Objective:To identify the risk factors for perioperative cardiac arrest (POCA) in elderly patients undergoing general anesthesia.Methods:This case-control study enrolled elderly patients aged ≥60 yr who underwent surgery under general anesthesia at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 1, 2013, and November 30, 2024. The case group consisted of patients who experienced POCA, defined as cessation of cardiac mechanical activity and loss of effective circulation, requiring immediate chest compressions and/or defibrillation within 24 h from entering the operating room to the end of anesthesia. The control group consisted of elderly patients without POCA, matched to cases by sex and date of surgery in a ratio of 1∶3. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were performed to identify independent risk factors for POCA based on patients′ baseline and surgical characteristics.Results:A total of 53 POCA cases and 159 matched controls were included. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis identified an American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification of ≥Ⅲ ( OR=4.90, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 2.21-10.89, P<0.001) and the presence of peripheral vascular disease ( OR=2.53, 95% CI 1.10-5.81, P=0.028) as independent risk factors for POCA. Higher preoperative hemoglobin concentration was found to be a protective factor ( OR=0.97, 95% CI 0.95-0.99, P<0.001). Conclusions:An American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification of ≥Ⅲ and comorbid peripheral vascular disease are independent risk factors for POCA in elderly patients undergoing general anesthesia, while higher preoperative hemoglobin concentration serves as a protective factor.

Objective:To identify the risk factors for perioperative cardiac arrest (POCA) in elderly patients undergoing general anesthesia.Methods:This case-control study enrolled elderly patients aged ≥60 yr who underwent surgery under general anesthesia at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 1, 2013, and November 30, 2024. The case group consisted of patients who experienced POCA, defined as cessation of cardiac mechanical activity and loss of effective circulation, requiring immediate chest compressions and/or defibrillation within 24 h from entering the operating room to the end of anesthesia. The control group consisted of elderly patients without POCA, matched to cases by sex and date of surgery in a ratio of 1∶3. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were performed to identify independent risk factors for POCA based on patients′ baseline and surgical characteristics.Results:A total of 53 POCA cases and 159 matched controls were included. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis identified an American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification of ≥Ⅲ ( OR=4.90, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 2.21-10.89, P<0.001) and the presence of peripheral vascular disease ( OR=2.53, 95% CI 1.10-5.81, P=0.028) as independent risk factors for POCA. Higher preoperative hemoglobin concentration was found to be a protective factor ( OR=0.97, 95% CI 0.95-0.99, P<0.001). Conclusions:An American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification of ≥Ⅲ and comorbid peripheral vascular disease are independent risk factors for POCA in elderly patients undergoing general anesthesia, while higher preoperative hemoglobin concentration serves as a protective factor.