Colchicine in Patients at Cardiac Risk Undergoing Major Non-Cardiac Surgery

Inclusion Criteria: undergoing major non-cardiac surgery in general anaesthesia will be included. Major non-cardiac surgery is defined as: * vascular surgery (with the exception of arteriovenous shunt, vein stripping procedures and carotid endarterectomies) * intraperitoneal surgery * intrathoracic surgery * major orthopaedic surgery (spinal surgery or joint replacement surgery) * at cardiovascular risk, defined as meeting at least 1 of the following 6 criteria: * preoperative n-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) ≥ 200 ng/l * history of coronary artery disease * history of peripheral vascular disease * history of stroke * undergoing major vascular surgery, with the exception of arteriovenous shunt, vein stripping procedures and carotid endarterectomies * fulfilment of any 3 of the 8 following criteria: * undergoing major surgery (intrathoracic, intraperitoneal or supra-inguinal vascular surgery) * any history of congestive heart failure or history of pulmonary oedema * anamnestic transient ischemic attack (TIA) * diabetes under treatment with either oral antidiabetic agent or insulin * age \> 70 years * history of hypertension * serum creatinine \> 175 mumol/l or calculated creatinine clearance \< 60 ml/min/1.73m2 (cockcroft gault) * history of smoking within 2 years of surgery * planned surgical time ≥ 90 minutes * planned postoperative hospital stay at least 1 night Exclusion Criteria: * no w…