A Case of Abnormal Right Ventricular Color-Flow Doppler Jet.

Transthoracic echocardiography is used routinely during the follow-up after heart transplant surgery to screen possible complications and adverse events such as rejection. It often results in incidental findings that bring diagnostic challenges for sonographers. This E-challenge shows a Doppler flow abnormality associated with a rare cardiovascular diagnosis. Its physiopathology and its association with echocardiography findings are reviewed.

Impact of Surgical Positioning on the Occurrence of Postoperative Ipilateral Shoulder Pain After Lung Resection by Video-Assisted Thoracoscopy: A Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the ipsilateral arm position on ipsilateral shoulder pain after lung cancer resection by video-assisted thoracic surgery. DESIGN: A prospective randomized controlled trial. SETTING: A single academic center study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery pulmonary resection for cancer at the Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec from May 2020 to May 2022 were included. INTERVENTIONS: Patients randomly were assigned with a 1:1 ratio to a supported or suspended ipsilateral arm position. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Ipsilateral shoulder pain incidence, pain score, and opioid use were recorded in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) on postoperative days 1 and 2. One hundred thirty-three patients were randomized, 67 in the suspended-arm group and 66 in the supported-arm group. Of the patients, 31% reported ipsilateral shoulder pain in the PACU with no difference between groups (19/67 [28.4%] v 22/66 patients (33.3%), p = 0.5767). There was no significant difference between the pain score in the PACU (3 [0-6] v 4 [0-6], p = 0.9055) at postoperative day 1 (4 [2-6] v 3 [2-5], p = 0.4113) and at postoperative day 2 (2 [0-5] v 2 [1-4], p = 0.9508). Ipsilateral shoulder pain score decreased rapidly on postoperative day 2. There was no statistical difference in opioid and gabapentinoid use between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ipsilateral arm position seems to have no impact on ipsilateral shoulder pain.

Continuous Right Ventricular Pressure Monitoring in Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in cardiac surgery can lead to RV failure, which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Abnormal RV function can be identified using RV pressure monitoring. The primary objective of the study is to determine the proportion of patients with abnormal RV early to end-diastole diastolic pressure gradient (RVDPG) and abnormal RV end-diastolic pressure (RVEDP) before initiation and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) separation. The secondary objective is to evaluate if RVDPG before CPB initiation is associated with difficult and complex separation from CPB, RV dysfunction, and failure at the end of cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Tertiary care cardiac institute. PARTICIPANTS: Cardiac surgical patients. INTERVENTION: Cardiac surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Automated electronic quantification of RVDPG and RVEDP were obtained. Hemodynamic measurements were correlated with cardiac and extracardiac parameters from transesophageal echocardiography and postoperative complications. Abnormal RVDPG was present in 80% of the patients (n = 105) at baseline, with a mean RVEDP of 14.2 ± 3.9 mmHg. Patients experienced an RVDPG > 4 mmHg for a median duration of 50.2% of the intraoperative period before CPB initiation and 60.6% after CPB separation. A total of 46 (43.8%) patients had difficult/complex separation from CPB, 18 (38.3%) patients had RV dysfunction, and 8 (17%) had RV failure. Abnormal RVDPG before CPB was not associated with postoperative outcome. CONCLUSION: Elevated RVDPG and RVEDP are common in cardiac surgery. RVDPG and RVEDP before CPB initiation are not associated with RV dysfunction and failure but can be used to diagnose them.

Pulmonary Vasodilator Response of Combined Inhaled Epoprostenol and Inhaled Milrinone in Cardiac Surgical Patients.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction are major complications in cardiac surgery. Intraoperative management of patients at high risk of RV failure should aim to reduce RV afterload and optimize RV filling pressures, while avoiding systemic hypotension, to facilitate weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Inhaled epoprostenol and inhaled milrinone (iE&iM) administered in combination before CPB may represent an effective strategy to facilitate separation from CPB and reduce requirements for intravenous inotropes during cardiac surgery. Our primary objective was to report the rate of positive pulmonary vasodilator response to iE&iM and, second, how it relates to perioperative outcomes in cardiac surgery. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with PH or RV dysfunction undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery at the Montreal Heart Institute from July 2013 to December 2018 (n = 128). iE&iM treatment was administered using an ultrasonic mesh nebulizer before the initiation of CPB. Demographic and baseline clinical data, as well as hemodynamic, intraoperative, and echocardiographic data, were collected using electronic records. An increase of 20% in the mean arterial pressure (MAP) to mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) ratio was used to indicate a positive response to iE&iM. RESULTS: In this cohort, 77.3% of patients were responders to iE&iM treatment. Baseline systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) (odds ratio [OR], 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-2.16 per 5 mm Hg; P = .0006) was found to be a predictor of pulmonary vasodilator response, while a European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE II) score >6.5% was a predictor of nonresponse to treatment (≤6.5% vs >6.5% [reference]: OR, 5.19; 95% CI, 1.84-14.66; P = .002). Severity of PH was associated with a positive response to treatment, where a higher proportion of responders had MPAP values >30 mm Hg (42.4% responders vs 24.1% nonresponders; P = .0237) and SPAP values >55 mm Hg (17.2% vs 3.4%; P = .0037). Easier separation from CPB was also associated with response to iE&iM treatment (69.7% vs 58.6%; P = .0181). A higher proportion of nonresponders had a very difficult separation from CPB and required intravenous inotropic drug support compared to responders, for whom easy separation from CPB was more frequent. Use of intravenous inotropes after CPB was lower in responders to treatment (8.1% vs 27.6%; P = .0052). CONCLUSIONS: A positive pulmonary vasodilator response to treatment with a combination of iE&iM before initiation of CPB was observed in 77% of patients. Higher baseline SPAP was an independent predictor of pulmonary vasodilator response, while EuroSCORE II >6.5% was a predictor of nonresponse to treatment.

