Survey on the Updated German S3 Guideline for Intensive Care in Cardiac Surgery Patients.

BACKGROUND: The German guideline on intensive care treatment of cardiac surgical patients provides evidence-based recommendations on management and monitoring. It remains unclear if, respectively, to which degree the guidelines are implemented into the daily practice. Therefore, this study aims to characterize the implementation of guideline recommendations in German cardiac surgical intensive care units (ICUs). METHODS: An internet-based online survey (42 questions, 9 topics) was sent to 158 German head physicians of cardiac surgical ICUs. To compare the effect over time, most questions were based on a previously performed survey (2013) after introduction of the last guideline update in 2008. RESULTS: A total of n = 65 (41.1%) questionnaires were included. Monitoring changed to increased provision of available transesophageal echocardiography specialists in 86% (2013: 72.6%), SvO2 measurement in 93.8% (2013: 55.1%), and electroencephalography in 58.5% (2013: 2.6%). The use of hydroxyethyl starch declined (9.4% vs. 2013: 38.7%), gelatin 4% presented the most administered colloid with 23.4% (2013: 17.4%). Low cardiac output syndrome was primarily treated with levosimendan (30.8%) and epinephrine (23.1%), while norepinephrine (44.6%) and dobutamine (16.9%) represented the most favored drug combination. The main way of distribution was web-based (50.9%), with increasing impact on therapy regimens (36.9% vs. 2013: 24%). CONCLUSION: Changes were found in all questioned sectors compared with the preceding survey, with persisting variability between ICUs. Recommendations of the updated guideline have increasingly entered clinical practice, with participants valuing the updated publication as clinically relevant.

Surgical Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation in High-Risk Patients: Success versus Risk.

BACKGROUND: Surgical atrial ablation is evaluated by surgeons in relation to the estimated surgical risk. We analyze whether high-risk patients (HRPs) experience risk escalation by ablation procedures. METHODS: The CASE-Atrial Fibrillation (AF) registry is a prospective, multicenter, all-comers registry of atrial ablation in cardiac surgery. We analyzed the 1-year outcome regarding survival and rhythm endpoints of 1,000 consecutive patients according to the operative risk classification (EuroSCORE II ≤ 2 vs. >2). RESULTS: Higher NYHA (New York Heart Association) score, ischemic heart failure, status poststroke, renal insufficiency, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and diabetes mellitus were strongly represented in HRPs. HRPs exhibit more left ventricular ejection fraction < 40% (19.2 vs. 8.8%; p < 0.001) but identical left atrial diameter and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter compared with low-risk patients (LRPs). CHA2DS-Vasc-score (2.4 ± 1 vs. 3.6 ± 1.5; p < 0.001), sternotomies, combination surgeries, coronary artery bypass graft, and mitral valve procedures were increased in HRPs. LRPs underwent stand-alone ablations as well. Ablation energy did not differ. Left atrial appendage closure was performed in up to 86.1% (mainly cut-and-sew procedures). Mortality corresponded to the original risk class without an escalation that may be related to ablation, stroke rate, or myocardial infarction. A total of 60.6% of HRPs versus 75.1% of LRPs were discharged in sinus rhythm. Long-term EHRA (European Heart Rhythm Association) score symptoms were lower in HRPs. Repeated rhythm therapies were rare. Additional antiarrhythmics received a minority without group dependency. A total of 1.6 versus 4.1% of HRPs (p = 0.042) underwent long-term stroke; excess mortality was not observed. Anticoagulation remained common in HRPs. CONCLUSION: Surgical risk and long-term mortality are determined by the underlying disease. In HRPs, freedom from AF and symptom relief can be achieved. Preoperative risk scores should not lead to withholding an ablation procedure.

Surgical Ablation of Permanent Atrial Fibrillation: Age, LV Dilatation, Obesity.

