Preoperative anemia management program reduces blood transfusion in elective cardiac surgical patients, improving outcomes and decreasing hospital length of stay.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is an independent risk factor for hospitalization, readmission, prolonged length of stay (LOS), diminished quality of life, and mortality. A multidisciplinary program was implemented to manage anemia preoperatively as a patient blood management (PBM) initiative. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From March 2016 to August 2018, 240 patients were screened for anemia during their preoperative cardiovascular visit. About 52/240 (22%) were found to be anemic and met out inclusion criteria. Also, 45/52 (87%) had iron deficiency anemia and 7 (13%) had anemia without iron deficiency. A similar historical cohort of patients undergoing elective cardiovascular surgery with hemoglobin (Hb) < 12 g/dl from September 2014 to February /2016 (n = 52) served as control group. The primary outcome was perioperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. Secondary outcomes were date-of-surgery Hb, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital LOS, complication rates, and transfusion cost. RESULTS: The two most common treatments were IV iron ± folate (n = 36/45; 80%) and oral iron (n = 9/45; 20%). As compared to historical patients, study patients had significantly higher day-of-surgery Hb (10.6 ± 1.4 vs. 9.8 ± 1.3 g/dl, p < .001), lower utilization of RBC transfusion (0.86 ± 1.4 vs. 2.78 ± 2.4, p < .001), fewer days in the ICU (2.1 ± 2.0 vs. 4.0 ± 3.5, p = .002), and shorter total LOS (6.9 ± 4.8 vs. 12.9 ± 6.8, p < .0001). Study patients also showed lower overall complication rates (p < .0001). Analysis of RBC acquisition cost and transfusion cost also showed significant saving of 69% ($293 vs. $945 and $656 vs. $2116, respectively). CONCLUSION: When corrected for type of procedures and surgeon, our pilot anemia program in elective cardiovascular surgeries showed higher day-of-surgery Hb and significant reduction in RBC transfusion rates, ICU and hospital LOS, and overall complication rates.

MELD-XI is predictive of mortality in venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is a life-saving method of supporting critically ill patients. However, it is expensive and associated with high morbidity and mortality, making early predictive outcome modeling extremely valuable. The model for end-stage liver disease-excluding international normalized ratio (MELD-XI) scoring system has been shown to have prognostic value in other critically ill patient populations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective review was performed for all adult patients managed on VA-ECMO from May 2011 to January 2018 (n = 247). Patients were included in the study if MELD-XI scores could be calculated during the first 48 hours on ECMO (n = 187). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed for MELD-XI in regard to in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Of the 187 patients, 74 (40%) patients had MELD-XI less than 14 (low-risk) and 113 (60%) had a MELD-XI of 14 or greater (high-risk). The cohorts did not differ significantly in terms of patient characteristics or indication for ECMO. The high-risk MELD-XI group had significantly greater mortality during index hospitalization compared to the low-risk group (74% vs 39%; P < .0001). Quartile stratification demonstrated progressively worse prognosis associated with higher MELD-XI scores; the fourth quartile showed a ninefold increased risk of mortality compared to the first quartile (P < .001). The AUC for predicting index hospitalization mortality was 0.69 (95% CI, 0.62-0.77) with a Youden index (J) of 0.36 and optimized cutoff of 12.98. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the MELD-XI scoring system can be applied to the VA-ECMO patient population early in their course of ECMO as a prognostic tool to aid in complex clinical decision making.

Implementation of a Standardized Transfusion Protocol for Cardiac Patients Treated With Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Is Associated With Decreased Blood Component Utilization and May Improve Clinical Outcome.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation supplies oxygenated blood to the body supporting the heart and lungs. Survival rates of 20% to 50% are reported among patients receiving ECMO for cardiac arrest, severe cardiogenic shock, or failure to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass following cardiac surgery. Bleeding is one of the most common complications in ECMO patients due to coagulopathy, systemic anticoagulation, and the presence of large bore cannulas at systemic pressure. Absence of a standardized transfusion protocol in this population leads to inconsistent transfusion practices. Here, we assess a newly developed dedicated transfusion protocol in this clinical setting. METHODS: Data were retrospectively reviewed for the first 30 consecutive cardiac ECMO patients prior and post implementation of the ECMO transfusion protocol. Diagnoses, laboratory results, blood component utilization, and outcomes were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Comorbidities were similar between the 2 eras, as well as the pre-ECMO ejection fraction (P = .568) and duration on ECMO (P = .278). Transfusion utilization data revealed statistically significant decreases in almost all blood components and a savings in blood component acquisition costs of 51% ($175, 970). In addition, an almost 2-fold increase in survival rate was observed in the post-ECMO transfusion protocol era (63% vs 33%; relative risk = 1.82; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-3.10; P = .028). CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that implementation of a standardized transfusion protocol, using more restrictive transfusion indications in cardiac ECMO patients, was associated with reduced blood product utilization, decreased complications, and improved survival. This multidepartmental approach facilitates better communication and adherence to consensus clinical decision making between intensive care unit, surgery, and transfusion service and optimizes care of complicated and acutely ill patients.

