Cardiovascular outcomes in solid organ transplant recipients undergoing cardiac surgery: A matched pair analysis.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to compare postoperative outcomes after cardiac surgery in solid-organ transplant recipients and nontransplant patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 78 consecutive transplant recipients who underwent cardiac surgery at Asan Medical Center between 2000 and 2022 and were matched with 312 nontransplant patients who underwent cardiac surgery at a 1:4 ratio. The outcomes included 30-day mortality, all-cause death, cardiac death, readmission, and cardiac readmission. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics between the two groups. The most common type of cardiac surgery performed in solid organ transplant recipients was isolated valve surgery, followed by isolated CABG. The 30-day mortality was not significantly different between transplant recipients and nontransplant patients (3.9% vs. 3.5%; P > .99). Solid organ transplant recipients showed a higher all-cause mortality compared to nontransplant patients (29.1% vs. 14.3% at 5 years; P = .001); however, there was no significant difference in cardiac death between the two groups (2.6% vs. 3.2% at 5 years; P = .80). In addition, the readmission and cardiac readmission rates showed comparable findings to that of mortality. CONCLUSION: Cardiac surgery can be performed safely in solid organ transplant recipients, with postoperative cardiovascular outcomes comparable to those observed in nontransplant patients.

L-carnitine decreases myocardial injury in children undergoing open-heart surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

Myocardial injury in open-heart surgery is related to several factors including ischemia-reperfusion injury, generation of reactive oxygen species, increased production of inflammatory mediators, and enhancement of apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. The aim of this study was to study the effect of L-carnitine on myocardial injury in children undergoing open-heart surgery. This clinical trial was performed on 60 children with congenital heart disease (CHD) who underwent open-heart surgery. They were randomized into two groups: L-carnitine group who received L-carnitine 50 mg\kg\day once daily for 1 month before cardiac surgery and control group who received placebo for 1 month before cardiac surgery. Left ventricular cardiac function was assessed by conventional echocardiography to measure left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) to determine left ventricular global longitudinal strain (2D-LV GLS). Blood samples were obtained pre-operatively at baseline before the administration of L-carnitine or placebo and 12 h post-operatively to measure the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), fas, caspase-3, creatinine kinase-MB (CK-MB), and troponin I. L-carnitine group had significantly lower post-operative level of oxidative stress marker (MDA), apoptosis markers (fas and caspase-3), and myocardial injury markers (CK-MB and troponin I), but they had significantly higher SOD post-operative level compared to the control group. In addition, post-operative LVEF and 2D-LVGLS were significantly lower in the control group compared to L-carnitine group.   Conclusion: L-carnitine can reduce myocardial injury, improve post-operative left ventricular cardiac function, and may provide myocardium protection in children with CHD who underwent open-heart surgery.   Trial registration: The clinical trial was registered at www.pactr.org with registration number PACTR202010570607420 at 29/10/2020 before recruiting the patients. What is Known: • Myocardial injury in open-heart surgery is related to several factors including ischemia-reperfusion injury, generation of reactive oxygen species, increased production of inflammatory mediators, and enhancement of apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. • L-carnitine was reported to have myocardial protective effects in rheumatic valvular surgery and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) in adults; however, there is no evidence on its effectiveness in children undergoing open-heart surgery. What is New: • L-carnitine significantly lowered the post-operative level of oxidative stress marker (MDA), apoptosis markers (fas and caspase-3), and myocardial injury markers (CK-MB and troponin I) in the treatment group. • L-carnitine can reduce myocardial injury, improve post-operative left ventricular cardiac function, and may provide myocardium protection in children with CHD who underwent open-heart surgery.

