Definitions of major bleeding for predicting mortality in critically ill adult patients who survived 24 hours while supported with peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for cardiogenic shock: a comparative historical cohort study.

PURPOSE: The severity of bleeding events is heterogeneously defined during peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (pVA-ECMO). We studied three bleeding definitions in pVA-ECMO: the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO)-serious bleeding, the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC), and the universal definition of postoperative bleeding (UPDB) classifications. METHODS: We included consecutive adult patients supported by pVA-ECMO for refractory cardiogenic shock admitted to Lille academic hospitals between January 2013 and December 2019. We assessed the association of bleeding definitions with the primary endpoint of 28-day all-cause mortality with the use of multivariate models accounting for time-dependent and competing variables. We compared models' performances using the Harrell's C-Index and the Akaike information criteria. RESULTS: Twenty-eight-day mortality occurred in 128/308 (42%) 308 patients. The ELSO-serious bleeding (hazard ratio [HR], 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09 to 2.56) and BARC ≥ type 2 (HR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.01 to 2.37) were associated with 28-day mortality (Harrell's C-index, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.74 for both). Predictors of ELSO-serious bleeding were postcardiotomy, body mass index, baseline platelets count, fibrinogen, and hemoglobin levels. CONCLUSION: Extracorporeal Life Support Organization-serious bleeding and BARC ≥ type 2 are relevant definitions of major bleeding regarding their association with mortality in critically ill patients who survived the first 24 hr while supported with pVA-ECMO for cardiogenic shock. STUDY REGISTRATION: CERAR (IRB 00010254-2022-050, Paris, France); first submitted on 18 April 2022.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: La gravité des événements hémorragiques est définie de manière hétérogène pendant une oxygénation par membrane extracorporelle veino-artérielle périphérique (ECMO-VA périphérique). Nous avons étudié trois définitions du saignement sous ECMO-VA périphérique : les classifications des saignements graves selon l'Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO), celles du Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) et la définition universelle du saignement postopératoire (UPDB). MéTHODE: Nous avons inclus des patient·es adultes pris·es en charge de manière consécutive par ECMO-VA périphérique à la suite d'un choc cardiogénique réfractaire et admis·es dans les centres hospitaliers universitaires de Lille entre janvier 2013 et décembre 2019. Nous avons évalué l'association des définitions du saignement avec le critère d'évaluation principal de mortalité toutes causes confondues à 28 jours à l'aide de modèles multivariés tenant compte des variables dépendantes du temps et concurrentes. Nous avons comparé les performances des modèles à l'aide de l'indice C de Harrell et du critère d'information d'Akaike. RéSULTATS: La mortalité à 28 jours est survenue chez 128/308 (42 %) patient·es. Le saignement grave selon l'ELSO (rapport de risque [RR], 1,67; intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 %, 1,09 à 2,56) et une classification BARC ≥ type 2 (RR, 1,55; IC 95 %, 1,01 à 2,37) étaient associés à une mortalité à 28 jours (indice C de Harrell, 0,69; IC 95 %, 0,63 à 0,74 pour les deux). Les prédicteurs d'hémorragie grave selon l'ELSO étaient la postcardiotomie, l'indice de masse corporelle, la numération plaquettaire initiale, le taux de fibrinogène et les taux d'hémoglobine. CONCLUSION: Les définitions du saignement grave de l'Extracorporeal Life Support Organization et une classification BARC ≥ type 2 sont des définitions pertinentes des saignements majeurs en ce qui touche à leur association avec la mortalité chez les personnes gravement malades qui ont survécu aux premières 24 heures alors qu'elles étaient prises en charge par ECMO-VA périphérique à la suite d'un choc cardiogénique. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: CERAR (IRB 00010254-2022-050, Paris, France); soumis pour la première fois le 18 avril 2022.

An unusual case of native aortic endocarditis due to Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum.

Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum, a Gram-positive rod belonging the oropharynx microbiota, is usually described in pulmonary infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. This paper describes a rare case of native aortic infectious endocarditis (IE) and reviews the literature on similar cases. A 62-year-old man with rheumatic fever since childhood was hospitalized for surgical treatment of a febrile IE due to C. diphtheriticum with a large vegetation (15.8 X 8.3 mm). MALDI-TOF-MS from strain isolated in positive blood cultures identified C. pseudodiphtheriticum (2.34), and 16S rRNA sequencing from the valve sample confirmed the identification. The summary of 25 cases shows that the outcome of an IE due to C. pseudodiphtheriticum is bad. The review of the literature shows that this agent found in blood cultures in a cardiovascular context deserves to be explored meticulously because an unfavorable prognosis is frequent.