Effect of reverse Trendelenburg position and positive pressure ventilation on safe non-hypoxic apnea period in obese, a randomized-control trial.

PURPOSE: There is an elevated incidence of hypoxemia during the airway management of the morbidly obese. We aimed to assess whether optimizing body position and ventilation during pre-oxygenation allow a longer safe non-hypoxic apnea period (SNHAP). METHODS: Fifty morbidly obese patients were recruited and randomized for this study. Patients were positioned and preoxygenated for three minutes in the ramp position associated with spontaneous breathing without additional CPAP or PEEP (RP/ZEEP group) or in the reverse Trendelenburg position associated with pressure support ventilation mode with pressure support of 8 cmH2O and an additional 10 cmH2O of PEEP while breathing spontaneously (RT/PPV group) according to randomization. RESULTS: The SNHAP was significantly longer in the RT/PPV group (258.2 (55.1) vs. 216.7 (42.3) seconds, p = 0.005). The RT/PPV group was also associated to a shorter time to obtain a fractional end-tidal oxygen concentration (FEtO2) of 0.90 (85.1(47.8) vs 145.3(40.8) seconds, p < 0.0001), a higher proportion of patients that reached the satisfactory FEtO2 of 0.90 (21/24, 88% vs. 13/24, 54%, p = 0.024), a higher FEtO2 during preoxygenation (0.91(0.05) vs. 0.89(0.01), p = 0.003) and a faster return to 97% oxygen saturation after ventilation resumption (69.8 (24.2) vs. 91.4 (39.2) seconds, p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: In the morbidly obese population, RT/PPV, compared to RP/ZEEP, lengthens the SNHAP, decreases the time to obtain optimal preoxygenation conditions, and allows a faster resuming of secure oxygen saturation. The former combination allows a more significant margin of time for endotracheal intubation and minimizes the risk of hypoxemia in this highly vulnerable population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02590406, 29/10/2015.

New developments in the understanding of right ventricular function in acute care.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Right ventricular dysfunction has an important impact on the perioperative course of cardiac surgery patients. Recent advances in the detection and monitoring of perioperative right ventricular dysfunction will be reviewed here. RECENT FINDINGS: The incidence of right ventricular dysfunction in cardiac surgery has been associated with unfavorable outcomes. New evidence supports the use of a pulmonary artery catheter in cardiogenic shock. The possibility to directly measure right ventricular pressure by transducing the pacing port has expanded its use to track changes in right ventricular function and to detect right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. The potential role of myocardial deformation imaging has been raised to detect patients at risk of postoperative complications. SUMMARY: Perioperative right ventricular function monitoring is based on echocardiographic and extra-cardiac flow evaluation. In addition to imaging modalities, hemodynamic evaluation using various types of pulmonary artery catheters can be achieved to track changes rapidly and quantitatively in right ventricular function perioperatively. These monitoring techniques can be applied during and after surgery to increase the detection rate of right ventricular dysfunction. All this to improve the treatment of patients presenting early signs of right ventricular dysfunction before systemic organ dysfunction ensue.

Perioperative Doppler ultrasound assessment of portal vein flow pulsatility in high-risk cardiac surgery patients: a multicentre prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Portal vein Doppler ultrasound pulsatility measured by transoesophageal echocardiography is a marker of the haemodynamic impact of venous congestion in cardiac surgery. We investigated whether the presence of abnormal portal vein flow pulsatility is associated with a longer duration of invasive life support and postoperative complications in high-risk patients. METHODS: In this multicentre cohort study, pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound assessments of portal vein flow were performed during anaesthesia before initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass (before CPB) and after separation of cardiopulmonary bypass (after CPB). Abnormal pulsatility was defined as portal pulsatility fraction (PPF) ≥50% (PPF50). The primary outcome was the cumulative time in perioperative organ dysfunction (TPOD) requiring invasive life support during 28 days. Secondary outcomes included major postoperative complications. RESULTS: 373 patients, 71 (22.0%) had PPF50 before CPB and 77 (24.9%) after CPB. PPF50 was associated with longer duration of TPOD (median [inter-quartile range]; before CPB: 27 h [11-72] vs 19 h [8.5-42], P=0.02; after CPB: 27 h [11-61] vs 20 h [8-42], P=0.006). After adjusting for confounders, PPF50 before CPB showed significant association with TPOD. PPF50 after CPB was associated with a higher rate of major postoperative complications (36.4% vs 20.3%, P=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal portal vein flow pulsatility before cardiopulmonary bypass was associated with longer duration of life support therapy after cardiac surgery in high-risk patients. Abnormal portal vein flow pulsatility after cardiopulmonary bypass separation was associated with a higher risk of major postoperative complications although this association was not independent of other factors. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03656263.

