Survival, functional capacity, and quality of life after cardiac surgery followed by long-term intensive care stay.

BACKGROUND: The rising prevalence of multimorbid patients undergoing cardiac surgery often leads to prolonged postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) treatment. The fate of these patients after discharge is poorly investigated. This study is aimed to assess survival, functional outcome, and quality of life (QOL) in patients after an ICU stay of at least 5 days. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 2009 and July 2010, 1,092 patients underwent various cardiac procedures. Of these patients, 119 required ICU treatment of at least 5 days. Preoperative characteristics as well as postoperative course were analyzed and the discharged patients were contacted after 1 year to gain information about survival, functional capacity, and QOL. RESULTS: European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation I of the patients was 22.3 ± 16.7. Mean ICU stay was 19 ± 20 days. Forty three patients (36.1%) died in the hospital, 1-year overall survival was 46.2%, and 1-year survival of the discharged patients was 72.4%. Barthel mobility index was 85, showing a satisfactory mobilization. QOL, assessed with short form 12 questionnaire, was comparable with the reference group. CONCLUSION: Long-term ICU treatment after cardiac surgery is related to a high in-hospital and follow-up mortality. The physical and psychological recovery of the survivors is encouraging, justifying the extensive engagement of hospital resources.

Hemolysis, high-intensity transient signals (HITS) and hemodynamic results after aortic valve replacement with the Medtronic Hall Easy-Fit heart valve prosthesis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Previous studies have shown a correlation between type, orientation and valve size of mechanical heart valve prostheses and the incidence of high-intensity transient signals (HITS). The study aim was to investigate the presence of HITS and hemolysis and the impact of valve size and hemodynamic parameters following aortic valve replacement (AVR) using the new Medtronic Hall Easy-Fit prosthesis. METHODS: A total of 150 patients (120 males, 30 females; mean age 62 +/- 8 years; range: 32-78 years) underwent AVR (n = 94; 63% concomitant procedures) with the Easy-Fit valve in its optimal orientation. Patients were investigated at between three and 36 months after AVR using transcranial Doppler examination of the right and left middle cerebral artery, and the incidence of HITS was determined. For evaluation of hemolysis, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), hemoglobin and bilirubin were measured. These parameters were related to valve size. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in all patients. RESULTS: Among the patients, 112 (75%) showed no or low HITS (34% none, 41% < 30/h), while only 38 (25%) had elevated HITS (range 31-100/h, 14%; range > 100/h, 11%). Statistical analysis showed a linear association between the HITS count and valve size. A positive correlation between valve size and LDH was observed; hemoglobin and bilirubin showed normal values. CONCLUSION: The valve size-dependent increase in LDH after AVR corresponds with the observation that the presence of HITS increases with valve size. In light of these findings, the surgical approach to implant the largest size Easy-Fit valve possible should be discussed, given the excellent hemodynamic results provided by the valve, even in smaller sizes.

Impact of high intensity transient signals on the choice of mechanical aortic valve substitutes.

OBJECTIVE: High intensity transient signals (HITS) observed during extracorporeal circulation and following mechanical valve replacement are suspected of causing cognitive dysfunction (deterioration of episodic and working memory). This study evaluates the role played by valve design (bileaflet versus tilting disc) and other parameters in the incidence of HITS. METHODS: Thirty patients were selected for the study as follows: 18 males, 58-78 years of age; ten St. Jude Medical, ten CarboMedics, ten Medtronic Hall (MH); all size 23, in optimum orientation (Ann Thorac Surg 68 (1999) 1069); all in sinus rhythm; no coronary or carotid artery disease; all in sinus rhythm, international normalized ratio greater than 2.5 and all at least 9 months postoperative. All patients had bilateral HITS measurement in both middle cerebral arteries via transcranial doppler for 30 min. If five HITS or more were observed during the initial 10 min, patients were subjected to 100% oxygen breathing followed by 10 min of normal air breathing. Simultaneously, HITS were measured in the right radial and femoral arteries. RESULTS: Patients with bileaflet valve substitutes revealed HITS rates varying from 32 to 108 counts/h. There was only one HITS observed in the MH valve group during the 5h observation period (0.2 HITS/h). There were no HITS detected in either the radial or the femoral arteries in any patient. After breathing 100% oxygen, HITS significantly decreased or completely disappeared (0-30 HITS/h). When normal air breathing was resumed HITS reappeared or increased. With an intravenous infusion of 100 mg of lysine acetylsalicylate (Aspisol, Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), HITS decreased by 16 to 41%. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that bileaflet mechanical valve prostheses produce HITS even in their optimum orientation. HITS following bileaflet valve replacement have an unstable nature and might be composed of nitrogen and platelets. Tilting disc valves in their optimum orientation provide almost physiological conditions with HITS measured in the same range as bioprosthesis.

Central closed chest implantation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to prevent limb ischemia.

