How to Solve the Conundrum of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia during Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a major issue in cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). HIT represents a severe adverse drug reaction after heparin administration. It consists of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia paradoxically leading to thrombotic events. Detection of antibodies against platelets factor 4/heparin (anti-PF4/H) and aggregation of platelets in the presence of heparin in functional in vitro tests confirm the diagnosis. Patients suffering from HIT and requiring cardiac surgery are at high risk of lethal complications and present specific challenges. Four distinct phases are described in the usual HIT timeline, and the anticoagulation strategy chosen for CPB depends on the phase in which the patient is categorized. In this sense, we developed an institutional protocol covering each phase. It consisted of the use of a non-heparin anticoagulant such as bivalirudin, or the association of unfractionated heparin (UFH) with a potent antiplatelet drug such as tirofiban or cangrelor. Temporary reduction of anti-PF4 with intravenous immunoglobulins (IvIg) has recently been described as a complementary strategy. In this article, we briefly described the pathophysiology of HIT and focused on the various strategies that can be applied to safely manage CPB in these patients.

Vasoplegic Syndrome after Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Cardiovascular Surgery: Pathophysiology and Management in Critical Care.

Vasoplegic syndrome (VS) is a common complication following cardiovascular surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and its incidence varies from 5 to 44%. It is defined as a distributive form of shock due to a significant drop in vascular resistance after CPB. Risk factors of VS include heart failure with low ejection fraction, renal failure, pre-operative use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, prolonged aortic cross-clamp and left ventricular assist device surgery. The pathophysiology of VS after CPB is multi-factorial. Surgical trauma, exposure to the elements of the CPB circuit and ischemia-reperfusion promote a systemic inflammatory response with the release of cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) with vasodilating properties, both direct and indirect through the expression of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase. The resulting increase in NO production fosters a decrease in vascular resistance and a reduced responsiveness to vasopressor agents. Further mechanisms of vasodilation include the lowering of plasma vasopressin, the desensitization of adrenergic receptors, and the activation of ATP-dependent potassium (KATP) channels. Patients developing VS experience more complications and have increased mortality. Management includes primarily fluid resuscitation and conventional vasopressors (catecholamines and vasopressin), while alternative vasopressors (angiotensin 2, methylene blue, hydroxocobalamin) and anti-inflammatory strategies (corticosteroids) may be used as a rescue therapy in deteriorating patients, albeit with insufficient evidence to provide any strong recommendation. In this review, we present an update of the pathophysiological mechanisms of vasoplegic syndrome complicating CPB and discuss available therapeutic options.

Challenges in Patient Blood Management for Cardiac Surgery: A Narrative Review.

About 15 years ago, Patient Blood Management (PBM) emerged as a new paradigm in perioperative medicine and rapidly found support of all major medical societies and government bodies. Blood products are precious, scarce and expensive and their use is frequently associated with adverse short- and long-term outcomes. Recommendations and guidelines on the topic are published in an increasing rate. The concept aims at using an evidence-based approach to rationalize transfusion practices by optimizing the patient's red blood cell mass in the pre-, intra- and postoperative periods. However, elegant as a concept, the implementation of a PBM program on an institutional level or even in a single surgical discipline like cardiac surgery, can be easier said than done. Many barriers, such as dogmatic ideas, logistics and lack of support from the medical and administrative departments need to be overcome and each center must find solutions to their specific problems. In this paper we present a narrative overview of the challenges and updated recommendations for the implementation of a PBM program in cardiac surgery.

Impact of an enhanced recovery after surgery pathway on thoracoscopic lobectomy outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer patients: a propensity score-matched study.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the effect of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways on postoperative outcomes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all consecutive patients undergoing VATS lobectomy for NSCLC between January 2014 and October 2019 and assigned them to the relevant group ("pre-ERAS" or "ERAS"). Length of stay, readmissions and complications within 30 days were compared between both groups. A propensity score-matched analysis was performed based on sex, age, type of operation, comorbidities, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and preoperative pulmonary functions. RESULTS: A total of 307 records (164 male/143 female; 140 ERAS/167 pre-ERAS; median age: 67) were reviewed. There was no statistical difference in patient's characteristics. Overall ERAS compliance was 81%. The ERAS group presented significantly shorter length of stay (median 5 vs. 7 days; P=0.004) without significant difference in cardiopulmonary complication rate (27.1% vs. 35.9%; P=0.1). Readmission (3.6% vs. 5.4%; P=0.75) and duration of drainage (median 2 vs. 3 days; P=0.14) were similar between groups. The propensity score-matched analysis showed that the length of hospital stay was reduced by 1.4 days (P=0.034) and the postoperative cardiopulmonary complication rate by 13% (P=0.044) in the ERAS group. CONCLUSIONS: Adoption of an ERAS pathway for VATS lobectomies in NSCLC patients has decreased the length of hospital stay and the cardiopulmonary complication rate without affecting the readmission rate.

