Postdischarge opioid use after lumbar spine surgery among older adults in Ontario: a population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Prescription opioid use places a considerable economic burden on health care systems. Older patients undergoing surgical procedures for painful conditions commonly receive opioids pre- and postoperatively, and are susceptible to adverse reactions. This study explores predictors of prolonged postoperative opioid use among older patients after lumbar spine surgery and the consequences in terms of health care utilization and costs. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study using Ontario administrative data from older adults undergoing spine surgery between 2006 and 2017. Data were analyzed from 90 days preoperatively to 1 year after hospital discharge, with last postoperative opioid prescriptions stratified into 90-day increments. We used multivariable ordinal logistic regression to identify predictors of long-term opioid use and generalized linear modelling to examine resource utilization and health care costs (2021 Canadian dollars). RESULTS: Of 15 109 patients included, 40.8% received preoperative opioid prescriptions. Preoperative opioid use strongly predicted prolonged postoperative use (odds ratio [OR] 4.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.16-4.79), with 48.3% of patients who received preoperative opioids continuing to use opioids for longer than 9 months, relative to 12.7% of those without preoperative use. Several other risk factors for prolonged use were identified. Patients receiving long-term postoperative opioids incurred greater health care costs relative to those with opioids prescribed for fewer than 90 days (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.44-1.54). CONCLUSION: Among older adults undergoing spine surgery, preoperative opioid use was a strong predictor of prolonged postoperative use, which was associated with increased health care costs. These results form an important baseline for future studies evaluating strategies to reduce opioid use targeting older surgical populations.

A Frailty Index to Predict Mortality, Resource Utilization and Costs in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery in Ontario.

Background: People living with frailty are vulnerable to poor outcomes and incur higher health care costs after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Frailty-defining instruments for population-level research in the CABG setting have not been established. The objectives of the study were to develop a preoperative frailty index for CABG (pFI-C) surgery using Ontario administrative data; assess pFI-C suitability in predicting clinical and economic outcomes; and compare pFI-C predictive capabilities with other indices. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using health administrative data of 50,682 CABG patients. The pFI-C comprised 27 frailty-related health deficits. Associations between index scores and mortality, resource use and health care costs (2022 Canadian dollars [CAD]) were assessed using multivariable regression models. Capabilities of the pFI-C in predicting mortality were evaluated using concordance statistics; goodness of fit of the models was assessed using Akakie Information Criterion. Results: As assessed by the pFI-C, 22% of the cohort lived with frailty. The pFI-C score was strongly associated with mortality per 10% increase (odds ratio [OR], 3.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], [2.83,3.27]), and was significantly associated with resource utilization and costs. The predictive performances of the pFI-C, Charlson, and Elixhauser indices and Johns Hopkins Aggregated Diagnostic Groups were similar, and mortality models containing the pFI-C had a concordance (C)-statistic of 0.784. Cost models containing the pFI-C showed the best fit. Conclusions: The pFI-C is predictive of mortality and associated with resource utilization and costs during the year following CABG. This index could aid in identifying a subgroup of high-risk CABG patients who could benefit from targeted perioperative health care interventions.

Contexte: Les personnes dont l'état de santé est fragilisé sont susceptibles de connaître des issues défavorables et de générer des coûts plus élevés pour le système de santé après un pontage aortocoronarien. Aucun instrument n'a été établi pour définir la fragilité dans la recherche populationnelle en contexte de pontage aortocoronarien. Les objectifs de l'étude étaient les suivants : 1) concevoir un indice de fragilité préopératoire en vue d'un pontage aortocoronarien (preoperative frailty index for CABG surgery, pFI-C) en utilisant des données administratives de l'Ontario; 2) évaluer la capacité de cet indice à prédire les issues cliniques et économiques; et 3) comparer la valeur prédictive de cet indice avec celle d'autres indices. Méthodologie: Une étude de cohorte rétrospective a été menée à partir de données médico-administratives portant sur 50 682 patients ayant subi un pontage aortocoronarien. Le pFI-C comprenait 27 déficits de santé liés à la fragilité. Des liens entre les scores de l'indice et la mortalité, l'utilisation des ressources et les coûts de soins de santé (en $ CA de 2022) ont été évalués à l'aide de modèles de régression multivariable. La capacité du pFI-C à prédire la mortalité a été évaluée à l'aide de la statistique de concordance; la qualité de l'ajustement des modèles a été évaluée en fonction du critère d'information d'Akaike. Résultats: Selon l'évaluation par le pFI-C, 22 % de la cohorte vivait avec une fragilité. Le score de l'indice était fortement corrélé à la mortalité par tranche d'augmentation de 10 % (rapport de cotes de 3,04; intervalle de confiance à 95 % de 2,83 à 3,27) et était corrélé de manière significative à l'utilisation des ressources et aux coûts. La valeur prédictive du pFI-C, des indices de Charlson et Elixhauser, et de Johns Hopkins Aggregated Diagnostic Groups était similaire, et les modèles de mortalité contenant le pFI-C affichaient une valeur statistique C de 0,784. Les modèles de coûts contenant le pFI-C affichaient le meilleur ajustement. Conclusions: Le pFI-C est un facteur prédictif de mortalité et est corrélé à l'utilisation des ressources et aux coûts engagés durant l'année qui suit un pontage aortocoronarien. Cet indice pourrait faciliter la détection d'un sous-groupe de patients subissant un pontage aortocoronarien et présentant un risque élevé qui pourraient bénéficier de soins périopératoires ciblés.

