Diagnosis and Management of Vasoplegia in Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support: A Narrative Review.

Refractory vasodilatory shock, or vasoplegia, is a pathophysiologic state observed in the intensive care unit and operating room in patients with a variety of primary diagnoses. Definitions of vasoplegia vary by source but are qualitatively defined clinically as a normal or high cardiac index and low systemic vascular resistance causing hypotension despite high-dose vasopressors in the setting of euvolemia. This definition can be difficult to apply to patients undergoing mechanical circulatory support (MCS). A large body of mostly retrospective literature exists on vasoplegia in the non-MCS population, but the increased use of temporary MCS justifies an examination of vasoplegia in this population. MCS, particularly extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, adds complexity to the diagnosis and management of vasoplegia due to challenges in determining cardiac output (or total blood flow), lack of clarity on appropriate dosing of noncatecholamine interventions, increased thrombosis risk, the difficulty in determining the endpoints of adequate volume resuscitation, and the unclear effects of rescue agents (methylene blue, hydroxocobalamin, and angiotensin II) on MCS device monitoring and function. Care teams must combine data from invasive and noninvasive sources to diagnose vasoplegia in this population. In this narrative review, the available literature is surveyed to provide guidance on the diagnosis and management of vasoplegia in the temporary MCS population, with a focus on noncatecholamine treatments and special considerations for patients supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, transvalvular heart pumps, and other ventricular assist devices.

Intracardiac thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism during liver transplantation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Intracardiac thrombosis and/or pulmonary thromboembolism (ICT/PE) is a rare but devastating complication during liver transplantation. Its pathophysiology remains poorly understood, and successful treatment remains a challenge. This systematic review summarizes the available published clinical data regarding ICT/PE during liver transplantation. Databases were searched for all publications reporting on ICT/PE during liver transplantation. Data collected included its incidence, patient characteristics, the timing of diagnosis, treatment strategies, and patient outcomes. This review included 59 full-text citations. The point prevalence of ICT/PE was 1.42%. Thrombi were most often diagnosed during the neohepatic phase, particularly at allograft reperfusion. Intravenous heparin was effective in preventing early-stage thrombus from progressing further and restoring hemodynamics in 76.32% of patients it was utilized for; however, the addition of tissue plasminogen activator or sole use of tissue plasminogen activator offered diminishing returns. Despite all resuscitation efforts, the in-hospital mortality rate of an intraoperative ICT/PE was 40.42%, with nearly half of these patients dying intraoperatively. The results of our systematic review are an initial step for providing clinicians with data that can help identify higher-risk patients. The clinical implications of our results warrant the development of identification and management strategies for the timely and effective treatment of these tragic occurrences during liver transplantation.

ABO Blood Group and Bleeding and Survival in VA-ECMO Patients.

ABO blood group has been shown to be a major determinant of plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels. O blood group is associated with the lowest vWF levels and confers an increased risk of hemorrhagic events, while AB blood group has the highest levels and is associated with thromboembolic events. We hypothesized in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients that O blood type would have the highest and AB blood type would have the lowest transfusions, with an inverse relationship to survival. A retrospective analysis of 307 VA-ECMO patients at a major quaternary referral hospital was performed. The distribution of blood groups included 124 group O (40%), 122 group A (40%), 44 group B (14%), and 17 group AB (6%) patients. Regarding usage of packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, and platelets, there was a non-statistically significant difference in transfusions, with group O having the least and group AB having the most requirements. However, there was a statistically significant difference in cryoprecipitate usage when comparing to group O: group A (1.77, 95% CI: 1.05-2.97, P < .05), group B (2.05, 95% CI: 1.16-3.63, P < .05), and group AB (3.43, 95% CI: 1.71-6.90, P < .001). Furthermore, a 20% increase in length of days on ECMO was associated with a 2-12% increase in blood product usage. The cumulative 30-day mortality rate for groups O and A was 60%, group B was 50%, and group AB was 40%; the 1-year mortality rate for groups O and A was 65%, group B was 57%, and group AB was 41%; however, the mortality differences were not statistically significant.

Trends in Cardiac Anesthesiologist Compensation, Work Patterns, and Training From 2010 to 2020: A Longitudinal Analysis of the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Salary Survey.

