Relation of Vasoplegia in the Absence of Primary Graft Dysfunction to Mortality Following Cardiac Transplantation.

Vasoplegia following cardiac transplantation is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Previous studies have not accounted for primary graft dysfunction (PGD). The definition of vasoplegia is based on pressor requirement at 48 hours, many PGD parameters may have normalized after the initial 24 hours on inotropes. We surmised that the purported negative effects of vasoplegia following transplantation may in part be driven by PGD. We reviewed 240 consecutive adult cardiac transplants at our center between 2012 and 2016. The severity of vasoplegia was evaluated as a risk factor for 1-year survival, and the analysis was repeated for the subgroup of 177 patients who did not develop PGD. Overall, 63 (26%) of patients developed mild, moderate, or severe PGD. In those without PGD, vasoplegia was associated with length of stay but not with short- or long-term mortality. Moderate and/or severe vasoplegia occurred in 35 (15%) patients and was associated with higher short-term mortality, length of stay, and PGD. Multivariate logistic regression identified body mass index ≥35 kg/m2, left ventricular assist device before transplantation, and use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as joint risk factors for vasoplegia. In patients without PGD, only left ventricular assist device before transplantation was associated with vasoplegia. In conclusion, our results show that, in the sizeable subgroup of patients with no signs of PGD, vasoplegia had a much more modest impact on post-transplant morbidity and no significant effect on 1- and 3-year survival. This suggests that PGD may be a confounder when assessing vasoplegia as a risk factor for adverse outcomes.

Vasoplegia After Surgical Left Ventricular Restoration: 2-Year Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: Vasoplegia is a severe complication that can develop after surgical procedures for heart failure. The current study evaluated the effect of vasoplegia on survival, cardiac function, and renal function 2 years after surgical left ventricular restoration (SVR). METHODS: Heart failure patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 0.35 or less who underwent SVR in 2006 to 2014 were included. Vasoplegia was defined as the continuous need of vasopressors (norepinephrine ≥0.2 µg · kg-1 · min-1 or terlipressin [any dose], or both) combined with a cardiac index of 2.2 L · min-1 · m-2 or higher for at least 12 consecutive hours, starting within the first 3 days postoperatively. The effect of vasoplegia on mortality, New York Heart Association Functional Classification, LVEF, and creatinine clearance was assessed up to 2 years of follow-up. RESULTS: SVR was performed in 113 patients (80% men), aged 62 ± 10 years, and with an LVEF of 0.25 ± 0.06. Postoperative vasoplegia developed in 23%. Survival was lower in patients with vasoplegia compared with patients without vasoplegia at 6 months (62% vs 90%, p = 0.001) and at 2 years (50% versus 84%, p < 0.001). At the 2-year follow-up, New York Heart Association class and LVEF had improved and were similar in both groups (respectively, p = 0.319 and p = 0.444). Creatinine clearance was lower in patients with vasoplegia compared with patients without vasoplegia 2 years postoperatively (p < 0.001), even after correcting for baseline creatinine clearance (p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Vasoplegia after SVR is associated with decreased survival. Despite an improved and similar cardiac function, renal function was compromised in vasoplegic patients at the 2-year follow-up.

Determinants and Outcomes of Vasoplegia Following Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

BACKGROUND: Vasoplegia is associated with adverse outcomes following cardiac surgery; however, its impact following left ventricular assist device implantation is largely unexplored. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 252 consecutive patients receiving a left ventricular assist device, vasoplegia was defined as the occurrence of normal cardiac function and index but with the need for intravenous vasopressors within 48 hours following surgery for >24 hours to maintain a mean arterial pressure >70 mm Hg. We further categorized vasoplegia as none; mild, requiring 1 vasopressor (vasopressin, norepinephrine, or high-dose epinephrine [>5 µg/min]); or moderate to severe, requiring ≥2 vasopressors. Predictors of vasoplegia severity were determined using a cumulative logit (ordinal logistic regression) model, and 1-year mortality was evaluated using competing-risks survival analysis. In total, 67 (26.6%) patients developed mild vasoplegia and 57 (22.6%) developed moderate to severe vasoplegia. The multivariable model for vasoplegia severity utilized preoperative Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) profile, central venous pressure, systolic blood pressure, and intraoperative cardiopulmonary bypass time, which yielded an area under the curve of 0.76. Although no significant differences were noted in stroke or pump thrombosis rates (P=0.87 and P=0.66, respectively), respiratory failure and major bleeding increased with vasoplegia severity (P<0.01). Those with moderate to severe vasoplegia had a significantly higher risk of mortality than those without vasoplegia (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-4.18; P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Vasoplegia is predictive of unfavorable outcomes, including mortality. Risk factors for future research include preoperative INTERMACS profile, central venous pressure, systolic blood pressure, and intraoperative cardiopulmonary bypass time.