Transapical approach versus transcervical approach for transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a retrospective monocentric study.

OBJECTIVES: Transfemoral approach is the standard access-route for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). However, alternative approaches are needed in a number of patients and accesses such as transapical (TA) TAVR or transcervical (TC) are used. We aimed to compare clinical and echocardiographic outcomes after TA-TAVR or TC-TAVR. METHODS: All patients who underwent TA- and TC-TAVR for severe aortic stenosis in our institution between 2008 and 2020 were retrospectively included. End points included 30-day all-cause mortality, procedural complications (according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 criteria), procedure duration, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) and overall hospital LOS. For 30-day all-cause mortality, we furthermore used a Cox proportional-hazards model to adjust for significant between-group differences in baseline characteristics as well as difference in year of intervention. RESULTS: TAVR was performed in 176 patients, using a TA approach (n = 127) or a TC approach (n = 49). Baseline clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were comparable between the 2 groups, except age and peripheral artery disease. All-cause 30-day mortality rates were not significantly different (8.5% in the TA group vs 2.3% in the TC group, P = 0.124). TC approach was associated with significantly shorter procedure duration {71.0 [interquartile range (IQR) 52.5-101.0] vs 93 [IQR 80.0-120.0] min, P < 0.001}, shorter ICU LOS [0.0 (IQR 0.0-0.0) vs 1.0 (IQR 1.0-3.0) days, P < 0.001] and shorter hospital LOS [7.0 (IQR 5.0-9.5) vs 14.0 (IQR 10.0-22.0) days, P < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: The TC approach may be a good first-choice alternative in case of contraindications to transfemoral-TAVR.

Impact of Compliance With Components of an ERAS Pathway on the Outcomes of Anatomic VATS Pulmonary Resections.

OBJECTIVES: Implementation of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program is associated with better postoperative outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of ERAS compliance (overall and to specific elements of the program) on them. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. SETTING: University hospital, monocentric. PARTICIPANTS: All adult (≥18 years old) patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) anatomic pulmonary resection. INTERVENTIONS: ERAS-governed VATS anatomic pulmonary resection. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Demographics, surgical characteristics and pre-, peri-, and postoperative compliance with 16 elements of the ERAS program were assessed. Postoperative outcomes and length of stay were compared between low- (<75% of adherence) and high-compliance (≥75%) groups. From April 2017 to November 2018, 192 ERAS patients (female/male: 98/94) of median age of 66 years (interquartile range 58-71) underwent VATS resection (109 lobectomies, 83 segmentectomies). There was no 30-day mortality and resurgery rate was 5.7%. Overall ERAS compliance was 76%. High compliance was associated with fewer complications (18% v 48%, p < 0.0001) and lower rate of delayed discharge (37% v 60%, p = 0.0013). Early removal of chest tubes (odds ratio [OR]: 0.26, p < 0.002), use of electronic drainage (OR: 0.39, p = 0.036), opioid cessation on day 3 (OR: 0.28, p = 0.016), and early feeding (OR: 0.12, p = 0.014) were associated with reduced rates of postoperative complications. Shorter hospital stay was correlated with early removal of chest tubes (OR: 0.12, p < 0.0001) and opioid cessation on day 3 (OR: 0.23, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: High ERAS compliance is associated with better postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing anatomic pulmonary VATS resections.

Potential and Limitations of the New P2Y12 Inhibitor, Cangrelor, in Preventing Heparin-Induced Platelet Aggregation During Cardiac Surgery: An In Vitro Study.

