Occurrence and outcome of blood-contaminated percutaneous injuries among anesthesia practitioners: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Anesthesia practitioners are at risk for percutaneous injuries by blood-contaminated needles and sharp objects that may result in the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis viruses. Reporting these injuries is important for the early prevention and management of blood-borne infections. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the occurrence, reporting, characteristics and outcome of contaminated percutaneous injuries (CPIs) in anesthesia residents, fellows and faculty. METHOD: A cross-sectional anonymous survey electronically distributed to all 214 anesthesia practitioners at a large academic multihospital-based anesthesia practice in Florida, USA. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 51% (110/214) (60% (50/83) for residents, 50% (8/16) for fellows and 45% (52/115) for anesthesia faculty). Fifty-nine percent (65/110) (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 5068) of participants reported having one or more CPIs during their years of anesthesia practice (residents 42% (95% CI: 2955), fellows 50% and faculty 77% (95% CI: 6688)). The number of CPIs per anesthesia practitioner who answered the survey was 0.58 for residents, 0.75 for fellows and 1.5 for faculty. Within the last 5 years, 35% (95% CI: 2644) of participants had one or more CPIs (39% of residents, 50% of fellows and 29% of faculty). CPIs in the last 5 years in faculty older than 45 years of age were 12% (3/25) compared to 44% (12/27) in faculty younger than 45 years of age.Analyzing data from practitioners who had one CPI revealed that 70% (95% CI: 5585) reported the incident at the time of injury (residents 85%, fellows 100% and faculty 58%). Hollow-bore needles constituted 73.5% (95% CI: 5988) of injuries. As per participants' responses, 17% (18/103) of CPIs received postexposure prophylaxis and there were zero seroconversions. CONCLUSION: Based on our study results, most anesthesia practitioners will sustain a CPI during their years of practice. Despite some improvements compared to historic figures, the occurrence of CPIs continues to be high and reporting of percutaneous injuries remains suboptimal among anesthesia residents. A fifth of injuries in the perioperative setting is from an infected source and requires postexposure prophylaxis. Although no infections were reported due to CPI exposure in this study, findings underscore the need for more education and interventions to reduce occupational blood exposures in anesthesia practitioners and improve reporting.

Visceral arterial embolization prior to multivisceral transplantation in recipient with cirrhosis, extensive portomesenteric thrombosis, and hostile abdomen: Performance and outcome analysis.

Multivisceral transplant (MVT) for cirrhosis, and portomesenteric vein thrombosis (PVT), is fraught with life-threatening thrombo-hemorrhagic complications. Embolization of native viscera has been attempted in a handful of cases with mixed results. We carried out a comparative analysis of angiographic, intra-operative, and pathological findings in three recipients of MVT who were deemed exceptionally high hemorrhagic risk and therefore underwent preoperative visceral embolization. All recipients were male with cirrhosis, PVT, and a surgical history indicative of diffuse visceral adhesions; status post-liver transplantation (n = 2) and proctocolectomy (n = 1). The first patient had two Amplatzer II embolization plugs placed 2 cm from the origins of celiac and superior mesenteric (SMA) arteries. Distal migration of the celiac plug into gastroduodenal artery (GDA) and ensuing ischemia reperfusion injury, presumably contributed to severe disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and intra-operative mortality. In the other two recipients, distal Gelfoam embolization of the SMA, GDA, and splenic arteries was performed, and although remarkable hemorrhage and coagulopathy occurred, embolization, undoubtedly, facilitated exenteration and improved outcomes. Pathologic examination in these cases confirmed ischemic necrosis of eviscerated bowel. In conclusion, liver-sparing, preoperative distal embolization of native viscera with Gelfoam is beneficial, but entails several pitfalls. It should currently be reserved for MVT recipients who otherwise are at unacceptably high risk.

Thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications during visceral transplantation: risk factors, and association with intraoperative disseminated intravascular coagulation-like thromboelastographic qualities: a single-center retrospective study.

This study describes the risk of thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications, both intraoperatively, and up to 1 month following visceral transplantation. Data from 48 adult visceral transplants performed between 2010 and 2017 were retrospectively studied [32 multivisceral (MVTx); 10 isolated intestine; six modified-MVTx]. Intraoperatively, intracardiac thrombosis (ICT)/pulmonary embolism (PE) occurred in 25%, 0% and 0% of MVTx, isolated intestine and modified MVTx, respectively, and was associated with 50% (4/8) mortality. Preoperative portal vein thrombosis (PVT) was a significant risk factor for ICT/PE (P = 0.0073). Thromboelastography resembling disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) (r time <4 mm combined with fibrinolysis or flat-line) was statistically associated with occurrence of ICT/PE (P < 0.0001). Compared to subgroup without ICT/PE, occurrence of ICT/PE was associated with an increased demand for all blood product components both overall, and each surgical stage. Hyperfibrinolysis (56%) was identified as cause of bleeding in MVTx. Incidence of postoperative thrombotic event at 1 month was 25%, 30% and 17% for MVTx, isolated intestine and modified MVTx, respectively. Incidence of postoperative bleeding complications at 1 month was 11%, 20% and 17% for MVTx, isolated intestine and modified MVTx. In conclusion, MVTx recipients with preoperative PVT are at an increased risk of developing intraoperative life-threatening ICT/PE events associated with DIC-like coagulopathy.