Methylene Blue for Vasoplegic Syndrome After Cardiac Operation: Early Administration Improves Survival.

BACKGROUND: Vasoplegic syndrome, defined by hypotension despite normal or increased cardiac output, is associated with high mortality rate after cardiopulmonary bypass. Methylene blue (MB) is reported to ameliorate vasoplegic syndrome through the nitric oxide pathway. We hypothesized that early administration of MB would improve outcomes in patients with vasoplegic syndrome after cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: All patients that underwent cardiopulmonary bypass at our institution (Jan 1, 2011 to Jun 30, 2016) were identified through our Society of Thoracic Surgery database. Pharmacy records identified patients receiving MB within 72 hours of cardiopulmonary bypass. Multivariate logistic regression identified predictors of major adverse events among patients receiving MB. RESULTS: A total of 118 cardiopulmonary bypass patients (3.3%) received MB for vasoplegic syndrome. These patients had a higher incidence of comorbidities, and these cases were more commonly reoperative (76.1% versus 41.2%, p < 0.0001) and complex (70.3% versus 31.8%, p < 0.0001). The only difference in preoperative medications was that MB patients had a higher rate of amiodarone use (15.3% versus 2.2%, p < 0.0001). MB patients had significantly higher rates of postoperative complications, except atrial fibrillation. Early (operating room, 40.7%) versus late (intensive care unit, 59.3%) administration of MB was associated with significantly reduced operative mortality rate (10.4% versus 28.6%, p = 0.018) and risk-adjusted major adverse events (odd ratio 0.35, p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Operative mortality rate is high in patients receiving MB for the treatment of vasoplegia after cardiopulmonary bypass. Early administration of MB improves survival and reduces the risk-adjusted rate of major adverse events in these patients.

Cardiopulmonary bypass increases the risk of vasoplegic syndrome after coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with dialysis-dependent chronic renal failure / O uso da circulação extracorpórea aumenta o risco de síndrome vasoplégica em pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica hemodialítica submetidos à revascularização cirúrgica do miocárdio

AbstractObjective:Coronary artery bypass grafting is currently the best treatment for dialysis patients with multivessel coronary artery involvement. Vasoplegic syndrome of inflammatory etiology constitutes an important postoperative complication, with highly negative impact on prognosis. Considering that these patients have an intrinsic inflammatory response exacerbation, our goal was to evaluate the incidence and mortality of vasoplegic syndrome after myocardial revascularization in this group.Methods:A retrospective, single-center study of 50 consecutive and non-selected dialysis patients who underwent myocardial revascularization in a tertiary university hospital, from 2007 to 2012. The patients were divided into 2 groups, according to the use of cardiopulmonary bypass or not (off-pump coronary artery bypass). The incidence and mortality of vasoplegic syndrome were analyzed. The subgroup of vasoplegic patients was studied separately.Results:There were no preoperative demographic differences between the cardiopulmonary bypass (n=20) and off-pump coronary artery bypass (n=30) group. Intraoperative data showed a greater number of distal coronary arteries anastomosis (2.8 vs. 1.8, P<0.0001) and higher transfusion rates (65% vs. 23%, P=0.008) in the cardiopulmonary bypass group. Vasoplegia incidence was statistically higher (P=0.0124) in the cardiopulmonary bypass group (30%) compared to the off-pump coronary artery bypass group (3%). Vasoplegia mortality was 50% in the cardiopulmonary bypass group and 0% in the off-pump coronary artery bypass group. The vasoplegic subgroup analysis showed no statistically significant clinical differences.Conclusion:Cardiopulmonary bypass increased the risk for developing postoperative vasoplegic syndrome after coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with dialysis-dependent chronic renal failure.

