Outcomes and Complications after Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

BACKGROUND: Heart transplantation is the treatment of choice for selected patients with end-stage heart failure. Persistent donor organ shortage causes a growing demand for mechanical circulatory support not only as a bridge to transplantation but mainly as a destination therapy (DT). METHODS: The aim of the study was to analyze the indications, comorbidities, and complications during the follow-up of all patients undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation with at least 12 months of follow-up time in one of the most experienced clinics in Poland between 2015 and 2023. RESULTS: There were 125 individuals with LVAD implantation, from which 90 had full 12 months of follow-up (85 males - 94%, 5 females - 6%), with a median age of 58 (50.25-63.75) years. The median body mass index was 27.12 (25.27-29.68). The etiology of heart failure was ischemic (n = 44, 49%), dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 44, 49%), and others. Preoperative echocardiography revealed a mean LV ejection fraction of 13.8% and a median LV dimension of 7.55 (6.92-8.2) cm. In 61 patients (68%), imaging confirmed pulmonary hypertension. Thirty-four patients (38%) had diabetes and 16 (18%) were active smokers. Median follow-up was 30 (17.25-42) months, with the longest period being about 82 months. 40 (44%) patients had kidney failure before LVAD implantation, and in 43 cases (48%), we observed relevant, transient deterioration of kidney function. Almost all patients (n = 82, 91%) suffered from anemia (Hb <13 g/dL in males and <12 g/dL in females) in different periods after LVAD implantation due to perioperative bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding or unknown causes. The lowest Hb level was observed in the first week after LVAD implantation in 53 cases (58%). Median red cell concentrate transfusion demand before the discharge after surgery was 6 (2-8, 5) units. CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate selection of candidates and timing of LVAD implantation are critical for improved outcomes of DT. Anemia and kidney failure are the most frequent follow-up complications. Improved results and increased applicability and durability of LVADs have established this treatment option as an excellent alternative for patients with end-stage heart failure.

PreScheck Team Study: prehabilitation clinic as an effective patient management tool in elective cardiac surgery.

INTRODUCTION: The main purpose of the study was to assess the impact of preoperative interdisciplinary assessment by the PreScheck Team on optimization of the final selection for elective cardiac surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a single-centre prospective observational study. The examined population consisted of 933 adult patients planned for cardiac surgery. After the exclusion of urgent operations, the study group consisted of 288 patients planned for elective cardiac surgery within 3 months from 1.01.2023 with PreScheck assessment (PreScheck Team group 2) and a control group of 311 patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery between 1.03.2022 and 30.06.2022 (4 months), without preoperative interdiscipli-nary assessment (No PreScheck Team group 2). RESULTS: Fifty-two patients (18.06%) from the study group were finally excluded from the surgery on the scheduled date. In 46 patients (88.46%) the temporary or permanent exclusion from surgery was a result of PreScheck Team assessment. In the control group 42 patients (13.5%) did not undergo surgery on the scheduled date. Twenty-seven of those patients (8.97%) were permanently excluded from cardiac surgery after admission to the hospital and required additional tests before the final clinical decision, with total hospitalization time of 146 days. CONCLUSIONS: Pre Surgery Check (PreScheck) Team is an original concept that combines classical preoperative assessment and an outpatient prehabilitation clinic. The approach we are proposing here should be a complementary stage in the process of selection for elective cardiac surgery, in addition to the Heart Team recommendation. This two-step decision-making enables real individual risk assessment, selection of the most suitable intervention and better use of medical resources.

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.

Long-term survival following postoperative myocardial infraction after coronary artery bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative myocardial infraction (MI) is a serious complication among patients undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG). Data on the impact of postoperative MI on patients undergoing CABG, specifically with respect to their long term outcomes are sparse. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all patients who underwent isolated CABG between January 2014 and December 2016 and identified those who fulfilled the definition of the type 5MI following CABG according to the Fourth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction. RESULTS: A total of 4,642 CABG patients were identified, of whom 141 (3.04%) were diagnosed with postoperative MI. The mean follow-up time was 5.1±2.07 years (range, 4.4-6.9 years). Postoperative MI was more common in patients with recent acute coronary syndrome, when compared to stable angina (22.8% vs. 31.9%; P=0.011) and in those with non-elective versus planned surgery (28.4% vs. 18.4%; P=0.003). Postoperative MI after CABG was associated with an increased rate of postoperative complications, including cardiac tamponade and re exploration for bleeding. Mortality after postoperative MI was higher at short-term follow-up (up to one year) and long-term follow-up (up to five years). The risk factors for postoperative MI after CABG were incomplete revascularization (IR) [OR (95% CI): 2.25 (1.59-3.12), P=0.001], non-elective surgery [OR (95% CI): 1.68 (1.10-2.54), P=0.015] and female gender [OR (95% CI): 1.48 (1.01-2.18), P=0.045]. CONCLUSIONS: PMI after CABG is associated with reduced short- and long-term survival. The main risk factors for postoperative MI are IR, female gender, and non-elective surgery.

