Predictors of outcomes of patients ≥ 80 years old admitted to intensive care units in Poland - a post-hoc analysis of the VIP2 prospective observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Elderly patients pose a significant challenge to intensive care unit (ICU) clinicians. In this study we attempted to characterise the population of patients over 80 years old admitted to ICUs in Poland and identify associations between clinical features and short-term outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study is a post-hoc analysis of the Polish cohort of the VIP2 European prospective observational study enrolling patients > 80 years old admitted to ICUs over a 6-month period. Data including clinical features, clinical frailty scale (CFS), geriatric scales, interventions within the ICU, and outcomes (30-day and ICU mortality and length of stay) were gathered. Univariate analyses comparing frail (CFS > 4) to non-frail patients and survivors to non-survivors were performed. Multivariable models with CFS, activities of daily living score (ADL), and the cognitive decline questionnaire IQCODE as predictors and ICU or 30-day mortality as outcomes were formed. RESULTS: A total of 371 patients from 27 ICUs were enrolled. Frail patients had significantly higher ICU (58% vs. 44.45%, P = 0.03) and 30-day (65.61% vs. 54.14%, P = 0.01) mortality compared to non-frail counterparts. The survivors had significantly lower SOFA score, CFS, ADL, and IQCODE than non-survivors. In multivariable analysis CFS (OR 1.15, 95% CI: 1.00-1.34) and SOFA score (OR 1.29, 95% CI: 1.19-1.41) were identified as significant predictors for ICU mortality; however, CFS was not a predictor for 30-day mortality ( P = 0.07). No statistical significance was found for ADL, IQCODE, polypharmacy, or comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: We found a positive correlation between CFS and ICU mortality, which might point to the value of assessing the score for every patient admitted to the ICU. The older Polish ICU patients were characterised by higher mortality compared to the other European countries.

Association between self-reported METs and other perioperative cardiorespiratory fitness assessment tools in abdominal surgery-a prospective cross-sectional correlation study.

Cardiovascular complications represent a significant proportion of adverse events during the perioperative period, necessitating accurate preoperative risk assessment. This study aimed to investigate the association between well-established risk assessment tools and self-reported preoperative physical performance, quantified by metabolic equivalent (MET) equivalents, in high-risk patients scheduled for elective abdominal surgery. A prospective cross-sectional correlation study was conducted, involving 184 patients admitted to a Gastrointestinal Surgery Department. Various risk assessment tools, including the Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI), Surgical Mortality Probability Model (S-MPM), American University of Beirut (AUB)-HAS2 Cardiovascular Risk Index, and Surgical Risk Calculator (NSQIP-MICA), were utilized to evaluate perioperative risk. Patients self-reported their physical performance using the MET-REPAIR questionnaire. The findings demonstrated weak or negligible correlations between the risk assessment tools and self-reported MET equivalents (Spearman's ρ = - 0.1 to - 0.3). However, a statistically significant relationship was observed between the ability to ascend two flights of stairs and the risk assessment scores. Good correlations were identified among ASA-PS, S-MPM, NSQIP-MICA, and AUB-HAS2 scores (Spearman's ρ = 0.3-0.8). Although risk assessment tools exhibited limited correlation with self-reported MET equivalents, simple questions regarding physical fitness, such as the ability to climb stairs, showed better associations. A comprehensive preoperative risk assessment should incorporate both objective and subjective measures to enhance accuracy. Further research with larger cohorts is needed to validate these findings and develop a comprehensive screening tool for high-risk patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery.

Is Frailty a Good Predictor of Postoperative Complications in Elective Abdominal Surgery?-A Single-Center, Prospective, Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the common occurrence of postoperative complications in patients with frailty syndrome, the nature and severity of this relationship remains unclear. We aimed to assess the association of frailty with possible postoperative complications after elective, abdominal surgery in participants of a single-centre prospective study in relation to other risk classification methods. METHODS: Frailty was assessed preoperatively using the Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS), Modified Frailty Index (mFI) and Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). Perioperative risk was assessed using the American Society of Anesthesiology Physical Status (ASA PS), Operative Severity Score (OSS) and Surgical Mortality Probability Model (S-MPM). RESULTS: The frailty scores failed to predict in-hospital complications. The values of AUCs for in-hospital complications ranged between 0.5 and 0.6 and were statistically nonsignificant. The perioperative risk measuring system performance in ROC analysis was satisfactory with AUC ranging from 0.63 for OSS to 0.65 for S-MPM (p < 0.05 for each). CONCLUSIONS: The analysed frailty rating scales proved to be poor predictors of postoperative complications in the studied population. Scales assessing perioperative risk performed better. Further studies are needed to obtain optimal predictive tools in senior patients undergoing surgery.

