Prognostic value of CT body composition analysis for 1-year mortality after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the value of body composition indices derived from pre-procedural computed tomography (CT) in predicting 1-year mortality among patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed consecutive patients who underwent TAVR between June 2016 and December 2021 at a single academic medical center. Skeletal muscle and subcutaneous fat area at the T4, T12, and L3 levels on pre-procedural CT were measured. The association between body composition and 1-year mortality was evaluated using Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. RESULTS: Finally, 408 patients were included (185 men and 223 women; mean age, 81.7 ± 5.1 years; range, 62-98 years). Post-procedural death occurred in 13.2% of patients. The muscle-height index and fat-height index at the L3 level were more strongly correlated with those at the T12 level (r = 0.765, p < 0.001 and r = 0.932, p < 0.001, respectively) than with those at the T4 level (r = 0.535, p < 0.001 and r = 0.895, p < 0.001, respectively). The cumulative 1-year mortality rate was highest for patients with both sarcopenia and adipopenia (26%), followed by those with adipopenia only (17%), those with sarcopenia only (12%), and those with neither sarcopenia nor adipopenia (8%, p = 0.002). Multivariable analysis revealed that body composition at the T12 level was an independent risk factor for 1-year mortality (hazard ratio: 4.09, 95% confidence interval: 2.01-8.35) in patients with both sarcopenia and adipopenia (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia or adipopenia assessed with CT at the thoracic level may be valuable for stratifying 1-year all-cause mortality in patients who undergo TAVR. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Skeletal muscle and subcutaneous fat mass indices at the level of T12, measured on pre-procedural CT, have value for risk stratification of 1-year all-cause mortality in patients who undergo transcatheter aortic valve replacement. KEY POINTS: Sarcopenia and adipopenia are associated with the prognosis of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Body composition at the T12 level was an independent risk factor for 1-year all-cause mortality. Sarcopenia or adipopenia assessed at T12 with pre-procedural CT is valuable for risk stratification.

Inhaled iloprost in off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Mechanical cardiac constraint during off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB) causes right ventricle (RV) compression and increased pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), which may further compromise RV dysfunction. We aimed to assess the effect of inhaled iloprost, a potent selective pulmonary vasodilator, on the cardiac index (CI) during mechanical constraint. The secondary aim was to determine the resultant changes in the hemodynamic and respiratory parameters. METHODS: A total of 100 adult patients with three-vessel coronary artery disease who had known risk factors for hemodynamic instability (congestive heart failure, mean PAP ≥ 25 mm Hg, RV systolic pressure ≥ 50 mm Hg on preoperative echocardiography, left ventricular ejection fraction < 50%, myocardial infarction within one month of surgery, redo surgery, and left main disease) were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial. The patients were randomly allocated to the control or iloprost groups at a 1:1 ratio, in which saline and iloprost (20 µg) were inhaled for 15 min after internal mammary artery harvesting, respectively. Cardiac index was measured by pulmonary artery catheterization. RESULTS: There were no significant intergroup differences in CI during grafting (P = 0.36). The mean PAP had a significant group-time interaction (P = 0.04) and was significantly lower in the iloprost group at circumflex grafting (mean [standard deviation], 26 [3] mm Hg vs 24 [3] mm Hg; P = 0.01). The remaining hemodynamic parameters were similar between the groups. CONCLUSION: Inhaled iloprost showed a neutral effect on hemodynamic parameters, including the CI and pulmonary vascular resistance index, during OPCAB. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04598191); first submitted 12 October 2020.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: La contrainte cardiaque mécanique lors d'un pontage aortocoronarien à cœur battant (OPCAB) provoque une compression du ventricule droit (VD) et une augmentation de la pression artérielle pulmonaire (PAP), ce qui peut compromettre davantage le dysfonctionnement du VD. Notre objectif était d'évaluer l'effet de l'iloprost inhalé, un puissant vasodilatateur pulmonaire sélectif, sur l'index cardiaque (IC) au cours de la contrainte mécanique. L'objectif secondaire était de déterminer les modifications résultantes des paramètres hémodynamiques et respiratoires. MéTHODE: Au total, 100 patient·es adultes atteint·es d'une coronaropathie à trois vaisseaux qui présentaient des facteurs de risque connus d'instabilité hémodynamique (insuffisance cardiaque congestive, PAP moyenne ≥ 25 mm  Hg, pression systolique du VD ≥ 50 mm Hg à l'échocardiographie préopératoire, fraction d'éjection ventriculaire gauche < 50 %, infarctus du myocarde dans le mois précédant la chirurgie, chirurgie de reprise et maladie principale gauche) ont été inclus·es dans une étude randomisée contrôlée. Les patient·es ont été réparti·es au hasard dans les groupes témoin ou iloprost dans un rapport de 1:1, dans lequel la solution saline et l'iloprost (20 µg) ont été inhalés pendant 15 minutes après le prélèvement de l'artère mammaire interne, respectivement. L'indice cardiaque a été mesuré par cathétérisme de l'artère pulmonaire. RéSULTATS: Il n'y a eu aucune différence significative entre les groupes en matière d'IC pendant le pontage (P = 0,36). La PAP moyenne présentait une interaction significative groupe-temps (P = 0,04) et était significativement plus faible dans le groupe iloprost au pontage de l'artère circonflexe (moyenne [écart type], 26 [3] mm Hg vs 24 [3] mm Hg; P = 0,01). Les autres paramètres hémodynamiques étaient similaires entre les groupes. CONCLUSION: L'iloprost inhalé a montré un effet neutre sur les paramètres hémodynamiques, y compris sur l'IC et l'indice de résistance vasculaire pulmonaire, pendant un pontage aortocoronarien à cœur battant. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04598191); soumis pour la première fois le 12 octobre 2020.

