Objective Cardiac surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) induce an acute inflammatory response contributing to postoperative morbidity. The use of steroids as anti-inflammatory agents in surgery ...using CPB has been tested in many trials and has been shown to have good anti-inflammatory effects but no clear clinical advantages for the lack of an adequately powered sample size. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of steroid treatment on mortality and morbidity after cardiac surgery. Design A systematic meta-analysis of randomized double-blind trials (RDBs). Setting A university hospital. Participants Adult patients who underwent cardiac surgery. Measurements and Main Results A trial search was performed through PubMed and Cochrane databases from 1966 to January 2009. Among 104 clinical trials reviewed, 31 RDB trials (1,974 patients) were considered suitable to be analyzed. A quality assessment of the trials was performed using the Jadad score. The types of steroid used in these trials were methylprednisolone (51.4%), dexamethasone (34.3%), hydrocortisone (5.7%), prednisolone (2.9%), or a combination of methylprednisolone and dexamethasone (5.7%). Steroid prophylaxis provided a protective effect preventing postoperative atrial fibrillation (odds ratio = 0.56; confidence interval CI 0.44-0.72, p < 0.0001), reducing postoperative blood loss (mean difference = −204.2 mL; CI from −287.4 to −121 mL; p < 0.0001), and reducing intensive care unit (mean difference = −6.6 hours; CI from −10.5 to −2.7 hours, p = 0.0007) and overall hospital stay (mean difference = −0.8 days; CI from −1.4 to −0.2 days, p = 0.01). Steroid prophylaxis had no effect on postoperative mortality, mechanical ventilation duration, re-exploration for bleeding, and postoperative infection. Conclusions A systematic review of RDB trials reveals that steroid prophylaxis may reduce morbidity after cardiac surgery and does not increase the risk of postoperative infections.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Objectives Evaluating the efficacy of 2 new percutaneous devices specifically designed to be placed through the right internal jugular vein, therefore named “necklines,” for achieving retrograde ...cardioplegia and pulmonary venting in the setting of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (MIAVR). Design Case series. Setting University-affiliated private hospital. Participants Patients undergoing MIAVR. Interventions Necklines were placed by the anesthesiologist using transesophageal electrocardiography, with pressure guidance before the surgical procedure was initiated. Measurements and Main Results The records of 51 consecutive patients who underwent MIAVR with necklines placement were reviewed retrospectively. The access for MIAVR was through either a J-hemisternotomy or a right anterior thoracotomy. The efficacy of the 2 catheters, successful placement rate, time needed to deploy catheters, and perioperative complications were recorded. Necklines were placed successfully in all patients in 23±13 minutes. A total of 110 doses of retrograde cardioplegia were delivered at a mean flow rate of 173±35 mL/min and a mean pressure of 41±6 mmHg. The pulmonary catheter ensured venting of the heart that was graded by surgeons as “excellent” in 33 patients, “sufficient” in 12 patients, and “not adequate” in 2 patients. There were no major adverse events or deaths. Conclusions Necklines ensure effective retrograde cardioplegia and venting of the heart, provide optimal surgical vision and access during MIAVR, and allow surgeons to operate in an unobstructed surgical field. Nevertheless, additional studies are required to determine whether the use of necklines is associated with better outcomes than those with conventional methods.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Abstract Objectives The study objective was to evaluate the effects on early outcome and midterm survival of performing coronary artery bypass grafting with the off-pump technique in comparison with ...cardiopulmonary bypass (on-pump) in patients with preoperative anemia. Methods Consecutive adult anemic patients (preoperative hemoglobin <13.0 g/dL in men and <12.0 g/dL in women) resident in Puglia region who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting between January 2011 and November 2013 were considered. Vital status was ascertained from the date of surgery to December 31, 2013. Odds ratio and hazard ratio (HR) were estimated. Propensity score methods were used to control for confounders. Results Of 939 anemic patients (234 female, aged 71 ± 9 years), 361 underwent operation with the off-pump technique and 578 underwent operation with the on-pump technique. Patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass had a shorter intensive care unit length of stay, lower blood transfusion rate, and postoperative reduction in creatinine clearance. During a median follow-up of 18 months, 126 patients died: 46 in hospital (35 on-pump) and 80 after discharge (33 on-pump). In comparison with the off-pump technique, the on-pump technique had greater hospital mortality (odds ratio, 2.57; P = .028) and 30-day incidence of fatal events (HR, 2.67; P = .026). After a period without risk differences between groups (1-6 months; HR, 0.79; P = .618), a lower mortality in those undergoing the on-pump technique was detected (after 6 months HR, 0.35; P = .014). All results were confirmed in the 157 pairs of patients matched for propensity score, anemia grade, and surgery center. Conclusions In patients with low levels of preoperative hemoglobin, off-pump coronary artery bypass was associated with lower early morbidity and mortality but a greater risk of mortality during follow-up compared with on-pump coronary artery bypass.