OBJECTIVES: Although concomitant surgical ablation can help to reach freedom from atrial fibrillation (FREEAF) even in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation (AF), some cardiac surgeons hesitate to perform concomitant ablation to avoid perioperative risk escalation. Here, we investigated outcome and predicators of therapeutic success of concomitant surgical ablation in an all-comers study. METHODS: Ablation-naïve patients with formerly accepted permanent AF (FAP, n = 41) or paroxysmal AF (parAF, n = 24) underwent concomitant epicardial bipolar radio frequency ablation and implantable loop recorder (ILR) at two surgical departments. Follow-up examination for 24 months included electrocardiogram, ILR readout, 24h Holter monitoring, echocardiography, and blood sampling. RESULTS: Eighty-six percent of parAF and 70% of FAP patients reached FREEAF (month 24). Mortality was low (parAF/FAP: 5.3 ± 0.2%/4.1 ± 0.3%; p < 0.05; EuroScoreII; 6.1 ± 0.7%/6.4 ± 0.4%, p = ns) and no strokes occurred. FREEAF induced atrial reverse remodeling (left atrial [LA] diameter: -6.7 ± 2.2 mm) and improved cardiac function (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF]: +7.3 ± 2.8%), while AF resulted in further atrial dilation (+8.0 ± 1.0 mm, p < 0.05) and LVEF reduction (-7.0 ± 1.3%, p < 0.05). Higher LV (odds ratio [OR]: 1.164) and LA diameter (OR: 1.218), age (OR: 1.180) and body mass index (BMI) (OR: 1.503) increased the risk factors of AF recurrence. Patients remaining in sinus rhythm (SR) demonstrated a decrease in BMI, while AF recurrence was associated with stable overweight. Further aging did not reduce FREEAF. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term SR is achievable by concomitant surgical ablation even in FAP patients. Therefore, it should be offered routinely. Obesity influences therapeutic long-term success but may also offer addressable therapeutic targets to reach higher FREEAF rates.

Myocardial Recovery, Metabolism, and Structure after Cardiac Arrest with Cardioplexol.

OBJECTIVES: Clinical studies indicate encouraging cardioprotective potential for Cardioplexol. Its cardioprotective capacities during 45 minutes of ischemia compared with pure no-flow ischemia or during 90 minutes of ischemia compared with Calafiore cardioplegia were investigated experimentally. METHODS: Forty-four rat hearts were isolated and inserted into a blood-perfused pressure-controlled Langendorff apparatus. In a first step, cardiac arrest was induced by Cardioplexol or pure no-flow ischemia lasting 45 minutes. In a second step, cardiac arrest was induced by Cardioplexol or Calafiore cardioplegia lasting 90 minutes. For both experimental steps, cardiac function, metabolic parameters, and troponin I levels were evaluated during 90 minutes of reperfusion. At the end of reperfusion, hearts were fixed, and ultrastructural integrity was examined by electron microscopy. RESULTS: Step 1: after 90 minutes of reperfusion, hearts exposed to Cardioplexol had significantly higher left ventricular developed pressure (CP-45': 74%BL vs. no-flow-45': 45%BL; p = 0.046) and significantly better maximal left ventricular relaxation (CP-45': 84%BL vs. no-flow-45': 51%BL; p = 0.012). Oxygen consumption, lactate production, and troponin levels were similar in both groups. Step 2: left ventricular developed pressure was lower (22 vs. 48% of BL; p = 0.001) and coronary flow was lower (24 vs. 53% of BL; p = 0.002) when Cardioplexol was used compared with Calafiore cardioplegia. Troponin I levels were significantly higher under Cardioplexol (358.9 vs. 106.1 ng/mL; p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: Cardioplexol significantly improves functional recovery after 45 minutes of ischemia compared with pure ischemia. However, Cardioplexol protects the myocardium from ischemia/reperfusion-related damage after 90 minutes of ischemia worse than Calafiore cardioplegia.

German Heart Surgery Report 2022: The Annual Updated Registry of the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.

