A population-based analysis of endovascular aortic stent graft therapy in patients with liver cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) are effective and minimally invasive treatments for high-risk surgical candidates. However, information about the management of EVAR and TEVAR in liver cirrhosis (LC) is lacking. The aim of our study was to evaluate outcomes after EVAR and TEVAR in patients with LC. METHODS: Using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, we retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent EVAR and TEVAR therapy between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2013. RESULTS: A total of 146 patients with LC and 730 matched patients without LC were eligible for analysis after propensity score matching. In-hospital mortality and perioperative complications were not statistically significantly different between the two cohorts, although the LC group had an increased volume of blood transfusion and a trend toward a lower survival rate (P of stratified Cox = .092). However, patients with LC had a higher adjusted hazard ratio for death (1.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.31-2.12; P < .001) in the sensitivity analysis by traditional multivariable adjustment. The LC cohort had a higher risk of liver-related death (4.1% vs 0.7%; P = .001) and liver-related readmission (6.2% vs 0.3%; P < .001). As expected, the advanced LC group had a higher mortality rate than the early LC group (P = .022). The risk for reintervention, redo open aortic surgery (P = .859), and redo stent graft therapy (P = .179) was not statistically significantly different between the two cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term results after EVAR and TEVAR are promising in patients with LC, despite poor long-term outcomes, because of the nature of LC. Innovations in endovascular therapy for aortic disease have improved surgical outcomes, even in high-risk patients with LC.

Preoperative Right Ventricular Dysfunction Indicates High Vasoactive Support Needed After Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between preoperative right ventricular (RV) function and high vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) after cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: A single medical center setting. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred three patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Consecutive patients referred for cardiac surgery were enrolled prospectively. Comprehensive transesophageal echocardiography was performed before sternal incision. Specific RV indices, encompassing RV fractional area change, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, and RV global longitudinal strain (RVGLS), were measured offline. High VIS was defined as a maximum VIS of ≥20 in 24 hours postoperatively. Postoperative adverse events were recorded. One hundred three patients (mean age 61.2 ± 11.0, 72 men) were included in this study, where 17 patients (16.5%) achieved high VIS with a mean maximum VIS of 39 in 24 hours postoperatively. Patients with high VIS encountered increased occurrence of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation placement, acute kidney injury, and mortality. Risk factors for high VIS included operation type, cardiopulmonary bypass duration, left atrium size, and pre-incisional RV indices. After adjustment for age, left ventricular ejection fraction, and the covariates, only RVGLS (odds ratio 1.19, p = 0.011) showed an independent association with high VIS. The optimal cutoff of RVGLS was -16.7% (sensitivity of 88.2%, specificity of 75.6%). CONCLUSION: Preoperative RV dysfunction is an independent risk factor for postoperative high VIS. Pre-incisional RVGLS is a reliable tool to predict high VIS after cardiac surgery. Patients with high VIS had increased adverse events postoperatively.

Propensity Score Matched Analysis of Mechanical vs. Bioprosthetic Valve Replacement in Patients With Previous Stroke.

BACKGROUND: This study compared the long-term outcomes of prosthetic heart valve replacement with mechanical or bioprosthetic valves in patients with prior stroke.Methods and Results:In total, 1,984 patients with previous stroke who had received valve replacement between 2000 and 2011 were identified using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Propensity score matching analysis was used. Ultimately, 547 patients were extracted from each group and were eligible for analysis. On survival analysis, the risks of all-cause mortality and recurrence of stroke were similar. The incidence of major bleeding was greater in the mechanical valve group than in the bioprosthetic valve group (P=0.040), whereas no difference was observed in re-do valve surgery. On subgroup analysis, the bioprosthetic valve was favored for older age (≥60 years) and previous gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding patients. The mechanical valve, however, was favored for younger patients (<60 years). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with previous stroke, bioprosthetic valves had a lower incidence of complications connected to major bleeding than did the mechanical valves. Survival and stroke recurrence rates, however, did not differ between the 2 groups. We recommend bioprosthetic valves for patients >60 years or who have a history of GI bleeding.