Impact of rescue collapse on mortality rate in severe accidental hypothermia: A matched-pair analysis.

AIM: To assess the impact of the occurrence of cardiac arrest associated with initial management on the outcome of severely hypothermic patients who were rewarmed with Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS). METHODS: We collected the individual data of patients in a state of severe accidental hypothermia who were found with spontaneous circulation and rewarmed with ECLS, from cardiac surgery departments. Patients were divided into two groups: those with a subsequent cardiac arrest (RC group); and those with the retained circulation (HT3 group), and compared by using a matched-pair analysis. The mortality rates and the neurological status in survivors were compared as the main outcomes. The difference in the risk of death between the HT3 and RC groups was calculated. RESULTS: A total of 124 patients were included into the study: 45 in the HT3 group and 79 in the RC group. The matched cohorts consisted of 45 HT3 patients and 45 RC patients. The mortality rate in both groups was 24% and 49% (p = 0.02) respectively; the relative risk of death was 2.0 (p = 0.02). ICU length of stay was significantly longer in the RC group (p < 0.001). Factors associated with survival in the HT3 group included patient age, rewarming rate, and blood BE; while in the RC group, patient age and lactate concentration. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of rescue collapse is linked to a doubling of the risk of death in severely hypothermic patients. Procedures which are known as potential triggers of rescue collapse should be performed with special attention, including in conscious patients.

Prognostic role of perioperative acid-base disturbances on the risk of Clostridioides difficile infection in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether acid-base balance disturbances during the perioperative period may impact Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), which is the third most common major infection following cardiac surgery. We hypothesized that perioperative acid-base abnormalities including lactate disturbances may predict the probability of incidence of CDI in patients after cardiac procedures. METHODS: Of the 12,235 analyzed patients following cardiac surgery, 143 (1.2%) developed CDI. The control group included 200 consecutive patients without diarrhea, who underwent cardiac procedure within the same period of observation. Pre-, intra and post-operative levels of blood gases, as well as lactate and glucose concentrations were determined. Postoperatively, arterial blood was drawn four times: immediately after surgery and successively; 4, 8 and 12 h following the procedure. RESULTS: Baseline pH was lower and PaO2 was higher in CDI patients (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). Additionally, these patients had greater base deficiency at each of the analyzed time points (p < 0.001, p = 0.004, p = 0.012, p = 0.001, p = 0.016 and p = 0.001, respectively). Severe hyperlactatemia was also more common in CDI patients; during the cardiac procedure, 4 h and 12 h after surgery (p = 0.027, p = 0.004 and p = 0.001, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that independent risk factors for CDI following cardiac surgery were as follows: intraoperative severe hyperlactatemia (OR 2.387, 95% CI 1.155-4.933, p = 0.019), decreased lactate clearance between values immediately and 12 h after procedure (OR 0.996, 95% CI 0.994-0.999, p = 0.013), increased age (OR 1.045, 95% CI 1.020-1.070, p < 0.001), emergent surgery (OR 2.755, 95% CI 1.565-4.848, p < 0.001) and use of antibiotics other than periprocedural prophylaxis (OR 2.778, 95% CI 1.690-4.565, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study is the first to show that perioperative hyperlactatemia and decreased lactate clearance may be predictors for occurrence of CDI after cardiac surgery.

Clostridioides difficile infection after cardiac surgery: Assessment of prevalence, risk factors and clinical outcomes-retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is the most common cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea. There is little available data regarding risk factors of CDI for patients who undergo cardiac surgery. The study evaluated the course of CDI in patients after cardiac surgery. METHODS: Of 6,198 patients studied, 70 (1.1%) developed CDI. The control group consisted of 73 patients in whom CDI was excluded. Perioperative data and clinical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients with CDI were significantly older in comparison to the control group (median age 73.0 vs 67.0, P = 0.005) and more frequently received proton pump inhibitors, statins, ß-blockers and acetylsalicylic acid before surgery (P = 0.008, P = 0.012, P = 0.004, and P = 0.001, respectively). In addition, the presence of atherosclerosis, coronary disease and history of malignant neoplasms correlated positively with the development of CDI (P = 0.012, P = 0.036 and P = 0.05, respectively). There were no differences in the type or timing of surgery, aortic cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass time, volume of postoperative drainage and administration of blood products between the studied groups. Relapse was more common among overweight patients with high postoperative plasma glucose or patients with higher C-reactive protein during the first episode of CDI, as well as those with a history of coronary disease or diabetes mellitus (P = 0.005, P = 0.030, P = 0.009, P = 0.049, and P = 0.025, respectively). Fifteen patients died (21.4%) from the CDI group and 7 (9.6%) from the control group (P = 0.050). Emergent procedures, prolonged stay in the intensive care unit, longer mechanical ventilation and high white blood cell count during the diarrhea were associated with higher mortality among patients with CDI (P = 0.05, P = 0.041, P = 0.004 and P = 0.007, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The study did not reveal any specific cardiac surgery-related risk factors for development of CDI.