Increasing cardiac procedural volume, a shortage of practicing cardiac anesthesiologists, and growth in specialist physician compensation would be expected to increase cardiac anesthesiologist compensation and work load. Additionally, more cardiac anesthesiologists are graduating from accredited fellowships and completing echocardiography certification. The Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA) biannual salary survey longitudinally measures these data; we analyzed these data from 2010 to 2020 and hypothesized survey respondent inflation-adjusted total compensation, work load, and training would increase. For the primary outcome, we adjusted the median reported annual gross taxable income for inflation using the Consumer Price Index and then used linear regression to assess changes in inflation-adjusted median compensation. For the secondary outcomes, we analyzed the number of cardiac anesthetics managed annually and the most common care delivery staffing ratios. For the tertiary outcomes, we assessed changes in the proportion of respondents reporting transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) certification and completion of a 12-month cardiac anesthesia fellowship. We performed sensitivity analyses adjusting for yearly proportions of academic and private practice respondents. Annual survey response rates ranged from 8% to 17%. From 2010 to 2020, respondents reported a continuously compounded inflation-adjusted compensation decrease of 1.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], -1.6% to -0.6%; P = .003), equivalent to a total inflation-adjusted salary reduction of 10%. In sensitivity analysis, private practice respondents reported a continuously compounded compensation loss of -0.8% (95% CI, -1.4% to -0.2%; P = .022), while academic respondents reported no significant change (continuously compounded change, 0.4%; 95% CI, -0.4% to 1.1%; P = .23). The percentage of respondents managing more than 150 cardiac anesthetics per year increased from 26% in 2010 to 43% in 2020 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.03 per year; 95% CI, 1.03-1.04; P < .001). The proportion of respondents reporting high-ratio care models increased from 31% to 41% (aOR, 1.01 per year; 95% CI, 1.01-1.02; P < .001). Reported TEE certification increased from 69% to 90% (aOR, 1.10 per year; 95% CI, 1.10-1.11; P < .001); reported fellowship training increased from 63% to 82% (aOR, 1.15 per year; 95% CI, 1.14-1.16; P < .001). After adjusting for the proportion of academic or private practice survey respondents, SCA salary survey respondents reported decreasing inflation-adjusted compensation, rising volumes of cardiac anesthetics, and increasing levels of formal training in the 2010 to 2020 period. Future surveys measuring burnout and job satisfaction are needed to assess the association of increasing work and lower compensation with attrition in cardiac anesthesiologists.

Red blood cell distribution width predicts mortality of adult patients receiving veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a numerical measure of the variation in the size of circulating red blood cells. Recently, there is increasing interest in the role of RDW as a biomarker for inflammatory states and as a prognostication tool for a wide range of clinical manifestations. The predictive power of RDW on mortality among patients receiving mechanical circulatory support remains largely unknown. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 281 VA-ECMO patients at a tertiary referral academic hospital from 2009 to 2019 was performed. RDW was dichotomized with RDW-Low <14.5% and RDW-High ≥14.5%. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 30 days and 1 year. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the association between RDW and the clinical outcomes after adjusting for additional confounders. RESULTS: 281 patients were included in the analysis. There were 121 patients (43%) in the RDW-Low group and 160 patients (57%) in the RDW-High group. Survival to ECMO decannulation [RDW-H: 58% versus RDW-L: 67%, p = 0.07] were similar between the two groups. Patients in RDW-H group had higher 30-days mortality (RDW-H: 67.5% vs RDW-L: 39.7%, p < 0.001) and 1 year mortality (RDW-H: 79.4% vs RDW-L: 52.9%, p < 0.001) compared to patients in the RDW-L group. After adjusting for confounders, Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated that patients with high RDW had increased odds of mortality at 30 days (hazard ratio 1.9, 95% CI 1.2-3.0, p < 0.01) and 1 year (hazard ratio 1.9, 95% CI 1.3-2.8, p < 0.01) compared to patients with low RDW. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients receiving mechanical circulatory support with VA-ECMO, a higher RDW was independently associated with increased 30-days and 1-year mortality. RDW may serve as a simple biomarker that can be quickly obtained to help provide risk stratification and predict survival for patients receiving VA-ECMO.