Early Detection and Correction of Cerebral Desaturation With Noninvasive Oxy-Hemoglobin, Deoxy-Hemoglobin, and Total Hemoglobin in Cardiac Surgery: A Case Series.

Regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rS o2 ) obtained from near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) provides valuable information during cardiac surgery. The rS o2 is calculated from the proportion of oxygenated to total hemoglobin in the cerebral vasculature. Root O3 cerebral oximetry (Masimo) allows for individual identification of changes in total (ΔcHbi), oxygenated (Δ o2 Hbi), and deoxygenated (ΔHHbi) hemoglobin spectral absorptions. Variations in these parameters from baseline help identify the underlying mechanisms of cerebral desaturation. This case series represents the first preliminary description of Δ o2 Hbi, ΔHHbi, and ΔcHbi variations in 10 cardiac surgical settings. Hemoglobin spectral absorption changes can be classified according to 3 distinct variations of cerebral desaturation. Reduced cerebral oxygen content or increased cerebral metabolism without major blood flow changes is reflected by decreased Δ o2 Hbi, unchanged ΔcHbi, and increased ΔHHbi Reduced cerebral arterial blood flow is suggested by decreased Δ o2 Hbi and ΔcHbi, with variable ΔHHbi. Finally, acute cerebral congestion may be suspected with increased ΔHHbi and ΔcHbi with unchanged Δ o2 Hbi. Cerebral desaturation can also result from mixed mechanisms reflected by variable combination of those 3 patterns. Normal cerebral saturation can occur, where reduced cerebral oxygen content such as anemia is balanced by a reduction in cerebral oxygen consumption such as during hypothermia. A summative algorithm using rS o2 , Δ o2 Hbi, ΔHHbi, and ΔcHbi is proposed. Further explorations involving more patients should be performed to establish the potential role and limitations of monitoring hemoglobin spectral absorption signals.

Sepsis-Induced Cardiomyopathy Reviewed: The Case for Early Consideration of Mechanical Support.

Sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SCM) is an increasingly recognized problem encountered in critical care medicine. It generally is characterized as a decrease in left, right, or biventricular ejection fraction followed by a recovery of function over a period of days to weeks. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used for the treatment of adults with various etiologies of shock, including cardiogenic and septic shock. This review summarizes current pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to SCM and provides a detection and treatment algorithm for SCM, as well as a discussion about the rationale and recent clinical data surrounding the use of ECMO and other forms of mechanical circulatory support for SCM.

Impact of Processed Electroencephalography in Cardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The use of brain function monitoring with processed electroencephalography (pEEG) during cardiac surgery is gaining interest for the optimization of hypnotic agent delivery during the maintenance of anesthesia. The authors sought to determine whether the routine use of pEEG-guided anesthesia is associated with a reduction of hemodynamic instability during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) separation and subsequently reduces vasoactive and inotropic requirements in the intensive care unit. DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study based on an existing database. SETTING: A single cardiac surgical center. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred patients undergoing cardiac surgery, under CPB, between December 2013 and March 2020. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: One hundred and fifty patients had pEEG-guided anesthesia, and 150 patients did not have a pEEG-guided anesthesia. Multiple logistic regression demonstrated that pEEG-guided anesthesia was not associated with a successful CPB separation (p = 0.12). However, the use of pEEG-guided anesthesia reduced by 57% the odds of being in a higher category for vasoactive inotropic score compared to patients without pEEG (odds ratio = 0.43; 95% confidence interval: 0.26-0.73; p = 0.002). Duration of mechanical ventilation, fluid balance, and blood losses were also reduced in the pEEG anesthesia-guided group (p < 0.003), but there were no differences in organ dysfunction duration and mortality. CONCLUSION: During cardiac surgery, pEEG-guided anesthesia allowed a reduction in the use of inotropic or vasoactive agents at arrival in the intensive care unit. However, it did not facilitate weaning from CPB compared to a group where pEEG was unavailable. A pEEG-guided anesthetic management could promote early vasopressor weaning after cardiac surgery.

Post-pneumonectomy patients undergoing cardiac surgery: A case series.

