Postoperative Critical Care Admission Was Not Associated with Improved Postoperative Outcomes in Elective Colorectal Surgery: Secondary Analysis Of POWER Trial.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of routine admission of high-risk patients to a critical care unit after surgery is not clear. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between critical care admission after scheduled colorectal surgery and postoperative complications, 30-day mortality, and length of stay in hospital. METHODS: A pre-defined secondary substudy of POWER study was performed. POWER study was a prospective multicenter observational study of patients undergoing elective primary colorectal surgery during a single period of two months of recruitment between September and December 2017. RESULTS: A total of 2084 patients from 80 Spanish hospitals were included, of which 722 (34.6%) were admitted to critical care unit (CCU) after elective surgery. After adjusting for confounding factors in the multivariate analysis, postoperative CCU admission was independently associated with a higher incidence of moderate-to-severe postoperative complications (adjusted OR 1.951, 95% CI 1.570, 2.425; p < 0.001). Regarding secondary outcomes, postoperative critical care admission was independently associated with higher 30-day mortality (adjusted OR 6.736; 95% CI 2.507, 18.101; p < 0.001) and independently associated with an increased hospital length of stay (adjusted OR 1.143, 95% CI 1.112, 1.175; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Direct admission to CCU after scheduled colorectal surgery was not associated with a reduction in moderate-to-severe postoperative complications.

Association between use of enhanced recovery after surgery protocols and postoperative complications after gastric surgery for cancer (POWER 4): a nationwide, prospective multicentre study.

INTRODUCTION: The effectiveness of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols in gastric cancer surgery remains controversial. METHODS: Multicentre prospective cohort study of adult patients undergoing surgery for gastric cancer. Adherence with 22 individual components of ERAS pathways were assessed in all patients, regardless of whether they were treated in a self-designed ERAS centre. Each centre had a three-month recruitment period between October 2019 and September 2020. The primary outcome was moderate-to-severe postoperative complications within 30 days after surgery. Secondary outcomes were overall postoperative complications, adherence to the ERAS pathway, 30 day-mortality and hospital length of stay (LOS). RESULTS: A total of 743 patients in 72 Spanish hospitals were included, 211 of them (28.4 %) from self-declared ERAS centres. A total of 245 patients (33 %) experienced postoperative complications, graded as moderate-to-severe complications in 172 patients (23.1 %). There were no differences in the incidence of moderate-to-severe complications (22.3% vs. 23.5%; OR, 0.92 (95% CI, 0.59 to 1.41); P = 0.068), or overall postoperative complications between the self-declared ERAS and non-ERAS groups (33.6% vs. 32.7%; OR, 1.05 (95 % CI, 0.70 to 1.56); P = 0.825). The overall rate of adherence to the ERAS pathway was 52% [IQR 45 to 60]. There were no differences in postoperative outcomes between higher (Q1, > 60 %) and lower (Q4, ≤ 45 %) ERAS adherence quartiles. CONCLUSIONS: Neither the partial application of perioperative ERAS measures nor treatment in self-designated ERAS centres improved postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing gastric surgery for cancer. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03865810.

Prospective observational registry of perioperative and periprocedural management of antithrombotic therapy in "real world": the REQXAA study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: There is scarce real-world evidence on the management of perioperative antithrombotic treatment according to current recommendations. The aim of this study was to analyze the management of antithrombotic treatment in patients undergoing surgery or another invasive intervention and to assess the consequences of this management on the occurrence thrombotic or bleeding events. METHODS: This prospective, observational, multicenter and multispecialty study analyzed patients receiving antithrombotic therapy who underwent surgery or another invasive intervention. The primary endpoint was defined as the incidence of adverse (thrombotic and/or hemorrhagic) events after 30 days of follow-up with respect to management of perioperative antithrombotic drugs. RESULTS: We included 1266 patients (male: 63.5%; mean age 72.6 years). Nearly half of the patients (48.6%) were under chronic anticoagulation therapy (mainly for atrial fibrillation; CHA2DS2-VASC: 3.7), while 53.3% of the patients were under chronic antiplatelet therapy (mainly for coronary artery disease). Low ischemic and hemorrhagic risk was found in 66.7% and 51.9%, respectively. Antithrombotic therapy management was in line with current recommendations in only 57.3% of the patients. Inappropriate management of antithrombotic therapy was an independent risk factor for both thrombotic and hemorrhagic events. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of recommendations on the perioperative/periprocedural management of antithrombotic therapy in real-world patients is poor. Inappropriate management of antithrombotic treatment is associated with an increase in both thrombotic and hemorrhagic events.