Effect of 5% albumin on endothelial glycocalyx degradation during off-pump coronary artery bypass.

PURPOSE: The integrity of the endothelial glycocalyx (EG), a critical player in vascular homeostasis, reportedly influences the outcomes of critically ill patients. We investigated the effect of 5% albumin, which preserved EG integrity in preclinical studies, vs balanced crystalloid solution on EG degradation in patients undergoing off-pump coronary surgery. METHODS: Patients were randomized to receive either 5% albumin (N = 51) or balanced crystalloid solution (Plasma-Lyte [Baxter Incorporated, Seoul, Republic of Korea]; N = 53) for intravenous volume replacement during surgery (double-blinded). The primary outcome was plasma syndecan-1 concentration, a marker of EG degradation, measured after anesthetic induction (baseline), completion of grafting, and sternal closure. Secondary outcomes were atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, soluble thrombomodulin, and perioperative fluid balance. RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation) fluid requirements were 833 (270) mL and 1,323 (492) mL in the albumin and Plasma-Lyte group, respectively (mean difference, -489 mL; 95% confidence interval [CI], -643 to -335; P < 0.001). Plasma syndecan-1 concentration increased after completion of grafting (median difference, 116 ng·mL-1; 95% CI, 67 to 184; P < 0.001) and sternal closure (median difference, 57 ng·mL-1; 95% CI, 36 to 80; P < 0.001) compared with those at baseline, without any intergroup differences. Atrial natriuretic peptide, TNF-α, and soluble thrombomodulin concentrations were similar between the two groups. The amount of chest tube drainage was greater in the albumin group than that in the Plasma-Lyte group (median difference, 190 mL; 95% CI, 18 to 276; P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Off-pump coronary surgery was associated with significant EG degradation. Yet, intraoperative fluid therapy with 5% albumin could not ameliorate EG degradation when compared with balanced crystalloid solution. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03699462); first posted 9 October 2018.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: L'intégrité du glycocalyx endothélial (GE), un acteur essentiel de l'homéostasie vasculaire, influencerait le devenir des patient·es gravement malades. Nous avons étudié l'effet de l'albumine à 5 %, qui préservait l'intégrité du GE dans les études précliniques, par rapport à une solution cristalloïde équilibrée sur la dégradation du GE chez les patient·es bénéficiant d'une chirurgie coronarienne à cœur battant. MéTHODE: Les patient·es ont été randomisé·es à recevoir soit de l'albumine à 5 % (N = 51) ou de la solution cristalloïde équilibrée (Plasma-Lyte [Baxter Incorporated, Séoul, République de Corée]; N = 53) pour le remplacement du volume intraveineux pendant la chirurgie (en double aveugle). Le critère d'évaluation principal était la concentration plasmatique de syndécan-1, un marqueur de la dégradation du GE, mesurée après l'induction de l'anesthésie (ligne de base), la fin de la greffe et la fermeture du sternum. Les critères d'évaluation secondaires étaient le peptide natriurétique auriculaire (ANP), le facteur de nécrose tumorale (TNF)-α, la thrombomoduline soluble et le bilan hydrique périopératoire. RéSULTATS: Les besoins liquidiens moyens (écart type) étaient de 833 (270) mL et 1323 (492) mL dans les groupes albumine et Plasma-Lyte, respectivement (différence moyenne, −489 mL; intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 %, −643 à −335; P < 0,001). La concentration plasmatique de syndécan-1 a augmenté après la fin de la greffe (différence médiane, 116 ng·mL−1; IC 95 %, 67 à 184; P < 0,001) et la fermeture du sternum (différence médiane, 57 ng·mL−1; IC 95 %, 36 à 80; P < 0,001) par rapport aux concentrations au départ, sans différences intergroupe. Les concentrations de peptide natriurétique auriculaire, de TNF-α et de thrombomoduline soluble étaient similaires entre les deux groupes. La quantité de drainage du drain thoracique était plus importante dans le groupe albumine que dans le groupe Plasma-Lyte (différence médiane, 190 mL; IC 95 %, 18 à 276; P = 0,03). CONCLUSION: La chirurgie coronarienne à cœur battant a été associée à une dégradation significative du glycocalyx endothélial. Pourtant, la fluidothérapie peropératoire avec 5 % d'albumine n'a pas pu améliorer la dégradation du GE par rapport à une solution cristalloïde équilibrée. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03699462); enregistrée pour la première fois le 9 octobre 2018.

