The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database: Intraoperative Echocardiography Reporting.

OBJECTIVES: To identify trends in the reporting of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) data in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (ACSD) and the Adult Cardiac Anesthesiology (ACA) module by period, practice type, and geographic distribution, and to elucidate ongoing areas for practice improvement. DESIGN: A retrospective study. SETTING: STS ACSD. PARTICIPANTS: Procedures reported in the STS ACSD between July 2017 and December 2021 in participating programs in the United States. INTERVENTIONS: None MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Intraoperative TEE is reported for 73% of all procedures in ACSD. Although the intraoperative TEE data reporting rate increased from 2017 to 2021 for isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery, it remained low at 62.2%. The reporting of relevant echocardiographic variables across a wide range of procedures has steadily increased over the study period but also remained low. The reporting in the ACA module is high for most variables and across all anesthesia care models; however, the overall contribution of the ACA module to the ACSD remains low. CONCLUSIONS: This progress report suggests a continued need to raise awareness regarding current practices of reporting intraoperative TEE in the ACSD and the ACA, and highlights opportunities for improving reporting and data abstraction.

Development and Publication of Clinical Practice Parameters, Reviews, and Meta-analyses: A Report From the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Presidential Task Force.

The Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA) is committed to improving the quality, safety, and value that cardiothoracic anesthesiologists bring to patient care. To fulfill this mission, the SCA supports the creation of peer-reviewed manuscripts that establish standards, produce guidelines, critically analyze the literature, interpret preexisting guidelines, and allow experts to engage in consensus opinion. The aim of this report, commissioned by the SCA President, is to summarize the distinctions among these publications and describe a novel SCA-supported framework that provides guidance to SCA members for the creation of these publications. The ultimate goal is that through a standardized and transparent process, the SCA will facilitate up-to-date education and implementation of best practices by cardiovascular and thoracic anesthesiologists to improve patient safety, quality of care, and outcomes.

NGLY1 mutations cause protein aggregation in human neurons.

Biallelic mutations in the gene that encodes the enzyme N-glycanase 1 (NGLY1) cause a rare disease with multi-symptomatic features including developmental delay, intellectual disability, neuropathy, and seizures. NGLY1's activity in human neural cells is currently not well understood. To understand how NGLY1 gene loss leads to the specific phenotypes of NGLY1 deficiency, we employed direct conversion of NGLY1 patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to functional cortical neurons. Transcriptomic, proteomic, and functional studies of iPSC-derived neurons lacking NGLY1 function revealed several major cellular processes that were altered, including protein aggregate-clearing functionality, mitochondrial homeostasis, and synaptic dysfunctions. These phenotypes were rescued by introduction of a functional NGLY1 gene and were observed in iPSC-derived mature neurons but not astrocytes. Finally, laser capture microscopy followed by mass spectrometry provided detailed characterization of the composition of protein aggregates specific to NGLY1-deficient neurons. Future studies will harness this knowledge for therapeutic development.

Just Culture: How Do We Address Risky and Unprofessional Behaviors that Lead to Errors?

Unprofessional behavior in the procedural arena is associated with worse patient outcomes. This is thought to be due to breakdowns in communication structures and team dynamics. Behavioral issues are often uncovered during the investigation of serious event reports. Understanding differences in behavior deviations enables leadership to best address each type with an appropriate response. This allows institutions to address reckless behavior and unprofessionalism, while concomitantly creating a culture that fosters trust to promote self-reporting and sharing of information. These are characteristics of high-reliability organizations that produce sustained excellence in patient outcomes.

A System to Improve Compliance with Electrocardiography Electrode Expiration Tracking.

BACKGROUND: Electrocardiography (ECG) electrodes require special expiration tracking after the manufacturer's packaging is opened. Compliance with this requirement, however, can be inconsistent. The authors tested the efficacy of a device that provides for expiration tracking of bulk-packaged electrodes to improve compliance. METHODS: The device tested is a bin with an automated countdown timer that could be used for storing and dispensing open ECG electrodes. Seven operating rooms were inspected three times each before and after implementation of the device. Compliance with expiration dating of open electrodes was recorded for each inspection. RESULTS: Compliance was found in 3 of the 21 (14.3%) baseline inspections. Following implementation of the devices, compliance was found in 20 of 21 (95.2%) inspections. This increase in compliance was statistically significant (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: A storage and dispensing device with automated countdown timer significantly improved compliance with expiration dating regulations for bulk-packaged ECG electrodes. It also has the potential to reduce supply cost, packaging waste, and inconvenience compared with individually wrapped electrodes.

Reduced synaptic activity and dysregulated extracellular matrix pathways in midbrain neurons from Parkinson's disease patients.

