Preoperative anaemia and outcome after elective cardiac surgery: a Dutch national registry analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that preoperative anaemia in patients undergoing cardiac surgery is associated with adverse outcomes. However, most of these studies were retrospective, had a relatively small sample size, and were from a single centre. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between the severity of preoperative anaemia and short- and long-term mortality and morbidity in a large multicentre national cohort of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: A nationwide, prospective, multicentre registry (Netherlands Heart Registration) of patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery between January 2013 and January 2019 was used for this observational study. Anaemia was defined according to the WHO criteria, and the main study endpoint was 120-day mortality. The association was investigated using multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: In total, 35 484 patients were studied, of whom 6802 (19.2%) were anaemic. Preoperative anaemia was associated with an increased risk of 120-day mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4-1.9; P<0.001). The risk of 120-day mortality increased with anaemia severity (mild anaemia aOR 1.6; 95% CI: 1.3-1.9; P<0.001; and moderate-to-severe anaemia aOR 1.8; 95% CI: 1.4-2.4; P<0.001). Preoperative anaemia was associated with red blood cell transfusion and postoperative morbidity, the causes of which included renal failure, pneumonia, and myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative anaemia was associated with mortality and morbidity after cardiac surgery. The risk of adverse outcomes increased with anaemia severity. Preoperative anaemia is a potential target for treatment to improve postoperative outcomes.

Clinical and electrophysiological predictors of device-detected new-onset atrial fibrillation during 3 years after cardiac surgery.

AIMS: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after cardiac surgery is an independent predictor of stroke and mortality late after discharge. We aimed to determine the burden and predictors of early (up to 5th postoperative day) and late (after 5th postoperative day) new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) using implantable loop recorders (ILRs) in patients undergoing open chest cardiac surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients without a history of AF undergoing cardiac surgery underwent peri-operative high-resolution mapping of electrically induced AF and were followed 36 months after surgery using an ILR (Reveal XT™). Clinical and electrophysiological predictors of late POAF were assessed. POAF occurred in 46 patients (58%), with early POAF detected in 27 (34%) and late POAF in 37 patients (47%). Late POAF episodes were short-lasting (mostly between 2 min and 6 h) and showed a circadian rhythm pattern with a peak of episode initiation during daytime. In POAF patients, electrically induced AF showed more complex propagation patterns than in patients without POAF. Early POAF, right atrial (RA) volume, prolonged PR time, and advanced age were independent predictors of late POAF. CONCLUSIONS: Late POAF occurred in 47% of patients without a history of AF. Patients who develop early POAF, with higher age, larger RA, or prolonged PR time have a higher risk of developing late POAF and may benefit from intensified rhythm follow-up after cardiac surgery. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV NUMBER: NCT01530750.

Long-term clinical outcome of the symmetry aortic connector system in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Several short-term and midterm follow-up studies of the Symmetry aortic connector system showed controversial results. The objective of the present study was assessing the long-term clinical outcome of patients operated with the Symmetry device and to compare the results with hand-sewn control patients. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study of 156 (46 cases, 110 controls) consecutive patients, that underwent off-pump coronary revascularization, between January 2001 and December 2004, was conducted. Study endpoints were all-cause mortality, coronary reintervention and postoperative stroke. RESULTS: There was no difference in survival between cases and controls (89.1 vs. 82.4%, p = 0.27) after 8 years of follow-up. No significant difference could be detected between cases and controls with respect to overall long-term coronary reintervention free survival (82.6 vs. 88.9%, p = 0.41) and freedom from coronary reintervention due to proximal vein graft failure (91.3 vs. 96.3%, p = 0.24). The use of Symmetry device could not be identified as independent risk-factor of coronary reintervention due to proximal vein graft failure (p = 0.25). Furthermore, postoperative stroke rates were comparable between cases and controls (0.0 vs. 0.9%, p = 1.00). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the use of the Symmetry Bypass Connector was not associated with adverse outcome in terms of overall survival, long-term coronary reintervention free survival, freedom from reintervention due to proximal vein graft failure and postoperative stroke.

