Postoperative bioactive adrenomedullin is associated with the onset of ARDS and adverse outcomes in patients undergoing open thoracoabdominal aortic surgery.

Cytokine-mediated systemic inflammation after open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repairs plays a pivotal role in disrupting circulatory homeostasis, potentially leading to organ dysfunction. The bioactive form of adrenomedullin (bio-ADM) is a peptide hormone with immunomodulatory and vasomotor effects, making it a potential diagnostic agent in these cases. This retrospective, bicentric study, conducted between January 2019 and December 2022, recruited 36 elective open TAAA repair patients in two German centres. Serum and plasma samples were collected at multiple time points to measure bio-ADM levels. The primary objective was to evaluate the association of bio-ADM levels with the onset of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), with secondary endpoints focusing on mortality and SIRS-related morbidity. Results showed a significant association between postoperative bio-ADM levels (12-48 h after surgery) and the onset of ARDS (p < .001), prolonged ventilation (p = .015 at 12h after surgery), atrial fibrillation (p < .001), and mortality (p = .05 at 24h). The biomarker was also strongly associated with sepsis (p = .01 at 12 h) and multi-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) (p = .02 at 24 h after surgery). The study underscores the potential utility of bio-ADM as a diagnostic tool for identifying patients at risk of postoperative complications following open TAAA repairs.

Factors Associated with Early Mortality in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection-A Single-Centre Experience.

BACKGROUND: Acute aortic dissection type A (AADA) is a surgical emergency with relevant mortality and morbidity despite improvements in current management protocols. Identifying patients at risk of a fatal outcome and controlling the factors associated with mortality remain of paramount importance. METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, we reviewed the medical records of 117 patients with AADA, who were referred to our centre and operated on between 2005 and 2021. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables were analysed and tested for their correlation with in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: The overall survival rate was 83%. Preoperatively, factors associated with mortality were age (p = 0.02), chronic hypertension (p = 0.02), any grade of aortic valve stenosis in the patient's medical history (p = 0.03), atrial fibrillation (p = 0.04), and oral anticoagulation (p = 0.04). Non-survivors had significantly longer operative times (p = 0.002). During the postoperative phase, mortality was strongly associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) (p < 0.001), acute heart failure (p < 0.001), stroke (p = 0.02), focal neurological deficits (p = 0.02), and sepsis (p = 0.001). In the multivariate regression analysis, the onset of postoperative focal neurological deficits was the best predictor of a fatal outcome after adjusting for ARDS (odds ratio: 5.8, 95%-CI: 1.2-41.7, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective analysis, atrial fibrillation, oral anticoagulation, hypertension, and age were significantly correlated with mortality. Postoperatively, acute kidney injury, acute heart failure, sepsis, and focal neurological deficits were correlated with in-hospital mortality, and focal neurological deficit has been identified as a significant predictor of fatal outcomes. Early detection and interdisciplinary management of at-risk patients remain crucial throughout the postoperative phase.

Posttraumatic stress disorder and quality of life in patients after open thoracoabdominal aortic repair.