BACKGROUND: Data regarding post-pneumonectomy patient assessment for cardiac surgery is scarce. This retrospective study was conducted to define early and late outcomes in these patients, and to identify risk factors for poor outcomes. METHODS: This study included patients with a previous history of pneumonectomy undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery with median sternotomy. The institutional database was reviewed from 1992 to 2018. RESULTS: Sixteen post-pneumonectomy patients (all lung cancer) were identified. The age range was 53-81 years. The mean FEV1/FVC was 69%. The mean EuroSCORE II was 11.6%. Four patients had heart failure symptoms in the 2 weeks before surgery. Seven patients had isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and six patients had CABG + aortic valve replacement (AVR). The major perioperative events affecting the ease and outcomes of the surgical procedures were structural shifts (5), extensive adhesions on heart and vessels (5), and extensive calcification of heart components (5). Important postoperative complications were respiratory (7), infections (5), and acute kidney injury (5). The median hospital length of stay was 7 days. Five patients died in hospital (none with isolated CABG) with a preoperative New York Heart Association classification (NYHA) of III-IV, a cardiopulmonary bypass time of 175.2 min and an aortic cross-clamp time of 104.0 min. The long-term survival data were recorded with a mean follow-up of 7.3 ± 7.1 years (range from 0 to 19). The overall, 5-year survival, was 50% for all cardiac surgeries, 71% for isolated CABG surgeries, and 17% for CABG + AVR surgeries, respectively. CONCLUSION: Post-pneumonectomy patients have acceptable postoperative outcomes and survival. Simple and short surgeries with careful planning can yield favorable outcomes for this high-risk subgroup of patients.

Double-lumen endotracheal tubes and bronchial blockers exhibit similar lung collapse physiology during lung isolation.

PURPOSE: Double-lumen endotracheal tubes (DL-ETT) and bronchial blockers (BB) are frequently used to allow one-lung ventilation (OLV) during video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Recently, faster lung collapse has been documented with a BB than with a DL-ETT. The physiologic mechanisms behind this faster collapse remained unknown. We aimed to measure ambient air absorption (Vresorb) and intra-bronchial pressure (Pairway) into the non-ventilated lung during OLV using DL-ETT and BB. METHODS: Patients undergoing VATS and OLV for lung resection were randomly assigned to have measurements made of Vresorb or Pairway within the non-ventilated lung using either a DL-ETT or BB. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were included in the analyses. The mean (standard error of the mean [SEM]) Vresorb was similar in the DL-ETT and BB groups [504 (85) vs 630 (86) mL, respectively; mean difference, 126; 95% confidence interval [CI], -128 to 380; P = 0.31]. The mean (SEM) Pairway became progressively negative in the non-ventilated lung in both the DL-ETT and the BB groups reaching [-20 (5) and -31 (10) cmH2O, respectively; mean difference, -11; 95% CI, -34 to 12; P = 0.44] at the time of the pleural opening. CONCLUSIONS: During OLV before pleural opening, entrainment of ambient air into the non-ventilated lung occurs when the lumen of the lung isolation device is kept open. This phenomenon is prevented by occluding the lumen of the isolation device before pleural opening, resulting in a progressive build-up of negative pressure in the non-ventilated lung. Future clinical studies are needed to confirm these physiologic results and their impact on lung collapse and operative outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02919267); registered 28 September 2016.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Les tubes endotrachéaux à double lumière (TET-DL) et les bloqueurs bronchiques (BB) sont fréquemment utilisés pour l'isolation pulmonaire pendant une chirurgie thoracique assistée par vidéoscopie. Récemment, un affaissement pulmonaire plus rapide avec un BB qu'avec un TET-DL a été documenté. Les mécanismes physiologiques derrière cet affaissement plus rapide demeurent inconnus. Notre objectif était de mesurer l'absorption de l'air ambiant (Vresorb) et la pression intra-bronchique (Paérienne) dans le poumon non ventilé pendant la ventilation à un poumon en utilisant un TET-DL et un BB. MéTHODE: Les patients subissant une chirurgie thoracique assistée par vidéoscopie et recevant une ventilation unipulmonaire à l'aide d'un TET-DL ou d'un BB pour une résection pulmonaire ont été aléatoirement assignés à des mesures de Vresorb ou Paérienne dans le poumon non ventilé. RéSULTATS: Trente-neuf patients ont été inclus dans les analyses. La Vresorb moyenne (erreur-type sur la moyenne) était similaire dans les groupes TET-DL et BB [504 (85) vs 630 (86) mL, respectivement; différence moyenne, 126; intervalle de confiance [IC] 95 %, -128 à 380; P = 0,31]. La Paérienne moyenne (erreur-type sur la moyenne) est devenue progressivement négative dans le poumon non ventilé dans les groupes TET-DL et BB en atteignant [-20 (5) et -31 (10) cmH2O, respectivement; différence moyenne, -11; IC 95 %, -34 à 12; P = 0,44] au moment de l'ouverture de la plèvre. CONCLUSION: Pendant la ventilation unipulmonaire avant l'incision de la plèvre, un appel d'air ambiant dans le poumon non ventilé se produit quand la portion du dispositif d'isolation pulmonaire est maintenue ouverte. Ce phénomène peut être évité en occluant la lumière du dispositif d'isolation pulmonaire avant l'ouverture de la plèvre, ce qui entraînera une accumulation progressive de pression négative dans le poumon non ventilé. De futures études cliniques sont nécessaires pour confirmer ces résultats physiologiques et leur impact sur l'affaissement pulmonaire et les devenirs opératoires. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02919267); enregistrée le 28 septembre 2016.

