Haemodynamic monitoring in the perioperative setting.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this study was to review the role of haemodynamic monitoring in the perioperative setting, highlighting who are the patients who most benefit, to describe the type of devices, to analyse the scientific evidence and to suggest algorithms of haemodynamic care in high-risk surgical patients. RECENT FINDINGS: In the last 50 years, many advances have contributed to better understand cardiovascular physiology at bedside, and haemodynamic monitoring has moved from invasive methods to minimally invasive and noninvasive devices. Randomized clinical trials have shown benefits of perioperative haemodynamic therapy to improve outcomes in high-risk surgical patients. A multimodal approach is purposed in the perioperative setting to optimize haemodynamic parameters, involving clinical analysis at bedside, the use of dynamic tests for fluid responsiveness and integration of variables, including cardiac output, systolic volume, tissue oxygen markers and echocardiographic measures. SUMMARY: In this review, we summarize the benefits of haemodynamic monitoring, the type of devices with advantages and disadvantages, the scientific evidence supporting perioperative haemodynamic therapy, and we suggest a multimodal approach to improve patients' care.

Vasopressin Versus Norepinephrine for the Management of Septic Shock in Cancer Patients: The VANCS II Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVES: Previous trials suggest that vasopressin may improve outcomes in patients with vasodilatory shock. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether vasopressin could be superior to norepinephrine to improve outcomes in cancer patients with septic shock. DESIGN: Single-center, randomized, double-blind clinical trial, and meta-analysis of randomized trials. SETTING: ICU of a tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS: Two-hundred fifty patients 18 years old or older with cancer and septic shock. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were assigned to either vasopressin or norepinephrine as first-line vasopressor therapy. An updated meta-analysis was also conducted including randomized trials published until October 2018. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 28 days after randomization. Prespecified secondary outcomes included 90-days all-cause mortality rate; number of days alive and free of advanced organ support at day 28; and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score 24 hours and 96 hours after randomization. We also measure the prevalence of adverse effects in 28 days. A total of 250 patients were randomized. The primary outcome was observed in 71 patients (56.8%) in the vasopressin group and 66 patients (52.8%) in the norepinephrine group (p = 0.52). There were no significant differences in 90-day mortality (90 patients [72.0%] and 94 patients [75.2%], respectively; p = 0.56), number of days alive and free of advanced organ support, adverse events, or Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score. CONCLUSIONS: In cancer patients with septic shock, vasopressin as first-line vasopressor therapy was not superior to norepinephrine in reducing 28-day mortality rate.

Lactated Ringer's Versus 4% Albumin on Lactated Ringer's in Early Sepsis Therapy in Cancer Patients: A Pilot Single-Center Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of the administration of 4% albumin on lactated Ringer's, when compared with lactated Ringer's alone, in the early phase of sepsis in cancer patients. DESIGN: Single-center, randomized, double-blind, controlled-parallel trial. SETTING: A tertiary care university cancer hospital. PATIENTS: Cancer patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. INTERVENTIONS: Between October 2014 and December 2016, patients were randomly assigned to receive either bolus of albumin in a lactated Ringer's solution or lactated Ringer's solution alone during the first 6 hours of fluid resuscitation after intensive care medicine (ICU) admission. Primary outcome was defined as death from any cause at 7 days. Secondary outcomes were defined as death from any cause within 28 days, change in Sequence Organ Failure Assessment scores from baseline to day 7, days alive and free of mechanical ventilation, days alive and free of vasopressor, renal replacement therapy during ICU stay, and length of ICU and hospital stay. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 360 patients were enrolled in the trial. At 7 days, 46 of 180 patients (26%) died in the albumin group and 40 of 180 (22%) died in the lactated Ringer's group (p = 0.5). At 28 days, 96 of 180 patients (53%) died in the albumin group and 83 of 180 (46%) died in the lactated Ringer's group (p = 0.2). No significant differences in secondary outcomes were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Adding albumin to early standard resuscitation with lactated Ringer's in cancer patients with sepsis did not improve 7-day survival.

Takotsubo syndrome: an overview of pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment with emphasis on cancer patients.

Takotsubo syndrome is a disease of great clinical importance that remains underdiagnosed. It is a form of acute heart failure characterized by a transient wall motion abnormality of the left ventricular apex typically triggered by emotional or physical stress. Takotsubo syndrome is commonly associated with cancer and results in poor outcomes. Therefore, early recognition and prompt therapy are essential to improve prognosis. The aim of this manuscript is to review the consequences of the association between cancer and Takotsubo to summarize the available evidence to guide physicians to improve the management of these patients.