Identification of the haemoglobin level associated with a lower risk of complications after total hip and knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative anaemia is associated with poor outcomes in surgical patients, but the preoperative haemoglobin cut-off that determines lower morbidity in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) is not well established. METHODS: Planned secondary analysis of data collected during a multicentre cohort study of patients undergoing THA and TKA in 131 Spanish hospitals during a single 2-month recruitment period. Anaemia was defined as haemoglobin <12 g dl-1 for females and < 13 g dl-1 for males. The primary outcome was the number of patients with 30-day in-hospital postoperative complications according to European Perioperative Clinical Outcome definitions and specific surgical TKA and THA complications. Secondary outcomes included the number of patients with 30-day moderate-to-severe complications, red blood cell transfusion, mortality, and length of hospital stay. Binary logistic regression models were constructed to assess association between preoperative Hb concentrations and postoperative complications, and variables significantly associated with the outcome were included in the multivariate model. The study sample was divided into 11 groups based on preoperative Hb values in an effort to identify the threshold at which increased postoperative complications occurred. RESULTS: A total of 6099 patients were included in the analysis (3818 THA and 2281 TKA), of whom 8.8% were anaemic. Patients with preoperative anaemia were more likely to suffer overall complications (111/539, 20.6% vs. 563/5560, 10.1%, p < .001) and moderate-to-severe complications (67/539, 12.4% vs. 284/5560, 5.1%, p < .001). Multivariable analysis showed preoperative haemoglobin ≥14 g dl-1 was associated with fewer postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Preoperative haemoglobin ≥14 g dl-1 is associated with a lower risk of postoperative complications in patients undergoing primary TKA and THA.

Early mobilization after total hip or knee arthroplasty: a substudy of the POWER. 2 study

Abstract Background Early mobilization after surgery is a cornerstone of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs in total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Our goal was to determine the time to mobilization after this surgery and the factors associated with early mobilization. Methods This was a predefined substudy of the POWER.2 study, a prospective cohort study conducted in patients undergoing THA and TKA at 131 Spanish hospitals. The primary outcome was the time until mobilization after surgery as well as determining those perioperative factors associated with early mobilization after surgery. Results A total of 6093 patients were included. The median time to achieve mobilization after the end of the surgery was 24 hours [16-30]. 4,222 (69.3%) patients moved in ≤ 24 hours after surgery. Local anesthesia [OR = 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72-0.90); p= 0.001], surgery performed in a self-declared ERAS center [OR = 0.57 (95% CI: 0.55-0.60); p< 0.001], mean adherence to ERAS items [OR = 0.93 (95% CI: 0.92-0.93); p< 0.001], and preoperative hemoglobin [OR = 0.97 (95% CI: 0.96-0.98); p< 0.001] were associated with shorter time to mobilization. Conclusions Most THA and TKA patients mobilize in the first postoperative day, early time to mobilization was associated with the compliance with ERAS protocols, preoperative hemoglobin, and local anesthesia, and with the absence of a urinary catheter, surgical drains, epidural analgesia, and postoperative complications. The perioperative elements that are associated with early mobilization are mostly modifiable, so there is room for improvement.

Early mobilization after total hip or knee arthroplasty: a substudy of the POWER.2 study.

