Preoperative continuation of aspirin before isolated heart valve surgery and postoperative bleeding and transfusion: a single-center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The risks and benefits of preoperative aspirin continuation in patients undergoing isolated heart valve replacement surgery are unclear. We investigated the effect of aspirin continuation on the risk of bleeding and transfusion in these patients. METHODS: In this single center, retrospective study, among 474 adult patients who underwent isolated heart valve surgery between April 2013 and June 2018, 269 continued aspirin within 5 days before surgery (aspirin group) and 205 patients did not take or stopped aspirin no later than 5 days before surgery (non-aspirin group). The chi-square test, the Mann-Whitney U-test, and the Student's T-test were used to compare data between the groups. Univariate and Multivariate logistic regressions were used to assess crude and adjusted relationships between outcome and exposure. RESULTS: The primary outcome, red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, occurred in 59 patients (22%) of the aspirin group and in 24 patients (12%) of the non-aspirin group (p = 0.004). After adjustment for confounding factors, continuation of aspirin was no longer associated with RBC transfusion (aOR1.8;95%CI,0.98-3.2;p = 0.06). The amount of allogenic blood products, the incidence of surgical re-exploration for bleeding, the volume of re-transfused cell-saved blood, and the cumulative chest tube drainage during the first 24 postoperative hours were similar between groups. CONCLUSION: Preoperative continuation of aspirin in patients undergoing isolated heart valve surgery is neither associated with a higher incidence of RBC transfusion, nor with larger perioperative blood loss, or more frequent surgical revision for bleeding. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05151796).

Cardiac Biomarkers and Prediction of Early Outcome After Heart Valve Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study.

OBJECTIVES: Circulating cardiac biomarkers may improve the prediction of long-term outcomes after cardiac surgery. The authors sought to assess if cardiac biomarkers also help better predict short-term morbidity. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Single academic hospital. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 250 patients undergoing aortic or mitral valve surgery with or without associated coronary artery bypass grafts. INTERVENTION: None MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: Relationships between preoperative plasma concentrations of four cardiac biomarkers (sST2, Galectin-3, GDF-15, and NT-proBNP) and postoperative outcome were assessed using logistic regressions and Cox proportional hazards models. The primary outcome was a composite of 30-day mortality, an inotropic support longer than 48 hours and an initial length of stay in the intensive care >five days. Secondary outcome measures were postoperative acute kidney injury, inotropic support duration, lengths of intensive care unit and hospital stays, and 30-day and one-year mortality. No association was observed between any of the four cardiac biomarkers and the primary outcome. The preoperative levels of Galectin-3 (hazard ratio = 1.2; p < 0.001) and sST2 (hazard ratio = 1.01, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with one-year survival, and their addition to the EuroSCORE II significantly improved the prediction of one-year mortality (p < 0.001). Similarly, Galectin-3 was associated with postoperative acute kidney injury (odds ratio = 1.15, p = 0.001) and improved the prediction of this complication when added to the EuroSCORE II (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that the ability of cardiac biomarkers to predict short-term outcome after cardiac surgery, though of interest, appears limited. Conversely, cardiac biomarkers may have the potential to refine the prediction of long-term outcome. Admittedly, all positive results were obtained on secondary outcomes and must be regarded with caution.

Clinical course and challenging management of early COVID-19 infection after heart transplantation: case report of two patients.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in solid organ transplant patients, especially in heart transplant recipients, with only a few case reports and case series described so far. Heart transplant recipients may be at particular high risk due to their comorbidities and immunosuppressed state. CASE PRESENTATION: This report describes the clinical course and the challenging management of early COVID-19 infection in two heart transplant recipients who tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the perioperative period of the transplant procedure. The two patients developed a severe form of the disease and ultimately died despite the initiation of an antiviral monotherapy with hydroxychloroquine coupled with the interruption of mycophenolate mofetil. CONCLUSIONS: These two cases illustrate the severity and poor prognosis of COVID-19 in the perioperative period of a heart transplant. Thorough screening of donors and recipients is mandatory, and the issue of asymptomatic carriers needs to be addressed.