Postoperative Serum Lactate Levels for In-Hospital Mortality Prediction Among Heart Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND Hyperlactatemia is a common phenomenon following cardiac surgeries and is associated with prolonged ICU stay and higher morbidity and mortality rates, but such analyses have never focused on patients undergoing heart transplantation (HTX), in whom hyperlactatemia defined with the traditional threshold is observed in nearly every individual. The present study aimed to assess the prognostic value and clinical usefulness of postoperative serum lactate level measurements for in-hospital mortality prediction following HTX. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty-six consecutive patients who underwent HTX in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery and Transplantology between 2010 and 2015 were enrolled into a retrospective analysis. Serum lactate level measurements within the first 48 h after HTX were obtained from arterial blood gas analyses, that were routinely conducted every 6 h. Lactate clearance was determined for each patient individually throughout 3 different time frames: the first 24-h (Lac clear 0-24) and second 24-h period (Lac clear 24-48), and the first 48 h after surgery (Lac clear 0-48). RESULTS The ICU admission serum lactate levels differed between the deceased and survivors (7.6 vs. 4.3 mmol/L; p=0.000). Among all tested postoperative lactate level measurements, only the measurement taken upon ICU admission predicted in-hospital mortality (OR 1.94 95% CI [1.09-3.43]; p=0.024). The receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curve for in-hospital mortality was constructed for ICU admission measurement, with the optimal cut-off point estimated at 7.0 mmol/L. CONCLUSIONS Serum lactate level measurement upon ICU admission can be used as a predictive parameter for in-hospital mortality among heart transplant recipients. Values greater than 7.0 mmol/L can predict in-hospital mortality with 90% accuracy.

Prognostic Factors for Nonasphyxia-Related Cardiac Arrest Patients Undergoing Extracorporeal Rewarming - HELP Registry Study.

OBJECTIVE: Extracorporeal rewarming is the treatment of choice for patients who had hypothermic cardiac arrest, allowing for best neurologic outcome. The authors' goal was to identify factors associated with survival in nonasphyxia-related hypothermic cardiac arrest patients undergoing extracorporeal rewarming. DESIGN: All 38 cardiac surgery departments in Poland were encouraged to report consecutive hypothermic cardiac arrest patients treated with extracorporeal life support. All variables collected were analyzed in order to compare survivor and nonsurvivor groups. The parameters available at the initiation of extracorporeal rewarming were considered as potential predictors of survival in a logistic regression model. The primary outcome was survival to discharge from the intensive care unit. The secondary outcome was neurologic status. SETTING: Multicenter retrospective study. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-eight cases in the final analysis. INTERVENTIONS: All patients in nonasphyxia-related hypothermic cardiac arrest rewarmed with extracorporeal life support. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The survival rate was 53.1%, and 94.2% of survivors had favorable neurologic outcome. The lowest reported core temperature with cerebral performance category scale 1 was 11.8°C. A univariate analysis identified 3 variables associated with survival, namely: age, initial arterial pH, and lactate concentration. In a multivariate analysis, 2 independent predictors of survival were age (0.957; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.924-0.991) and lactates (0.871; 95% CI 0.789-0.961). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve for this fitted model was 0.71; 95% CI 0.602-0.817. CONCLUSIONS: Favorable survival with good neurologic outcome in nonasphyxiated hypothermic patients treated with extracorporeal life support was reported. Age and initial lactate level are independently associated with survival.

Absence of perioperative excessive bleeding in on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting cases performed by residents.