Retraction speed and chronic poststernotomy pain: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Approximately 30% of patients develop chronic poststernotomy pain (CPSP) following cardiac surgery with sternal retraction. Risk factors have been described but no causal determinants identified. Investigators hypothesized that opening the sternum slowly would impart less force (and thereby less nerve/tissue damage) and translate to a reduced incidence of CPSP. The main objectives were to determine whether or not slower sternal retraction would reduce the incidence of CPSP and improve health-related quality of life. METHODS: Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery were recruited to this randomized controlled trial. Patients were randomized to slow or standard retraction (ie, sternum opened over 15 minutes vs 30 seconds, respectively). Although the anesthesiologist and surgeon were aware of the randomization, the patients, assessors, and postoperative nursing staff remained blinded. Sternotomy pain and analgesics were measured in hospital. At 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, all patients completed the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form and reported on CPSP and complications requiring rehospitalization. Thirty-day rehospitalizations and mortality were recorded. RESULTS: In total, 326 patients consented to participate and 313 were randomized to slow (n = 159) versus standard retraction (n = 154). No clinically relevant differences were detected in acute pain, analgesic consumption, or the incidence of CPSP or health-related quality of life. Although the slow group had significantly more hospitalizations at 3 and 12 months postoperatively, the reasons were unrelated to retraction speed. No differences were observed in 30-day rehospitalizations or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: All outcomes were consistent with previous reports, but no clinically significant differences were observed with retraction speed.

Conversion between B-type natriuretic peptide and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide in perioperative risk assessment: protocol for a prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Both B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-pro-BNP) are used to identify patients at risk of perioperative vascular events, but prognostic thresholds have been established in a large prospective cohort for NT-pro-BNP only. We designed this study to inform perioperative risk interpretation of BNP values. Our primary objective is to validate a formula to convert BNP to NT-pro-BNP concentrations before non-cardiac surgery. The secondary objective is to determine the association between BNP categories (established based on conversion from NT-pro-BNP categories) and a composite outcome of myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery (MINS) and vascular death. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a single-centre, prospective cohort study in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery who are >65 years old, Revised Cardiac Risk Index ≥1 or >45 years old with significant cardiovascular disease. BNP and NT-pro-BNP will be measured preoperatively, and troponin measurements will be analysed on postoperative days 1, 2 and 3. MINS and vascular death will be ascertained up to 30 days after surgery. The primary analyses will compare measured NT-pro-BNP values to those predicted by an existing formula (from a non-surgical population) based on BNP concentrations and patient characteristics, and recalibrate and update the formula with additional variables. Secondary analyses will estimate the relationship between categories of measured BNP (corresponding to established NT-pro-BNP thresholds) and the composite of MINS and vascular death. The target sample size of 431 patients is based on our primary analysis (assessing the conversion formula). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval has been obtained by the Queen's University Health Sciences Research Ethics Board, and all participants will provide informed consent for participation in the study. The results will be submitted for publication in conferences and in a peer-reviewed journal, and will inform perioperative vascular risk interpretation of preoperative BNP. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05352698.

Hypotension-Avoidance Versus Hypertension-Avoidance Strategies in Noncardiac Surgery : An International Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Among patients having noncardiac surgery, perioperative hemodynamic abnormalities are associated with vascular complications. Uncertainty remains about what intraoperative blood pressure to target and how to manage long-term antihypertensive medications perioperatively. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of a hypotension-avoidance and a hypertension-avoidance strategy on major vascular complications after noncardiac surgery. DESIGN: Partial factorial randomized trial of 2 perioperative blood pressure management strategies (reported here) and tranexamic acid versus placebo. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03505723). SETTING: 110 hospitals in 22 countries. PATIENTS: 7490 patients having noncardiac surgery who were at risk for vascular complications and were receiving 1 or more long-term antihypertensive medications. INTERVENTION: In the hypotension-avoidance strategy group, the intraoperative mean arterial pressure target was 80 mm Hg or greater; before and for 2 days after surgery, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors were withheld and the other long-term antihypertensive medications were administered only for systolic blood pressures 130 mm Hg or greater, following an algorithm. In the hypertension-avoidance strategy group, the intraoperative mean arterial pressure target was 60 mm Hg or greater; all antihypertensive medications were continued before and after surgery. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was a composite of vascular death and nonfatal myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery, stroke, and cardiac arrest at 30 days. Outcome adjudicators were masked to treatment assignment. RESULTS: The primary outcome occurred in 520 of 3742 patients (13.9%) in the hypotension-avoidance group and in 524 of 3748 patients (14.0%) in the hypertension-avoidance group (hazard ratio, 0.99 [95% CI, 0.88 to 1.12]; P = 0.92). Results were consistent for patients who used 1 or more than 1 antihypertensive medication in the long term. LIMITATION: Adherence to the assigned strategies was suboptimal; however, results were consistent across different adherence levels. CONCLUSION: In patients having noncardiac surgery, our hypotension-avoidance and hypertension-avoidance strategies resulted in a similar incidence of major vascular complications. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Canadian Institutes of Health Research, National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia), and Research Grant Council of Hong Kong.

