Prevalence and Severity of Aortic Regurgitation Due to a Percutaneous Left Ventricular Assist Device (Impella 5.0): A Retrospective Observational Study.

OBJECTIVES: Placement of the Impella 5.0 percutaneous left ventricular assist device may cause aortic regurgitation (AR) due to malcoaptation of the aortic leaflets. The authors investigated the prevalence and severity of AR during Impella 5.0 support. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: An academic hospital. PARTICIPANTS: A total of forty-two consecutive patients who underwent Impella 5.0 implantation from April 2018 to March 2022. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: To investigate AR prevalence, the authors calculated the AR volume by subtracting left ventricular inflow from left-sided systemic flow, the latter of which consisted of flow through the Impella 5.0 cannula and across the aortic valve. Because it is challenging to estimate flow across the aortic valve as distinct from that through Impella 5.0, the authors analyzed 19 of 42 patients whose aortic valves were closed (ie, those with no spontaneous cardiac output). AR due to Impella 5.0 was considered present if the AR fraction was ≥7%. The median AR volume was 0.6 L/min (interquartile range: 0.4-1.5 L/min), which was 13.5% (interquartile range: 11.0 to 30.6%) of the median Impella 5.0 flow. Seventeen of the 19 patients (89.5%) were diagnosed with AR during Impella 5.0 support, and the severity of AR was mild in 11 patients (57.9%) and moderate in 6 (31.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The authors revealed a high prevalence of AR during Impella 5.0 support in patients with no spontaneous cardiac output. Moreover, 31.6% of patients had moderate AR.

Quantitative regional cerebral blood flow measurement using near-infrared spectroscopy and indocyanine green in patients undergoing superficial temporal to middle cerebral artery bypass for moyamoya disease: a novel method using a frequency filter.

Measuring regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) after revascularization for moyamoya disease, as a type of ischemic cerebrovascular disease, is crucial. This study aims to validate our novel technology that combines near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) with a frequency filter to extract the arterial component. We measured rCBF before and after revascularization for moyamoya disease and at the end of the surgery using NIRO-200NX (Hamamatsu Photonics, Japan) and indocyanine green (ICG). rCBF was calculated using Fick's principle, change in arterial ICG concentrations, and maximum arterial ICG concentration. rCBF measured with NIRS (rCBF_N) was compared with pre- and postoperative rCBF measured with SPECT (rCBF_S). Thirty-four procedures were analyzed. rCBF_N increased from baseline to end of the surgery (mean difference (MD), 2.99 ml/min/100 g; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.40-5.57 ml/min/100 g on the diseased side; MD, 4.94 ml/min/100 g; 95% CI, 2.35-7.52 ml/min/100 g on the non-diseased side). Similar trends were observed for rCBF_S (MD, 3.98 ml/min/100 g; 95% CI, 2.30-5.67 ml/min/100 g on the diseased side; MD, 2.77 ml/min/100 g; 95% CI, 1.09-4.45 ml/min/100 g on the non-diseased side). Intraclass correlations 3 (ICC3s) between rCBF_N and rCBF_S were weak on the diseased side (ICC3, 0.25; 95% CI, -0.03-0.5; p = 0.07) and the non-diseased side (ICC3, 0.24; 95% CI, -0.05-0.5; p = 0.08). rCBF measurements based on this novel method were weakly correlated with rCBF measurements with SPECT.

