A comparative study of stored arterial versus venous blood collected using the acute normovolemic hemodilution method in coronary artery bypass grafting patients in Iran.

BACKGROUND: In the present study, arterial and venous blood was collected from patients who were candidates for elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG); the blood was stored for 28 days and cellular, biomechanical, and hematological changes in blood were compared to determine whether stored arterial blood is superior to stored venous blood. METHODS: The present follow-up comparative study included 60 patients >18 years of age, with hemoglobin >14 mg/dl and ejection fraction >40% who were candidates for CABG. After induction of anesthesia, 250 ml of arterial or venous blood was drawn from patients (arterial blood group and venous blood group). Laboratory blood samples were taken at specified times from the collected blood and re-injected into the patients after CABG. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2), partial pressure of oxygen (PO2), bicarbonate (HCO3), and glucose values at several time points between the groups. Other parameters such as urea and creatinine did not show any significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-eight days of storage can have a negative effect on some of the cellular, biochemical, and hematological components of arterial and venous blood; however, the quality of stored arterial blood and venous blood does not differ significantly.

Topical and Intravenous Tranexamic Acid in Acyanotic Children Undergoing Congenital Heart Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative bleeding is a common complication in congenital heart surgery. We aimed to evaluate effects of topical and intravenous tranexamic acid (TXA) administration on postoperative hemoglobin and bleeding in children with acyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD). METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, 50 acyanotic CHD children were allocated into two groups of topical (n = 25) and infusion (n = 25). Children in the infusion group were given intravenous TXA 50 mg/kg-1 after sternotomy. Children in topical group were given 50 mg/kg-1 TXA added to 20 mL of saline intrapericardially before sternal closure. Primary endpoint of study was comparison of postoperative hemoglobin and bleeding between topical and infusion groups. A linear mixed model (LMM) was used to estimate longitudinal changes in postoperative endpoints. RESULTS: We did not observe significant differences in children's characteristics between two groups. Also, intraoperative and postoperative outcomes did not differ between two groups but children with intravenous TXA experienced significantly longer intubation time than topical children (P = 0.047). LMM analysis revealed that postoperative bleeding in topical group was lower compared to infusion group (P = 0.036). Also, age of children had a significant effect on mean changes of hemoglobin during postoperative care (ß = -0.27, P = 0.030). No children died and none had serious postoperative complications such as seizures and reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: We found that topical TXA is not superior to intravenous administration in management of blood loss. Also, no additional effect was found about topical TXA in further reducing transfusion rates and postoperative complications in acyanotic CHD children undergoing cardiac surgery.

Using Music for the Prevention of Delirium in Patients After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate the effect of music on preventing delirium after coronary artery bypass grafting, to analyze vital signs and blood gas parameters, and to determine risk factors affecting delirium. DESIGN: A randomized clinical trial. SETTING: A single-center, tertiary hospital. PARTICIPANTS: In total, 200 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting surgery from April 2020 to April 2021. INTERVENTIONS: A one-hour session of new-age music was administered twice a day postoperatively for 7 days using a headphone. Delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit before and after each session. Vital signs and blood gas parameters were compared to evaluate the effect of music. All assessments were conducted blindly by a different researcher. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Twelve participants who were delirium-positive were in the control group, and there were 3 in the case group, which suggested a statistically significant effect of music in preventing delirium (p = 0.016). The mean age of patients was 64.7 ± 7.9 years old in the control group and 62.2 ± 7.5 years old in the case group. There was a significant difference among the control and case groups in terms of the surgery time; surgery time in the control group was significantly lower than in the case group (242.4 ± 42.3 v 261.6 ± 48.9, respectively; p = 0.03 < 0.05). Blood pressure and heart rate in the case group were lower, similar to the respiratory rate and venous blood gas parameters; Blood pressure differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05); CONCLUSION: Relaxation music, including bird, water, and wind, significantly prevents delirium after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Determining the diagnostic value of tracheal intubation by palpation and auscultation methods compared to the chest X-ray method in children.

BACKGROUND: It is important to determine the proper location of tracheal tube for proper ventilation. In this study, we compared the diagnostic value of tracheal intubation with two methods of palpation and auscultation with chest X-ray (CXR) method in pediatric. METHODS: In this interventional study, 80 patients under 6 years of age were included. After tracheal intubation appropriate depth of tracheal tube was determined by auscultation and recorded, then by palpation depth of tracheal tube determined and tube was fixed. The length of the tube was calculated with the standard formula based on age. After surgery, CXR was taken and, according to the landmark, the distance from the end of the tube to the anterior lower tooth was recorded. RESULTS: Interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between the palpation method and the standard method in the number of fixing tracheal intubation was 0.573, which shows the average and significant correlation between these two methods in determining the fixed number of tracheal intubation. ICC between the auscultation and the standard method in fixing tracheal intubation number was 0.430, which shows the average and significant agreement between these two methods in determining the fixed number of tracheal intubation. There is no significant relationship between sex and the average number of fixing tracheal intubation in all methods. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown that both palpation and auscultation methods are appropriate, but with a slightly higher palpation ICC, the palpation can be considered relatively better.