Based on a longtime voluntary registry, founded by the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (GSTCVS/DGTHG) in 1980, well-defined data of all cardiac, thoracic, and vascular surgery procedures performed in 78 German heart surgery departments during the year 2022 are analyzed. Under the decreasing interference of the worldwide coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, a total of 162,167 procedures were submitted to the registry. A total of 93,913 of these operations are summarized as heart surgery procedures in a classical sense. The unadjusted in-hospital survival rate for the 27,994 isolated coronary artery bypass grafting procedures (relationship on-/off-pump 3.2:1) was 97.5%. For the 38,492 isolated heart valve procedures (20,272 transcatheter interventions included) it was 96.9%, and for the registered pacemaker/implantable cardioverter-defibrillator procedures (19,531) 99.1%, respectively. Concerning short- and long-term circulatory support, a total of 2,737 extracorporeal life support/extracorporeal membrane oxygenation implantations, respectively 672 assist device implantations (L-/ R-/ BVAD, TAH) were registered. In 2022, 356 isolated heart transplantations, 228 isolated lung transplantations, and 5 combined heart-lung transplantations were performed. This annually updated registry of the GSTCVS/DGTHG represents voluntary public reporting by accumulating actual information for nearly all heart surgical procedures in Germany, constitutes advancements in heart medicine, and represents a basis for quality management for all participating institutions. In addition, the registry demonstrates that the provision of cardiac surgery in Germany is up to date, appropriate, and nationwide patient treatment is always available.

Remote ischemic preconditioning in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with six ischemic cycles.

BACKGROUND: We have previously shown that remote ischemic preconditioning (RIP), which utilizes in part the extracellular RNA (eRNA)/RNase1 pathway, can induce ischemic tolerance in humans. Because RIP has thus far been tested only with four cycles of extremity ischemia/reperfusion, we investigated the influence of six cycles of ischemia on the eRNA/RNase1 pathway in cardiac patients. METHODS: Six cycles of RIP were carried out in 14 patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Blood samples were taken at 13 timepoints during surgery and at three timepoints after surgery for determining serum levels of RNase1, eRNA, and TNF-α. Trans-cardiac gradients between the myocardial blood inflow and outflow were calculated. RESULTS: Between the fourth and the sixth RIP cycles, a noticeable increase in the levels of eRNA (fourth: 151.6 (SD: 44.2) ng/ml vs sixth: 181.8 (SD: 87.5) ng/ml, p = .071), and a significant increase in RNase1 (fourth: 151.1 (SD: 42.6) U/ml vs sixth: 175.3 (SD: 41.2) U/ml, p = .001), were noted. The trans-cardiac gradients of RNase1 and eRNA before and after ischemia were not significantly different (p = .158 and p = .221; p = .397 and p = .683, respectively). Likewise, the trans-cardiac gradient of TNF-α was similar before and after ischemia. During the first 48 h after the surgery, RNase1 activity rose significantly and exceeded baseline values (135.7 (SD: 40.6) U/ml before and 279.2 (SD: 85.6) U/ml after surgery, p = .001) as did eRNA levels (148,6 (SD: 35.4) ng/ml before and 396.5 (SD: 154.5) ng/ml after surgery, p = .005), whereas TNF-α levels decreased significantly (91.7 (SD: 47.7) pg/ml before and 35.7 (SD: 36.9) pg/ml after surgery, p = .001). CONCLUSION: Six RIP cycles increased the RNase1 levels significantly above those observed with four cycles. More clinical data are required to show whether this translates into a benefit for patients.

Pre-surgery optimization of patients' expectations to improve outcome in heart surgery: Study protocol of the randomized controlled multi-center PSY-HEART-II trial.