BACKGROUND: Early mobilization after surgery is a cornerstone of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs in total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Our goal was to determine the time to mobilization after this surgery and the factors associated with early mobilization. METHODS: This was a predefined substudy of the POWER.2 study, a prospective cohort study conducted in patients undergoing THA and TKA at 131 Spanish hospitals. The primary outcome was the time until mobilization after surgery as well as determining those perioperative factors associated with early mobilization after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 6093 patients were included. The median time to achieve mobilization after the end of the surgery was 24.áhours [16.Çô30]. 4,222 (69.3%) patients moved in .ëñ 24.áhours after surgery. Local anesthesia [OR.á=.á0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72.Çô0.90); p.á=.á0.001], surgery performed in a self-declared ERAS center [OR = 0.57 (95% CI: 0.55.Çô0.60); p.á<.á0.001], mean adherence to ERAS items [OR.á=.á0.93 (95% CI: 0.92.Çô0.93); p.á<.á0.001], and preoperative hemoglobin [OR.á=.á0.97 (95% CI: 0.96.Çô0.98); p.á<.á0.001] were associated with shorter time to mobilization. CONCLUSIONS: Most THA and TKA patients mobilize in the first postoperative day, early time to mobilization was associated with the compliance with ERAS protocols, preoperative hemoglobin, and local anesthesia, and with the absence of a urinary catheter, surgical drains, epidural analgesia, and postoperative complications. The perioperative elements that are associated with early mobilization are mostly modifiable, so there is room for improvement.

Optimizing atrial sensing parameters in leadless pacemakers: Atrioventricular synchrony achievement in the real world.

BACKGROUND: Performance of the leadless pacemaker capable of atrioventricular (AV) synchronous pacing in de novo patients warrants further investigation. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to assess what programming changes are needed to achieve proper atrial tracking and to study the percentage of AV synchrony (AVS) the device can provide under real-world conditions. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing Micra AV implantation between June 2020 and November 2021 were studied. Reprogramming of atrial sensing parameters during follow-up was performed by following device counters. AVS was studied with an ambulatory 24-hour Holter monitor and automatically analyzed by an electrocardiogram delineation system. The primary end point was AVS ≥85% of total cardiac cycles during 24-hour Holter electrocardiogram monitoring. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients who remained in VDD mode were studied, and all of them required manual reprogramming. The automatic A3 window end was deactivated, and a fixed and short value was set in all patients throughout follow-up. AVS significantly increased from 68.7% ± 14.7% at 24-hour follow-up to 83.9% ± 7.4% at 1-month visit (P = .001). At 1-month visit, shorter A3 window end time (P = .019), higher A4 threshold (P = .011), and deactivation of the automatic A3 window (P = .054) were independently related to higher AVS. A total of 2,291,953 Holter-recorded cardiac cycles were analyzed. Median AVS during 24-hour daily activities was 87.6% (interquartile range 84.5%-90.6%). Twenty of 26 patients (79.6%) reached AVS ≥85% of cardiac cycles. CONCLUSION: High rates of AVS can be achieved in real-world patients undergoing leadless pacing. Manual reprogramming of the atrial sensing parameters is essential to optimize mechanically sensed atrial tracking.

Relationship between ABO Blood Group Distribution and COVID-19 Infection in Patients Admitted to the ICU: A Multicenter Observational Spanish Study.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2019, a relationship between the ABO blood group type and the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the etiological agent of COVID-19, has been reported, noting that individuals with the O blood group are the least likely to be infected. Spain is one of the most badly affected countries worldwide, with high rates of patients diagnosed, hospitalized, and deceased due to COVID-19 infection. The present study aimed to analyze the possible relationship of ABO in COVID-19 patients hospitalized in different Spanish centers during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, for which the ABO group was available. Physicians from the transfusion services of different Spanish hospitals, who have developed a multicenter retrospective observational study, were invited to participate voluntarily in the research and 12,115 patients with COVID-19 infection were admitted to the nine participating hospitals. The blood group was known in 1399 cases (11.5%), of which 365 (26.1%) were admitted to the ICU. Regarding the distribution of ABO blood groups, a significant increase in the non-O blood groups and reduction for the O blood group was observed in patients hospitalized due to COVID-19, compared to the reference general population. Among the patients admitted to the ICU, after multivariate analysis, adjusted for the rest of the confounding variables, patients with the O blood group presented a significantly lower risk for admission to the ICU. We conclude that an association was observed between patients with the O blood group and their lower susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, both for those admitted to the hospitalization ward and for those who required admission to the ICU.