Tranexamic Acid in Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative bleeding is common in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. Tranexamic acid is an antifibrinolytic drug that may safely decrease such bleeding. METHODS: We conducted a trial involving patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to receive tranexamic acid (1-g intravenous bolus) or placebo at the start and end of surgery (reported here) and, with the use of a partial factorial design, a hypotension-avoidance or hypertension-avoidance strategy (not reported here). The primary efficacy outcome was life-threatening bleeding, major bleeding, or bleeding into a critical organ (composite bleeding outcome) at 30 days. The primary safety outcome was myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery, nonhemorrhagic stroke, peripheral arterial thrombosis, or symptomatic proximal venous thromboembolism (composite cardiovascular outcome) at 30 days. To establish the noninferiority of tranexamic acid to placebo for the composite cardiovascular outcome, the upper boundary of the one-sided 97.5% confidence interval for the hazard ratio had to be below 1.125, and the one-sided P value had to be less than 0.025. RESULTS: A total of 9535 patients underwent randomization. A composite bleeding outcome event occurred in 433 of 4757 patients (9.1%) in the tranexamic acid group and in 561 of 4778 patients (11.7%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.67 to 0.87; absolute difference, -2.6 percentage points; 95% CI, -3.8 to -1.4; two-sided P<0.001 for superiority). A composite cardiovascular outcome event occurred in 649 of 4581 patients (14.2%) in the tranexamic acid group and in 639 of 4601 patients (13.9%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.92 to 1.14; upper boundary of the one-sided 97.5% CI, 1.14; absolute difference, 0.3 percentage points; 95% CI, -1.1 to 1.7; one-sided P = 0.04 for noninferiority). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients undergoing noncardiac surgery, the incidence of the composite bleeding outcome was significantly lower with tranexamic acid than with placebo. Although the between-group difference in the composite cardiovascular outcome was small, the noninferiority of tranexamic acid was not established. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and others; POISE-3 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03505723.).

Chronic opioid use after joint replacement surgery in seniors is associated with increased healthcare utilization and costs: a historical cohort study.

PURPOSE: Postoperative opioid use may be associated with increased healthcare utilization and costs. We sought to examine the relationship between duration of postoperative opioid prescriptions and healthcare costs and resource utilization in senior patients following hip and knee replacement. METHODS: We conducted a historical cohort study evaluating postoperative opioid use and healthcare costs in patients over the age of 65 yr undergoing primary total hip or knee arthroplasty over a ten-year period from 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2016. The last follow-up date was 31 March 2017. We identified preoperative and postoperative opioid prescriptions, patient characteristics, and healthcare costs using deidentified Ontario administrative databases (Institute of Clinical Evaluative Sciences). Duration of postoperative opioid use was divided into four categories: short-term (1-90 days), prolonged (91-180 days), chronic (181-365 days), and undocumented. RESULTS: The study included 49,638 hip and 85,558 knee replacement patients. Although the initial hospitalization accounted for the greatest cost in all patients, over the following year patients in the short-term opioid use group incurred the lowest average costs, and those in the chronic group incurred the highest (hip, CAD 17,528 vs CAD 26,736; knee, CAD 16,043 vs CAD 23,007), driven by increased healthcare resource utilization. CONCLUSION: Chronic opioid use after arthroplasty was associated with higher resource utilization and healthcare costs during the year following surgery. These results can be used to develop predictors of longer opioid use and higher costs. Further research is planned to determine whether recently implemented opioid reduction strategies can reduce healthcare resource utilization.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: L'utilisation postopératoire d'opioïdes peut être associée à une augmentation de l'utilisation et des coûts des soins de santé. Nous avons cherché à examiner la relation entre la durée des ordonnances d'opioïdes postopératoires, les coûts des soins de santé et l'utilisation des ressources chez les patients âgés après une arthroplastie de la hanche et du genou. MéTHODE: Nous avons réalisé une étude de cohorte historique évaluant la consommation postopératoire d'opioïdes et les coûts des soins de santé chez les patients de plus de 65 ans subissant une arthroplastie totale primaire de la hanche ou du genou sur une période de dix ans allant du 1er avril 2006 au 31 mars 2016. La dernière date de suivi était le 31 mars 2017. Nous avons identifié les ordonnances pré- et postopératoires d'opioïdes, les caractéristiques des patients et les coûts des soins de santé à l'aide de bases de données administratives de l'Ontario désidentifiées (ICES). La durée de la consommation d'opioïdes postopératoires était divisée en quatre catégories : à court terme (1 à 90 jours), prolongée (91 à 180 jours), chronique (181 à 365 jours) et non documentée. RéSULTATS: L'étude a porté sur 49 638 patients ayant subi une arthroplastie de la hanche et 85 558 patients une arthroplastie du genou. Bien que l'hospitalisation initiale ait représenté le coût le plus élevé chez tous les patients, au cours de l'année suivante, les patients du groupe de consommation d'opioïdes à court terme ont encouru les coûts moyens les plus bas et ceux du groupe chronique les coûts les plus élevés (hanche, 17 528 CAD vs 26 736 CAD; genou, 16 043 CAD vs 23 007 CAD) en raison de l'utilisation accrue des ressources de soins de santé. CONCLUSION: La consommation chronique d'opioïdes après une arthroplastie a été associée à une augmentation de l'utilisation des ressources et des coûts des soins de santé au cours de l'année suivant la chirurgie. Ces résultats peuvent être utilisés pour développer des modèles de prédiction d'une consommation prolongée d'opioïdes et de coûts plus élevés. D'autres recherches sont prévues pour déterminer si les stratégies de réduction de la consommation d'opioïdes récemment mises en œuvre pourront réduire l'utilisation des ressources en soins de santé.