Association Between Body Mass Index and Outcomes in Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: The association between obesity, or elevated body mass index (BMI), and outcomes in patients receiving venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) has not been well established. Recent studies in patients receiving venovenous ECMO did not detect an association between obesity and increased mortality. The purpose of this retrospective observational study is to evaluate the association between BMI and survival in patients receiving VA-ECMO for cardiogenic shock. METHODS: All patients >18 years of age supported on VA-ECMO for refractory cardiogenic shock in a single academic center between 2009 and 2019 were included. ECMO outcomes, including successful ECMO decannulation and 30-day survival, were analyzed after stratification according to BMI. Multivariable and univariate logistic regression were used to assess the association between BMI and VA-ECMO outcomes. RESULTS: Of the total patients (n = 355) cannulated for VA-ECMO, 61.7% of the patients survived to ECMO recovery/decannulation, 45.5% of the patients survived to 30 days after ECMO decannulation, and 38.9% of the patients survived to hospital discharge with no statistically significant differences among the BMI groups. Multivariable logistic regression did not reveal any associations between obesity as defined by BMI and survival to ECMO decannulation (odds ratio [OR] 1.07 per 5 unit increase in BMI, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.86-1.33; P = .57), 30-day survival (OR = 0.91, 95% CI, 0.73-1.14; P = .41) or survival to hospital discharge (OR = 0.95, 95% CI, 0.75-1.20; P = .66). CONCLUSIONS: Despite potential challenges to cannulation and maintaining adequate flow during ECMO, this single centered, retrospective observational study did not detect association between BMI and survival to ECMO decannulation, 30-day survival, or survival to hospital discharge for patients requiring VA-ECMO for refractory cardiogenic shock. These data suggest that obesity alone should not exclude candidacy for VA-ECMO.The primary outcome in this retrospective study was survival of the ECMO therapy (survival to ECMO decannulation), defined as surviving >24 hours after decannulation without a withdrawal of care. Secondary outcomes included survival at 30 days and survival to hospital discharge.

Methylene blue for vasodilatory shock in the intensive care unit: a retrospective, observational study.

BACKGROUND: Refractory vasodilatory shock is a state of uncontrolled vasodilation associated with underlying inflammation and endothelial dysregulation. Rescue therapy for vasoplegia refractory to catecholamines includes methylene blue (MB) which restores vascular tone. We hypothesized that (1) at least 40% of critically ill patients would respond positively to MB administration and (2) that those who responded to MB would have a survival benefit. METHODS: This study was a retrospective review that included all adult patients admitted to an intensive care unit treated with MB for the indication of refractory vasodilatory shock. Responders to MB were identified as those with a ≥ 10% increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) within the first 1-2 hours after administration. We examined the association of mortality to the groups of responders versus non-responders to MB. A subgroup analysis in patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) was also performed. Statistical calculations were performed in Microsoft Excel® (Redmond, WA, USA). Where appropriate, the comparison of averages and standard deviations of demographics, dosing, MAP, and reductions in vasopressor dosing were performed via Chi squared, Fisher's exact test, or two-tailed t-test with a p-value < 0.05 being considered as statistically significant. After using the F-test to assess for differences in variance, the proper two tailed t-test was used to compare SOFA scores among responders versus non-responders. RESULTS: A total of 223 patients were included in the responder analysis; 88 (39.5%) had a ≥ 10% increase in MAP post-MB administration that was not associated with a significant change in norepinephrine requirements between responders versus non-responders (p=0.41). There was a non-statistically significant trend (21.6% vs 14.8%, p=0.19) toward improved survival to hospital discharge in the MB responder group compared to the non-responder group. In 70 patients undergoing CRRT, there were 33 responders who were more likely to survive than those who were not (p = 0.0111). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with refractory shock receiving MB, there is a non-statistically significant trend toward improved outcomes in responders based on a MAP increase >10%. Patients supported with CRRT who were identified as responders had decreased ICU mortality compared to non-responders.

Perioperative Implications of the 2020 American Heart Association Scientific Statement on Drug-Induced Arrhythmias-A Focused Review.

