Effect of Perioperative Goal-Directed Hemodynamic Resuscitation Therapy on Outcomes Following Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial and Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of goal-directed therapy on outcomes in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery. DESIGN: A prospective randomized controlled trial and an updated metaanalysis of randomized trials published from inception up to May 1, 2015. SETTING: Surgical ICU within a tertiary referral university-affiliated teaching hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred twenty-six high-risk patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery or valve repair. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to a cardiac output-guided hemodynamic therapy algorithm (goal-directed therapy group, n = 62) or to usual care (n = 64). In the goal-directed therapy arm, a cardiac index of greater than 3 L/min/m was targeted with IV fluids, inotropes, and RBC transfusion starting from cardiopulmonary bypass and ending 8 hours after arrival to the ICU. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was a composite endpoint of 30-day mortality and major postoperative complications. Patients from the goal-directed therapy group received a greater median (interquartile range) volume of IV fluids than the usual care group (1,000 [625-1,500] vs 500 [500-1,000] mL; p < 0.001], with no differences in the administration of either inotropes or RBC transfusions. The primary outcome was reduced in the goal-directed therapy group (27.4% vs 45.3%; p = 0.037). The goal-directed therapy group had a lower occurrence rate of infection (12.9% vs 29.7%; p = 0.002) and low cardiac output syndrome (6.5% vs 26.6%; p = 0.002). We also observed lower ICU cumulative dosage of dobutamine (12 vs 19 mg/kg; p = 0.003) and a shorter ICU (3 [3-4] vs 5 [4-7] d; p < 0.001) and hospital length of stay (9 [8-16] vs 12 [9-22] d; p = 0.049) in the goal-directed therapy compared with the usual care group. There were no differences in 30-day mortality rates (4.8% vs 9.4%, respectively; p = 0.492). The metaanalysis identified six trials and showed that, when compared with standard treatment, goal-directed therapy reduced the overall rate of complications (goal-directed therapy, 47/410 [11%] vs usual care, 92/415 [22%]; odds ratio, 0.40 [95% CI, 0.26-0.63]; p < 0.0001) and decreased the hospital length of stay (mean difference, -5.44 d; 95% CI, -9.28 to -1.60; p = 0.006) with no difference in postoperative mortality: 9 of 410 (2.2%) versus 15 of 415 (3.6%), odds ratio, 0.61 (95% CI, 0.26-1.47), and p = 0.27. CONCLUSIONS: Goal-directed therapy using fluids, inotropes, and blood transfusion reduced 30-day major complications in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Ten-year follow-up survival of the Medicine, Angioplasty, or Surgery Study (MASS II): a randomized controlled clinical trial of 3 therapeutic strategies for multivessel coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: This study compared the 10-year follow-up of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), coronary artery surgery (CABG), and medical treatment (MT) in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease, stable angina, and preserved ventricular function. METHODS AND RESULTS: The primary end points were overall mortality, Q-wave myocardial infarction, or refractory angina that required revascularization. All data were analyzed according to the intention-to-treat principle. At a single institution, 611 patients were randomly assigned to CABG (n=203), PCI (n=205), or MT (n=203). The 10-year survival rates were 74.9% with CABG, 75.1% with PCI, and 69% with MT (P=0.089). The 10-year rates of myocardial infarction were 10.3% with CABG, 13.3% with PCI, and 20.7% with MT (P<0.010). The 10-year rates of additional revascularizations were 7.4% with CABG, 41.9% with PCI, and 39.4% with MT (P<0.001). Relative to the composite end point, Cox regression analysis showed a higher incidence of primary events in MT than in CABG (hazard ratio 2.35, 95% confidence interval 1.78 to 3.11) and in PCI than in CABG (hazard ratio 1.85, 95% confidence interval 1.39 to 2.47). Furthermore, 10-year rates of freedom from angina were 64% with CABG, 59% with PCI, and 43% with MT (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with CABG, MT was associated with a significantly higher incidence of subsequent myocardial infarction, a higher rate of additional revascularization, a higher incidence of cardiac death, and consequently a 2.29-fold increased risk of combined events. PCI was associated with an increased need for further revascularization, a higher incidence of myocardial infarction, and a 1.46-fold increased risk of combined events compared with CABG. Additionally, CABG was better than MT at eliminating anginal symptoms. Clinical Trial Registration Information- URL: http://www.controlled-trials.com. REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN66068876.