PURPOSE: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support is a widely accepted treatment option for patients with cardiogenic shock, but it is still related to a high incidence of severe complications and death. We present an alternative implantation technique to prevent life-threatening vascular complications.
 METHODS: Between January 2008 and January 2011, a total of 28 patients with acute myocardial failure and consecutive cardiogenic shock required ECMO as supportive treatment. Pre-implantation procedures were isolated CABG, CABG combined with mitral valve reconstruction or ventricular septal defect closure, respectively. The implantation of ECMO was performed by connecting the ascending aorta via an 8 mm Dacron prosthesis with the arterial line and percutaneous puncture of the femoral vein. The chest was closed after installation of ECMO was completed. The arterial line was directed subxyphoidally and removal was possible without thoracotomy.
 RESULTS: Average support duration was 8.7 ± 3.9 days. An additional intra-aortic balloon pump was used in 23 patients (89.3%). Cerebrovascular events occurred in 21.4% and gastrointestinal complications in 9.1%. Acute renal failure was treated with continuous renal replacement therapy in 64.3%. In eight cases a systemic infection had to be treated. One patient with pre-existing severe peripheral arterial disease suffered from limb malperfusion, requiring leg amputation. Twelve patients were successfully weaned from ECMO and 8 patients (28.6%) were discharged from hospital. 
 CONCLUSIONS: This alternative cannulation strategy offers effective cardiopulmonary support while minimizing the risk of limb hypo- or hyperperfusion without requiring reopening of the thorax.

Surgery of the ascending aorta, root remodelling and aortic arch surgery with circulatory arrest through partial upper sternotomy: results of 50 consecutive cases.

OBJECTIVES: Partial upper sternotomy is a routine approach to aortic valve surgery. For surgery of the ascending aorta or the aortic arch, this method is not well established yet. METHODS: From October 2007 to October 2010, 50 consecutive patients underwent procedures of the ascending aorta and the aortic arch using partial upper sternotomy. Thirty-six patients underwent replacement or tightening of the ascending aorta, 11 patients received additional replacement of the proximal arch and in 3 cases, a complete replacement of the aortic arch was performed. Thirty-nine patients underwent additional aortic valve surgery. RESULTS: Mean operation time was 249 ± 51 min. Mean aortic cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass time were 95 ± 27 and 141 ± 35 min, respectively. No conversion to conventional sternotomy was performed. All valves appeared competent on postoperative echocardiography. Survival was 100%. One re-exploration for bleeding was necessary. One stroke (2%) occurred, one pacemaker was implanted due to third-degree AV block and 16 patients (32%) experienced atrial fibrillation. One patient suffered from sternal wound infection. One patient needed reoperation due to severe aortic insufficiency on postoperative day 13. Median postoperative ventilation time was 13 h, median intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay were 22 h and 7 days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Results show that minimally invasive surgical procedures of the ascending aorta and the aortic arch may be performed safely, with an excellent clinical outcomes and superior cosmesis. Short ICU and hospital stay indicate the beneficial effects of reduced surgical trauma for patient recovery.

Prolonged intensive care treatment of octogenarians after cardiac surgery: a reasonable economic burden?

OBJECTIVES: In accordance with the rising prevalence of octogenarians undergoing cardiac surgery, these patients utilize an increasing portion of intensive care unit (ICU) capacities, provoking economic and ethical concerns. In this study, we evaluated the outcomes and costs generated by the prolonged postoperative ICU treatment of octogenarians. METHODS: Between July 2009 and August 2010, 109 of 1063 patients required ICU treatment of at least 5 days after cardiac surgery. Patients were retrospectively assigned to either Group A (age <80, n = 86) or Group B (age ≥80, n = 23). Operative risk, mortality, length and costs of ICU treatment were analysed and compared. After 1 year, survival, quality of life (QOL) and functional status were assessed. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 31.4% in Group A and 56.5% in Group B. Survivals of discharged patients after 1 year were 83% (Group A) and 80% (Group B), respectively. Log EuroSCORE I of octogenarians was significantly higher (30 ± 17 vs 20 ± 16, P < 0.001). No significant differences (Group A vs Group B) were found between the groups concerning length of ICU treatment (20 ± 21 vs 16 ± 14 days, P = 0.577) or costs (27 205 ± 29 316€ vs 21 821 ± 16 259€, P = 0.812). Functional capacity, calculated by using Barthel index, was high (Group A: 87 ± 22 and Group B: 67 ± 31, P = 0.108) and did not differ significantly between groups. QOL, measured with the short form-12 health survey, did not differ significantly between groups (physical health summary score: P = 0.27; mental health score: P = 0.885) and was comparable with values of the age-adjusted general population. CONCLUSIONS: Presented data propose that advanced age is correlated with a higher mortality, but not with prolonged ICU treatment or higher costs after cardiac surgery. Considering the encouraging functional status and QOL of the survivors, the financial burden caused by octogenarians is justified.