The recently released American Heart Association (AHA) scientific statement on drug-induced arrhythmias discussed medications commonly associated with bradycardia, supraventricular tachycardias, and ventricular arrhythmias. The foundational data for this statement were collected from general outpatient and inpatient populations. Patients undergoing surgical and minimally invasive treatments are a unique subgroup, because they may experience hemodynamic changes associated with anesthesia and their procedure, receive multiple drug combinations not given in either inpatient or outpatient settings, or experience postprocedural inflammatory syndromes. Accordingly, the generalizability of the AHA scientific statement to this perioperative population is unclear. This focused review highlights important aspects of the new AHA scientific statement and their application to the perioperative setting. The authors review medications frequently encountered and given by anesthesiologists and their risk of drug-induced arrhythmias and discuss common anesthetic and adjunctive medications and their associated risks of bradycardia, atrial fibrillation, torsades de pointes, and drug-induced Brugada syndrome. In many instances, the risk of arrhythmia reported by the AHA scientific statement in the general population appeared to be higher than found in perioperative arenas. Furthermore, the authors discuss the arrhythmia risk of additional medications commonly ordered or administered by anesthesiologists that are not included in the AHA scientific statement. As patient and procedural complexity increases and novel anesthetic combinations propagate, further research and observational studies will be required to delineate further perioperative risks for drug-induced arrhythmia.

Mechanical Circulatory Support Options in Patients With Aortic Valve Pathology.

Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is used in cardiogenic shock for periprocedural hemodynamic stability in high-risk patients and to support patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease. Depending on the MCS type, oxygenation and ventilation, in addition to increasing blood pressure by augmenting blood flow, can be achieved. MCS typically follows a failure of less invasive maneuvers or intolerance to them, such as significant ventricular arrhythmia burden from inotropic support. MCS options include intra-aortic balloon pump, transvalvular percutaneous left ventricular assist devices, venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and surgically implanted left ventricular assist devices. The number of MCS options has increased, and this has made the decision-making process complicated. MCS decision-making is complex, even in patients without valvular pathology. The presence of aortic valve (AV) abnormalities, such as aortic stenosis, aortic insufficiency, replaced AVs, or AV masses, adds even further to the challenge of selecting the appropriate support strategy. In this narrative review, a concise review of MCS options and the special considerations for various AV pathologies are presented.

The role of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in COVID-19.

An extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) program is an important component in the management of patients with COVID-19, but it is imperative to implement a system that is well-supported by the institution and staffed with well-trained clinicians to both optimize patient outcomes and to keep providers safe. There are many unknowns related to COVID-19, and one of the most challenging aspects for clinicians is the lack of predictive knowledge as to why some patients fail medical therapy and require advanced support such as ECMO. These factors can create challenges during a time of resource scarcity and interruptions in the supply chain. In the current environment, in which resources are limited and an ongoing pandemic, healthcare practitioners need to focus on evidence-based best practice for supportive care of patients with COVID-19 in refractory respiratory or cardiac failure. with As experience is gained, a greater understanding will develop in this cohort of patients regarding need and timing of ECMO. As this pandemic continues, it will be important to compile and analyze multicentered data pertaining to patient-specific outcomes to help guide clinicians caring for patients with COVID-19 undergoing ECMO support. In this paper, the authors demonstrate the strategies utilized by a major quaternary care center in the utilization and management of ECMO for patients with COVID-19.

One-Year Survival for Adult Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Patients Requiring Renal-Replacement Therapy.

OBJECTIVES: Acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) previously have been associated with in-hospital and long-term mortality of patients undergoing support with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). Patient selection criteria and survival prediction scores for VA-ECMO often include AKI or CKD, but exclude patients requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). The need for RRT in ECMO patients is associated with increased intensive unit care and in-hospital mortality. The effect RRT has on mortality beyond hospital survival is not well-reported. The authors hypothesized that the timing of initiation (pre-ECMO v during ECMO) of RRT can have a significant impact on short- and long-term mortality. DESIGN: The authors categorized patients into 3 groups: those receiving RRT before initiation of ECMO, those initiated on RRT while on ECMO, and those who did not need RRT while on ECMO. The authors compared survival to decannulation, 30 days and 1 year between the 3 groups. A multivariate survival analysis also was conducted. SETTING: This was a single center retrospective review of all patients receiving VA-ECMO. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 347 adult VA-ECMO extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients. INTERVENTIONS: None, retrospective. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The authors' cohort included 347 total patients, 39 required RRT before ECMO, 139 while on ECMO, and 169 did not require RRT while on ECMO. If RRT was initiated before ECMO, survival to decannulation was 48.72%, 46.6% if RRT was initiated on ECMO, and 73.96% for patients who did not need RRT while on ECMO. One-year survival was 25.64%, 23.74%, and 46.75%, respectively. There was no significant difference in survival between patients initiated on RRT before ECMO and those who required RRT while on ECMO. CONCLUSIONS: The authors demonstrated that the need for RRT before or while on ECMO has reduced short- and long-term survival when compared with those who did not need RRT while on ECMO. The authors believe that RRT is a marker for severe multiorgan failure and that, despite the benefits of RRT, high mortality will occur. This lack of mortality difference between patients previously on RRT and those newly requiring RRT may help clinicians in deciding to initiate ECMO for patients previously on RRT. Further investigation into complication rates between the groups is required.