Five-year follow-up of a randomized comparison between off-pump and on-pump stable multivessel coronary artery bypass grafting. The MASS III Trial.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass graft surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass is a safe, routine procedure. Nevertheless, significant morbidity remains, mostly because of the body's response to the nonphysiological nature of cardiopulmonary bypass. Few data are available on the effects of off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery (OPCAB) on cardiac events and long-term clinical outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a single-center randomized trial, 308 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery were randomly assigned: 155 to OPCAB and 153 to on-pump CAB (ONCAB). Primary composite end points were death, myocardial infarction, further revascularization (surgery or angioplasty), or stroke. After 5-year follow-up, the primary composite end point was not different between groups (hazard ratio 0.71, 95% CI 0.41 to 1.22; P=0.21). A statistical difference was found between OPCAB and ONCAB groups in the duration of surgery (240±65 versus 300±87.5 minutes; P<0.001), in the length of ICU stay (19.5±17.8 versus 43±17.0 hours; P<0.001), time to extubation (4.6±6.8 versus 9.3±5.7 hours; P<0.001), hospital stay (6±2 versus 9±2 days; P<0.001), higher incidence of atrial fibrillation (35 versus 4% of patients; P<0.001), and blood requirements (31 versus 61% of patients; P<0.001), respectively. The number of grafts per patient was higher in the ONCAB than the OPCAB group (2.97 versus 2.49 grafts/patient; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: No difference was found between groups in the primary composite end point at 5-years follow-up. Although OPCAB surgery was related to a lower number of grafts and higher episodes of atrial fibrillation, it had no significant implications related to long-term outcomes. Clinical Trial Registration-URL: http://www.controlled-trials.com. Unique identifier: ISRCTN66068876.

[Initial results on the use of mechanical devices for proximal saphenous vein graft anastomoses: a clinical and angiographic evaluation].

OBJECTIVE: To report on our initial clinical experience of the utilization of a mechanical anastomotic device (MAD) to perform saphenous vein graft to aorta anastomosis. METHOD: Between June 2002 and May 2003, 17 patients, including 13 male, with a mean age of 64.4 +/- 9.4 years, were selected for coronary artery bypass grafting using MAD. A total of 49 anastomoses, 19 arterial and 30 vein grafts, were performed with a mean of 2.9 +/-0.5 anastomoses per patient. Eleven (36.7%) vein-graft anastomoses were performed with conventional sutures and 19 (63.3%) using MAD. The clinical evolution, enzymatic and electrocardiographic alterations as well as an angiographic study were analyzed in the postoperative period. RESULTS: Of the 17 patients, the mechanical device was used on 16 (94.1%). Six (37.5%) patients were operated on under cardiopulmonary bypass with a mean time of 102.9 +/-16.9 minutes. The postoperative evolution was satisfactory in all patients. No patient presented with enzymatic, myocardial infarction or other ischemic electrocardiographic alterations in the immediate postoperative period. Early postoperative angiography was performed in 9 (52.9%) patients. The anastomoses of the left internal thoracic artery to left anterior descending artery were patent in all cases. Of the 15 saphenous vein grafts studied, 11 (73.3%) were performed using MAD, 9 (81.8%) of which were patent. All the 4 conventionally sutured vein anastomoses were patent. No hospital deaths occurred. In the late follow-up, 88.2% of the patients were free of cardiac-related events. CONCLUSIONS: MAD for vein graft-to-aorta anastomoses proved to be feasible, but a wider analysis of the benefits of its utilization regarding operative time, aggression to the patient, patency of the grafts and final cost are necessary.

Cancer-related deaths among different treatment options in chronic coronary artery disease: results of a 6-year follow-up of the MASS II study.