Cannulation-Related Complications on Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Prevalence and Effect on Mortality.

Cannulation-related complications are a known source of morbidity in patients supported on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). Despite its prevalence, little is known regarding the outcomes of patients who suffer such complications. This is a single institution review of cannulation-related complications and its effect on mortality in patients supported on VA-ECMO from January 2010-2015 using three cannulation strategies: axillary, femoral, and central. Complications were defined as advanced if they required major interventions (fasciotomy, amputation, site conversion). Patients were divided into two groups (complication present vs. not present) and Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to determine any differences in their survival distributions. There were 103 patients supported on VA-ECMO: 41 (40%), 36 (35%), and 26 (25%) were cannulated via axillary, femoral, and central access, respectively. Cannulation-related complications occurred in 33 (32%) patients and this did not differ significantly between either axillary (34%), femoral (36%), or central (23%) strategies (P = 0.52). The most common complications encountered were hemorrhage and limb ischemia in 19 (18%) and 11 (11%) patients. Hemorrhagic complications did not differ between groups (P = 0.37), while limb ischemia and hyperperfusion were significantly associated with femoral and axillary cannulation, at a rate of 25% (P < 0.01) and 15% (P = 0.01), respectively. There was no difference in the incidence of advanced complications between cannulation groups: axillary (12%) vs. femoral (14%) vs. central (8%; P = 0.75). In addition, no increase in mortality was noted in patients who developed a cannulation-related complication by Kaplan-Meier estimates (P = 0.37). Cannulation-related complications affect a significant proportion of patients supported on VA-ECMO but do not differ in incidence between different cannulation strategies and do not affect patient mortality. Improved efforts at preventing these complications need to be developed to avoid the additional morbidity in an already critical patient population.

Single-Center Experience With HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Device Explantation.

In patients with continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVADs) myocardial recovery is uncommon. Given the heterogeneity of the population implanted and low incidence of recovery, the discovery of native left ventricular (LV) recovery and criteria for explantation of CF-LVAD system is not clearly determined. We sought to analyze the characteristics of the patients who underwent CF-LVAD explantation at our institution. Prospectively collected data on patients supported with CF-LVADs were reviewed retrospectively. Patients who underwent CF-LVAD explants were identified and their characteristics were analyzed with a focus on patient presentation and determinants of explantability. From November 2006 to June 2014, 223 patients (181 male, 42 female) underwent implantation of HeartMate II LVAD. Seven female (16.7%) and one male (0.6%) patients were explanted (P < 0.001). Mean age was 43 ± 9 years and etiology for cardiomyopathy was ischemic in three (37.5%) patients, nonischemic in four (50%) patients, and mixed in the one (12.5%) male patient of the cohort. Five (62.5%) patients presented acutely with significant hemolysis, and were found to have LV improvement as well as reduced, absent, or reversed diastolic flow velocities on echocardiography. Overall, mean lactate dehydrogenase level before explantation was 1709 ± 1168 U/L compared to the mean baseline level of 601 ± 316 U/L (P = 0.048). Mean LV ejection fraction (LVEF) improved from 17 ± 7% preimplant to 56 ± 11% pre-explantation (P < 0.001). Median number of days on CF-LVAD support was 870 (interquartile range, 209-975) while mean duration of follow-up after the CF-LVAD explantation was 276 ± 240 days. Mean LVEF dropped from 46 ± 19% postexplantation to 34 ± 10% during the most recent follow-up (P = 0.015). At our institution, patients who underwent LVAD explants were predominantly women with nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Clinical evidence of hemolysis and echocardiographic evidence of reduced or absent diastolic flow velocities were common findings in these patients. Over time, patient's native LV function declined in the absence of LVAD (after LVAD explantation). Significant challenges remain in predicting LV recovery and identifying those individuals who have recovered myocardial function significant enough to be explanted.

Venoarterial-Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Without Routine Systemic Anticoagulation Decreases Adverse Events.