Intraoperative haemodynamic optimisation using the Hypotension Prediction Index and its impact on tissular perfusion: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Intraoperative arterial hypotension is associated with poor postoperative outcomes. The Hypotension Prediction Index (HPI) developed using machine learning techniques, allows the prediction of arterial hypotension analysing the arterial pressure waveform. The use of this index may reduce the duration and severity of intraoperative hypotension in adults undergoing non-cardiac surgery. This study aims to determine whether a treatment protocol based on the prevention of arterial hypotension using the HPI algorithm reduces the duration and severity of intraoperative hypotension compared with the recommended goal-directed fluid therapy strategy and may improve tissue oxygenation and organ perfusion. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct a multicentre, randomised, controlled trial (N=80) in high-risk surgical patients scheduled for elective major abdominal surgery. All participants will be randomly assigned to a control or intervention group. Haemodynamic management in the control group will be based on standard haemodynamic parameters. Haemodynamic management of patients in the intervention group will be based on functional haemodynamic parameters provided by the HemoSphere platform (Edwards Lifesciences), including dynamic arterial elastance, dP/dtmax and the HPI. Tissue oxygen saturation will be recorded non-invasively and continuously by using near-infrared spectroscopy technology. Biomarkers of acute kidney stress (cTIMP2 and IGFBP7) will be obtained before and after surgery. The primary outcome will be the intraoperative time-weighted average of a mean arterial pressure <65 mm Hg. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics committee approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Hospital Gregorio Marañón (Meeting of 27 July 2020, minutes 18/2020, Madrid, Spain). Findings will be widely disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04301102.

Early Return to Intended Oncologic Therapy after implementation of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery pathway for gastric cancer surgery.

PURPOSE: Time to initiation and completion of adjuvant therapy are critical to improve postoperative oncologic outcomes. This study aims to determine whether an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway for gastric cancer surgery promotes early Return to Intended Oncologic Therapy (RIOT). METHODS: This is a before-after intervention study including patients with gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent surgery from January 2016 to January 2021. Two periods were denoted based upon the implementation date of our institutional ERAS pathway (June 2018). Our primary outcome was time to RIOT after surgery. Hodges-Lehmann analysis was used to estimate median differences of non-parametric outcomes. RESULTS: Seventy patients with gastric adenocarcinoma were included (35 in pre-ERAS period and 35 in post-ERAS period). Fourteen of the pre-ERAS and twenty-two patients of the post-ERAS period received adjuvant therapy. Time to RIOT was reduced in the post-ERAS period (median 39 days, IQR 31-49) by 12 days (95% CI 3-14 days, p = 0.01) compared to the pre-ERAS period (median 51 days, IQR 42-62). Length of hospital stay (LOS) was lower in the ERAS group (6 days, IQR 5-11 vs 10 days, IQR 8-13, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our institutional ERAS pathway for gastric cancer surgery was associated with earlier RIOT and shorter LOS.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) in Surgical Oncology.

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: The objective of this review is to address the rationale behind the application of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols that could improve oncologic outcomes in adult patients undergoing major surgery. RECENT FINDINGS: The implementation of ERAS protocols has been associated with fewer postoperative complications as well as decreased return to intended oncologic treatment (RIOT). However, few studies have analyzed the influence of the application of ERAS protocols and long-term oncologic outcomes, although some of its individual elements have been associated with improvements in oncologic outcomes, including overall survival and disease-free survival. Targeted long-term follow-up studies in specific oncologic procedures are required to determine whether ERAS application results in improved oncologic outcomes.