Effect of Retrograde Autologous Priming on Coagulation Assessed by Rotation Thromboelastometry in Patients Undergoing Valvular Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of retrograde autologous priming (RAP) on coagulation function using rotation thromboelastometry (ROTEM) in patients undergoing valvular cardiac surgery. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, patient- and outcome assessor-blinded study. SETTING: At a single-center university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients aged 20 years or older undergoing valvular cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: A total of 104 patients were allocated to the RAP or control group (1:1 ratio). In the RAP group, the prime was displaced into the collection bag before bypass initiation. ROTEM was performed at the induction of anesthesia, at the beginning of rewarming, and after the reversal of heparinization. Allogeneic plasma products and platelet concentrates were transfused according to ROTEM-based algorithms. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: An average volume of 635 ± 114 mL was removed using RAP (from the 1,600 mL initial prime volume). The hematocrit 10 minutes after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was 24.7 ± 3.5% in the control group, and 26.1 ± 4.1% in the RAP group (p = 0.330). ROTEM, including EXTEM, INTEM, and FIBTEM, showed prolonged clotting time and decreased maximal clot firmness after CPB in both groups without intergroup differences. The number of patients who received intraoperative erythrocytes (27% v 25%, control versus RAP, p = 0.823), fresh frozen plasma (14% v 8%, control versus RAP, p = 0.339), cryoprecipitate (21% v 12%, control versus RAP, p = 0.185), or platelet concentrate transfusion (19% v 12%, control versus RAP, p = 0.277) did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiopulmonary bypass induced impaired coagulation function on ROTEM. However, RAP did not improve coagulation function when compared with conventional priming in patients undergoing valvular cardiac surgery.

Effect of Perioperative Intravenous Iron Supplementation for Complex Cardiac Surgery on Transfusion Requirements: A Randomized, Double-blinded Placebo-controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether routine perioperative intravenous iron replenishment reduces the requirement for packed erythrocytes (pRBC) transfusion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Patients undergoing complex cardiac surgery are at high risk of developing postoperative iron deficiency anemia, thus requiring transfusion, which is associated with adverse outcomes. METHODS: Patients were randomized to receive either ferric derisomaltose 20 mg/kg (n = 103) or placebo (n = 101) twice during the perioperative period: 3 days before and after the surgery. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who received pRBC transfusion until postoperative day (POD) 10. Hemoglobin, reticulocyte count, serum iron profile, hepcidin, and erythropoietin were serially measured. RESULTS: pRBC was transfused in 60.4% and 57.2% of patients in the control and iron group, respectively (P = 0.651). Hemoglobin concentration at 3 weeks postoperatively was higher in the iron group than in the control group (11.6 ± 1.5 g/dL vs 10.9 ± 1.4 g/dL, P < 0.001). The iron group showed higher reticulocyte count [205 (150-267)×103/µL vs 164 (122-207)×103/µL, P = 0.003] at POD 10. Transferrin saturation and serum ferritin were significantly increased in the iron group than in the control group (P < 0.001). Serum hepcidin was higher in the iron group than in the control group at POD 3 [106.3 (42.9-115.9) ng/mL vs 39.3 (33.3-43.6) ng/mL, P < 0.001]. Erythropoietin concentration increased postoperatively in both groups (P = 0.003), with no between-group difference. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous iron supplementation during index hospitalization for complex cardiac surgery did not minimize pRBC transfusion despite replenished iron store and augmented erythropoiesis, which may be attributed to enhanced hepcidin expression.