A proposed algorithm for combining transcranial Doppler ultrasound monitoring with cerebral and somatic oximetry: a case report.

PURPOSE: Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound is a non-invasive monitor of cerebral blood velocity that can be used intraoperatively. The purpose of this report is to describe how different patterns seen on TCD can help identify the cause of cerebral desaturation when near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) oximetry is used concomitantly. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 69-yr-old male patient undergoing coronary revascularisation and aortic valve replacement developed perioperative complications that were detected using a combination of transtemporal TCD of the middle cerebral artery along with cerebral and somatic NIRS. Initial brain desaturation was secondary to hypocapnia during which TCD-derived blood velocity and somatic NIRS values remained unchanged. After the procedure, a second episode of brain desaturation occurred secondary to a technical issue with the aortic valve prosthesis requiring a return to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB); there were no high-intensity transient signals (HITS) on TCD. Brain desaturation occurred a third time following the second attempt to separate from CPB at which time TCD detected a significant amount of HITS suggesting air emboli that were associated with acute right ventricular dysfunction; there was also a reduction in somatic NIRS. CONCLUSIONS: Combining TCD with cerebral NIRS allows for the rapid identification of three different mechanisms of brain desaturation. An algorithm is proposed to help identify the origin of NIRS cerebral desaturation. Prospective clinical trials are needed to investigate potential benefits of multimodal brain monitoring and its impact on short and/or long-term clinical outcomes.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: L'échographie par Doppler transcrânien (DTC) est un moniteur non invasif de la vélocité sanguine cérébrale qui peut être utilisé en période peropératoire. L'objectif de ce compte rendu est de décrire comment différents tracés observés sur le DTC peuvent aider l'anesthésiologiste à identifier la cause de la désaturation cérébrale lorsque l'oxymétrie par spectroscopie proche infrarouge (SPIR) est utilisée de manière concomitante. ÉLéMENTS CLINIQUES: Un homme de 69 ans subissant une revascularisation coronarienne et un remplacement de valve aortique a présenté des complications périopératoires détectées grâce à la combinaison d'un DTC trans-temporal de l'artère cérébrale moyenne et d'une SPIR cérébrale et somatique. La désaturation cérébrale initiale était secondaire à une hypocapnie, pendant laquelle la vélocité sanguine dérivée du DTC et les valeurs de SPIR somatique sont demeurées inchangées. Après l'intervention, un deuxième épisode de désaturation cérébrale est survenu suite à un problème technique avec la prothèse de valve aortique, nécessitant un retour sous circulation extracorporelle (CEC); il n'y avait pas de signaux transitoires de haute intensité (HITS) sur le DTC. Il y a eu un troisième épisode de désaturation cérébrale suite à la deuxième tentative de sevrage de la CEC; à ce moment-là, le DTC a détecté une quantité significative de HITS, suggérant des embolies gazeuses associées à une insuffisance ventriculaire droite aiguë; une réduction de la SPIR somatique a également été observée. CONCLUSION: La combinaison du DTC à la SPIR cérébrale a permis d'identifier trois différents mécanismes de désaturation cérébrale. Un algorithme est proposé pour aider le clinicien à déterminer l'origine de la désaturation cérébrale sur la SPIR. Des études cliniques prospectives sont nécessaires afin d'explorer les avantages potentiels d'un monitorage cérébral multimodal et son impact sur les devenirs cliniques à court et à long terme.

Non-ventilated lung deflation during one-lung ventilation with a double-lumen endotracheal tube: a randomized-controlled trial of occluding the non-ventilated endobronchial lumen before pleural opening.