Association between use of enhanced recovery after surgery protocols and postoperative complications in colorectal surgery in Europe: The EuroPOWER international observational study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Assess the relationship between the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) pathway and routine care and 30-day postoperative outcomes. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: European centers (185 hospitals) across 21 countries. PATIENTS: A total of 2841 adult patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. Each hospital had a 1-month recruitment period between October 2019 and September 2020. INTERVENTIONS: Routine perioperative care. MEASUREMENTS: Twenty-four components of the ERAS pathway were assessed in all patients regardless of whether they were treated in a formal ERAS pathway. A multivariable and multilevel logistic regression model was used to adjust for baseline risk factors, ERAS elements and country-based differences. RESULTS: A total of 1835 patients (65%) received perioperative care at a self-declared ERAS center, 474 (16.7%) developed moderate-to-severe postoperative complications, and 63 patients died (2.2%). There was no difference in the primary outcome between patients who were or were not treated in self-declared ERAS centers (17.1% vs. 16%; OR 1.00; 95%CI, 0.79-1.27; P = 0.986). Hospital stay was shorter among patients treated in self-declared ERAS centers (6 [5-9] vs. 8 [6-10] days; OR 0.82; 95%CI, 0.78-0.87; P < 0.001). Median adherence to 24 ERAS elements was 57% [48%-65%]. Adherence to ERAS-pathway quartiles (≥65% vs. <48%) suggested that patients with the highest adherence rates experienced a lower risk of moderate-to-severe complications (15.9% vs. 17.8%; OR 0.71; 95%CI, 0.53-0.96; P = 0.027), lower risk of death (0.3% vs. 2.9%; OR 0.10; 95%CI, 0.02-0.42; P = 0.002) and shorter hospital stay (6 [4-8] vs. 7 [5-10] days; OR 0.74; 95%CI, 0.69-0.79; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment in a self-declared ERAS center does not improve outcome after colorectal surgery. Increased adherence to the ERAS pathway is associated with a significant reduction in overall postoperative complications, lower risk of moderate-to-severe complications, shorter length of hospital stay and lower 30-day mortality.

Association between enrollment in an enhanced recovery program for colorectal cancer surgery and long-term recurrence and survival.

INTRODUCTION: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs have been shown to minimize the surgical inflammatory response in colorectal cancer. Our objective was to determine the association between an ERAS program for colorectal cancer surgery and oncologic recurrence and survival. METHODS: A before-after intervention study was designed, including patients who underwent colorectal cancer surgery between November 2010 and March 2016. Cox hazard regression analysis was performed per cumulative year of follow-up to evaluate the association between ERAS program exposure and overall survival. Subgroup analysis was performed by cancer stage (low [I/II] vs. advanced [III/IV]). RESULTS: In total, 646 patients were included, of which 339 were pre-ERAS and 307 were ERAS. Our overall median compliance rate with ERAS interventions was 90% (interquartile range: 85%-95%). Overall survival rates were higher in the ERAS group within the first 2 years after surgery (89.2% vs.  83.2%; p = 0.04). Multivariable analysis revealed that the ERAS enrollment was associated with a significantly lower risk in 5-year oncologic recurrence (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 0.55; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.33-0.94; p = 0.03) and higher 3-year survival (aHR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.33-0.93; p = 0.03) among patients with advanced cancer stage compared to pre-ERAS counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with advanced colorectal cancer were less likely to suffer oncologic recurrence when managed during the ERAS period.

Higher Adherence to ERAS Society® Recommendations is Associated with Shorter Hospital Stay Without an Increase in Postoperative Complications or Readmissions in Bariatric Surgery: the Association Between Use of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocols and Postoperative Complications after Bariatric Surgery (POWER 3) Multicenter Observational Study.