Several mutations that cause Parkinson's disease (PD) have been identified over the past decade. These account for 15-25% of PD cases; the rest of the cases are considered sporadic. Currently, it is accepted that PD is not a single monolithic disease but rather a constellation of diseases with some common phenotypes. While rodent models exist for some of the PD-causing mutations, research on the sporadic forms of PD is lagging due to a lack of cellular models. In our study, we differentiated PD patient-derived dopaminergic (DA) neurons from the induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) of several PD-causing mutations as well as from sporadic PD patients. Strikingly, we observed a common neurophysiological phenotype: neurons derived from PD patients had a severe reduction in the rate of synaptic currents compared to those derived from healthy controls. While the relationship between mutations in genes such as the SNCA and LRRK2 and a reduction in synaptic transmission has been investigated before, here we show evidence that the pathogenesis of the synapses in neurons is a general phenotype in PD. Analysis of RNA sequencing results displayed changes in gene expression in different synaptic mechanisms as well as other affected pathways such as extracellular matrix-related pathways. Some of these dysregulated pathways are common to all PD patients (monogenic or idiopathic). Our data, therefore, show changes that are central and convergent to PD and suggest a strong involvement of the tetra-partite synapse in PD pathophysiology.

A randomized, double-blinded trial comparing the effectiveness of tranexamic acid and epsilon-aminocaproic acid in reducing bleeding and transfusion in cardiac surgery.

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA) to tranexamic acid (TA) in reducing blood loss and transfusion requirements in patients undergone cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass. Design: Randomized, double blinded study. Outcome variables collected included; baseline demographic characteristics, type of surgery, amount of 24 hour chest tube drainage, amount of 24 hour blood products administered, 30 day mortality and morbidity and length of stay. We analyzed the data using parametric and non-parametric tests as appropriate. Setting: Single center tertiary-care university hospital setting. Participants: 114 patients who had undergone cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass. Interventions: Standard dose of intra-operative EACA or TA was compared in patients undergone cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between groups when analyzing chest tube drainage. However, there was a significant difference in the administration of any transfusion (PRBC's, FFP, platelets) intra-operatively to 24 hours postoperatively, with less transfusion in patients receiving EACA compared to TA (25% vs. 44.8%, respectively P = 0.027). Additionally, there was no significant difference in terms of adverse events during the one month follow up period. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that EACA and TA have similar effects on chest tube drainage but EACA is associated with fewer transfusions in CABG alone surgeries. Our results suggest that EACA can be used in a similar fashion to TA which may result in a cost and morbidity advantage.

Team Training in the Perioperative Arena: A Methodology for Implementation and Auditing Behavior.

Preventable medical errors in the operating room are most often caused by ineffective communication and suboptimal team dynamics. TeamSTEPPS is a government-funded, evidence-based program that provides tools and education to improve teamwork in medicine. The study hospital implemented TeamSTEPPS in the operating room and merged the program with a surgical safety checklist. Audits were performed to collect both quantitative and qualitative information on time out (brief) and debrief conversations, using a standardized audit tool. A total of 1610 audits over 6 months were performed by live auditors. Performance was sustained at desired levels or improved for all qualitative metrics using χ2 and linear regression analyses. Additionally, the absolute number of wrong site/side/person surgery and unintentionally retained foreign body counts decreased after TeamSTEPPS implementation.

Questionable benefit of the pulmonary artery catheter after cardiac surgery in high-risk patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of pulmonary artery catheterization on clinical outcomes after cardiac surgery in higher-risk patients. DESIGN: Retrospective national database analysis. SETTING: U.S. hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: A weighted sample of 2,063,337 patients undergoing cardiac surgery identified from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2010. INTERVENTIONS: Pulmonary artery catheterization. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Compared to patients who did not receive a pulmonary artery catheter, those who did on the whole were on average slightly older (66.6±11.9 years v 65.5±12.8 years, p<0.001), more likely to have pulmonary hypertension (7.5% v 5.1%, p<0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (24.6% v 20.7%, p<0.001), obesity (15.0% v 13.1%, p<0.001), and chronic renal failure (10.9% v 9.2%, p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, the risk of operative mortality in patients who underwent pulmonary artery catheterization was significantly higher than in those who did not (4.6% v 3.1%, p<0.001), adjusted OR 1.34 (95% CI 1.26-1.43, p<0.001). In propensity matched subgroup analysis operative mortality risk was higher in octogenarian patients (OR 1.24, p = 0.24), and patients with congestive heart failure (OR 1.39, p = 0.023) who underwent pulmonary artery catheterization. No significant difference in operative mortality was observed in low-risk patients according to whether or not they underwent pulmonary artery catheterization. The incidence of prolonged mechanical ventilation and length of stay>30 days was higher in patients who underwent pulmonary artery catheterization in all subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: In contemporary practice pulmonary artery catheters do not appear to be associated with reductions in operative mortality or morbidity and are associated with increases in duration of ventilation and length of stay in the intensive care unit.