The Edmonton Frail Scale Improves the Prediction of 30-Day Mortality in Elderly Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether the Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS), a multidimensional frailty assessment tool, improves the prediction of 30-day or in-hospital mortality over the use of the European System for Cardiac Outcome Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) II alone. DESIGN: Single-center prospective observational study. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients aged 75 years or older undergoing cardiac surgery between February 2014 and May 2017. INTERVENTION: No intervention was performed. The EFS was administered the day before surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary endpoint was 30-day or in-hospital mortality. Secondary endpoints were times to discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU) and from the hospital, discharge to a health care facility, and ability to return home by postoperative day 30. The EFS had a good discriminative ability for 30-day mortality (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56-0.82). Adding frailty, defined by an EFS ≥8, to the EuroSCORE II significantly improved the prediction of 30-day (p = 0.04) mortality. The integrated discrimination index was 0.03 (95% CI, 0.01-0.06, p = 0.01), meaning that the difference in predicted risk between patients who died and those who survived increased by 3% due to the addition of frailty determined by the EFS to the EuroSCORE II. Frailty also was associated significantly with a decreased cumulative probability of discharge from the ICU (p = 0.02) and an increased incidence of discharge to a health care facility (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The EFS has a good predictive ability for 30-day mortality after cardiac surgery in elderly patients and improves the prediction of 30-day mortality over the use of the EuroSCORE II.

Low Cardiac Output Syndrome After Adult Cardiac Surgery: Predictive Value of Peak Systolic Global Longitudinal Strain.

BACKGROUND: Peak systolic global longitudinal strain (GLS) is increasingly used to quantify left ventricular systolic function. The primary objective of this study was to assess whether GLS obtained during intraoperative transesophageal echocardiogram, performed before cardiopulmonary bypass, improves the prediction of postoperative low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) after adult cardiac surgery. METHODS: GLS from 275 patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery was calculated retrospectively using two-dimensional- speckle tracking echocardiography (aCMQ module from Qlab software version 10.5, Philips Medical, Brussels, Belgium). LCOS was defined as the need for inotropic or mechanical circulatory support for >24 hours postoperatively. Patient and procedure characteristics associated with LCOS at the univariable level (P ≤ .05) were entered into a forward stepwise logistic regression to create a first predictive model. A second model was created by adding GLS. The 2 models were compared using the likelihood-ratio test, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the integrated discrimination index. The optimal cutoff value of GLS associated with LCOS was determined by maximizing the Youden index of the ROC curve. Secondary outcomes included time until complete weaning from inotropes, discharge from the intensive care unit and from the hospital, and 30-day mortality. RESULTS: GLS was significantly associated with LCOS (P < .001) at the univariable level. Predictors of LCOS retained in the first model were cardiopulmonary bypass duration, decreased left ventricular ejection fraction, mitral valve surgery, and New York Heart Association functional class III or IV. Adding the GLS value improved the prediction of LCOS (P = .02). However, the area under the ROC curve did not differ between the 2 models (0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77-0.99 vs 0.84; 95% CI, 0.79-0.90; P = .15). The integrated discrimination index associated with addition of GLS was 0.02 (P = .046), meaning that the difference in predicted risk between patients with and without LCOS increased by 2% after adding GLS. A GLS cutoff value of -17% (95% CI, -18.8% to -15.3%) was found to best identify LCOS. After adjusting for covariates included in model 1, a lower GLS value was significantly associated with a lower cumulative probability of weaning from inotropes postoperatively (hazard ratio, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82-0.97; P = .01). No association was found between GLS and other secondary outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: GLS is an independent predictor of LCOS after on-pump cardiac surgery. Its incremental value over other established risk factors for postoperative LCOS is, however, limited.

