The routine use of platelet function tests in elective coronary artery bypass grafting: A prospective observational trial.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative use of platelet function tests contributes to the decrease of re-intervention rate due to bleeding and the necessity of transfusion in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients. The aim was to investigate the predictive value and to justify routine preoperative use of multiple electrode aggregometry in these patients. METHODS: A prospective observational trial which included 416 consecutive patients subjected to elective isolated CABG was conducted. The Multiplate® test was used to assess platelet function. Platelet function test results, postoperative blood loss, and transfusion requirements were compared between high and low bleeding risk patients. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the arachidonic acid (ASPI) and adenosine di-phosphate high sensitive (ADPHS) tests. RESULTS: ADPHS and ASPI test results significantly predicted total bleeding > 1000 ml (AUC, 0.685, p < .001; 0.695, p = .039). Sensitivity and specificity were 62.9% and 40.0%, for ADPHS ≤602, and 70.8% and 41.8%, for ASPI ≤ 453. The sensitivity and specificity of cut-off values recommended by the manufacturer were 84.2% and 40.0% for ADPHS ≤ 500, while for ASPI < 600 the values were 54.7% and 62.2%. More platelets and cryoprecipitate were transfused in patients with ADPHS ≤ 602.5 (p < .001; p = .035). Patients with ADPHS ≤ 500 had a higher rate of red blood count, platelet and cryoprecipitate transfusion (p<.001p<.001; p = .013). The manufacturer's ASPI test cut-off values showed no statistically significant prediction for a higher transfusion rate. CONCLUSION: Preoperative platelet function tests should be conducted systematically for all elective CABG patients who were on dual antiplatelet therapy after adjusting test cut-off values for each population.

Clinical Impact of Patient-Prosthesis Mismatch After Aortic Valve Replacement With a Mechanical or Biological Prosthesis.

BACKGROUND: Patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) may impair functional capacity and survival after aortic valve replacement. This study aimed to investigate the impact of PPM on long-term survival and quality of life after mechanical and biological aortic valve replacement. METHODS: This study included 595 consecutive patients who had undergone isolated aortic valve replacement. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to prosthesis type. The baseline and operative characteristics, survival rates, complications, and quality of life of the groups with and without PPM were compared for up to 6 years. The PPM calculation was performed using the effective orifice area value provided by the manufacturer divided by the patient's body surface area. RESULTS: The moderate to severe PPM rates were 69.8% and 3.7% after biological and mechanical prosthesis implantation, respectively. Mean survival for patients in the biological group who had PPM was statistically significantly shorter (50.2 months [95% CI, 45.2-55.3]) than for patients in the biological group without PPM (60.1 months [95% CI, 55.7-64.4]; P = .04). In the mechanical prosthesis group, there was no difference in mean survival between the subgroup with PPM (66.6 months [95% CI, 58.3-74.9]) and the subgroup without PPM (64.9 months [95% CI, 62.6-67.2]; P = .50). A quality-of-life questionnaire's scores did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: Mismatch is common after biological valve implantation and statistically significantly affects long-term survival and quality of life. If the risk of PPM after implantation of a biological prosthesis is suspected, adopting strategies to avoid PPM at the time of surgery is warranted.

Mapping decision making for bypass surgery in the era of interventional medicine: towards an integrative model of patient-centeredness.

This article reviews the context and evidence of recent myocardial revascularization trials on PCI versus CABG with particular emphasis on patient selection and treatment of surgical patients. Moreover, one of our intended purposes is to identify the values underpinning the integrated care model, which incorporates decision to proceed with surgical myocardial revascularization in conjunction with established pillars of the use of optimal surgical techniques, and aggressive risk-factor modification through guideline-directed pharmacological therapies and lifestyle modifications.

Treatment of pediatric patient with ruptured intracranial aneurysm--case report.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the contemporary diagnostics of intracranial aneurysms their treatment is still a great challenge. The decision when and if to apply a surgical or endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms should be made by a team of medical specialists which consists of a cerebrovascular neurosurgeon, neuro-radiologist and neuro-anesthesiologist. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a patient aged 16 who was admitted because of a sudden intensive headache followed by sickness, vomiting, and loss of consciousness. On admission the patient was conscious but sleepy. Glasgow Coma Scale score was 14 and the World Federation of Neurological Surgeons Scale grade was I. The computed tomography scan showed a massive subarachnoid haemorrhage. The computed tomography angiography and digital subtraction angiography revealed a ruptured saccular aneurysm in the left vertebral artery. An early treatment with the coiling of the lumen of the aneurysm was performed under general anaesthesia. On the tenth day the boy was discharged in good condition and without any neurological deficits. Six months after the intervention the patient was without symptoms and the control digital subtraction angiography showed the complete occlusion of the aneurysm. CONCLUSION: Intracranial aneurysms in children are more common in males and are predominantly localized in the posterior circulation. In addition, they are frequently of greater size and more complex architecture and they are associated with a lower incidence of clinically manifest vasospasm. According to previous experience, endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms in paediatric patients has proven to be a safe and efficient method with a small number of complications.