A 0.6-protamine/heparin ratio in cardiac surgery is associated with decreased transfusion of blood products.

OBJECTIVES: In cardiac surgery, adequate heparinization is necessary to prevent thrombus formation in the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). To counteract the heparin effect after weaning from CPB, protamine is administered. The optimal protamine/heparin ratio is still unknown. METHODS: In this before-after study, we evaluated the effect of a 0.6/1-protamine/heparin ratio implementation as of May 2017 versus a 0.8/1-protamine/heparin ratio on the 12-h postoperative blood loss and the amount of blood and blood component transfusions (fresh frozen plasma, packed red blood cells, fibrinogen concentrate, platelet concentrate and prothrombin complex concentrate) after cardiac surgery. A total of 2051 patients who underwent cardiac surgery requiring CPB between May 2016 and May 2018 were included. RESULTS: In the 0.6/1-protamine/heparin ratio group, only 28.8% of the patients received blood component transfusion, compared to 37.9% of the patients in the 0.8/1-ratio group (P < 0.001). The median 12-h postoperative blood loss was 230 ml (interquartile range 140-320) in the 0.6/1-ratio group versus 260 ml (interquartile range 155-365) in the 0.8/1-ratio group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A 0.6/1-protamine/heparin ratio after weaning from CPB is associated with a significantly reduced 12-h postoperative blood loss and blood components transfusion.

Does new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting affect postoperative quality of life?

OBJECTIVES: New-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication after cardiac surgery. We investigated the effect of POAF on quality of life after coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: All patients who underwent nonemergency coronary artery bypass grafting between March 2009 and January 2011 were requested to complete a Short Form-36 Health Survey before and 6 months after the procedure. Norm-based scores of 8 health status domains and 2 component summary scores were calculated. Only patients undergoing first-time coronary artery bypass grafting, with no history of atrial fibrillation, were included in the analyses. RESULTS: Of 1608 patients, 360 (22.4%) had POAF diagnosed. Twenty-eight patients died within half a year after the procedure (1.7% in the no POAF group and 1.8% in the POAF group; P = .90). After excluding these patients, data from 1580 patients were analyzed. Preoperative questionnaires were returned by 66% of the patients and postoperative questionnaires by 65%. Preoperative scores did not differ between patients with and without POAF in any subcategory (0/10). After the procedure, 4 of 10 scores were worse in the group with POAF compared to patients without POAF. Patients without POAF improved in all subcategories (10/10) after the procedure, whereas those with POAF did so in only 7 of 10. Multilinear regression showed POAF to be an independent negative predictor for improved quality of life 6 months postoperatively in 7 of 10 subcategories, including both mental and physical component summary scores. CONCLUSIONS: New-onset POAF does affect 6-month postoperative mental and physical health, possibly warranting more aggressive POAF treatment.

Perioperative serum aspartate aminotransferase level as a predictor of survival after coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Elevated cardiac enzymes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery have been identified as a risk factor for worse postoperative outcome. Cardiac enzymes play an important role in the diagnosis of perioperative myocardial infarction. This study aims to investigate the predictive value of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) with respect to early and late mortality after CABG. METHODS: Patients undergoing isolated CABG in a single center between January 1998 and December 2010 were prospectively enrolled in our database. Patients were arbitrarily divided into 4 groups according to the postoperative AST level: group 1 (AST < 50 U/L), group 2 (AST = 51 to 100 U/L), group 3 (AST = 101 to 200 U/L), group 4 (AST = 201 to 300 U/L), and group 5 (AST > 300 U/L). The impact of biomedical variables on early mortality was determined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Risk factors for late mortality were identified using Cox proportional hazard regression analyses. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 13,505 patients who underwent isolated CABG. Postoperative AST level was identified as a risk factor for early (odds ratio = 3.6 [2.5 to 5.4], p < 0.0001) and late mortality (hazard ratio = 1.4 [1.2 to 1.7], p < 0.001). After correction for other risk factors, AST level was an independent predictor of worse survival. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated postoperative AST level is an independent predictor of early and late mortality after CABG. Although it is not a specific indicator for cardiac damage, it can reflect ischemic effects on the other organs as an indirect sign of depressed cardiac function.