The PSY-HEART-I trial indicated that a brief expectation-focused intervention prior to heart surgery improves disability and quality of life 6 months after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). However, to investigate the clinical utility of such an intervention, a large multi-center trial is needed to generalize the results and their implications for the health care system. The PSY-HEART-II study aims to examine whether a preoperative psychological intervention targeting patients' expectations (EXPECT) can improve outcomes 6 months after CABG (with or without heart valve replacement). EXPECT will be compared to Standard of Care (SOC) and an intervention providing emotional support without targeting expectations (SUPPORT). In a 3-arm multi-center randomized, controlled, prospective trial (RCT), N = 567 patients scheduled for CABG surgery will be randomized to either SOC alone or SOC and EXPECT or SOC and SUPPORT. Patients will be randomized with a fixed unbalanced ratio of 3:3:1 (EXPECT: SUPPORT: SOC) to compare EXPECT to SOC and EXPECT to SUPPORT. Both psychological interventions consist of 2 in-person sessions (à 50 minute), 2 phone consultations (à 20 minute) during the week prior to surgery, and 1 booster phone consultation post-surgery 6 weeks later. Assessment will occur at baseline approx. 3-10 days before surgery, preoperatively the day before surgery, 4-6 days later, and 6 months after surgery. The study's primary end point will be patients' illness-related disability 6 months after surgery. Secondary outcomes will be patients' expectations, subjective illness beliefs, quality of life, length of hospital stay and blood sample parameters (eg, inflammatory parameters such as IL-6, IL-8, CRP). This large multi-center trial has the potential to corroborate and generalize the promising results of the PSY-HEART-I trial for routine care of cardiac surgery patients, and to stimulate revisions of treatment guidelines in heart surgery.

German Heart Surgery Report 2021: The Annual Updated Registry of the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.

Based on a longtime voluntary registry, founded by the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (GSTCVS) in 1980, well-defined data of all cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgery procedures performed in 78 German heart surgery departments during the year 2021 are analyzed. Under more than extraordinary conditions of the further ongoing worldwide coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a total of 161,261 procedures were submitted to the registry. In total, 92,838 of these operations are summarized as heart surgery procedures in a classical sense. The unadjusted in-hospital survival rate for the 27,947 isolated coronary artery bypass grafting procedures (relationship on-/off-pump 3.2:1) was 97.3%. For the 36,714 isolated heart valve procedures (19,242 transcatheter interventions included) it was 96.7 and 99.0% for the registered pacemaker and International Classification of Diseases (ICD) procedures (19,490), respectively. Concerning short- and long-term circulatory support, a total of 3,404 ECLS/ECMO implantations and 750 assist device implantations (L-/ R-/ BVAD, TAH), respectively were registered. In 2021 329 isolated heart transplantations, 254 isolated lung transplantations, and one combined heart-lung transplantations were performed.This annually updated registry of the GSTCVS represents voluntary public reporting by accumulating actual information for nearly all heart surgical procedures in Germany, constitutes advancements in heart medicine and represents a basis for quality management for all participating institutions. In addition, the registry demonstrates that the provision of cardiac surgery in Germany is up to date, appropriate, and nationwide patient treatment is guaranteed all the time.

[Physician Assistants - Eine effektive und sinnvolle Erweiterung des herzchirurgischen Behandlungsteams]. / Positionspapier der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Thorax-, Herz- und Gefäßchirurgie zum Einsatz von Physician Assistants in der Herzchirurgie.

High-quality care of cardiac surgical patients requires the employment and recruiting of qualified medical professionals with minimal fluctuation of staff members. This aspect becomes increasingly difficult due to the current shortage of skilled professionals as well as the present framework conditions of the German Healthcare System. The implementation of physician assistants (PA) in cardiac surgery departments may augment existing human resource concepts in an innovative and sustainable manner, tailored to meet department specific requirements. Long-term experiences from Anglo-American countries prove that the implementation of a PA system may stabilize or potentially even improve medical treatment quality. At the same time, cardiac surgical residents may be relieved from routine tasks, releasing additional time resources for a solid and diverse specialist training. Furthermore, positive effects on economic aspects of an institution may be possible. The required delegation of medical tasks to allied health professionals already has a legal basis in Germany, while a specific legal framework tailored to physician assistants does not exist yet. In this context, it is an important aspect that medical associations define a reliable catalog of tasks that may be delegated to physician assistants. Under evaluation of medical, legal and economic aspects and in a structured manner, this position paper defines medical tasks of physician assistants in cardiac surgery.

Rationale and Initiative of the Impella in Cardiac Surgery (ImCarS) Register Platform.