Non-invasive cardiac output measurement with electrical velocimetry in patients undergoing liver transplantation: comparison of an invasive method with pulmonary thermodilution.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and interchangeability between continuous cardiac output (CO) measured by electrical velocimetry (COEv) and continuous cardiac output obtained using the pulmonary thermodilution method (COPAC) during living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). METHOD: Twenty-three patients were enrolled in this prospective observational study. CO was recorded by both two methods and compared at nine specific time points. The data were analyzed using correlation coefficients, Bland-Altman analysis for the percentage errors, and the concordance rate for trend analysis using a four-quadrant plot. RESULTS: In total, 207 paired datasets were recorded during LDLT. CO data were in the range of 2.8-12.7 L/min measured by PAC and 3.4-14.9 L/min derived from the EV machine. The correction coefficient between COPAC and COEv was 0.415 with p < 0.01. The 95% limitation agreement was - 5.9 to 3.4 L/min and the percentage error was 60%. The concordance rate was 56.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The Aesculon™ monitor is not yet interchangeable with continuous thermodilution CO monitoring during LDLT. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Chang Gung Medical Foundation in Taiwan (registration number: 201600264B0 ).

Evaluation of the use of the fourth version FloTrac system in cardiac output measurement before and after cardiopulmonary bypass.

The FloTrac system is a system for cardiac output (CO) measurement that is less invasive than the pulmonary artery catheter (PAC). The purposes of this study were to (1) compare the level of agreement and trending abilities of CO values measured using the fourth version of the FloTrac system (CCO-FloTrac) and PAC-originated continuous thermodilution (CCO-PAC) and (2) analyze the inadequate CO-discriminating ability of the FloTrac system before and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Fifty patients were included. After exclusion, 32 patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB were analyzed. All patients were monitored with a PAC and radial artery catheter connected to the FloTrac system. CO was assessed at 10 timing points during the surgery. In the Bland-Altman analysis, the percentage errors (bias, the limits of agreement) of the CCO-FloTrac were 61.82% (0.16, - 2.15 to 2.47 L min) and 51.80% (0.48, - 1.97 to 2.94 L min) before and after CPB, respectively, compared with CCO-PAC. The concordance rates in the four-quadrant plot were 64.10 and 62.16% and the angular concordance rates (angular mean bias, the radial limits of agreement) in the polar-plot analysis were 30.00% (17.62°, - 70.69° to 105.93°) and 38.63% (- 10.04°, - 96.73° to 76.30°) before and after CPB, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for CCO-FloTrac was 0.56, 0.52, 0.52, and 0.72 for all, ≥ ± 5, ≥ ± 10, and ≥ ± 15% CO changes (ΔCO) of CCO-PAC before CPB, respectively, and 0.59, 0.55, 0.49, and 0.46 for all, ≥ ± 5, ≥ ± 10, and ≥ ± 15% ΔCO of CCO-PAC after CPB, respectively. When CO < 4 L/min was considered inadequate, the Cohen κ coefficient was 0.355 and 0.373 before and after CPB, respectively. The accuracy, trending ability, and inadequate CO-discriminating ability of the fourth version of the FloTrac system in CO monitoring are not statistically acceptable in cardiac surgery.