ResumoObjetivo:O melhor tratamento atual para os pacientes dialíticos com acometimento coronariano multiarterial é a revascularização cirúrgica do miocárdio. Dentre as complicações pós-operatórias, a síndrome vasoplégica de etiopatogenia inflamatória torna-se importante pelo impacto altamente negativo no prognóstico. Considerando que esses pacientes possuem uma exacerbação intrínseca da resposta inflamatória, nosso objetivo foi avaliar a incidência e a mortalidade da síndrome vasoplégica no pós-operatório de revascularização miocárdica nesse grupo.Métodos:Estudo retrospectivo, unicêntrico, de 50 pacientes dialíticos consecutivos e não selecionados, submetidos à revascularização miocárdica, em um hospital terciário universitário, no período de 2007 a 2012. Esses pacientes foram divididos em 2 grupos, de acordo com o emprego ou não da circulação extracorpórea. A incidência e a mortalidade da vasoplegia foram analisadas nos grupos. Após a identificação dos pacientes quanto à presença de vasoplegia, este subgrupo foi estudado separadamente.Resultados:Não houve diferenças demográficas pré-operatórias entre os grupos com circulação extracorpórea (n=20) e sem circulação extracorpórea (n=30). Dados intraoperatórios demonstraram maior número de artérias coronárias revascularizadas (2,8 vs. 1,8; P<0,0001) e maior necessidade de transfusão (65% vs. 23%; P=0,008) no grupo circulação extracorpórea. A incidência de vasoplegia foi estatisticamente maior (P=0,0124) no grupo circulação extracorpórea (30%) em comparação ao grupo sem circulação extracorpórea (3%). A mortalidade dos pacientes com vasoplegia foi 50% no grupo circulação extracorpórea e 0% no grupo sem circulação extracorpórea. A análise do subgrupo vasoplégico não demonstrou diferenças clínicas estatisticamente significantes.Conclusão:O emprego da circulação extracorpórea na revascularização cirúrgica do miocárdio em pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica dialítica aumentou o risco para desenvolvimento de síndrome vasoplégica pós-operatória.

Cardiopulmonary bypass increases the risk of vasoplegic syndrome after coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with dialysis-dependent chronic renal failure.

OBJECTIVE: Coronary artery bypass grafting is currently the best treatment for dialysis patients with multivessel coronary artery involvement. Vasoplegic syndrome of inflammatory etiology constitutes an important postoperative complication, with highly negative impact on prognosis. Considering that these patients have an intrinsic inflammatory response exacerbation, our goal was to evaluate the incidence and mortality of vasoplegic syndrome after myocardial revascularization in this group. METHODS: A retrospective, single-center study of 50 consecutive and non-selected dialysis patients who underwent myocardial revascularization in a tertiary university hospital, from 2007 to 2012. The patients were divided into 2 groups, according to the use of cardiopulmonary bypass or not (off-pump coronary artery bypass). The incidence and mortality of vasoplegic syndrome were analyzed. The subgroup of vasoplegic patients was studied separately. RESULTS: There were no preoperative demographic differences between the cardiopulmonary bypass (n=20) and off-pump coronary artery bypass (n=30) group. Intraoperative data showed a greater number of distal coronary arteries anastomosis (2.8 vs. 1.8, P<0.0001) and higher transfusion rates (65% vs. 23%, P=0.008) in the cardiopulmonary bypass group. Vasoplegia incidence was statistically higher (P=0.0124) in the cardiopulmonary bypass group (30%) compared to the off-pump coronary artery bypass group (3%). Vasoplegia mortality was 50% in the cardiopulmonary bypass group and 0% in the off-pump coronary artery bypass group. The vasoplegic subgroup analysis showed no statistically significant clinical differences. CONCLUSION: Cardiopulmonary bypass increased the risk for developing postoperative vasoplegic syndrome after coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with dialysis-dependent chronic renal failure.

