Does the anthropometric profile influence infection morbidity after coronary artery bypass grafting?

BACKGROUND: Infection after cardiovascular surgery is multifactorial. We sought to determine whether the anthropometric profile influences the occurrence of infection after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: Between January 2011 and June 2016, 1777 consecutive adult patients were submitted to isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. Mean age was 61.7 ± 9.8 years and 1193 (67.1%) were males. Patients were divided into four groups according to the body mass index (BMI) classification: underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 ; N = 17, 0.9%), normal range (BMI: 18.5-24.99 kg/m2 ; N = 522, 29.4%), overweight (BMI: 25-29.99 kg/m2 ; N = 796, 44.8%), and obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2 ; N = 430, 24.2%). In-hospital outcomes were compared and independent predictors of infection were obtained through multiple Poisson regression with a robust variation. RESULTS: Independent predictors of any infection morbidity were female sex (relative ratio [RR], 1.47; p = .002), age > 60 years (RR, 1.85; p < .0001), cardiopulmonary bypass > 120 min (RR, 1.89; p = .0007), preoperative myocardial infarction < 30 days (RR, 1.37; p = .01), diabetes mellitus (RR, 1.59; p = .0003), ejection fraction < 48% (RR, 2.12; p < .0001), and blood transfusion (RR, 1.55; p = .0008). Among other variables, obesity, as well as diabetes mellitus, were independent predictors of superficial and deep sternal wound infection. CONCLUSIONS: Other factors rather than the anthropometric profile are more important in determining the occurrence of any infection after CABG. However, surgical site infection has occurred more frequently in obese patients. Appropriate patient selection, control of modifiable factors, and application of surgical bundles would minimize this important complication.

Is shortage of heart donors a real problem? Insights from a Brazilian Mid-West heart transplant program.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: In developed countries, the shortage of viable donors is the main limiting factor of heart transplantation. The aim of this study is to determine whether the same reality applies to Brazil. METHODS: Between January 2012 and December 2014, 299 adult heart donor offers were studied in terms of donor profiles and reasons for refusal. The European donor scoring system was calculated, being high-risk donors defined as more than 17 points. The donor scoring system was used to objectively determine the donor profile and correlate with donor acceptance and posttransplant primary graft dysfunction and recipient survival. Cox proportional hazard model was used in determining the predictors of long-term mortality. RESULTS: The rates of donor acceptance and heart transplants performed were 45.8% and 19.3%, respectively. Reasons for refusal were mostly nonmedical (53.7%). The majority of donors were classified as high-risk (65.5%). Hearts from high-risk donors did not impact primary graft dysfunction (14.3% vs 10%; P = .6), neither long-term survival (P = .4 by logrank test). Recipient's age was greater than 50 years (hazard ratio, 6.02; 95% confidence interval, 2.41-16.08; P < .0001) and was the only predictor of long-term mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The shortage of donors is not the main limiting factor of heart transplantation in the Mid-West of Brazil. Nonmedical issues represent the main reason for organ discard. Most of the donors are classified as high risk which indicates that an expanded donor pool is a routine practice in our region, and donor scoring does not seem to influence to proceed with the transplant.

Results of the establishment of an organizational model in a cardiovascular surgery service.

OBJECTIVE: Increasing complexity of patients referred to cardiac surgery demands more effective heart centers, in order to maintain the same quality. The aim of this study is to examine the short-term effect of adoption of an organizational model on surgical outcomes. METHODS: From January 2006 to June 2007, 367 consecutive adult patients underwent cardiovascular surgery. Pre-, intra- and postoperative data were prospectively collected and transferred to an institutional database. Organizational model was established in August 2006, and based on integrated multiprofessional team work patient-centered, evidence-based medicine with standardized patient care and personal conflict management. The outcomes studied were hospital mortality and combined adverse events (death, stroke, acute myocardial infarction and acute renal failure), by using multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: After establishment of such model, there was reduction of hospital mortality (from 12% to 3.6%, relative risk= 0.3; P=0.003) and combined events (from 22% to 15%, relative risk=0.68; P=0.11). Operations performed previously to the model were independently associated with higher mortality (OR=2.5; P=0.04), adjusted to preoperative characteristics and Euroscore risk stratification system. Other predictors of mortality were age > 65 years (OR=6.36; 95%CI 2.57 - 17.21; P<0.0001) and cardiopulmonary bypass time > 145 minutes (OR=8.57; 95%CI 3.55 - 21.99; P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Marked improvements in surgical outcomes depend on development of cardiac surgery centers based on organizational models similar to the model proposed in this study.