High-Sensitivity Troponin I after Cardiac Surgery and 30-Day Mortality.

BACKGROUND: Consensus recommendations regarding the threshold levels of cardiac troponin elevations for the definition of perioperative myocardial infarction and clinically important periprocedural myocardial injury in patients undergoing cardiac surgery range widely (from >10 times to ≥70 times the upper reference limit for the assay). Limited evidence is available to support these recommendations. METHODS: We undertook an international prospective cohort study involving patients 18 years of age or older who underwent cardiac surgery. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin I measurements (upper reference limit, 26 ng per liter) were obtained 3 to 12 hours after surgery and on days 1, 2, and 3 after surgery. We performed Cox analyses using a regression spline that explored the relationship between peak troponin measurements and 30-day mortality, adjusting for scores on the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II (which estimates the risk of death after cardiac surgery on the basis of 18 variables, including age and sex). RESULTS: Of 13,862 patients included in the study, 296 (2.1%) died within 30 days after surgery. Among patients who underwent isolated coronary-artery bypass grafting or aortic-valve replacement or repair, the threshold troponin level, measured within 1 day after surgery, that was associated with an adjusted hazard ratio of more than 1.00 for death within 30 days was 5670 ng per liter (95% confidence interval [CI], 1045 to 8260), a level 218 times the upper reference limit. Among patients who underwent other cardiac surgery, the corresponding threshold troponin level was 12,981 ng per liter (95% CI, 2673 to 16,591), a level 499 times the upper reference limit. CONCLUSIONS: The levels of high-sensitivity troponin I after cardiac surgery that were associated with an increased risk of death within 30 days were substantially higher than levels currently recommended to define clinically important periprocedural myocardial injury. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and others; VISION Cardiac Surgery ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01842568.).

Rationale and design of the PeriOperative ISchemic Evaluation-3 (POISE-3): a randomized controlled trial evaluating tranexamic acid and a strategy to minimize hypotension in noncardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: For patients undergoing noncardiac surgery, bleeding and hypotension are frequent and associated with increased mortality and cardiovascular complications. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic agent with the potential to reduce surgical bleeding; however, there is uncertainty about its efficacy and safety in noncardiac surgery. Although usual perioperative care is commonly consistent with a hypertension-avoidance strategy (i.e., most patients continue their antihypertensive medications throughout the perioperative period and intraoperative mean arterial pressures of 60 mmHg are commonly accepted), a hypotension-avoidance strategy may improve perioperative outcomes. METHODS: The PeriOperative Ischemic Evaluation (POISE)-3 Trial is a large international randomized controlled trial designed to determine if TXA is superior to placebo for the composite outcome of life-threatening, major, and critical organ bleeding, and non-inferior to placebo for the occurrence of major arterial and venous thrombotic events, at 30 days after randomization. Using a partial factorial design, POISE-3 will additionally determine the effect of a hypotension-avoidance strategy versus a hypertension-avoidance strategy on the risk of major cardiovascular events, at 30 days after randomization. The target sample size is 10,000 participants. Patients ≥45 years of age undergoing noncardiac surgery, with or at risk of cardiovascular and bleeding complications, are randomized to receive a TXA 1 g intravenous bolus or matching placebo at the start and at the end of surgery. Patients, health care providers, data collectors, outcome adjudicators, and investigators are blinded to the treatment allocation. Patients on ≥ 1 chronic antihypertensive medication are also randomized to either of the two blood pressure management strategies, which differ in the management of patient antihypertensive medications on the morning of surgery and on the first 2 days after surgery, and in the target mean arterial pressure during surgery. Outcome adjudicators are blinded to the blood pressure treatment allocation. Patients are followed up at 30 days and 1 year after randomization. DISCUSSION: Bleeding and hypotension in noncardiac surgery are common and have a substantial impact on patient prognosis. The POISE-3 trial will evaluate two interventions to determine their impact on bleeding, cardiovascular complications, and mortality. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03505723. Registered on 23 April 2018.