Hydroxyethyl Starch 130/0.4 and the Risk of Acute Kidney Injury After Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether using hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 as a pump prime and for intraoperative fluid therapy is associated with postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) after adult cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: University hospital, single center. PARTICIPANTS: Six hundred six adult patients who underwent on-pump cardiac surgery between April 2013 and June 2014 were included. INTERVENTIONS: Until July 2013, balanced HES 130/0.4 (Volulyte(®), Fresenius Kabi AG, Bad Homburg, Germany) was used both as a pump prime (1,500 mL) and for intraoperative fluid therapy (1,000 mL). From August 2013, HES was replaced entirely by a balanced crystalloid solution (Plasma-Lyte A, Baxter, Lessines, Belgium). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary endpoint was the incidence of postoperative AKI during the first 48 postoperative hours, determined using the Acute Kidney Injury Network classification. Secondary outcomes included kidney function at postoperative day 7, postoperative dialysis or hemofiltration, postoperative pulmonary complications, lengths of intensive care unit and hospital stays, postoperative fluid balance and urinary output, surgical revision for bleeding, and 30-day mortality. Multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for confounders. AKI occurred in 9.5% of crystalloid patients and in 21.5% of HES patients. Patients who received HES were about twice as likely to develop postoperative AKI as those treated with crystalloids (adjusted OR 2.26; 95% CI, 1.40-3.80; p = 0.02). HES patients also had a significantly more positive fluid balance and a lower urinary output during the first 48 postoperative hours. The incidence of surgical revision for bleeding was greater in the HES group (4.6% v 1.4%, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: This study suggested that using balanced HES 130/0.4 as a pump prime and for intraoperative fluid therapy in adult patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery was associated with a greater incidence of AKI during the early postoperative period.

The effect of intraoperative 6% balanced hydroxyethyl starch (130/0.4) during cardiac surgery on transfusion requirements.

OBJECTIVES: To compare transfusion requirements in adult cardiac surgery patients when balanced hydroxyethyl starches (HES) (130/0.4) or balanced crystalloids is used for pump prime and intraoperative fluid therapy. DESIGN: Data were obtained retrospectively from medical records and perfusion charts. Matching based on propensity scores was used to adjust for potential confounders. SETTING: A university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. INTERVENTIONS: Allocation to one of the study groups according to whether balanced HES or balanced crystalloids was used for pump prime and intraoperative fluid therapy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: 240 propensity-matched patients were retained for final analyses. Forty-eight patients (40%) of the colloid group and 28 patients (23.3%) of the crystalloid group received blood products, with an odd ratio (95% CI) of 2.1(1.2-3.8 (P=0.009). After bypass HES patients had lower hemoglobin levels (8.4 [1.3] gr/dL vs 9.6 [2] gr/dL; P<0.001) and a higher cumulative chest drain output after 3 hours (180 [210] mL vs 140 [100] mL, P<0.001]. Heparinase thromboelastogram (TEG®) showed longer K times (2.5[1.1] vs 1.6[0.8], P<0.001) and lower maximal amplitudes (55.1[12.5] vs 63.4[9.8], P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: HES patients required more transfusions, owing to greater hemodilution, HES-induced clotting disturbances, and bleeding.

Impact of 6 % hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 on the correlation between standard laboratory tests and thromboelastography (TEG®) after cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND: Hydroxyethyl starches (HES) affect the results of thromboelastography (TEG®). We sought to determine whether using HES rather than crystalloids for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) prime and intraoperative fluid therapy changes the TEG cutoff values best identifying patients with a low platelet count or a low fibrinogen level after CPB. METHODS: Data from 96 patients who had on-pump cardiac surgery, a TEG® (kaolin-heparinase) and standard investigations of blood clotting performed after separation from CPB and protamine administration were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were assigned to the HES or crystalloid group according to whether balanced 6% HES 130/0.4 or balanced crystalloids were used for intraoperative fluid therapy and pump prime. Mutlivariable linear regression models with computation of the standardized regression coefficients were used to identify independent associations between the four main TEG parameters (R time, alpha angle, K time and MA) and the type of fluid used, the INR, the aPTT, the fibrinogen level and the platelet count. Receiver-operating-characteristic curves were used to assess the effect of HES on the ability of TEG parameters to identify patients with a platelet count<80.000µl(-1) or a fibrinogen level<1.5 gr l(-1) and on the cutoff values best identifying these patients. RESULTS: The type of fluid used significantly affected the MA (P<0.001), the K time (P<0.001) and the alpha angle (P<0.001) regardless of the results of the standard clotting tests. According to standardized ß regression coefficients the platelet count and the type of fluid used were stronger predictors of the MA, the alpha angle and the K time than the fibrinogen level. MA better predicted platelets<80.000µl(-1) than K time and alpha angle (P=0.023). The best cutoff value of MA identifying patients with platelets<80.000µl(-1) was 62mm in the crystalloid group and 53mm in the HES group. MA, K time and alpha angle were poor predictors of the postoperative fibrinogen level. CONCLUSION: HES significantly changes the cutoff value of TEG® MA best identifying patients<80.000µl(-1) after on-pump cardiac surgery.