Body mass index predicts new-onset atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: New-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after cardiac surgery is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Since obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent, identifying body mass index (BMI) as a risk factor for POAF could be of importance. The aim of our study is to investigate the effect of BMI on POAF, independent of other risk factors. METHODS: We analyzed data of 6788 men and 2560 women who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, valve surgery, or a combination of both, and who had no history of atrial fibrillation. Men and women were analyzed separately because risk factors of POAF were expected to be distributed unequally over both sexes. RESULTS: The independent effect of gender was analyzed in a combined model. POAF occurred in 2517/9348 (27%) of patients. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that BMI (odds ratio (OR) 1.03; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-1.04; p<0.001 in men and OR 1.03; 95% CI: 1.02-1.05; p<0.001 in women), age (OR 1.06; 95% CI: 1.05-1.07; p<0.001 in men and OR 1.05; 95% CI: 1.04-1.06; p<0.001 in women), valve surgery compared to coronary surgery (e.g., mitral valve surgery compared to coronary artery bypass grafting: OR 3.4; 95% CI: 2.4-4.6; p<0.001 in men and OR 2.9; 95% CI: 2.0-4.3; p<0.001 in women) and male gender (OR 1.23; 95% CI: 1.09-1.38; p=0.001) were the only independent risk factors for POAF, whereas chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, extra corporal circulation time, and transfusion of blood products were not. CONCLUSION: Body mass index, age, undergoing valve surgery and male gender, are independent risk factors for POAF.

Long-term outcome of right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction with bicuspidalized homografts.

OBJECTIVE: Given the shortage of small-sized cryopreserved homografts for right ventricle (RV) to pulmonary artery (PA) reconstructions, more readily available larger-sized homografts can be used after size reduction by bicuspidalization. The aim of our study was to determine and compare function over time of standard and bicuspidalized homografts in infants younger than 12 months, including patients with a Ross or extended Ross procedure. METHODS: All consecutives infants under the age of 1 year, who underwent a surgical procedure in which a homograft was placed in the RV-PA position between January 1994 and April 2009, were included. Prospectively collected data from serial, standardized echocardiography from all patients were extracted from the database, and hospital records were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 40 infants had a valved homograft conduit placed in the RV-PA position. In 20 of those patients, a bicuspidalized homograft was used. Twelve patients underwent a Ross procedure, of whom seven had an additional Konno-type aortic annulus enlargement. Median follow-up was 146 months (interquartile range (IQR), 117-170; total patient years: 178) in the group with standard use of the homograft and 95 months (IQR, 11-104; total patient years: 78) in the group with bicuspidalized conduits. Freedom from re-intervention (re-operation or percutaneous) was not different in the standard and bicuspidalized groups for all and Ross or Konno-Ross procedures (Tarone-Ware, p = 0.65 and p = 0.47, respectively). Consecutive echocardiographic maximum velocities in the right ventricular outflow tract were similar in the standard and bicuspidalized groups. CONCLUSION: When proper sized cryopreserved homografts for placement in the RV-PA position in Ross, Konno-Ross, and other procedures in infants under the age of 1 year are not readily available, bicuspidalized homografts provide an acceptable alternative.

New-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation predicts late mortality after mitral valve surgery.

BACKGROUND: New-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common rhythm disturbance after mitral valve surgery. In this study we investigated the independent effect of POAF on early and late mortality after mitral valve surgery. METHODS: Data of patients who consecutively underwent mitral valve surgery with or without concomitant coronary or tricuspid valve surgery between January 2003 and June 2010 were prospectively collected. The study included 856 patients with preoperative sinus rhythm, and no history of atrial fibrillation. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard analyses were performed to investigate independent predictors of early and late mortality. Propensity score adjustment was performed to reduce the effect of confounders. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 3.1 years (range, 0 to 7.4 years). The POAF was documented in 361 patients (42%). Early mortality did not differ in patients with and without POAF (p = 0.93). Postoperative atrial fibrillation was not identified as predictor for early mortality. Late survival was worse in patients with POAF (log-rank, p < 0.001). Multivariate and propensity score adjusted Cox proportional hazard analyses demonstrated that POAF was an independent predictor for late mortality with hazard ratios of 2.09 and 1.61 (p = 0.001 and p = 0.033, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative atrial fibrillation is an independent predictor for late all-cause mortality after mitral valve surgery but not for early all-cause mortality.

