Markers of Tissue Perfusion as Predictors of Adverse Outcomes in Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery. / Marcadores de Perfusão Tecidual como Preditores de Desfechos Adversos em Pacientes com Disfunção Ventricular Esquerda Submetidos à Revascularização Miocárdica (Bypass Coronário).

BACKGROUND: Cardiac surgery patients may be exposed to tissue hypoperfusion and anaerobic metabolism. OBJECTIVE: To verify whether the biomarkers of tissue hypoperfusion have predictive value for prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay in patients with left ventricular dysfunction who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery. METHODS: After approval by the institution's Ethics Committee and the signing of informed consent, 87 patients with left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction < 50%) undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery were enrolled. Hemodynamic and metabolic biomarkers were collected at five time points: after anesthesia, at the end of the surgery, at ICU admission, and at six and twelve hours after. An analysis of variance for repeated measures followed by a Bonferroni post hoc test was used for repeated, continuous variables (hemodynamic and metabolic variables) to determine differences between the two groups over the course of the study period. The level of statistical significance adopted was 5%. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients (43.7%) who presented adverse outcomes were older, higher Euro score (p<0.001), and elevated ΔpCO2 as analyzed 12 hours after ICU admission (p<0.01), while increased arterial lactate concentration at 6 hours postoperatively was found to be a negative predictive factor (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Euro SCORE, six-hour postoperative arterial lactate, 12-hour postoperative ΔPCO2, and eRQ are independent predictors of adverse outcomes in patients with left ventricular dysfunction after cardiac surgery.

FUNDAMENTO: Pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca podem estar expostos à hipoperfusão tecidual e metabolismo anaeróbico. OBJETIVO: Verificar se os biomarcadores de hipoperfusão tecidual têm valor preditivo para permanência prolongada na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) em pacientes com disfunção ventricular esquerda submetidos à cirurgia de bypass da artéria coronária. MÉTODOS: Após aprovação pelo comitê de ética institucional e assinatura do termo de consentimento, 87 pacientes com disfunção ventricular esquerda (fração de ejeção <50%) submetidos à cirurgia de bypass coronário foram incluídos. Biomarcadores hemodinâmicos e metabólicos foram coletados em cinco momentos: após anestesia, ao final da cirurgia, na admissão na UTI, e a seis e 12 horas depois. Uma análise de variância para medidas repetidas seguida de um teste post-hoc de Bonferroni foi usado para variáveis contínuas repetidas (variáveis metabólicas e hemodinâmicas) para determinar diferenças entre os dois grupos ao longo do estudo. O nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. RESULTADOS: Trinta e oito pacientes (43,7%) que apresentaram desfechos adversos eram mais velhos, apresentaram um Euroscore mais alto (p<0,001), e gradiente venoarterial de CO2 (ΔPCO2) elevado, analisados 12 horas após a admissão na UTI (p<0,01), enquanto uma concentração de lactato arterial aumentada seis horas após a cirurgia foi um fator preditivo negativo (p<0,01). CONCLUSÕES: EuroSCORE, lactato arterial seis horas após a cirurgia, ΔPCO212 horas após a cirurgia e QRe são preditores independentes de desfechos adversos em pacientes com disfunção ventricular esquerda após cirurgia cardíaca.

Sildenafil in endotoxin-induced pulmonary hypertension: an experimental study

Abstract Background Sepsis and septic shock still represent great challenges in critical care medicine. Sildenafil has been largely used in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension, but its effects in sepsis are unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that sildenafil can attenuate endotoxin-induced pulmonary hypertension in a porcine model of endotoxemia. Methods Twenty pigs were randomly assigned to Control group (n = 10), which received saline solution; or to Sildenafil group (n = 10), which received sildenafil orally (100 mg). After 30 minutes, both groups were submitted to endotoxemia with intravenous bacterial lipopolysaccharide endotoxin (LPS) infusion (4 µg.kg-1.h-1) for 180 minutes. We evaluated hemodynamic and oxygenation functions, and also lung histology and plasma cytokine (TNFα, IL-1β, IL6, and IL10) and troponin I response. Results Significant hemodynamic alterations were observed after 30 minutes of LPS continuous infusion, mainly in pulmonary arterial pressure (from Baseline 19 ± 2 mmHg to LPS30 52 ± 4 mmHg, p< 0.05). There was also a significant decrease in PaO2/FiO2 (from Baseline 411 ± 29 to LPS180 334 ± 49, p< 0.05). Pulmonary arterial pressure was significantly lower in the Sildenafil group (35 ± 4 mmHg at LPS30, p< 0.05). The Sildenafil group also presented lower values of systemic arterial pressure. Sildenafil maintained oxygenation with higher PaO2/FiO2 and lower oxygen extraction rate than Control group but had no effect on intrapulmonary shunt. All cytokines and troponin increased after LPS infusion in both groups similarly. Conclusion Sildenafil attenuated endotoxin-induced pulmonary hypertension preserving the correct heart function without improving lung lesions or inflammation.