BACKGROUND: Despite limited evidence, systemic anticoagulation is the current standard of care for patients supported on venoarterial-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). We hypothesized that not anticoagulating patients on VA-ECMO would decrease complications. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed adult patients supported on VA-ECMO at our institution. Patients were stratified based on anticoagulation strategy. The primary outcome was a composite of hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications. Secondary outcomes included blood product use, incidence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), hospital length of stay, and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: From May 2011 through January 2018, there were 203 eligible patients supported on VA-ECMO, 35% (75 patients) were not anticoagulated. Overall complication rates were significantly lower for the no anticoagulation group (57% versus 76%; P = .007) including a trend toward fewer hemorrhagic complications (53% versus 63%; P = .178) without increased risk of thrombosis (13% versus 21%; P = .147). The anticoagulated group required more transfusions of packed red blood cells (12.8 versus 1.09; P = .002) and platelets (3.0 versus 1.3; P = .009) and showed a higher incidence of HIT (8% versus 0%; P = .015). No difference was found in overall mortality (72% versus 62%; P = .165). CONCLUSIONS: The absence of routine systemic anticoagulation for patients supported on VA-ECMO is not associated with higher mortality, pump failure, or thrombotic complications. Patients had a lower requirement for blood product transfusions, and there was no incidence of HIT. Patients supported on VA-ECMO without other indications for anticoagulation can be treated without systemic anticoagulation during their VA-ECMO course.

Titanium Fastener Utilization During HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using titanium fasteners for securement of the inflow sewing ring during HeartMate 3 implantation. The secondary objective was to compare cardiopulmonary bypass and total operative times between the titanium fastener and hand-tied knot groups. METHODS: Clearance between the sewing ring and the HeartMate 3 device was assessed in vitro. Thirty-one patients undergoing HeartMate 3 implantation via median sternotomy at a single center from April 2017 to February 2018 were reviewed. The sewing ring was secured with hand-tied knots (n = 18) or titanium fasteners (n = 13). Cannulation strategy and implantation technique were otherwise identical between groups. Central arterial and venous cannulation was performed for cardiopulmonary bypass. The left ventricular apex was cored, and the sewing ring was attached with hand-tied knots or titanium fasteners. RESULTS: There was adequate clearance for the titanium fastener to secure the inflow sewing ring and then connect to the HeartMate 3 in vitro. The inflow sewing ring was successfully secured during HeartMate 3 implantation in the titanium fastener group. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was 75 and 92 minutes for the titanium fastener and hand-tied groups, respectively (P < 0.03). Total operative time was 177 and 193 minutes for the titanium fastener and hand-tied groups, respectively (P = 0.513). CONCLUSIONS: The inflow sewing ring of the HeartMate 3 was efficiently secured using titanium fasteners. Titanium fasteners resulted in shorter cardiopulmonary bypass times compared with the hand-tied group. There was no difference in total operative time.

Novel Automated Suturing Technology for Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacements.

PURPOSE: Annular suture placement during minimally invasive right anterior thoracotomy aortic valve replacements (MI-AVR) can be challenging. We present the early clinical experience with novel automated suturing technology that may reduce the technical difficulty of this operation. DESCRIPTION: The technology presented involves an automated articulating suturing device that simultaneously drives dual-curved needles through the aortic annulus to place a pledgeted horizontal mattress suture remotely; a second device with 2 straight needles places suture through the sewing cuff of a prosthetic heart valve. EVALUATION: Automated annular suturing was used in five MI-AVR procedures, which were successfully completed, with no paravalvular leaks detected and a mean aortic valve gradient of 6.4 mm Hg postprocedure. Mean aortic cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times were 100 and 134 minutes, respectively. All 5 patients were successfully discharged home, with a mean intensive care unit and total length of stay of 2 and 7 days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Automated suturing during MI-AVRs is feasible and may reduce the technical challenge of this operation. Further research is necessary to determine its effect on patient outcomes.

Video assisted right mini-thoracotomy for aortic root replacement.

Aortic root replacement is typically performed through a median sternotomy. The right anterior mini-thoracotomy approach has been shown to decrease hospital length of stay in aortic valve surgery when compared to sternotomy. This approach is rare in ascending aortic surgery due to technical challenges which include exposure and annular suture placement. Automated suturing technology is now available to facilitate the placement of annular sutures. The use of a camera greatly enhances visualization of the aortic root. A right anterior mini-thoracotomy is performed via a 5 cm incision in the right second intercostal space with a camera port placed lateral to the incision. Peripheral arterial and venous cannulation are performed. The aortic cross clamp is placed through a 5 mm incision in the third interspace anterior to mid axillary line. Histidine tryptophan ketoglutarate (HTK) cardioplegia is administered and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest is achieved followed by completion of the distal anastomosis with a 4-0 polypropylene running suture. After aortic leaflet removal, annular and prosthetic sutures are placed with shafted instruments or with automated suturing technology. Coronary button suturing and graft-to-graft anastomoses are performed with shafted instruments. Aortic root procedures can be performed safely through a right anterior mini-thoracotomy. The use of a camera and automated suturing technology may further facilitate this procedure, enabling more surgeons to offer this less invasive approach to patients.

