Perioperative echocardiographic strain analysis: what anesthesiologists should know.

PURPOSE: Echocardiographic strain analysis by speckle tracking allows assessment of myocardial deformation during the cardiac cycle. Its clinical applications have significantly expanded over the last two decades as a sensitive marker of myocardial dysfunction with important diagnostic and prognostic values. Strain analysis has the potential to become a routine part of the perioperative echocardiographic examination for most anesthesiologist-echocardiographers but its exact role in the perioperative setting is still being defined. CLINICAL FEATURES: This clinical report reviews the principles underlying strain analysis and describes its main clinical uses pertinent to the field of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine. Strain for assessment of left and right ventricular function as well as atrial strain is described. We also discuss the potential role of strain to aid in perioperative risk stratification, surgical patient selection in cardiac surgery, and guidance of anesthetic monitor choice and clinical decision-making in the perioperative period. CONCLUSION: Echocardiographic strain analysis is a powerful tool that allows seeing what conventional 2D imaging sometimes fails to reveal. It often provides pathophysiologic insight into various cardiac diseases at an early stage. Strain analysis is readily feasible and reproducible thanks to the use of highly automated software platforms. This technique shows promising potential to become a valuable tool in the arsenal of the anesthesiologist-echocardiographer and aid in perioperative risk-stratification and clinical decision-making.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: L'analyse échocardiographique de la déformation cardiaque (strain analysis) par suivi des marqueurs acoustiques (speckle-tracking) permet d'évaluer la déformation du myocarde au cours du cycle cardiaque. Ses applications cliniques se sont considérablement développées au cours des deux dernières décennies en tant que marqueur sensible du dysfonctionnement myocardique, avec des valeurs diagnostiques et pronostiques importantes. L'analyse de la déformation cardiaque a le potentiel de devenir une partie intégrante de l'examen échocardiographique périopératoire de routine pour la plupart des anesthésiologistes-échocardiographes, mais son rôle exact dans le cadre périopératoire est encore en cours de définition. CARACTéRISTIQUES CLINIQUES: Ce rapport clinique passe en revue les principes qui sous-tendent l'analyse de la déformation cardiaque et décrit ses principales utilisations cliniques pertinentes dans le domaine de l'anesthésiologie et de la médecine périopératoire. L'analyse de la déformation cardique pour l'évaluation de la fonction ventriculaire gauche et droite ainsi que de la déformation auriculaire sont décrites. Nous discutons également du rôle potentiel de l'analyse de la déformation cardiaque pour aider à la stratification du risque périopératoire, à la sélection des patients en chirurgie cardiaque, à l'orientation du choix des moniteurs anesthésiques, et à la prise de décision clinique en période périopératoire. CONCLUSION: L'analyse échocardiographique de la déformation cardiaque est un outil puissant qui permet de voir ce que l'imagerie 2D conventionnelle ne parvient parfois pas à révéler. Elle fournit souvent un aperçu physiopathologique de diverses maladies cardiaques à un stade précoce. L'analyse de la déformation cardiaque est facilement réalisable et reproductible grâce à l'utilisation de plateformes logicielles hautement automatisées. Cette technique est potentiellement prometteuse et pourrait devenir un outil précieux dans l'arsenal de l'anesthésiologiste-échocardiographe et aider à la stratification du risque périopératoire et à la prise de décision clinique.

Pulmonary Vasodilator Response of Combined Inhaled Epoprostenol and Inhaled Milrinone in Cardiac Surgical Patients.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction are major complications in cardiac surgery. Intraoperative management of patients at high risk of RV failure should aim to reduce RV afterload and optimize RV filling pressures, while avoiding systemic hypotension, to facilitate weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Inhaled epoprostenol and inhaled milrinone (iE&iM) administered in combination before CPB may represent an effective strategy to facilitate separation from CPB and reduce requirements for intravenous inotropes during cardiac surgery. Our primary objective was to report the rate of positive pulmonary vasodilator response to iE&iM and, second, how it relates to perioperative outcomes in cardiac surgery. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with PH or RV dysfunction undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery at the Montreal Heart Institute from July 2013 to December 2018 (n = 128). iE&iM treatment was administered using an ultrasonic mesh nebulizer before the initiation of CPB. Demographic and baseline clinical data, as well as hemodynamic, intraoperative, and echocardiographic data, were collected using electronic records. An increase of 20% in the mean arterial pressure (MAP) to mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) ratio was used to indicate a positive response to iE&iM. RESULTS: In this cohort, 77.3% of patients were responders to iE&iM treatment. Baseline systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) (odds ratio [OR], 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-2.16 per 5 mm Hg; P = .0006) was found to be a predictor of pulmonary vasodilator response, while a European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE II) score >6.5% was a predictor of nonresponse to treatment (≤6.5% vs >6.5% [reference]: OR, 5.19; 95% CI, 1.84-14.66; P = .002). Severity of PH was associated with a positive response to treatment, where a higher proportion of responders had MPAP values >30 mm Hg (42.4% responders vs 24.1% nonresponders; P = .0237) and SPAP values >55 mm Hg (17.2% vs 3.4%; P = .0037). Easier separation from CPB was also associated with response to iE&iM treatment (69.7% vs 58.6%; P = .0181). A higher proportion of nonresponders had a very difficult separation from CPB and required intravenous inotropic drug support compared to responders, for whom easy separation from CPB was more frequent. Use of intravenous inotropes after CPB was lower in responders to treatment (8.1% vs 27.6%; P = .0052). CONCLUSIONS: A positive pulmonary vasodilator response to treatment with a combination of iE&iM before initiation of CPB was observed in 77% of patients. Higher baseline SPAP was an independent predictor of pulmonary vasodilator response, while EuroSCORE II >6.5% was a predictor of nonresponse to treatment.