PURPOSE: Lung deflation during one-lung ventilation (OLV) is thought to be faster using a double-lumen endotracheal tube (DL-ETT) than with a bronchial blocker, especially when the non-ventilated lumen is opened to allow egress of air from the operative lung. Nevertheless, ambient air can also be entrained into the non-ventilated lumen before pleural opening and subsequently delay deflation. We therefore hypothesized that occluding the non-ventilated DL-ETT lumen during OLV before pleural opening would prevent air entrainment and consequently enhance operative lung deflation during video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). METHODS: Thirty patients undergoing VATS using DL-ETT to allow OLV were randomized to having the lumen of the operative lung either open (control group) or occluded (intervention group) to ambient air. The primary outcome was the time to lung collapse evaluated intraoperatively by the surgeons. The T50, an index of rate of deflation, was also determined from a probabilistic model derived from intraoperative video clips presented in random order to three observers. RESULTS: The median [interquartile range] time to lung deflation occurred faster in the intervention group than in the control group (24 [20-37] min vs 54 [48-68] min, respectively; median difference, 30 min; 95% confidence interval [CI], 14 to 46; P < 0.001). The estimated T50 was 32.6 min in the intervention group compared with 62.3 min in the control group (difference, - 29.7 min; 95% CI, - 51.1 to - 8.4; P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Operative lung deflation during OLV with a DL-ETT is faster when the operative lumen remains closed before pleural opening thus preventing it from entraining ambient air during the closed chest phase of OLV. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03508050); registered 27 September 2017.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: On pense que la déflation pulmonaire pendant la ventilation unipulmonaire (VUP) est plus rapide à l'aide d'un tube endotrachéal à double lumière (TET-DL) qu'avec un bloqueur bronchique, surtout lorsque la lumière non ventilée est ouverte pour permettre l'évacuation de l'air du poumon opéré. Néanmoins, l'air ambiant peut également être entraîné dans la lumière non ventilée avant l'ouverture pleurale et ainsi retarder la déflation. Nous avons donc émis l'hypothèse que l'occlusion de la lumière non ventilée du TET-DL pendant la VUP avant l'ouverture de la plèvre empêcherait l'entraînement d'air et accélérerait par conséquent la déflation du poumon opéré pendant une chirurgie thoracoscopique vidéo-assistée (VATS). MéTHODE: Trente patients subissant une VATS avec un TET-DL pour permettre une VUP ont été randomisés à une ouverture (groupe témoin) ou à une occlusion (groupe intervention) de la lumière du poumon opéré à l'air ambiant. Le critère d'évaluation principal était le temps jusqu'au collapsus du poumon tel qu'évalué pendant l'opération par les chirurgiens. Le T50, un indice du taux de déflation, a également été déterminé à partir d'un modèle probabiliste dérivé de clips vidéo peropératoires présentés de façon randomisée à trois observateurs. RéSULTATS: Le temps médian [écart interquartile] jusqu'à la déflation du poumon était plus court dans le groupe d'intervention que dans le groupe témoin (24 [20-37] min vs 54 [48-68] min, respectivement; différence médiane, 30 min; intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 %, 14 à 46; P < 0,001). Le T50 estimé était de 32,6 min dans le groupe d'intervention comparativement à 62,3 min dans le groupe témoin (différence, -29,7 min; IC 95 %, -51,1 à -8,4; P = 0,008). CONCLUSION: La déflation du poumon opéré pendant une VUP avec un TET-DL est plus rapide quand la lumière opératoire reste fermée avant l'ouverture pleurale, l'empêchant ainsi d'entraîner l'air ambiant pendant la phase pré ouverture pleurale de la VUP. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03508050); enregistrée le 27 septembre 2017.

Postoperative outcomes in surgical COVID-19 patients: a multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Data on postoperative outcomes of the COVID-19 patient population is limited. We described COVID-19 patients who underwent a surgery and the pandemic impact on surgical activities. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter cohort study between March 13 and June 192,020. We included all COVID-19 patients who underwent surgery in nine centres of the Province of Québec, the Canadian province most afflicted by the pandemic. We also included concomitant suspected COVID-19 (subsequently confirmed not to have COVID-19) patients and patients who had recovered from it. We collected data on baseline characteristics, postoperative complications and postoperative mortality. Our primary outcome was 30-day mortality. We also collected data on overall surgical activities during this first wave and during the same period in 2019. RESULTS: We included 44 COVID-19 patients, 18 suspected patients, and 18 patients who had recovered from COVID-19 at time of surgery. Among the 44 COVID-19 patients, 31 surgeries (71%) were urgent and 16 (36%) were major. In these patients, pulmonary complications were frequent (25%) and 30-day mortality was high (15.9%). This mortality was higher in patients with symptoms (23.1%) compared to those without symptoms (5.6%), although not statistically significant (p = 0.118). Of the total 22,616 cases performed among participating centres during the study period, only 0.19% had COVID-19 at the time of surgery. Fewer procedures were performed during the study period compared to the same period in 2019 (44,486 cases). CONCLUSION: In this Canadian cohort study, postoperative 30-day mortality in COVID-19 patients undergoing surgery was high (15.9%). Although few surgeries were performed on COVID-19 patients, the pandemic impact on surgical activity volume was important. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04458337 .

Femoral Vein Pulsatility: What Does It Mean?

In this report, the clinical evolution of a 72-year-old patient transferred to the surgical intensive care unit after cardiac surgery is described. The presence of a pulsatile Doppler signal of the common femoral vein was noted after surgery. On postoperative day 5, diuretics in addition to a combination of inhaled epoprostenol and milrinone were associated with normalization of femoral vein pulsatility. The observations seen in peripheral venous flow reinforce the hypothesis that pulsatility of the common femoral vein represents an associated echocardiographic sign of right ventricular dysfunction and may be used to monitor systemic venous congestion. Pulsatility in the venous system may be improved by reducing volume overload and improving right ventricular function.

