Cardiopulmonary Bypass Blood Flow Rates and Major Adverse Kidney Events in Cardiac Surgery: A Propensity Score-adjusted Before-After Study.

OBJECTIVES: Cardiac surgery associated-acute kidney injury is a common and serious postoperative complication of cardiac surgery, which is associated with increased postoperative morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to explore the association between cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) blood flow rate (BFR), and major adverse kidney events (MAKEs) at day 30. DESIGN: Retrospective single-center before-after observational study. Patients were divided in 2 groups according to CPB flow rates: a first group with an institutional protocol targeting a CPB-BFR of >2.2 L/min/m² (low CPB-BFR group), and a second group with a modified institutional protocol targeting a CPB-BFR of >2.4 L/min/m² (high CPB-BFR group). The primary outcome was MAKE at 30 days, defined as the composite of death, renal replacement therapy or persistent renal dysfunction. SETTING: The data were collected from clinical routines in university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients who underwent elective and urgent cardiac surgery without severe chronic renal failure, for whom CPB duration was ≥90 minutes. INTERVENTIONS: We included 533 patients (low CPB-BFR group, n = 270; high CPB-BFR group, n = 263). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A significant decrease in MAKE at 30 days was observed in the high CPB-BFR group (3% v 8%; odds ratio [OR], 0.779; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.661-0.919; p < 0.001) mainly mediated by a lower 30-day mortality in the high CPB-BFR group (1% v 5%; OR, 0.697; 95% CI, 0.595-0.817; p = 0.001), as was renal replacement therapy (1% v 4%; OR, 0.739; 95% CI, 0.604-0.904; p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing cardiac surgery, increased CPB-BFR was associated with a decrease in MAKE at 30 days including mortality and renal replacement therapy.

Advantages and limitations of noninvasive devices for cardiac output monitoring: a literature review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Individualized hemodynamic optimization often requires cardiac output monitoring, mostly for goal-directed therapy in the operating room and fluid responsiveness assessment in the intensive care unit. Different technologies for noninvasive cardiac output determination have become available over the recent years. It is therefore crucial for care providers to be made aware of the advantages and limitations of those different devices for an appropriate use at the bedside. RECENT FINDINGS: Nowadays, different noninvasive technologies exist, each with their advantages and limitations, but none are considered interchangeable with bolus thermodilution. Different clinical studies however, emphasize that the trending ability of such devices allows to guide decisions from care providers, and that their use may be associated with improved prognosis, especially in the operating room. Recent studies have also reported their potential use for hemodynamic optimization in specific populations. SUMMARY: Noninvasive cardiac output monitoring may have a clinical impact on patient outcomes. Further studies are required to evaluate their clinical relevance, notably in the intensive care unit. Noninvasive monitoring opens up the possibility for hemodynamic optimization in specific or low-risk populations, the benefit of which remains to be assessed.

Prognostic value of capillary refill time in adult patients: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Acute circulatory failure leads to tissue hypoperfusion. Capillary refill time (CRT) has been widely studied, but its predictive value remains debated. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the ability of CRT to predict death or adverse events in a context at risk or confirmed acute circulatory failure in adults. METHOD: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google scholar databases were screened for relevant studies. The pooled area under the ROC curve (AUC ROC), sensitivity, specificity, threshold, and diagnostic odds ratio using a random-effects model were determined. The primary analysis was the ability of abnormal CRT to predict death in patients with acute circulatory failure. Secondary analysis included the ability of CRT to predict death or adverse events in patients at risk or with confirmed acute circulatory failure, the comparison with lactate, and the identification of explanatory factors associated with better accuracy. RESULTS: A total of 60,656 patients in 23 studies were included. Concerning the primary analysis, the pooled AUC ROC of 13 studies was 0.66 (95%CI [0.59; 0.76]), and pooled sensitivity was 54% (95%CI [43; 64]). The pooled specificity was 72% (95%CI [55; 84]). The pooled diagnostic odds ratio was 3.4 (95%CI [1.4; 8.3]). Concerning the secondary analysis, the pooled AUC ROC of 23 studies was 0.69 (95%CI [0.65; 0.74]). The prognostic value of CRT compared to lactate was not significantly different. High-quality CRT was associated with a greater accuracy. CONCLUSION: CRT poorly predicted death and adverse events in patients at risk or established acute circulatory failure. Its accuracy is greater when high-quality CRT measurement is performed.

