EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT OF POST-CARDIAC SURGERY COMPLICATIONS: IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE, CARDIO-ONCOLOGY, AND HEALTH ECONOMICS
Author(s)
Esha M. Nisarahmed, Ph.D in Pharmacy Practice, Ganesan Rajalekshmi Saraswathy, PhD.
Pharmacy, M S Ramaiah University Of Applied Sciences, Bangalore, India.
Pharmacy, M S Ramaiah University Of Applied Sciences, Bangalore, India.
OBJECTIVES: 1 - To identify and manage postoperative complications—including ADRs, drug-drug interactions, and untreated clinical conditions—in cardiac surgery patients
2 - To examine how the above findings can inform future cardio-oncology care for individuals with overlapping cardiovascular and oncologic treatment risks.
METHODS: A prospective observational study of 103 cardiac surgery patients collected demographics, comorbidities, polypharmacy data, nursing notes, and laboratory results. Patients were continuously monitored for drug-related problems, and ADRs were assessed using Naranjo’s Scale and WHO-UMC criteria, including evaluations of severity, predictability, and preventability. All pharmacist-led interventions were documented. Future oncology perspective integrated: This methodology provides a framework for expanding pharmacist-led monitoring to cardio-oncology patients, incorporating biomarkers (troponins, natriuretic peptides), chemotherapy-cardiac drug interaction screening, and AI-assisted early warning systems for cardiotoxicity in future studies.
RESULTS: Postoperative complications occurred in 91 patients (88%), commonly hyponatremia (36.6%), anemia (32.2%), hypertension (32.2%), tachycardia (14.4%), hypokalemia (14.4%), and hypophosphatemia (11.1%). Drug-related problems were identified in 39 patients (35%), including ADRs such as hypoglycemia, thrombocytopenia, bradycardia, hyponatremia, and edema; notable drug-drug interactions; and untreated issues like respiratory acidosis and anemia. These patterns overlap with complications seen in oncology patients, providing a framework for future cardio-oncology monitoring and indicating potential health-economic benefits through reduced unnecessary investigations and treatment escalations.
CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals a high burden of postoperative complications in cardiac surgery patients and highlights the benefit of early identification, risk stratification, and timely management of medication-related issues. The findings also support integrated cardio-oncology models that emphasize real-time monitoring, precision medication management, and proactive toxicity prevention. As cancer-therapy-related cardiac disease rises, such approaches may reduce cardiotoxicity, improve survivorship, and promote more cost-effective care by preventing avoidable complications and hospitalizations.
2 - To examine how the above findings can inform future cardio-oncology care for individuals with overlapping cardiovascular and oncologic treatment risks.
METHODS: A prospective observational study of 103 cardiac surgery patients collected demographics, comorbidities, polypharmacy data, nursing notes, and laboratory results. Patients were continuously monitored for drug-related problems, and ADRs were assessed using Naranjo’s Scale and WHO-UMC criteria, including evaluations of severity, predictability, and preventability. All pharmacist-led interventions were documented. Future oncology perspective integrated: This methodology provides a framework for expanding pharmacist-led monitoring to cardio-oncology patients, incorporating biomarkers (troponins, natriuretic peptides), chemotherapy-cardiac drug interaction screening, and AI-assisted early warning systems for cardiotoxicity in future studies.
RESULTS: Postoperative complications occurred in 91 patients (88%), commonly hyponatremia (36.6%), anemia (32.2%), hypertension (32.2%), tachycardia (14.4%), hypokalemia (14.4%), and hypophosphatemia (11.1%). Drug-related problems were identified in 39 patients (35%), including ADRs such as hypoglycemia, thrombocytopenia, bradycardia, hyponatremia, and edema; notable drug-drug interactions; and untreated issues like respiratory acidosis and anemia. These patterns overlap with complications seen in oncology patients, providing a framework for future cardio-oncology monitoring and indicating potential health-economic benefits through reduced unnecessary investigations and treatment escalations.
CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals a high burden of postoperative complications in cardiac surgery patients and highlights the benefit of early identification, risk stratification, and timely management of medication-related issues. The findings also support integrated cardio-oncology models that emphasize real-time monitoring, precision medication management, and proactive toxicity prevention. As cancer-therapy-related cardiac disease rises, such approaches may reduce cardiotoxicity, improve survivorship, and promote more cost-effective care by preventing avoidable complications and hospitalizations.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-09, ISPOR Asia Pacific 2026, Bangkok, Thailand
Value in Health, Volume 55, Issue S1
Code
EPH13
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Disease
SDC: Cardiovascular Disorders (including MI, Stroke, Circulatory), SDC: Oncology