A proposed lung ultrasound and phenotypic algorithm for the care of COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure.

Pulmonary complications are the most common clinical manifestations of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). From recent clinical observation, two phenotypes have emerged: a low elastance or L-type and a high elastance or H-type. Clinical presentation, pathophysiology, pulmonary mechanics, radiological and ultrasound findings of these two phenotypes are different. Consequently, the therapeutic approach also varies between the two. We propose a management algorithm that combines the respiratory rate and oxygenation index with bedside lung ultrasound examination and monitoring that could help determine earlier the requirement for intubation and other surveillance of COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure.

RéSUMé: Les complications pulmonaires du coronavirus (COVID-19) constituent ses manifestations cliniques les plus fréquentes. De récentes observations cliniques ont fait émerger deux phénotypes : le phénotype à élastance faible ou type L (low), et le phénotype à élastance élevée, ou type H (high). La présentation clinique, la physiopathologie, les mécanismes pulmonaires, ainsi que les observations radiologiques et échographiques de ces deux différents phénotypes sont différents. L'approche thérapeutique variera par conséquent selon le phénotype des patients atteints de COVID-19 souffrant d'insuffisance respiratoire.

Preliminary Experience Using Diastolic Right Ventricular Pressure Gradient Monitoring in Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in cardiac surgery is associated with increased mortality and morbidity and difficult separation from cardiopulmonary bypass (DSB). The primary objective of the present study was to describe the prevalence and characteristics of patients with abnormal RV diastolic pressure gradient (PG). The secondary objective was to explore the association among abnormal diastolic PG and DSB, postoperative complications, high central venous pressure (CVP), and high RV end-diastolic pressure (RVEDP). DESIGN: Retrospective and prospective validation study. SETTING: Tertiary care cardiac institute. PARTICIPANTS: Cardiac surgical patients (n=374) from a retrospective analysis (n=259) and a prospective validation group (n=115). INTERVENTION: RV pressure waveforms were obtained using a pulmonary artery catheter with a pacing port opened at 19 cm distal to the tip of the catheter. Abnormal RV diastolic PG was defined as >4 mmHg. Both elevated RVEDP and high CVP were defined as >16 mmHg. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: From the retrospective and validation cohorts, 42.5% and 48% of the patients had abnormal RV diastolic PG before cardiac surgery, respectively. Abnormal RV diastolic PG before cardiac surgery was associated with higher EuroSCORE II (odds ratio 2.29 [1.10-4.80] v 1.62 [1.10-3.04]; p = 0.041), abnormal hepatic venous flow (45% v 29%; p = 0.038), higher body mass index (28.9 [25.5-32.5] v 27.0 [24.9-30.5]; p = 0.022), pulmonary hypertension (48% v 37%; p = 0.005), and more frequent DSB (32% v 19%; p = 0.023). However, RV diastolic PG was not an independent predictor of DSB, whereas RVEDP (odds ratio 1.67 [1.09-2.55]; p = 0.018) was independently associated with DSB. In addition, RV pressure monitoring indices were superior to CVP in predicting DSB. CONCLUSION: Abnormal RV diastolic PG is common before cardiac surgery and is associated with a higher proportion of known preoperative risk factors. However, an abnormal RV diastolic PG gradient is not an independent predictor of DSB in contrast to RVEDP.

Patient management algorithm combining processed electroencephalographic monitoring with cerebral and somatic near-infrared spectroscopy: a case series.

PURPOSE: Cerebral oximetry is a monitoring tool used in the perioperative care of cardiac surgery patients to ensure adequate cerebral perfusion and oxygenation. When combined with somatic oximetry, the differential diagnosis of cerebral desaturation can be better identified and managed more specifically, as somatic oximetry serves as a global or localized perfusion monitor (depending on its regional position). The use of processed electroencephalography (pEEG) in cardiac surgery could further guide the management of desaturation episodes, as reductions in pEEG activity without a change in the anesthetic agent level indicate potential cerebral ischemia. Continuous integration of multiple monitoring modalities are thus desirable to assess organ perfusion and organ function. CLINICAL FEATURES: Four clinical cases are presented in which the combination of pEEG and cerebro-somatic oximetry assisted with understanding the mechanism of cerebral desaturation encountered during cardiac surgery. CONCLUSION: Integrating combinations of different monitoring modalities such as cerebral and somatic oximetry with pEEG can help the diagnosis and treatment of organ malperfusion and related dysfunction.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: L'oxymétrie cérébrale est un outil de monitorage utilisé dans les soins périopératoires des patients de chirurgie cardiaque pour s'assurer que leur cerveau est adéquatement perfusé et oxygéné. Quand on la combine à l'oxymétrie somatique, le diagnostic différentiel de désaturation cérébrale peut être mieux identifié et géré de manière plus spécifique, car l'oxymétrie somatique permet un suivi de la perfusion globale ou localisée (selon l'emplacement du capteur). L'utilisation de l'électroencéphalographie traitée (pEEG) en chirurgie cardiaque pourrait entraîner une meilleure gestion des épisodes de désaturation dans la mesure ou une baisse de l'activité pEEG sans modification du niveau de l'agent anesthésique indique une ischémie cérébrale potentielle. L'intégration continue de multiples modalités de monitorage est donc souhaitable pour évaluer la perfusion et le fonctionnement des organes. CARACTéRISTIQUES CLINIQUES: Quatre cas cliniques sont présentés dans lesquels la combinaison de la pEEG et de l'oxymétrie cérébro-somatique a aidé à comprendre le mécanisme de désaturation cérébrale rencontrée au cours de la chirurgie cardiaque. CONCLUSION: Les combinaisons intégrant différentes modalités de monitorage, telles que l'oxymétrie cérébrale et somatique avec la pEEG, peuvent contribuer au diagnostic et au traitement des troubles de la perfusion des organes et des dysfonctionnements qui en découlent.

