Outcomes of Vasopressin-Receptor Agonists Versus Norepinephrine in Adults With Perioperative Hypotension: A Systematic Review.

Consensus statements recommend the use of norepinephrine and/or vasopressin for hypotension in cardiac surgery. However, there is a paucity of data among other surgical subgroups and vasopressin analogs. Therefore, the authors conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare vasopressin-receptor agonists with norepinephrine for hypotension among those undergoing surgery with general anesthesia. This review was registered prospectively (CRD42022316328). Literature searches were conducted by a medical librarian to November 28, 2023, across MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and Web of Science. The authors included RCTs enrolling adults (≥18 years of age) undergoing any surgery under general anesthesia who developed perioperative hypotension and comparing vasopressin receptor agonists with norepinephrine. The risk of bias was assessed by the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized trials (RoB-2). Thirteen (N = 719) RCTs were included, of which 8 (n = 585) enrolled patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Five trials compared norepinephrine with vasopressin, 4 trials with terlipressin, 1 trial with ornipressin, and the other 3 trials used vasopressin as adjuvant therapy. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality. Among patients with vasoplegic shock after cardiac surgery, vasopressin was associated with significantly lower intensive care unit (N = 385; 2 trials; mean 100.8 v 175.2 hours, p < 0.005; median 120 [IQR 96-168] v 144 [96-216] hours, p = 0.007) and hospital lengths of stay, as well as fewer cases of acute kidney injury and atrial fibrillation compared with norepinephrine. One trial also found that terlipressin was associated with a significantly lower incidence of acute kidney injury versus norepinephrine overall. Vasopressin and norepinephrine restored mean arterial blood pressure with no significant differences; however, the use of vasopressin with norepinephrine was associated with significantly higher mean arterial blood pressure versus norepinephrine alone. Further high-quality trials are needed to determine pooled treatment effects, especially among noncardiac surgical patients and those treated with vasopressin analogs.

Obesity and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO): Analysis of Outcomes.

Traditionally, patients with obesity have been deemed ineligible for extracorporeal life support (ELS) therapies such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), given the association of obesity with chronic health conditions that contribute to increased morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, a growing body of literature suggests the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of ECMO in the obese population. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the current literature assessing the effects of obesity on outcomes among patients supported with ECMO (venovenous [VV] ECMO in noncoronavirus disease 2019 and coronavirus disease 2019 acute respiratory distress syndrome, venoarterial [VA] ECMO, and combined VV and VA ECMO), offer a possible explanation of the current findings on the basis of the obesity paradox phenomenon, provides a framework for future studies addressing the use of ELS therapies in the obese patient population, and provides guidance from the literature for many of the challenges related to initiating, maintaining, and weaning ELS therapy in patients with obesity.

Remimazolam in Cardiac Anesthesia: Analysis of Recent Data.

Interest in remimazolam has surged in recent years, thanks to its advantageous pharmacologic profile. This ultra-short-acting benzodiazepine is noted for its rapid onset and termination of action, organ-independent elimination, availability of a reversal agent, and excellent hemodynamic stability. Although the use of remimazolam has been explored in various anesthesia settings and procedures, data on its application in cardiovascular anesthesia and catheterization laboratory procedures remain limited. This review evaluates the latest literature to assess remimazolam's role in cardiovascular anesthesia across different settings and procedures. The analysis shows that remimazolam offers anesthesia without significant hemodynamic instability and a reduced need for vasopressors, with an incidence of perioperative adverse events comparable to that of other agents. These findings are relevant for both the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia in catheterization laboratory procedures and general anesthesia in elective cardiac surgery. Although further research is needed to fully understand remimazolam's role in cardiovascular anesthesia, its favorable hemodynamic and safety profile suggests that it is a promising option for cardiac anesthesiologists in both the catheterization laboratory and the operating room.

HeartMate 3: Analysis of Outcomes and Future Directions.

Heart failure (HF) remains a public health concern affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Despite recent advances in device-related therapies, the prognosis for patients with chronic HF remains poor with significant long-term risk of morbidity and mortality. Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have transformed the landscape of advanced HF management, offering circulatory support as destination therapy or as a bridge for heart transplantation. Among the latest generation of LVADs, the HeartMate 3 has gained popularity due to improved clinical outcomes and lower risk of serious adverse events when compared with previous similar devices. The ELEVATE (Evaluating the HeartMate 3 with Full MagLev Technology in a Post-Market Approval Setting) Registry and the MOMENTUM 3 (Multicenter Study of MagLev Technology in Patients Undergoing Mechanical Circulatory Support Therapy with HeartMate 3) trial represent landmark investigations into the performance and comparative effectiveness of the HeartMate 3 LVAD. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the safety and efficacy of the 2-year and 5-year HeartMate LVAD outcomes, highlighting key findings, methodological considerations, implications for clinical practice, and future directions.