Background: Open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair is often related to significant morbidity and complications like paraplegia or acute kidney injury. Subsequently, prolonged intensive care stay is common. However, there is a lack of research on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the perceived quality of life (QOL) in patients undergoing complex aortic procedures, such as open TAAA repair. Therefore, our study aims to determine the prevalence of PTSD and the current QOLin these patients and whether it is associated with demographic factors or complications following open thoracoabdominal aortic repair. Patients and methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 213 adult surviving patients after open thoracoabdominal aortic repair were contacted with two questionnaires one to assess PTSD and another to evaluate current QOL after open thoracoabdominal aortic repair. 61 patients returned one or both the questionnaires, and 59 patients (97%) answered all questions of the 4-item primary care PTSD section of the survey. In addition to the PTSD screening, patients were sent an SF-36 questionnaire to assess their current quality of life. 60 patients answered the SF-36 questionnaire partially or completely (98%). Results: 27% of patients (16/59) screened positive for PTSD. Electronic medical records were matched to all responding patients. Patients who were screened positive for PTSD spent more days in intensive care (OR, 1.073; 95% CI 1.02-1.13; p=0.005), had a higher frequency of tracheotomy (OR, 6.43; 95% CI 1.87-22.06; p=0.004), sepsis (OR, 5.63; 95% CI 1.56-20.33; p=0.014), as well as postoperative paraparesis (OR, 13.23; 95% CI 1.36-129.02; p=0.019). In patients with postoperative complications, a statistically significant decrease in the overall score was observed for certain categories of the SF-36. Conclusions: The prevalence of PTSD is higher, in comparison to the general population's prevalence, and the quality of life is affected following open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair, with a significant relation to postoperative complications as well as the length of ICU stay. Further research and screening for PTSD in relation to open TAAA repair is needed to assess its role in patient QOL during follow up.

IFABP levels predict visceral malperfusion in the first hours after open thoracoabdominal aortic repair.

Introduction: Intestinal ischemia after open thoracoabdominal aortic repairs, is a rare but devastating complication, associated with high mortality. Notoriously challenging to diagnose, visceral malperfusion necessitates immediate surgical attention. Intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (IFABP) has been proposed as a biomarker for the diagnosis of intestinal wall damage. In this prospectively conducted, observational study we evaluated the diagnostic capacity of IFABP levels in patients' serum and their correlation with visceral malperfusion. Methods: 23 patients undergoing open thoracoabdominal aortic repairs were included in this study and 8 of them were diagnosed postoperatively with visceral malperfusion-defined as a partial or complete thrombotic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery and/or the coeliac trunk. IFABP levels and laboratory parameters often associated with intestinal ischemia (leucocytes, CRP, PCT and lactate) were measured at baseline, directly postoperatively, and at 12, 24 and 48 h after surgery. Postoperative visceral malperfusion-as revealed in CT angiography-was assessed and the predictive ability of IFABP levels to detect visceral malperfusion was evaluated with receiver-operator curve analysis. Results: Patients with visceral malperfusion had a relevant risk for a fatal outcome (p = .001). IFABP levels were significantly elevated directly postoperatively and at 12 h after surgery in cases of visceral malperfusion. High IFABP concentrations in serum detected visceral malperfusion accurately during the first 12 h after surgery, with the maximum diagnostic ability achieved immediately after surgery (AUC 1, Sensitivity 100%, Specificity 100%, p < .001). Conclusion: We conclude, that IFABP measurements during the first postoperative hours after open thoracoabdominal aortic surgery can be a valuable tool for reliable and timely detection of visceral malperfusion.

Systematic Review of the Effect of Cerebrospinal Fluid Drainage on Outcomes After Endovascular Descending Thoracic/Thoraco-Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate whether prophylactic use of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage in endovascular descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (DTAA) and thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair contributes to a lower rate of post-operative spinal cord ischaemia (SCI). DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL. REVIEW METHODS: A literature review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021245893). Risk of bias was assessed through the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS), and the certainty of evidence was graded using the GRADE approach. A proportion meta-analysis was conducted to calculate the pooled rate and 95% confidence interval (CI) of both early and late onset SCI. Pooled outcome estimates were calculated using the odds ratio (OR) and associated 95% CI. The primary outcome was SCI, both early and lateonset. Secondary outcomes were complications of CSF drainage, length of hospital stay, and peri-operative (30 day or in hospital) mortality rates. RESULTS: Twenty-eight observational, retrospective studies were included, reporting 4 814 patients (2 599 patients with and 2 215 without CSF drainage). The NOS showed a moderate risk of bias. The incidence of SCI was similar in patients with CSF drainage (0.05, 95% CI 0.03 ‒ 0.08) and without CSF drainage (0.05, 95% CI 0.00 ‒ 0.14). No significant decrease in SCI was found when using CSF drainage (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.29 ‒ 1.55, p = .35). The incidence rate of CSF drainage related complication was 0.10 (95% CI 0.04 ‒ 0.19). The 30 day and in hospital mortality rate with CSF drainage was 0.08 (95% CI 0.05 ‒ 0.12). The 30 day and in hospital mortality rate without CSF drainage and comparison with late mortality and length of hospital stay could not be determined due to lack of data. The quality of evidence was considered very low. CONCLUSION: Pre-operative CSF drainage placement was not related to a favourable outcome regarding SCI rate in endovascular TAAA and DTAA repair. Due to the low quality of evidence, no clear recommendation on pre-operative use of CSF drainage placement can be made.