Sex and Psychosocial Differences in Acute Stress Symptoms Prior to Open-Heart Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Acute stress symptoms can occur while cardiac patients await open-heart surgery (OHS). The distress leads to poor outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the association of sex and psychosocial factors (quality-of-life and character strengths). METHOD: Our study cohort included 481 pre-OHS patients (female 42%; mean age 62 years). Medical indices/factors were obtained from the Society of Thoracic Surgeon's national database. Multiple regression analyses were performed following pre-planned steps and adjusting medical factors. RESULTS: Our findings revealed that sex differences in trauma-related symptoms were associated with poor mental well-being, alongside comorbidities. Both mental well-being and comorbidity factors were directly related to acute stress symptoms, while dispositional optimism had an inverse association with this outcome. CONCLUSION: To improve OHS outcomes, our findings suggest healthcare providers be attentive to pre-OHS acute stress symptoms, pay greater attention to the emotional well-being of their female patients, and develop supportive interventions to enhance personality strengths.

Effect of Preoperative Recombinant Human Erythropoietin on the Need for Blood Transfusion and Surgical Outcomes in Adult Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis with Trial Sequential Analysis.

This study aimed to examine the value of preoperative recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) administration to adults undergoing elective cardiac surgery. Databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing rhEPO plus standard treatment versus standard treatment only. Primary outcomes were the need for and volume of homologous blood transfusion (HBT). Secondary outcomes were the lengths of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay and the incidence of major adverse events. There was very low certainty that rhEPO is associated with a reduction in the need for HBT, with a number needed to treat of 5.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.9-12.5), and low certainty that it is associated with a moderate reduction in HBT volume (Hedges g = -0.55; 95% CI, -0.79 to -0.32). Meta-regression revealed that studies with a higher proportion of females or older patients demonstrated less benefit of rhEPO in terms of reduced consumption of HBT. Trial sequential analysis showed that rhEPO was superior to standard treatment only for reducing the need for and volume of HBT. Regarding secondary outcomes, there was moderate certainty that rhEPO is associated with a limited reduction in the length of ICU (Hedges g = -0.10; 95% CI, -0.19 to -0.01) and hospital stay (Hedges g = -0.13; 95% CI = -0.25 to -0.02), and low certainty for increased risk of myocardial infarction, with a number needed to harm of 36.1 (95% CI, 17.9-127.4). More well-designed, adequately powered RCTs are needed to draw conclusions regarding the value of rhEPO.

The usefulness of chest drain and epicardial pacing wire culture for diagnosing mediastinitis after open-heart surgery.

PURPOSE: Culture of extracted drains or epicardial pacing wires is an easy and noninvasive method for detecting mediastinitis after open-heart surgery, although studies on its sensitivity and specificity are limited. We, therefore, investigated the usefulness of this approach for diagnosing mediastinitis. METHODS: We retrospectively studied the culture results of drains and epicardial pacing wires extracted from 3308 patients. Prediction models of mediastinitis with and without culture results added to clinical risk factors identified by a logistic regression analysis were compared. RESULTS: The incidence of mediastinitis requiring surgery was 1.89% (n = 64). Staphylococcus was the causative bacterium in 64.0% of cases. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of positive culture results were 50.8%, 91.8%, 10.7%, and 99.0%, respectively. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus had the highest positive predictive value (61.5%). A multivariate analysis identified preoperative hemodialysis (OR 5.40 [2.54-11.5], p < 0.01), long operative duration (p < 0.01), postoperative hemodialysis (OR 2.25 [1.01-4.98], p < 0.05), and positive culture result (OR 10.2 [5.88-17.7], p < 0.01) as independent risk factors. The addition of culture results to pre- and postoperative hemodialysis and a lengthy operative time improved the prediction of mediastinitis. CONCLUSIONS: A culture survey using extracted drains and epicardial pacing wires may provide useful information for diagnosing mediastinitis.

Extubation in operating room versus early extubation in ICU after open-heart surgery in patients with CHDs.