Higher portal venous pulsatility is associated with worse clinical outcomes following congenital heart surgery: a single-centre prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Increased portal venous flow pulsatility is associated with major complications after adult cardiac surgery. Nevertheless, no data are available for pediatric patients with congenital heart disease. We hypothesized that Doppler parameters including portal flow pulsatility could be associated with postoperative outcomes in children undergoing various cardiac surgeries. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study in children undergoing congenital cardiac surgery. We obtained postoperative portal, splenic, and hepatic venous Doppler data and perioperative clinical data including major postoperative complications. Portal and splenic venous flow pulsatility were calculated. We evaluated the association between venous Doppler parameters and adverse outcomes. The primary objective was to determine whether postoperative portal flow pulsatility could indicate major complications following congenital heart surgery. RESULTS: In this study, we enrolled 389 children, 74 of whom experienced major postoperative complications. The mean (standard deviation) portal pulsatility (44 [30]% vs 25 [14]%; 95% confidence interval [CI] for mean difference, 12 to 26; P < 0.001] and splenic pulsatility indices (41 [30]% vs 26 [16]%; 95% CI, 7 to 23; P < 0.001) were significantly higher in children with postoperative complications than in those without complications. The portal pulsatility index was able to help identify postoperative complications in biventricular patients and univentricular patients receiving bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt whereas it did not in other univentricular patients. An increased postoperative portal pulsatility index was significantly associated with major complications after pediatric cardiac surgery (odds ratio, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.29 to 1.91; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Higher portal venous pulsatility is associated with major postoperative complications in children undergoing cardiac surgery. Nevertheless, more data are needed to conclude the efficacy of portal venous pulsatility in patients with univentricular physiology. STUDY REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03990779); registered 19 June 2019.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: L'augmentation de la pulsatilité du flux de la veine porte est associée à des complications majeures après une chirurgie cardiaque chez l'adulte. Néanmoins, aucune donnée n'est disponible pour la patientèle pédiatrique atteinte de cardiopathie congénitale. Nous avons émis l'hypothèse que les paramètres Doppler, y compris la pulsatilité du flux de la veine porte, pourraient être associés aux devenirs postopératoires des enfants bénéficiant de diverses chirurgies cardiaques. MéTHODE: Nous avons réalisé une étude de cohorte observationnelle prospective portant sur des enfants bénéficiant d'une chirurgie cardiaque congénitale. Nous avons obtenu des données Doppler des veines porte, spléniques et hépatiques postopératoires ainsi que des données cliniques périopératoires, y compris les complications postopératoires majeures. La pulsatilité du flux des veines porte et spléniques a été calculée. Nous avons évalué l'association entre les paramètres Doppler veineux et les issues indésirables. L'objectif principal était de déterminer si la pulsatilité du flux postopératoire de la veine porte pouvait constituer un indicateur des complications majeures après une chirurgie cardiaque congénitale. RéSULTATS: Dans cette étude, nous avons recruté 389 enfants, dont 74 ont présenté des complications postopératoires majeures. La pulsatilité moyenne de la veine porte (écart type) (44 [30] % vs 25 [14] %; intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 % pour la différence moyenne, 12 à 26; P < 0,001] et les indices de pulsatilité splénique (41 [30] % vs 26 [16] %; IC 95 %, 7 à 23; P < 0,001) étaient significativement plus élevés chez les enfants présentant des complications postopératoires que chez les enfants sans complications. L'indice de pulsatilité de la veine porte a permis d'identifier les complications postopératoires chez les patient·es biventriculaires et les patient·es univentriculaires recevant une anastomose cavo-pulmonaire bidirectionnelle (procédure de Glenn), alors que ce n'était pas le cas chez les autres patient·es univentriculaires. Une augmentation postopératoire de l'indice de pulsatilité de la veine porte était significativement associée à des complications majeures après une chirurgie cardiaque pédiatrique (rapport de cotes, 1,40; IC 95 %, 1,29 à 1,91; P < 0,001). CONCLUSION: Une pulsatilité plus élevée de la veine porte est associée à des complications postopératoires majeures chez les enfants bénéficiant d'une chirurgie cardiaque. Néanmoins, davantage de données sont nécessaires pour conclure à l'efficacité de la pulsatilité de la veine porte chez les patient·es présentant une physiologie univentriculaire. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03990779); enregistrée le 19 juin 2019.