Use of cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with chronic postsurgical pain among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery: follow-up of a randomized, clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) worsens patients' mortality, morbidity, and quality of life. Cardiopulmonary bypass is mandatory for cardiac surgery, but it induces intense inflammation. The presence of inflammation is a crucial part of pain sensitization. An extreme inflammatory response due to cardiopulmonary bypass might cause a high prevalence of CPSP after cardiac surgery. We hypothesized that the prevalence and severity of CPSP are higher in patients after on-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery than in those after off-pump CABG surgery. METHODS: This prospective, observational study was performed on a cohort from a randomized trial (on-pump CABG: 81 patients, off-pump CABG: 86 patients). A questionnaire about the severity of surgical wound pain that evaluated pain with the numerical rating scale (NRS) was filled out by the patients. NRS responses for current pain, peak pain in the last 4 weeks, and average pain in the last 4 weeks were evaluated. The main outcomes were the severity of CPSP as evaluated using the NRS and the prevalence of CPSP. CPSP was defined as pain with an NRS score > 0. Differences in severity between groups were analyzed using multivariate ordinal logistic regression models adjusted for age and sex, and differences in prevalence between groups were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS: The questionnaire return rate was 77.0%. During a median follow-up of 17 years, 26 patients complained of CPSP (on-pump CABG: 20 patients, off-pump CABG: 6 patients). Ordinal logistic regression showed that the NRS response for current pain (odds ratio [OR] 2.34; 95% CI 1.12-4.92; P = 0.024) and the NRS response for peak pain in the last 4 weeks (OR 2.71; 95% CI 1.35-5.42; P = 0.005) were significantly higher in patients who underwent on-pump CABG surgery than in those who underwent off-pump CABG. Logistic regression showed that on-pump CABG surgery was an independent predictor of CPSP (OR 2.59; 95% CI 1.06-6.31; P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence and severity of CPSP are higher in patients with on-pump CABG surgery than in those with off-pump CABG surgery.

Effect of cerebrospinal fluid drainage pressure in descending and thoracoabdominal aortic repair: a prospective multicenter observational study.

PURPOSE: Cerebrospinal fluid drainage (CSFD) is recommended during open or endovascular thoracic aortic repair. However, the incidence of CSFD complications is still high. Recently, CSF pressure has been kept high to avoid complications, but the efficacy of CSFD at higher pressures has not been confirmed. We hypothesize that CSFD at higher pressures is effective for preventing motor deficits. METHODS: This prospective observational study included 14 hospitals that are members of the Japanese Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists. Patients who underwent thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic repair were divided into four groups: Group 1, CSF pressure around 10 mmHg; Group 2, CSF pressure around 15 mmHg; Group 3, CSFD initiated when motor evoked potential amplitudes decreased; and Group 4, no CSFD. We assessed the association between the CSFD group and motor deficits using mixed-effects logistic regression with a random intercept for the institution. RESULTS: Of 1072 patients in the study, 84 patients (open surgery, 51; thoracic endovascular aortic repair, 33) had motor deficits at discharge. Groups 1 and 2 were not associated with motor deficits (Group 1, odds ratio (OR): 1.53, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.71-3.29, p = 0.276; Group 2, OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 0.62-4.82) when compared with Group 4. Group 3 was significantly more prone to motor deficits than Group 4 (OR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.27-5.17, p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: CSFD is not associated with motor deficits in thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic repair with CSF pressure around 10 or 15 mmHg.

Early Atrial Tachyarrhythmia Recurrence Predicts Late Atrial Tachyarrhythmia Recurrence After the Cryo-Maze Procedure　- An Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether early atrial tachyarrhythmia (ATA) recurrence occurring within 3 months after the Maze procedure predicts late ATA recurrence.Methods and Results: This study involved 610 patients who underwent the modified Cryo-Maze procedure in conjunction with other cardiac surgery. The primary outcomes were late ATA recurrence, defined as occurring ≥3 months after surgery. The effects of early ATA recurrence on late ATA recurrence were analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model. The following 11 covariates were considered explanatory variables: early ATA recurrence, age, sex, body surface area, preoperative duration of atrial fibrillation, preoperative left atrial diameter, and concomitant surgery (mitral valve replacement, mitral valve repair, aortic valve replacement, tricuspid annuloplasty, and left atrial appendage closure). Statistical analyses were performed with a 2-sided 5% significance level. Early ATA recurrence occurred in 174 patients (28.5%). Late ATA recurrence occurred in 167 patients (27.5%), with 595 events identified in these patients. The Cox proportional hazards model showed that early ATA recurrence was an independent predictor of late ATA recurrence (hazard ratio, 4.14; 95% confidence interval, 3.00-5.70; P<0.001)Conclusions: Early ATA recurrence was an independent predictor of late ATA recurrence among patients undergoing the modified Cryo-Maze procedure. The blanking period might not be applied to patients undergoing the modified Cryo-Maze procedure.