Relationship Between Right Ventricular Function and Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between perioperative right ventricular (RV) function and postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in the context of cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: A single medical center setting. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 92 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Consecutive patients without previous history of atrial fibrillation referred for cardiac surgery were enrolled prospectively. Comprehensive transesophageal echocardiography was recorded at the following 2 specific timeframes: before sternotomy (T1) and after sternal closure (T2). Four RV measurements, including RV global longitudinal strain (RVGLS), were performed offline. POAF was defined as any sustained episode of atrial fibrillation recorded within 14 days postoperatively. Ninety-two patients (mean age 61.2 ± 10.8 yr, 63 men) were included in this study; 25 patients (27%) experienced POAF, with a median occurrence of 3 days after cardiac surgery. Multivariable logistic regression models demonstrated that RVGLST1 (odds ratio 1.13, p = 0.047) and RVGLST2 (odds ratio 1.38, p = 0.001) were associated independently with POAF. However, changes in RV indices were not correlated to POAF. The optimal cutoff points obtained from the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were as follows: -16.7% of RVGLST1 (positive likelihood ratio 2.21, negative likelihood ratio 0.59) and -16.1% of RVGLST2 (positive likelihood ratio 2.68, negative likelihood ratio 0.38). CONCLUSIONS: RV dysfunction is associated significantly with the occurrence of POAF in the context of cardiac surgery, and perioperative RVGLS measured using transesophageal echocardiography is a useful index to predict POAF in patients referred for cardiac surgery.

The Effects of Volume-Controlled and Pressure-Controlled Ventilation on Lung Mechanics, Oxidative Stress, and Recovery in Gynecologic Laparoscopic Surgery.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare ventilation variables, changes in oxidative stress, and the quality of recovery in 2 different ventilation strategies (volume-controlled ventilation [VCV] and pressure-controlled ventilation [PCV]) during gynecologic laparoscopic surgery. DESIGN: A prospective randomized controlled trial (Canadian Task Force classification I). SETTING: One university teaching hospital in Taiwan. PATIENTS: Women scheduled for laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Women were randomly assigned to receive either VCV or PCV during surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Ventilation variables were recorded 1 minute before and 1 hour after pneumoperitoneum. Blood samples were collected for malondialdehyde measurement at 7 points: 1 minute before and 1 hour after pneumoperitoneum; 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after deflation; and 24 hours after surgery. Postoperative recovery was assessed by using a 9-item quality of recovery score at 24 hours after surgery. A total of 52 women randomly allocated to the VCV (n = 27) or PCV (n = 25) group completed the study. We found that after 1 hour of insufflation the PCV group had lower peak airway pressure (22.0 ± 3.4 vs 26.6 ± 4.1 cm H2O, p < .0001) and higher compliance (28.4 ± 3.7 vs 24.1 ± 3.3 mL/cm H2O, p < .0001) than the VCV group. In plasma levels of malondialdehyde, there were no significant differences between the 2 groups at 7 time points. The levels significantly increased in both groups after 1 hour of pneumoperitoneum and peaked at 2 hours after deflation. During postoperative recovery, lower scores were obtained at 24 hours after surgery compared with preoperative scores, but there were no significant differences between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: PCV is an alternative ventilation mode in gynecologic laparoscopic surgery. However, PCV offered lower peak airway pressure and higher compliance than VCV but no advantages over VCV in oxidative stress or quality of recovery.

Successful management of rocuronium-induced anaphylaxis with sugammadex: A case report.

Although anaphylaxis during anaesthesia is a rare event, neuromuscular blocking drugs are responsible for 62% of anaesthesia-related anaphylaxis. However, sugammadex, a modified gamma-cyclodextrin, can encapsulate rocuronium molecules and cause the rapid reversal of the neuromuscular blockade. A 68-year-old man who presented for a radical prostatectomy was induced with IV fentanyl/propofol/rocuronium. He had not received rocuronium previously but had received cisatracurium. Shortly after anaesthesia, the patient's heart rate abruptly increased, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) dropped to 40 mm Hg. Despite cardiopulmonary resuscitation and intensive management, his haemodynamic stability did not improve until he received IV sugammadex, 200 mg. Intradermal skin tests showed he was positive for cisatracurium, rocuronium and succinylcholine. The patient was suspected to have cross-reactivity of rocuronium with cisatracurium. This case highlights the potential benefit of sugammadex as an adjunct to conventional measures during rocuronium-induced anaphylaxis.

An Analysis of the Risk Factors for Postoperative Complications and Their Effects on Hospital Stay in Taiwanese Geriatric Surgical Patients.

