Study Links Blood Groups to Risk of Myocardial Injury After Non-Cardiac Surgery

The study, published in Scientific Reports, revealed that type B blood is disproportionately associated with myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery.

Myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery (MINS) is a well-documented phenomenon that poses significant health risks to patients undergoing surgical procedures unrelated to the heart. It is characterized by elevated cardiac biomarkers in the absence of typical symptoms of a heart attack, often leading to prolonged hospital stays and increased mortality rates.

The blood group is a potential genetic element in coronary artery disease (CAD). Nevertheless, the relationship between different ABO blood groups and MINS is poorly understood. Considering this, Guoqing Zhao, Jilin University, Changchun, China, and colleagues verified whether the ABO blood group is a potential MINS influencing factor.

The study included 1201 patients who underwent elective non-cardiac surgery and a mandatory troponin test on postoperative days 1 and 2 from 2019 to 2020 at a university-affiliated tertiary hospital.

The primary outcome was associations between ABO blood groups and MINS. Path analysis was used to investigate indirect and direct effects between the blood group and MI.

The study led to the following findings:

• MINS incidence (8.5%) was higher in blood-type B patients than non-B patients [blood-type B: 11.0% versus non-B: 7.2%; adjusted odds ratio = 1.57].
• In the confounding factor model, preoperative hypertension and coronary artery disease medical history were associated with MINS risk [adjusted odds ratio: 2.00; 2.81, respectively].
• Path analysis did not uncover any mediating role for hypertension, diabetes, or coronary artery disease between blood type and MINS.

"We observed an association between the ABO blood group and MINS, but whether this relationship is causal remains to be determined," the researchers wrote, adding that, "there is a need for further studies to determine the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms between the blood group and MINS and to ensure that various confounding factors, including racial factors, exist."

As healthcare continues to evolve, studies like these underscore the importance of considering individual genetic factors, such as blood type, in predicting and managing postoperative complications. By tailoring interventions based on such insights, healthcare providers can potentially mitigate risks and improve recovery trajectories for surgical patients.

Reference:

Li, J., Li, W., Li, L., Yang, S., Zhao, G., & Li, K. (2024). Association between blood groups and myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery: A retrospective cohort study. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-61546-w