Vascular endothelial cell changes in postcardiac surgery acute kidney injury.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common complication of cardiac surgery; however, the phenotype of this condition is poorly defined. The aim of this study was to characterize changes in endothelial structure and function that underlie postcardiopulmonary bypass (post-CPB) AKI. Adult pigs ( n = 16) were randomized to undergo the following procedures ( n = 8 per group): group 1: sham operation, neck dissection with 2.5 h of general anesthesia; and group 2: CPB, 2.5 h of cardiopulmonary bypass. CPB resulted in the depletion of specific epitopes of glycosaminoglycans side chains of the endothelial glycocalyx: Dolichos biflorus agglutinin: mean difference (MD) [95% confidence interval (CI)], P value: -0.26 (-0.42, -0.09), P = 0.0024, Triticum vulgaris (wheat germ) agglutinin: -0.83 (-1.2, -0.38), P = 0.0005, and Ulex europaeus agglutinin 1: -0.25 (-0.49, -0.009), P = 0.041; endothelial membrane protein: thrombomodulin: -3.13 (-5.6, -0.65), P = 0.02; and adherens junction: VE-cadherin: -1.06 (-1.98, -0.145), P = 0.02. CPB also resulted in reductions in microvascular cortical perfusion: -0.62 (-1.02, -0.22), P = 0.006, and increased renal cortex adenosine levels: 2.32 (0.83, 3.8), P = 0.0059. These changes were accompanied by significant reduction in creatinine clearance at 1.5 h postintervention, MD 95% CI; -51.7 (-99.7, -3.7), P = 0.037, and at 24 h, MD (95% CI): -47.3 (-87.7, -7.6), P = 0.023, and proteinuria immediately postintervention MD (95% CI): 18.79 (2.17, 35.4), P = 0.03 vs. sham. In our experimental CPB model, endothelial injury was associated with loss of autoregulation, increase in microvascular permeability, and reduced glomerular filtration. Interventions that promote endothelial homeostasis may have clinical utility in the prevention of postcardiac surgery AKI.

Multiarterial coronary grafting using the radial artery as a second arterial graft: how far does the survival benefit extend?

OBJECTIVES: Despite the 10-year results of the Arterial Revascularization Trial, the controversy regarding the survival benefit of multiarterial grafting (MAG) remains. Our goal was to present our long-term survival data in this propensity-matched observational study. METHODS: A primary unmatched population of 4303 patients with first-time isolated coronary artery bypass grafts operated on between 2000 and 2018 were included. A total of 1187 post-matched patients were compared with matched controls. Multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard analyses were undertaken to assess the contribution of MAG and other covariates to the long-term survival of unmatched and propensity-matched populations. RESULTS: MAG was associated with increased median survival in both the unmatched and the matched groups; difference: 962 and 1459 days, log-rank tests; P = 0.029 and 0.0004, respectively. MAG was associated with a reduced hazard of death in the unmatched as well as in the matched groups: hazard ratio [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 0.72 (0.62-0.83); P < 0.0001 and 0.75 (0.64-0.88); P ≤ 0.0001, respectively. In the matched group, the prosurvival factors were low logistic EuroSCORE, obesity, no intra-aortic balloon pump, an ejection fraction >30%, age 50-69 years, operation by an experienced surgeon, with and without diabetes, on-pump surgery and 3 distal anastomoses. In a cohort of 242 late-presenting patients with reinfarction or recurrent angina, both MAG and control populations were associated with reduced median survival; median (95% CI): MAG: 3026 (1138-3503); control: 3035 (2134-3991), log-rank P = 0.217 with superior patency of the left internal mammary artery but no difference between radial artery and saphenous vein grafts. CONCLUSIONS: Multiarterial revascularization, especially using the radial artery as a second arterial conduit, is associated with a significant survival benefit and a lack of in-hospital morbidity.

Meta-analysis of sutureless technology versus standard aortic valve replacement and transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

OBJECTIVES: Aortic valve replacement (AVR) using sutureless technology is a feasible alternative in surgical patients. Comparative evidence against established strategies such as conventional AVR and transcatheter AVR is lacking, limiting the assessment of safety and efficacy. METHODS: Medline search for available evidence was undertaken. The outcomes analysed were 30-day mortality, risk for stroke, myocardial infarction, renal failure, paravalvular leak and need for permanent pacemaker. Odds ratios were pooled using fixed- and random-effect models. A trial sequential analysis was undertaken to assess the statistical reliability of cumulative evidence. RESULTS: Twelve studies of moderate methodological quality were included. Sutureless AVR was associated with at least 30% reduction in 30-day mortality versus transcatheter AVR [odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 0.40 (0.25, 0.62); P < 0.001] primarily in the low- and intermediate-risk population and a similar reduction in the risk for paravalvular leak [0.13 (0.09, 0.17); P < 0.001]. There was no reduction in the risk for 30-day mortality versus conventional AVR [1.03 (0.56, 1.88); P = 0.93]. There was evidence in favour of conventional AVR with at least 50% risk reduction in pacemaker implantation against sutureless technology. There was absence of either benefit or harm vis-à-vis risk for renal injury or stroke due to lack of required information size. CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence suggests risk reduction in 30-day mortality with sutureless AVR versus transcatheter AVR but is inconclusive versus standard AVR in matched patients. Robust randomized evidence is lacking to lend support to any potential recommendation.