BACKGROUND: Surgical outcomes and complications in geriatric patients may be affected due to their increased number of underlying diseases. This study was conducted to evaluate the risk factors for postoperative complications and their effects on hospital stay in geriatric surgical patients (aged ≥ 80 years). METHODS: A total of 404 geriatric patients (aged ≥ 80 years) who underwent noncardiac surgery were enrolled in this study. Their preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative data were collected and subjected to univariate and multivariate analyses to calculate the odds ratio of risk factors. The risk of discharge was analyzed by calculating the hazard ratio to evaluate their relationship with postoperative complications. RESULTS: Approximately three-fourths (76.0%) of the patients had hypertension preoperatively, and 5.9% of them developed at least one postoperative complication. Respiratory disorders were the most frequent postoperative complications. Multivariate analysis revealed emergency surgery, preoperative renal diseases, preoperative anemia, and nonextubation as risk factors for postoperative respiratory complications. Intraoperative estimated blood loss of ＞ 500 mL and intraoperative low blood pressure were identified as risk factors for postoperative neurological complications. Intraoperative hypothermia was found to be a risk factor for postoperative renal complications. Postoperative respiratory complications, postoperative neurological complications, and infection statistically significantly prolonged the length of hospital stay. The in-hospital mortality rate was 1.0%. CONCLUSION: Patients aged ≥ 80 years under certain conditions need more attention to prevent the development of different types of postoperative complications. Those who did develop postoperative respiratory complications, postoperative neurological complications, and infection might require prolonged hospitalization. Physicians must pay more attention preoperatively to the risk factors that increase postoperative complications.

Impact of massive blood transfusion during adult extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support on long-term outcomes: a nationwide cohort study in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVES: Bleeding is a common problem during adult extracorporeal membranes oxygenation (ECMO) support, requiring blood transfusion for correction of volume depletion and coagulopathy. The goal of this study is to investigate the long-term outcomes for adults under support of ECMO with massive blood transfusion (MBT). DESIGN: Retrospective nationwide cohort study. SETTING: Data were provided from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Totally 2757 adult patients were identified to receive MBT (red blood cell ≥10 units) during ECMO support from 2000 to 2013 via Taiwan NHIRD. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcomes included in-hospital major complications/mortality, all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, newly onset end-stage renal disease and respiratory failure during the follow-up period. RESULTS: Patients with MBT had higher in-hospital mortality (65.6% vs 52.1%; OR 1.74; 95% CI 1.53 to 1.98) and all-cause mortality during the follow-up (47.0% vs 35.8%; HR 1.46; 95% CI 1.25 to 1.71) than those without MBT. Not only higher incidences of post ECMO sepsis, respiratory failure and acute kidney injury, but also longer duration of ECMO support, ventilator use and intensive care unit stay were demonstrated in the MBT group. Moreover, a subdistribution hazard model presented higher cumulative of respiratory failure (19.8% vs 16.2%; subdistribution HR 1.36; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.73) for the MBT cohort. Positive dose-dependent relationship was found between the amount of transfused red blood cell product and in-hospital mortality. In the MBT subgroup analysis for the impact of transfused ratio (fresh frozen plasma/packed red blood cell) on in-hospital mortality, ratio ≥1.0 had higher mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with MBT during ECMO support had worse long-term outcomes than non-MBT population. The transfused amount of red blood cell had positive dose-dependent effect on in-hospital mortality.

Nationwide cohort study of outcomes of acute myocardial infarction in patients with liver cirrhosis: A nationwide cohort study.