Perioperative Nadir Hemoglobin Concentration and Outcome in Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery　- A Retrospective Review.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence advocates the use of restrictive transfusion strategies at hemoglobin (Hb) levels of approximately 7-8 g/dL in cardiac surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass. Yet, it is unclear whether the same thresholds can be applied to off-pump coronary bypass (OPCAB) that accompanies cardiac displacement and warm regional ischemia-reperfusion injury without the aid of a bypass machine. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between perioperative nadir Hb level and outcome following OPCAB.Methods and Results:Medical records of 1,360 patients were reviewed. Hb levels were serially assessed during and after surgery. The incidence of composite endpoints was 35%, which included myocardial infarction, stroke, acute kidney injury, sternal infection, reoperation, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and in-hospital mortality. The nadir Hb level was significantly lower in the morbidity group than in the non-morbidity group (8.1 [7.4-9.1] vs. 8.8 [7.9-9.8] g/dL, P<0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed nadir Hb as an independent risk factor of adverse outcome (odds ratio: 0.878, 95% confidence intervals: 0.776-0.994, P=0.04), whereas preoperative anemia and perioperative transfusion were not. The critical value of Hb for predicting detrimental outcome was 8.05 g/dL. CONCLUSIONS: A significant association is found between perioperative nadir Hb and adverse outcome after OPCAB. Although preoperative anemia was not associated with poor prognosisper se, it was the only modifiable risk factor that was closely linked to nadir Hb.

Effect of dexmedetomidine on acute kidney injury after aortic surgery: a single-centre, placebo-controlled, randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent and serious complication after aortic surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Dexmedetomidine, a selective α-2 adrenoreceptor agonist, may reduce AKI because of its sympatholytic and anti-inflammatory effects against ischaemia-reperfusion injury. We investigated the effect of dexmedetomidine administration on AKI after aortic surgery requiring CPB in a placebo-controlled randomised controlled trial. METHODS: A total of 108 patients were randomly assigned to an infusion of dexmedetomidine or saline at a rate of 0.4 µg kg-1 h-1 for 24 h starting after anaesthetic induction. The primary outcome was the incidence of AKI, as defined by the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. The secondary outcomes included delirium and major morbidity. Safety outcomes were drug-related adverse events (bradycardia, hypotension). RESULTS: AKI occurred in 7/54 (13%) subjects randomised to dexmedetomidine, compared with 17/54 (31%) subjects randomised to saline infusion (odds ratio=0.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.12-0.86; P=0.026). Secondary outcomes, including stroke, mortality, and delirium, were similar between subjects randomised to dexmedetomidine (16/54 [30%] or saline control (22 [41%]; odds ratio=0.61 [95% CI, 0.28-1.36]). The incidence of bradycardia and hypotension was similar between groups (14/54 (26%) vs. 17/54 (32%) (odds ratio:0.76 (95%CI:0.33-1.76) and 29/54 (54%) vs. 36/54 (67%) (odds ratio:0.58 (95%CI:0.27-1.26), respectively). The length of hospital stay was shorter in the dexmedetomidine group (12 [10-17] days) vs saline control (15 [11-21] days; P=0.039). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-emptive dexmedetomidine administration for 24 h starting after induction of anaesthesia reduced the incidence of AKI after aortic surgery requiring CPB, without any untoward side-effects related to its sedative or sympatholytic effects. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02607163 (www.ClinicalTrials.gov).

Preoperative transcranial Doppler and cerebral oximetry as predictors of delirium following valvular heart surgery: a case-control study.

