New Delhi, January 10 (IANS). According to a new study, the timing of heart surgery can affect the recovery and survival rate of the patient.
Researchers at the University of Manchester analyzed data from more than 90,000 heart surgeries in the UK and found that surgeries between 10 and 12 a.m. had an 18 percent higher risk of heart-related death compared to early morning surgeries (7 to 10 a.m.).
The study also revealed that patients who had afternoon or evening surgery had fewer complications, such as heart failure or myocardial infarction. Researchers believe that the body clock (circadian rhythm) and the recovery ability of heart tissue change over time, which may make afternoon surgery safer. However, some other studies did not find any significant difference.
Noon was considered the right time because some people’s body clock makes them early risers and some make them stay awake at night.
The results were presented by assessing a national dataset of more than 24,000 patients in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Although the time of day had no effect on complication rates and readmissions, the results raise questions about the best time to schedule heart surgery.
The study, published in the journal Anesthesia, also provides important insight into the potential impact of the body clock—a set of 24-hour biological cycles present in our cells and organs—on the entire surgery.
Dr Gareth Kitchen, lead author and clinical senior lecturer at the University of Manchester, said: “This research shows that when heart surgery starts late in the morning, there is a slightly higher risk of heart-related death. Even small improvements in timing-related outcomes may have significant benefits for patients.”
“With a greater understanding of how body clock biology varies between people, decisions should be made taking into account patients’ individual circumstances and other characteristics,” Kitchen said.
–IANS
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