Lower Limb Ischemia in Surgical Femoral Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the incidence, clinical impact on survival, and risk factors of lower limb ischemia (LLI) of surgical peripheral femoral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) in the current era. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of the authors' institutional database of VA ECMO was performed. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the occurrence of LLI. The primary endpoint was survival to hospital discharge. Risk factors of LLI were searched with multivariate analyses. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients receiving peripheral VA ECMO for refractory cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: From January 2018 to December 2021, 188 patients (mean age: 52.0 ± 14.1 years; 63.8% male, 36.2% female) received peripheral VA ECMO. Male sex was more prevalent in the group without LLI (65.9% v 33.3%; p = 0.031). Twelve (6.4%) patients developed LLI during VA ECMO support (n = 6) or after VA ECMO removal (n = 6). Survival to hospital discharge was not statistically different between patients with and without LLI (50.0% v 48.3%; p = 0.571). Female sex patients were at increased risk for LLI (odds ratio 4.38, 95% CI 1.21-15.81; p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral femoral VA ECMO through a surgical approach is associated with a low LLI rate, which does not increase the risk of in-hospital mortality. The female sex is an independent risk factor for LLI.

Central Versus Peripheral Arterial Pressure Monitoring in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aortic-to-radial arterial pressure gradient is described during and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and can lead to underestimating arterial blood pressure. The authors hypothesized that central arterial pressure monitoring would be associated with lower norepinephrine requirements than radial arterial pressure monitoring during cardiac surgery. DESIGN: An observational prospective cohort with propensity score analysis. SETTING: At a tertiary academic hospital's operating room and intensive care unit (ICU). PARTICIPANTS: A total of 286 consecutive adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB (central group: 109; radial group: 177) were enrolled and analyzed. INTERVENTIONS: To explore the hemodynamic effect of the measurement site, the authors divided the cohort into 2 groups according to a femoral/axillary (central group) or radial (radial group) site of arterial pressure monitoring. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was the intraoperative amount of norepinephrine administered. Secondary outcomes included norepinephrine-free hours and ICU-free hours at postoperative day 2 (POD2). A logistic model with propensity score analysis was built to predict central arterial pressure monitoring use. The authors compared demographic, hemodynamic, and outcomes data before and after adjustment. Central group patients had a higher European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation. (EuroSCORE) compared to the radial group-7.9 ± 14.0 versus 3.8 ± 7.0, p < 0.001. After adjustment, both groups had similar patient EuroSCORE and arterial blood pressure levels. Intraoperative norepinephrine dose regimens were 0.10 ± 0.10 µg/kg/min in the central group and 0.11 ± 0.11 µg/kg/min in the radial group (p = 0.519). Norepinephrine-free hours at POD2 were 38 ± 17 hours versus 33 ± 19 hours in central and radial groups, respectively (p = 0.034). The ICU-free hours at POD2 were greater in the central group: 18 ± 13 hours versus 13 ± 13 hours, p = 0.008. Adverse events were less frequent in the central group than in the radial group-67% versus 50%, p = 0.007. CONCLUSIONS: No differences in the norepinephrine dose regimen were found according to the arterial measurement site during cardiac surgery. However, norepinephrine use and length of stay in the ICU were shorter, and adverse events were decreased when central arterial pressure monitoring was used.

A Multimodal Cardioprotection Strategy During Cardiac Surgery: The ProCCard Study.