A comparison of 0.1% and 0.2% ropivacaine and bupivacaine combined with morphine for postoperative patient-controlled epidural analgesia after major abdominal surgery.

UNLABELLED: Ropivacaine (ROPI), which is less toxic and produces less motor block than bupivacaine (BUPI), seems attractive for epidural analgesia. Few data are available concerning dose requirements of epidural ROPI when combined with morphine. In this study, we compared the dose requirements and side effects of ROPI and BUPI combined with small-dose morphine after major abdominal surgery. Postoperatively, 60 patients were randomly allocated (double-blinded manner) to four groups: patient-controlled epidural analgesia with the same settings using 0.1% or 0.2% solution of ROPI or BUPI combined with an epidural infusion of 0.1 mg/h of morphine. Pain scores, side effects, motor block, and local anesthetic consumption were measured for 60 h. Pain scores and the incidence of side effects did not differ among the groups. Consumption of ROPI and BUPI were similar in both 0.1% groups. Doubling the concentration significantly reduced the consumption (milliliters) of BUPI (P < 0.05) but not of ROPI. Consequently, using ROPI 0.2% significantly increased the dose administered as compared with ROPI 0.1% (ROPI 0.1% = 314 +/- 151 mg and ROPI 0.2% = 573 +/- 304 mg at Hour 48; P < 0.05). Patient-controlled epidural analgesia with the 0.1% or 0.2% solution of ROPI or BUPI combined with epidural morphine resulted in comparable analgesia. As compared with ROPI 0.1%, the use of ROPI 0.2% increased consumption of local anesthetic without improving analgesia. IMPLICATIONS: Small-dose (0.1%) ropivacaine and bupivacaine have similar potency and result in comparable analgesia and incidence of side effects.

Epidural levobupivacaine 0.1% or ropivacaine 0.1% combined with morphine provides comparable analgesia after abdominal surgery.

UNLABELLED: Ropivacaine appears attractive for epidural analgesia because it produces less motor block than racemic bupivacaine. The potential benefits of levobupivacaine with regard to motor blockade require further investigations. In this study, we compared the efficacy, dose requirements, side effects, and motor block observed with epidural levobupivacaine and ropivacaine when given in combination with small-dose morphine for 60 h after major abdominal surgery. Postoperatively, 50 patients were randomly allocated, in a double-blinded manner, to patient-controlled epidural analgesia with the same settings and without basal infusion, using 0.1% levobupivacaine or 0.1% ropivacaine. Both were combined with an epidural infusion of 0.1 mg/h morphine. Pain scores, side effects, motor block, and local anesthetic consumption were measured for 60 h. Pain scores measured on a 100-mm visual analog scale were approximately 20 mm at rest and 40 mm during mobilization in both groups. Bromage scores were 1 for all patients after the fourth postoperative hour. Consumption of levobupivacaine and ropivacaine were similar: 344 +/- 178 mg levobupivacaine versus 347 +/- 199 mg ropivacaine 48 h postoperatively. On postoperative day 2, 19 patients in the ropivacaine group versus 12 in the levobupivacaine group were able to ambulate (P < 0.05). No difference was noted concerning incidence of side effects. We conclude that when used as patient-controlled epidural analgesia and combined with small-dose epidural morphine, 0.1% levobupivacaine and 0.1% ropivacaine produce comparable postoperative analgesia with a similar incidence of side effects. IMPLICATIONS: Small concentrations (0.1%) of epidural levobupivacaine and ropivacaine combined with morphine (0.1 mg/h) produce comparable analgesia and have similar side effects for similar dose requirements.