Evaluation of Portal, Splenic, and Hepatic Vein Flows in Children Undergoing Congenital Heart Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about changes in portal, splenic, and hepatic vein flow patterns in children undergoing congenital heart surgery. This study aimed to determine the characteristics of portal, splenic, and hepatic vein flow patterns using ultrasonography in children undergoing cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Single-center, prospective observational study. SETTING: Tertiary children's hospital, operating room. PARTICIPANTS: Children undergoing cardiac surgery. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: The authors obtained ultrasound data from the heart, inferior vena cava, portal, splenic, and hepatic veins before and after surgeries. In the biventricular group, which included children with atrial and ventricular septal defects and pulmonary stenosis (n = 246), the portal pulsatility index decreased from 38.7% to 25.6% (p < 0.001) after surgery. The preoperative portal pulsatility index was significantly higher in patients with pulmonary hypertension (43.3% v 27.4%; p < 0.001). In the single-ventricle group (n = 77), maximum portal vein flow velocities of Fontan patients were significantly lower (13.5 cm/s) compared with that of patients with modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (19.7 cm/s; p = 0.035) or bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt (23.1 cm/s; p < 0.001). The cardiac index was inversely correlated with the portal pulsatility index in the bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt and Fontan circulation. (ß = -5.693, r2 = 0.473; p = 0.001) The portal pulsatility index was correlated with splenic venous pulsatility and hepatic venous atrial reverse flow velocity in biventricular and single-ventricle groups. CONCLUSIONS: The characteristics of venous Doppler patterns in the portal, splenic, and hepatic veins differed according to congenital heart disease. Further studies are required to determine the association between splanchnic venous Doppler findings and clinical outcomes in this population.

New developments in the understanding of right ventricular function in acute care.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Right ventricular dysfunction has an important impact on the perioperative course of cardiac surgery patients. Recent advances in the detection and monitoring of perioperative right ventricular dysfunction will be reviewed here. RECENT FINDINGS: The incidence of right ventricular dysfunction in cardiac surgery has been associated with unfavorable outcomes. New evidence supports the use of a pulmonary artery catheter in cardiogenic shock. The possibility to directly measure right ventricular pressure by transducing the pacing port has expanded its use to track changes in right ventricular function and to detect right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. The potential role of myocardial deformation imaging has been raised to detect patients at risk of postoperative complications. SUMMARY: Perioperative right ventricular function monitoring is based on echocardiographic and extra-cardiac flow evaluation. In addition to imaging modalities, hemodynamic evaluation using various types of pulmonary artery catheters can be achieved to track changes rapidly and quantitatively in right ventricular function perioperatively. These monitoring techniques can be applied during and after surgery to increase the detection rate of right ventricular dysfunction. All this to improve the treatment of patients presenting early signs of right ventricular dysfunction before systemic organ dysfunction ensue.

Early Detection and Correction of Cerebral Desaturation With Noninvasive Oxy-Hemoglobin, Deoxy-Hemoglobin, and Total Hemoglobin in Cardiac Surgery: A Case Series.

Regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rS o2 ) obtained from near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) provides valuable information during cardiac surgery. The rS o2 is calculated from the proportion of oxygenated to total hemoglobin in the cerebral vasculature. Root O3 cerebral oximetry (Masimo) allows for individual identification of changes in total (ΔcHbi), oxygenated (Δ o2 Hbi), and deoxygenated (ΔHHbi) hemoglobin spectral absorptions. Variations in these parameters from baseline help identify the underlying mechanisms of cerebral desaturation. This case series represents the first preliminary description of Δ o2 Hbi, ΔHHbi, and ΔcHbi variations in 10 cardiac surgical settings. Hemoglobin spectral absorption changes can be classified according to 3 distinct variations of cerebral desaturation. Reduced cerebral oxygen content or increased cerebral metabolism without major blood flow changes is reflected by decreased Δ o2 Hbi, unchanged ΔcHbi, and increased ΔHHbi Reduced cerebral arterial blood flow is suggested by decreased Δ o2 Hbi and ΔcHbi, with variable ΔHHbi. Finally, acute cerebral congestion may be suspected with increased ΔHHbi and ΔcHbi with unchanged Δ o2 Hbi. Cerebral desaturation can also result from mixed mechanisms reflected by variable combination of those 3 patterns. Normal cerebral saturation can occur, where reduced cerebral oxygen content such as anemia is balanced by a reduction in cerebral oxygen consumption such as during hypothermia. A summative algorithm using rS o2 , Δ o2 Hbi, ΔHHbi, and ΔcHbi is proposed. Further explorations involving more patients should be performed to establish the potential role and limitations of monitoring hemoglobin spectral absorption signals.