Post-induction hypotension and intraoperative hypotension as potential separate risk factors for the adverse outcome: a cohort study.

PURPOSE: Intraoperative hypotension (IOH) is associated with organ hypoperfusion. There are different underlying causes of IOH depending on the phase of surgery. Post-induction hypotension (PIH) and early-intraoperative hypotension tend to be frequently differentiated. We aimed to explore further different phases of IOH and verify whether they are differently associated with postoperative complications. METHODS: Patients undergoing abdominal surgery between October 2018 and July 2019 in a university hospital were screened. Post-induction hypotension was defined as MAP ≤ 65 mmHg between the induction of anaesthesia and the onset of surgery. Hypotension during surgery (IOH) was defined as MAP ≤ 65 mmHg occurring between the onset of surgery and its completion. Acute kidney injury, stroke or transient ischaemic attack, delirium, and myocardial infarction were considered as the outcome. RESULTS: We enrolled 508 patients (219 males, median age 62 years). 158 subjects (31.1%) met PIH, 171 (33.7%) met IOH criteria, and 67 (13.2%) patients experienced both. PIH time accounted for 22.8% of the total hypotension time and 29.7% of the IOH time. The IOH time accounted for 5.17% of the total intraoperative time, while PIH for 8.91% of the pre-incision time. Female sex, lower height, body mass and lower pre-induction BP (SBP and MAP) were found to be associated with the incidence of PIH. The negative outcome was observed in 38 (7.5%) patients. Intraoperative MAP ≤ 65 mmHg, longer duration of the procedure (≥ 230 min), chronic arterial hypertension and age were associated with the presence of the outcome (p < 0.01 each). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of IOH defined as MAP ≤ 65 mmHg is relevant to post-operative organ complications, the presence of PIH does not appear to be of such significance. Because cumulative duration of PIH and IOH differs significantly, especially in long-lasting procedures, direct comparison of the influence of PIH and IOH on outcome separately may be biased and should be taken into account in data interpretation. Further research is needed to deeply investigate this phenomenon.

High intraoperative pulse pressure is a risk factor for postoperative acute kidney injury in a cohort of abdominal surgery patients: An exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: Both intraoperative hypotension and hypertension have been reported to increase the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI). However, the impact of the intraoperative pulse pressure (PP) on the latter complications remains relatively unknown. OBJECTIVES: To explore whether high intraoperative PP values are associated with postoperative AKI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data for this study come from a prospective cohort study in which patients who underwent abdominal surgery between October 1, 2018 and July 15, 2019 in university hospital in Katowice, Poland were included in the analysis. Preand intraoperative data, including blood pressure measurements, were acquired from medical charts. Several PP thresholds were applied: >50, >55, >60, >65, >70, >75, >80, >85, and >90 mm Hg. Additionally, by analyzing the maximal PP during the procedures, the cutoff point for the occurrence of outcomes was estimated. Postoperative AKI was considered as the outcome of the study. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to assess PP relationship with AKI. RESULTS: Four hundred and ninety-four patients were included in the analysis. The AKI was present in 32 (6.5%) cases. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis estimated a cutoff point of >84 mm Hg of maximal PP to be associated with the outcome. The PP values above 80 mm Hg and onward were successfully included in the multivariable statistical models. A model in which PP > 90 mm Hg (odds ratio (OR) = 4.03; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): [1.53; 10.62]) was included, had the best predicting value in predicting hypoperfusion injury (area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) = 0.88). Apart from PP, intraoperative hypotension, presence of chronic arterial hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and procedure duration were independently associated with AKI. CONCLUSIONS: High intraoperative PP may be associated with the occurrence of postoperative AKI. However, the effect of high PP should be confirmed in other noncardiac populations to prove the generalizability of our results.

Association between Intraoperative Blood Pressure Drop and Clinically Significant Hypoperfusion in Abdominal Surgery: A Cohort Study.