Delirium is a frequent and serious complication after cardiac surgery with cerebral hypoperfusion as one from the key pathophysiological mechanisms. Middle cerebral artery (MCA) mean blood flow velocity (MFV) measured by transcranial Doppler has been used as a marker of cerebral perfusion, and cerebral oximetry (rSO2) value as a marker of its adequacy. This prospective observational trial examined the predictive value of MCA MFV and rSO2, measured immediately before induction of anesthesia, for delirium after valvular heart surgery in elderly patients. In 113 patients, delirium was evaluated for 7 days postoperatively, using the confusion assessment method for the intensive care unit. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of postoperative delirium. Overall, 16 patients (14%) exhibited delirium. MCA MVF values could not predict the development of delirium. Preoperative statin use, geriatric depression scale score, and low preoperative rSO2 (< 60%) showed association with delirium occurrence in univariable analysis. After multivariable analysis, only the low preoperative rSO2 (< 60%) (OR 6.748, 95% CI 1.647-27.652, P = 0.008) remained as an independent predictor of delirium. Preoperative MCA MFV was not significantly associated with delirium after valvular heart surgery in elderly patients, while a low baseline rSO2 value was associated with a sevenfold increased risk of delirium.

Comparisons of Pressure-controlled Ventilation with Volume Guarantee and Volume-controlled 1:1 Equal Ratio Ventilation on Oxygenation and Respiratory Mechanics during Robot-assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy: a Randomized-controlled Trial.

Background: During robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP), steep Trendelenburg position and carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum are inevitable for surgical exposure, both of which can impair cardiopulmonary function. This study was aimed to compare the effects of pressure-controlled ventilation with volume guarantee (PCV with VG) and 1:1 equal ratio ventilation (ERV) on oxygenation, respiratory mechanics and hemodynamics during RALP. Methods: Eighty patients scheduled for RALP were randomly allocated to either the PCV with VG or ERV group. After anesthesia induction, volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) was applied with an inspiratory to expiratory (I/E) ratio of 1:2. Immediately after pneumoperitoneum and Trendelenburg positioning, VCV with I/E ratio of 1:1 (ERV group) or PCV with VG using Autoflow mode (PCV with VG group) was initiated. At the end of Trendelenburg position, VCV with I/E ratio of 1:2 was resumed. Analysis of arterial blood gases, respiratory mechanics, and hemodynamics were compared between groups at four times: 10 min after anesthesia induction (T1), 30 and 60 min after pneumoperitoneum and Trendelenburg positioning (T2 and T3), and 10 min after desufflation and resuming the supine position (T4). Results: There were no significant differences in arterial blood gas analyses including arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) between groups throughout the study period. Mean airway pressure (Pmean) were significantly higher in the ERV group than in the PCV with VG group T2 (p<0.001) and T3 (p=0.002). Peak airway pressure and hemodynamic data were comparable in both groups. Conclusion: PCV with VG was an acceptable alternative to ERV during RALP producing similar PaO2 values. The lower Pmean with PCV with VG suggests that it may be preferable in patients with reduced cardiovascular function.

Effect of perioperative sodium bicarbonate administration on renal function following cardiac surgery for infective endocarditis: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with infective endocarditis (IE) have an elevated risk of renal dysfunction because of extensive systemic inflammation and use of nephrotoxic antibiotics. In this randomized, placebo-controlled trial, we investigated whether perioperative sodium bicarbonate administration could attenuate postoperative renal dysfunction in patients with IE undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: Seventy patients randomly received sodium chloride (n = 35) or sodium bicarbonate (n = 35). Sodium bicarbonate was administered as a 0.5 mmol/kg loading dose for 1 h commencing with anesthetic induction, followed by a 0.15 mmol/kg/h infusion for 23 h. The primary outcome was peak serum creatinine (SCr) level during the first 48 h postoperatively. The incidence of acute kidney injury, SCr level, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and major morbidity endpoints were assessed postoperatively. RESULTS: The peak SCr during the first 48 h postoperatively (bicarbonate vs. CONTROL: 1.01 (0.74, 1.37) mg/dl vs. 0.88 (0.76, 1.27) mg/dl, P = 0.474) and the incidence of acute kidney injury (bicarbonate vs. CONTROL: 29% vs. 23%, P = 0.584) were similar in both groups. The postoperative increase in SCr above baseline was greater in the bicarbonate group than in the control group on postoperative day 2 (0.21 (0.07, 0.33) mg/dl vs. 0.06 (0.00, 0.23) mg/dl, P = 0.028) and postoperative day 5 (0.23 (0.08, 0.36) mg/dl vs. 0.06 (0.00, 0.23) mg/dl, P = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative sodium bicarbonate administration had no favorable impact on postoperative renal function and outcomes in patients with IE undergoing cardiac surgery. Instead, it was associated with possibly harmful renal effects, illustrated by a greater increase in SCr postoperatively, compared to control. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01920126 . Registered on 31 July 2013.