In-hospital mortality and morbidity after robotic coronary artery surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of robotic approaches on outcomes of coronary bypass surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective national database analysis. SETTING: United States hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: A weighted sample of 484,128 patients undergoing isolated coronary artery surgery identified from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2008 through 2010. INTERVENTIONS: Robotically assisted coronary artery bypass surgery versus conventional bypass surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Robotic approaches were used in 2,582 patients (0.4%). Patients undergoing robotic surgery were less likely to be female (odds ratio [OR] 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.57-0.87), present with acute myocardial infarction (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.38-0.73), or have cerebrovascular disease (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.23-0.71) compared to patients undergoing conventional surgery. In 59% of robotic cases, a single bypass was performed, and 2 bypasses were performed in 25% of cases. After adjusting for comorbidity, reduced postoperative stroke (0.0% v 1.5%, p = 0.045) and transfusion (13.5% v 24.4%, p = 0.001) rates were observed in patients who underwent robotic single-bypass surgery compared to conventional surgery. In patients undergoing multiple bypass grafts, higher mortality (1.1% v 0.5%), and cardiovascular complications (12.2% v 10.6%) were observed when robotic assistance was used, but the differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.5). The mean number of robotic cases carried out annually at institutions sampled was 6. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic assistance is associated with lower rates of postoperative complications in highly selected patients undergoing single coronary artery bypass surgery, but the benefits of this approach are reduced in patients who require multiple coronary artery bypass grafts.

Earlier versus later tracheostomy in patients with respiratory failure after cardiac surgery in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of timing of tracheostomy on outcomes of patients with respiratory failure after cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of national database. SETTING: United States hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: A weighted estimate of 2,063,227 patients (475,773 case records) undergoing cardiac surgery identified from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample between 2002-2010 INTERVENTIONS: Early versus late tracheostomy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative respiratory failure was 7.8%. The strongest independent predictors of respiratory failure included female gender (odds ratio [OR] 1.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28-1.31), age (OR 1.13 for each decade, 95% CI 1.12-1.13), chronic obstructive airways disease (OR 2.16, 95% CI 2.13-2.19), chronic renal insufficiency (OR 2.28, 95% CI 2.25-2.31), and valve surgery (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.6-1.64). Tracheostomy was performed in 22.9% of patients with respiratory failure; 13.6% of tracheostomies were performed within 5 days of surgery (or within 5 days of intubation in patients who underwent reintubation), and 20.5% were performed on postoperative day 21 or later. Compared with tracheostomy performed within 5 days of intubation, there was a near-stepwise increase in risk of mortality with delayed tracheostomy performed between days 11-15 (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.16-1.43), days 16-20 (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.11-1.41), and day 21 or later (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.37-1.71). CONCLUSIONS: In this analysis of outcomes of patients with respiratory failure after cardiac surgery in the United States, deferring tracheostomy did not appear to improve patient outcomes after cardiac surgery.

Cardiac surgery in a patient with pemphigus vulgaris: anesthetic and surgical considerations.

Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune disorder that causes blistering of the skin and mucous membranes. We present a patient with pemphigus vulgaris who required combined coronary artery bypass grafting and mitral valve repair. The challenges that we faced and modifications to the technique required in this situation are described and reviewed.

Laboratory point-of-care monitoring in the operating room.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The fundamental advantage of point-of-care testing (POCT) is rapid acquisition of laboratory data. This is particularly advantageous in the operative arena because of the urgency of timeliness in anesthetic patient care. Technology is persistently evolving, such that it is imperative to regularly review available devices and investigate new devices that emerge each year. This review provides a comprehensive, current summary of POCT most pertinent to the anesthesiologist, and recent investigations that evaluate them. RECENT FINDINGS: Perioperative POCT includes arterial blood gas monitoring, chemistry, co-oximetry panels, parathyroid hormone assays, and coagulation testing. Parathyroid hormone assays continue to guide surgical resection of the parathyroid glands. Coagulation testing aids anesthesiologists in diagnosis of coagulopathy as well as therapeutic optimization of anticoagulants such as clopidogrel and aspirin. SUMMARY: POCT, although generally found to be more expensive compared to laboratory testing, has been shown to quicken result time. POCT will continue to be useful in the realm of anesthesiology in management of the surgical patient to guide drug therapy, surgical strategy, and medical management. A major challenge to POCT continues to be developing platforms to configure, organize, and distribute laboratory results as well as minimizing cost.