Onset of Adverse Abdominal Events Due to Intestinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury after Aortic Cross-Clamping Is Associated with Elevated HSP70 Serum Levels in the Early Postoperative Phase.

Tissue injury of the viscera during open thoracoabdominal aortic (TAA) reconstructions has been reported as the aftermath of the ischemia-reperfusion mechanism following supracoeliac aortic cross-clamping. Abdominal complications after open aortic reconstructions, although rare through the intraoperative implementation of selective visceral artery blood perfusion, are associated with high rates of reinterventions and a poor prognosis. Recent animal experiments demonstrated that provoking mesenteric ischemia in rats induces the leukocyte-mediated transcription of heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70), a chaperone belonging to the danger-associated molecular pattern proteins (DAMPs). Translating these findings clinically, we investigated the serum levels of HSP70 in patients undergoing open aortic reconstructions with supracoeliac clamping. We postoperatively observed a relevant induction of HSP70, which remained significantly elevated in cases of postoperative abdominal complications (paralytic ileus, abdominal compartment syndrome, and visceral malperfusion). The receiver-operator curve analysis revealed the reliable prognostic accuracy of HSP70 as a biomarker for these complications as soon as 12 h post-operation (AUC 0.908, sensitivity 88.9%, specificity 83.3%). In conclusion, measuring HSP70 serum levels in the early postoperative phase may serve as a further adjutant in the diagnostic decision making for both the vascular surgeon and intensivist for the timely detection and management of abdominal complications following open TAA surgery.

Outcome of Elective and Emergency Open Thoraco-Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair in 255 Cases: a Retrospective Single Centre Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study reports on open TAAA repair comparing short and long term patient outcome according to the type of repair defined by the Crawford classification and elective vs. emergency repair. Endpoints were death, acute kidney injury (AKI), sepsis, spinal cord ischaemia (SCI), and re-intervention rate. METHODS: This was a retrospective study reporting the outcomes of 255 patients (between 2006 and 2019), designed according to the STROBE criteria. RESULTS: The TAAA distribution was type I 25%, type II 26%, type III 23%, type IV 18%, and type V 7%. Fifty-one (20%) patients had an emergency procedure. Of all the patients, 51% had a history of aortic surgery, 58% suffered from post-dissection TAAA, and 26% had connective tissue disease. The in hospital mortality rate among electively treated patients was 16% (n = 33) vs. 35% (n = 18) in the emergency subgroup; the total mortality rate was 20% (n = 51). The adjusted odds ratio for in hospital death following emergency repair compared with elective repair was 2.52 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15 - 5.48). Temporary renal replacement therapy because of AKI was required in 29% (n = 74) of all patients, sepsis from different cause was observed in 37% (n = 94), and SCI in 7% (n = 18, 10 patients suffering from paraplegia and eight from paraparesis). The mean follow up time was 3.0 years (median 1.5, range 0 - 12.8 years). Aortic related re-intervention was required in 2.8%. The total mortality rate during follow up was 22.5% (n = 46); 5.3% (n = 11) of all patients died because of aortic related events. CONCLUSION: Open TAAA repair is associated with an important morbidity and mortality rate, yet the incidence of spinal cord ischaemia may be favourably low if a neuromonitoring protocol is applied. The aortic related re-intervention and aortic related mortality rate during follow up are low.