BACKGROUNDS AND OBJECTIVES: The "Fast track" protocol is an early extubation strategy to reduce ventilator-associated complications and induce early recovery after open-heart surgery. This study compared clinical outcomes between operating room extubation and ICU extubation after open-heart surgery in patients with CHD. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 215 patients who underwent open-heart surgery for CHDs under the scheduled "Fast track" protocol between September 2016 and April 2022. The clinical endpoints were post-operative complications, including bleeding, respiratory and neurological complications, and hospital/ICU stays. RESULTS: The patients were divided into operating room extubation (group O, n = 124) and ICU extubation (group I, n=91) groups. The most frequently performed procedures were patch closures of the atrial septal (107/215, 49.8%) and ventricular septal (89/215, 41.4%) defects. There were no significant differences in major post-operative complications or ICU and hospital stay duration between the two groups; however, patients in group I showed longer mechanical ventilatory support (0.0 min vs. 59.0 min (interquartile range: 17.0-169.0), p < 0.001). Patients in Group O showed higher initial lactate levels (3.2 ± 1.7 mg/dL versus 2.5 ± 2.0 mg/dL, p = 0.007) and more frequently used additional sedatives and opioid analgesics (33.1% versus 19.8%, p = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Extubation in the operating room was not beneficial for patients during post-operative ICU or hospital stay. Early extubation in the ICU resulted in more stable hemodynamics in the immediate post-operative period and required less use of sedatives and analgesics.

Neuromental health aspects in adults with CHD after cardiopulmonary bypass intervention during childhood.

OBJECTIVE: It is often assumed, that adult patients with CHD (ACHD) have impairments regarding their cognitive function (CF) and health-related quality of life. In particular, it seems reasonable to assume that cyanosis may have a potential impact on CF as well as surgical or drug treatment into adulthood. This study assesses neuromental health aspects such as CF and health-related quality of life in ACHD patients. METHODS: Seventy-eight ACHD patients (female n = 39 (50%); 34.1 ± 12.9 years; cyanotic CHD n = 49 (62.8%) with a cyanosis duration of 159.8 ± 196.2 month) who underwent open heart surgery as first intervention were asked to participate during routinely follow-up in 2018. Wechsler Intelligence Scale IV was used for CF and the Short Form 36 Health Survey to assess health-related quality of life. RESULTS: Intelligence quotient measures showed significant differences comparing never cyanotic and with a cyanotic phase in verbal comprehension (p = 0.013). There was no association of CF with cyanosis duration, number of surgery or catheter, CHD severity, and time of first surgery. The group of early surgery showed significantly better results in physical function (p = 0.040) of health-related quality of life, and in comparison with their assigned reference, both groups showed significantly reduced results in all domains except in bodily pain and mental health. Full-Scale intelligence quotient correlates with physical function of health-related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The results show normal CF in ACHD. Health-related quality of life was weak in comparison with the reference. There is a need to improve the well-being of our ACHD with structured programmes, including physical activity programmes. This growing ACHD population should be focused in order of their needs, medical ones on one hand and on the other hand psychosocial matters.