The recent consensus by the Perioperative Quality Initiative (POQI) on intraoperative hypotension (IOH) stated that mean arterial pressure (MAP) below 60-70 mmHg is associated with myocardial infarction (MI), acute kidney injury (AKI), death and also that IOH is a function of not only severity but also of duration. However, most of the data come from large, heterogeneous cohorts of patients who underwent different surgical procedures and types of anaesthesia. We sought to assess how various definitions of IOH can predict clinically significant hypoperfusive outcomes in a homogenous cohort of generally anesthetised patients undergoing abdominal surgery, taking into account thresholds of MAP and their time durations. The data for this study come from a prospective cohort study in which patients who underwent abdominal surgery between 1 October 2018 and 15 July 2019 in the university hospital in Katowice were included in the analysis. We analysed perioperative data to assess how various IOH thresholds can predict hypoperfusive outcomes (defined as myocardial injury, acute kidney injury or stroke). 508 patients were included in the study. The total number of cases of clinically significant hypoperfusion was 38 (7.5%). We found that extending durations of low MAP, i.e., below 55 mmHg, 60 mmHg, 65 mmHg and 70 mmHg, were associated with the development of either AKI, MI or stroke. It was observed that for narrower and lower hypotension thresholds, the time required to induce complications is shorter. Patients who suffered from AKI/MI/Stroke experienced more episodes of any of the IOH definitions applied. Absolute IOH thresholds were superior to the relative definitions. For patients undergoing abdominal surgery, it is vital to prevent the extended durations of intraoperative mean arterial pressure below 70 mmHg. Finally, there appears to be no need to guide intraoperative haemodynamic therapy based on pre-induction values and, consequently, on relative drops of MAP.

Intraoperative hypotension and its organ-related consequences in hypertensive subjects undergoing abdominal surgery: a cohort study.

Purpose. Intraoperative hypotension is associated with organ hypoperfusion, which is deleterious to vital organs. Little is known about the prevalence and consequences of intraoperative hypotension in subjects with arterial hypertension (AH). The primary goal of this study was to investigate the prevalence and determinants of hypoperfusion-related clinical consequences of intraoperative hypotension, taking into account the role of AH, in a homogeneous cohort of patients undergoing abdominal surgery.Materials and methods. We enrolled 508 patients (219 males, median age 62 years). Intraoperative hypotension was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) <90 mmHg for at least 10 min or mean arterial pressure (MAP) <65 mmHg for at least 10 min or a need for noradrenaline infusion of at least 0.05 µg/kg/min for ≥10 min or intraoperative MAP drop of at least 30% from the baseline value for at least 10 min, regardless of the time of surgery. Acute kidney injury, stroke or transient ischaemic attack, delirium, and myocardial infarction were considered as the outcome.Results. AH concerned 234 (46%) individuals. The prevalence of intraoperative hypotension varied from 19.9 to 59.4%. Patients with AH were more likely to experience MAP drop of >30% than non-hypertensive patients (OR = 1.53; 95%CI 1.07-2.19; p = 0.02). The outcome was diagnosed in 38 (7.5%) patients. AH was a significant predictor of hypoperfusion-related events, regardless of the intraoperative hypotension definition applied (logOR 2.80 ÷ 3.22; p < 0.05 for all). Only intraoperative hypotension defined as 'MAP < 65mmHg' was found to be a determinant of negative outcome (logOR = 2.85; 95%CI 1.35-5.98; p < 0.01), with AUROC = 0.83 (95%CI 0.0-0.86); p < 0.01.Conclusion. AH is a significant predictor of hypoperfusion-related events, regardless of the intraoperative hypotension definition applied. In hypertensive patients, hypoperfusion-related clinical consequences are more frequent in high-risk and long-lasting procedures. MAP < 65 mmHg lasting for >10 min during surgery was identified as most associated with the negative outcome.

Fluid Therapy in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery: A Bumpy Road Towards Individualized Management.

Prudent intraoperative fluid replacement therapy, inotropes, and vasoactive drugs should be guided by adequate hemodynamic monitoring. The study aimed to evaluate the single-centre practice on intraoperative fluid therapy in abdominal surgery (AS). The evaluation, based on a review of medical files, included 235 patients (103 men), aged 60 ± 15 years who underwent AS between September and November 2017. Fluid therapy was analyzed in terms of quality and quantity. There were 124 high-risk patients according to the American Society of Anaesthesiologists Classification (ASA Class 3+) and 89 high-risk procedures performed. The median duration of procedures was 175 (IQR 106-284) min. Eleven patients died post-operatively. The median fluids volume was 10.4 mL/kg/h of anaesthesia, including 9.1 mL/kg/h of crystalloids and 2.7 mL/kg/h of synthetic colloids. Patients undergoing longer than the median procedures received significantly fewer fluids than those who underwent shorter procedures. The volume of fluids in the longer procedures depended on the procedural risk classification and was significantly greater in high-risk patients undergoing high-risk surgery. Patients who died received significantly more fluids than survivors. In all patients, a non-invasive blood pressure monitoring was used and only six patients had therapy guided by metabolic equilibrium. The fluid therapy used was liberal but complied with the recommendations regarding the type of fluid and risk-adjusted dosing. Hemodynamic monitoring was suboptimal and requires modifications. In conclusion, the optimization of intraoperative fluid therapy requires a balanced and standardized approach consistent with treatment procedures.