Cardiac surgery improves the postoperative frailty score of frail patients.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac surgery in frail patients has been reported to be associated with increased mortality and morbidity but may improve functional status of frail patients. Few studies have investigated the impact of cardiac surgery on the trajectory of postoperative frailty. We hypothesized that cardiac surgery in frail patients would improve frailty postoperatively. METHOD: This study included 71 patients over 65 years old who were scheduled for cardiac surgery via sternotomy or thoracotomy. Frailty was prospectively evaluated using the Kihon Checklist (KCL) at 1 and 3 months postoperatively. Patients were divided into three groups based on the preoperative KCL score: nonfrail, prefrail, and frail. The interaction between the degree of preoperative frailty and the trajectory of postoperative KCL scores was assessed. RESULTS: The KCL score changed significantly over time (P < 0.001), and the KCL score trajectory differed significantly according to the degree of preoperative frailty (P for interaction = 0.003). In the frail group, the KCL score was significantly lower 3 months postoperatively than preoperatively (median 8, interquartile range [5, 9] versus median 9, interquartile range (9, 13), P = 0.029). CONCLUSION: The trajectory of postoperative KCL scores differed significantly depending on the degree of preoperative frailty. At 3 months after cardiac surgery, the KCL score of frail patients was significantly improved, while that in nonfrail patients was significantly deteriorated.

Association Between Sternotomy Versus Thoracotomy and the Prevalence and Severity of Chronic Postsurgical Pain After Mitral Valve Repair: An Observational Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate differences in the prevalence and severity of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) after cardiac surgery via thoracotomy versus sternotomy are not well-understood. DESIGN: An observational cohort study. SETTING: A tertiary care hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred twenty-eight patients (sternotomy: 192 patients, thoracotomy: 236 patients) who underwent mitral valve repair. INTERVENTIONS: A questionnaire about the severity of surgical wound pain evaluated with a numerical rating scale (NRS) was sent. NRS responses for current pain, peak pain in the last four weeks, and average pain in the last four weeks were evaluated. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The main outcomes were the severity of CPSP evaluated using NRS and the prevalence of CPSP. CPSP was defined as pain >0 that developed after a surgical procedure. During the median follow-up of 29 months, 79 patients complained of CPSP. (sternotomy: 15 patients, thoracotomy: 64 patients). Multivariate ordinal logistic regression showed that NRS responses for current pain (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.17; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.64-6.12; p = 0.001), peak pain in the last four weeks (aOR, 2.00; 95% CI 1.11-3.61; p = 0.021), and average pain in the last four weeks (aOR, 2.21; 95% CI 1.31-3.72; p = 0.003) were significantly higher in patients who underwent thoracotomy. Multivariate logistic regression showed that thoracotomy was an independent predictor of CPSP (aOR, 3.63; 95% CI 1.67-7.88; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence and severity of CPSP were higher among patients who underwent mitral valve repair via thoracotomy than sternotomy.

Accuracy and Trending Ability of Cardiac Index Measured by the CNAP System in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The CNAP system is a noninvasive monitor that provides a continuous arterial pressure waveform using an inflatable finger cuff. The authors hypothesized that dramatic changes in systemic vascular resistance index during abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery might affect the accuracy of noninvasive pulse contour monitors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and trending ability of cardiac index derived by the CNAP system (CICN) in patients undergoing AAA surgery. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: Cardiac surgery operating room in a single cardiovascular center. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty patients who underwent elective AAA surgery. INTERVENTIONS: CICN and cardiac index measured using 3-dimensional images (CI3D) were determined simultaneously at 8 points during the surgery. At aortic clamping and unclamping, the authors tested the trending ability of CICN using 4-quadrant plot analysis and polar plot analysis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The authors found a wide limit of agreement between CICN and CI3D (percentage error: 85.0%). The cubic splines, which show the relationship between systemic vascular resistance index and percentage CI discrepancy [(CICN-CI3D)/CI3D], were sloped positively. Four-quadrant plot analysis showed poor trending ability for CICN at both aortic clamping and unclamping (concordance rate: 29.4% and 57.9%, respectively). In the polar plot analysis, the concordance rates at aortic clamping and unclamping were 15.0% and 35.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: CICN is not interchangeable with CI3D in patients undergoing AAA surgery. The trending ability for CICN at aortic clamping and unclamping was below the acceptable limit. These inaccuracies might be secondary to the high systemic vascular resistance index during AAA surgery.