A randomized trial of the inflammatory cytokines levels and the blood transfusion rate between miniaturized tubing group and conventional tubing group in congenital heart disease open heart surgeries.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to compare the inflammatory cytokines levels of the miniaturized and conventional extracorporeal circuit system. The miniaturized extracorporeal circuit system may be fewer possible inflammation-induced or blood transfusion-related complications. METHODS: We performed a prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) of 101 patients undergoing congenital heart surgery with CPB (cardiopulmonary bypass, weight ≤15 kg, age ≤2 years). Patients were divided into two different CPB groups randomly by random data form. Blood samples at five different time points and the ultrafiltration fluid before and after CPB were collected in all patients. IL-6, IL-8, and TNF alpha were respectively tested with Abcam ELISA kit. RESULTS: The IL-6 level of blood serum in two groups had no statistical differences between the two groups at all time points. The IL-8 level of blood serum in two groups had no statistical differences right after anesthesia and 5 min after CPB. However, IL-8 level was significantly higher in conventional extracorporeal circuit group than that in miniaturized extracorporeal circuit group at 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after CPB. Blood serum TNF alpha in conventional extracorporeal circuit group was significantly higher at 6 h after CPB than that in miniaturized extracorporeal circuit group. No statistical differences in TNF alpha were found between two groups right after anesthesia and at 5 min after CPB, 12 h and 24 h after CPB. In ultrafiltration fluid, no statistical differences were found in IL-6, IL-8 nor TNF alpha between two groups in all time. No statistical differences were found in ICU (intensive care unit) stay and mechanical ventilation time between the two groups. The blood transfusion rate was significantly lower in miniaturized extracorporeal circuit group. CONCLUSION: Implementing the miniaturized extracorporeal circuit system could decrease the inflammatory cytokines at a certain level. The blood transfusion rate is significantly lower in miniaturized extracorporeal circuit group This indicates the miniaturized extracorporeal circuit system might be a safer CPB strategy with fewer possible inflammation-induced or blood transfusion-related complications.

On a healing journey together and apart: A Swedish critical incident technique study on family involvement from a patient perspective in relation to elective open-heart surgery.

BACKGROUND: As family members affect patient outcomes following open-heart surgery, the objective was to provide updated knowledge on family involvement in to guide future interventions facilitating family involvement. AIM: The aim was to explore and describe the experiences and actions of important situations of family involvement asexpressed by patients who underwent elective open-heart surgery in Sweden. METHODOLOGICAL DESIGN AND JUSTIFICATION: The critical incident technique (CIT) was used, which is a qualitative research method suitable for clinical problems when a phenomenon is known but the experiences and consequences of it are not. ETHICAL ISSUES AND APPROVAL: Considerations for patient integrity were made during the recruitment phase by ensuring that voluntary informed consent was obtained in two steps. RESEARCH METHODS: Individual interviews were conducted with 35 patients who underwent open-heart surgery in Sweden in 2023. Important situations were analysed according to the CIT method. RESULTS: Two main areas emerged: Patients described important situations of family involvement as experiences of mutual dependency while also being independent individuals. These experiences led to balancing healing and risk-taking activities as a family. The positive consequences of family involvement described by patients included improved recovery through practical help at home and emotional support. CONCLUSIONS: As complements to preserving the existing positive aspects of family involvement, social support screening, the establishment of individualised visitation policies and the provision of professional and peer support earlier can improve patient recovery following open-heart surgery.

Predicting mortality of elderly patients undergoing open heart surgery with delirium using sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), multi-organ dysfunction (MODS), and logistic organ dysfunction system (LODS) scores.

PURPOSE: This study aims to assess the predictive accuracy of SOFA, MODS, and LODS scores in determining the mortality of elderly undergoing open heart surgery with delirium. METHODS: A prospective study involved 111 elderly patients who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected using scoring systems: SOFA, MODS, and LODS. RESULTS: Upon final follow-up, 86.5 % of the patients had recovered, 13.5 % had died. Sensitivity, specificity, negative, and positive predictive values for predicting mortality in elderly patients were calculated for the SOFA score as 99 %, 73 %, 98 %, and 76 %, respectively. For the MODS score, these values were 95 %, 60 %, 95 %, and 67 %; for the LODS score, they were 92 %, 73 %, 92 %, and 75 %, respectively. The overall accuracy of the three scores-SOFA, MODS, and LODS-was 84 %, 76 %, and 82 %, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the SOFA score exhibited the highest sensitivity and specificity in predicting mortality among elderly individuals.

The effect of caregivers' care burden and psychological resilience on the psychosocial adjustment of patients with open heart surgery in Turkey.