Video assisted right mini-thoracotomy for aortic valve replacement.

Aortic valve replacement through minimally invasive access is increasing. These procedures have several advantages over conventional sternotomy including decreased intensive care unit and hospital length of stay and decreased ventilation time. The right anterior mini-thoracotomy (RAM) approach is potentially attractive in that it completely spares the sternum leading to improved cosmesis, reduced blood loss, and improved patient satisfaction. However, this approach is underutilized due to anticipated technical challenges including difficulty with visualization and annular suture placement. We employ a camera and automated suturing technology for supra-annular valve implant. A RAM is performed via a 5 cm incision in the right second intercostal space with a camera port placed lateral to the incision. Peripheral venous cannulation is performed along with central arterial cannulation. Aortic cross clamp is placed through a 5 mm incision in the third interspace anterior to mid axillary line. Histidine tryptophan ketoglutarate (HTK) cardioplegia is administered. After aortic leaflet removal, annular and prosthetic sutures are placed with shafted instruments or with automated suturing technology. Aortic valve replacement can be performed safely through a RAM. The use of a camera and automated suturing technology facilitates this procedure, potentially enabling more surgeons to offer this less invasive approach to patients.

Early and late outcomes with prolonged open chest management after cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Open chest management (OCM) is an important intervention for patients who are unable to undergo sternal closure after cardiac surgery. This study reviews the factors associated with a prolonged need for this intervention and investigates its association with early and late mortality. METHODS: Patients undergoing OCM from January 2009 to December 2014 were reviewed. Differences in the median duration of OCM when a perioperative variable was present versus its absence were determined and variables significant at P ≤ .1 were analyzed using Poisson regression for factors associated with prolonged OCM. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were developed to investigate perioperative factors that were associated with early and late mortality. RESULTS: A total of 201 patients (5%) required OCM and the overall median duration of this intervention was 3 days. The use a temporary assist device (median, 7 vs 2 days; P < .001), pneumonias (median, 11 vs 3 days; P < .001), sternal re-explorations (median, 6 vs 2 days; P < .001), and renal failure (median, 6 vs 3 days; P = .02) were among the factors that were highly associated with prolonged OCM using Poisson regression. Thirty-day mortalities occurred in 32 patients (16%) and were significantly associated with emergency surgery (P = .03), sternal re-explorations (P = .001), and OCM duration (median, 6 vs 3 days; P = .02). On multivariable logistic regression and Cox analysis, delaying sternal closure by 1-day increments increased the risk of early and late mortality by 11% (P = .01), and 9% (P < .001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged OCM was associated with increasing perioperative morbidity and a higher risk of early and late mortality.

Anticoagulation Reversal Strategies for Left Ventricular Assist Device Patients Presenting with Acute Intracranial Hemorrhage.

The safety of alternative vitamin K antagonist (VKA) reversal strategies in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVAD's) who present with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) are not well known. A review of LVAD patients with ICH from May 2008 to 2015 was conducted, comparing the safety and efficacy of 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate-assisted VKA reversal (4F-PCC group, n = 10) to reversal with traditional agents alone (no-PCC group, n = 10). An analysis of a no-reversal strategy in selected patients (n = 11) with ICH was additionally performed. Thirty-one cases of ICH on LVAD support were reviewed. The rate of post reversal thromboembolic events was not significantly different between 4F-PCC and no-PCC patients (0% vs. 10%, p = 1.0); however, the time to VKA reversal was shorter (474 vs. 945 minutes, p = 0.02) and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) requirements lower (1.9 vs. 3.6 units, p = 0.05) in 4F-PCC patients, with no difference in mortality between groups (p = 1.0). Eleven patients (mean ICH volume: 0.4 cm) were successfully managed without active VKA reversal, with no increased hemorrhage noted on neuroimaging. These results suggest that 4F-PCC-assisted reversal in LVAD patients is safe and may improve the efficacy of VKA reversal. Our findings also indicate that carefully selected patients with small ICH volumes may be safely managed by discontinuing anticoagulation and allowing the international normalized ratio (INR) to normalize physiologically.

Late erosion of Amplatzer septal occluder device resulting in cardiac tamponade.

Transcatheter device closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) is a minimally invasive technique that offers an alternative to conventional surgical repair. There are risks imposed by this technique; however, they compare favourably with risks of surgical closure. Here, we present a case of a 59-year old male with late erosion of an Amplatzer septal occluder device resulting in cardiac tamponade 5 years after device placement. To the best of our knowledge, cardiac tamponade this late after device placement has not yet been reported. Septal occlusion device erosion remains a major issue among the risks imposed by device closure of an ASD. More data are needed to better understand its true causes and possible solutions.