U-Shaped Association Between Intraoperative Net Fluid Balance and Risk of Postoperative Recurrent Atrial Tachyarrhythmia Among Patients Undergoing the Cryo-Maze Procedure: An Observational Study.

OBJECTIVE: The ability of perioperative fluid management to prevent postoperative recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to assess if intraoperative net fluid balance was associated with atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence after the Cryo-Maze procedure. DESIGN: An observational cohort study. SETTING: A tertiary care hospital from April 2007 to May 2019. PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred forty-four patients undergoing the Cryo-Maze procedure in conjunction with other cardiac surgeries. INTERVENTIONS: The Cryo-Maze procedure in conjunction with other cardiac surgeries. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The main outcome was early atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence, consisting of atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, or atrial tachycardia, within the first three months after surgery. Complete follow-up was achieved in 443 patients (99.8%), of them 127 (28.6%) developed early atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence. The median intraoperative net fluid balance was 1,627 mL (interquartile range, -215 to 3,557 mL). Multivariate logistic regression showed that intraoperative net fluid balance (p = 0.001), preoperative AF duration (adjusted odds ratio, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.17-1.68; p < 0.001) and left atrial volume index (aOR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.06-2.45; p = 0.025) were independent predictors of early atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence. The adjusted log odds were lowest (-1.52) when net fluid balance was 1,557 mL. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant U-shaped association between intraoperative net fluid balance and early atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence among patients undergoing the Cryo-Maze procedure.

Correlation Between Intraventricular Pressure Difference and Indexed Flow of a Left Ventricular Assist Device.

OBJECTIVES: There is no definitive parameter for left ventricular (LV) preload in patients with a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD). The intraventricular pressure difference (IVPD) is the maximum pressure difference between the mitral valve and LV apex during diastole; and, in past studies, the IVPD was influenced by volume loading. The authors hypothesized that IVPD in LVAD patients correlates with indexed LVAD flow and that IVPD can serve as a novel parameter of LV preload in this population. DESIGN: A single-center, retrospective, observational study. SETTING: A tertiary-care hospital from August 2019 to July 2020. PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen ramp tests for adjustment of LVAD pump speed in 14 adult patients undergoing continuous-flow LVAD implantation. INTERVENTIONS: Measurement of IVPD during ramp tests. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: LVAD flow and IVPD were measured at each LVAD pump speed during the ramp test for the adjustment of LVAD pump speed after patients came off cardiopulmonary bypass during LVAD implantation. A straight, longitudinal view of the left atrium and left ventricle was obtained, and the pressure difference between the mitral valve and LV apex during diastole was measured by transesophageal echocardiography. The maximum pressure difference during diastole was recorded as IVPD. The relationship between indexed LVAD flow (LVAD flow/body surface area) and IVPD was assessed by a multivariate nonlinear regression analysis with the Huber-White sandwich estimator. IVPD correlated with indexed LVAD flow (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: IVPD is a useful indicator of LV preload during LVAD implantation.