BACKGROUND: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) can put cardiac surgery patients at a high risk of lethal complications. If anti-PF4/heparin antibodies (anti-PF4/Hep Abs) are present, 2 strategies exist to prevent intraoperative aggregation during bypass surgery: first, using an alternative anticoagulant, and second, using heparin combined with an antiaggregant. The new P2Y12 inhibitor, cangrelor, could be an attractive candidate for the latter strategy; several authors have reported its successful use. The present in vitro study evaluated cangrelor's ability to inhibit heparin-induced platelet aggregation in the presence of anti-PF4/Hep Abs. METHODS: Platelet-poor plasma (PPP) from 30 patients with functional anti-PF4/Hep Abs was mixed with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from 5 healthy donors.Light transmission aggregometry was used to measure platelet aggregation after adding 0.5 IU·mL of heparin (HIT) to the plasma, and this was compared with samples spiked with normal saline (control) and samples spiked with cangrelor 500 ng·mL and heparin 0.5 IU·mL (treatment). Friedman test with post hoc Dunn-Bonferroni test was used for between-group comparisons. RESULTS: Heparin 0.5 IU·mL triggered aggregation in 22 of 44 PPP-PRP mixtures, with a median aggregation of 86% (interquartile range [IQR], 69-91). The median aggregation of these 22 positive samples' respective control tests was 22% (IQR, 16-30) (P < .001). Median aggregation in the cangrelor-treated samples was 29% (IQR, 19-54) and significantly lower than the HIT samples (P < .001). Cangrelor inhibited heparin-induced aggregation by a median of 91% (IQR, 52-100). Cangrelor only reduced heparin-induced aggregation by >95% in 10 of the 22 positive samples (45%). Cangrelor inhibited heparin-induced aggregation by <50% in 5 of the 22 positive samples (22%) and by <10% in 3 samples (14%). CONCLUSIONS: This in vitro study found that cangrelor was an unreliable inhibitor of heparin-induced aggregation in the presence of anti-PF4/Hep Abs. We conclude that cangrelor should not be used as a standard antiaggregant for cardiac patients affected by HIT during surgery. Unless cangrelor's efficacy in a particular patient has been confirmed in a presurgery aggregation test, other strategies should be chosen.

Comparison of ROTEM Sigma to Standard Laboratory Tests and Development of an Algorithm for the Management of Coagulopathic Bleeding in a Tertiary Center.

OBJECTIVE: The ROTEM sigma whole blood viscoelastic test uses different technology than the former delta model. Existing ROTEM based algorithms use cutoff values based on the delta model, and cannot be applied to the sigma model. The authors tested sensitivity and specificity of ROTEM sigma parameters to detect specific hemostatic deficiencies and established cutoff values with the aim of developing a treatment algorithm. DESIGN: Prospective observational evaluation of diagnostic accuracy. SETTING: This study was performed in a tertiary center. PARTICIPANTS: Blood samples for standard laboratory tests (SLTs) and ROTEM sigma analysis were obtained from 14 healthy volunteers and 35 patients showing various hemostatic disorders (isolated factor deficiencies, von Willebrand's disease, thrombocytopenia, hypofibrinogenemia, hyperfibrinogenemia, and patients undergoing cardiac surgery). INTERVENTION: Correlation coefficients were calculated between SLTs and ROTEM parameters in the extrinsic pathway activation, intrinsic pathway activation, and extrinsic pathway activation with platelet inhibition tests. Receiver operator characteristics defined the values of ROTEM parameters, which best predict plasma fibrinogen level measured by Clauss method <1.5 g/L and <2.0 g/L, platelet < 50 × 109/L and < 100 × 109/L, prothrombin time (PT) <80% and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) >37 seconds and 1.5 times the upper normal limit. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: The combination of FIBTEM A5 ≤12 mm and EXTEM A5 ≤44 mm identified a fibrinogen level <1.5 g/L with 100% sensitivity and 77.5% specificity. PLTEM describes the platelet contribution to clot firmness and is calculated as EXTEM - FIBTEM. PLTEM A5 ≤16 mm sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 96.4% for a platelet count < 50 × 109/L. EXTEM coagulation time (CT) >80 seconds had a 25.0% sensitivity and a 100% specificity for a PT <80%. The INTEM CT >204 seconds showed a sensitivity of 75.0% and a specificity of 97.4% for an aPTT >37 and a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 80.0% for an aPTT >55 seconds. CONCLUSION: The authors present the first ROTEM sigma-based algorithm for the treatment of coagulopathic bleeding. The algorithm uses parameters with optimal sensitivity and specificity for critical values of SLTs determined from a heterogenous group of donors.