Evaluation of preoperative oral carbohydrate administration on insulin resistance in off-pump coronary artery bypass patients: A randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: In fasting cardiac surgery patients, preoperative carbohydrate (CHO) drink intake attenuated insulin resistance and improved cardiac metabolism, although its beneficial effects were not evident after cardiac surgery possibly due to cardiopulmonary bypass-related extreme systemic inflammation. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate whether preoperative CHO intake affected insulin resistance and free-fatty acid (FFA) concentrations in off-pump coronary revascularisation. DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Primary care in a university hospital in Korea from January 2015 to July 2016. PATIENTS: Sixty patients who underwent elective multi-vessel off-pump coronary revascularisation were randomised into two groups. Three patients were excluded from analysis and 57 patients completed study. INTERVENTION: The CHO group received oral CHO (400 ml) the prior evening and 2 to 3 h before surgery, and the control group was fasted from food and water according to standard protocol. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Insulin resistance was assessed twice, after anaesthetic induction and after surgery via short insulin tolerance test. FFA, C-reactive protein and creatine kinase-myocardial band concentrations were determined serially for 48 h after surgery. RESULTS: Insulin sensitivity was greater (P = 0.002) and plasma FFA concentrations were lower (P = 0.001) after anaesthetic induction in the CHO group compared with the Control group, although there were no intergroup differences after surgery. The postoperative peak creatine kinase-myocardial band concentration was significantly lower in the CHO group compared with the Control group [8.8 (5.4 to 18.2) vs. 6.4 (3.5 to 9.7) ng ml, P = 0.031]. CONCLUSION: A preoperative CHO supplement significantly reduced insulin resistance and FFA concentrations compared with fasting at the beginning of the surgery, but these benefits were lost after off-pump coronary revascularisation. Despite their transient nature, these beneficial effects resulted in less myocardial injury, mandating further studies focused on the impact of preoperative CHO on myocardial ischaemia and cardiac function after coronary revascularisation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT 02330263.

Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Radial and Ulnar Arterial Vasoreactivity after Radial Artery Cannulation: A Randomized Controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) may influence arterial vasoreactivity after arterial stimulus, such as cannulation, and cause changes in diameter and blood flow. Despite the frequent use of arterial cannulation during anesthesia and critical care, little information is available regarding vasoreactivity of the radial and ulnar arteries and its influence on underlying DM. METHODS: Forty non-DM and 40 DM patients, who required arterial cannulation during general anesthesia, were enrolled. Using duplex Doppler ultrasonography, we measured the patients' arterial diameter, peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, resistance index, and mean volume flow of both arteries at five different time points. RESULTS: After radial artery cannulation, ulnar arterial diameter and blood flow did not significantly increase in DM group, as they did in non-DM group. Ulnar arterial resistance index significantly increased in both groups, but the degree of decrease in DM group was significantly less than non-DM. CONCLUSION: Ulnar artery's ability to increase blood flow for compensating the sudden reduction of radial arterial flow in DM patients was significantly less than that in non-DM patients under general anesthesia. Such attenuated vasoreactivity of ulnar artery to compensate the reduced radial arterial flow may have to be considered in radial arterial cannulation for DM patients.

Double-blinded, randomized controlled trial of N-acetylcysteine for prevention of acute kidney injury in high risk patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of perioperative N-acetylcysteine (NAC) administration, a known antioxidant, on the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) after off-pump coronary bypass surgery (OPCAB) in patients with known risk factors of AKI. METHODS: One hundred and seventeen patients with ≥1 of the following risk factors of AKI were randomized into either the control (n = 57) or the NAC (n = 60) group; (i) preoperative serum creatinine >1.4 mg/dL; (ii) left ventricular ejection fraction <35% or congestive heart failure (iii) age >70 years (iv) diabetes or (v) re-operation. Patients in the NAC group received 150 mg/kg of NAC IV bolus at anaesthetic induction followed by a continuous infusion at 150 mg/kg per day for 24 h. AKI was diagnosed based on Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria during 48 h postoperatively. RESULTS: The incidence of AKI was 32% (19/60) and 35% (20/57) in the control and the NAC group, respectively (P = 0.695). The serum concentrations of creatinine and cystatin C were similar between the groups throughout the study period. Fluid balance including the amount of blood loss and transfusion requirement were similar between the groups except the amount of postoperative urine output, which was higher in the control group compared with the NAC group (5528 ± 1247 mL vs. 4982 ± 1185 mL, control vs. NAC, P = 0.017). CONCLUSION: Perioperative administration of NAC did not prevent the development of postoperative AKI after OPCAB in highly susceptible patients to AKI.