Characteristics, Risk Factors, and Outcome of New-onset Systolic Heart Failure After Liver Transplantation: A Single-center Cohort.

New-onset systolic heart failure (HF) after liver transplantation (LT) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality; however, its characteristics are still insufficiently delineated. HF may involve the left ventricle (LV), right ventricle (RV), or both ventricles. We explored the incidence, characteristics, etiologies, risks, involved cardiac chambers, and outcomes of HF after LT. Methods: This study included 528 adult patients with preoperative LV ejection fraction ≥ 55% who underwent LT between 2016 and 2020. The primary outcome was new-onset systolic HF, defined by the presence of clinical signs, symptoms, and echocardiographic evidence of reduced LVejection fraction <50% and RV dysfunction within the first year after LT. Results: Thirty-one patients (6%) developed systolic HF within a median of 9 d (1-364). Of those, 23% of patients had ischemic HF, whereas 77% had nonischemic HF. Nonischemic HF was caused by stress (11), sepsis (8), or other factors (5). Nonischemic HF was secondary to isolated LV failure in 58% of patients or RV ± LV failure in 42% of patients. Recursive partitioning identified subgroups with varying risks and uncovered interaction between variables. HF risk increased from 4.2% to 13% when epinephrine and/or norepinephrine drips were used intraoperatively (P < 0.01). When no epinephrine and/or norepinephrine were used, HF risk increased from 3.1% to 38.5% if baseline hemoglobin was <7.2 g/dL (P < 0.01). When baseline hemoglobin was ≥7.2 g/dL, HF risk increased from 0% to 5.2% when ≥3500 mL crystalloid was used intraoperatively (P < 0.01). Posttransplant first-year survival and reversibility of HF depended on the etiology (stress, sepsis, ischemia, etc) and cardiac chamber involvement (isolated LV or RV ± LV). RV dysfunction was associated with inferior recovery of cardiac function and poorer survival than nonischemic isolated LV dysfunction (50% versus 70%, respectively). Conclusions: Posttransplant new-onset HF is mostly nonischemic in nature and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

Personal Protective Equipment for Liver Transplant in SARS-CoV-2 Polymerase Chain Reaction-Positive Convalescing Recipients.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) comes in several variations, and is the principal safety gear during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, the user is severely impacted by its serious nonergonomic features. What PPE is appropriate for labor-intensive cases, like liver transplant (LT), remains unknown. We describe our experience with 2 types of PPE used during 2 separate LT performed in COVID-19 positive recipients. We conclude that for the safety of both health care workers and patients, hospitals should designate a few PPE kits for labor-intensive surgical procedures. These kits should include powered air-purifying respirators, or a similar loose-fitting powered air hood.

Safe transition to opioid-free pathway after robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

To determine whether local anesthetic infiltration and non-narcotic pain medications can safely reduce or eliminate opioid use following robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy while maintaining adequate pain control. After initiation of this quality-improvement project, patients undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy had surgeon-administered local anesthesia around all incisions into each successive layer from peritoneum to skin, with the majority infiltrated into the transversus abdominis muscle plane and posterior rectus sheath of the midline extraction incision. Post-operatively patients received scheduled acetaminophen plus ketorolac, renal function permitting. A retrospective review was performed for all cases over 19 months, spanning project implementation. 157 cases (76 in opioid-free pathway, 81 in standard pathway) were included. Five patients (6.6%) in the opioid-free pathway required post-operative opioids while inpatient, versus 61 (75.3%) in the standard pathway, p < .001. Mean patient-reported pain score on each post-operative day was lower in the opioid-free pathway compared to the standard pathway [day 0: 2.4 (SD 2.6) vs. 3.9 (SD 2.7), p < .001; day 1: 1.4 [SD 1.6] vs. 3.3 (SD 2.2), p < .001; day 2 0.9 (SD 1.5) vs. 2.6 (SD 1.9), p < .001]. Fewer post-operative complications were seen in the opioid-free pathway versus standard [0 vs. 5 (6.2%), p = 0.028], and there was no statistically significant difference in number of emergency room visits or readmissions within 3 weeks of surgery. The use of surgeon-administered local anesthetic plus scheduled non-narcotic analgesics can safely and significantly reduce opioid use after robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy while improving pain control.

Perioperative risk factors associated with delayed graft function following deceased donor kidney transplantation: A retrospective, single center study.