Cardiac Surgery Successfully Managed With Cangrelor in a Patient With Persistent Anti-PF4/Heparin Antibodies 8 Years After Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia.

A 66-YEAR-OLD female requiring cardiac surgery had persisting anti-platelet factor 4 (PF4)/heparin antibodies (HIT-abs) 8 years after heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). In 2010, she developed thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) (ADAMTS-13 <5%, inhibitor at 1.0 BU/mL), which was treated successfully with corticotherapy, plasmapheresis, and intravenous heparin. While taking heparin, she developed HIT, as evidenced by a positive functional test. Her platelet count fully resolved without thrombotic complications with danaparoid treatment. In 2018, the preoperative titer of HIT-abs was still 0.38 U/mL by chemoluminescent immunoassay (CLIA), and positive by particle-gel agglutination immunoassay (PaGIA) with a titer of 2 and was strongly positive on an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The authors of the case report chose to use cangrelor combined with heparin during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Cangrelor was used without increased postoperative bleeding or thrombotic complications. Postoperatively she exhibited a huge rise in HIT-abs (14.22 U/mL on postoperative day 11) with a positive functional assay. There was no recurrence of HIT, however. This case illustrates the importance of excluding the presence of persisting HIT-abs before CPB and ensuring close medical follow-up after even a single exposure to heparin.

Cytokine clearance with CytoSorb® during cardiac surgery: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is often associated with degrees of complex inflammatory response mediated by various cytokines. This response can, in severe cases, lead to systemic hypotension and organ dysfunction. Cytokine removal might therefore improve outcomes of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. CytoSorb® (Cytosorbents, NJ, USA) is a recent device designed to remove cytokine from the blood using haemoadsorption (HA). This trial aims to evaluate the potential of CytoSorb® to decrease peri-operative cytokine levels in cardiac surgery. METHODS: We have conducted a single-centre pilot randomized controlled trial in 30 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery and deemed at risk of complications. Patients were randomly allocated to either standard of care (n = 15) or CytoSorb® HA (n = 15) during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Our primary outcome was the difference between the two groups in cytokines levels (IL-1a, IL-1b, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, MCP-1) measured at anaesthesia induction, at the end of CPB, as well as 6 and 24 h post-CPB initiation. In a consecutive subgroup of patients (10 in HA group, 11 in control group), we performed cross-adsorber as well as serial measurements of coagulation factors' activity (antithrombin, von Willebrand factor, factor II, V, VIII, IX, XI, and XII). RESULTS: Both groups were similar in terms of baseline and peri-operative characteristics. CytoSorb® HA during CPB was not associated with an increased incidence of adverse event. The procedure did not result in significant coagulation factors' adsorption but only some signs of coagulation activation. However, the intervention was associated neither with a decrease in pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokine levels nor with any improvement in relevant clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: CytoSorb® HA during CPB was not associated with a decrease in pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines nor with an improvement in relevant clinical outcomes. The procedure was feasible and safe. Further studies should evaluate the efficacy of CytoSorb® HA in other clinical contexts. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02775123 . Registered 17 May 2016.

Outcome after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-bridged lung retransplants: a single-centre experience.

OBJECTIVES: A lung retransplant has been shown to be a valid option in selected patients with chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). However, a subgroup of patients may require, in addition to invasive mechanical ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridge to a retransplant. Overall and CLAD-free survival after ECMO-bridged retransplants are compared to first transplants with and without bridging ECMO and to retransplants without bridging ECMO. METHODS: We reported a retrospective, single-institution experience based on a prospective data set of all patients undergoing lung transplants between January 2004 and December 2016 with a mean follow-up of 51 ± 41 months. RESULTS: A total of 230 patients (96 men, 134 women, mean age 47.3 years) had lung transplants: 200 had first transplants without bridging ECMO; 13 had first transplants with bridging ECMO; 11 had retransplants without bridging ECMO; and 6 had retransplants with bridging ECMO. The 3- and 5-year survival rates were 81%/76%, 68%/68%, 69%/46% and 50%/25%, respectively. There was no significant difference in overall survival between those who had first transplants with and without bridging ECMO or retransplants without bridging ECMO. In contrast, patients undergoing ECMO-bridged retransplants had a significantly lower overall survival rate than those with a first transplant without bridging ECMO (P = 0.007). In addition, the post-transplant CLAD-free survival curves varied significantly among the 4 treatment groups (P = 0.041), paralleling overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Patients requiring ECMO as a bridge to a retransplant had lower overall and CLAD-free survival rates compared to those who had a first transplant with and without bridging ECMO and a retransplant without bridging ECMO.