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Background Antithrombin (AT) concentrations are reduced after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass compared with the preoperative levels. Low postoperative AT is associated with worse short- ...and mid-term clinical outcomes. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of AT administration on activation of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems, platelet function, and the inflammatory response in patients with low postoperative AT levels. Methods Sixty patients with postoperative AT levels of less than 65% were randomly assigned to receive purified AT (5000 IU in three administrations) or placebo in the postoperative intensive care unit. Thirty patients with postoperative AT levels greater than 65% were observed as controls. Interleukin 6 (a marker of inflammation), prothrombin fragment 1-2 (a marker of thrombin generation), plasmin–antiplasmin complex (a marker of fibrinolysis), and platelet factor 4 (a marker of platelet activation) were measured at six different times. Results Compared with the no AT group and control patients, patients receiving AT showed significantly higher AT values until 48 hours after the last administration. Analysis of variance for repeated measures showed a significant effect of study treatment in reducing prothrombin fragment 1-2 ( p = 0.009; interaction with time sample, p = 0.006) and plasmin–antiplasmin complex ( p < 0.001; interaction with time sample, p < 0.001) values but not interleukin 6 ( p = 0.877; interaction with time sample, p = 0.521) and platelet factor 4 ( p = 0.913; interaction with time sample, p = 0.543). No difference in chest tube drainage, reopening for bleeding, and blood transfusion was observed. Conclusions Antithrombin administration in patients with low AT activity after surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass reduces postoperative thrombin generation and fibrinolysis with no effects on platelet activation and inflammatory response.
Objectives Percutaneous catheterization of the coronary sinus (CS) to enable the administration of retrograde cardioplegia may play an important role in minimally invasive cardiac surgery. A new ...specially designed device (ProPlege; Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) is described that can be placed under transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and pressure guidance with a high rate of success and low rate of complications. Design Case series. Setting A university-affiliated private hospital. Participants Patients undergoing minimally invasive cardiac surgery. Interventions The ProPlege device was placed under TEE and pressure guidance only. Measurements and Main Results Records of 70 patients managed with ProPlege were reviewed and analyzed. Successful placement was attained in 69 patients (98.6%) as confirmed by the ventricularization of the CS pressure curve and TEE images. Direct imaging of the ProPlege tip was possible in 34 patients (49.2%). The capacity to generate a CS pressure>30 mmHg during retrograde cardioplegia administration at a flow>150 mL/min was obtained in 64 patients; ProPlege displacement occurred in 5 cases (7.2%). Successful retrograde cardioplegia was delivered in 91.4% of cases. No CS perforation or other injuries to the right heart were noted at intraoperative TEE or direct surgical inspection. Conclusions Percutaneous CS catheterization with ProPlege was performed with a high rate of success for positioning and low complication rate using TEE and pressure guidance only. Further studies are needed to more accurately determine complication rates and to establish the possible complementary role of fluoroscopy.