Intra-abdominal pressure during and after cardiac surgery: a single-centre prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: While intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) has been associated with adverse outcomes in multiple settings, the epidemiology and clinical implications of IAH in the context of cardiac surgery are less known. In this study, we aimed to describe the prevalence of IAH in patients undergoing cardiac surgery and determine its association with patient characteristics and postoperative outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a single-centre prospective cohort study in which intra-abdominal pressure was measured in the operating room after general anesthesia (T1), after the surgical procedure (T2), and two hours after intensive care unit (ICU) admission (T3) in a subset of patients. Intra-abdominal hypertension was defined as intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) ≥ 12 mm Hg. Postoperative outcomes included death, acute kidney injury (AKI), and length of stay in the ICU and hospital. RESULTS: A total of 513 IAP measurements were obtained from 191 participants in the operating room and 131 participants in the ICU. Intra-abdominal hypertension was present in 105/191 (55%) at T1, 115/191 (60%) at T2, and 31/131 (24%) at T3. Intra-abdominal pressure was independently associated with body mass index, central venous pressure, and mean pulmonary artery pressure but was not associated with cumulative fluid balance. Intraoperative IAH was not associated with adverse outcomes including AKI. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-abdominal hypertension is very common during cardiac surgery but its clinical implications are uncertain.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Bien que l'hypertension intra-abdominale (HIA) ait été associée à des issues indésirables dans de multiples contextes, l'épidémiologie et les implications cliniques de l'HIA dans le contexte de la chirurgie cardiaque sont moins connues. Dans cette étude, nous avons cherché à décrire la prévalence de l'HIA chez les patients bénéficiant d'une chirurgie cardiaque et à déterminer son association avec les caractéristiques des patients et les issues postopératoires. MéTHODE: Nous avons mené une étude de cohorte prospective monocentrique dans laquelle la pression intra-abdominale a été mesurée en salle d'opération après une anesthésie générale (T1), après l'intervention chirurgicale (T2) et deux heures après l'admission à l'unité de soins intensifs (USI) (T3) dans un sous-ensemble de patients. L'hypertension intra-abdominale a été définie comme une pression intra-abdominale (PIA) ≥ 12 mmHg. Les issues postopératoires comprenaient le décès, l'insuffisance rénale aiguë (IRA), et la durée du séjour à l'USI et à l'hôpital. RéSULTATS: Au total, 513 mesures de la PIA ont été obtenues auprès de 191 participants en salle d'opération et de 131 participants à l'USI. L'hypertension intra-abdominale était présente chez 105/191 patients (55 %) à T1, 115/191 (60 %) à T2 et 31/131 (24 %) à T3. La pression intra-abdominale était indépendamment associée à l'indice de masse corporelle, à la pression veineuse centrale et à la pression artérielle pulmonaire moyenne, mais n'était pas associée à un bilan hydrique cumulatif. L'HIA peropératoire n'était pas associée à des issues indésirables, y compris à l'IRA. CONCLUSION: L'hypertension intra-abdominale est très fréquente lors d'une chirurgie cardiaque, mais ses implications cliniques sont incertaines.

Subsyndromal Delirium in Cardiac Surgery Patients: Risk Factors and Outcomes of the Different Trajectories.

BACKGROUND: Subsyndromal delirium (SSD), a subthreshold form of delirium, is related to longer length of stay and increased mortality rates among older adults. Risk factors and outcomes of SSD in cardiac surgery patients are not fully understood. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess and describe the characteristics and outcomes related to trajectories of SSD and delirium in cardiac surgery patients. METHODS: In this secondary analysis of a retrospective case-control (1:1) cohort study, SSD was defined as a score between 1 and 3 on the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist paired with an absence of diagnosis of delirium on the day of assessment. Potential risk factors (eg, age) and outcomes (eg, mortality) were identified from existing literature. Patients were grouped into 4 trajectories: (1) without SSD or delirium, (2) SSD only, (3) both, and (4) delirium only. These trajectories were contrasted using analysis of variance or χ2 test. RESULTS: Among the cohort of 346 patients, 110 patients did not present with SSD or delirium, 62 presented with only SSD, 69 presented with both, and 105 presented with only delirium. In comparison with patients without SSD or delirium, patients with SSD presented preoperative risk factors known for delirium (ie, older age, higher European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II) but underwent less complicated surgical procedures, received fewer transfusions postoperatively, and had a lower positive fluid balance postoperatively than patients who presented with delirium. Patients with both SSD and delirium had worse outcomes in comparison with those with delirium only. CONCLUSION: This study stresses the importance for healthcare professionals to identify SSD and prevent its progression to delirium.

Transgastric Abdominal Ultrasonography in Anesthesia and Critical Care: Review and Proposed Approach.

The use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the operating room and intensive care unit can provide invaluable information on cardiac as well as abdominal organ structures and function. This approach may be particularly useful when the transabdominal ultrasound examination is not possible during intraoperative procedures or for anatomical reasons. This review explores the role of transgastric abdominal ultrasonography (TGAUS) in perioperative medicine. We describe several reported applications using 10 views that can be used in the diagnosis of relevant abdominal conditions associated with organ dysfunction and hemodynamic instability in the operating room and the intensive care unit.

A proposed algorithm for combining transcranial Doppler ultrasound monitoring with cerebral and somatic oximetry: a case report.