Liver cirrhotic predisposes patients to coagulopathy and bleeding. Little is known about outcomes of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in cirrhotic patients.Data from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database during 2001 to 2013 were retrieved for patients admitted with cirrhosis and AMI. We excluded patients with missing information, <20 years old, previous AMI, previous coronary intervention, and liver transplant. Patients were separated into cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic. Primary outcomes included all-cause mortality, recurrent myocardial infarction (MI), major cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE: recurrent MI, revascularization, ischemic stroke, and heart failure), and liver outcomes (hepatic encephalopathy, ascites tapping, spontaneous peritonitis, and esophageal varices bleeding).A total of 3217 cirrhotic patients and 6434 non-cirrhotic patients were analyzed, with a mean follow up of 2.8 ±â€Š3.3 years. In cirrhotic patients with AMI, subsequent coronary and cerebrovascular events were lower in comparison to non-cirrhotic patients, with higher all-cause mortality observed from adverse liver related outcomes and bleeding. There were significantly lower cumulative incidence of both recurrent MI and MACCE in cirrhotic patients with AMI compared with non-cirrhotic patients with AMI (hazard ratio [HR] 0.82, confidence interval [CI] 0.71-0.94, P = .006 and HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.79-0.92, P < .001, respectively). There was significantly higher cumulative incidence of liver related outcome in cirrhotic patients with AMI compared with non-cirrhotic patients with AMI (HR 2.27, 95% CI 2.06-2.51, P < .001). And there was significantly higher all-cause mortality in cirrhotic patients with AMI compared with non-cirrhotic patients with AMI (HR 1.30, 95% CI 1.23-1.38, P < .001).In cirrhotic cohort with AMI, a decreased in coronary and cerebrovascular events were observed. However, these patients also had higher all-cause mortality due to adverse liver outcomes and bleeding.

Effect of massive blood transfusion on late outcomes after surgical repair of acute type A aortic dissection.

Massive blood transfusion (MBT) increased mortality and morbidity after cardiac surgery. However, a mid-term follow-up study on repair surgery of acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) with MBT was lacking. This study aimed to assess the impact of perioperative MBT on late outcomes of surgical repair for AAAD.There were 3209 adult patients firstly received repair surgery for AAAD between 2005 and 2013, were identified using Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Primary interest variable was MBT, defined as transfused red blood cell (RBC) ≥10 units.The outcomes contained in-hospital mortality, surgical-related complications, all-cause mortality, respiratory failure, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) during follow-up period. Higher in-hospital mortality (37.7% vs 11.6%; odds ratio, 4.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.30-4.85), all-cause mortality (26.1% vs 13.0%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.66; 95% CI, 1.36-2.04), and perioperative complications were noted in the MBT group. A subdistribution hazard model revealed higher cumulative incidence of CKD (13.9% vs 6.5%; HR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.47-2.60) and respiratory failure (7.1% vs 2.7%; HR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.52-3.61) for the MBT cohort. A dose-dependent relationship between amount of transfused RBC (classified as tertiles) and cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality, incident CKD, and respiratory failure was found (P of trend test <.001).Patients with MBT had worse late outcomes following surgical repair of AAAD. The cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality, incident CKD, and respiratory failure increased with the amount of transfused RBC in a dose-dependent manner.

Dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with cirrhosis and acute myocardial infarction - A 13-year nationwide cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cirrhosis and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) present dilemma whether dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) should be used. METHODS: Electronic medical records between 2001-2013 were retrieved from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Patients were excluded for missing information, age <20 years old, history of AMI, liver transplant, autoimmune disease, coagulopathy, taking DAPT 3 months before index date, follow-up <3 months, anticoagulation user, without DAPT, and events of myocardial infarction (MI), ischemic stroke, major bleeding, and heart failure within 3-month of enrollment. Primary outcomes were 1-year all-cause mortality, recurrent MI, major bleeding, and gastrointestinal bleeding. RESULTS: A total of 150,887 patients with AMI retrieved. After exclusion criteria and propensity score-matching, 914 cirrhotic and 3,656 non-cirrhotic patients with AMI on DAPT were studied. During 1-year follow-up, there was significantly increased mortality in cirrhotic patients compared to non-cirrhotic patients (HR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.28-1.74). There was significantly decreased recurrent MI in cirrhotic patients compared to non-cirrhotic patients (subdistribution HR [SHR] = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.54-0.92). However, non-significantly increased major bleeding (SHR = 1.23, 95% CI = 0.87-1.73) and significantly increased gastrointestinal bleeding (SHR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.31-1.70). CONCLUSIONS: In cirrhotic patients with AMI, DAPT offers benefit with decreased recurrent MI at the expense of increased gastrointestinal bleeding.