INTRODUCTION: The primary end points of randomized clinical trials evaluating the outcome of therapeutic strategies for coronary artery disease (CAD) have included nonfatal acute myocardial infarction, the need for further revascularization, and overall mortality. Noncardiac causes of death may distort the interpretation of the long-term effects of coronary revascularization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This post-hoc analysis of the second Medicine, Angioplasty, or Surgery Study evaluates the cause of mortality of patients with multivessel CAD undergoing medical treatment, percutaneous coronary intervention, or surgical myocardial revascularization [coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG)] after a 6-year follow-up. Mortality was classified as cardiac and noncardiac death, and the causes of noncardiac death were reported. RESULTS: Patients were randomized into CABG and non-CABG groups (percutaneous coronary intervention plus medical treatment). No statistical differences were observed in overall mortality (P=0.824). A significant difference in the distribution of causes of mortality was observed among the CABG and non-CABG groups (P=0.003). In the CABG group, of the 203 randomized patients, the overall number of deaths was 34. Sixteen patients (47.1%) died of cardiac causes and 18 patients (52.9%) died of noncardiac causes. Of these, seven deaths (20.6%) were due to neoplasia. In the non-CABG group, comprising 408 patients, the overall number of deaths was 69. Fifty-three patients (77%) died of cardiac causes and 16 patients (23%) died of noncardiac causes. Only five deaths (7.2%) were due to neoplasia. CONCLUSION: Different treatment options for multivessel coronary artery disease have similar overall mortality: CABG patients had the lowest incidence of cardiac death, but the highest incidence of noncardiac causes of death, and specifically a higher tendency toward cancer-related deaths.

Análise crítica do tratamento cirúrgico nas síndromes coronarianas agudas e suas complicaçõe / Critical analysis of surgical treatment in acute coronary syndromes and its complications

Apesar dos grandes avanços no tratamento médico, suporte farmacológico, técnicas de reperfusão e o suporte mecânico, as síndromes coronarianas ainda representam uma das principais causas de morbidade e mortalidade. Abordagens agressivas de revascularização miocárdica parecem estar associadas à redução da mortalidade em pacientes com síndromes coronarianas agudas (SCA). O melhor momento da intervenção não deve apenas reduzir a mortalidade em curto prazo, mas também oferecer resultados satisfatórios em longo prazo. Dependendo do tipo de evento, a síndrome coronariana aguda tem uma adequada modalidade terapêutica. Iremos abordar estratégias relacionadas ao infarto sem e com supra desnivelamento do segmento ST, infarto miocárdico com choque cardiogênico e as complicações mecânicas do infarto. De forma geral, a abordagem invasiva tem melhores resultados. Pacientes com infarto na fase aguda são abordados preferencialmente por técnicas percutâneas, pois a estratégia cirúrgica demanda tempo para a efetiva revascularização. Os resultados de seguimento em longo prazo variam de acordo com a extensão do infarto, a fração de ejeção e a anatomia coronariana. Aqueles pacientes que evoluem com choque cardiogênico têm alta mortalidade independente da estratégia utilizada. Pacientes que evoluem com complicações mecânicas, são necessariamente cirúrgicos, sendo que o melhor momento para a intervenção varia de acordo com a condição clínica e hemodinâmica...

Despite the great advances in medical treatment, pharmacological support, reperfusion techniques, and mechanical support, coronary syndromes are still among the main causes of morbidity and mortality. Aggressive myocardial revascularization approaches appear to be associated with reduced mortality in patients with ACS. The optimum moment of intervention should not only reduce mortality in the short term, but should also offer satisfactory results in the long term. Depending on the type of event, acute coronary syndrome has an adequate therapeutic modality. We address strategies related to infarction with and without ST segment elevation, myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock, and mechanical complications of infarction. Ingeneral, the invasive approach has shown best results. Patients with infarction in the acute phase are preferably treated by percutaneous techniques, as the surgical approach requires time for effective revascularization. The long-term results vary, depending on the extent of the infarction, the ejection fraction, and the coronary anatomy. Patients who evolve with cardiogenic shock have high mortality, regardless of the strategy used. Patients who evolve with mechanical complications must undergo surgery, with the best moment for the intervention depending on the clinical and hemodynamic condition...

A randomized comparative study of patients undergoing myocardial revascularization with or without cardiopulmonary bypass surgery: The MASS III Trial.