PURPOSE: Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound is a non-invasive monitor of cerebral blood velocity that can be used intraoperatively. The purpose of this report is to describe how different patterns seen on TCD can help identify the cause of cerebral desaturation when near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) oximetry is used concomitantly. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 69-yr-old male patient undergoing coronary revascularisation and aortic valve replacement developed perioperative complications that were detected using a combination of transtemporal TCD of the middle cerebral artery along with cerebral and somatic NIRS. Initial brain desaturation was secondary to hypocapnia during which TCD-derived blood velocity and somatic NIRS values remained unchanged. After the procedure, a second episode of brain desaturation occurred secondary to a technical issue with the aortic valve prosthesis requiring a return to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB); there were no high-intensity transient signals (HITS) on TCD. Brain desaturation occurred a third time following the second attempt to separate from CPB at which time TCD detected a significant amount of HITS suggesting air emboli that were associated with acute right ventricular dysfunction; there was also a reduction in somatic NIRS. CONCLUSIONS: Combining TCD with cerebral NIRS allows for the rapid identification of three different mechanisms of brain desaturation. An algorithm is proposed to help identify the origin of NIRS cerebral desaturation. Prospective clinical trials are needed to investigate potential benefits of multimodal brain monitoring and its impact on short and/or long-term clinical outcomes.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: L'échographie par Doppler transcrânien (DTC) est un moniteur non invasif de la vélocité sanguine cérébrale qui peut être utilisé en période peropératoire. L'objectif de ce compte rendu est de décrire comment différents tracés observés sur le DTC peuvent aider l'anesthésiologiste à identifier la cause de la désaturation cérébrale lorsque l'oxymétrie par spectroscopie proche infrarouge (SPIR) est utilisée de manière concomitante. ÉLéMENTS CLINIQUES: Un homme de 69 ans subissant une revascularisation coronarienne et un remplacement de valve aortique a présenté des complications périopératoires détectées grâce à la combinaison d'un DTC trans-temporal de l'artère cérébrale moyenne et d'une SPIR cérébrale et somatique. La désaturation cérébrale initiale était secondaire à une hypocapnie, pendant laquelle la vélocité sanguine dérivée du DTC et les valeurs de SPIR somatique sont demeurées inchangées. Après l'intervention, un deuxième épisode de désaturation cérébrale est survenu suite à un problème technique avec la prothèse de valve aortique, nécessitant un retour sous circulation extracorporelle (CEC); il n'y avait pas de signaux transitoires de haute intensité (HITS) sur le DTC. Il y a eu un troisième épisode de désaturation cérébrale suite à la deuxième tentative de sevrage de la CEC; à ce moment-là, le DTC a détecté une quantité significative de HITS, suggérant des embolies gazeuses associées à une insuffisance ventriculaire droite aiguë; une réduction de la SPIR somatique a également été observée. CONCLUSION: La combinaison du DTC à la SPIR cérébrale a permis d'identifier trois différents mécanismes de désaturation cérébrale. Un algorithme est proposé pour aider le clinicien à déterminer l'origine de la désaturation cérébrale sur la SPIR. Des études cliniques prospectives sont nécessaires afin d'explorer les avantages potentiels d'un monitorage cérébral multimodal et son impact sur les devenirs cliniques à court et à long terme.

Acute Kidney Injury After Heart Transplant: The Importance of Pulmonary Hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether relative pulmonary hypertension (PH), defined as the ratio of mean arterial pressure to mean pulmonary artery pressure, is associated with severe acute kidney injury (AKI) after heart transplant (HT). DESIGN: An institutional review board-approved retrospective observational study. SETTING: Tertiary care university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 184 consecutive adult patients who underwent HT between January 2009 and December 2017 were included, and were followed up through December 2019. Using the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes classification, recipients were categorized into two groups: patients who developed stage 3 AKI (severe AKI) and those with minor or without AKI (nonsevere AKI) within seven days after transplant. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the included patients, 83.2% developed AKI, in whom 40.8%, 19.6%, and 22.8% were stage 1, 2, and 3, respectively. With use of the multivariate logistic regression analysis, independent risk factors for stage 3 AKI post-HT included preoperative relative PH (odds ratio [OR]: 1.62, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.05-2.49, p = 0.028), central venous-to-pulmonary capillary wedge pressure ratio ≥0.86 (OR: 3.59, 95% CI: 1.13-11.43, p = 0.030), and postoperative right ventricular dysfunction (OR: 3.63, 95% CI: 1.50-8.75, p = 0.004). Conversely, preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.97-1.00, p = 0.143) was not related to the development of stage 3 AKI post-HT. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative relative PH, central venous-to-pulmonary capillary wedge pressure ratio, and postoperative right ventricular failure by echocardiographic assessment were associated with severe AKI post-HT.

Lymphocytopenia During Hospitalization for Acute Heart Failure and Its Relationship With Portal Congestion and Right Ventricular Function.

BACKGROUND: Lymphocytopenia is associated with mortality in acute heart failure (AHF), and portal congestion has been suggested to play a role in leukocyte distribution. The associations between lymphocytopenia and ultrasound surrogates for portal congestion have never been studied. We aimed to characterize the determinants of lymphocytopenia, explore the associations between lymphocytopenia and portal congestion, and explore the relationships between lymphocytopenia and outcomes in AHF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients were compared according to tertiles of lymphocyte count (very low, <0.87 × 109/L; low, 0.87-1.2 × 109/L; or normal, >1.2 × 109/L). One hundred three patients with AHF were prospectively assessed at baseline and discharge. At baseline, 69% of patients had a lymphocyte count below the normal range. Patients with baseline very low lymphocyte count were older, had more advanced disease and higher portal vein pulsatility index when compared with those in the higher tertiles. Very low lymphocyte count at baseline was associated with age (odds ratio (OR) 1.098), portal vein pulsatility index (OR, 1.026), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (OR, 0.865, all P < .05). The portal vein pulsatility index was the most powerful determinant of lymphocytopenia at discharge (OR 1.033, P < .05). In a Cox model, lymphocytopenia at discharge was associated with mortality (hazard ratio 4.796, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: In AHF, lymphocytopenia is associated with ultrasound surrogates for portal congestion and right ventricular dysfunction. Whether these associations depict a potent pathophysiologic pathway or whether they only reflect a more advanced disease remains uncertain.