OBJECTIVES: On-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is associated with elevated bleeding risk. Our aim was to evaluate the role of surgical experience in postoperative blood loss. METHODS: A propensity score-matched analysis was employed to compare on-pump CABG patients operated on by residents and specialists. End points included drainage volume and bleeding severity, as assessed by the Universal Definition of Perioperative Bleeding in cardiac surgery and E-CABG scale. RESULTS: A total of 212 matched pairs (c-statistics 0.693) were selected from patients operated on by residents (n = 294) and specialists (n = 4394) between October 2012 and May 2018. Patients did not differ in bleeding risk. There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative 6-, 12- and 24-h drainages between subjects operated on by residents and specialists, and there was no between-group difference in rethoracotomy or transfusion rate. There were no differences in Universal Definition of Perioperative Bleeding or E-CABG grades. In June 2018, after a median follow-up of 2.8 years (range 0.1-5.7 years), the overall survival was 94%, with no differences between the patients operated on by residents (95%) and specialists (92%) (P = 0.27). CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing on-pump CABG, when operated on by a resident, are not exposed to an elevated bleeding risk, as compared with patients operated on by experienced surgeons.

Preoperative values of inflammatory markers predict clinical outcomes in patients after CABG, regardless of the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVE: The impact of systemic inflammation on clinical outcomes after CABG surgery is still controversial. In this study, we evaluated the impact of the markers of inflammation, endothelial damage and platelet activation on clinical outcomes after on- and off-pump CABG. METHODS: A group of 191 consecutive on- and off-pump CABG patients were prospectively studied. Blood samples were drawn before surgery, 18-36h after the procedure and 5-7 days postoperatively and analyzed for 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and ß-thromboglobulin (ß-TG). White blood count and C-reactive protein were measured twice, first before and then during the first 18-36h after CABG. The primary clinical end-points were: low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS), postoperative myocardial infarction (PMI) and in-hospital cardiovascular death. RESULTS: Elevation of 8-iso-PGF2α, ADMA and ß-TG before surgery was associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality after CABG. There were no differences in analyzed markers and clinical outcomes between the on- and off-pump groups. Even during the uncomplicated postoperative course the inflammatory response was enhanced and still remained higher than baseline 5-7 days after surgery. CONCLUSION: Links between preoperative 8-iso-PGF2α, ADMA and ß-TG and unfavorable early post-CABG outcomes suggest that these markers could be useful in identifying patients with increased risk of LCOS, PMI and in-hospital cardiovascular death following elective CABG.

[Management of hypothermia -- Severe Accidental Hypothermia Centre in Krakow]. / Zasady postepowania w wychlodzeniu -- malopolski program pozaustrojowego leczenia hipotermii

Severe accidental hypothermia is a condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In the years 2009­2012 the Polish National Statistics Department reported 1836 deaths due to exposure to excessive natural cold. The Severe Accidental Hypothermia Centre (CLHG, Centrum Leczenia Hipotermii Glebokiej) was set up in Krakow in 2013. It is a unit functioning within the structure of the Cardiac Surgery Clinic, established in order to improve the effectiveness of the treatment of patients in the advanced stages of severe hypothermia. Early identification of hypothermia, binding algorithm and coordination leading to extracorporeal rewarming, are the most important elements in the deep hypothermia management.

Preoperative platelet aggregation predicts perioperative blood loss and rethoracotomy for bleeding in patients receiving dual antiplatelet treatment prior to coronary surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) are commonly treated with clopidogrel. We sought to assess the relation between preoperative platelet aggregation and bleeds in CABG patients on clopidogrel. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a case-control study, we compared 52 consecutive patients undergoing isolated CABG on aspirin and clopidogrel 75mg/d versus 50 controls on aspirin monotherapy. Platelet aggregation induced by 10µmol/l adenosine di-phosphate (ADP) in platelet-rich plasma was measured in subjects on clopidogrel within 5days prior to surgery. ADP-induced aggregation of ≥50% was used to define subjects with satisfactory inhibition of platelet reactivity. RESULTS: In 29 patients with preoperative ADP-induced aggregation ≥50%, compared with 23 subjects with aggregation <50%, lower chest-tube drainage volumes (after 6h, p=0.002; and 12h, p=0.001) and fewer rethoracotomies were observed (p=0.03). The former group was characterized with lower transfusion rates of packed red blood cells (p=0.009), platelet concentrate (p=0.04) and fresh frozen plasma (p=0.001). Patients with ADP-induced aggregation ≥50% did not differ from untreated controls regarding the postoperative drainage, transfusions and rethoracotomy. The incidence of thromboembolic events and death during perioperative period were similar in all groups. Multivariate logistic regression identified ADP-induced aggregation <50% as the only independent predictor of rethoracotomy (OR=2.94 [1.12-7.75], p=0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Patients on aspirin and clopidogrel <5days before CABG who had preoperative ADP-induced platelet aggregation ≥50% have bleeding risk similar to those receiving aspirin monotherapy. Reduced platelet reactivity to ADP can predict postoperative bleeding in CABG patients on dual antiplatelet therapy.