OBJECTIVES: Cardiac support systems are being used increasingly more due to the growing prevalence of heart failure and cardiogenic shock. Reducing cardiac afterload, intracardiac pressure, and flow support are important factors. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and intracardiac microaxial pump systems (Impella) as non-permanent MCS (mechanical circulatory support) are being used increasingly. METHODS: We reviewed the recent literature and developed an international European registry for non-permanent MCS. RESULTS: Life-threatening conditions that are observed preoperatively often include reduced left ventricular function, systemic hypoperfusion, myocardial infarction, acute and chronic heart failure, myocarditis, and valve vitia. Postoperative complications that are commonly observed include severe systemic inflammatory response, ischemia-reperfusion injury, trauma-related disorders, which ultimately may lead to low cardiac output (CO) syndrome and organ dysfunctions, which necessitates a prolonged ICU stay. Choosing the appropriate device for support is critical. The management strategies and complications differ by system. The "heart-team" approach is inevitably needed.However despite previous efforts to elucidate these topics, it remains largely unclear which patients benefit from certain systems, when is the right time to initiate (MCS), which support system is appropriate, what is the optimal level and type of support, which therapeutic additive and supportive strategies should be considered and ultimately, what are the future prospects and therapeutic developments. CONCLUSION: The European cardiac surgical register ImCarS has been established as an IIT with the overall aim to evaluate data received from the daily clinical practice in cardiac surgery. Interested colleagues are cordially invited to join the register. CLINICAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: DRKS00024560. POSITIVE ETHICS VOTE: AZ 246/20 Faculty of Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University-Gießen.

Coronary Artery Disease as a Relevant Risk Factor in Screening of Abdominal Aortic Ectasia and Aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and abdominal aortic ectasia (AAE) in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients in a multicenter setting to obtain significant data to establish an AAA screening program in our departments. METHODS: Between January and September 2016, 500 patients with suspected or diagnosed CAD planned for coronary angiography or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) underwent a sonographic examination of the infrarenal abdominal aorta to diagnose AAA or AAE. We calculated the prevalence of AAA and AAE in patients diagnosed of CAD and investigated factors potentially associated with the occurrence of AAA. RESULTS: The overall prevalence in all grades of CAD for AAE was 35.1% and for AAA 5.4%. In patients with three-vessel CAD, the prevalence of AAE was 34% and of AAA 6.8%. Significant correlation was found between the three-vessel CAD and AAA (p = 0.039). The logistic regression analysis showed significant correlation between AAA and age > 65 years (p = 0.05). The multivariate analysis of risk factors and CAD revealed significant correlations between one-vessel CAD and arterial hypertension (AH) (p = 0.004) and age > 65 years (p = 0.001) as well as between three-vessel CAD and AH (p = 0.01), peripheral artery disease (p = 0.01), and age > 65 years (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Our results confirm, that in comparison to other data, the prevalence of AAA in patients with CAD is high. Thus, it is recommended to include patients with CAD, especially elderly patients with three-vessel CAD, in future AAA screening programs.

The Same is Not the Same: Device Effect during Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Different ablation devices deliver the same type of energy but use individual control mechanisms to estimate efficacy. We compared patient outcome after the application of radiofrequency ablation systems, using temperature- or resistance-control in paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: This is an unselected all-comers study. Patients underwent standardized left atrial (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, [PAF] n = 31) or biatrial ablation (persistent atrial fibrillation [persAF] n = 61) with bipolar RF from October 2010 to June 2013. Patients with left atrial dilatation (up to 57 mm), reduced left ventricular (LV) function, and elderly were included. We used resistance-controlled (RC) or temperature-controlled (TC) devices. We amputated atrial appendices and checked intraoperatively for completeness of pulmonary vein exit block. All patients received implantable loop recorders. Follow-up interval was every 6 months. Antiarrhythmic medical treatment endured up to month 6. RESULTS: We reached 100% freedom from atrial fibrillation (FAF) in PAF. In perAF 19% of the RC but 82% of the TC patients reached FAF (12 months; p < 0.05). TC patients exhibited higher creatine kinase-muscle/brain (CK-MB) peak values. In persAF, CK-MB-levels correlated to FAF. No and no mortality (30 days) was evident. Twelve-month mortality did not correlate to AF type, AF duration, LV dimension, or function and age. Prolonged need of oral anticoagulants was 90.1% (RC) and 4.5% (TC). CONCLUSION: In patients with persAF undergoing RF ablation, TC reached higher FAF than RC. Medical devices are not "the same" regarding effectiveness even if used according to manufacturer's instructions. Thus, putative application of "the same" energy is not always "the same" efficacy.