Point-of-care handheld ophthalmic ultrasound in the diagnosis and evaluation of raised intracranial pressure and Terson syndrome: a description of two cases.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound (US) examination of the eye can be used to detect and monitor elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) and its consequences. Elevated ICP is transmitted to the contiguous optic nerve and its sheath (dura mater), thus underlying the development of papilledema and a widened sheath diameter. The US measurement of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) has previously been validated to diagnose and monitor raised ICP. The occurrence of vitreous hemorrhage in association with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)-i.e., Terson syndrome-can also be easily diagnosed using ophthalmic US. Because of its relevance in anesthesia and critical care, we describe how to perform the technique illustrated by two cases. CASE PRESENTATIONS: A 72-yr-old man with hydrocephalus secondary to a SAH developed raised ICP following the removal of an external ventricular drainage (EVD) system. Daily ONSD measurements using handheld US allowed us to diagnose and monitor the progression and resolution of the intracranial hypertension following the placement of a second EVD system. We also describe the steps used to obtain ONSD measurements during the ophthalmic US examination of a 53-yr-old woman who presented with a stage IV SAH with concomitant bilateral vitreous hemorrhages or Terson syndrome. CONCLUSION: Ophthalmic US using a handheld device to measure and monitor ONSD at the bedside is useful in diagnosing and monitoring the progression of intracranial hypertension following EVD removal in a patient with hydrocephalus secondary to SAH. Ophthalmic US can also be used to identify concomitant vitreous hemorrhage that is associated with a worse prognosis.

A proposed lung ultrasound and phenotypic algorithm for the care of COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure.

Pulmonary complications are the most common clinical manifestations of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). From recent clinical observation, two phenotypes have emerged: a low elastance or L-type and a high elastance or H-type. Clinical presentation, pathophysiology, pulmonary mechanics, radiological and ultrasound findings of these two phenotypes are different. Consequently, the therapeutic approach also varies between the two. We propose a management algorithm that combines the respiratory rate and oxygenation index with bedside lung ultrasound examination and monitoring that could help determine earlier the requirement for intubation and other surveillance of COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure.

RéSUMé: Les complications pulmonaires du coronavirus (COVID-19) constituent ses manifestations cliniques les plus fréquentes. De récentes observations cliniques ont fait émerger deux phénotypes : le phénotype à élastance faible ou type L (low), et le phénotype à élastance élevée, ou type H (high). La présentation clinique, la physiopathologie, les mécanismes pulmonaires, ainsi que les observations radiologiques et échographiques de ces deux différents phénotypes sont différents. L'approche thérapeutique variera par conséquent selon le phénotype des patients atteints de COVID-19 souffrant d'insuffisance respiratoire.

Preliminary Experience Using Diastolic Right Ventricular Pressure Gradient Monitoring in Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in cardiac surgery is associated with increased mortality and morbidity and difficult separation from cardiopulmonary bypass (DSB). The primary objective of the present study was to describe the prevalence and characteristics of patients with abnormal RV diastolic pressure gradient (PG). The secondary objective was to explore the association among abnormal diastolic PG and DSB, postoperative complications, high central venous pressure (CVP), and high RV end-diastolic pressure (RVEDP). DESIGN: Retrospective and prospective validation study. SETTING: Tertiary care cardiac institute. PARTICIPANTS: Cardiac surgical patients (n=374) from a retrospective analysis (n=259) and a prospective validation group (n=115). INTERVENTION: RV pressure waveforms were obtained using a pulmonary artery catheter with a pacing port opened at 19 cm distal to the tip of the catheter. Abnormal RV diastolic PG was defined as >4 mmHg. Both elevated RVEDP and high CVP were defined as >16 mmHg. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: From the retrospective and validation cohorts, 42.5% and 48% of the patients had abnormal RV diastolic PG before cardiac surgery, respectively. Abnormal RV diastolic PG before cardiac surgery was associated with higher EuroSCORE II (odds ratio 2.29 [1.10-4.80] v 1.62 [1.10-3.04]; p = 0.041), abnormal hepatic venous flow (45% v 29%; p = 0.038), higher body mass index (28.9 [25.5-32.5] v 27.0 [24.9-30.5]; p = 0.022), pulmonary hypertension (48% v 37%; p = 0.005), and more frequent DSB (32% v 19%; p = 0.023). However, RV diastolic PG was not an independent predictor of DSB, whereas RVEDP (odds ratio 1.67 [1.09-2.55]; p = 0.018) was independently associated with DSB. In addition, RV pressure monitoring indices were superior to CVP in predicting DSB. CONCLUSION: Abnormal RV diastolic PG is common before cardiac surgery and is associated with a higher proportion of known preoperative risk factors. However, an abnormal RV diastolic PG gradient is not an independent predictor of DSB in contrast to RVEDP.