Effect of a Perioperative Hypotension-Avoidance Strategy Versus a Hypertension-Avoidance Strategy on the Risk of Acute Kidney Injury: A Clinical Research Protocol for a Substudy of the POISE-3 Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Most patients who take antihypertensive medications continue taking them on the morning of surgery and during the perioperative period. However, growing evidence suggests this practice may contribute to perioperative hypotension and a higher risk of complications. This protocol describes an acute kidney injury substudy of the Perioperative Ischemic Evaluation-3 (POISE-3) trial, which is testing the effect of a perioperative hypotension-avoidance strategy versus a hypertension-avoidance strategy in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a substudy of POISE-3 to determine whether a perioperative hypotension-avoidance strategy reduces the risk of acute kidney injury compared with a hypertension-avoidance strategy. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial with 1:1 randomization to the intervention (a perioperative hypotension-avoidance strategy) or control (a hypertension-avoidance strategy). INTERVENTION: If the presurgery systolic blood pressure (SBP) is <130 mmHg, all antihypertensive medications are withheld on the morning of surgery. If the SBP is ≥130 mmHg, some medications (but not angiotensin receptor blockers [ACEIs], angiotensin receptor blockers [ARBs], or renin inhibitors) may be continued in a stepwise manner. During surgery, the patients' mean arterial pressure (MAP) is maintained at ≥80 mmHg. During the first 48 hours after surgery, some antihypertensive medications (but not ACEIs, ARBs, or renin inhibitors) may be restarted in a stepwise manner if the SBP is ≥130 mmHg. CONTROL: Patients receive their usual antihypertensive medications before and after surgery. The patients' MAP is maintained at ≥60 mmHg from anesthetic induction until the end of surgery. SETTING: Recruitment from 108 centers in 22 countries from 2018 to 2021. PATIENTS: Patients (~6800) aged ≥45 years having noncardiac surgery who have or are at risk of atherosclerotic disease and who routinely take antihypertensive medications. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome of the substudy is postoperative acute kidney injury, defined as an increase in serum creatinine concentration of either ≥26.5 µmol/L (≥0.3 mg/dL) within 48 hours of randomization or ≥50% within 7 days of randomization. METHODS: The primary analysis (intention-to-treat) will examine the relative risk and 95% confidence interval of acute kidney injury in the intervention versus control group. We will repeat the primary analysis using alternative definitions of acute kidney injury and examine effect modification by preexisting chronic kidney disease, defined as a prerandomization estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. RESULTS: Substudy results will be analyzed in 2022. LIMITATIONS: It is not possible to mask patients or providers to the intervention; however, objective measures will be used to assess acute kidney injury. CONCLUSIONS: This substudy will provide generalizable estimates of the effect of a perioperative hypotension-avoidance strategy on the risk of acute kidney injury.

CONTEXTE: La plupart des patients qui prennent des médicaments antihypertenseurs continuent de les prendre le matin d'une intervention chirurgicale et pendant la période périopératoire. De plus en plus de preuves suggèrent que cette pratique pourrait entraîner l'hypotension périopératoire et augmenter le risque de complications. Ce protocole décrit une sous-étude sur l'insuffisance rénale aiguë (IRA) découlant de l'essai Perioperative Ischemic Evaluation-3 (POISE-3). Cet essai teste l'effet d'une stratégie d'évitement de l'hypotension périopératoire par rapport à une stratégie d'évitement de l'hypertension chez des patients qui subissent une chirurgie non cardiaque. OBJECTIFS: Cette sous-étude de l'essai POISE-3 vise à déterminer si une stratégie d'évitement de l'hypotension périopératoire réduit le risque d'IRA comparativement à la stratégie d'évitement de l'hypertension. TYPE D'ÉTUDE: Essai clinique randomisé à répartition 1:1 au groupe intervention (stratégie d'évitement de l'hypotension périopératoire) ou au groupe témoin (stratégie d'évitement de l'hypertension). GROUPE INTERVENTION: Si la pression artérielle systolique (PAS) avant l'opération est <130 mmHg, tous les médicaments antihypertenseurs sont suspendus le matin de la chirurgie. Si la PAS est ≥130 mmHg, certains médicaments (excluant les inhibiteurs de l'enzyme de conversion de l'angiotensine [IECA], les antagonistes du récepteur de l'angiotensine [ARA] ou les inhibiteurs de la rénine) peuvent être poursuivis de façon graduelle. Pendant la chirurgie, la pression artérielle moyenne (PAM) du patient est maintenue à ≥80 mmHg. Dans les 48 heures suivant l'intervention chirurgicale, certains médicaments antihypertenseurs (excluant les IECA, les ARA ou les inhibiteurs de la rénine) peuvent être réintroduits par étapes si la PAS est ≥130 mmHg. GROUPE TÉMOIN: Les patients reçoivent leurs médicaments antihypertenseurs habituels avant et après la chirurgie. La PAM du patient est maintenue à ≥60 mmHg de l'induction de l'anesthésie à la fin de l'intervention chirurgicale. CADRE: Recrutement à partir de 108 centres dans 22 pays entre 2018 à 2021. SUJETS: Des patients (~6 800) âgés de 45 ans et plus atteints d'athérosclérose, ou présentant un risque de l'être, devant subir une chirurgie non cardiaque et prenant des médicaments antihypertenseurs sur une base régulière. MESURES: Le principal critère d'évaluation de cette sous-étude est une IRA postopératoire définie par une hausse d'au moins 26,5 µmol/L (≥0,3 mg/dL) de la créatinine sérique dans les 48 heures suivant la randomisation ou d'au moins 50 % dans les 7 jours suivant la randomisation. MÉTHODOLOGIE: L'analyse primaire (par intention de traiter) examinera le risque relatif d'une IRA et l'intervalle de confiance à 95 % dans le groupe intervention par rapport au groupe témoin. Nous répéterons l'analyse primaire en utilisant d'autres définitions de l'IRA et nous examinerons la modification de l'effet en présence d'une insuffisance rénale préexistante (définie par un DFGe prérandomisation <60 ml/min/1,73 m2). RÉSULTATS: Les résultats de cette sous-étude seront analysés en 2022. LIMITES: Il n'est pas possible de procéder à l'insu des patients ou des prestataires de soins pour cette intervention; des mesures objectives seront toutefois utilisées pour évaluer l'IRA. CONCLUSION: Cette sous-étude fournira des estimations généralisables de l'effet d'une stratégie visant à éviter l'hypotension périopératoire sur le risque d'insuffisance rénale aiguë.

