creased risk of both abnormal hematocrit values and cardiovascular complications of noncardiac surgery. 1,2 Despite nearly universal measurement of hematocrit values prior to major surgery, 3 the prognostic implications of preoperative anemia or polycythemia are incompletely understood for this high-risk population. Although we have previously found that even mild degrees of anemia increase the mortality risk of elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction, 4 surgical studies of mild anemia have not shown it to be a risk factor for death, unless cardiac disease is present or major blood loss occurs. [5][6][7] The limited physiologic reserve and the higher prevalence of unrecognized cardiovascular disease may still render the elderly population vulnerable to milder degrees of anemia when undergoing the stress of surgery. [8][9][10] For editorial comment see p 2525.

Morbidity and mortality rates following BCS in women are low, limiting their value in assessing quality of care. Mastectomy carries higher complication rate than l-ANP with wound infection being the most common.

For patients admitted to regular hospital floors after nonemergent major surgery, mortality is increased if surgery is performed on Friday versus Monday through Wednesday.

No abstract

Our data suggests higher rates of postsurgical morbidity and mortality related to the time of the year. Further study is needed to fully describe the etiologies of the seasonal variation in outcomes.