Neurologic Dysfunction and Neuroprotection in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a fast-growing procedure. Expanding to low-risk patients, it has surpassed surgical aortic valve implantation in frequency and has been associated with excellent outcomes. Stroke is a devastating complication after transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Silent brain infarcts identified by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging are present in most patients following TAVI. Postoperative delirium and cognitive dysfunction are common neurologic complications. The stroke and silent brain infarcts are likely caused by particulate emboli released during the procedure. Intravascularly positioned cerebral embolic protection devices are designed to prevent debris from entering the aortic arch vessels to avoid stroke. Despite promising design, randomized clinical trials have not demonstrated a reduction in stroke in patients receiving cerebral embolic protection devices. Similarly, the association of cerebral embolic protection devices with silent brain infarcts, postoperative delirium, and cognitive dysfunction is uncertain. Monitored anesthesia care or conscious sedation is as safe as general anesthesia and is associated with lower cost, but different anesthetic techniques have not been shown to decrease stroke risk, postoperative delirium, or cognitive dysfunction. Anesthesiologists play important roles in providing perioperative care including management of neurologic events in patients undergoing TAVI. Large randomized clinical trials are needed that focus on the correlation between perioperative interventions and neurologic outcomes.

Perioperative Management of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices: A Single-Center Report of 469 Interrogations.

OBJECTIVE: Anesthesiologists increasingly are involved in the perioperative management of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). The variety of devices available and the ongoing advancements in technology, programming capabilities, and responses to conventional management (eg, magnet application) complicate the management of these devices. As an aid to this clinical challenge, this manuscript reviews 469 interrogations performed by a single cardiac anesthesiologist during a 4.5-year period to derive useful information with which to guide anesthesiologists who have chosen to pursue training in this area of perioperative care. DESIGN: Retrospective review of prospectively collected data. SETTING: Single institution, quaternary care hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with CIEDs presenting for surgery; the quality assurance (QA) reports of 469 interrogations performed between May 2015 and September 2019 were reviewed. INTERVENTIONS: No intervention. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: The distributions of surgical procedures, device types, device manufacturers, pacing modes, rate-response sensors, special functions, and performed interventions were reviewed and analyzed. The QA reports were evaluated to identify information or experiences that demonstrated important lessons for anesthesiologists engaging in perioperative CIED management. CONCLUSIONS: This database review provides general guidance for anesthesiologists managing CIEDs in the perioperative period. Concepts germane to the operating room are emphasized.

Efficiency Improvements of Nonoperating Room Cardiac Anesthesia Services.

OBJECTIVE: Scheduling and staffing nonoperating room anesthesia (NORA) cases often require cross-service coordination and can result in significant delays in patient care, resource inefficiencies, and provider dissatisfaction. The objective of the present study was to reduce these delays and case cancellations for patients requiring cardiac anesthesia for their transesophageal echocardiography procedure. DESIGN: Preintervention and postintervention analysis of prospectively collected observational data. SETTING: Single institution, quaternary care hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients requiring cardiac anesthesia for transesophageal echocardiography. INTERVENTIONS: The study included the following three interventions: outpatient transesophageal echocardiography order screening, identifying the daily NORA cardiac anesthesia attending, and centralizing the scheduling process among all cardiac NORA locations. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Before the interventions, the average delay time for echocardiography laboratory cases was 34.9 minutes (n = 38, standard deviation 30.6). In the two months after the aforementioned interventions were performed, the average delay time was 20.2 minutes (n = 50, standard deviation 10.0), representing a decrease in the wait time of 42%. In the preintervention period, two cases had delays of 60 minutes or more; in the postintervention group, there were zero cases with delays of 60 minutes or more. During the postintervention period, zero cases were rescheduled or cancelled because of lack of availability or scheduling conflicts by the cardiac anesthesia team as opposed to three cases that were rescheduled or cancelled in the preintervention period. CONCLUSION: In the two months after implementing changes to the scheduling process for NORA cases in the echocardiography laboratory, a substantial reduction in average case delay, elimination of long delays lasting more than one hour, and avoidance of case cancellations were observed.