Experimental ex vivo lung perfusion with sevoflurane: effects on damaged donor lung grafts.

OBJECTIVES: Volatile anaesthetics can provide significant protection against reperfusion injury in various experimental settings. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of sevoflurane treatment, the most commonly used volatile anaesthetic in modern anaesthesia, in rat lungs donated after circulatory death and reconditioned in an ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) system. METHODS: Fifteen rats were sacrificed and divided into 3 groups. In the control and sevoflurane groups, the heart-lung blocks were exposed to 1 h of warm ischaemia and 2 h of cold ischaemia and were mounted on an EVLP circuit for 3 h, in the absence or in the presence of 2% sevoflurane. In the baseline group, heart-lung blocks were harvested immediately after euthanasia. Physiological data, lung nitro-oxidative stress, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), expression of cytokines, oedema and histopathological findings were assessed during or post-EVLP. RESULTS: The sevoflurane group showed significantly reduced LDH (8.82 ± 3.58 arbitrary unit vs 3.80 ± 3.02 arbitrary unit, P = 0.03), protein carbonyl (1.17 ± 0.44 nmol⋅mg-1 vs 0.55 ± 0.11 nmol⋅mg-1, P = 0.006), 3-nitrotyrosine (197.44 ± 18.47 pg⋅mg-1 vs 151.05 ± 23.54 pg⋅mg-1, P = 0.004), cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant factor 1 (1.17 ± 0.32 ng⋅mg-1 vs 0.66 ± 0.28 ng⋅mg-1, P = 0.03) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (1.50 ± 0.59 vs 0.59 ± 0.38 ng⋅mg-1, P = 0.02) when compared with the control group. In addition, sevoflurane lungs gained significantly less weight (0.72 ± 0.09 g vs 0.72 ± 0.09 g, P = 0.044), had less perivascular oedema (0.58 ± 0.09 vs 0.47 ± 0.07, P = 0.036), and improved static pulmonary compliance (+0.215 ml⋅cmH2O-1, P = 0.003) and peak airways pressure (-1.33 cmH2O, P = 0.04) but similar oxygenation capacity (+1.61 mmHg, P = 0.77) and pulmonary vascular resistances (+0.078 mmHg⋅min⋅ml-1, P = 0.15) when compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the potential of sevoflurane in protecting the lungs donated after cardiac death and reconditioned using EVLP could improve the outcome of these lungs following subsequent transplantation.

The influence of drugs used in cardiac anaesthesia and critical care on multiple electrode aggregometry: an in-vitro volunteer study.

BACKGROUND: Multiple electrode aggregometry (MEA) is a point-of-care test evaluating platelet function and the efficacy of platelet inhibitors. In MEA, electrical impedance of whole blood is measured after addition of a platelet activator. Reduced impedance implies platelet dysfunction or the presence of platelet inhibitors. MEA plays an increasingly important role in the management of perioperative platelet dysfunction. In vitro, midazolam, propofol, lidocaine and magnesium have known antiplatelet effects and these may interfere with MEA interpretation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the extent to which MEA is modified in the presence of these drugs. DESIGN: An in-vitro study using blood collected from healthy volunteers. SETTING: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland, 2010 to 2011. PATIENTS: Twenty healthy volunteers. INTERVENTION: Measurement of baseline MEA was using four activators: arachidonic acid, ADP, TRAP-6 and collagen. The study drugs were then added in three increasing, clinically relevant concentrations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: MEA was compared with baseline for each study drug. RESULTS: Midazolam, propofol and lidocaine showed no effect on MEA at any concentration. Magnesium at 2.5 mmol l had a significant effect on the ADP and TRAP tests (31 ±â€Š13 and 96 ±â€Š39 AU, versus 73 ±â€Š21 and 133 ±â€Š28 AU at baseline, respectively), and a less pronounced effect at 1 mmol l on the ADP test (39 ±â€Š0 AU). CONCLUSION: Midazolam, propofol and lidocaine do not interfere with MEA measurement. In patients treated with high to normal doses of magnesium, MEA results for ADP and TRAP-tests should be interpreted with caution. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov (no. NCT01454427).