Incidence of Medical Adhesive-Related Skin Injuries and Associated Factors After Pediatric Congenital Heart Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify the incidence, characteristics, and factors associated with medical adhesive-related skin injuries (MARSI). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SUBJECTS AND SETTINGS: The sample comprised 136 children in the postoperative period after congenital heart surgery. The study setting was in a 31-bed pediatric surgical intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Patients were followed from admission, with daily skin assessments, until the onset of MARSI or ICU discharge. Outcomes were compared by Fisher's exact test, Pearson's χ2 test, Mann-Whitney test, Brunner-Munzel test, and Welch 2-sample t test. RESULTS: The incidence of MARSI was 60.3%, with 85 injuries in 82 patients. The highest occurrence was on postoperative day 2 (27 wounds; 31.8%). The most frequent medical adhesive associated with MARSI was transparent film dressing (n = 74; 86.6%). Factors associated with MARSI were age (P = .000), number of devices inserted (P = .000), Braden Q Scale score (P = .005), duration of surgery (P = .021), cardiopulmonary bypass duration (P = .000), duration of mechanical ventilation (P = .000), and length of ICU stay (P = .000). Children who developed MARSI received more blood components (P = .039), vasopressors (P = .000), and corticosteroids (P = 0.000); required longer sedation (P = .000); and had more edema (P = .001). CONCLUSION: This high incidence indicates the need for greater awareness and prompt action in response to MARSI. Polyurethane transparent film without concurrent use of a skin barrier product should be avoided.

Blood cell adhesion to arterial filters analysis by scanning electron microscopy and real-time PCR assay: observational clinical study in cardiac surgery patients.

INTRODUCTION: Arterial filter is the part of the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit where blood cells are exposed to high mechanical stress and where cellular aggregates may fasten in large quantities. The aim of this study was to analyse blood cell adhesiveness in the arterial filter through scanning electron microscopy and real-time PCR assay. METHODS: Prospective, clinical and observational study performed on 28 patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Arterial filters were analysed by scanning electron microscopy. Real-time PCR assay was performed in extracted material from the arterial filters for analysis of platelet GPIb and CD45 leucocyte gene expression. Blood coagulation was analysed during cardiopulmonary bypass. Patients were followed until hospital discharge or 28 days after surgery. RESULTS: All studied arterial filters used in the subject patients showed a degree of adhesion from blood elements at scanning electron microscopy. All studied filters were positive for platelets GPIb gene expression and 15% had CD45 leucocyte gene expression. The GPIb platelet gene expression in blood lowered at the end of cardiopulmonary bypass (p = 0.019). There was negative correlation between blood GPIb platelet gene expression and Clot SR (HEPSCREEN2 ReoRox®) (rho = 0.635; p = 0.027). The filter fields count was correlated to the D-dimer dosage (rho = 0.828; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: There was adhesion of blood elements, especially nucleated platelets, on all arterial filters studied. Although the arterial filter worked as a safety device, that possibly prevented arterial embolisation, it may also have caused greater hyperfibrinolysis during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Dobutamine-sparing versus dobutamine-to-all strategy in cardiac surgery: a randomized noninferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: The detrimental effects of inotropes are well-known, and in many fields they are only used within a goal-directed therapy approach. Nevertheless, standard management in many centers includes administering inotropes to all patients undergoing cardiac surgery to prevent low cardiac output syndrome and its implications. Randomized evidence in favor of a patient-tailored, inotrope-sparing approach is still lacking. We designed a randomized controlled noninferiority trial in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with normal ejection fraction to assess whether an dobutamine-sparing strategy (in which the use of dobutamine was guided by hemodynamic evidence of low cardiac output associated with signs of inadequate tissue perfusion) was noninferior to an inotrope-to-all strategy (in which all patients received dobutamine). RESULTS: A total of 160 patients were randomized to the dobutamine-sparing strategy (80 patients) or to the dobutamine-to-all approach (80 patients). The primary composite endpoint of 30-day mortality or occurrence of major cardiovascular complications (arrhythmias, acute myocardial infarction, low cardiac output syndrome and stroke or transient ischemic attack) occurred in 25/80 (31%) patients of the dobutamine-sparing group (p = 0.74) and 27/80 (34%) of the dobutamine-to-all group. There were no significant differences between groups regarding the incidence of acute kidney injury, prolonged mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit or hospital length of stay. DISCUSSION: Although it is common practice in many centers to administer inotropes to all patients undergoing cardiac surgery, a dobutamine-sparing strategy did not result in an increase of mortality or occurrence of major cardiovascular events when compared to a dobutamine-to-all strategy. Further research is needed to assess if reducing the administration of inotropes can improve outcomes in cardiac surgery. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02361801. Registered Feb 2nd, 2015. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02361801.