The study found no increased risk of death among patients receiving nitrous oxide. In a previous ENGIMA trial, 2,050 patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery were randomly assigned to receive anesthesia with or without nitrous oxide. In the study, an unexpectedly high number of heart attacks occurred among patients receiving nitrous oxide — 30 compared to 10 not receiving nitrous oxide.
Royal Melbourne Hospital researchers followed up on the ENIGMA trial by analyzing long-term outcome data on the affected patients. At a median follow-up of 3.5 years, 19 percent of patients had died and 4.5 percent had a myocardial infarction. The results showed that the higher rates of heart attacks among patients receiving nitrous oxide persisted.
According to the new study, more research is necessary to determine if and why nitrous oxide anesthesia would cause an increased risk of heart attack.
Read the SIFY News report on heart attacks and nitrous oxide.
Read more on anesthesia:
–ASA Publishes Advisory for Perioperative Management of Patients With CIEDs
–Study: Pre-Op Pain Perception Could Predict Pain Ratings After Surgery