The Year in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia: Selected Highlights From 2023.

This special article is the 16th in an annual series for the Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia. The authors thank the editor-in-chief, Dr. Kaplan, and the editorial board for the opportunity to continue this series, namely the research highlights of the past year in the specialty of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesiology. The major themes selected for 2023 are outlined in this introduction, and each highlight is reviewed in detail in the main article. The literature highlights in the specialty for 2023 begin with an update on perioperative rehabilitation in cardiothoracic surgery, with a focus on novel methods to best assess patients in the preoperative and postoperative periods, and the impact of rehabilitation on outcomes. The second major theme is focused on cardiac surgery, with the authors discussing new insights into inhaled pulmonary vasodilators, coronary revascularization surgery, and discussion of causes of coronary graft failure after surgery. The third theme is focused on cardiothoracic transplantation, with discussions focusing on bridge-to-transplantation strategies. The fourth theme is focused on mechanical circulatory support, with discussions focusing on both temporary and durable support. The fifth and final theme is an update on medical cardiology, with a focus on outcomes of invasive approaches to heart disease. The themes selected for this article are only a few of the diverse advances in the specialty during 2023. These highlights will inform the reader of key updates on various topics, leading to improved perioperative outcomes for patients with cardiothoracic and vascular disease.

The Year in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia: Selected Highlights from 2024.

This special article is the 17th in an annual series for the Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia. The authors thank the editor in chief, Dr Kaplan, and the editorial board for the opportunity to continue this series, namely, the research highlights of the past year in the specialty of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesiology.1 The major themes selected for 2024 are outlined in this introduction, and each highlight is reviewed in detail in the main article. The literature highlights in the specialty for 2024 begin with an update on perioperative rehabilitation and enhanced recovery in cardiothoracic surgery, with a focus on novel methods to best assess our patients in the preoperative period and the impact of implementing enhanced recovery care models on outcomes. The second major theme is focused on cardiac surgery, with the authors discussing new insights into anemia, transfusions, and coronary artery bypass grafting outcomes with a focus on gender disparities. The third theme is focused on cardiothoracic transplantation, with discussions focusing on techniques related to lung transplantation, including mechanical circulatory support. The 4th theme is focused on mechanical circulatory support, with discussions exploring advancements in left ventricular assist devices highlight the evolving landscape of mechanical circulatory support and discussion of anticoagulation practices. The fifth and final theme is an update on medical cardiology, with a focus on the outcomes of transcatheter management of regurgitant pathology, device management in heart failure, and new techniques in catheter ablation. The themes selected for this article are only a few of the diverse advances in the specialty during 2024. These highlights will inform the reader of key updates on a variety of topics, leading to improvement in perioperative outcomes for patients with cardiothoracic and vascular disease.

Infective Endocarditis-Update for the Perioperative Clinician.

Infective endocarditis is a common pathology routinely encountered by perioperative physicians. There has been a need for a comprehensive review of this important topic. In this expert review, the authors discuss in detail the incidence, etiology, definition, microbiology, and trends of infective endocarditis. The authors discuss the clinical and imaging criteria for diagnosing infective endocarditis and the perioperative considerations for the same. Other imaging modalities to evaluate infective endocarditis also are discussed. Furthermore, the authors describe in detail the clinical risk scores that are used for determining clinical prognostic criteria and how they are tied to the current societal guidelines. Knowledge about native and prosthetic valve endocarditis, with emphasis on the timing of surgical intervention-focused surgical approaches and analysis of current outcomes, are critical to managing such patients, especially high-risk patients like those with heart failure, patients with intravenous drug abuse, and with internal pacemakers and defibrillators in situ. And lastly, with the advancement of percutaneous transcatheter valves becoming a norm for the management of various valvular pathologies, the authors discuss an in-depth review of transcatheter valve endocarditis with a focus on its incidence, the timing of surgical interventions, outcome data, and management of high-risk patients.