Preoperative Diaphragm Function Is Associated With Postoperative Pulmonary Complications After Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Postoperative pulmonary complications increase mortality, length, and cost of hospitalization. A better diaphragmatic strength may help face an increased work of breathing postoperatively. We, therefore, sought to determine if a low preoperative diaphragm thickening fraction (TFdi) determined by ultrasonography helped predict the occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications after cardiac surgery independently of indicators of frailty, sarcopenia, and pulmonary function. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study. SETTING: Montreal Heart Institute, an academic cardiac surgery center in Canada. PATIENTS: Adults undergoing nonemergency cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: We measured the preoperative thickness of the right and left hemidiaphragms at their zone of apposition at end-expiration (Tdi,ee) and peak-inspiration (Tdi,ei) with ultrasonography. Maximal thickening fraction of the diaphragm during inspiration (TFdi,max) was calculated using the following formula: TFdi,max = (Tdi,ei-Tdi,ee)/Tdi,ee. We also evaluated other potential risk factors including demographic parameters, comorbidities, Clinical Frailty Scale, grip strength, 5-meter walk test, and pulmonary function tests. We repeated TFdi,max measurements within 24 hours of extubation. The primary composite outcome of this study was the occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, clinically significant atelectasis, or prolonged mechanical ventilation (> 24 hr). MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the 115 patients included, 34 (29.6%) developed postoperative pulmonary complications, including two with pneumonia, four with prolonged mechanical ventilation, and 32 with clinically significant atelectasis. Those with postoperative pulmonary complications had prolonged ICU and hospital length of stays. They had a lower TFdi,max (37% [interquartile range, 31-45%] vs 44% [interquartile range, 33-58%]; p = 0.03). In multiple logistic regression, a TFdi,max less than 38.1% was associated with postoperative pulmonary complications (odds ratio, 4.9; 95% CI, 1.81-13.50; p = 0.002). All patients who developed pneumonia or prolonged mechanical ventilation had a TFdi,max less than 38.1%. Respiratory rate and diabetes were also independently associated with postoperative pulmonary complications, while pulmonary function tests and the assessed indicators of frailty and sarcopenia were not. CONCLUSIONS: A low preoperative TFdi,max can help to identify patients at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications after cardiac surgery.

Patient management algorithm combining processed electroencephalographic monitoring with cerebral and somatic near-infrared spectroscopy: a case series.

PURPOSE: Cerebral oximetry is a monitoring tool used in the perioperative care of cardiac surgery patients to ensure adequate cerebral perfusion and oxygenation. When combined with somatic oximetry, the differential diagnosis of cerebral desaturation can be better identified and managed more specifically, as somatic oximetry serves as a global or localized perfusion monitor (depending on its regional position). The use of processed electroencephalography (pEEG) in cardiac surgery could further guide the management of desaturation episodes, as reductions in pEEG activity without a change in the anesthetic agent level indicate potential cerebral ischemia. Continuous integration of multiple monitoring modalities are thus desirable to assess organ perfusion and organ function. CLINICAL FEATURES: Four clinical cases are presented in which the combination of pEEG and cerebro-somatic oximetry assisted with understanding the mechanism of cerebral desaturation encountered during cardiac surgery. CONCLUSION: Integrating combinations of different monitoring modalities such as cerebral and somatic oximetry with pEEG can help the diagnosis and treatment of organ malperfusion and related dysfunction.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: L'oxymétrie cérébrale est un outil de monitorage utilisé dans les soins périopératoires des patients de chirurgie cardiaque pour s'assurer que leur cerveau est adéquatement perfusé et oxygéné. Quand on la combine à l'oxymétrie somatique, le diagnostic différentiel de désaturation cérébrale peut être mieux identifié et géré de manière plus spécifique, car l'oxymétrie somatique permet un suivi de la perfusion globale ou localisée (selon l'emplacement du capteur). L'utilisation de l'électroencéphalographie traitée (pEEG) en chirurgie cardiaque pourrait entraîner une meilleure gestion des épisodes de désaturation dans la mesure ou une baisse de l'activité pEEG sans modification du niveau de l'agent anesthésique indique une ischémie cérébrale potentielle. L'intégration continue de multiples modalités de monitorage est donc souhaitable pour évaluer la perfusion et le fonctionnement des organes. CARACTéRISTIQUES CLINIQUES: Quatre cas cliniques sont présentés dans lesquels la combinaison de la pEEG et de l'oxymétrie cérébro-somatique a aidé à comprendre le mécanisme de désaturation cérébrale rencontrée au cours de la chirurgie cardiaque. CONCLUSION: Les combinaisons intégrant différentes modalités de monitorage, telles que l'oxymétrie cérébrale et somatique avec la pEEG, peuvent contribuer au diagnostic et au traitement des troubles de la perfusion des organes et des dysfonctionnements qui en découlent.