Machine Learning with Clinical and Intraoperative Biosignal Data for Predicting Cardiac Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury.

Early identification of patients at high risk of cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) is crucial for its prevention. We aimed to leverage perioperative clinical and intraoperative biosignal data to develop machine learning models that predict CSA-AKI. We introduced a novel approach for extracting relevant features from high-resolution intraoperative biosignals to reflect the patient's baseline status, the extent of unfavorable conditions encountered intraoperatively, and data variability. We developed XGBoost models from 2,003 patients across three consecutive perioperative phases using: 1) only preoperative, 2) pre- and intraoperative, and 3) pre-, intra-, and postoperative variables. The predictive performance progressively improved throughout the three consecutive perioperative phases (e.g., AUROC of 0.767 to 0.797 and 0.840), all surpassing the Thakar Score's performance. According to the SHAP method, intraoperative perfusion pressure was most important in the prediction, highlighting the importance of intraoperative patient management and the use of high-resolution biosignal data in predictive modeling to analyze hemodynamic fluctuations during surgery. Early postoperative biomarkers were also important predictors, highlighting the importance of intensified monitoring early after surgery.

Machine learning with clinical and intraoperative biosignal data for predicting postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery.

Early identification of patients at high risk of delirium is crucial for its prevention. Our study aimed to develop machine learning models to predict delirium after cardiac surgery using intraoperative biosignals and clinical data. We introduced a novel approach to extract relevant features from continuously measured intraoperative biosignals. These features reflect the patient's overall or baseline status, the extent of unfavorable conditions encountered intraoperatively, and beat-to-beat variability within the data. We developed a soft voting ensemble machine learning model using retrospective data from 1,912 patients. The model was then prospectively validated with data from 202 additional patients, achieving a high performance with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.887 and an accuracy of 0.881. According to the SHapley Additive exPlanation method, several intraoperative biosignal features had high feature importance, suggesting that intraoperative patient management plays a crucial role in preventing delirium after cardiac surgery.

Effects of dexmedetomidine on renal function after cardiac surgery for infective endocarditis: An interim analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing cardiac surgery for infective endocarditis (IE) are at a high risk of postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) owing to heightened systemic inflammation. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine on postoperative AKI in patients who underwent cardiac surgery for IE. METHODS: A total of 63 patients who underwent cardiac surgery for IE were randomly assigned to receive either intravenous dexmedetomidine infusion of 0.4 µg kg-1 h-1 (DEX group) or normal saline infusion (control group) for 24 h after induction of anesthesia. The occurrence of AKI within seven days postoperation, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and interleukin-6 levels, as well as postoperative morbidities, were assessed. An intertrim analysis was conducted using Pocock's alpha spending function at α = 0.05 and ß = 0.2. RESULTS: This trial was early terminated according to the results of interim analysis performed when 60 % of the pre-set number of patients have been collected. The incidence of AKI was significantly lower in the DEX group than in the control group (32.3 % vs. 9.4 %, p = 0.025). Patients in the DEX group had significantly lower epinephrine levels than those in the control group, whereas norepinephrine and interleukin-6 levels were similar. Perioperative mean arterial pressure or heart rate did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine administration for 24 h starting from induction of anesthesia significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative AKI after cardiac surgery for IE (by 29 % vs. control) without hemodynamic side effects. This was accompanied by a significant attenuation of postoperative increase in serum epinephrine levels.

Low Intraoperative Cerebral Oxygen Saturation Is Associated with Acute Kidney Injury after Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass.

By monitoring the brain as the index organ of global oxygen supply-demand balance including major organs, regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rScO2) may indicate adequacy of renal perfusion. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between perioperative rScO2 and acute kidney injury (AKI) after off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB). AKI was diagnosed according to the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria. Collected rScO2 variables were baseline, mean, and lowest value during surgery, maximal percentage decrease from baseline, and areas under the threshold below an absolute value of 50% (AUT50) and of 80% of baseline (AUT80%base). Among 580 patients, AKI developed in 143 (24.7%) patients. Patients with AKI had lower baseline, mean, and lowest rScO2 and higher AUT50 and AUT80%base than those without AKI despite routine efforts to restore the rScO2 values within 20% of the baseline. Among the rScO2 variables, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of mean rScO2 was the highest (0.636), which was used for the multivariable logistic regression. Multivariable logistic regression revealed mean rScO2 as an independent predictor of AKI (odds ratio, 0.964; 95% confidence interval, 0.937-0.990; p = 0.008), along with chronic kidney disease and emergency surgery. Low intraoperative mean rScO2 was independently associated with AKI after OPCAB, which may serve as an early marker of renal injury.