Appraisal of Postoperative Outcomes of Volatile and Intravenous Anesthetics: A Network Meta-Analysis of Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relative efficacy of specific regimens used as primary anesthetics, as well as the potential combination of volatile and intravenous anesthetics among patients undergoing cardiac, thoracic, and vascular surgery. DESIGN: This frequentist, random-effects network meta-analysis was registered prospectively (CRD42022316328) and conducted according to the PRISMA-NMA framework. Literature searches were conducted up to April 1, 2022 across relevant databases. Risk of bias (RoB) and confidence of evidence were assessed by RoB-2 and CINeMA, respectively. Pooled treatment effects were compared with propofol monotherapy. SETTING: Fifty-three randomized controlled trials (N = 8,085) were included, of which 46 trials (N = 6,604) enrolled patients undergoing cardiac surgery. PARTICIPANTS: Trials enrolling adults (≥18) undergoing cardiac, thoracic, and vascular surgery, using the same induction regimens, and comparing volatile and/or total intravenous anesthesia for the maintenance of anesthesia. Given that the majority of trials focused on those undergoing cardiac surgery and the heterogeneity, analyses were restricted to this population. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: Outcomes of interest included intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), myocardial infarction, in-hospital and 30-day mortality, stroke, and delirium. Across 19 trials (N = 1,821; 9 arms; I2 = 64.5%), sevoflurane combined with propofol decreased ICU LOS (mean difference [MD] -18.26 hours; 95% CI -34.78 to -1.73 hours), whereas midazolam with propofol (MD 17.51 hours; 95% CI 2.78-32.25 hours) was associated with a significant increase in ICU LOS, when compared with propofol monotherapy. Among 27 trials (N = 4,080; 10 arms; I2 = 0%), midazolam was associated with significantly greater risk of myocardial infarction versus propofol (risk ratio 1.94; 95% CI 1.01-3.71). There were no significant differences across other outcomes. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing cardiac surgery, sevoflurane with propofol was associated with decreased ICU LOS compared with propofol monotherapy. Midazolam with propofol increased ICU LOS compared with propofol alone. The combined use of intravenous and volatile anesthetics should be explored further. Future trials in thoracic and vascular surgery are warranted.

Comparative Efficacy of Adjuvant Nonopioid Analgesia in Adult Cardiac Surgical Patients: A Network Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the relative efficacy of adjuvant nonopioid analgesic regimens in adult cardiac surgical patients. DESIGN: This frequentist, random-effects network meta-analysis (NMA) was prospectively registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021282913) and conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses for Network Meta-Analyses (PRISMA-NMA). The risk of bias (RoB) and confidence of evidence were assessed by RoB 2 and Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis, respectively. Relevant databases were searched from inception to October 9, 2021. SETTING: A total of 124 (N = 26,257) randomized controlled trials were included, of which 110 were analyzed. PARTICIPANTS: Trials enrolling adults (≥18 years of age) undergoing cardiac surgery that compared nonopioid analgesics against other nonopioid analgesics, placebo, or no additional treatment, as adjuvants to standard analgesic management, and reported at least 1 of the outcomes of interest. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: Outcomes of interest included resting postoperative pain scores at 24 hours. Compared with standard care and/or placebo, pain scores were reduced significantly by 10 different regimens, including acetaminophen (N = 176; mean difference [MD] -0.66 points, 95% CI -1.16 to -0.15 points; high confidence), magnesium (N = 323; -0.05 points, 95% CI -0.07 to -0.02 points; high confidence), gabapentin (N = 96; MD -0.40 points, 95% CI -0.71 to -0.09; moderate confidence), and clonidine (N = 64; MD v0.38 points, 95% CI -0.73 to v0.04 points; moderate confidence). Indomethacin, diclofenac, magnesium, and gabapentin significantly reduced 24-hour opioid consumption. Four regimens significantly decreased the intensive care unit length of stay. Hydrocortisone, dexmedetomidine, and clonidine significantly decreased the duration of mechanical ventilation. Magnesium decreased, while methylprednisolone significantly increased, the risk of myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: Given the increasing emphasis on enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS) protocols and the eventual goal of limiting opiate prescriptions postoperatively, the authors' data suggested far greater use of nonopioid adjuncts to minimize pain and enhance recovery following cardiac surgery.

Renal Outcomes Following Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair - Analysis of COAPT Trial Data.