This cross-sectional study investigated the effect of caregivers' care (n = 100) burden and psychological resilience on the psychosocial adjustment of patients (n = 100) with open heart surgery. Patients had poor psychosocial adjustment. Caregivers who felt incompetent in providing care had a higher care burden and a lower psychological resilience than those who did not. In addition, patients whose caregivers had higher resilience and lower burden of care had better psychosocial adjustment. The results of this study compellingly demonstrate the importance and necessity of supportive and preventive clinical social work interventions to enhance patients' adaptation to a new lifestyle and compliance with treatment during the cardiac rehabilitation process, and reduce the burden on caregivers.

Determining the Spiritual Care and Comfort Needs of Patients Having Undergone Open-Heart Surgery: Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study in Turkey.

This study was aimed at determining the spiritual care and comfort needs of patients having undergone open-heart surgery. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 147 patients in the Cardiovascular Surgery Intensive Care Unit of a training and research hospital in Izmir, a province in western Turkey, between May 1, 2022 and November 1, 2022. The comfort level of the patients who had undergone open-heart surgery was moderate, and the levels of their spiritual care needs were high. A statistically significant relationship was found between the patients' Perianesthesia Comfort Scale total score and the Spiritual Care Needs Inventory (p < 0.05). We concluded that the patients' comfort levels decreased as their spiritual care needs increased. We recommend authors to conduct studies in the future which should include different sample groups and compare the data obtained before and after the surgery.

Del Nido cardioplegia or potassium induces Nrf2 and protects cardiomyocytes against oxidative stress.

Open heart surgery is often an unavoidable procedure for the treatment of coronary artery disease. The procedure-associated reperfusion injury affects postoperative cardiac performance and long-term outcomes. We addressed here whether cardioplegia essential for cardiopulmonary bypass surgery activates Nrf2, a transcription factor regulating the expression of antioxidant and detoxification genes. With commonly used cardioplegic solutions, high K+, low K+, Del Nido (DN), histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK), and Celsior (CS), we found that DN caused a significant increase of Nrf2 protein in AC16 human cardiomyocytes. Tracing the ingredients in DN led to the discovery of KCl at the concentration of 20-60 mM capable of significant Nrf2 protein induction. The antioxidant response element (ARE) luciferase reporter assays confirmed Nrf2 activation by DN or KCl. Transcriptomic profiling using RNA-seq revealed that oxidation-reduction as a main gene ontology group affected by KCl. KCl indeed elevated the expression of classical Nrf2 downstream targets, including TXNRD1, AKR1C, AKR1B1, SRXN1, and G6PD. DN or KCl-induced Nrf2 elevation is Ca2+ concentration dependent. We found that KCl decreased Nrf2 protein ubiquitination and extended the half-life of Nrf2 from 17.8 to 25.1 mins. Knocking out Keap1 blocked Nrf2 induction by K+. Nrf2 induction by DN or KCl correlates with the protection against reactive oxygen species generation or loss of viability by H2O2 treatment. Our data support that high K+ concentration in DN cardioplegic solution can induce Nrf2 protein and protect cardiomyocytes against oxidative damage.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Open heart surgery is often an unavoidable procedure for the treatment of coronary artery disease. The procedure-associated reperfusion injury affects postoperative cardiac performance and long-term outcomes. We report here that Del Nido cardioplegic solution or potassium is an effective inducer of Nrf2 transcription factor, which controls the antioxidant and detoxification response. This indicates that Del Nido solution is not only essential for open heart surgery but also exhibits cardiac protective activity.

