Value, time and outcomes of elevated lactate levels in adult patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

INTRODUCTION: Lactate levels have been recognized as a reliable tool for monitoring critically ill patients requiring venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) or venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) but the reasons behind the overproduction of lactate are different and the influance for survival remains controversial. We analyzed the lactate values and lactate clearance in adult patients in these two forms of extracorporeal support. METHODS: Patient demographics, ECMO duration, 30-day mortality, lactate values and lactate clearance at 24, 48 and 72 h from ECMO initiation of patients supported with VV and VA ECMO at Silesian Centre for Heart Deasese, between January 2011 and April 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The changes in lactate levels were analyzed using the non-parametric U Mann-Whitney tests and Chi-square test. The ROC curves were draw and the area under the curve was calculated. RESULTS: The study comprised 91 adult patients, Mortality in the first 30 days from initiation of VV and VA ECMO was 39% and 66%, respectively. Lactate levels were significantly higher in non-survivors that received VV and VA ECMO (p < .001), while lactate clearance was similar (p = .256 and p = 1.000, respectively). Survival curves for patients with elevated (>2.0 mmol/L) vs normal (≤2.0 mmol/L) lactate levels at 72 h were significantly different for VV ECMO (p = .007) and VA ECMO (p = .037) but in both groups of ECMO, lactate levels above 2.0 mmol/L at 72 h from ECMO initiation predicted 30 day-mortality. CONCLUSION: This results emphasized the importance of lactate levels below 2.0 mmol/L at 72 h from both VV and VA ECMO initiation.

Young Adults Among Patients Admitted to Polish Intensive Care Units in the Silesian ICU Registry.

BACKGROUND Patients under 30 years of age constitute a unique population in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The aim of this study was to obtain information on young adults admitted to Polish ICUs and to identify independent predictors of favorable outcome in this population. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data from 20 651 adult patients from the Silesian Registry of Intensive Care Units conducted in the Silesian Region of Poland since October 2010 were analyzed. Patients aged 18-29 years were identified and their data were compared to the remaining population. Preadmission and admission variables that independently influence the favorable outcome (defined as survival of ICU stay and discharge in a condition other than vegetative state or minimally conscious state) were identified. RESULTS Among 20 609 analyzed adult patients, 850 (4.1%) were under the age of 30 years. Young adults had a lower mean APACHE II and SAPS III score at admission and were more frequently admitted to the ICU due to trauma, poisonings, acute neurological disorders, and obstetric complications. ICU mortality was over 2 times lower (20.1% vs. 45.3%, p<0.001). Independent variables affecting favorable outcome in this population were: admission to ICU from the operating theatre and multiple trauma as a primary cause of admission. CONCLUSIONS The greater chance of favorable outcome in adults under the age of 30 years admitted to the ICU is due to their unique characteristics. Favorable outcome in young adults is most likely among patients admitted to the ICU following multiple trauma or admitted from the operating theatre.

Outcome Prediction After Coronary Surgery and Redo Surgery for Bleeding (From the KROK Registry).

OBJECTIVES: To assess the reliability of EuroSCORE II in an entire population after isolated coronary artery surgery and separately among patients who underwent redo surgery due to bleeding, and to create a model predicting hospital death among patients who underwent redo surgery owing to bleeding. DESIGN: Retrospective study based on data from the Polish National Registry of Cardiac Surgical Procedures. SETTING: Multi-institutional study. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 41,353 patients who underwent isolated coronary artery surgery in Poland between January 2012 and December 2014. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: EuroSCORE II reliability was estimated using the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC), the observed-to-expected surgical mortality ratio (O/E), and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. Parameters of the function correcting the original EuroSCORE II were determined using the least squares method. The original score was adjusted using a created formula. Among the 41,353 patients, 1,406 (3.4%) underwent reexploration. Even though EuroSCORE II was reliable in predicting hospital mortality in the entire population (AUC 0.76, O/E ratio 1.08), it greatly underestimated mortality for patients who required reexploration (AUC 0.74, O/E ratio 4.33). In this subpopulation, the worst performance of the EuroSCORE II was noted among patients with the lowest predicted mortality (0.50%-0.82%) Accurate calibration was obtained by adding a coefficient and creating a nomogram. CONCLUSIONS: EuroSCORE II was reliable in a Polish population undergoing isolated coronary surgery. After redo surgery for bleeding, the observed mortality was much higher than in the overall coronary population, but the rate was made more accurate by adding a coefficient to the initially calculated EuroSCORE II.