Selection of ß-Blocker in Patients With Cirrhosis and Acute Myocardial Infarction: A 13-Year Nationwide Population-Based Study in Asia.

Background It is not clear whether ß1-selective or nonselective ß-blockers should be used in patients with cirrhosis and acute myocardial infarction. Methods and Results Medical records were retrieved from Taiwan NHIRD (National Health Insurance Research Database) during 2001-2013. Patients were excluded for age <20, previous acute myocardial infarction, contraindication to ß-blockers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, or atrioventricular conduction disease. Patients who died during index admission, had a follow-up <6 months, had a medication ratio of either ß1-selective or nonselective ß-blocker <80%, or who switched between ß-blockers were also excluded. Patients on ß1-selective blockers and nonselective ß-blockers were propensity score matched and compared for outcome. Primary outcomes were 1- and 2-year cardiovascular events, liver adverse outcomes, and all-cause mortality. A total of 203 595 patients with acute myocardial infarction were enrolled, of whom 6355 had cirrhosis. After screening for exclusion criteria, 1769 patients (655 patients on ß-blockers and 1114 patients not on ß-blockers) were eligible for analysis. Among patients on ß-blockers, propensity score matching was performed, and 218 patients on ß1-selective blockers and 218 patients on nonselective ß-blockers were studied. During a 2-year follow-up, patients on ß1-selective blockers had significantly fewer major cardiac and cerebrovascular events (hazard ratio=0.62; 95% confidence interval=0.42-0.91; P=0.014), a trend toward lower all-cause mortality (hazard ratio=0.66; 95% confidence interval=0.38-1.14; P=0.135), and nonworsening liver outcome (hazard ratio=0.66; 95% confidence interval=0.38-1.14; P=0.354). Conclusions In patients with cirrhosis and acute myocardial infarction, selecting a ß-blocker is a clinical dilemma. Our study showed that the use of ß1-selective blockers is associated with lower risks of major cardiac and cerebrovascular events.

Immunosuppressants and new onset gallstone disease in patients having undergone renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: There are very few reports describing the development of gallstone disease after renal transplantation (GSDART) in Asia. The aim of this population-based study was to explore the prevalence, predictive factors, and outcomes of newly developed GSDART. The relationship between immunosuppressant and GSDART was also explored. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Renal transplantation (RT) recipients were identified from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan during January 1998-December 2012. In total, 2,630 adult patients, who had neither been diagnosed with gallstone disease (GSD) nor undergone cholecystectomy, were included in this study. These patients underwent follow-up till the diagnosis of GSDART was established. Risk factors and post-RT immunosuppressant treatments were investigated and analyzed using Cox regression analysis. The cumulative mortality in patients with and without GSDART was also evaluated. RESULTS: The final dataset comprised 143 patients who developed GSDART and 2,487 patients who had not been diagnosed with GSDART during the follow-up period. The prevalence of GSDART was 5.4%. On performing univariate analysis, age (p=0.0276) and certain immunosuppressant administrations were identified as significant risk factors for GSDART. After adjusting for age, multivariable analysis showed that everolimus (adjusted hazard ratio 0.287, p=0.0013) was independently associated with the development of GSDART. The overall mortality rate (6.99%, p=0.0341) was significantly decreased in the GSDART group. CONCLUSION: Increased age was the most consistent risk factor for GSD, and everolimus-based immunotherapy indicated a decreased incidence of GSDART in RT recipients. The long-term mortality rate was significantly decreased in patients with GSDART.