Effect of sexual counseling on sexual function and sexual quality of life for women undergoing open heart surgery: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Sexual counseling can improve or may have benefit to patients' sexual function after open heart surgery. AIM: The study aims to determine the effect of sexual counseling on sexual function and quality of sexual life with the PLISSIT model (ie, permission, limited information, specific suggestions, intensive therapy) for women undergoing open heart surgery. METHODS: The study was a pilot randomized controlled trial. Seventy women who planned open heart surgery were randomly divided into the control group or the sexual counseling group between November 2020 and November 2021. In addition to routine care, sexual counseling with the PLISSIT model was given to women in the sexual counseling group for 12 weeks after the operation. During the research, 6 PLISSIT sessions were conducted. Women in the control group received routine postoperative care, which included hospital-provided postoperative home care practices (medication, nutrition, physical activity). OUTCOMES: Data were obtained with an information form, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Female Sexual Function Index, and the Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire-Female. RESULTS: The women in the sexual counseling and control groups were similar in terms of sociodemographic, obstetric, gynecologic, general health, current heart disease, and sexual function data (P > .05). After sexual counseling with the PLISSIT model, scores on the Female Sexual Function Index and Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire-Female significantly increased in the sexual counseling group while Beck Depression Inventory scores decreased (P < .05). Comparisons were made within and between groups. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Sexual counseling with the PLISSIT model is a useful and effective model for health professionals to improve the sexual function and sexual quality of life of women's who will undergo open heart surgery. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: The limitations of the study were as follows: only 1 assessment after the intervention ended, no short- or long-term follow-up, and a small sample size. Other limitations include the absence of controls for therapeutic context or positive expectations in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: Sexual counseling with the PLISSIT model after open heart surgery increased the sexual function and sexual quality of life of women while reducing the symptoms of depression.

Characteristics of pulmonary artery catheter use in multicenter ICUs in Japan and the association with mortality: a multicenter cohort study using the Japanese Intensive care PAtient Database.

BACKGROUND: It has been 50 years since the pulmonary artery catheter was introduced, but the actual use of pulmonary artery catheters in recent years is unknown. Some randomized controlled trials have reported no causality with mortality, but some observational studies have been published showing an association with mortality for patients with cardiogenic shock, and the association with a pulmonary artery catheter and mortality is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the utilization of pulmonary artery catheters (PACs) in the intensive care unit (ICU) and to examine their association with mortality, taking into account differences between hospitals. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis using the Japanese Intensive care PAtient Database, a multicenter, prospective, observational registry in Japanese ICUs. We included patients aged 16 years or older who were admitted to the ICU for reasons other than procedures. We excluded patients who were discharged within 24 h or had missing values. We compared the prognosis of patients with and without PAC. The primary outcome was hospital mortality. We performed propensity score analysis to adjust for baseline characteristics and hospital characteristics. RESULTS: Among 184,705 patients in this registry from April 2015 to December 2020, 59,922 patients were included in the analysis. Most patients (94.0%) with a PAC in place had cardiovascular disease. There was a wide variation in the frequency of PAC use between hospitals, from 0 to 60.3% (median 14.4%, interquartile range 2.2-28.6%). Hospital mortality was not significantly different between the PAC use group and the non-PAC use group in patients after adjustment for propensity score analysis (3.9% vs 4.3%; difference, - 0.4%; 95% CI - 1.1 to 0.3; p = 0.32). Among patients with cardiac disease, those with post-open-heart surgery and those in shock, hospital mortality was also not significantly different between the two groups (3.4% vs 3.7%, p = 0.45, 1.7% vs 1.7%, p = 0.93, 4.8% vs 4.9%, p = 0.87). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of PAC use varied among hospitals. PAC use for ICU patients was not associated with lower hospital mortality after adjusting for differences between hospitals.