OBJECTIVE: The ProCCard study tested whether combining several cardioprotective interventions would reduce the myocardial and other biological and clinical damage in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Multicenter tertiary care hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: 210 patients scheduled to undergo aortic valve surgery. INTERVENTIONS: A control group (standard of care) was compared to a treated group combining five perioperative cardioprotective techniques: anesthesia with sevoflurane, remote ischemic preconditioning, close intraoperative blood glucose control, moderate respiratory acidosis (pH 7.30) just before aortic unclamping (concept of the "pH paradox"), and gentle reperfusion just after aortic unclamping. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was the postoperative 72-h area under the curve (AUC) for high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hsTnI). Secondary endpoints were biological markers and clinical events occurring during the 30 postoperative days and the prespecified subgroup analyses. The linear relationship between the 72-h AUC for hsTnI and aortic clamping time, significant in both groups (p < 0.0001), was not modified by the treatment (p = 0.57). The rate of adverse events at 30 days was identical. A non-significant reduction of the 72-h AUC for hsTnI (-24%, p = 0.15) was observed when sevoflurane was administered during cardiopulmonary bypass (46% of patients in the treated group). The incidence of postoperative renal failure was not reduced (p = 0.104). CONCLUSION: This multimodal cardioprotection has not demonstrated any biological or clinical benefit during cardiac surgery. The cardio- and reno-protective effects of sevoflurane and remote ischemic preconditioning therefore remain to be demonstrated in this context.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis during deresuscitation: correlation and agreement with cumulative fluid balance in ICU patients.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a promising tool to evaluate the body composition of critically-ill patients. The present study aimed to assess its value as a fluid management monitoring tool during standardized deresuscitation strategy. A historical cohort of critically-ill adult patients with fluid overload and continuous renal replacement therapy was used to explore both relationship and agreement between changes in cumulative fluid balance and BIA-derived hydration variables within the 5 days following initiation of deresuscitation strategy using net ultrafiltration. Correlations were described using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, and agreement using Bland-Altman analysis for repeated measurements. Sixty-one couples of fluid shift measurements from 30 patients were analyzed. The deresuscitation strategy induced a negative mean (± SD) cumulative fluid balance (- 4.2 ± 3.8 L) and a significant decrease in extra- and intracellular water (P < 0.001). Decreases in extra- and intracellular water were independent of weight variations inputted in the BIA device. Total body water (rho = 0.63), extracellular water (rho = 0.68), and intracellular water (rho = 0.67) were significantly correlated with cumulative fluid balance (all P values < 0.001). The limits of agreement did not allow interchangeability for a delta of 2L between cumulative fluid balance and BIA-derived hydration variables (P > 0.05). BIA hydration-derived variables are significantly correlated with cumulative fluid balance but the large limits of agreements exclude interchangeability of the measures.

Reliability and reproducibility of the DICART device to assess capillary refill time: a bench and in-silico study.

Capillary refill time (CRT) is an important indicator of peripheral perfusion with a strong prognostic value, but it is sensitive to environmental factors and numerous measurement methods are reported in the litterature. DiCARTECH has developed a device that assesses CRT. We sought to investigate the robustness of the device and the reproducibility of the algorithm in a bench and in-silico study. We used the video acquired from a previous clinical study on healthy volunteers. For the bench study, the measurement process was performed by a robotic system piloted by a computer that analyzed 250 times nine previously acquired videos. For the in-silico study, we used 222 videos to test the algorithm's robustness. We created 30 videos from each video with a large blind spot and used the "color jitter" function to create a hundred videos from each video. In the bench study, the coefficient of variation was 11% (95%CI: 9-13). The correlation with human-measured CRT was good (R2 = 0.91, P < 0.001). In the in-silico study, for the blind spotted video, the coefficient of variation was 13% (95%CI: 10-17). For the color-jitter modified video the coefficient of variation was 62% (95%CI: 55-70). We confirmed the ability of the DiCART™ II device to perform multiple measurements without mechanical or electronic dysfunction. The precision and reproducibility of the algorithm are compatible with the assessment of clinical small changes in CRT.

Preload Dependence Fails to Predict Hemodynamic Instability During a Fluid Removal Challenge in Children.