On-pump fibrillating heart mitral valve replacement with the SAPIEN™ XT transcatheter heart valve.

In some high-risk patients, standard mitral valve replacement can represent a challenging procedure, requiring a risky extensive decalcification of the annulus. In particular, high-risk redo patients and patients with a previously implanted transcatheter aortic valve, who develop calcific mitral disease, would benefit from the development of new, minimally invasive, transcatheter or hybrid techniques for mitral valve replacement. In particular, mixing transcatheter valve therapies and well-established minimally invasive techniques for mitral replacement or repair can help in decreasing the surgical risk and the technical complexity. Thus, placing transcatheter, balloon-expandable Sapien™ XT stent-valves in calcified, degenerated mitral valves through a right thoracotomy, a left atriotomy and on an on-pump fibrillating heart, represents an attractive alternative to standard surgery in redo patients, in patients with concomitant transcatheter aortic stent-valves in place and in patients with a high-risk profile. We describe this hybrid technique in detail.

Validation of rotational thromboelastometry during cardiopulmonary bypass: A prospective, observational in-vivo study.

BACKGROUND: Rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) is a whole blood point-of-test used to assess the patient's coagulation status. Three of the available ROTEM tests are EXTEM, INTEM and HEPTEM. In the latter, heparinase added to the INTEM reagent inactivates heparin to reveal residual heparin effect. Performing ROTEM analysis during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) might allow the anaesthesiologist to anticipate the need for blood products. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to validate ROTEM analysis in the presence of very high heparin concentrations during CPB. DESIGN: Prospective, observational trial. SETTING: Single University Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: ROTEM analysis was performed before heparin administration (T0), 10 min after heparin (T1), at the end of CPB (T2) and 10 min after protamine (T3). The following tests were performed: EXTEM, INTEM, and HEPTEM. Heparin concentrations were measured at T1 and at the end of bypass (T2). RESULTS: At T1, EXTEM differed from baseline for coagulation time: +26.7 s (18.4 to 34.9, P < 0.0001), α: -3° (1.0 to 5.4, P = 0.006) and A10: -4.4 mm (2.3 to 6.5, P = 0.0004). INTEM at T0 was different from HEPTEM at T1 for coagulation time: + 47 s (34.3 to 59.6, P > 0.0001), A10: -2.3 mm (0.5 to 4.0, P = 0.01) and α -2° (1.0 to 3.0; P = 0.0007). At T2, all parameters in EXTEM and HEPTEM related to fibrin-platelet interaction deteriorated significantly compared to T1. At T3, EXTEM and INTEM were comparable to EXTEM and HEPTEM at T2. CONCLUSION: HEPTEM and EXTEM measurements are valid in the presence of very high heparin concentrations and can be performed before protamine administration in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01455454.

Urgent reoperative transapical valve-in-valve shortly after a transapical aortic valve implantation.

Urgent reoperative transapical aortic valve-in-valve has never been proposed as a treatment option in case of a failed transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or in case of worsening of an existing paravalvular leak, if this complication occurs right after, or a few days after, the primary transapical aortic valve implantation. Experienced surgeons should argue that after a transapical TAVI, the apex is damaged and fragile, with a high risk of irreparable ventricular tears and life-threatening bleeding if a second transapical procedure is scheduled during the acute phase. Nevertheless, if the patient is inoperable and the vascular status, including the ascending aorta, limits alternative accesses, the urgent reoperative transapical valve-in-valve becomes an alternative. We illustrate, for the first time ever, our experience with an 81-year old female patient who underwent a transapical (TA) TAVI with a Sapien XT 23 mm. The day after the procedure, the patient haemodynamically worsened in combination with a worsening of a known (grade 1-2) paravalvular leak. Thus, on postoperative day two, an urgent transapical valve-in-valve was performed, and a second Sapien XT 23 mm was placed, with an excellent haemodynamic result and absence of leak. The redo apical access did not appear very complicated and the postoperative recovery was uneventful.