Continuous Noninvasive Arterial Pressure Monitoring for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present study, which was conducted in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement, was to compare continuous noninvasive arterial pressure measured with the ClearSight device (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) with invasive radial artery pressure used as the reference method. The authors hypothesized that the ClearSight device is an accurate, precise, safe, and efficient method for arterial blood pressure measurement comparable with an invasive radial arterial line. DESIGN: The study included the retrospective review of 20 consecutive patients scheduled for elective transcatheter aortic valve replacement with the SAPIEN 3 transcatheter heart valve (Edwards Lifesciences) at a single tertiary academic hospital, who underwent monitoring with both the ClearSight device and an invasive radial arterial pressure line. The patients underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement from October to December 2019. SETTING: Single tertiary academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 20 patients, with 2,243 unique blood pressure data points. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A statistically significant correlation between the invasive radial arterial pressure line and the ClearSight device was observed for systolic blood pressure (correlation coefficient 0.86; p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (correlation coefficient 0.56; p < 0.001), and mean arterial pressure (correlation coefficient 0.78; p < 0.001). Bland-Altman analysis was used to assess the agreement of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure between the two methods. Results for systolic blood pressure between the arterial line and ClearSight device were as follows: bias = 9.8 ± 10.1, percentage bias = 7.6%, and mean error = 15.8%. Results for diastolic blood pressure between the arterial line and ClearSight device were as follows: bias = -5.9 ± 7.8, percentage bias = 10.7%, and mean error = 28.4%. Results for mean arterial pressure between the arterial line and ClearSight device were as follows: bias = 0.3 ± 7.4, percentage bias = 0.4%, and mean error = 18.3%. The concordance rates of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure were 100%, 95.1%, and 98.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy, agreement, and precision of the ClearSight device were convincing for mean arterial pressure, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure for patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing elective transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Perioperative Outcomes of Thrombectomy Patients Using Venovenous Bypass and Suction Filtration With General Anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: AngioVac (Angiodynamics, Latham, NY) is a novel drainage system that offers a less-invasive approach compared with open surgical thromboembolectomy to remove intracardiac and intravascular thrombotic and embolic material. For this study, the authors' single-center experience with patients undergoing thromboembolectomy using the AngioVac system was reviewed retrospectively to evaluate anesthetic management and postoperative complications. DESIGN: Retrospective, observational study. SETTING: Single institution, quaternary care hospital. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 20 consecutive patients whose treatment included the AngioVac between January 2016 and November 2019. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Twenty patients underwent AngioVac suction filtration. The mean age was 56 years, and women comprised 35% of the patient cohort. Indications for AngioVac suction filtration included deep venous thrombosis involving the inferior vena cava (n = 12 [60%]), right atrial mass/thrombus (n = 11 [55%]), right ventricular mass/thrombus (n = 3 [15%]), and pulmonary embolism(n = 2 [10%]). All patients required vasopressor support, and nine patients (45%) required blood transfusion during the procedure. There was no intraoperative death or cardiac arrest associated with the procedure. The 30-day mortality was zero, and in-hospital mortality was 5% (1/20). Significant postoperative complications occurred in 11/20 patients (55%). Postoperative left ventricular dysfunction (36% v 0%; p < 0.05), preoperative shock requiring vasopressors (36% v 0%; p < 0.05), postoperative blood transfusion (100% v 56%; p < 0.05), and having undergone recent surgery (64% v 11%; p < 0.05) were associated with increased odds of experiencing postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of intraoperative complication during AngioVac suction filtration is low, but vasopressors and blood transfusions often are required. Patients at increased risk of developing postoperative complications potentially can be identified as having undergone recent surgery, experiencing preoperative shock requiring vasopressors or postoperative left ventricular dysfunction, and requiring postoperative blood transfusion.

Methylene Blue for Vasoplegia During Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support.