Resultados da implementação de modelo organizacional de um serviço de cirurgia cardiovascular / Results of the establishment of an organizational model in a cardiovascular surgery service

OBJETIVO: A crescente complexidade de pacientes encaminhados a cirurgia cardíaca exige maior eficiência dos serviços que prestam assistência, no sentido de manter a mesma qualidade. O objetivo é examinar o impacto, em curto prazo, da adoção de um modelo organizacional nos resultados cirúrgicos. MÉTODOS: No período entre janeiro de 2006 a junho de 2007, 367 pacientes adultos consecutivos foram submetidos à cirurgia cardiovascular. Os dados pré, intra e pós-operatórios foram colhidos prospectivamente e armazenados em um banco de dados institucional. Modelo organizacional foi implementado em agosto de 2006 e se baseou em trabalho multiprofissional integrado centralizado no paciente, medicina baseada em evidências com condutas padronizadas e resolução de conflitos interpessoais. Os desfechos estudados foram mortalidade hospitalar e eventos combinados (óbito, acidente vascular cerebral, infarto agudo do miocárdio e insuficiência renal aguda), por meio de regressão logística multivariada. RESULTADOS: Após a adoção do modelo, houve redução da mortalidade hospitalar (de 12 por cento para 3,6 por cento, risco relativo= 0,3; P=0,003) e de eventos combinados (de 22 por cento para 15 por cento, risco relativo= 0,68; P=0,11). Operações realizadas anteriormente à implementação do modelo estiveram associadas independentemente com maior mortalidade (OR=2,5; P=0,04), ajustada para características préoperatórias e complexidade pelo EuroSCORE. Outros preditores de mortalidade foram idade > 65 anos (OR=6,36; IC95 por cento 2,57 - 17,21; P<0,0001) e o tempo de circulação extracorpórea > 145 minutos (OR=8,57; IC95 por cento 3,55 - 21,99; P<0,0001). CONCLUSÃO: A rápida melhora dos resultados cirúrgicos depende da composição de serviços de cirurgia cardíaca embasados em modelos organizacionais semelhantes ao proposto.

OBJECTIVE: Increasing complexity of patients referred to cardiac surgery demands more effective heart centers, in order to maintain the same quality. The aim of this study is to examine the short-term effect of adoption of an organizational model on surgical outcomes. METHODS: From January 2006 to June 2007, 367 consecutive adult patients underwent cardiovascular surgery. Pre-, intra- and postoperative data were prospectively collected and transferred to an institutional database. Organizational model was established in August 2006, and based on integrated multiprofessional team work patient-centered, evidence-based medicine with standardized patient care and personal conflict management. The outcomes studied were hospital mortality and combined adverse events (death, stroke, acute myocardial infarction and acute renal failure), by using multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: After establishment of such model, there was reduction of hospital mortality (from 12 percent to 3.6 percent, relative risk= 0.3; P=0.003) and combined events (from 22 percent to 15 percent, relative risk=0.68; P=0.11). Operations performed previously to the model were independently associated with higher mortality (OR=2.5; P=0.04), adjusted to preoperative characteristics and Euroscore risk stratification system. Other predictors of mortality were age > 65 years (OR=6.36; 95 percentCI 2.57 - 17.21; P<0.0001) and cardiopulmonary bypass time > 145 minutes (OR=8.57; 95 percentCI 3.55 - 21.99; P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Marked improvements in surgical outcomes depend on development of cardiac surgery centers based on organizational models similar to the model proposed in this study.