Health-related quality of life is improved after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a 1-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to detect changes in QoL after coronary artery bypass grafting surgeries (CABG) in one year, and to identify the possible predictive factors associated with the change. DESIGN: A single-center prospective study of 501 patients was conducted between 2013 and 2018 using the EQ-5D VAS questionnaire for estimating the QoL. The patients filled in a questionnaire preoperatively, at 6 and at 12 months postoperatively. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to find out if certain pre-selected factors or EQ5D dimensions had independent effects on the observed EQ VAS scores. RESULTS: QoL improved in all EQ-5D dimensions and in EQ VAS scores at 6 and at 12 months: the greatest changes in the number of reported problems were in the dimensions "mobility" (-34.2%, p<.001), "self-care" (-36.7%, p=.001) and "pain or discomfort" (-31.0%, p<.001). With the multivariable regression model, we could show that normal left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and improvement in mobility and pain/discomfort dimensions were in association with improvement of EQ VAS score at 6 months. At 12 months this association was no longer detectable. CONCLUSIONS: CABG procedure can improve patient's QoL when judged with EQ5D dimensions and related overall self-rated health (VAS). This improvement was seen both at 6 and at 12 months postoperatively. Except for LVEF, the other patient-specific risk factors we examined did not seem to affect QoL in the long term.

Non-heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in patients after open-heart surgery.

BACKGROUND: Thrombocytopenia (platelet count below 150 x 103/µL) is a common finding after open-heart surgery and can lead to various complications, including patient death. This study aimed to determine the extent of non-heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in open-heart surgery and to highlight the associated factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cohort study, 842 patients who underwent valve and/or coronary bypass surgery over a 5-year period were retrospectively analyzed. After open-heart surgery, patients whose platelet count was less than 150 x 103/µL on a complete blood count 12 and 24 h after surgery were classified as thrombocytopenic. Three hundred twenty patients without thrombocytopenia and 21 patients with a high probability of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia were excluded from the study. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association of independent variables in moderate-severe thrombocytopenia: Age groups, sex, underlying disease, symptoms, type of surgery, pump time, pulsatile or non-pulsatile duration, degree of hypothermia, hemodilution, oxygenator type, use of an intra-aortic balloon, and erythrocyte transfusion counts were included in the analysis. RESULTS: A total of 501 patients were diagnosed as having non-heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, and 64.3% were male. Three hundred seventy-seven (75.2%) patients had mild thrombocytopenia and 124 (24.7%) had moderate-severe thrombocytopenia. The postoperative platelet count was significantly lower than the preoperative platelet count (213 x 103 vs.117 x 103/µL; p < 0.001). Moderate-severe thrombocytopenia was associated with age ≥80 years odds (OR = 9.026, 95% CI: [1.757-46.363]; p = 0.008), isolated valve surgery (OR = 3.090, 95% CI: [1.867-5.114]; p < 0.001), and valve surgery with coronary bypass (OR = 4.938, 95% CI: [1.638-14.889]; p = 0.005) compared to isolated coronary bypass, type of oxygenator (Nipro vital compared with Affinity OR = 11.097, 95% CI: [1.923-64.023]; p = 0.007), erythrocyte transfusion count (OR = 1.219, 95%CI: [1.046-1.420]; p = 0.011). CONCLUSION: Age 80 years or older, surgical procedures including heart-valve surgery, and the number of red blood cell transfusions are associated with the risk of moderate-to-severe thrombocytopenia. This study provides a guide in terms of risk factors that may lead to moderate-to-severe thrombocytopenia after open-heart surgery. However, future multicentre prospective randomized studies may provide more detailed information on this subject.

The effect of self-affirmation on anxiety and perceived discomfort in patients who have undergone open-heart surgery. A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Self-affirmations help one focus on positive outcomes and adapt to new situations both psychologically and physiologically by the repetition of positive affirmation sentences. This method, which has promising results in symptom management, is predicted to have effective results in the management of pain and discomfort in patients undergoing open-heart surgery. AIM: To investigate the effect of self-affirmation on anxiety and perceived discomfort in patients who have undergone open-heart surgery. METHODS: This study adopted a randomized controlled pretest-posttest follow-up research design. The study was conducted at a public training and research hospital (Istanbul, Turkey) specialized in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery. The sample consisted of 61 patients randomized into two groups: intervention (n = 34) and control (n = 27). The participants of the intervention group listened to a self-affirmation audio recording for three days after surgery. Anxiety levels and perceived discomfort regarding pain, dyspnoea, palpitations, fatigue and nausea were measured daily. The State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to measure the level of anxiety, meanwhile perceived discomfort regarding pain, dyspnoea, palpitations, fatigue and nausea were measured by a 0 to 10 Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). RESULTS: The control group had significantly higher anxiety than the intervention group three days after surgery (P < 0.001). The intervention group had less pain (P < 0.01), dyspnoea (P < 0.01), palpitations (P < 0.01), fatigue (P < 0.001) and nausea (P < 0.01) than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Positive self-affirmation helped reduce anxiety and perceived discomfort in patients who underwent open-heart surgery. CLINICALTRIALS: gov Identifier: NCT05487430.