The prevalence of valvular heart disease in the United States has been estimated at 4.2-to-5.6 million, with mitral regurgitation (MR) being the most common lesion. Significant MR is associated with heart failure (HF) and death if left untreated. When HF is present, renal dysfunction (RD) is common and is associated with worse outcomes (ie, it is a marker of HF disease progression). Additionally, a complex interplay exists in patients with HF who also have MR, as this combination further impairs renal function, and the presence of RD further worsens prognosis and often limits guideline-directed management and therapy (GDMT). This has important implications in secondary MR because GDMT is the standard of care. However, with the development of minimally invasive transcatheter mitral valve repair, mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) has become a new treatment option for secondary MR that is now incorporated into current guidelines published in 2020 that listed mitral TEER as a class 2a recommendation (moderate recommendation with benefit >> risk) as an addition to GDMT in a subset of patients with left ventricular ejection fraction <50%. The Cardiovascular Outcomes Assessment of the MitraClip Percutaneous Therapy for Heart Failure Patients with Functional Mitral Regurgitation (COAPT) trial, which demonstrated favorable outcomes in secondary MR by adding mitral TEER to GDMT versus GDMT alone, was the evidence base for these guidelines. Considering these guidelines and the understanding that concomitant RD often limits GDMT in secondary MR, there is emerging research studying the renal outcomes from the COAPT trial. This review analyzes this evidence, which could further influence current decision-making and future guidelines.

The Year in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia: Selected Highlights from 2022.

This special article is the 15th in an annual series for the Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia. The authors thank the editor-in-chief Dr. Kaplan and the editorial board for the opportunity to continue this series, namely the research highlights of the past year in the specialties of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesiology. The major themes selected for 2022 are outlined in this introduction, and each highlight is reviewed in detail in the main body of the article. The literature highlights, in the specialties for 2022, begin with an update on COVID-19 therapies, with a focus on the temporal updates in a wide range of therapies, progressing from medical to the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and, ultimately, with lung transplantation in this high-risk group. The second major theme is focused on medical cardiology, with the authors discussing new insights into the life cycle of coronary disease, heart failure treatments, and outcomes related to novel statin therapy. The third theme is focused on mechanical circulatory support, with discussions focusing on both right-sided and left-sided temporary support outcomes and the optimal timing of deployment. The fourth and final theme is an update on cardiac surgery, with a discussion of the diverse aspects of concomitant valvular surgery and the optimal approach to procedural treatment for coronary artery disease. The themes selected for this 15th special article are only a few of the diverse advances in the specialties during 2022. These highlights will inform the reader of key updates on a variety of topics, leading to the improvement of perioperative outcomes for patients with cardiothoracic and vascular disease.

Outcomes of dexmedetomidine versus propofol sedation in critically ill adults requiring mechanical ventilation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines have recommended the use of dexmedetomidine or propofol for sedation after cardiac surgery, and propofol monotherapy for other patients. Further outcome data are required for these drugs. METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis was prospectively registered on PROSPERO. The primary outcome was ICU length of stay. Secondary outcomes included duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU delirium, all-cause mortality, and haemodynamic effects. Intensive care patients were analysed separately as cardiac surgical, medical/noncardiac surgical, those with sepsis, and patients in neurocritical care. Subgroup analyses based on age and dosage were conducted. RESULTS: Forty-one trials (N=3948) were included. Dexmedetomidine did not significantly affect ICU length of stay across any ICU patient subtype when compared with propofol, but it reduced the duration of mechanical ventilation (mean difference -0.67 h; 95% confidence interval: -1.31 to -0.03 h; P=0.041; low certainty) and the risk of ICU delirium (risk ratio 0.49; 95% confidence interval: 0.29-0.87; P=0.019; high certainty) across cardiac surgical patients. Dexmedetomidine was also associated with a greater risk of bradycardia across a variety of ICU patients. Subgroup analyses revealed that age might affect the incidence of haemodynamic side-effects and mortality among cardiac surgical and medical/other surgical patients. CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine did not significantly impact ICU length of stay compared with propofol, but it significantly reduced the duration of mechanical ventilation and the risk of delirium in cardiac surgical patients. It also significantly increased the risk of bradycardia across ICU patient subsets.

Analysis of the 2020 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines for the Management of Adults With Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD).

Adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) continues to rapidly increase worldwide. With an estimated 1.5 million adults with ACHD in the USA alone, there is a growing need for better education in the management of these complex patients and multiple knowledge gaps exist. This manuscript comprehensively reviewed the recent (2020) updated European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for the management of ACHD created by the Task Force for the management of adult congenital heart disease of the European Society of Cardiology, with perioperative implications for the adult cardiac anesthesiologist and intensivist who may be called upon to manage these complex patients.

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) for Cerebral and Tissue Oximetry: Analysis of Evolving Applications.