OBJECTIVES: Fluid overload increases morbidity and mortality in PICU patients. Active fluid removal improves the prognosis but may worsen organ dysfunction. Preload dependence in adults does predict hemodynamic instability induced by a fluid removal challenge (FRC). We sought to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of dynamic and static markers of preload in predicting hemodynamic instability and reduction of stroke volume during an FRC in children. We followed the Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy statement to design conduct and report this study. DESIGN: Prospective noninterventional cohort study. SETTINGS: From June 2017 to April 2019 in a pediatric cardiac ICU in a tertiary hospital. PATIENTS: Patients 8 years old or younger, with symptoms of fluid overload after cardiac surgery, were studied. INTERVENTIONS: We confirmed preload dependence by echocardiography before and during a calibrated abdominal compression test. We then performed a challenge to remove 10-mL/kg fluid in less than 120 minutes with an infusion of diuretics. Hemodynamic instability was defined as a decrease of 10% of mean arterial pressure. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: We compared patients showing hemodynamic instability with patients remaining stable, and we built receiver operative characteristic (ROC) curves. Among 58 patients studied, 10 showed hemodynamic instability. The area under the ROC curve was 0.55 for the preload dependence test (95% CI, 0.34-0.75). Using a threshold of 10% increase in stroke volume index (SVi) during calibrated abdominal compression, the specificity was 0.30 (95% CI, 0.00-0.60) and the sensitivity was 0.77 (95% CI, 0.65-0.88). Mean arterial pressure variation and SVi variation were not correlated during fluid removal; r = 0.19; 95% CI -0.07 to 0.43; p = 0.139. CONCLUSIONS: Preload dependence is not accurate to predict hemodynamic instability during an FRC. Our data do not support a reduction in intravascular volume being mainly responsible for the reduction in arterial pressure during an FRC in children.

Effects of Landiolol on Macrocirculatory Parameters and Left and Right Ventricular Performances Following Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a major complication after cardiac surgery, and an early postoperative introduction of beta-blockers is recommended to reduce its incidence. Landiolol, a new intravenous short-acting beta-1 blocker, could present a useful and safe macrohemodynamic profile after cardiac surgery. Detailed metabolic and hemodynamic effects of landiolol on cardiac performance, however, remain poorly documented. The authors aimed to investigate the dose-dependent hemodynamic and metabolic effects of landiolol in that specific setting. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, double-blind study versus placebo. SETTING: A tertiary university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. INTERVENTIONS: Incremental doses of intravenous landiolol (0.5, 1, 2, 5, and 10 µg/kg/min) were given within the 2 hours after arrival in the intensive care unit. Macrocirculatory parameters and cardiac performances were derived from transpulmonary thermodilution and transthoracic echocardiography. Metabolic data were obtained from arterial blood tests. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: From January to November 2019, 58 patients were analyzed and divided into a landiolol group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 28). Heart rate significantly decreased in the landiolol group (p < 0.01), whereas mean arterial pressure and stroke volume remained unchanged. No significant modification was found in both left and right systolic and diastolic performances. Metabolic variables were similar in both groups. New-onset POAF occurred in 9 (32%) versus 5 (17%) patients in the control and landiolol groups, respectively (p = 0.28). CONCLUSIONS: Infusion of landiolol in the range of 0.5-to-10 µg/kg/min during the early postoperative period presents a good macrohemodynamic safety profile in cardiac surgical patients and could be useful to prevent POAF.

Impact of a Modified Institutional Protocol on Outcomes After Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Refractory Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of the modification of the authors' institutional protocol on outcomes after extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). DESIGN: An observational analysis. The protocol complied with national recommendations. A further eligibility criterion was added since January 2015: the presence of sustained shockable rhythm at extracorporeal life support (ECLS) implantation. To assess the impact of this change, patients were divided into two groups: (1) from January 2010 to December 2014 (group A) and (2) from January 2015 to December 2019 (group B). The primary endpoint was survival to hospital discharge with good neurologic outcome. Predictors of survival were searched with multivariate analyses. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients supported with ECPR for refractory OHCA. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: From January 2010 to December 2019, 85 patients had ECLS for OHCA (group A, n = 68, 80%; group B, n = 17, 20%). The mean age was 42.4 years, 78.8% were male. The rate of implantation of ECLS was significantly lower in group B (p = 0.01). Mortality during ECLS support was significantly lower (58.8 v 86.8%; p = 0.008), and the weaning rate was significantly higher (41.2 v 13.2%; p = 0.008) in group B. Survival to discharge with good neurologic outcome was significantly improved (23.5 v 4.4%; p = 0.027) in group B. A sustained shockable rhythm was the only independent predictor of survival to hospital discharge with good neurologic outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The modification of the authors' institutional protocol throughout the further criterion of sustained shockable rhythm yielded a favorable impact on outcomes after ECPR for OHCA.