The short-term effect of weather variables on heart rate variability in patients after open-heart surgery.

The aim of the study was to detect the associations between heart rate variability (HRV) and weather variables in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting or valve surgery. The study was performed in Kaunas, Lithuania, during 2008-2012. We used data of 220 patients. HRV was assessed by a 5-minute electrocardiogram. The data were collected at 1.5 months, 1 year, and 2 years after the surgery (495 measurements). A negative association of standard deviation of beat-to-beat interval (SDNN), very low frequency (VLF), low frequency, and high frequency (HF) powers with a decrease in air temperature (T) during a 3-day period in the range of T < 1°C wind speed >2.75 knots 2 days before, and the daily North Atlantic Oscillation indices were observed. The effect of wind speed on SDNN and VLF power was stronger in males. Two days after relative humidity >89%, a lower mean VLF and higher HF in normalized units were found; in females, this effect was stronger 1.5 months after the surgery. Among patients after open-heart surgery, the HRV variables may be related to specific weather changes and the effect of weather was different for males and females and at different times after the surgery.

Nociception Control of Bilateral Single-Shot Erector Spinae Plane Block Compared to No Block in Open Heart Surgery-A Post Hoc Analysis of the NESP Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background and Objectives: The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is an analgesic adjunct demonstrated to reduce intraoperative opioid consumption within a Nociception Level (NOL) index-directed anesthetic protocol. We aimed to examine the ESPB effect on the quality of intraoperative nociception control evaluated with the NOL index. Materials and Methods: This is a post hoc analysis of the NESP (Nociception Level Index-Directed Erector Spinae Plane Block in Open Heart Surgery) randomized controlled trial. Eighty-five adult patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery were allocated to group 1 (Control, n = 43) and group 2 (ESPB, n = 42). Both groups received general anesthesia. Preoperatively, group 2 received bilateral single-shot ESPB (1.5 mg/kg/side 0.5% ropivacaine mixed with dexamethasone 8 mg/20 mL). Until cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was initiated, fentanyl administration was individualized using the NOL index. The NOL index was compared at five time points: pre-incision (T1), post-incision (T2), pre-sternotomy (T3), post-sternotomy (T4), and pre-CPB (T5). On a scale from 0 (no nociception) to 100 (extreme nociception), a NOL index > 25 was considered an inadequate response to noxious stimuli. Results: The average NOL index across the five time points in group 2 to group 1 was 12.78 ± 0.8 vs. 24.18 ± 0.79 (p < 0.001). The NOL index was significantly lower in the ESPB-to-Control group at T2 (12.95 ± 1.49 vs. 35.97 ± 1.47), T3 (13.28 ± 1.49 vs. 24.44 ± 1.47), and T4 (15.52 ± 1.49 vs. 34.39 ± 1.47) (p < 0.001) but not at T1 and T5. Compared to controls, significantly fewer ESPB patients reached a NOL index > 25 at T2 (4.7% vs. 79%), T3 (0% vs. 37.2%), and T4 (7.1% vs. 79%) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The addition of bilateral single-shot ESPB to general anesthesia during cardiac surgery improved the quality of intraoperative nociception control according to a NOL index-based evaluation.