Impact of MELD Score-Based Organ Allocation on Mortality, Bleeding, and Transfusion in Liver Transplantation: A Before-and-After Observational Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD)-based allocation system on mortality, bleeding, and transfusion requirement in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). DESIGN: OLTs were studied for this observational study (before-and-after observational cohort study). SETTING: One community hospital. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 686 patients who underwent 750 consecutive OLTs. INTERVENTION: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients who underwent OLT in the MELD era had an adjusted lower 1-year mortality (adjusted odds ratio 0.45 [0.24-0.83]) compared with patients who underwent OLT the pre-MELD era. No significant difference in 1-month mortality was observed. Other variables with a significant effect on 1-year mortality in multivariate analysis were preoperative international normalized ratio, intraoperative use of a phlebotomy, total intraoperative volume of crystalloid infused, and retransplantation. Blood loss was greater in the MELD era (median difference 200 mL; p < 0.001), as were red blood cell, fresh frozen plasma, and cryoprecipitate transfusions. More patients in the MELD era received at least 1 transfusion (27% v 20%; p = 0.024). CONCLUSION: The MELD allocation system did not affect 1-month mortality, but a decrease in 1-year mortality was demonstrated. Blood loss and transfusions increased during OLTs performed in the MELD era. The role of other variables should be explored further to explain postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Noninvasive Administration of Inhaled Nitric Oxide and its Hemodynamic Effects in Patients With Acute Right Ventricular Dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: The authors aimed to assess the hemodynamic effects and demonstrate the feasibility of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) in hemodynamically unstable patients with acute right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and to explore the safety profile of this approach. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Intensive care unit (ICU) of 2 tertiary care centers between January 2013 and 2017. PARTICIPANTS: All patients with RV dysfunction in whom iNO was initiated without invasive mechanical ventilation. INTERVENTION: Noninvasive administration of iNO. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Eighteen patients received the intervention during the study period; 8 of these patients had a pulmonary artery catheter and 2 had a pulse contour analysis device. Median (interquartile range) iNO concentration was 20 (20-20) ppm, and therapy duration was 24 (12-46) hours. Most patients received iNO through nasal prongs (66.7%) or a high-flow nasal cannula (27.8%). Within 1 hour, iNO reduced pulmonary vascular resistance from 219.1 to 165.4 dyn•s/cm5 (n = 7; p < 0.001), mean pulmonary artery pressure from 28.4 to 25.3 mmHg (n = 8; p = 0.01), and central venous pressure from 17.5 to 13.1 mmHg (n = 16; p = 0.001). Indexed cardiac output increased from 2.0 to 2.6 L/min/m2 (n = 9; p = 0.004). ICU mortality was 27.78%, and median ICU length of stay was 7 (5-9) days. Two significant bleeding episodes requiring intervention and 1 acute kidney injury occurred during iNO therapy. No headache was reported. CONCLUSION: Noninvasively administered iNO was associated with favorable hemodynamic effects in ICU patients with acute RV dysfunction. These results suggest the safety and feasibility of this therapy for which further prospective study is warranted.

Assessment of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function by Transesophageal Echocardiography Before Cardiopulmonary Bypass: Clinical Implications of a Restrictive Profile.

OBJECTIVE: Left ventricular (LV) diastolic function can be assessed by transesophageal echocardiography before cardiopulmonary bypass in the setting of cardiac surgery. The objective of this study was to determine whether the assessment of LV diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) improves mortality risk prediction. DESIGN: Retrospective single-center cohort study. SETTING: Single tertiary cardiac surgery center. PARTICIPANTS: Data from patients undergoing cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and for which an evaluation for LVDD was performed before CPB between February 1999 and November 2015. INTERVENTIONS: Cases were reviewed retrospectively from a transesophageal echocardiography hemodynamic database. LV diastolic function was graded as normal, impaired relaxation (grade 1), pseudo-normalization (grade 2), or restrictive (grade 3) determined by mitral inflow waves, tissue Doppler imaging of the mitral annulus, and pulmonary venous flow. The main outcome was in-hospital mortality. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 760 patients were included, 144 (18.9%) patients with normal diastolic function, 331 (43.6%) patients with grade 1 LVDD, 218 (28.7%) patients with grade 2 LVDD, and 67 (8.8%) patients with grade 3 LVDD. In-hospital mortality occurred in 31 patients (4.1%). The presence of grade 3 LVDD was associated with an increased likelihood of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 19.39, confidence interval [CI]: 2.37-158.48, p = 0.006). In contrast, LV systolic dysfunction was not independently associated with increased mortality. When added to the Parsonnet score, the addition of diastolic function resulted in a net reclassification improvement of in-hospital mortality (NRI: 0.419 CI: 0.049-0.759, p = 0.02), and in integrated discrimination improvement (IDI: 0.0179 CI: 0.0049-0.031, p = 0.007). Difficult separation from CPB was observed more frequently in patients with grade 3 LVDD (62.9% v 36.1%, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to LV systolic dysfunction, restrictive LVDD is associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality in cardiac surgical patients. Further studies should explore how this information may be used by the attending anesthesiologist to tailor perioperative management.