Effects of methylene blue on microcirculatory alterations following cardiac surgery: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Methylene blue is used as rescue therapy to treat catecholamine-refractory vasoplegic syndrome after cardiac surgery. However, its microcirculatory effects remain poorly documented. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to study microcirculatory abnormalities in refractory vasoplegic syndrome following cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass and assess the effects of methylene blue. DESIGN: A prospective open-label cohort study. SETTING: 20-Bed ICU of a tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS: 25 Adult patients receiving 1.5 mg kg-1 of methylene blue intravenously for refractory vasoplegic syndrome (defined as norepinephrine requirement more than 0.5 µg kg-1 min-1) to maintain mean arterial pressure (MAP) more than 65 mmHg and cardiac index (CI) more than 2.0 l min-1 m-2. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Complete haemodynamic set of measurements at baseline and 1 h after the administration of methylene blue. Sublingual microcirculation was investigated by sidestream dark field imaging to obtain microvascular flow index (MFI), total vessel density, perfused vessel density and heterogeneity index. Microvascular reactivity was assessed by peripheral near-infrared (IR) spectroscopy combined with a vascular occlusion test. We also performed a standardised measurement of capillary refill time. RESULTS: Despite normalised CI (2.6 [2.0 to 3.8] l min-1 m-2) and MAP (66 [55 to 76] mmHg), patients with refractory vasoplegic syndrome showed severe microcirculatory alterations (MFI < 2.6). After methylene blue infusion, MFI significantly increased from 2.0 [0.1 to 2.5] to 2.2 [0.2 to 2.8] (P = 0.008), as did total vessel density from 13.5 [8.3 to 18.5] to 14.9 [10.1 to 14.7] mm mm-2 (P = 0.02) and perfused vessel density density from 7.4 [0.1 to 11.5] to 9.1 [0 to 20.1] mm mm-2 (P = 0.02), but with wide individual variation. Microvascular reactivity assessed by tissue oxygen resaturation speed also increased from 0.5 [0.1 to 1.8] to 0.7 [0.1 to 2.7]% s-1 (P = 0.002). Capillary refill time remained unchanged throughout the study. CONCLUSION: In refractory vasoplegic syndrome following cardiac surgery, we found microcirculatory alterations despite normalised CI and MAP. The administration of methylene blue could improve microvascular perfusion and reactivity, and partially restore the loss of haemodynamic coherence. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04250389.

Prediction of intraoperative hypotension from the linear extrapolation of mean arterial pressure.

BACKGROUND: Hypotension prediction index (HPI) software is a proprietary machine learning-based algorithm used to predict intraoperative hypotension (IOH). HPI has shown superiority in predicting IOH when compared to the predictive value of changes in mean arterial pressure (ΔMAP) alone. However, the predictive value of ΔMAP alone, with no reference to the absolute level of MAP, is counterintuitive and poor at predicting IOH. A simple linear extrapolation of mean arterial pressure (LepMAP) is closer to the clinical approach. OBJECTIVES: Our primary objective was to investigate whether LepMAP better predicts IOH than ΔMAP alone. DESIGN: Retrospective diagnostic accuracy study. SETTING: Two tertiary University Hospitals between May 2019 and December 2019. PATIENTS: A total of 83 adult patients undergoing high risk non-cardiac surgery. DATA SOURCES: Arterial pressure data were automatically extracted from the anaesthesia data collection software (one value per minute). IOH was defined as MAP < 65 mmHg. ANALYSIS: Correlations for repeated measurements and the area under the curve (AUC) from receiver operating characteristics (ROC) were determined for the ability of LepMAP and ΔMAP to predict IOH at 1, 2 and 5 min before its occurrence (A-analysis, using the whole dataset). Data were also analysed after exclusion of MAP values between 65 and 75 mmHg (B-analysis). RESULTS: A total of 24 318 segments of ten minutes duration were analysed. In the A-analysis, ROC AUCs to predict IOH at 1, 2 and 5 min before its occurrence by LepMAP were 0.87 (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.86 to 0.88), 0.81 (95% CI, 0.79 to 0.83) and 0.69 (95% CI, 0.66 to 0.71) and for ΔMAP alone 0.59 (95% CI, 0.57 to 0.62), 0.61 (95% CI, 0.59 to 0.64), 0.57 (95% CI, 0.54 to 0.69), respectively. In the B analysis for LepMAP these were 0.97 (95% CI, 0.9 to 0.98), 0.93 (95% CI, 0.92 to 0.95) and 0.86 (95% CI, 0.84 to 0.88), respectively, and for ΔMAP alone 0.59 (95% CI, 0.53 to 0.58), 0.56 (95% CI, 0.54 to 0.59), 0.54 (95% CI, 0.51 to 0.57), respectively. LepMAP ROC AUCs were significantly higher than ΔMAP ROC AUCs in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: LepMAP provides reliable real-time and continuous prediction of IOH 1 and 2 min before its occurrence. LepMAP offers better discrimination than ΔMAP at 1, 2 and 5 min before its occurrence. Future studies evaluating machine learning algorithms to predict IOH should be compared with LepMAP rather than ΔMAP.