BACKGROUND: There is an abundant need to increase the availability of deceased donor kidney transplantation (DDKT) to address the high incidence of kidney failure. Challenges exist in the utilization of higher risk donor organs into what appears to be increasingly complex recipients; thus the identification of modifiable risk factors associated with poor outcomes is paramount. AIM: To identify risk factors associated with delayed graft function (DGF). METHODS: Consecutive adults undergoing DDKT between January 2016 and July 2017 were identified with a study population of 294 patients. The primary outcome was the occurrence of DGF. RESULTS: The incidence of DGF was 27%. Under logistic regression, eight independent risk factors for DGF were identified including recipient body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2, baseline mean arterial pressure < 110 mmHg, intraoperative phenylephrine administration, cold storage time ≥ 16 h, donation after cardiac death, donor history of coronary artery disease, donor terminal creatinine ≥ 1.9 mg/dL, and a hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) pump resistance ≥ 0.23 mmHg/mL/min. CONCLUSION: We delineate the association between DGF and recipient characteristics of pre-induction mean arterial pressure below 110 mmHg, metabolic syndrome, donor-specific risk factors, HMP pump parameters, and intraoperative use of phenylephrine.

Comprehensive Frailty Severity Index for End-Stage Liver Disease Predicts Early Outcomes After Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Frailty is rampant in candidates of liver transplantation (LT); however, its impact on posttransplant survival is inconclusive. Most studies have used a single measure of frailty; however, a comprehensive frailty severity index (FSI) has not been developed. The objectives of this study were to (1) evaluate frailty utilizing several metrics, (2) develop an FSI for end-stage liver disease (ESLD), and (3) determine its predictive abilities for outcomes after LT. METHODS: Frailty metrics included (1) modified nutrition assessment of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics/American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition that includes height-adjusted third lumbar vertebra psoas mass index, (2) physical performance assessment combining Karnofsky Performance Status and pressure injury scale, and (3) Controlling Nutritional Status as a measure of severity of liver disease and inflammation. RESULTS: Moderate to severe frailty was reported in 52%-97% of recipients depending on the metric. A statistically significant threshold FSI value was identified for each adverse outcome studied. FSI ≥ 14 was associated with decreased survival (88% vs 97% for FSI < 14). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed FSI for ESLD is predictive of poorer outcomes after LT.

Fibrinolytic Shutdown Is Associated With Intraoperative Thrombosis and Hemorrhage During Visceral Transplant.

Background and Objective. End-stage liver disease is characterized by a precarious imbalance of hemostasis. Detrimental consequences of hypofibrinolysis, also known as fibrinolytic shutdown, have been recently demonstrated, and its significance in visceral (ie, an allograft that contains the intestine) transplant remains unknown. Design and Setting. To fill this gap, following institutional review board approval, this retrospective study included 49 adult recipients of visceral allografts (14 "visceral allograft without the liver" and 35 "multivisceral" with the liver) transplanted between 2010 and 2018 in a single university hospital, and for whom pre-incisional thromboelastography was available. Based on percent clot lysis 30 minutes after maximal amplitude, patients were stratified into 3 fibrinolysis phenotypes: fibrinolytic shutdown, physiologic fibrinolysis, and hyperfibrinolysis. Results. Fibrinolytic shutdown occurred in 57% of patients, with higher incidence in recipients of multivisceral transplant (69%) compared with visceral allograft without liver (29%) allografts (P = .04). Fibrinolytic shutdown was associated with an increase in both intraoperative thrombosis and hemorrhage. Intraoperative thrombosis (18%) occurred only with multivisceral transplant, and accounted for 36% of in-hospital mortality. A clinically meaningful reduction in incidence of intraoperative thrombosis was noted in recipients who received intravenous heparin thromboprophylaxis. Logistic regression identified pretransplant platelet count as a risk factor for fibrinolytic shutdown (odds ratio = 0.992, 95% confidence interval = [0.984-0.998]; χ2 = 7.8, P = .005). Conclusions. This study highlights fibrinolytic shutdown as a dominant and clinically important feature of the hemostatic imbalance in recipients undergoing visceral transplantation.

Maturation and failure rates in a large series of arteriovenous dialysis access fistulas.

The objective of this study was to document maturation and failure rates in a large homogeneous series of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs). Between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2001 (60 months), a single surgeon (AFS) in 1 academic medical center, constructed 374 AVFs. In this series, all AVFs were developed in vessels that had not undergone previous vascular access surgery. Recently, a retrospective review of these records revealed that 291 subjects had had complete follow-up for at least 3 months, and they constitute the material for this study. AVFs were considered a failure if an early occlusion/thrombosis occurred, if in 3 months the AVF had not matured on clinical examination, or if cannulation in the dialysis center was not feasible. A total of 91 AVFs did not mature, for an overall failure rate of 31%. An evaluation of failure rates indicated rates in females were higher than in males (41% versus 27%). Other risk factors, including HIV+ status, hypertension, and diabetes, demonstrated minimal failure differences (33%, 31%, and 36%, respectively).