Mid-Term Survival and Risk Factors Associated With Myocardial Injury After Fenestrated and/or Branched Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

OBJECTIVE: Myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery (MINS) is an independent predictor of post-operative mortality in non-cardiac surgery patients and may increase health costs. Few data are available for MINS in vascular surgery patients, in general, and those undergoing fenestrated/branched endovascular aortic repairs (F/BEVAR), in particular. The incidence of MINS after F/BEVAR, the associated risk factors, and prognosis have not been determined. The aim of the present study was to help fill these knowledge gaps. METHODS: A single centre, retrospective study was carried out at a high volume F/BEVAR centre in a university hospital. Adult patients who underwent F/BEVAR between October 2010 and December 2018 were included. A high sensitivity troponin T (HsTnT) assay was performed daily in the first few post-operative days. MINS was defined as a HsTnT level ≥ 14 ng/L (MINS14) or ≥ 20 ng/L (MINS20). After assessment of the incidence of MINS, survival up to two years was estimated in a Kaplan-Meier analysis and the groups were compared according to MINS status. A secondary aim was to identify predictors of MINS. RESULTS: Of the 387 included patients, 240 (62.0%) had MINS14 and 166 (42.9%) had MINS20. In multivariable Cox models, both conditions were significantly associated with poor two year survival (MINS14: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 2.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10 - 4.19; MINS20: aHR 2.43, 95% CI 1.36 - 4.34). In a multivariable logistic regression, age, revised cardiac risk index, duration of surgery, pre-operative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and haemoglobin level were independent predictors of MINS. CONCLUSION: After F/BEVAR surgery, the incidence of MINS was particularly high, regardless of the definition considered (MINS14 or MINS20). MINS was significantly associated with poor two year survival. The modifiable predictors identified were duration of surgery, eGFR, and haemoglobin level.

Central venous-to-arterial PCO2 difference, arteriovenous oxygen content and outcome after adult cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass: A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Rapid identification and treatment of tissue hypoxia reaching anaerobiosis (dysoxia) may reduce organ failure and the occurrence of major postoperative complications (MPC) after cardiac surgery. The predictive ability of PCO2-based dysoxia biomarkers, central venous-to-arterial PCO2 difference (ΔPCO2) and ΔPCO2 to arteriovenous oxygen content difference ratio, is poorly studied in this setting. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the ability of PCO2-based tissue dysoxia biomarkers, blood lactate concentration and central venous oxygen saturation measured 2 h after admission to the ICU as predictors of MPC. DESIGN: A prospective, observational cohort study. SETTING: Single-centre, academic hospital cardiovascular ICU. PATIENTS: We included adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass and measured dysoxia biomarkers at ICU admission, and after 2, 6 and 24 h. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary endpoint was MPC, a composite of cardiac and noncardiac MPC evaluated in the 48 h following surgery. After univariate analysis of MPC covariates including dysoxia biomarkers measured at 2 h, multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the association of these biomarkers with MPC for confounders. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were determined for biomarkers which remained independently associated with MPC. RESULTS: MPC occurred in 56.5% of the 308 patients analysed. ΔPCO2, blood lactate concentration and central venous oxygen saturation measured at 2 h, but not ΔPCO2 to arteriovenous oxygen content difference ratio, were significantly associated with MPC. However, only ΔPCO2 was independently associated with MPC after multivariate analysis. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of ΔPCO2 measured at 2 h for MPC prediction was 0.64 (95% CI 0.57 to 0.70, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: After cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, ΔPCO2 measured 2 h after ICU admission was the only dysoxia biomarker independently associated with MPC, but with limited performance. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03107572.

Prognosis at 6 and 12months after self-attempted hanging.

INTRODUCTION: Patients surviving a self-attempted hanging have a total neurological recovery in 57-77% of cases at hospital discharge, but no long-term data are available. METHODS: In this observational study, all patients hospitalized post-self-attempted hanging in the intensive care unit (ICU) in a 5-year period were included. Neurological evaluations at 6 and 12months were performed according to Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) scores. Factors associated with neurological recovery were determined by comparing CPC2+3+4 (bad recovery) vs. CPC1 (good recovery). RESULTS: Of 231 patients included, 104 (47%) were found to have cardiac arrest (CA). Ninety-five (41%) patients died in the ICU: 93 (89%) in the CA group and 2 (1.6%) in the group without CA. Neurological evaluations at 6 and 12months were obtained in 97 of the 136 surviving patients. At 6months, in the CA group (n=9), the CPC score was 1 for 6 patients, 2 for 2, and 4 for 1 patient. In the group without CA (n=88), 79 patients had normal neurological status at 6months and 78 at 12months. Among these patients, 96% returned home, 77% returned to work, 16 (18%) patients re-attempted suicide within the year. Risk factors of neurological sequelae at 6months were a CA at the hanging site (P=0.045), an elevated diastolic blood pressure (87 vs. 70 mm Hg; P=0.04), a lower initial Glasgow score (4 vs. 5; P=0.04), and an elevated blood glucose level (139 vs. 113 mg/dL; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients surviving a self-attempted hanging who did not have a CA had a good neurological outcome. The rate of suicidal recidivism is particularly important, which justifies joint work with psychiatrists.