Capillary refill time for the management of acute circulatory failure: a survey among pediatric and adult intensivists.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies have shown the prognostic value of capillary refill time (CRT) and suggested that resuscitation management guided by CRT may reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with septic shock. However, little is known about the current use of CRT in routine clinical practice. This study aimed to assess the modalities of CRT use among French adult and pediatric intensivists. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey exploring CRT practices in acute circulatory failure was performed. The targeted population was French adult and pediatric intensivists (SFAR and GFRUP networks). An individual invitation letter including a survey of 32 questions was emailed twice. Descriptive and analytical statistics were performed. RESULTS: Among the 6071 physicians who received the letter, 418 (7%) completed the survey. Among all respondents, 82% reported using CRT in routine clinical practice, mainly to diagnose acute circulatory failure, but 45% did not think CRT had any prognostic value. Perfusion goal-directed therapy based on CRT was viewed as likely to improve patient outcome by 37% of respondents. The measurement of CRT was not standardized as the use of a chronometer was rare (3%) and the average of multiple measurements rarely performed (46%). Compared to adult intensivists, pediatric intensivists used CRT more frequently (99% versus 76%) and were more confident in its diagnostic value and its ability to guide treatment. CONCLUSION: CRT measurement is widely used by intensivists in patients with acute circulatory failure but most often in a non-standardized way. This may lead to a misunderstanding of CRT reliability and clinical usefulness.

Beating versus arrested heart isolated tricuspid valve surgery: An 11-year experience in the current era.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Data about the beating heart (BH) technique for isolated tricuspid valve (TV) surgery compared to the arrested heart (AH) technique are sparse. We compared the outcomes of isolated TV surgery between BH and AH technique. METHODS: We performed an observational analysis of our database of isolated TV surgery. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether surgery was performed without (BH group) or with (AH group) aortic cross-clamping and cardioplegic arrest. The primary endpoint was survival to hospital discharge. Risk factors for in-hospital mortality were searched with multivariate analyses. We undertook further comparisons after propensity-score matching. RESULTS: From January 2007 to December 2017, we performed 82 isolated TV surgery (BH group, n = 47, 57.3%; AH group, n = 35, 42.7%). The mean age was 59.1 years, 56.1% were female. BH group patients were older (61.8 vs. 55.4 years; p = .035), had greater impaired renal function (glomerular filtration rate, 61.1 vs. 74.6 ml/min; p = .012), were more frequently operated for secondary TR (61.7 vs. 31.4%; p = .008), underwent more frequently a reoperation (53.2 vs. 28.6%; p = .042) and exhibited a higher surgical risk (EuroSCORE II, 3.92 vs. 2.50%; p = .013). In-hospital mortality was not different between both groups, either considering unmatched (BH = 10.6 vs. AH = 5.7%; OR = 1.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.36-10.77) or matched populations (BH = 10.6 vs. AH = 6.4%; OR = 1.89, 95% CI = 0.36-9.97). Age was the only predictor of in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The BH technique showed comparable outcomes to the AH technique for isolated TV surgery despite a higher risk profile.

Correction to: Can levosimendan reduce ECMO weaning failure in cardiogenic shock?: a cohort study with propensity score analysis.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Can levosimendan reduce ECMO weaning failure in cardiogenic shock?: a cohort study with propensity score analysis.