Impact of Balloon Postdilation on Six-Year Mortality After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

OBJECTIVES: Balloon postdilation (BPD) is one strategy for decreasing paravalvular leakage, but its effect on long-term mortality remains unclear. The authors sought to clarify whether BPD influences long-term mortality of patients with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). DESIGN: Single-center retrospective study. SETTING: National heart center; single institution. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were patients who underwent TAVR in the authors' hospital from January 2014 to December 2016. A balloon-expandable Sapien XT or Sapien3, or self-expandable CoreValve or Evolute R, was implanted according to the decision of the surgeon considering degree of calcification of the aortic valve. INTERVENTIONS: No interventions. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Multivariate Cox regression analysis and inverse probability weighted estimation were performed using a propensity score to examine whether BPD influenced six-year mortality. Ultimately, 180 patients were analyzed. During the follow-up period, with a median of 1104 (interquartile range: 730-1463) days, 41 patients died and cumulative incidence of mortality at six years was 22.8%. Society of Thoracic Surgeons score (odds ratio [OR]: 2.257, 95% CI: 1.213-4.197, p = 0.010)], BPD (OR: 0.306, 95% CI: 0.098-0.953, p = 0.041), and paravalvular regurgitation of at least moderate-to-mild severity after deploying (OR: 5.407, 95% CI: 1.626-17.978, p = 0.006) were significant factors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: BPD is associated with reduced six-year mortality.

Anesthesia for Cesarean Section and Postpartum Cardiovascular Events in Congenital Heart Disease: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the association between anesthetic technique and maternal and neonatal outcomes in parturients with congenital heart disease (CHD). DESIGN: Retrospective, observational cohort study. SETTING: An academic hospital. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 263 consecutive parturients with CHD who underwent cesarean section from 1994 to 2019. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The authors compared postpartum cardiovascular events (composite of heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, arrhythmia, and thromboembolic complications) and neonatal outcomes (intubation and Apgar score <7 at one or five minutes) by anesthetic technique. Among 263 cesarean sections, general anesthesia was performed in 47 (17.9%) parturients and neuraxial anesthesia in 214 (81.3%) parturients. Cardiovascular events were more common in the general anesthesia group (n = 7; 14.9%) than in the neuraxial anesthesia group (n = 17; 7.9%). Generalized linear mixed models assuming a binomial distribution (ie, mixed-effects logistic regression), with a random intercept for each modified World Health Organization classification for maternal cardiovascular risk, revealed that general anesthesia was not significantly associated with cardiovascular events (odds ratio [OR], 1.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30-3.29). In addition, general anesthesia was associated with composite neonatal outcomes (Apgar score <7 at one or five minutes or need for neonatal intubation; OR, 13.3; 95% CI, 5.52-32.0). CONCLUSION: Anesthetic technique is not significantly associated with postpartum composite cardiovascular events. General anesthesia is significantly associated with increased need for neonatal intubation and lower Apgar scores.

Cerebrospinal fluid drainage to prevent postoperative spinal cord injury in thoracic aortic repair.

BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid drainage (CSFD) is recommended as a spinal cord protective strategy in open and endovascular thoracic aortic repair. Although small studies support the use of CSFD, systematic reviews have not suggested definite conclusion and a large-scale study is needed. Therefore, we reviewed medical records of patients who had undergone descending and thoracoabdominal aortic repair (both open and endovascular repair) at multiple institutions to assess the association between CSFD and postoperative motor deficits. METHODS: Patients included in this study underwent descending or thoracoabdominal aortic repair between 2000 and 2013 at 12 hospitals belonging to the Japanese Association of Spinal Cord Protection in Aortic Surgery. We conducted a retrospective study to investigate whether motor-evoked potential monitoring is effective in reducing motor deficits in thoracic aortic aneurysm repair. We use the same dataset to examine whether CSFD reduces motor deficits after propensity score matching. RESULTS: We reviewed data from 1214 patients [open surgery, 601 (49.5%); endovascular repair, 613 (50.5%)]. CSFD was performed in 417 patients and not performed in the remaining 797 patients. Postoperative motor deficits were observed in 75 (6.2%) patients at discharge. After propensity score matching (n = 700), mixed-effects logistic regression performed revealed that CSFD is associated with postoperative motor deficits at discharge [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 3.87; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.30-6.51]. CONCLUSION: CSFD may not be effective for postoperative motor deficits at discharge.