Long-term opioid use in seniors following hip and knee arthroplasty in Ontario: a historical cohort study.

PURPOSE: Canadian seniors who undergo hip and knee arthroplasty often experience significant postoperative pain, which could result in persistent opioid use. We aimed to document the impact of preoperative opioid use and other characteristics on postoperative opioid prescriptions in elderly patients following hip and knee replacement before widespread dissemination of opioid reduction strategies. METHODS: We conducted a historical cohort study to evaluate postoperative opioid use in patients over 65 yr undergoing primary total hip and knee replacement over a ten-year period from 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2016, using linked de-identified Ontario administrative data. We determined the use of preoperative opioids and the duration of postoperative opioid prescriptions (short-term [1-90 days], prolonged [91-180 days], chronic [181-365 days], or undocumented). RESULTS: The study included 49,638 hip and 85,558 knee replacement patients. Eighteen percent of hip and 21% of knee replacement patients received an opioid prescription within 90 days before surgery. Postoperatively, 51% of patients filled opioid prescriptions for 1-90 days, while 24% of hip and 29% of knee replacement patients filled prescriptions between 6 and 12 months, with no impact of preoperative opioid use. Residence in long-term care was a significant predictor of chronic opioid use (hip: odds ratio [OR], 2.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.93 to 3.59; knee: OR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.75 to 3.45); other risk factors included female sex and increased comorbidities. CONCLUSION: Despite a main goal of joint arthroplasty being relief of pain, seniors commonly remained on postoperative opioids, even if not receiving opioids before surgery. Opioid reduction strategies need to be implemented at the surgical, primary physician, long-term care, and patient levels. These findings form a basis for future investigations following implementation of opioid reduction approaches.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Les aînés canadiens subissant une arthroplastie de la hanche ou du genou éprouvent souvent une douleur postopératoire importante, ce qui pourrait entraîner la consommation persistante d'opioïdes. Nous avons cherché à documenter l'impact d'une utilisation préopératoire d'opioïdes et d'autres caractéristiques sur les prescriptions postopératoires d'opioïdes chez les patients âgés suivant un remplacement de hanche ou de genou avant l'utilisation répandue de stratégies de réduction d'opioïdes. MéTHODE: Nous avons réalisé une étude de cohorte historique pour évaluer la consommation postopératoire d'opioïdes chez les patients de plus de 65 ans subissant une arthroplastie totale primaire de la hanche ou du genou sur une période de dix ans du 1er avril 2006 au 31 mars 2016, à l'aide de données administratives dépersonnalisées et codées de l'Ontario. Nous avons déterminé la durée des ordonnances préopératoires et postopératoires d'opioïdes (à court terme [1-90 jours], prolongées [91-180 jours], chroniques [181-365 jours] ou non documentées). RéSULTATS: L'étude a porté sur 49 638 patients ayant subi une arthroplastie de la hanche et 85 558 patients une arthroplastie du genou. Dix-huit pour cent des patients ayant subi une arthroplastie de la hanche et 21 % des patients ayant subi une arthroplastie du genou ont reçu une ordonnance d'opioïdes dans les 90 jours précédant leur chirurgie. En période postopératoire, 51 % des patients ont utilisé leurs ordonnances d'opioïdes pendant 1 à 90 jours, tandis que 24 % des patients d'arthroplastie de la hanche et 29 % des patients d'arthroplastie du genou ont utilisé leurs ordonnances entre six et 12 mois. Le fait d'habiter dans un établissement de soins de longue durée était un prédicteur important de consommation chronique d'opioïdes (hanche : rapport de cotes [RC], 2,64; intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 %, 1,93 à 3,59; genou : RC, 2,46; IC 95 %, 1,75 à 3,45); le sexe féminin et l'augmentation des comorbidités constituaient d'autres facteurs de risque. CONCLUSION: Bien que l'un des principaux objectifs de l'arthroplastie articulaire soit le soulagement de la douleur, les personnes âgées continuent généralement à consommer des opioïdes en période postopératoire, même si elles ne prenaient pas d'opioïdes avant leur chirurgie. Il est nécessaire de mettre en œuvre des stratégies de réduction des opioïdes qui s'adressent aux chirurgiens, aux médecins traitants, aux soins de longue durée et aux patients. Ces constatations constituent la base d'études futures réalisées à la suite de la mise en œuvre d'approches de réduction des opioïdes.