Effect of a Perioperative Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump in High-Risk Cardiac Surgery Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of perioperative intra-aortic balloon pump use in high-risk cardiac surgery patients. DESIGN: A single-center randomized controlled trial and a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. SETTING: Heart Institute of São Paulo University. PATIENTS: High-risk patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomized to receive preskin incision intra-aortic balloon pump insertion after anesthesia induction versus no intra-aortic balloon pump use. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was a composite endpoint of 30-day mortality and major morbidity (cardiogenic shock, stroke, acute renal failure, mediastinitis, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and a need for reoperation). A total of 181 patients (mean [SD] age 65.4 [9.4] yr; 32% female) were randomized. The primary outcome was observed in 43 patients (47.8%) in the intra-aortic balloon pump group and 42 patients (46.2%) in the control group (p = 0.46). The median duration of inotrope use (51 hr [interquartile range, 32-94 hr] vs 39 hr [interquartile range, 25-66 hr]; p = 0.007) and the ICU length of stay (5 d [interquartile range, 3-8 d] vs 4 d [interquartile range, 3-6 d]; p = 0.035) were longer in the intra-aortic balloon pump group than in the control group. A meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials confirmed a lack of survival improvement in high-risk cardiac surgery patients with perioperative intra-aortic balloon pump use. CONCLUSIONS: In high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery, the perioperative use of an intra-aortic balloon pump did not reduce the occurrence of a composite outcome of 30-day mortality and major complications compared with usual care alone.

Effect of postoperative goal-directed therapy in cancer patients undergoing high-risk surgery: a randomized clinical trial and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative goal-directed hemodynamic therapy (GDHT) has been advocated in high-risk patients undergoing noncardiac surgery to reduce postoperative morbidity and mortality. We hypothesized that using cardiac index (CI)-guided GDHT in the postoperative period for patients undergoing high-risk surgery for cancer treatment would reduce 30-day mortality and postoperative complications. METHODS: A randomized, parallel-group, superiority trial was performed in a tertiary oncology hospital. All adult patients undergoing high-risk cancer surgery who required intensive care unit admission were randomly allocated to a CI-guided GDHT group or to a usual care group. In the GDHT group, postoperative therapy aimed at CI ≥ 2.5 L/min/m2 using fluids, inotropes and red blood cells during the first 8 postoperative hours. The primary outcome was a composite endpoint of 30-day all-cause mortality and severe postoperative complications during the hospital stay. A meta-analysis was also conducted including all randomized trials of postoperative GDHT published from 1966 to May 2017. RESULTS: A total of 128 patients (64 in each group) were randomized. The primary outcome occurred in 34 patients of the GDHT group and in 28 patients of the usual care group (53.1% vs 43.8%, absolute difference 9.4 (95% CI, - 7.8 to 25.8); p = 0.3). During the 8-h intervention period more patients in the GDHT group received dobutamine when compared to the usual care group (55% vs 16%, p < 0.001). A meta-analysis of nine randomized trials showed no differences in postoperative mortality (risk ratio 0.85, 95% CI 0.59-1.23; p = 0.4; p for heterogeneity = 0.7; I2 = 0%) and in the overall complications rate (risk ratio 0.88, 95% CI 0.71-1.08; p = 0.2; p for heterogeneity = 0.07; I2 = 48%), but a reduced hospital length of stay in the GDHT group (mean difference (MD) - 1.6; 95% CI - 2.75 to - 0.46; p = 0.006; p for heterogeneity = 0.002; I2 = 74%). CONCLUSIONS: CI-guided hemodynamic therapy in the first 8 postoperative hours does not reduce 30-day mortality and severe complications during hospital stay when compared to usual care in cancer patients undergoing high-risk surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov , NCT01946269 . Registered on 16 September 2013.

Intensive care management of patients with COVID-19: a practical approach.

SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is responsible for the largest pandemic facing humanity since the Spanish flu pandemic in the early twentieth century. Since there is no specific antiviral treatment, optimized support is the most relevant factor in the patient's prognosis. In the hospital setting, the identification of high-risk patients for clinical deterioration is essential to ensure access to intensive treatment of severe conditions in a timely manner. The initial management of hypoxemia includes conventional oxygen therapy, high-flow nasal canula oxygen, and non-invasive ventilation. For patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation, lung-protective ventilation with low tidal volumes and plateau pressure is recommended. Cardiovascular complications are frequent and include myocardial injury, thrombotic events, myocarditis, and cardiogenic shock. Acute renal failure is a common complication and is a marker of poor prognosis, with significant impact in costs and resources allocation. Regarding promising therapies for COVID-19, the most promising drugs until now are remdesivir and corticosteroids although further studies may be needed to confirm their effectiveness. Other therapies such as, tocilizumab, anakinra, other anti-cytokine drugs, and heparin are being tested in clinical trials. Thousands of physicians are living a scenario that none of us have ever seen: demand for hospital exceed capacity in most countries. Until now, the certainty we have is that we should try to decrease the number of infected patients and that an optimized critical care support is the best strategy to improve patient's survival.

Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases during the COVID-19 Pandemic. / Câncer e Doenças Cardiovasculares na Pandemia de COVID-19.

The challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic cretead to the healthcare system have made it necessary to adapt routines and services, with the objectives of controlling the spread of the virus and preserving health. Safe and correct management of patients in risks groups, such as elderly patients, patients with cardiovascular diseases, and patients with cancer, has become even more important. Thus, cardio-oncology has gained a new dimension, with the aim of adapting to patients' needs during the pandemic by restructuring the system of care in a manner that offers quality and safety in healthcare.

O desafio imposto ao sistema de saúde pela pandemia da COVID-19 faz com que haja uma necessidade de readequações de rotinas e serviços de saúde, com os objetivos de controlar a disseminação do vírus e preservar a saúde. Torna-se ainda mais importante o manejo seguro e correto dos pacientes dos grupos de risco, como os pacientes idosos, os portadores de doenças cardiovasculares e os pacientes com câncer. Dessa forma, a cardio-oncologia ganha novo dimensionamento, no intuito de se adequar às necessidades dos pacientes diante de uma pandemia, reestruturando o sistema de atendimento de forma a oferecer qualidade e segurança na assistência à saúde.

The Heart and COVID-19: What Cardiologists Need to Know. / O Coração e a COVID-19: O que o Cardiologista Precisa Saber.

In face of the pandemic of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the management of patients with cardiovascular risk factors and/or disease is challenging. The cardiovascular complications evidenced in patients with COVID-19 derive from several mechanisms, ranging from direct viral injury to complications secondary to the inflammatory and thrombotic responses to the infection. The proper care of patients with COVID-19 requires special attention to the cardiovascular system aimed at better outcomes.

Frente à pandemia da doença causada pelo novo coronavírus (COVID-19), o manejo do paciente com fator de risco e/ou doença cardiovascular é desafiador nos dias de hoje. As complicações cardiovasculares evidenciadas nos pacientes com COVID-19 resultam de vários mecanismos, que vão desde lesão direta pelo vírus até complicações secundárias à resposta inflamatória e trombótica desencadeada pela infecção. O cuidado adequado do paciente com COVID-19 exige atenção ao sistema cardiovascular em busca de melhores desfechos.

The effect of a rapid molecular blood test on the use of antibiotics for nosocomial sepsis: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Appropriate use of antimicrobials is essential to improve outcomes in sepsis. The aim of this study was to determine whether the use of a rapid molecular blood test-SeptiFast (SF) reduces the antibiotic consumption through early de-escalation in patients with nosocomial sepsis compared with conventional blood cultures (BCs). METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, superiority, controlled trial conducted at Sao Paulo Heart Institute in the period October 2012-May 2016. Adult patients admitted to the hospital for at least 48 h with a diagnosis of nosocomial sepsis underwent microorganism identification by both SF test and BCs. Patients randomized into the intervention group received antibiotic therapy adjustment according to the results of SF. Patients randomized into the control group received standard antibiotic adjustment according to the results of BCs. The primary endpoint was antimicrobial consumption during the first 14 days after randomization. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients were included (100 in each group). The intention to treat analysis found no significant differences in median antibiotic consumption. In the subgroup of patients with positive SF and blood cultures (19 and 25 respectively), we found a statistically significant reduction in the median antimicrobial consumption which was 1429 (1071-2000) days of therapy (DOT)/1000 patients-day in the intervention group and 1889 (1357-2563) DOT/1000 patients-day in the control group (p = 0.017), in the median time of antimicrobial de-escalation (8 versus 54 h-p < 0.001), in the duration of antimicrobial therapy (p = 0.039) and in anti-gram-positive antimicrobial costs (p = 0.002). Microorganism identification was possible in 24.5% of patients (45/184) by SF and 21.2% (39/184) by BC (p = 0.45). CONCLUSION: This randomized clinical trial showed that the use of a rapid molecular-based pathogen identification test does not reduce the median antibiotic consumption in nosocomial sepsis. However, in patients with positive microbiological tests, the use of SeptiFast reduced antimicrobial consumption through early de-escalation compared to conventional blood cultures. These results were driven by a reduction in the consumption of antimicrobials used for Gram-positive bacteria. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01450358) on 12th October 2011.