Influence of Left Atrial Appendage Amputation on Natriuretic Peptides-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Closure or amputation of the left atrial appendage (LAA) is a common therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF). As the LAA is a hormone-producing organ, however, amputation is still somewhat controversial. We examined patients after surgical AF therapy with or without LAA amputation to determine the influence of LAA amputation on pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (proANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) plasma levels and on clinical severity of heart failure. METHODS: Twenty-one consecutive patients were prospectively randomized to either undergo LAA amputation (n = 10) or no LAA amputation (n = 11) between 05/2015 and 10/2015. All patients underwent coronary and/or valve surgery and concomitant AF surgery with either cryoablation (n = 3) or radio frequency ablation (n = 17). ProANP and BNP levels were measured preoperatively and until 800 days postoperatively. RESULTS: Baseline proANP values were comparable between the groups (without LAA amputation: 4.2 ± 2.1 nmol/L, with LAA amputation: 5.6 ± 3.6 nmol/L). Postoperatively, proANP levels rose markedly in both groups. Even after LAA amputation, proANP levels remained elevated for 7 days postoperatively but fell to baseline levels at day 31 and remained on baseline level at 800 days postoperatively. ProANP levels in the LAA amputation group (5.8-9.7 nmol/L) were not significantly lower than in the group without LAA amputation (9.2-14.1 nmol/L; p = 0.357). BNP levels also rose after surgery in both groups until day 7. At 800 days after surgery, BNP levels were back at baseline levels in both groups. Clinical follow-up at 2 years postoperatively showed no difference in heart failure symptoms or need for heart failure medication between the groups. CONCLUSION: In contrast to commonly held beliefs about the endocrine and reservoir functions of the LAA, there seems to be no clinically relevant detrimental effect of LAA amputation on natriuretic peptide levels and severity of heart failure until up to 2 years postoperatively.

Five-Year Outcome After Off-Pump or On-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Elderly Patients.

BACKGROUND: The 30-day and 1-year follow-up analysis of the GOPCABE trial (German Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Elderly Patients) revealed no significant difference in the composite end point consisting of death, stroke, myocardial infarction, new renal replacement therapy, or repeat revascularization. The 5-year follow-up data of this trial are reported here. METHODS: From June 2008 to September 2011, a total of 2539 patients aged ≥75 years were randomly assigned to undergo off-pump or on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at 12 centers in Germany. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 5 years. The secondary 5-year outcomes were a composite of death, myocardial infarction, and repeat revascularization. Furthermore, the impact of complete versus incomplete revascularization was assessed. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 5 years, 361 patients (31%) assigned to off-pump CABG and 352 patients (30%) assigned to on-pump CABG had died (hazard ratio off-pump/on-pump CABG, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.89-1.19; P=0.71). The composite outcome of death, myocardial infarction, and repeat revascularization occurred in 397 (34%) after off-pump and in 389 (33%) after on-pump CABG (hazard ratio, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.89-1.18; P=0.704). Incomplete revascularization occurred in 403 (34%) patients randomly assigned to off-pump and 354 (29%) patients randomly assigned to on-pump CABG ( P<0.001). Five-year survival rates were 72% (95% CI, 67-76) with incomplete versus 76% (95% CI, 74-80) with complete revascularization (log-rank test: P=0.02) after off-pump CABG and 72% (95% CI, 67-76) versus 77% (95% CI, 74-80) after on-pump CABG (log-rank test: P=0.03), respectively. Cox regression analysis revealed a hazard ratio incomplete/complete revascularization of 1.19 (95% CI, 1.01-1.39; P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In elderly patients ≥75 years of age, the 5-year survival rates and the combined outcome of death, myocardial infarction, and repeat revascularization, as well, were similar after on-pump and off-pump CABG. Incomplete revascularization was associated with a lower 5-year survival rate, irrespective of the type of surgery. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT00719667.