Subclavian versus femoral arterial cannulations during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: A propensity-matched comparison.

BACKGROUND: During peripheral extracorporeal veno-arterial membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) support, subclavian arterial cannulation provides, in comparison to femoral arterial cannulation, an anterograde flow which may prevent from left ventricular (LV) distention and improve outcomes. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of subclavian cannulation to femoral cannulation in reducing LV overdistension consequences, hemostatic complications and mortality. METHODS: This retrospective study conducted in two intensive care units of the Lille academic hospitals from January 2013 to December 2019 included 372 non-moribund adult patients supported by VA-ECMO. The primary endpoint was a new onset of pulmonary edema (PO) or LV unloading. Secondary endpoints were myocardial recovery, serious bleeding (according to Extracorporeal Life Support Organization definition), thrombotic complications (a composite of stroke, cannulated limb or mesenteric ischemia, intracardiac or aortic-root thrombosis) and 28 day mortality. Differences in outcomes were analyzed using propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probability of treatment weighting adjustment (IPTW). RESULTS: As compared to femoral cannulation (n = 320 patients), subclavian cannulation (n = 52 patients) did not reduce the occurrence of new onset of PO or LV unloading after PSM [HR 0.99 (95% CI 0.51-1.91)]. There was no other difference in outcomes in PSM cohort. In IPTW adjustment cohort, subclavian cannulation was associated with reduced recovery and increased serious bleeding with four accidental decannulations observed. CONCLUSION: Subclavian artery cannulation was not associated with reduced LV distension related complications, thrombotic complications and 28 day mortality. Rather, it may increase serious bleeding and accidental decannulations, and reduce recovery. Therefore, subclavian cannulation should be limited to vascular accessibility issues.

Evaluation of Anti-Activated Factor X Activity and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time Relations and Their Association with Bleeding and Thrombosis during Veno-Arterial ECMO Support: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the relationship between anti-activated Factor X (anti-FXa) and activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT), and its modulation by other haemostasis co-variables during veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) support. We further investigated their association with serious bleeding and thrombotic complications. METHODS: This retrospective single-center study included 265 adults supported by VA-ECMO for refractory cardiogenic shock from January 2015 to June 2019. The concordance of anti-FXa and aPTT and their correlations were assessed in 1699 paired samples. Their independent associations with serious bleeding or thrombotic complications were also analysed in multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The concordance rate of aPTT with anti-FXa values was 50.7%, with 39.3% subtherapeutic aPTT values. However, anti-FXa and aPTT remained associated (ß = 0.43 (95% CI 0.4-0.45) 10-2 IU/mL, p < 0.001), with a significant modulation by several biological co-variables. There was no association between anti-FXa nor aPTT values with serious bleeding or with thrombotic complications. CONCLUSION: During VA-ECMO, although anti-FXa and aPTT were significantly associated, their values were highly discordant with marked sub-therapeutic aPTT values. These results should favour the use of anti-FXa. The effect of biological co-variables and the failure of anti-FXa and aPTT to predict bleeding and thrombotic complications underline the complexity of VA-ECMO-related coagulopathy.

Fatal Enterovirus-related Myocarditis in a Patient with Devic's Syndrome Treated with Rituximab.

Enteroviruses are a frequent source of infection and among the most common central nervous system viral pathogens. Enteroviruses - in particular, the Coxsackie B viruses - are a known cause of myocarditis. Rituximab is a genetically engineered chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. Many reports in the literature suggest a higher risk of infection following repeated rituximab therapy, including viral infection. However, observations of enterovirus-related myocarditis in the context of rituximab treatment are scarce. The authors describe the case of a patient with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder who developed severe and fatal enterovirus-related myocarditis after rituximab therapy with a difficult differential diagnosis of autoimmune or giant-cell myocarditis. This case highlights the importance of complete diagnostic workup in difficult cases of myocarditis, including endomyocardial biopsies.