Early and One-Year Outcomes of Acute Stroke in the Industrial Region of Poland During the Decade 2006-2015: The Silesian Stroke Registry.

BACKGROUND: Poland, classified as a high-income country, is still considered to have a high cardiovascular risk population. During the last decade, the standards of care in acute stroke (AS) had markedly improved; thus, we aimed to assess whether and how it translated into early and late outcomes. METHODS: Silesian Stroke Registry was created from the administrative database of the public, obligatory, health -insurer in Poland. The AS cases were selected based on primary diagnosis coded in ICD-10 as I60-I64 for years 2006-2015 (n = 120,844). Index hospitalization together with data on re-hospitalizations, procedures, ambulatory visits, rehabilitation and all-cause deaths in a 1-year follow-up were analyzed. RESULTS: The rates of admissions per 100,000 adult population varied between 41-47 for haemorrhagic and 257-275 for ischaemic stroke with substantial decrease in almost all age groups except for the oldest patients. In ischaemic stroke, thrombolytic therapy raised from 0 to 8.8% in 2015, along with significant trends of decreasing 30-day (from 20 to 16%) and 12-month (from 35 to 31%) case fatality. In haemorrhagic stroke, case fatality had not changed. After ischaemic stroke, 12-month readmissions due to AS declined from 11-12% in 2006-2009 to 9% in 2010-2014. The percentage of patients benefiting from rehabilitation increased from 24 to 32%. CONCLUSIONS: In a large population of industrial province, we showed recent, positive trends in AS admissions, treatment and 1-year outcomes. Development of stroke unit networks and increase in thrombolytic treatment were at least in part responsible for survival improvement and reduction of recurrence of AS. However, case-fatality and stroke recurrence remain high compared to those of other developed countries.

Characteristics and outcomes for patients with heart failure diagnosed according to the universal definition and classification of heart failure. Data from a single-center registry.

BACKGROUND: There are no data on the characteristics and outcomes for patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced (HFrEF), mildly reduced (HFmrEF), and preserved (HFpEF) ejection fraction diagnosed according to the universal definition and classification of HF. AIMS: We used the universal HF definition to compare baseline characteristics, hospital readmission and mortality rates in individuals with HFrEF, HFmrEF, and HFpEF diagnosed retrospectively. RESULTS: The study was designed as a single-center retrospective analysis of all consecutive 40732 hospital admissions between 2013 and 2021 in a tertiary department of cardiology. All patients with HF, defined according to the universal definition and classification of HF, were identified. The study included 8471 patients with a mean age of 65.1 (12.8) years, of whom 2823 (33.3%) were females. Most individuals had a prior diagnosis of HF (76.3%) and elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels (99.0%) with a median of 1548 (629-3786) pg/ml. Mean ejection fraction (EF) was 36.2 (14.9)%. The median follow-up was 39.1 (18.1-70.5) months. The most frequent type of HF was HFrEF (n = 4947; 58.4%), followed by HFpEF (n = 1138; 28.2%) and HFmrEF (n = 2386; 13.4%). Urgent HF readmissions and all-cause deaths were highest in HFrEF (40.8% and 42.7%), followed by HFmrEF (25.4% and 31.5%) and HFpEF (15.2% and 23.8%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The highest rates of urgent HF readmissions and all-cause mortality were observed in patients with HFrEF, followed by HFmrEF and HFpEF. In all HF groups, the all-cause mortality rate was higher than the rates of urgent HF readmission.

Stepwise relationship between delay in percutaneous coronary intervention and long-term mortality in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines recommend coronary catheterization in patients with non-ST- -segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) within 24 hours of hospital admission. However, whether there is a stepwise relationship between the time to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and long-term mortality in patients with NSTEMI treated invasively within 24 hours of admission has not been established yet. AIMS: The study aimed to evaluate the association between door-to-PCI time and all-cause mortality at 12 and 36 months in NSTEMI patients presenting directly to a PCI-capable center who underwent PCI within the first 24 hours of hospitalization. METHODS: We analyzed data of patients hospitalized for NSTEMI between 2007-2019, included in the nationwide registry of acute coronary syndromes. Patients were stratified into twelve groups based on 2-hour intervals of door-to-PCI time. The mortality rates of patients within those groups were adjusted for 33 confounding variables by the propensity score weighting method using overlap weights. RESULTS: A total of 37 589 patients were included in the study. The median age of included patients was 66.7 (interquartile range [IQR], 59.0-75.8) years; 66.7% were male, and the median GRACE (Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events) score was 115 (98-133). There were increased 12-month and 36-month mortality rates in consecutive groups of patients stratified by 2-hour door-to-PCI time intervals. After adjustment for patient characteristics, there was a significant positive correlation between the time to PCI and the mortality rates (rs = 0.61; P = 0.04 and rs = 0.65; P = 0.02 for 12-month and 36-month mortality, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The longer the door-to-PCI time, the higher were 12-month and 36-month all-cause mortality rates in NSTEMI patients.