BACKGROUND: Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) has been increasingly used over the last decade in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock. ECMO weaning can, however, be challenging and lead to circulatory failure and death. Recent data suggest a potential benefit of levosimendan for ECMO weaning. We sought to further investigate whether the use of levosimendan could decrease the rate of ECMO weaning failure in adult patients with refractory cardiogenic shock. METHODS: We performed an observational single-center cohort study. All patients undergoing VA-ECMO from January 2012 to December 2018 were eligible and divided into two groups: group levosimendan and group control (without levosimendan). The primary endpoint was VA-ECMO weaning failure defined as death during VA-ECMO treatment or within 24 h after VA-ECMO removal. Secondary outcomes were mortality at day 28 and at 6 months. The two groups were compared after propensity score matching. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Two hundred patients were analyzed (levosimendan group: n = 53 and control group: n = 147). No significant difference was found between groups on baseline characteristics except for ECMO duration, which was longer in the levosimendan group (10.6 ± 4.8 vs. 6.5 ± 4.7 days, p < 0.001). Levosimendan administration started 6.6 ± 5.4 days on average following ECMO implantation. After matching of 48 levosimendan patients to 78 control patients, the duration of ECMO was similar in both groups. The rate of weaning failure was 29.1% and 35.4% in levosimendan and control groups, respectively (OR: 0.69, 95%CI: 0.25-1.88). No significant difference was found between groups for all secondary outcomes. CONCLUSION: Levosimendan did not improve the rate of successful VA-ECMO weaning in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04323709 .

Does a two-minute mini-fluid challenge predict fluid responsiveness in pediatric patients under general anesthesia?

BACKGROUND: Very little evidence for predictive markers of fluid responsiveness has been reported in children as compared to adults. The impact of hypovolemia or hypervolemia on morbidity has driven interest in the fluid challenge titration strategy. AIM: The objective of this study was to explore the ability of a 3 mL kg-1 mini-fluid challenge over 2 minutes to predict fluid responsiveness in children under controlled ventilation. METHODS: Children scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia were included and received a fluid challenge of 15 mL kg-1 of crystalloid prior to incision administered over 10 minutes in two steps: 3 mL kg-1 over 2 minutes then 12 mL kg-1 over 8 minutes. Fluid responsiveness was defined as a change of ≥10% in cardiac output estimated by left ventricular outflow tract velocity time integral (VTI) as measured by transthoracic ultrasound before and after the fluid challenge of 15 mL kg-1 . RESULTS: Of the 55 patients included in the analysis, 43 were fluid responders. The increase in the VTI after the mini-fluid challenge (ΔVTIminiFC ) predicted fluid responsiveness with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.77; 95% CI (0.63-0.87), P = .004. Considering the least significant change which was 7.9%; 95% CI (6-10), the threshold was 8% with a sensitivity of 53%; 95% CI (38-68); and a specificity of 77%; 95% CI (54-100). CONCLUSION: ΔVTIminiFC weakly predicted the effects of a fluid challenge of 15 mL kg-1 of crystalloid in anesthetized children under controlled mechanical ventilation.

Improving the prognostic value of ∆PCO2 following cardiac surgery: a prospective pilot study.

Conflicting results have been published on prognostic significance of central venous to arterial PCO2 difference (∆PCO2) after cardiac surgery. We compared the prognostic value of ∆PCO2 on intensive care unit (ICU) admission to an original algorithm combining ∆PCO2, ERO2 and lactate to identify different risk profiles. Additionally, we described the evolution of ∆PCO2 and its correlations with ERO2 and lactate during the first postoperative day (POD1). In this monocentre, prospective, and pilot study, 25 patients undergoing conventional cardiac surgery were included. Central venous and arterial blood gases were collected on ICU admission and at 6, 12 and 24 h postoperatively. High ∆PCO2 (≥ 6 mmHg) on ICU admission was found to be very frequent (64% of patients). Correlations between ∆PCO2 and ERO2 or lactate for POD1 values and variations were weak or non-existent. On ICU admission, a high ∆PCO2 did not predict a prolonged ICU length of stay (LOS). Conversely, a significant increase in both ICU and hospital LOS was observed in high-risk patients identified by the algorithm: 3.5 (3.0-6.3) days versus 7.0 (6.0-8.0) days (p = 0.01) and 12.0 (8.0-15.0) versus 8.0 (8.0-9.0) days (p < 0.01), respectively. An algorithm incorporating ICU admission values of ∆PCO2, ERO2 and lactate defined a high-risk profile that predicted prolonged ICU and hospital stays better than ∆PCO2 alone.