Methylene blue is associated with poor outcomes in vasoplegic shock.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether patients who received methylene blue as treatment for vasoplegia during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass had decreased morbidity and mortality. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Single tertiary care university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients who suffered from vasoplegia and underwent all types of cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass at this institution between 2007 and 2008. INTERVENTIONS: With IRB approval, the authors reviewed the charts of the identified patients and divided them into 2 groups based on whether they had received methylene blue. Two hundred twenty-six patients were identified who met the inclusion criteria for the study. Fifty-seven of these patients had received methylene blue for vasoplegia. The authors collected data on preoperative and intraoperative variables as well as outcomes. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The patients who received methylene blue had higher rates of in-hospital mortality, a compilation of morbidities, as well as renal failure and hyperbilirubinemia. A multiple logistic regression model demonstrated that receiving methylene blue was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (p value: 0.007, OR 4.26, 95% CI: 1.49-12.12), compilation of morbidities (p value: 0.001, OR 4.80, 95% CI: 1.85-12.43), and hyperbilirubinemia (p value:<0.001, OR 6.58, 95% CI: 2.91-14.89). Using propensity score matching, the association with morbidity was again seen but the association with mortality was not found. CONCLUSIONS: The current study identified the use of methylene blue as treatment for vasoplegia to be independently associated with poor outcomes. While further studies are required, a thorough risk-benefit analysis should be applied before using methylene blue and, perhaps, it should be relegated to rescue use and not as first-line therapy.

Perioperative infusion of low- dose of vasopressin for prevention and management of vasodilatory vasoplegic syndrome in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting-A double-blind randomized study.

Preoperative medication by inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in coronary artery patients predisposes to vasoplegic shock early after coronary artery bypass grafting. Although in the majority of the cases this shock is mild, in some of them it appears as a situation, "intractable" to high-catecholamine dose medication. In this study we examined the possible role of prophylactic infusion of low-dose vasopressin, during and for the four hours post-bypass after cardiopulmonary bypass, in an effort to prevent this syndrome. In addition, we studied the influence of infused vasopressin on the hemodynamics of the patients, as well as on the postoperative urine-output and blood-loss. In our study 50 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were included in a blind-randomized basis. Two main criteria were used for the eligibility of patients for coronary artery bypass grafting: ejection fraction between 30-40%, and patients receiving ACE inhibitors, at least for four weeks preoperatively. The patients were randomly divided in two groups, the group A who were infused with 0.03 IU/min vasopressin and the group B who were infused with normal saline intraoperativelly and for the 4 postoperative hours. Measurements of mean artery pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), ejection fracture (EF), heart rate (HR), mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP), cardiac index (CI) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) were performed before, during, and after the operation. The requirements of catecholamine support, the urine-output, the blood-loss, and the requirements in blood, plasma and platelets for the first 24 hours were included in the data collected. The incidence of vasodilatory shock was significantly lower (8% vs 20%) in group A and B respectively (p = 0,042). Generally, the mortality was 12%, exclusively deriving from group B. Postoperatively, significant higher values of MAP, CVP, SVR and EF were recorded in the patients of group A, compared to those of group B. In group A norepinephrine was necessary in fewer patients (p = 0.002) and with a lower mean dose (p = 0.0001), additive infusion of epinephrine was needed in fewer patients (p = 0.001), while both were infused for a significant shorter infusion-period (p = 0.0001). Vasopressin administration (for group A) was associated with a higher 24 hour diuresis) (0.0001).In conclusion, low-dose of infused vasopressin during cardiopulmonary bypass and for the next 4 hours is beneficial for its postoperative hemodynamic profile, reduces the doses of requirements of catecholamines and contributes to prevention of the postcardiotomy vasoplegic shock in the patient with low ejection fraction who is receiving ACE preoperatively.