Comparison of right ventricular measurements by perioperative transesophageal echocardiography as a predictor of hemodynamic instability following cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between perioperative right ventricular (RV) performance and hemodynamic instability after cardiac surgery seemed less portrayed. Therefore, we sought to elucidate this relationship and compare the accuracy of different RV systolic indices in predicting outcome of cardiac surgery. METHODS: This study enrolled consecutive patients referred for cardiac surgeries. Exclusion criteria were non-sinus rhythm or contraindications to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). TEE exam and simultaneous pulmonary hemodynamics were recorded in two stages: after induction of anesthesia and before sternotomy (stage 1), and after sternal closure (stage 2). RV measurements performed offline included fractional area change (RVFAC), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), peak systolic tricuspid annular velocity (RVS'), myocardial performance index (RVMPI), and global longitudinal strain (RVGLS). The end point was defined as prolonged use (>24 h) of postoperative inotropic agent in the intensive care unit (ICU). RESULTS: The study population included 68 patients (mean age 61 ± 11 y; 49 men). Twenty-two of these patients (32%) were administered inotropic agents for a prolonged period with a mean duration of 63.9 ± 5.3 h, accompanied with significantly longer ventilator use (p = 0.006) and longer ICU stay (p = 0.001) than patients without a prolonged inotropic agent use. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that only RVGLS in either stage 1 (odds ratio [OR] 1.11, p = 0.048) or stage 2 (OR 1.15, p = 0.018) was significantly associated with the outcome, especially a RVGLS > -13.5% in stage 2 demonstrating high risk of prolonged inotropic agent use after cardiac surgery (OR 7.37, p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: RVGLSs performed using perioperative TEE are reliably associated with hemodynamic instability following cardiac surgery. This finding adds substantial information to postoperative critical care.

Predictive risk index and prognosis of postoperative reintubation after planned extubation during general anesthesia: a single-center retrospective case-controlled study in Taiwan from 2005 to 2009.

OBJECTIVES: Postoperative reintubation after planned extubation (RAP) following general anesthesia is a major anesthetic morbidity. A previous study on RAP identified the various risk factors for RAP, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and airway surgery. However, the prognosis and predictive risk index of RAP were not investigated. METHODS: Data on surgical patients who were reintubated after planned extubation at the end of surgery between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2009 were retrospectively sorted out from the quality assurance database of the Department of Anesthesiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Risk factors and prognosis of RAP cases were compared with the control group (successful planned extubation) using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. The RAP predictive risk index was developed from multivariate logistic regression and the predictive accuracy was evaluated by goodness-of-fit test. RESULTS: Of the 227,876 patients who were subjected to endotracheal intubation for general anesthesia, 130 (0.06%) sustained postoperative RAP. The control group consisted of 390 patients who were randomly selected from those who underwent endotracheal intubation without RAP. A total of 30 variables, including demographic, operative, anesthetic data, and prognosis were analyzed. We found that significant risk factors for RAP included COPD (odds ratio: 4.30), pneumonia (odds ratio: 6.60), ascites (odds ratio: 4.86), SIRS (odds ratio: 7.52), hypothermia (body temperature <35°C; odds ratio: 2.45), rocuronium as muscle relaxant (odds ratio: 1.90), inexperienced anesthetic service (odds ratio: 3.44), and airway surgery (odds ratio: 4.34). An RAP predictive risk index was developed and the predictive accuracy was confirmed by goodness-of-fit test as excellent discrimination (c statistic: 0.873). RAP significantly increased postoperative stay in hospital (odds ratio: 2.46) and intensive care unit, as well as tracheostomy and mortality (odds ratio: 58.52). CONCLUSION: The RAP predictive risk index included higher American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, conscious disturbance, COPD, pneumonia, SIRS, room air SpO2 <95%, hypothermia, airway surgery, and head and neck surgeries. The RAP predictive risk index provides us an opportunity to take preventive measures including renewal of risk-reduction protocols for high-risk patients.