Frequency of intraoperative cardiac arrest and medium-term survival.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Although advances in surgical and anesthetic techniques have reduced perioperative morbidity-mortality, the survival rate following cardiac arrest remains low. The aim of this study was to evaluate, over the course of one year, the prevalence of intraoperative cardiac arrest and the 30-day survival rate after this event in a tertiary teaching hospital. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective cohort study in a tertiary teaching hospital. METHODS: Following approval by the institutional ethics committee, anesthetic procedures and cases of intraoperative cardiac arrest between January and December 2007 were evaluated. Patients undergoing cardiac surgery were excluded. The data were gathered prospectively using the modified Utstein model, with evaluation of demographic data, pre-arrest conditions, intraoperative care, care during arrest and postoperative outcome up to the 30th day. The data were recorded by the attending anesthesiologist. RESULTS: During the study period, 40,379 anesthetic procedures were performed, and 52 cases of intraoperative cardiac arrest occurred (frequency of 13:10,000). Among these, 69% presented spontaneous return of circulation after the initial arrest, and only 25% survived for 30 days after the event. The following factors were associated with shorter survival: American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status IV and V, emergency surgery, hemorrhagic events, hypovolemia as the cause of arrest and use of atropine during resuscitation. CONCLUSIONS: Although the frequency of cardiac arrest in the surgical environment has declined and resources to attend to this exist, the survival rate is low. Factors associated with worst prognosis are more frequent in critical patients.

Frequency of intraoperative cardiac arrest and medium-term survival / Frequencia de parada cardiaca intraoperatoria e sobrevida no medio prazo

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Although advances in surgical and anesthetic techniques have reduced perioperative morbidity-mortality, the survival rate following cardiac arrest remains low. The aim of this study was to evaluate, over the course of one year, the prevalence of intraoperative cardiac arrest and the 30-day survival rate after this event in a tertiary teaching hospital. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective cohort study in a tertiary teaching hospital. METHODS: Following approval by the institutional ethics committee, anesthetic procedures and cases of intraoperative cardiac arrest between January and December 2007 were evaluated. Patients undergoing cardiac surgery were excluded. The data were gathered prospectively using the modified Utstein model, with evaluation of demographic data, pre-arrest conditions, intraoperative care, care during arrest and postoperative outcome up to the 30th day. The data were recorded by the attending anesthesiologist. RESULTS: During the study period, 40,379 anesthetic procedures were performed, and 52 cases of intraoperative cardiac arrest occurred (frequency of 13:10,000). Among these, 69% presented spontaneous return of circulation after the initial arrest, and only 25% survived for 30 days after the event. The following factors were associated with shorter survival: American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status IV and V, emergency surgery, hemorrhagic events, hypovolemia as the cause of arrest and use of atropine during resuscitation. CONCLUSIONS: Although the frequency of cardiac arrest in the surgical environment has declined and resources to attend to this exist, the survival rate is low. Factors associated with worst prognosis are more frequent in critical patients. .

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Apesar de avanços nas técnicas cirúrgicas e anestésicas terem reduzido a morbimortalidade perioperatória, a taxa de sobrevivência após parada cardíaca (PC) permanece baixa. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar, ao longo de um ano, a incidência de PC intraoperatória e de sobrevida por 30 dias após esse evento em um hospital terciário de ensino. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo de coorte prospectivo em hospital terci ário de ensino. MÉTODOS: Após aprovação pela Comissão de Ética institucional, os procedimentos anestésicos e os casos de PC intraoperatórios foram avaliados no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2007, excluindo-se pacientes submetidos a cirurgia cardíaca. Os dados foram coletados prospectivamente utilizando o modelo Utstein modificado, com avaliação dos dados demográficos, das condições pré-PC, dos cuidados intraoperatórios e durante a PC e do desfecho pós-operatório até o trigésimo dia. Os dados foram registrados pelo anestesiologista assistente. RESULTADOS: Durante o per íodo de estudo, 40.379 procedimentos anestésicos foram realizados, com ocorrência de 52 casos de PC intraoperatória (frequência de 13:10000). Entre estes, 69% apresentaram retorno da circulação espontânea após a primeira parada e apenas 25% sobreviveram 30 dias após o evento. Os seguintes fatores foram associados com menor sobrevida: estado físico IV e V (Sociedade Americana de Anestesiologia), cirurgias de emergência, eventos hemorrágicos, hipovolemia como causa da parada e uso de atropina durante a reanimação. CONCLUSÕES: Embora a frequência de PC no ambiente cirúrgico tenha caído e existam recursos para seu atendimento, a taxa de sobrevivência é baixa. ...

Lesão neurológica em cirurgia cardíaca: aspectos fisiopatológicos / Pathophysiology of neurological injuries during heart surgery: aspectos fisiopatológicos

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Em virtude de as lesões neurológicas ocuparem um papel importante no contexto das complicações pós-operatórias, quando comparadas às demais, o presente estudo procurou discutir os principais fatores envolvidos na lesão neurológica peri-operatória em cirurgia cardíaca, as intervenções que buscam diminuir a incidência de lesões neurológicas, enfocando de maneira simples, e a provável gênese genética em tais lesões encefálicas. CONTEUDO: Este trabalho contém a revisão de artigos que enfocam a fisiopatologia das lesões neurológicas relacionadas a procedimentos cardíacos, sua possível origem genética, bem como uma proposta para sua prevenção. CONCLUSÕES: Muito tem se falado das disfunções cognitivas de pacientes após cirurgia cardíaca, como a revascularização do miocárdio que é motivo do aumento da morbimortalidade observada atualmente e fator de maior tempo de hospitalização. É fato que já houve grandes avanços nessa área a fim de diminuir esses índices, prevendo-se ainda outros que visam a profilaxia de lesões neurológicas.

[Pathophysiology of neurological injuries during heart surgery: aspectos fisiopatológicos.]. / Lesão neurológica em cirurgia cardíaca: aspectos fisiopatológicos.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Since neurological injuries are very concerning and important postoperative complications following cardiac surgeries, the purpose of this study was to discuss the pathophysiology of these injuries, what measures can be taken to decrease their incidence and the possible genetic origin of such brain injuries. CONTENTS: This study is a review of papers which address the pathophysiology of heart surgery-related neurological injuries and their possible genetic origin, as well as some proposals for their prevention. CONCLUSIONS: A lot has been said about cognitive function disorders after heart surgeries, such as myocardial revascularization, which are present causes of increased morbidity and mortality, in addition to longer hospital stay. Major advances to decrease such rates have been observed in this field, and others are still expected aiming at neurological injuries prevention.