Effect of left ventricular assist device implantation on right ventricular function: Assessment based on right ventricular pressure-volume curves.

Right ventricular (RV) failure is significantly associated with morbidity and mortality after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. However, it remains unclear whether LVAD implantation could worsen RV function. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of LVAD implantation on RV function by comparing RV energetics derived from the RV pressure-volume curve between before and after LVAD implantation. This exploratory observational study was performed between September 2016 and January 2018 at a national center in Japan. Twenty-two patients who underwent LVAD implantation were included in the analysis. We measured RV energetics parameters: RV stroke work index (RVSWI), which was calculated by integrating the area within the RV pressure-volume curve; RV minute work index (RVMWI), which was calculated as RVSWI × heart rate; and right ventriculo-arterial coupling, which was estimated as RV stroke volume/RV end-systolic volume. We compared RV energetics between before and after LVAD implantation. Although RVSWI was similar [424.4 mm Hg · mL/m2 (269.5-510.3) vs. 379.9 mm Hg · mL/m2 (313.1-608.8), P = 0.485], RVMWI was significantly higher after LVAD implantation [29 834.1 mm Hg · mL/m2 /min (18 272.2-36 357.1) vs. 38 544.8 mm Hg · mL/m2 /min (29 016.0-57 282.8), P = 0.001], corresponding to a significantly higher cardiac index [2.0 L/min/m2 (1.4-2.2) vs. 3.7 L/min/m2 (3.3-4.1), P < 0.001] to match LVAD flow. Right ventriculo-arterial coupling was significantly higher after LVAD implantation [0.360 (0.224-0.506) vs. 0.480 (0.343-0.669), P = 0.025], suggesting that the efficiency of RV performance improved. In conclusion, higher RVMWI with higher cardiac index to match LVAD flow and improved efficiency of RV performance indicate that LVAD implantation might not worsen RV function.

Accuracy and Trending Ability of Blood Pressure and Cardiac Index Measured by ClearSight System in Patients With Reduced Ejection Fraction.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the accuracy and trending ability of ClearSight (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) in patients with reduced ejection fraction (<55%) undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery by comparing the ClearSight-derived cardiac index (CICS) with the cardiac index measured with thermodilution using a pulmonary artery catheter. In addition, the accuracy and trending ability of ClearSight for blood pressure measurement was investigated by comparing the mean arterial pressure (MAP) derived by ClearSight (MAPcs) with invasive intra-arterial pressure. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. DESIGN: Cardiac surgery operating room in a single cardiovascular center. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 20 patients who underwent elective CABG surgery. INTERVENTIONS: MAP and cardiac index were measured simultaneously at 6 time points intraoperatively. Trending ability was investigated at the following 2 points: (1) before and after placing the patient in the Trendelenburg position and (2) before and after atrial pacing with a targeted heart rate increase of 20%. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Bland-Altman analysis showed that the percentage error between CICS and the cardiac index measured with thermodilution was 40.2% and the percentage error between MAPcs and MAP was 24.6%. Four-quadrant plot analysis showed that the tracking ability of CICS with the Trendelenburg position and atrial pacing was below the good trending ability cutoff (92%). However, the concordance rate of the 4-quadrant plot analysis showed a good trending ability for MAPcs. The polar plot analysis showed the same trend. CONCLUSIONS: CICS was not sufficiently accurate in patients with reduced ejection fraction undergoing off-pump CABG surgery. However, ClearSight was clinically acceptable for MAP regarding its accuracy and trending ability in patients with reduced ejection fraction.

Comparison of Right Ventricular Function Between Patients With and Without Pulmonary Hypertension Owing to Left-Sided Heart Disease: Assessment Based on Right Ventricular Pressure-Volume Curves.