Right upper lobe anatomy revisited: a computed tomography scan study.

BACKGROUND: The double lumen tube (DLT) has become the most popular way to isolate the lungs for thoracic surgery. The variable anatomy of the right main stem bronchus (RMSB) seems to be the main reason clinicians are unwilling to use the right-sided DLT (R-DLT). The factors that could compromise the adequate ventilation of the right lung are mostly the variable length of the RMSB and the misalignment of the lateral orifice of the R-DLT in regard to the right upper lobe bronchus (RULB). The objectives of this study were to validate an alternative method to estimate the RMSB length, and to determine the distribution of the angulation of the ostium of the RULB. METHODS: From high-resolution computed tomography scans of the thorax of 106 consecutive patients, the length of the RMSB was measured using Kim's method and the carina-to-carina method. The angle between the RULB origin and the lateral aspect of the RMSB was also measured. All these measurements were correlated and inter-observer variation documented. RESULTS: From the Kim's method, the mean (standard deviation [SD]) length of the RMSB was 25.5 (4.7) mm. From the alternative carina-to-carina method, the mean (SD) length of RMSB was 29.4 (4.6) mm. The inter-observer agreement was substantial with both methods (Kim's method: intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.84; carina-to-carina method: ICC = 0.95). Both measures were closely related (ICC = 0.93; P < 0.001). The RULB presented a wide range angulation [mean (SD), 0.1 (9.5)°; range, -28.6 to 21.2]. CONCLUSION: These anatomic observations provide a better understanding of the variable anatomy of the right bronchial tree and may guide thoracic anesthesiologists in the choice of the best lung isolation device for their patients.

RéSUMé: CONTEXTE: Le tube double lumière (TDL) est actuellement la modalité la plus populaire pour isoler les poumons lors d'une chirurgie thoracique. L'anatomie variable de la bronche souche droite (BSD) semble être la principale raison qui freine l'engouement des cliniciens à utiliser un TDL droit (TDL-d). Les facteurs pouvant compliquer la ventilation adéquate du poumon droit sont surtout la longueur variable de la BSD et le mauvais alignement entre l'orifice latéral du TDL-d et de la bronche lobaire supérieure droite (BLSD). Les objectifs de cette étude étaient de valider une méthode alternative d'estimation de la longueur de la BSD ainsi que de déterminer la distribution de l'angulation de l'orifice de la BLSD. MéTHODE: En nous basant sur des images de tomodensitométrie (TDM) thoracique haute résolution de 106 patients consécutifs, la longueur de la BSD a été mesurée à l'aide de la méthode de Kim et de la méthode de carène à carène. L'angle entre l'origine de la BLSD et l'aspect latéral de la BSD a également été mesuré. Toutes ces mesures ont ensuite été corrélées et la variation inter-observateur documentée. RéSULTATS: En se fondant sur la méthode de Kim, la longueur moyenne (écart type [ÉT]) de la BSD était de 25,5 (4,7) mm. En se fondant sur la méthode alternative de carène à carène, la longueur moyenne (ÉT) de la BSD était de 29,4 (4,6) mm. La concordance inter-observateur était élevée lors de l'utilisation des deux méthodes (méthode de Kim : coefficient de corrélation intraclasse [CCI] = 0,84; méthode carène à carène : 0,95). Les deux mesures étaient très rapprochées (CCI = 0,93; P < 0,001). La BLSD présentait une angulation très variable [(ÉT) moyen, 0.1 (9,5)°; éventail, -28,6 à 21,2]. CONCLUSION: Ces observations anatomiques nous permettent de mieux comprendre l'anatomie variable de l'arbre bronchique droit et pourrait aider les anesthésiologistes thoraciques à choisir le dispositif le mieux adapté pour isoler le poumon de leur patient.