Fibrin-Coated Collagen Fleece Seems to Prevent Sternal Instability after Cardiac Surgery: A Matched Pair Data Analysis.

BACKGROUND: To examine if fibrin-coated collagen fleece (Tachosil) interferes with bone and wound healing when it is used on the cut surface of the sternum after median sternotomy. METHODS: A total of 25 patients with osteoporotic sternal disorders were treated with fibrin-coated collagen fleece at the cut surface of the sternum after median sternotomy (therapy group). We compared the occurrence of impaired wound healing and sternal instability, reoperation rate, and 30-day mortality with a control group of 25 case-matched patients. After matching for age, gender, and risk factors for sternal instability (diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, body mass index, nicotine consumption), both groups were comparable. RESULTS: Sternal instability occurred in one (4%) patient in the study group and in five (20%) patients in the control group. Impaired wound healing occurred in one (4%) patient in the therapy group and two (8%) patients in the control group. Reoperation was necessary in four (16%) patients in the therapy group and 6 (24%) patients in the control group. The 30-day mortality occurred in six (24%) patients in the therapy group and four (16%) patients in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of fibrin-coated collagen fleece on the cut surface of the sternum in patients with osteoporosis does not impair bone and wound healing. Furthermore, it seems to result in less sternal instability. A larger prospective study is necessary to verify the results of this explorative study.

Predicting Cardiac Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury Using a Combination of Clinical Risk Scores and Urinary Biomarkers.

BACKGROUND: Prediction, early diagnosis, and therapy of cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) are challenging. We prospectively tested a staged approach to identify patients at high risk for CSA-AKI combining clinical risk stratification and early postoperative quantification of urinary biomarkers for AKI. METHODS: All patients, excluding those on chronic hemodialysis, undergoing scheduled surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass between August 2015 and July 2016 were included. First, patients were stratified by calculating the Cleveland clinic score (CCS) and the Leicester score (LS). In high-risk patients (defined as LS > 25 or CCS > 6), urinary concentrations of biomarkers for AKI ([TIMP-2]*[IGFBP-7]) were evaluated 4 hours postoperatively. CSA-AKI was observed until postoperative day 6 and classified using the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria. RESULTS: AKI occurred in 352 of613 patients (54%). In high-risk patients, AKI occurred more frequently than in low-risk patients (66 vs. 49%; p = 0.001). In-hospital mortality after AKI stage 2 (15%) or AKI stage 3 (49%) compared with patients without AKI (1.8%; p = 0.001) was increased. LS was predictive for all stages of AKI (area under the curve [AUC] 0.601; p < 0.001) with a poor or fair accuracy, while CCS was only predictive for stage 2 or 3 AKI (AUC 0.669; p < 0.001) with fair accuracy. In 133 high-risk patients, urinary [TIMP-2]*[IGFBP-7] was significantly predictive for all-stage AKI within 24 hours postoperatively (AUC 0.63; p = 0.017). However, for the majority of AKI (55%), which occurred beyond 24 hours postoperatively, urinary [TIMP-2]*[IGFBP-7] was not significantly predictive. Sensitivity for all-stage AKI within 24 hours was 0.38 and specificity was 0.81 using a cutoff value of 0.3. CONCLUSION: CSA-AKI is a relevant and frequent complication after cardiac surgery. Patients at high risk for CSA-AKI can be identified using clinical prediction scores, however, with only poor to fair accuracy. Due to its weak test performance, urinary [TIMP-2]*[IGFBP-7] quantification 4 hours postoperatively does not add to the predictive value of clinical scores.