The Cost Implications of Dabigatran in Patients with Myocardial Injury After Non-Cardiac Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The Management of Myocardial Injury after Non-Cardiac Surgery (MANAGE) trial demonstrated that dabigatran 110 mg twice daily was more effective than placebo in preventing the primary composite outcome of vascular mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-hemorrhagic stroke, peripheral arterial thrombosis, amputation and symptomatic venous thromboembolism in patients with myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery (MINS). The cost implications of dabigatran for this population are unknown but are important given the significant clinical implications. METHODS: Hospitalized events, procedures, and study and non-study medications were documented. We applied Canadian unit costs to healthcare resources consumed for all patients in the trial, and calculated the average cost per patient in Canadian dollars for the duration of the study (median follow-up of 16 months). A sensitivity analysis was performed using only Canadian patients, and subgroup analyses were also conducted. RESULTS: The total study cost for the dabigatran group was $9985 per patient, compared with $10,082 for placebo, a difference of - $97 (95% confidence interval [CI] - $2128 to $3672). Savings arising from fewer clinical events and procedures in the dabigatran 110 mg twice-daily group were enough to offset the cost of the study drug. In Canadian patients, the difference was $250 (95% CI -$2848 to $4840). Both differences were considered cost neutral. Dabigatran 110 mg twice daily was cost saving or cost neutral in many subgroups that were considered. CONCLUSION: Dabigatran 110 mg twice daily was cost neutral for patients in the MANAGE trial. Our cost findings support the use of dabigatran 110 mg twice daily in patients with MINS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier number NCT01661101.

Post-discharge after surgery Virtual Care with Remote Automated Monitoring-1 (PVC-RAM-1) technology versus standard care: randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if virtual care with remote automated monitoring (RAM) technology versus standard care increases days alive at home among adults discharged after non-elective surgery during the covid-19 pandemic. DESIGN: Multicentre randomised controlled trial. SETTING: 8 acute care hospitals in Canada. PARTICIPANTS: 905 adults (≥40 years) who resided in areas with mobile phone coverage and were to be discharged from hospital after non-elective surgery were randomised either to virtual care and RAM (n=451) or to standard care (n=454). 903 participants (99.8%) completed the 31 day follow-up. INTERVENTION: Participants in the experimental group received a tablet computer and RAM technology that measured blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, temperature, and body weight. For 30 days the participants took daily biophysical measurements and photographs of their wound and interacted with nurses virtually. Participants in the standard care group received post-hospital discharge management according to the centre's usual care. Patients, healthcare providers, and data collectors were aware of patients' group allocations. Outcome adjudicators were blinded to group allocation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was days alive at home during 31 days of follow-up. The 12 secondary outcomes included acute hospital care, detection and correction of drug errors, and pain at 7, 15, and 30 days after randomisation. RESULTS: All 905 participants (mean age 63.1 years) were analysed in the groups to which they were randomised. Days alive at home during 31 days of follow-up were 29.7 in the virtual care group and 29.5 in the standard care group: relative risk 1.01 (95% confidence interval 0.99 to 1.02); absolute difference 0.2% (95% confidence interval -0.5% to 0.9%). 99 participants (22.0%) in the virtual care group and 124 (27.3%) in the standard care group required acute hospital care: relative risk 0.80 (0.64 to 1.01); absolute difference 5.3% (-0.3% to 10.9%). More participants in the virtual care group than standard care group had a drug error detected (134 (29.7%) v 25 (5.5%); absolute difference 24.2%, 19.5% to 28.9%) and a drug error corrected (absolute difference 24.4%, 19.9% to 28.9%). Fewer participants in the virtual care group than standard care group reported pain at 7, 15, and 30 days after randomisation: absolute differences 13.9% (7.4% to 20.4%), 11.9% (5.1% to 18.7%), and 9.6% (2.9% to 16.3%), respectively. Beneficial effects proved substantially larger in centres with a higher rate of care escalation. CONCLUSION: Virtual care with RAM shows promise in improving outcomes important to patients and to optimal health system function. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04344665.