Características e resultados do teste de inclinação na população sintomática: [revisão] / Characteristcs and results of tilt table testing in symptomatic population: [review] / Características y resultados de la prueba de inclinación en la población sintomática: [revisión]

Síncope é um sintoma de prevalência significativa na população geral e possui prognóstico variável de acordo com sua etiologia. O teste de inclinação ou Tilt-teste é um exame útil na investigação dos pacientes com Síncope, Hipotensão Postural e Disautonomia e trata-se de um exame já rotineiro em nosso meio. Objetivo: Analisar o índice de positividade do exame, além dos seus tipos de respostas mais comuns, e a necessidade do uso da sensibilização com dinitrato de isossorbida no auxílio do diagnóstico. Material e métodos: Entre o período de março de 2005 a junho de 2009, foram avaliados 348 pacientes submetidos ao Tilt-teste, dentre os quais, 244(70,1%) pacientes eram do sexo feminino com idade média de 36 anos. Resultados: O Tilt-teste foi negativo em 163(46,8%) pacientes. Nos exames positivos, o tipo mais comum de resposta foi a vasodepressora em 113(32,47%) pacientes, seguido pela resposta mista em 56(16,1%) pacientes e cardioninibiotória em 14(4%) pacientes. Dois pacientes apresentaram quadros de Disautonomia e Síndrome da Taquicardia Postural Ortostática (POTS). O tempo médio para positivação dos exames foi de 28 minutos após início da ortostase, sendo que, em 166(89,72%) pacientes, foi necessário uso de sensibilização com dinitrato de isossorbida por via sublingual. Conclusão: Na população estudada, observamos que o Tilt-teste foi positivo em 53,2% dos casos. Dentre esses pacientes, a forma mais comum de resposta da síncope neurocardiogênica foi a vasodepressora em 113 pacientes, sendo que o uso da sensibilização foi necessário em quase 90% dos pacientes na positivação dos exames.

Syncope is a symptom of significant prevalence in the general population and has changeable prognostic in accordance with its etiology. The inclination test or Tilt table test is a useful examination in the investigation of patients with syncope, postural hypotension and disautonomy and it is a routine examination already in our way. Objective: To analyze the positive rate of the exam, in addition to its most common types of response and the need of sensitization with isosorbide dinitrate to aid the diagnosis. Material and methods: 348 patients submitted to Tilt table test were evaluated between March of 2005 and June of 2009, 244 (70.1%) females at the mean age of 36 years. Results: The Tilt table test was negative in 163 (46.8%) patients. In the positive exams the most common type of response was the vasodepressor in 113 (32.47%) patients, followed by the mixed response in 56 (16.1%) patients and cardioinhibitory in 14 (4%) patients. Two patients had history of disautonomy and Postural Ortostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). The average time for positivation of the examinations was of 28 minutes after the beginning of the ortostasis, in 166 (89.72%) patients the use of sensitization with isosorbide dinitrate via sublingual was necessary. Conclusion: In the studied population weobserve that the Tilt table test was positive in 53,2% of the cases. Among these patients the most common response of neurocardiogenic syncope was the vasodepressor in 113 patients and the use of the sensitization was necessary in almost 90% of the patients in the positivation of the examinations.

Síncope es un síntoma de prevalencia significativa en la población general y tiene pronóstico variable de acuerdo con su etiología. La prueba de inclinación o Tilt-test es un examen útilen la investigación de los pacientes con Síncope, Hipotensión Postural y Disautonomia y ya se trata de un examen de rutina en nuestro medio. Objetivo: Analizar el índice de positividad del examen, además de sus tipos de respuestas más comunes, y la necesidad del uso de la sensibilización con dinitrato de isosorbida para ayudar el diagnóstico. Material y métodos: Entre el período de marzo de 2005 y junio de 2009, se evaluaron a 348 pacientes sometidos al Tilt-test, entre los cuales, 244 (70,1%) pacientes eran del sexo femenino con edad media de 36 años. Resultados: El Tilt-test fue negativo en 163 (46,8%) pacientes. En los exámenes positivos, el tipo más común de respuesta fue la vasodepresora en 113 (32,47%) pacientes, seguido de la respuesta mixta en 56 (16,1%) pacientes y cardioinhibitoria en 14 (4%) pacientes. Dos pacientes presentaron cuadros de Disautonomia y Síndrome de Taquicardia Postural Ortostática (POTS). El tiempo medio para positivación de losexámenes foi de 28 minutos tras el inicio de la ortostasis, siendo que, en 166 (89,72%) pacientes, fuenecesario el uso de sensibilización con dinitrato de isosorbida por vía sublingual. Conclusión: En la población estudiada, observamos que el Tilt-test fue positivo en el 53,2% de los casos. Entre dichos pacientes, la forma más común de respuesta del síncope neurocardiogénico fue la vasodepresora en 113 pacientes, siendo que el uso de la sensibilización fue necesario en casi el 90% de los pacientes en la positivación de los exámenes.