New noninvasive methodology to measure cardiac output in veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac output (CO) measurement is vital in veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patient population to evaluate oxygen delivery and to early identify right heart failure. Standard clinical methods like pulmonary artery thermodilution and transpulmonary thermodilution are known to be inaccurate in the veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation setting, especially at high levels of recirculation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to develop a simple noninvasive method to measure CO in patients during veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. METHODS: A mathematical model was developed where CO was analyzed as a combination of two flows: oxygenated blood from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and less oxygenated mixed venous blood. The system of two mass balance equations for oxygen saturations was introduced to calculate CO. The procedure included measurement of recirculation (ELSA Monitor Transonic Systems Inc. Ithaca, USA) and arterial saturation at two extracorporeal membrane oxygenation flows after temporary pump flow decrease. Mathematic modeling that utilized a crude Monte Carlo method was used to analyze theoretical errors in CO calculations from unknown behavior of venous saturation. The developed concept was retrospectively applied to clinical data archive of 17 adult patients on veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation that included 52 measurement sessions. RESULTS: Mathematical modeling suggests that proportion of results with error ⩽10% was between 86% and 100% if pre-oxygenated saturation was available and it was between 78% and 86% if pre-oxygenated saturation was not available. Application of two mass balance equation concept to clinical data suggests that as the decrease of the arterial saturation reaches 6% due to flow decrease, then CO calculations becomes highly reliable as 96% (2 standard deviations) of the results has a reproducibility within 6.4%. CONCLUSION: The mathematical model and clinical retrospective analysis demonstrates that the new methodology has the potential to accurately measure CO in veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients. The next step is validation in animal and clinical settings.

Patients' pre- and postoperative expectations as predictors of clinical outcomes six months after cardiac surgery.

The aim of this study was to investigate not only preoperative expectations (as shown previously), but also postoperative expectations of patients predict clinical outcomes six months after cardiac surgery. Furthermore, the study sought to examine illness behavior as a possible pathway through which expectations may affect postoperative well-being. Seventy patients scheduled for cardiac surgery were examined one day before surgery, ~7-10 days after surgery, and six months after surgery. Regression analyses indicated that disability at follow-up (primary outcome) was significantly predicted by postoperative (ß = -.342, p = .008), but not by preoperative expectations (ß = -.213, p = .069). Similar results were found for the secondary outcomes, i.e. quality of life and depressive symptoms. A bootstrapped mediation analysis showed that although both postoperative expectations and illness behavior had significant unique effects on disability, there was no significant mediation effect. While previous studies have mainly focused on patients' preoperative expectations, the present is the first to emphasize the predictive value of patients' expectations a few days after surgery, pointing to the potential of interventions targeting postoperative expectations. However, given the non-significant results of the mediation analysis, it remains unclear how exactly patients' expectations affect clinical outcomes in cardiac surgery.

Influence of Medication-Induced Preconditioning or Remote Ischemic Preconditioning on the Intrinsic Vascular Extracellular RNA/Ribonuclease System in Cardioprotection.

BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) increases ribonuclease (RNase) levels and protects the heart by reducing extracellular ribonucleic acid (eRNA). As medication-induced preconditioning (MIPC) is also a powerful tool for cardioprotection, we examined the influence of both types of preconditioning on the eRNA/RNase system. METHODS: In 17 male rats, RIPC (3 × 5 minute hind-leg ischemia) or MIPC (isoflurane and buprenorphine anesthesia) was performed. Five rats served as control and did not undergo preconditioning (non-MIPC). After preconditioning, eRNA levels and RNase activity were determined in plasma, and the hearts were mounted on a blood-perfused Langendorff ischemia/reperfusion apparatus. Hemodynamic, metabolic, and electron microscopic parameters were determined. Furthermore, MIPC with one anesthetic drug only (isoflurane, buprenorphine, or etomidate) was induced in another five rats. After 30 minutes, eRNA levels and RNase activity were determined and compared with an RIPC group (n = 5). RESULTS: The plasma of RIPC-treated rats had higher RNase activity and lower eRNA levels than that of MIPC-treated rats. In addition, RIPC increased RNase activity more than MIPC with one drug alone. The RNase activity and eRNA levels in these MIPC groups differed considerably. Hemodynamic parameters of RIPC- and MIPC-treated hearts were better preserved after 90-minute ischemia than those of non-MIPC hearts. No obvious differences were noted between MIPC and RIPC regarding hemodynamics, metabolism, or structural parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that RIPC does not have any additional cardioprotective benefit in this experimental system. However, the influence of RIPC on the eRNA/RNase system was greater than that of MIPC.