Transapical aortic valve replacement in extreme-risk patients: outcome, risk factors and mid-term results.

OBJECTIVES: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) provides good results in selected high-risk patients. However, it is unclear whether this procedure carries advantages in extreme-risk profile patients with logistic EuroSCORE above 35%. METHODS: From January 2009 to July 2011, of a total number of 92 transcatheter aortic valve procedures performed, 40 'extreme-risk' patients underwent transapical TAVR (TA-TAVR) (EuroSCORE above 35%). Variables were analysed as risk factors for hospital and mid-term mortality, and a 2-year follow-up (FU) was obtained. RESULTS: The mean age was: 81 ± 10 years. Twelve patients (30%) had chronic pulmonary disease, 32 (80%) severe peripheral vascular disease, 14 (35%) previous cardiac surgery, 19 (48%) chronic renal failure (2 in dialysis), 7 (17%) previous stroke (1 with disabilities), 3 (7%) a porcelain aorta and 12 (30%) were urgent cases. Mean left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) was 49 ± 13%, and mean logistic EuroSCORE was 48 ± 11%. Forty stent-valves were successfully implanted with six Grade-1 and one Grade-2 paravalvular leakages (success rate: 100%). Hospital mortality was 20% (8 patients). Causes of death following the valve academic research consortium (VARC) definitions were: life-threatening haemorrhage (1), myocardial infarction (1), sudden death (1), multiorgan failure (2), stroke (1) and severe respiratory dysfunction (2). Major complications (VARC definitions) were: myocardial infarction for left coronary ostium occlusion (1), life-threatening bleeding (2), stroke (2) and acute kidney injury with dialysis (2). Predictors for hospital mortality were: conversion to sternotomy, life-threatening haemorrhage, postoperative dialysis and long intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Variables associated with hospital mortality were: conversion to sternotomy (P = 0.03), life-threatening bleeding (P = 0.02), acute kidney injury with dialysis (P = 0.03) and prolonged ICU stay (P = 0.02). Mean FU time was 24 months: actuarial survival estimates for all-cause mortality at 6 months, 1 year, 18 months and 2 years were 68, 57, 54 and 54%, respectively. Patients still alive at FU were in good clinical condition, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class 1-2 and were never rehospitalized for cardiac decompensation. CONCLUSIONS: TA-TAVR in extreme-risk patients carries a moderate risk of hospital mortality. Severe comorbidities and presence of residual paravalvular leakages affect the mid-term survival, whereas surviving patients have an acceptable quality of life without rehospitalizations for cardiac decompensation.

A comparative evaluation of transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography for measurement of left ventricular systolic strain using speckle tracking.

OBJECTIVE: The authors hypothesized that the measurement of strain by speckle tracking with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is feasible and comparable to transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). DESIGN: A prospective observational comparative study. SETTING: A university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Structured intraoperative TTE and TEE examination. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Images were obtained after the induction of anesthesia from 25 patients to enable speckle tracking of the left ventricle in comparable short- and long-axis (SAX and LAX) views using TTE and TEE. Left ventricular strain was measured offline using both modalities and correlation assessed using the Pearson test with assessment of bias using the Bland-Altman method. Significantly more segments were tracked by TEE than TTE in LAX views but not SAX views. Correlation was moderate between TTE and TEE (r = 0.5-0.6) for longitudinal strain in the LAX views, whereas it was poor for regional radial strain (r = 0.07). Correlation for global circumferential strain was higher for the apical SAX views (r = 0.7) than the basal or mid- SAX views. Speckle tracking by TEE showed excellent reproducibility with small bias. CONCLUSIONS: Strain measured by speckle tracking in TEE correlated moderately with TTE for global strain and poorly for regional strain. This may be explained by differences in scanning frequency and other imaging factors. Nevertheless, because of the high degree of reproducibility, it may be a useful tool to quantify intraoperative changes in ventricular function with TEE. However, equivalence between TTE and TEE cannot be assumed, and limits of comparability should be recognized.