OBJECTIVE: The treatment of refractory vasodilatory shock in patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an area in which there is minimal literature. Based on previous literature, the authors hypothesized that at least 40% of ECMO patients with vasoplegia would respond positively to methylene blue (MB) administration and that those who responded to MB would have increased survival. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: Single institution, quaternary care hospital. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 45 patients who received MB for vasoplegia during ECMO. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the 45 patients who received MB, 25 patients (55.6%) experienced a ≥10% increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and a reduction in norepinephrine dosing in the one-to-two hour interval after MB administration. There was a trend for improvement in survival to discharge for those who responded to MB (32% v 10%; p = 0.15). In addition, patients who did not have at least a >5% increase in MAP (29 experienced a >5% increase and 16 experienced a ≤5% increase) after MB administration, experienced 100% mortality (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: This study suggested that approximately 50% of ECMO patients with vasoplegia can be expected to respond to MB with a >10% MAP improvement. The lack of a blood pressure response >5% after MB administration may portend poor survival. Larger prospective studies are needed to verify these preliminary results.

Nontransvenous Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Technology-A Review for the Anesthesiologist.

There has been a recent shift in bradycardia pacing and defibrillation therapy to leadless pacemakers and extrathoracic cardioverter-defibrillator technology due to complications associated with transvenous devices. These innovations have implications for anesthesia care, as these novel devices have design and functionality features different from transvenous devices. Current perioperative guidelines do not address management of leadless pacemakers and the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, although implantation rates are increasing globally. This article addresses the features and capabilities of nontransvenous cardiac implantable electronic devices, such as the Micra and the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, and provides guidance for perioperative management.

Perioperative Emergencies: Who, What, When, Where, Why?

OBJECTIVE(S): Throughout the last several decades, the perioperative mortality rate from anesthesia care has declined, shifting focus to perioperative emergencies. Data on these emergencies, often referred to as "Anesthesia STAT" calls (STATs), are lacking at adult hospitals. The goal of this study was to determine the etiology of STATs at a major academic medical center and to determine surgical cases and patient comorbid conditions that increase the risk for STATs. DESIGN: This was a retrospective observational study. SETTING: This study took place at a large academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Patients who underwent anesthesia care were included in this study. INTERVENTIONS: No interventions were performed during this study. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Data collected included the etiologies of STATs, patient demographic information, patient comorbid conditions, and surgeries during which STATs occurred. Between February 1, 2019, and January 31, 2020, 92 STATs occurred during 58,547 anesthetic cases, with an incidence rate of 0.16%. The most common etiology for a STAT was cardiac arrest, followed by respiratory compromise. Surgical services associated with a significant increase of STATs included general, thoracic, oral/maxillofacial, and vascular surgery. Comorbid conditions that significantly increased the risk of STATs included hypertension, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac arrest is the most common etiology of STATs. Specific surgical services and comorbid conditions are associated with an increased risk of STATs.

Brain Protection in Aortic Arch Surgery: An Evolving Field.

Despite advances in cardiac surgery and anesthesia, the rates of brain injury remain high in aortic arch surgery requiring circulatory arrest. The mechanisms of brain injury, including permanent and temporary neurologic dysfunction, are multifactorial, but intraoperative brain ischemia is likely a major contributor. Maintaining optimal cerebral perfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass and circulatory arrest is the key component of intraoperative management for aortic arch surgery. Various brain monitoring modalities provide different information to improve cerebral protection. Electroencephalography gives crucial data to ensure minimal cerebral metabolism during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, transcranial Doppler directly measures cerebral arterial blood flow, and near-infrared spectroscopy monitors regional cerebral oxygen saturation. Various brain protection techniques, including hypothermia, cerebral perfusion, pharmacologic protection, and blood gas management, have been used during interruption of systemic circulation, but the optimal strategy remains elusive. Although deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and retrograde cerebral perfusion have their merits, there have been increasing reports about the use of antegrade cerebral perfusion, obviating the need for deep hypothermia. With controversy and variability of surgical practices, moderate hypothermia, when combined with unilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion, is considered safe for brain protection in aortic arch surgery performed with circulatory arrest. The neurologic outcomes of brain protection in aortic arch surgery largely depend on the following three major components: cerebral temperature, circulatory arrest time, and cerebral perfusion during circulatory arrest. The optimal brain protection strategy should be individualized based on comprehensive monitoring and stems from well-executed techniques that balance the major components contributing to brain injury.