UNLABELLED: The MASS III Trial is a large project from a single institution, The Heart Institute of the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil (InCor), enrolling patients with coronary artery disease and preserved ventricular function. The aim of the MASS III Trial is to compare medical effectiveness, cerebral injury, quality of life, and the cost-effectiveness of coronary surgery with and without of cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with multivessel coronary disease referred for both strategies. The primary endpoint should be a composite of cardiovascular mortality, cerebrovascular accident, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and refractory angina requiring revascularization. The secondary end points in this trial include noncardiac mortality, presence and severity of angina, quality of life based on the SF-36 Questionnaire, and cost-effectiveness at discharge and at 5-year follow-up. In this scenario, we will analyze the cost of the initial procedure, hospital length of stay, resource utilization, repeat hospitalization, and repeat revascularization events during the follow-up. Exercise capacity will be assessed at 6-months, 12-months, and the end of follow-up. A neurocognitive evaluation will be assessed in a subset of subjects using the Brain Resource Center computerized neurocognitive battery. Furthermore, magnetic resonance imaging will be made to detect any cerebral injury before and after procedures in patients who undergo coronary artery surgery with and without cardiopulmonary bypass. TRIALS REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial registration information ISRCTN59539154 Off-pump vs. on-pump surgery in patients with Stable CAD MASS III.

Timoma do mediastino médio: relato de caso / Middle mediastinal thymoma: case report

Paciente do sexo feminino, 55 anos, branca, com sinais clínicos sugestivos de miastenia gravis há aproximadamente 3 meses. A prova terapêutica com neostigmina evidenciou melhora da disfagia e ptose palpebral. Na radiografia de tórax observou-se imagem ocupando o mediastino médio com projeção à direita. A tomografia computadorizada de tórax revelou a presença de massa no mediastino médio, sendo indicado o tratamento cirúrgico. Chamou nossa atenção a localização pouco usual, já que, preferencialmente, os timomas localizam-se no mediastino superior e anterior. A evolução pós-operatória foi boa, sem complicações.

Initial results on the use of mechanical devices for proximal saphenous vein graft anastomoses: a clinical and angiographic evaluation

OBJETIVO: Relatar nossa experiência inicial com utilização do dispositivo mecânico para realização de anastomose aorta-safena. MÉTODO: Entre junho/2002 e maio/2003, 17 pacientes (pts) foram selecionados para emprego de anastomose mecânica, sendo 13 homens, com idade média de 64,4ñ9,4 anos, portadores de doença arterial coronariana. Foram realizadas 2,9ñ0,5 anastomoses/paciente, totalizando 49, sendo 19 com utilização de enxertos arteriais e 30 com veia safena. Dentre as pontes de veia safena, 11 (36,7 por cento) foram convencionais e 19 (63,3 por cento) utilizaram sutura mecânica (SM) aorto-safena. No período pós-operatório, foram analisados evolução clínica, alteraçäes enzimáticas e eletrocardiográficas, bem como estudo angiográfico das anastomoses. RESULTADOS: Dos 17 pts, a SM foi empregada em 16 (94,1 por cento). Utilizou-se circulação extracorpórea em 6 (37,5 por cento) dos 16 pts que receberam SM, com tempo médio de 102,9 ñ 16,9 minutos. A evolução pós-operatória foi satisfatória em todos os pts. No pós-operatório, não foram observadas alteraçäes isquêmicas ou IAM em nenhum paciente. O estudo angiográfico das anastomoses foi realizado em 9 (52,9 por cento) pts. As anastomoses da artéria torácica interna esquerda para ramo interventricular anterior apresentavam-se pérvias em 100 por cento dos casos. Das 15 anastomoses de veia safena estudadas, 11 (73,3 por cento) eram de SM e 9 (81,8 por cento) apresentavam-se pérvias. Todas anastomoses convencionais de veia safena estavam pérvias. Não se observou óbito hospitalar. No seguimento tardio, 88,2 por cento dos pacientes apresentam-se livres de eventos cardiovasculares. CONCLUSåES: A SM mostrou-se factível, mas é necessária uma análise mais ampla dos benefícios de sua utilização em relação ao tempo operatório, agressão ao paciente, perviabilidade do enxerto e custo final.