The impact of new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation on mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: New-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a frequent rhythm disturbance after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This study investigated the independent effect of POAF on early and late mortality after isolated CABG. METHODS: Data of patients who consecutively underwent isolated CABG between January 2003 and December 2007 were prospectively collected. The analysis included 5098 patients with preoperative sinus rhythm and no history of atrial fibrillation. Logistic regression analysis for early mortality and Cox regression analysis for late mortality were performed. Propensity score matching was performed to eliminate the effect of confounders. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 2.5 years. POAF was documented in 1122 patients (22.0%). Early mortality was more frequent in POAF patients (3.1%) vs non-POAF patients (1.6%, p = 0.002), but multivariate logistic regression analysis could not identify POAF as an independent predictor of early mortality (p = 0.169). This outcome did not change after adjusting for quintiles of the propensity score of POAF (p = 0.100). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses demonstrated POAF was an independent predictor of overall and late mortality with hazard ratios of 1.35 (p = 0.012 and p = 0.039, respectively). Analyses after propensity score matching showed that patients with POAF had similar hazard ratios of 1.36 for overall mortality and 1.34 for late mortality (p = 0.009 and p = 0.042, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: POAF is an independent predictor of overall and late mortality after isolated CABG but not of early mortality.

The impact of preoperative atrial fibrillation on early and late mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVES: There are still doubts on the effect of preoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) on early and late mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This retrospective study demonstrates the effects of preoperative AF on the short-term and long-term survival after CABG. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the data of 10626 patients who underwent CABG between January 1998 and December 2007. The data of 221 patients with a history of preoperative AF (2.5%) and 8631 patients with preoperative sinus rhythm were eligible for analysis. Survival of these patient groups was compared to survival of age- and sex-matched groups of the Dutch general population. RESULTS: Mean follow-up duration was 4.6 + or - 2.9 years. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed preoperative AF to be an independent risk factor for early mortality after CABG, with an odds ratio of 2.06 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-3.95; P=0.029). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that preoperative AF is an independent risk factor for late mortality after CABG, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.67 (95% CI: 1.21-2.31; P=0.002). Using propensity score matching, AF was also an independent risk factor for late mortality after CABG, with an HR of 2.77 (95% CI: 1.6-4.79; P<0.001). In comparison with the general Dutch population, patients with preoperative AF who undergo CABG have a worse long-term survival, while patients with preoperative sinus rhythm experience a better survival. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative AF is an independent risk factor for early and late mortality after first-time elective CABG.

Effect of body mass index on early and late mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: The effect of obesity on the long-term outcome after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) remains controversial. We analyzed data of patients undergoing CABG in a single center, to determine the predictive value of body mass index in combination with comorbidities on early and late mortality. METHODS: Early and late mortality of consecutive patients undergoing isolated CABG from January 1998 until December 2007 were determined. Patients were classified into five groups according to preoperative body mass index: underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese, and morbidly obese. RESULTS: After excluding 122 patients who were lost to follow-up and 236 patients with missing preoperative body mass index, 10,268 patients were studied. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that underweight was associated with higher early mortality (hazard ratio 2.63; 95% confidence interval: 1.13 to 6.11, p = 0.025). Multivariate Cox regression analyses did reveal morbid obesity as an independent predictor of late mortality (hazard ratio 1.67, 95% confidence interval: 1.15 to 2.43, p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients undergoing isolated CABG, underweight is an independent predictor for early mortality, and morbid obesity is an independent predictor for late mortality.