarction during the follow-up period. The risk of heart attack was much higher during the first postoperative month in those who had knee replacement surgery compared to those in the non-surgical group. The risk gradually declined over time.
3. The study indicates the long-term risk of heart attack was insignificant, but there was a high risk of blood clots in the lung remaining for years after surgery.
4. Past studies have found joint replacement surgery improves pain, function and quality of life for osteoarthritis patients. However, the impact of cardiovascular health has not been confirmed.
5. Approximately 1.8 million arthroplasty procedures are performed every year around the world. This number is projected to rise as the population ages.
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