Aspectos da proteção cerebral em pacientes submetidos a tromboendarterectomia pulmonar com hipotermia profunda e parada circulatória intermitente / Aspects of cerebral protection in patients submitted to pulmonary thromboendarterectomy with profound hypothermia and intermittent circulatory arrest

INTRODUÇÃO: A tromboendarterectomia pulmonar é utilizada como método bem estabelecido para aliviar a hipertensão pulmonar nos casos de tromboembolismo pulmonar crônico. A dificuldade que se apresenta é conciliar o tempo relativamente exíguo de parada circulatória total (PCT) hipotérmica com a completa desobstrução das artérias pulmonares, sob pena de danos neurológicos. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODOS: No período de março de 1998 a abril de 1999 (13 meses), 8 pacientes, 5 do sexo masculino, 1 de cor negra, com idade variando entre 25 a 56 anos (média 46,2 anos) e com diagnóstico angiográfico de tromboembolismo pulmonar, foram submetidos a tromboendarterectomia pulmonar uni ou bilateral por tromboembolismo pulmonar crônico (TEP). Instalado o circuito extracorpóreo e incisada a artéria pulmonar, procede-se à PCT e, aproximadamente a cada 20 minutos de procedimento, intermitentemente, o fluxo da circulação extracorpórea (CEC) é restabelecido a 14º C por um período de 15 minutos objetivando-se a reperfusão cerebral e corpórea. Sucessivas paradas circulatórias total são realizadas e tantas quanto forem necessárias até a remoção de todos os trombos da artéria pulmonar. RESULTADOS: Não foram registrados óbitos no transoperatório. Um paciente faleceu no 30º dia de pós-operatório (PO) devido a broncopneumonia que evoluiu para sepse. Os 8 pacientes foram submetidos a CEC e PCT hipotérmica, sendo que em 5 (62,5 por cento) foram necessárias 4 PCT e em 3 (37,5 por cento) apenas 3 PCT, com média de 3,6 PCT. O tempo total de CEC variou de 210 a 255 minutos, com média de 225 minutos. O tempo de PCT hipotérmica variou de 58 a 88 minutos, com média de 76,7 minutos e o período de PCT por paciente variou de 18 a 24 minutos, com média de 20,5 minutos. Em todos os pacientes foram realizadas tomografias de crânio, que não revelaram nenhuma alteração anatômica, assim como o exame físico não revelou déficit motor ou rebaixamento do sensório. CONCLUSÃO: Acreditamos ser esta uma técnica promissora, capaz de oferecer tranqüilidade para o cirurgião e segurança para o paciente em termos de proteção do sistema nervoso central.

Revascularizaçäo do miocárdio por técnica minimamente invasiva: o que aprendemos após 3 anos com seu emprego / Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass graft: a three-year experience

Objetivo: Com as avanços no tratamento das lesöes obstrutivas das artérias coronárias pela hemodinâmica, torna-se atraente a revascularizaçäo do miocárdio pelas técnicas minimamente invasivas. O objetivo deste trabalho é o relato de nossa experiência após 3 anos com o uso desta técnica, analisando-se a utilizaçäo de estabilizador mecânico de suturas, as vias de acesso e os resultados obtidos. Casuística e Métodos: Foram operados 120 pacientes, sendo 86 do sexo masculino, com idades variando de 30 a 83 anos (média de 61,2 anos). Todos eram portadores de lesöes coronarianas obstrutivas acima de 80 por cento. Os uniarteriais eram portadores de lesöes, de 79,2 por cento no ramo interventricular anterior (RIA), 1,6 por cento dos ramos diagonais (Dg) e 0,8 por cento da artéria coronária direita (CD). Os biarteriais apresentavam lesöes de 17,6 por cento RIA e Dg e 0,8 por cento RIA e Marginal esquerda da artéria circunflexa (MgE). Foram utilizadas duas vias de acesso: para lesöes isoladas do RIA foi utilizada preferencialmente a minitoracotomia anterior de 8 cm no quarto espaço intercostal esquerdo. Para lesöes associadas RIA/Dg foi utilizada incisäo longitudinal mediana limitada de 10 a 12 cm, com secçäo total do esterno e afastamento de 5 a 6 cm de suas bordas. Näo foi utilizada...