The influence of heparin resistance on postoperative complications in patients undergoing coronary surgery.

BACKGROUND: Heparin resistance is relatively frequent in patients undergoing coronary surgery. We aimed to assess the impact of heparin resistance on the outcome of patients undergoing coronary surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CABG). Three definitions of heparin resistance were adopted. MATERIAL/METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 756 consecutive patients undergoing isolated CABG. All anaesthesia records were reviewed manually. Heparin resistance was recognized if: ACT was less than 400 seconds after 300 U/kg heparin (local criteria), ACT was less than 480 seconds after 400 U/kg or more heparin (stringent criteria), or if heparin sensitivity index was lower than 1.3. Postoperative assessment included perioperative morbidity and mortality. A multiple logistic regression model was used to investigate the influence of all demographic, preoperative and surgical variables, as well as heparin resistance (variably defined) on hospital mortality and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Heparin sensitivity index, local criteria and stringent criteria identified 64.8%, 12.0% and 4.3% heparin resistant patients, respectively. Heparin-resistant patients more frequently had preoperative heparin administration, unstable course of coronary artery disease, and higher coronary symptoms scoring. Severe form of heparin resistance (expressed by the ACT less than 480 seconds after 400 U/kg heparin) was an independent predictor of death (OR 4.92; CI 1.11-21.89). CONCLUSIONS: Mild forms of heparin resistance are relatively frequent and are not associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The isolation of severe heparin resistance as an independent predictor of death in our large cohort of coronary patients suggests that this phenomenon should be given more attention in future studies.

Transcatheter Versus Surgical Valve Replacement: A 24-months Propensity-matched Analysis of the SILCARD Registry.

BACKGROUND: Data concerning the comparison between transcatheter aortic valve implantation and surgical aortic valve replacement in a real-world setting are scarce and in Central and Eastern Europe no such data exist. In this study, we aimed at analyzing retrospectively the characteristics and outcome of patients with aortic stenosis treated either with surgical aortic valve replacement or transcatheter aortic valve implantation between 2006 and 2016 in the Silesian Province, Poland in a representative real-world cohort. METHODS: In the Silesian Cardiovascular Database we retrospectively identified 5186 patients who received either transcatheter aortic valve implantation or surgical aortic valve replacement in 1 of 3 tertiary cardiovascular centers. Baseline characteristics, including relevant clinical history, and outcomes were compared before and after propensity-score matching of both groups, with 348 pairs of patients constituting the propensity-matched study cohort. The primary end-point was 24-month all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Preoperative characteristics of propensity-matched groups were similar. There was no difference between transcatheter aortic valve implantation and surgical aortic valve replacement groups with respect to the death rate at 2 years (19.9% vs. 15.6%; P =.479). In the transcatheter aortic valve implantation group, cardiac resynchronization therapy devices were more frequently implanted after the procedure (3.7% vs. 0.0, P <.001). The groups had similar rates of myocardial infarction, stroke, and re-hospitalization. Hospital stay in the matched groups was shorter after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: 14.1 versus 15.7 days (P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: At 24 months, transcatheter aortic valve implantation patients had similar outcomes as surgical aortic valve replacement except for a higher rate of cardiac resynchronization therapy device implantation and shorter hospital stay.

Managed Care after Acute Myocardial Infarction (MC-AMI) improves prognosis in AMI survivors with pre-existing heart failure: A propensity score matching analysis of Polish nationwide program of comprehensive post-MI care.