Effects of dexmedetomidine on A549 non-small cell lung cancer growth in a clinically relevant surgical xenograft model.

The perioperative milieu following curative lung cancer surgery is accompanied by a stress response. Inflammasomes mediate inflammation resulting in the unfavorable immunomodulation of natural killer (NK) cell activity, thus promoting cancer progression. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on the innate immune system, chronic inflammation, and lung cancer progression in a clinically relevant human-to-mouse xenograft model. The human lung cancer cell line A549-luc was subcutaneously injected into BALB/c nude mice. Saline or dexmedetomidine was administered for 2 weeks via an implanted osmotic minipump. After 4 weeks, the tumor size and weight were measured. NK cell activity, serum interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-1ß and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels were also measured. IL-10, IL-18, and inflammasome expression levels were assessed in the tumor tissues. DEX caused a decrease in tumor size, tumor weight, and IL-1ß and TNF-α levels and an increase in NK cell activity and IFN-γ level. IL-10 and IL-18 expression was significantly decreased in the DEX-treated group. NLRP3, CTP1A, TXNIP, ASC, IL-1ß, and caspase-1 protein levels were decreased in the DEX-treated group. In conclusion, the use of DEX for 2 weeks inhibited lung cancer progression by suppressing inflammasome- and IL-1ß signaling-induced inflammation and enhancing NK cell activity.

Platelet Reactivity and Outcomes after Off-Pump Coronary Surgery in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients.

Ischemic and hemorrhagic complications are major determinants of survival in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients undergoing coronary surgery. We investigated the association of preoperative platelet reactivity to P2Y12 antagonists with ischemic and hemorrhagic complications after Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass surgery (OPCAB) in ACS patients who received dual anti-platelet therapy (DAPT) within 5 days prior to surgery. This prospective, observational study with 177 patients compared the incidence of perioperative major bleeding and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in relation to the tertile distribution of the % inhibitory response to P2Y12 antagonists, as measured by a thromboelastography platelet mapping assay. The incidences of perioperative major bleeding and MACEs were similar in relation to the tertile distribution of inhibitory response to P2Y12 antagonists. The % inhibitory responses to P2Y12 antagonists between patients who did or did not exhibit MACEs, and with or without major bleeding, were 58 ± 20% and 56 ± 20% (p = 0.578) and 57 ± 19% and 56 ± 21% (p = 0.923), respectively. In ACS patients who received DAPT close to OPCAB, the platelet inhibitory response to P2Y12 antagonists was not associated with ischemic or hemorrhagic complications. OPCAB may obviate the need for routine platelet function testing for ACS patients requiring DAPT and surgical revascularization. Clinical Registration Number: NCT02184884.

Combination of Static Echocardiographic Indices for the Prediction of Fluid Responsiveness in Patients Undergoing Coronary Surgery: A Pilot Study.

We investigated the role of echocardiographic indices consisting of left ventricular end-diastolic area (LVEDA) in combination with Doppler-derived surrogates of diastolic compliance and filling (E/E', E'/S', E'/A'; early transmitral flow velocity (E), tissue Doppler-derived early (E') diastolic, late (A') diastolic, or peak systolic (S') velocity of the mitral annulus) in predicting fluid responsiveness in off-pump coronary surgery. Hemodynamic and echocardiographic variables were prospectively assessed under general anesthesia before and after a fluid challenge of 6 mL/kg during apnea at atmospheric pressure in 64 patients with LV ejection fraction ≥40%. Forty patients (63%) were fluid responders (≥15% increase in stroke volume index). E/E' and E'/S' could predict fluid responsiveness with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.71 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56-0.85; p = 0.006) and 0.68 (95% CI, 0.54-0.82; p = 0.017), respectively. The combination of LVEDA and E/E' showed incremental predictive ability for fluid responsiveness compared with LVEDA (AUROC, 0.60; p = 0.170) or pulse pressure variation (AUROC, 0.70; p = 0.002), yielding the highest AUROC of 0.78 (95% CI, 0.66-0.90; p < 0.001). The combined index of echocardiographic variables reflecting LV dimension (LVEDA) and diastolic compliance and filling (E/E') is a potentially useful predictor of fluid responsiveness.