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Objective Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) systems without a venous reservoir rarely are adopted clinically. The effects of a biocompatible CPB system with a venous reservoir were evaluated on the ...activation of the coagulation and inflammatory systems. Design A prospective, randomized controlled trial. Setting A university hospital (single center). Participants Eighty-three coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery patients were assigned to the Physio group (closed venous reservoir, phosphorylcholine coating, and no cardiotomy suction) or the Standard group (open, noncoated, and cardiotomy suction used). Methods Blood samples were obtained at 6 different time points before, during, and after surgery. Nuclear factor-kB (NF-κB) was evaluated before surgery and 2 and 24 hours after surgery. Myocardial damage was evaluated measuring cardiac troponin I. Measurements and Main Results Interleukin (IL)-6 (a marker of inflammation), prothrombin fragment 1-2 (PF-1.2, a marker of thrombin generation), plasmin-antiplasmin complex (PAP, a marker of fibrinolysis), and platelet factor 4 (PF4, a marker of platelet activation) were measured. The DNA binding activity of proinflammatory transcription factor NF-κB was quantified in the isolated lymphomonocyte cells. Surgery caused changes of all plasma biomarkers. This reaction was attenuated strongly in the Physio group; PF-1.2, PAP, and PF4 all were decreased significantly. In the Physio group, a significantly lower cardiac troponin I release was observed postoperatively. After surgery, NF-κB activity was reduced in the Physio group although this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions A multimodal strategy using a closed and phosphorylcholine-coated CPB circuit together with the avoidance of cardiotomy suction reduced activation of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems intraoperatively, although these changes did not persist postoperatively. However, no difference in clinical outcome was appreciated on a larger scale.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Background The optimal timing for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with recent acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is unclear. Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a widely accepted biomarker ...of myocardial damage. The objective of this study was to determine whether preoperative cTnI values could be used to determine risk stratification for CABG operations in patients with recent AMI. Methods Evaluated were 184 patients who sustained an AMI within 21 days of undergoing nonurgent CABG operations. They were divided into two groups according to their preoperative cTnI values: 117 patients with cTnI of 0.15 ng/mL or less and 67 with cTnI exceeding 0.15 ng/mL. Associations between study variables and events were assessed with logistic regression modelling. Time from AMI to operation was evaluated to define preoperative cTnI variation. Results Values of cTnI tended to decrease when the interval between AMI and the operation increased. Preoperative cTnI values were significantly associated with a higher incidence of major postoperative complications (low cardiac output syndrome, intraaortic balloon pump necessity, mechanical ventilation >72 hours, acute renal failure, in-hospital mortality). Perioperative myocardial damage was more pronounced in patients with cTnI exceeding 0.15 ng/mL. Multivariate analyses revealed cTnI exceeding 0.15 ng/mL was an independent predictor for 6-month mortality (odds ratio, 3.7; p = 0.043). Conclusions Preoperative cTnI exceeding 0.15 ng/mL in patients with recent AMI undergoing CABG is associated with higher postoperative myocardial damage and is a strong determinant of postoperative morbidity and mortality within the 6-month period.
Background To date, no study has tested the effect of different heparin dosages on the hemostatic changes during off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OPCABG) surgery, and a wide variety of ...empirical anticoagulation protocols are being applied. We tested the effect of two different heparin dosages on the activation of the hemostatic system in patients undergoing OPCABG procedures. Methods Forty-two patients eligible for OPCABG procedures were assigned in a randomized fashion to low-dose heparin (150 IU/kg) or high-dose heparin (300 IU/kg). Prothrombin fragment 1+2, plasmin/alpha 2 -plasmin inhibitor complex, D-dimer, soluble tissue factor, tissue factor pathway inhibitor, total thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI), and activated TAFIa were assayed by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays at six different timepoints, before, during, and after surgery. Platelet function was evaluated by means of an in vitro bleeding time test, platelet function analyzer-100. Results The OPCABG surgery was accompanied by significant changes of all plasma biomarkers, indicative of systemic activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis. A significant increase in circulating TAFIa was detected perioperatively and postoperatively, and multiple regression analysis indicated that prothrombin F1+2 but not plasmin/alpha 2 -antiplasmin complex was independently associated with TAFIa level. Platelet function analyzer-100 values did not change significantly after OPCABG. All hemostatic changes were similar in the two heparin groups, even perioperatively, when the difference in anticoagulation was maximal. Conclusions Both early and late hemostatic changes, including TAFI activation, are similarly affected in the low-dose and high-dose heparin groups, suggesting that the increase in heparin dosage is not accompanied by a better control of clotting activation during OPCABG surgery.