BACKGROUND: Despite improvement in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treatment, post-discharge mortality remains high. The outcomes are supposed to be even worse in patients with post-MI heart failure (HF), as only a half of patients with newly diagnosed HF survive four years. AIMS: The study aimed to analyze whether managed care after acute myocardial infarction (MC-AMI) is associated with better survival in AMI survivors with a pre-existing diagnosis of HF. RESULTS: The study included 7228 patients with a pre-existing diagnosis of HF who survived the hospitalization for AMI in Poland between November 2017 and December 2020, of whom 2268 (31.4%) were referred for the MC-AMI program. The median follow-up was 1.5 (0.7-2.3) years. In the unmatched analysis, patients without MC-AMI had more than twice higher 12-month mortality (21.8% vs. 9.9%; P <0.01) than MC-AMI participants. The difference remained significant after propensity score matching (16,8% vs. 10.0%; P <0.01). In multivariable analysis, participation in MC-AMI was an independent factor of 12-month survival. MC-AMI participants had a lower stroke rate (1.5% vs. 3.0%; P <0.01) and fewer hospital admissions due to HF (22.9% vs. 27.6%; P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: After propensity score matching, participation in MC-AMI was associated with lower rates of stroke, HF hospitalizations, and all-cause mortality in the 12-month follow-up and was an independent factor of 12-month survival in AMI survivors with pre-existing HF.

Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of patients discharged from the ICU in a vegetative or minimally conscious state.

PURPOSE: A significant percentage of patients are discharged from intensive care units (ICU) with disorders of counciousness (DoC). The aim of this retrospective, case-control study was to compare patients discharged from the ICU in a vegetative state (VS) or minimally conscious state (MCS) and the rest of ICU survivors, and to identify independent predictors of DoC among ICU survivors. METHODS: Data from 14,368 adult ICU survivors identified in a Silesian Registry of Intensive Care Units (active in the Silesian Region of Poland between October 2010 and December 2019) were analyzed. Patients discharged from the ICU in a VS or MCS were compared to the remaining ICU survivors. Pre-admission and admission variables that independently influence ICU discharge with DoC were identified. RESULTS: Among the 14,368 analyzed adult ICU survivors, 1,064 (7.4%) were discharged from the ICU in a VS or MCS. The percentage of patients discharged from the ICU with DoC was similar in all age groups. Compared to non- DoC ICU patients, they had a higher mean APACHE II and SAPS III score at admission. Independent variables affecting ICU discharge with DoC included unconsciousness at ICU admission, cardiac arrest and craniocerebral trauma as primary cause of ICU admission, as well as a history of previous chronic neurological disorders and cerebral stroke (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Discharge in a VS and MCS was relatively frequent among ICU survivors. Discharge with DoC was more likely among patients who were unconscious at admission and admitted to the ICU due to cardiac arrest or craniocerebral trauma.

Paramedic versus physician-staffed ambulances and prehospital delays in the management of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Time delays to reperfusion therapy in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) still remain a considerable drawback in many healthcare systems. Emergency medical service (EMS) has a critical role in the early management of STEMI. Under investigation herein, was whether the use of physician-staffed ambulances leads to shorter pre-hospital delays in STEMI patients. METHODS: This was an observational and retrospective study, using data from the registry of the Silesian regional EMS system in Katowice, Poland and the Polish Registry on Acute Coronary Syndromes (PL-ACS) for a study period of January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2016. The study population (n = 717) was divided into two groups: group 1 (n = 546 patients) - physician-staffed ambulances and group 2 (n = 171 patients) - paramedic-staffed ambulances. RESULTS: Responses during the day and night shifts were similar. Paramedic-led ambulances more often transmitted 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) to the percutaneous coronary intervention centers. All EMS time intervals were similar in both groups. The type of EMS dispatched to patients (physicianstaffed vs. paramedic/nurse-only staffed ambulance) was adjusted for ECG transmission, sex had no impact on in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR] 1.41; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.79-1.95; p = 0.4). However, service time exceeding 42 min was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (OR 4.19; 95% CI 1.27-13.89; p = 0.019). In-hospital mortality rate was higher in the two upper quartiles of service time in the entire study population. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that both physician-led and paramedic-led ambulances meet the criteria set out by the Polish and European authorities. All EMS time intervals are similar regardless of the type of EMS unit dispatched. A physician being present on board did not have a prognostic impact on outcomes.

Is neural network better than logistic regression in death prediction in patients after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction?