Association between postsurgical pain and heart rate variability: protocol for a scoping review.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical interventions can elicit neuroendocrine responses and sympathovagal imbalance, ultimately affecting cardiac autonomic function. Cardiac complications account for 30% of postoperative complications and are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality following non-cardiac surgery. One cardiovascular parameter, heart rate variability (HRV), has been found to be predictive of postoperative morbidity and mortality. HRV is defined as variation in time intervals between heartbeats and is affected by cardiac autonomic balance. Furthermore, altered HRV has been shown to predict cardiovascular events in non-surgical settings. In multiple studies, experimentally induced pain in healthy humans leads to reduced HRV suggesting a causal relationship. In a different studies, chronic pain has been associated with altered HRV, however, in the setting of clinical pain conditions, it remains unclear how much HRV impairment is due to pain itself versus autonomic changes related to analgesia. We aim to review the available evidence describing the association between postsurgical pain and HRV alterations in the early postoperative period. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct a scoping review of relevant studies using detailed searches of MEDLINE and EMBASE, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis. Included studies will involve participants undergoing non-cardiac surgery and investigate outcomes of (1) measures of pain intensity; (2) measures of HRV and (3) statistical assessment of association between #1 and #2. As secondary review outcomes included studies will also be examined for other cardiovascular events and for their attempts to control for analgesic treatment and presurgical HRV differences among treatment groups in the analysis. This work aims to synthesise available evidence to inform future research questions related to postsurgical pain and cardiac complications. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics review and approval is not required for this review. The results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Post Discharge after Surgery Virtual Care with Remote Automated Monitoring Technology (PVC-RAM): protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: After nonelective (i.e., semiurgent, urgent and emergent) surgeries, patients discharged from hospitals are at risk of readmissions, emergency department visits or death. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we are undertaking the Post Discharge after Surgery Virtual Care with Remote Automated Monitoring Technology (PVC-RAM) trial to determine if virtual care with remote automated monitoring (RAM) compared with standard care will increase the number of days adult patients remain alive at home after being discharged following nonelective surgery. METHODS: We are conducting a randomized controlled trial in which 900 adults who are being discharged after nonelective surgery from 8 Canadian hospitals are randomly assigned to receive virtual care with RAM or standard care. Outcome adjudicators are masked to group allocations. Patients in the experimental group learn how to use the study's tablet computer and RAM technology, which will measure their vital signs. For 30 days, patients take daily biophysical measurements and complete a recovery survey. Patients interact with nurses via the cellular modem-enabled tablet, who escalate care to preassigned and available physicians if RAM measurements exceed predetermined thresholds, patients report symptoms, a medication error is identified or the nurses have concerns they cannot resolve. The primary outcome is number of days alive at home during the 30 days after randomization. INTERPRETATION: This trial will inform management of patients after discharge following surgery in the COVID-19 pandemic and offer insights for management of patients who undergo nonelective surgery in a nonpandemic setting. Knowledge dissemination will be supported through an online multimedia resource centre, policy briefs, presentations, peer-reviewed journal publications and media engagement. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, no. NCT04344665.

Scoping review of the association between postsurgical pain and heart rate variability parameters.

Surgical interventions can elicit neuroendocrine and sympathovagal responses, leading to cardiac autonomic imbalance. Cardiac complications account for approximately 30% of postoperative complications. Altered heart rate variability (HRV) was initially described in the 1970s as a predictor of acute coronary syndromes and has more recently been shown to be an independent predictor of postoperative morbidity and mortality after noncardiac surgery. In general, HRV reflects autonomic balance, and altered HRV measures have been associated with anesthetic use, chronic pain conditions, and experimental pain. Despite the well-documented relationship between altered HRV and postsurgical outcomes and various pain conditions, there has not been a review of available evidence describing the association between postsurgical pain and HRV. We examined the relationship between postsurgical pain and HRV. MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched until December 2020 and included all studies with primary data. Two reviewers independently assessed risk of bias for each study using the criteria outlined in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review of Interventions. A total of 8 studies and 1002 participants were included. Studies examined the association of postsurgical pain and HRV or analgesia nociception index derived from HRV. There was a statistically significant association between HRV measures and postsurgical pain in 6 of 8 studies. Heterogeneity of studies precluded meta-analyses. No studies reported cardiovascular outcomes. There is a potential association between postsurgical pain and HRV or analgesia nociception index, although results are likely impacted by confounding variables. Future studies are required to better delineate the relationship between postsurgical pain and HRV and impacts on cardiovascular outcomes.

Tranexamic acid and rosuvastatin in patients at risk of cardiovascular events after noncardiac surgery: a pilot of the POISE-3 randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Surgical bleeding is associated with postoperative cardiovascular complications. The efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid (TXA) in noncardiac surgery are still uncertain. Statins may prevent perioperative cardiovascular complications. We conducted a pilot to assess the feasibility of a perioperative trial of TXA and rosuvastatin. METHODS: Using a factorial design, we randomized patients at cardiovascular risk undergoing noncardiac surgery to intravenous TXA (1 g at the start and end of surgery) or placebo, and oral rosuvastatin (40 mg before and 20 mg daily for 30 days after surgery) or placebo. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment rates, follow-up, and compliance to interventions. Clinical outcomes were secondarily explored. RESULTS: After 3 months, we changed the design to a partial factorial due to the difficult recruitment of statin-naive patients. Over 6 months, 100 patients were randomized in the TXA trial (49 TXA, 51 placebo), 34 in the rosuvastatin trial (18 rosuvastatin, 16 placebo). Ninety-two percent (95% CI 80-98) of TXA and 86% (95% CI 74-94) of TXA-placebo patients received the 2 study doses. Thirty-three percent (95% CI 13-59) of rosuvastatin patients and 37% (95% CI 15-65) of rosuvastatin-placebo patients discontinued the study drug. A major cardiovascular complication occurred at 30 days in 1 TXA and 6 TXA-placebo patients, and 1 rosuvastatin and no rosuvastatin-placebo patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our pilot study supports the feasibility of a perioperative TXA trial in noncardiac surgery. Feasibility of a perioperative rosuvastatin trial is uncertain because of a high prevalence of statin use in the target population and concerns about compliance. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.govNCT02546648.