THE USE OF NEAR-INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY (NIRS) has increased significantly worldwide in the past decade. This technology, first described more than 40 years ago, is based on the fact that near-infrared light is able to penetrate biologic tissue and can obtain real-time, noninvasive information on tissue oxygenation and metabolism. In the clinical setting, NIRS has been able to provide clinicians potentially valuable information in patients with impaired microcirculations (systemic and cerebral). Near-infrared spectroscopy has progressed beyond assessment of brain oxygenation to monitor local tissue and muscle oxygenation and perfusion. This review analyzes the published data and provides the clinician a comprehensive account of the perioperative utility of NIRS in cardiac, vascular and thoracic surgery, as well as its increasing role in tissue/muscle oxygenation monitoring.

Analysis of the 2020 EACTS/ELSO/STS/AATS Expert Guidelines on the Management of Adult Postcardiotomy Extracorporeal Life Support.

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS), also known as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), increasingly is used in postcardiotomy (PC) shock to facilitate a bridge to sustained recovery, long-term mechanical support, or heart transplantation. Given increasing prevalence and complexity of PC-ECLS, a joint expert consensus guideline was created in 2020 for management of adult PC-ECLS by the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS), the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO), the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), and the American Association of Thoracic Surgery (AATS). The aim of this analysis was to comprehensively review the expert consensus guidelines, with particular emphasis on PC-ECLS candidacy, timing, cannula configuration, left ventricular distention, anticoagulation, ECLS weaning, and intensive care unit complications. This analysis finds the expert consensus guideline to be timely, pertinent, and clinically valuable, although there remains the need for larger clinical trials to codify best practices.

2021 Update for the Diagnosis and Management of Acute Coronary Syndromes for the Perioperative Clinician.

In this review, recent key publications related to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are summarized and placed into context of contemporary practice. Landmark trials examining vascular access in ST-elevation myocardial infarction, the management of multivessel disease, acute myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest are discussed. An update in pharmacology for ACS provides updates in major trials relating to P2Y12 inhibitor initiation, deescalation, and use in special populations. Additional updates in the use of lipid-lowering agents and adjunctive medications in ACS are reviewed. Finally, cardiac pathology related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as well as the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on the care of patients with ACS, is summarized.

Mortality in Adult Congenital Heart Disease: Analysis of Outcomes and Risk Stratification.

Adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) is a rising concern for the current healthcare system, with a prevalence that is anticipated to steadily increase through the year 2050. It is estimated that there are >1.4 million adults in the United States living with a congenital heart defect. Despite significant advances in medical and surgical therapy, most of these patients progress to advanced heart failure due to the unique anatomic, physiological, and hemodynamic abnormalities associated with the disease. Patient awareness of the disease coupled with advances in the diagnosis and treatment has led to a significant increase in the surgical treatment of CHD in adults. The authors aim to summarize and critically appraise the current literature on the morbidity, mortality, and risk scores associated with ACHD.

Score2: A New Updated Algorithm to Predict Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Europe.

The recently published guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases presented in August 2021 at the virtual European Society of Cardiology congress recommend the use of the SCORE2 risk index instead of the classic SCORE risk index to calculate the cardiovascular risk (specifically, ten-year fatal and nonfatal risk) in a healthy population under the age of 70 years, with a level of evidence IB. This new risk index was developed with the collaboration of about 200 investigators, including 45 cohorts in 13 countries with 700,000 participants, and covers the known risk factors for heart and circulatory diseases such as age, sex, lipid levels, blood pressure, and smoking. In addition, it divides the countries into four groups of risk and uses a competing risk model, adjusting the risk for the probability of having another event, which enables better estimation of the risk of fatal and nonfatal events in a younger population (40-69 years).

2021 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Update, With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Focus.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a heterogeneous lung disease responsible for significant morbidity and mortality among critically ill patients, including those infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the virus responsible for coronavirus disease 2019. Despite recent advances in pathophysiology, diagnostics, and therapeutics, ARDS is dangerously underdiagnosed, and supportive lung protective ventilation and prone positioning remain the mainstay interventions. Rescue therapies, including neuromuscular blockade and venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, remain a key component of clinical practice, although benefits are unclear. Even though coronavirus disease 2019 ARDS has some distinguishing features from traditional ARDS, including delayed onset, hyperinflammatory response, and pulmonary microthrombi, it clinically is similar to traditional ARDS and should be treated with established supportive therapies.

Transcarotid Versus Transaxillary/Subclavian Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR): Analysis of Outcomes.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has revolutionized the percutaneous management of valvular heart disease and has evolved to progressively minimalist techniques over the past decade. This review discusses the impact of minimalist TAVR, explores the alternative approaches when transfemoral (TF) TAVR is not possible, and analyzes the current outcomes of transcarotid (TC) versus transaxillary/subclavian (TAx) TAVR, which are the two leading nonfemoral (NF) approaches emerging as the preferred alternatives to TF TAVR.