BACKGROUND: There is a need to develop patient classification methods and adjust post-discharge care to improve survival after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). AIMS: The study aimed to determine whether a neural network (NN) is better than logistic regression (LR) in mortality prediction in STEMI patients. METHODS: The study included patients from the Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes (PL-ACS). Patients with the first anterior STEMI treated with the primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery between 2009 and 2015 and discharged alive were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into three groups: learning (60%), validation (20%), and test group (20%). Two models (LR and NN) were developed to predict 6-month all-cause mortality. The predictive values of LR and NN were evaluated with the Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristics Curve (AUROC), and the comparison of AUROC for learning and test groups was performed. Validation of both methods was performed in the same group. RESULTS: Out of 175 895 patients with acute coronary syndrome, 17 793 were included in the study. The 6-month all-cause mortality was 5.9%. Both NN and LR had good predictive values. Better results were obtained in the NN approach regarding the statistical quality of the models - AUROC 0.8422 vs. 0.8137 for LR (P <0.0001). AUROCs in the test groups were 0.8103 and 0.7939, respectively (P = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: The neural network may have a better predictive value for mortality than logistic regression in patients after the first STEMI.

Readmissions to General ICUs in a Geographic Area of Poland Are Seemingly Associated with Better Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Various factors can contribute to high mortality rates in intensive care units (ICUs). Here, we intended to define a population of patients readmitted to general ICUs in Poland and to identify independent predictors of ICU readmission. METHODS: Data derived from adult ICU admissions from the Silesian region of Poland were analyzed. First-time ICU readmissions (≤30 days from ICU discharge after index admissions) were compared with first-time ICU admissions. Pre-admission and admission variables that independently influenced the need for ICU readmission were identified. RESULTS: Among the 21,495 ICU admissions, 839 were first-time readmissions (3.9%). Patients readmitted to the ICU had lower mean APACHE II (21.2 ± 8.0 vs. 23.2 ± 8.8, p < 0.001) and TISS-28 scores (33.7 ± 7.4 vs. 35.2 ± 7.8, p < 0.001) in the initial 24 h following ICU admission, compared to first-time admissions. ICU readmissions were associated with lower mortality vs. first-time admissions (39.2% vs. 44.3%, p = 0.004). Independent predictors for ICU readmission included the admission from a surgical ward (among admission sources), chronic respiratory failure, cachexia, previous stroke, chronic neurological diseases (among co-morbidities), and multiple trauma or infection (among primary reasons for ICU admission). CONCLUSIONS: High mortality associated with first-time ICU admissions is associated with a lower mortality rate during ICU readmissions.

Temporal trends in the availability and efficacy of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter in a highly populated urban area.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary vein isolation has become one of the core modalities of the rhythm control strategy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). AIMS: The aim of the study was to analyze temporal trends in the availability and efficacy of AF and atrial flutter (AFL) catheter ablation in an urban area of Upper Silesia in Poland. METHODS: The source data were obtained from the SILCARD (Silesian Cardiovascular Database) covering an adult population of 3.8 million. The final study population included patients with diagnosis code I48 referred for catheter ablation between 2006 and 2017. The data included total number of procedures, patient sex, age, comorbidities, number of hospital admissions, and mortality rate. RESULTS: A total of 2745 patients were enrolled. The number of ablated patients increased more than 10­fold (43 in 2006 vs 507 in 2017; P = 0.008) in the follow­up period. The analysis showed an upward trend in the proportion of women (P = 0.02), hypertension prevalence (P = 0.004), and percentage of patients implanted (P = 0.02). A decrease was observed in the percentage of patients with stable angina (P <0.005) and hospitalization length (P <0.005). The all­cause hospital readmissions rate decreased from 55.8% to 25.4% (P <0.005). There were significant reductions in the 12­month all­cause mortality (2.3% in 2006 vs 0.2% in 2017; P <0.005), stroke (2.3% in 2006 vs 0.2% in 2017; P = 0.047), and myocardial infarction rates (2.3% in 2006 vs 0.4% in 2017; P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: A considerable increase in the availability and efficacy of AF / AFL ablations was documented over the 12­year follow­up period.

Off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery surgery in octogenarians (from the KROK Registry).