PURPOSE: The effectiveness of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways in patients undergoing bariatric surgery remains unclear. Our objective was to determine the effect of the ERAS elements on patient outcomes following elective bariatric surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study in adult patients undergoing elective bariatric surgery. Each participating center selected a single 3-month data collection period between October 2019 and September 2020. We assessed the 24 individual components of the ERAS pathways in all patients. We used a multivariable and multilevel logistic regression model to adjust for baseline risk factors, ERAS elements, and center differences RESULTS: We included 1419 patients. One hundred and fourteen patients (8%) developed postoperative complications. There were no differences in the incidence of overall postoperative complications between the self-designated ERAS and non-ERAS groups (54 (8.7%) vs. 60 (7.6%); OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.73-1.79; P = .56), neither for moderate-to-severe complications, readmissions, re-interventions, mortality, or hospital stay (2 [IQR 2-3] vs. 3 [IQR 2-4] days, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.62-1.17; P = .33) Adherence to the ERAS elements in the highest adherence quartile (Q1) was greater than 72.2%, while in the lowest adherence quartile (Q4) it was less than 55%. Patients with the highest adherence rates had shorter hospital stay (2 [IQR 2-3] vs. 3 [IQR 2-4] days, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.09-2.17; P = .015), while there were no differences in the other outcomes CONCLUSIONS: Higher adherence to ERAS Society® recommendations was associated with a shorter hospital stay without an increase in postoperative complications or readmissions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03864861.

Primary Pure Pancreatic -Type Acinar Cell Carcinoma of the Stomach: A Rare Entity with a Difficult Diagnosis and Review of the Literature.

Acinar cell carcinoma is an uncommon tumour, representing only 1% to 2% of all exocrine pancreatic tumours. Pancreatic-type acinar cell carcinoma can occur in other organs, including the stomach, but it is extraordinarily rare. We report a case of a 51-year-old woman with a pancreatic-type pure acinar carcinoma of the stomach coexisting with a large cell B lymphoma synchronously, and a literature review of gastric carcinomas with pancreatic cell differentiation. At present there is a preoperative underdiagnosis of these tumours that could be minimized by including this entity in the differential diagnosis of gastric cancer and by performing immunohistochemical analysis with neuroendocrine markers and exocrine pancreatic enzymes.

Patient Characteristics Influencing Adherence to Enhanced Recovery Protocols for Colorectal Surgery: a Multicentric Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: High compliance within enhanced recovery protocols is associated with lower complication rates. Understanding which clinical characteristics make patients more prone to fail adequate adherence to enhanced recovery after surgery guidelines are essential to improve quality care. Our aim was to identify patient characteristics that influence adherence to enhanced recovery protocols in colorectal surgery. METHODS: A total of 1041 patients underwent colorectal surgery under ERPs from September 2017 through December 2017 across 21 institutions in Spain. Demographic, medical, and surgical characteristics of the patients included were extracted to determine their influence on the adherence to enhanced recovery protocols. High adherence was defined as ≥ 73% (median). A univariate analysis was performed initially, followed by multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Over 85% of the patients underwent colorectal surgery for cancer resection, of which 12% had metastatic disease. In multivariable model, the presence of coronary artery disease (aOR 1.79, 95% CI 1.12-2.96, p = 0.045) was significantly associated with high adherence to enhanced recovery protocols, while preoperative hypoalbuminemia (aOR 0.55, 95% CI 0.37-0.82, p = 0.003), indication for ostomy (aOR 0.55, 95% CI 0.4-0.75, p < 0.001), and preoperative transfusion (aOR 0.48, 95% CI 0.26-0.91, p = 0.02) were associated with lower adherence. CONCLUSION: In this study, patients that had preoperative transfusions, preoperative hypoalbuminemia, and indication for ostomy were more likely to receive care with less adherence to enhanced recovery protocols elements, while patients with coronary artery disease were more likely to receive more enhanced recovery protocols elements during their hospitalization.