OBJECTIVES: Right ventricular (RV) failure with pulmonary hypertension (PH) is frequently encountered in patients with advanced left-sided heart disease (LHD). However, RV energetics in patients with postcapillary PH because of LHD has not been well studied. The authors investigated intraoperative RV energetics in patients with PH due to LHD based on pressure-volume curves with three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography and pulmonary artery catheterization. DESIGN: Exploratory study. SETTING: National center. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-three patients who underwent cardiac surgery for LHD were enrolled. Ten patients had PH (mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥ 25 mmHg). INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: RV stroke work index (RVSWI) was calculated by integrating the area bounded by the pressure-volume curve. RV minute work index (RVMWI) was calculated as RVSWI × heart rate. Right ventriculo-arterial coupling was estimated as stroke volume divided by end-systolic volume (SV/ESV). The authors compared RV energetics between patients with and without PH because of LHD. RVSWI and RVMWI were significantly higher in patients with PH (690.7 mmHg·mL/m2 [601.6-737.1] v 440.9 mmHg·mL/m2 [330.8-585.3], p = 0.015, and 60,068 mmHg·mL/m2/min [35,547-68,741] v 26,351 mmHg·mL/m2/min [17,316-32,517], p = 0.011, respectively), although cardiac index was nearly identical. SV/ESV was significantly lower in patients with PH (0.520 [0.305-0.810] v 0.820 (0.650-1.090), p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Although cardiac index was similar, RVSWI and RVMWI were significantly higher and SV/ESV was significantly lower in patients with PH because of LHD, suggesting that patients with postcapillary PH have inefficient RV performance.

Appropriate delivery method for cardiac disease pregnancy based on noninvasive cardiac monitoring.

Background There are numerous significant physiological changes occurring in circulation during labor. To detect these rapid hemodynamic changes, invasive and intermittent measurement techniques are not reliable. To suggest a suitable delivery method for pregnancy with cardiac disease, this study analyzed how each delivery method influences cardiac function using a noninvasive and continuous measurement technique. Methods A prospective study was accomplished at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center in Japan from October 1, 2014, to November 30, 2018. The classification of the healthy heart pregnant women was according to the delivery method: vaginal delivery (VD) without epidural anesthesia, VD with epidural anesthesia, and caesarean section (CS). The hemodynamic parameters cardiac index (CI), stroke volume index (SI), and heart rate (HR) were evaluated regularly throughout delivery by noninvasive electrical cardiometry monitor. Results Ten cases were examined for each group. CI and HR were significantly increased before VD, while the increase in CI and HR was mild in the epidural group in comparison to the nonepidural group. SI was increased toward the delivery in the epidural group, and it was constant in the nonepidural group. However, there was no alteration in the level of outcomes of the two groups. In CS, SI increased and HR decreased before delivery. After delivery, SI continued to increase, while HR did not change but CI increased. Conclusion In VD, the increase in venous circulation according to the autotransfusion is managed by increasing HR. By epidural anesthesia, the increase in HR was suppressed and SI was increased. However, as epidural anesthesia increases the vascular capacity, the level of SI outcome was comparable. In CS, the HR was decreased because of the spinal anesthesia and the SI was increased because of many factors like hydration. As there are many factors to control in CS, VD with epidural anesthesia will be the first preference for most cardiac patients.

Association between postoperative changes in the gut microbiota and pseudopsia after cardiac surgery: prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Delirium after cardiac surgery affects mortality, but the mechanism remains unclear. Previous studies have reported gut microbiota are associated with brain activity. Systemic inflammation and antibiotics can damage the gut microbiota after cardiac surgery. We aimed to investigate changes in the gut microbiota and the association between the gut microbiota and delirium after cardiac surgery. METHODS: Twenty-one patients who underwent cardiac surgery were enrolled. Microbiota counts and fecal organic acid concentrations were measured in fecal samples harvested before surgery, just after surgery, and before discharge. To quantify the microbiota, we extracted total RNA fractions and examined gut microbiota composition using 16S and 23S rRNA-targeted quantitative-reverse Transcription-PCR. Postoperative delirium, insomnia, and pseudopsia were assessed for 1 week. Postoperative total bacterial counts changed significantly from 10.2 ± 0.2 log10 cells/g of feces to 9.8 ± 0.5 in the first postoperative samples (p = 0.003) and 10.0 ± 0.4 in the samples before discharge (p = 0.039). Fecal pH was 6.9 ± 0.6 before surgery and 7.4 ± 0.7 in the first postoperative samples (p = 0.001). Postoperative Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas counts were significantly higher in patients with postoperative pseudopsia than in patients without pseudopsia (3.2 ± 1.3 vs. 5.4 ± 0.9; p = 0.012 and 1.7 ± 0.8 vs. 4.6 ± 2.7; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Total bacterial counts were significantly lower after surgery and until discharge. Fecal pH was significantly higher than preoperative levels. Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas counts were significantly higher in patients with postoperative pseudopsia.

