Pathological findings associated with the updated European Society of Cardiology 2022 guidelines for preoperative cardiac testing: an observational cohort modelling study.

BACKGROUND: In 2022, the European Society of Cardiology updated guidelines for preoperative evaluation. The aims of this study were to quantify: (1) the impact of the updated recommendations on the yield of pathological findings compared with the previous guidelines published in 2014; (2) the impact of preoperative B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) use for risk estimation on the yield of pathological findings; and (3) the association between 2022 guideline adherence and outcomes. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of MET-REPAIR, an international, prospective observational cohort study (NCT03016936). Primary endpoints were reduced ejection fraction (EF<40%), stress-induced ischaemia, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). The explanatory variables were class of recommendations for transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), stress imaging, and guideline adherence. We conducted second-order Monte Carlo simulations and multivariable regression. RESULTS: In total, 15,529 patients (39% female, median age 72 [inter-quartile range: 67-78] yr) were included. The 2022 update changed the recommendation for preoperative TTE in 39.7% patients, and for preoperative stress imaging in 12.9% patients. The update resulted in missing 1 EF <40% every 3 fewer conducted TTE, and in 4 additional stress imaging per 1 additionally detected ischaemia events. For cardiac stress testing, four more investigations were performed for every 1 additionally detected ischaemia episodes. Use of NT-proBNP did not improve the yield of pathological findings. Multivariable regression analysis failed to find an association between adherence to the updated guidelines and MACE. CONCLUSIONS: The 2022 update for preoperative cardiac testing resulted in a relevant increase in tests receiving a stronger recommendation. The updated recommendations for TTE did not improve the yield of pathological cardiac testing.

Factors affecting adherence to recommendations on pre-operative cardiac testing: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac risk evaluation prior to noncardiac surgery is fundamental to tailor peri-operative management to patient's estimated risk. Data on the degree of adherence to guidelines in patients at cardiovascular risk in Europe and factors influencing adherence are underexplored. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this analysis was to describe the degree of adherence to [2014 European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA) guidelines] recommendations on rest echocardiography [transthoracic echocardiography (TTE)] and to stress imaging prior to noncardiac surgery in a large European sample and to assess factors potentially affecting adherence. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study (MET-REPAIR). SETTING: Twenty-five European centres of all levels of care that enrolled patients between 2017 and 2020. PATIENTS: With elevated cardiovascular risk undergoing in-hospital elective, noncardiac surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (Non)adherence to each pre-operative TTE and stress imaging recommendations classified as guideline-adherent, overuse and underuse. We performed descriptive analysis. To explore the impact of patients' sex, age, geographical region, and hospital teaching status, we conducted multivariate multinominal regression analysis. RESULTS: Out of 15 983 patients, 15 529 were analysed (61% men, mean age 72 ±â€Š8 years). Overuse (conduction in spite of class III) and underuse (nonconduction in spite of class I recommendation) for pre-operative TTE amounted to 16.6% (2542/15 344) and 6.6% (1015/15 344), respectively. Stress imaging overuse and underuse amounted to 1.7% (241/14 202) and 0.4% (52/14 202) respectively. Male sex, some age categories and some geographical regions were significantly associated with TTE overuse. Male sex and some regions were also associated with TTE underuse. Age and regions were associated with overuse of stress imaging. Male sex, age, and some regions were associated with stress imaging underuse. CONCLUSION: Adherence to pre-operative stress imaging recommendation was high. In contrast, adherence to TTE recommendations was moderate. Both patients' and geographical factors affected adherence to joint ESC/ESA guidelines. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03016936.

CR-POSSUM and Surgical Apgar Score as predictive factors for patients' allocation after colorectal surgery / Escore CR-POSSUM e Índice de Apgar Cirúrgico como fatores preditivos para a alocação de pacientes após cirurgia colorretal

Abstract Background and objectives Surgical patients frequently require admission in high-dependency units or intensive care units. Resources are scarce and there are no universally accepted admission criteria, so patients' allocation must be optimized. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between postoperative destination of patients submitted to colorectal surgery and the scores ColoRectal Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and Morbidity (CR-POSSUM) and Surgical Apgar Score (SAS) and, secondarily find cut-offs to aid this allocation. Methods A cross-sectional prospective observational study, including all adult patients undergoing colorectal surgery during a 2 years period. Data collected from the electronic clinical process and anesthesia records. Results A total of 358 patients were included. Median score for SAS was 8 and CR-POSSUM had a median mortality probability of 4.5%. Immediate admission on high-dependency units/intensive care units occurred in 51 patients and late admission in 18. Scores from ward and high-dependency units/intensive care units patients were statistically different (SAS: 8 vs. 7, p < 0.001; CR-POSSUM: 4.4% vs. 15.9%, p < 0.001). Both scores were found to be predictors of immediate postoperative destination (p < 0.001). Concerning immediate high-dependency units/intensive care units admission, CR-POSSUM showed a strong association (AUC 0.78, p = 0.034) with a ≥9.16 cut-off point (sensitivity: 62.5%; specificity: 75.2%), outperforming SAS (AUC 0.67, p = 0.048), with a ≤7 cut-off point (sensitivity: 67.3%; specificity: 56.1%). Conclusions Both CR-POSSUM and SAS were associated with the clinical decision to admit a patient to the high-dependency units/intensive care units immediately after surgery. CR-POSSUM alone showed a better discriminative capacity.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos Os pacientes cirúrgicos com frequência precisam de internação em unidade de alta dependência ou unidade de terapia intensiva. Os recursos são escassos e não há critérios de admissão universalmente aceitos; portanto, a alocação dos pacientes precisa ser aprimorada. O objetivo primário deste estudo foi investigar a relação entre o destino dos pacientes após cirurgia colorretal e o Índice de Apgar Cirúrgico (IAC) e o escore CR-POSSUM - do inglês ColoRectal Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and Morbidity - e, secundariamente, descobrir pontos de corte para auxiliar essa alocação. Métodos Estudo prospectivo de observação transversal, incluiu todos os pacientes adultos submetidos à cirurgia colorretal durante um período de dois anos. Os dados foram coletados do prontuário clínico eletrônico e dos registros de anestesia. Resultados Foram incluídos 358 pacientes. A mediana para o IAC foi 8 e para a probabilidade de mortalidade no CR-POSSUM, 4,5%. A admissão imediata em unidade de alta dependência/unidade de terapia intensiva ocorreu em 51 pacientes e a admissão tardia em 18. Os escores dos pacientes na enfermaria e na unidade de alta dependência/unidade de terapia intensiva foram estatisticamente diferentes (tempo de internação: 8 vs. 7, p < 0,001; CR-POSSUM: 4,4% vs. 15,9%, p < 0,001). Os dois escores foram preditivos do destino imediato pós-cirurgia (p < 0,001). Em relação à admissão imediata em UAD/UTI, CR-POSSUM mostrou uma forte associação (ASC 0,78; p = 0,034) com um ponto de corte ≥ 9,16 (sensibilidade: 62,5%; especificidade: 75,2%), superou o IAC (ASC 0,67, p = 0,048), com ponto de corte ≤ 7 (sensibilidade: 67,3%; especificidade: 56,1%). Conclusões Tanto o CR-POSSUM quanto o IAC foram associados à decisão clínica de admitir um paciente em unidade de alta dependência/unidade de terapia intensiva imediatamente após a cirurgia. CR-POSSUM isolado mostrou uma capacidade discriminativa melhor.