Institutional factors associated with adherence to enhanced recovery protocols for colorectal surgery: Secondary analysis of a multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: Adherence to Enhanced Recovery Protocols (ERPs) is associated with faster functional recovery, better patient satisfaction, lower complication rates and reduced length of hospital stay. Understanding institutional barriers and facilitators is essential for improving adherence to ERPs. The purpose of this study was to identify institutional factors associated with adherence to an ERP for colorectal surgery. METHODS: A secondary analysis of a nationwide study was conducted including 686 patients who underwent colorectal surgery across twenty-one institutions in Spain. Adherence to ERPs was calculated based upon the components recommended by the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) Society. Institutional characteristics (i.e., case volume, ERP duration, anesthesia staff size, multidisciplinary meetings, leadership discipline) were captured from each participating program. Multivariable regression was performed to determine characteristics associated with adherence. RESULTS: The median adherence to ERAS was 68.2% (IQR 59.1%-81.8%). Multivariable linear regression revealed that anesthesiologist leadership (+5.49%, 95%CI +2.81% to +8.18%, P < 0.01), duration of ERAS implementation (+0.46% per year, 95%CI +0.06% to +0.86%, P < 0.01) and the use of regular multidisciplinary meetings (+4.66%, 95%CI +0.06 to +7.74%, P < 0.01) were independently associated with greater adherence. Case volume (-2.38% per 4 cases weekly, 95%CI -3.03 to -1.74, P < 0.01) and number of anesthesia providers (-1.19% per 10 providers, 95%CI +2.23 to -8.18%, P < 0.01) were negatively associated with adherence. CONCLUSION: Adherence to ERPs is strongly associated with anesthesiology leadership, regular multidisciplinary meetings, and program duration, whereas case volume and the size of the anesthesia staff were potential barriers. These findings highlight the importance of strong leadership, experience and establishing a multidisciplinary team when developing an ERP for colorectal surgery.

Blood Donations and Transfusions during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain: Impact According to Autonomous Communities and Hospitals.

Worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a decline in blood donations, between 30% and 70% in some of the most affected countries. In Spain, during the initial eight weeks after the State of Emergency was decreed on 14 March 2020, in the weekly reports of the Health Ministry, an average decrease of 20% was observed between 11 and week 25 compared with the 2018 donation. We aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on blood donations and blood distribution in four autonomous communities, and to explore the evolution of the consumption of blood components (BCs) in ten hospitals of six autonomous communities. We performed a prospective study of grouped cohorts on the donation and distribution of blood in four regional transfusion centers in four autonomous communities in Spain, and a retrospective study of the consumption of blood components in ten hospitals in six autonomous communities. Regarding donations, there was no significant decrease in donations, with differences between autonomous communities, which started between 1 and 15 March 2020 (-11%). The increase in donations in phase II (from 26 May 2020) stands out. Regarding consumption, there was a significant reduction in the consumption of packed red blood cells (RBCs) (24.5%), plasma (45.3%), and platelets (25.3%) in the central period (16 March-10 May). The reduction in the consumption of RBCs was significant in the period from 1-15 March. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the donation and consumption of BCs.

Systemic thrombosis in a large cohort of COVID-19 patients despite thromboprophylaxis: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Incidence of thrombotic events associated to Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is difficult to assess and reported rates differ significantly. Optimal thromboprophylaxis is unclear. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to analyze the characteristics of patients with a confirmed thrombotic complication including inflammatory and hemostatic parameters, compare patients affected by arterial vs venous events and examine differences between survivors and non-survivors. We reviewed compliance with thromboprophylaxis and explored how the implementation of a severity-adjusted protocol could have influenced outcome. METHODS: Single-cohort retrospective study of COVID-19 patients admitted, from March 3 to May 3 2020, to the Infanta Leonor University Hospital in Madrid, epicenter of the Spanish outbreak. RESULTS: Among 1127 patients, 80 thrombotic events were diagnosed in 69 patients (6.1% of the entire cohort). Forty-three patients (62%) suffered venous thromboembolism, 18 (26%) arterial episodes and 6 (9%) concurrent venous and arterial thrombosis. Most patients (90%) with a confirmed thrombotic complication where under low-molecular-weight heparin treatment. Overt disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was rare. Initial ISTH DIC score and pre-event CRP were significantly higher among non-survivors. In multivariate analysis, arterial localization was an independent predictor of mortality (OR = 18, 95% CI: 2.4-142, p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Despite quasi-universal thromboprophylaxis, COVID-19 lead to a myriad of arterial and venous thrombotic events. Considering the subgroup of patients with thrombotic episodes, arterial events appeared earlier in the course of disease and conferred very poor prognosis, and an ISTH DIC score ≥ 3 at presentation was identified as a potential predictor of mortality. Severity-adjusted thromboprophylaxis seemed to decrease the number of events and could have influenced mortality. Randomized controlled trials are eagerly awaited.