Background Anticoagulation therapy with heparin induces antibodies that recognize multimolecular complexes of platelet factor 4 bound to heparin (anti–platelet factor 4/heparin antibodies). ...Considering that cardiac surgery induces an intense platelet activation and proinflammatory response, we examined the relationship between formation of anti–platelet factor 4/heparin antibodies and plasma levels of platelet factor 4 and interleukin 6. We also examined the relationship between anti–platelet factor 4/heparin seroconversion and the histocompatibility leukocyte antigen system. Methods In 71 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, anti–platelet factor 4/heparin antibody levels were evaluated by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay preoperatively and 14 days postoperatively. Platelet serotonin release assays were performed to assess the platelet-activating potential of the antibodies. Plasma levels of platelet factor 4 and interleukin 6 were assayed at prespecified time points. Histocompatibility leukocyte antigen status was assessed preoperatively in all patients and was compared with that of 6156 healthy subjects. Results Thirty-seven (52%) patients had anti–platelet factor 4/heparin antibodies with an OD value of 0.45 or greater in 1 or more of the assays. Applying strict seroconversion criteria (>2-fold increase in Optical Density), only 16 (22.5%) patients had evidence of anti–platelet factor 4/heparin antibody seroconversion after the operation. Neither the presence of anti–platelet factor 4/heparin antibodies nor seroconversion influenced postoperative outcomes. The CW4 allele was significantly more frequent among seroconverted patients (46.9% vs 19.1%, P = .002). Platelet factor 4 levels did not influence seroconversion. Patients with anti–platelet factor 4/heparin levels of 0.45 OD units or greater 14 days after the operation had significantly higher interleukin 6 levels measured 1 hour after protamine administration. Discussion Patients with a greater amount of perioperative inflammation could be more likely to have anti–platelet factor 4/heparin antibodies 1 to 2 weeks later. We provide additional evidence that the histocompatibility leukocyte antigen CW4 confers genetic susceptibility in an acquired inflammatory disorder that includes the anti–platelet factor 4/heparin immune response.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Background We conducted a prospective study of the clinical outcomes and health-related quality of life after implantation of the CorCap support device (Acorn Cardiovascular Inc, St Paul, MN) for ...dilated cardiomyopathy. Methods The criteria adopted for CorCap implantation were dilated cardiomyopathy (left ventricular LV end-diastolic diameter ≥ 60 mm, LV ejection fraction ≤ 0.30 and > 0.10), and New York Heart Association functional class II or III despite maximal medical therapy. Echocardiographic follow-up and evaluation with the Short Form-36 questionnaire were performed. Results Included were 39 patients: 5 in New York Heart Association class II and 32 in class III. At 13.3 ± 2.5 months of follow-up, a statistically significant improvement was evident in mean LV volume (LV end-systolic volume from 202 ± 94 to 138 ± 72 ml. p = 0.005) and systolic function (LV ejection fraction from 0.26 ± 0.05 to 0.36 ± 0.05, p < 0.001). The mean LV sphericity index was significantly increased at the end of the follow-up ( p = 0.009). Ischemic etiology, diabetes, advanced age, and LV ejection fraction of less than 0.15 predicted lesser reversal of the LV alterations. Operative mortality was 5.1%. Cumulative follow-up mortality was 10.2%. The average Physical Health domain scores (Physical Functioning, Role Physical, General Health) were improved. Average Mental Health domain scores were also increased. Conclusions The cardiac support device obtains reverse remodelling of the LV and is useful to improve the quality of life of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and New York Heart Association class III symptoms of heart failure. The integration of different and complementary strategies (cardiac support device and resynchronization therapy) may represent the key to success for more complex patients, although further studies are required.
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