Type and Size of Implanted Bioprosthetic Valve Rather Than Intraoperative Peak Transprosthetic Valvular Velocity Predict Postoperative Midterm Prosthesis-Patient Mismatch in Patients Undergoing Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement.

OBJECTIVES: High transprosthetic valvular peak velocity (PV) is indicative of prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM), which exacerbates mortality and morbidity after surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR). During surgical AVR, a high intraoperative PV sometimes is detected, but whether it affects mortality and morbidity is unknown. The aims of this study were to determine whether intraoperative and postoperative PV were correlated and what factors predicted postoperative PPM. DESIGN: Retrospective, observational, cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary medical center. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The study comprised 556 patients who underwent AVR with a bioprosthetic valve. PV was measured intraoperatively, 1 month after surgery, and 1 year after surgery. The occurrence of PPM was defined as an effective orifice area index of less than 0.85 cm2/m2. The associations between PV values at the aforementioned 3 time points were analyzed using a multivariable nonlinear regression model. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify the predictors of PPM at 1 year. There was no significant association between intraoperative PV and PV at 1 month (p = 0.419) or 1 year (p = 0.115). The implanted valve type (p < 0.001) and size (p < 0.001), but not intraoperative PV (p = 0.503), were independent predictors of PPM. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant association between intraoperative and postoperative PV values. Implanted valve type and size, but not intraoperative PV, predicted postoperative PPM.

Safety of Fibrinogen Concentrate and Cryoprecipitate in Cardiovascular Surgery: Multicenter Database Study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether administering fibrinogen concentrate or cryoprecipitate is associated with increased postoperative thromboembolic events and improved mortality in patients undergoing thoracic aortic surgery. DESIGN: Multicenter retrospective cohort study using propensity-score analyses and multivariate logistic regression analysis to control for confounders. SETTING: Four hospitals (1 national cardiovascular center and 3 university hospitals). PARTICIPANTS: Patients undergoing thoracic aortic surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass between January 2010 and October 2012 (n = 1,047). INTERVENTIONS: Outcomes in patients treated with fibrinogen concentrate or cryoprecipitate (fibrinogen group) were compared with those who did not receive these products (no fibrinogen group) based on propensity-score matching. Multivariate logistic regression analysis then was performed to confirm the results. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Among 1,047 patients enrolled in this study, 247 patients received fibrinogen concentrate or cryoprecipitate. The median amount of administered fibrinogen was 3 g (interquartile range 2-4 g). Eighty-seven patients were excluded from the propensity-score matching because of missing data. Propensity-score-matched analysis showed no significant difference in the incidence of thromboembolic events or 30-day mortality rate between the groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that the fibrinogen group showed no significant difference in thromboembolic events (odds ratio 1.22; 95% confidence interval 0.76-1.95; p = 0.408) or mortality rate (odds ratio 0.44; 95% confidence interval 0.18-1.12; p = 0.081) compared with those in the no fibrinogen group. CONCLUSIONS: Administering fibrinogen concentrate or cryoprecipitate was associated with neither thromboembolic events nor 30-day mortality in patients undergoing thoracic aortic surgery. Administering fibrinogen concentrate or cryoprecipitate is safe and does not appear to increase thromboembolic events and mortality in thoracic aortic surgery patients.