BACKGROUND: According to the medical literature, both on-pump and off-pump coronary artery surgery is safe and effective in octogenarians. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to examine the epidemiology, in-hospital outcomes and long-term follow-up results in octogenarians undergoing off-pump and on-pump coronary artery surgery utilizing nationwide registry data. METHODS: All octogenarians (≥ 80 years) enrolled in the Polish National Registry of Cardiac Surgical Procedures (KROK Registry), who underwent isolated coronary surgery between January 2006 and September 2017 were identified. Preoperative data, perioperative complications, hospital mortality and long-term mortality were analyzed. Unadjusted and propensity-matched comparisons were performed between octogenarians undergoing off-pump and on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. RESULTS: Octogenarians accounted for 4.1% of the total population undergoing coronary artery surgery in Poland during the analyzed period (n = 152,631) and this percentage is increasing. Among 6,006 analyzed patients, 2,744 (45.7%) were operated on-pump and 3,262 (54.3%) were operated off-pump. Propensity-matched analysis revealed that patients operated on-pump were more often reoperated due to postoperative bleeding and their in-hospital mortality was higher (6.6% vs 4.5%, p = 0.006 and 8.7% vs 5.8%, p = 0.001, respectively). Long-term all-cause mortality was lower among patients operated off-pump (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: On the basis of our findings we suggest that off pump technique should be considered as perfectly acceptable in octogenarians.

Should we admit more patients not requiring invasive ventilation to reduce excess mortality in Polish intensive care units? Data from the Silesian ICU Registry.

INTRODUCTION: Mortality in Polish intensive care units (ICU) is excessively high. Only a few patients do not require intubation and invasive ventilation throughout the whole ICU treatment period. We aimed to define this population, as pre-emptive admissions of such patients may increase the population which benefits from ICU admission and reduce excessive mortality in Polish ICUs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data on 20 651 patients from the Silesian Registry of Intensive Care Units were analysed. Patients who did not require intubation and invasive ventilation (referred to as non-ventilated patients) were identified and compared to the remaining ICU population. Independent variables that influence being non-intubated in the ICU were identified. RESULTS: Among 20 368 analyzed adult patients, only 1233 (6.1%) were in the non-ventilated group. Non-ventilated patients were younger, with fewer comorbidities and a lower APACHE II score at admission (13.0 ±7.1 vs. 23.7 ±8.6 points, p < 0.001). Patients with cardiac arrest prior to admission were particularly rare in this group (2.6% vs. 26.8%, p < 0.001). The ICU mortality among non-ventilated patients was 6 to 7 times lower (7.0% vs. 46.7%, p < 0.001). Independent variables that influenced the ICU stay in non-ventilated patients were: obstetric complications as the primary cause of ICU admission, presence of a systemic autoimmune disease, invasive monitoring as the primary cause of ICU admission, ICU readmission and the presence of cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Non-ventilated patients have a high potential for a favourable outcome. Pre­emptive ICU admissions have a potential to reduce mortality in Polish ICUs.

In-hospital and mid-term outcomes in patients reoperated on due to bleeding following coronary artery surgery (from the KROK Registry).

OBJECTIVES: Surgical re-exploration due to postoperative bleeding that follows coronary artery surgery is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to assess a relationship between re-exploration, major postoperative complications, in-hospital mortality and mid-term outcomes in patients following coronary surgery, on the basis of nationwide registry data. METHODS: We identified all consecutive patients enrolled in Polish National Registry of Cardiac Surgical Procedures (KROK Registry) who underwent isolated coronary surgery between January 2012 and December 2014. Preoperative data, major postoperative complications, hospital mortality and mid-term all-cause mortality were, respectively, analysed. Comparisons were performed in all patients, low-risk patients (EuroSCORE II < 2%, males, aged 60-70 years) and propensity-matched patients. The starting point for follow-up was the date of hospital discharge. RESULTS: Among 41 353 analysed patients, 1406 (3.4%) underwent re-exploration. Reoperated patients had more comorbidities, more frequent major postoperative complications, higher in-hospital mortality (13.2% vs 1.8%, P < 0.001) and higher mid-term mortality in survivors (P < 0.001). In the low-risk population, 3.0% of patients underwent re-exploration. Reoperated low-risk patients and propensity-matched patients also had more frequent major postoperative complications and higher in-hospital mortality, but mid-term mortality in survivors was similar. In a multivariable analysis, re-exploration was an independent predictor of death and all major postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical re-exploration due to postoperative bleeding following coronary artery surgery carries a high risk of perioperative mortality and is linked to major postoperative complications. Among patients who survive to hospital discharge, mid-term mortality is associated primarily with preoperative comorbidities.