Evaluation of the Effect of Modafinil on Respiratory and Cerebral Outcomes after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary complications following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) pump during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are relatively common and the incidence of cognitive dysfunction is reported as ranging in rate from 30% to 80% in the early postoperative period. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of modafinil administration on the prevention of pulmonary and cerebral complications and shortening the hospital stay after CABG surgery. METHODS: This randomized double-blind intervention-controlled clinical trial was performed on 74 patients (37 in the intervention group and 37 in the control group) undertaking CABG surgery. The intervention group was orally treated with doses of 200 mg of modafinil on the day of surgery, and on the morning of the day after surgery, the second dose of modafinil 200 mg was given to patients. The control group underwent a placebo with the same intervals. RESULTS: Administration of modafinil in intervention group significantly decreased the time to reach consciousness (P = 0.001), ventilator time in intensive care unit (ICU) (P < 0.001), length of stay in ICU (P = 0.009), duration of hospitalization (P = 0.008), and arterial blood carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO2) (P = 0.047). In the intervention group, no patients with delirium, agitation, respiratory depression, non-invasive respiratory ventilation, and endotracheal re-intubation were observed. CONCLUSION: Modafinil tablet as a respiratory and brain stimulant through the central nervous system (CNS) can improve the quality of breathing and arterial blood gases (ABGs) and also can increase the level of consciousness and shorten the recovery time.

Comparison of the incidence and severity of delirium and biochemical factors after coronary artery bypass grafting with dexmedetomidine: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial study.

BACKGROUND: One of the most common postoperative problems, such as open heart surgery, is delirium, which is responsible for increased mortality and morbidity. Therefore, it is necessary to find a way to cure this disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of dexmedetomidine administration on the prevention of delirium after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. METHODS: This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed on 88 patients (44 in the intervention group and 44 in the control group) undertaking CABG surgery. The intervention group was subcutaneously treated with doses of 1 µg/kg of dexmedetomidine for 10 minutes, and 0.2-0.7 µg/kg in hour infusion was applied. The control group underwent normal saline infusion as a placebo. Chi-square and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were used to compare the data. RESULTS: Administration of dexmedetomidine in intervention group significantly decreased delirium (P = 0.040) and delirium intensity (P = 0.001). Moreover, patients treated with dexmedetomidine had more stability in laboratory variables and vital signs, and also the duration of hospitalization in these patients was significantly lower than control group (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Considering the efficacy of dexmedetomidine on preventing the incidence and severity of delirium and reducing mortality and morbidity, it is recommended that another study with the larger sample size, with different doses and different prescribing methods be conducted to better understand the effect of this drug and achieve a safe dose with maximum efficacy.

Effects of Moderate Glycemic Control in Type II Diabetes With Insulin on Arterial Blood Gas Parameters Following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is one of the common surgeries in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). It is more probable for patients with diabetes to undergo surgeries due to CAD and they have a higher mortality rate compared to the others. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of insulin infusion therapy on blood gas parameters in two groups of patients, eligible for CABG, defined as A: well controlled diabetes (HbA1C < 7%) and B: non-diabetic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We followed two groups of patients, defined as patients with and without diabetes who were candidates for CABG, between March 2010 and March 2012. Patients with diabetes underwent moderate or semi-tight glycemic control, using continuous intravenous insulin infusion. RESULTS: There were 13 male and 18 female subjects in the on-diabetic group and 11 male and 7 female patients in the controlled diabetic group. There was no significant difference between the studied participants regarding age, cardiac ejection fraction, blood pH and PO2 and PCO2 levels. CONCLUSIONS: CABG surgery adversely affects arterial blood gas (ABG) determinations. On the other hand, findings showed there is no significant difference in the ABG parameters between patients with well controlled diabetes and the ones without.

Insulin infusion on postoperative complications of coronary artery bypass graft in patients with diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular events are common in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), which make coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) a highly demanded surgery in this population. Tight control of blood glucose in patients with DM is beneficial in reducing postoperative complications; however, the adequate range has not been determined yet. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the effect of semi-tight (moderate) control of DM on complications and serum glucose levels during and after CABG. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective clinical trial, 18 and 31 patients with and without DM, respectively, who were referred to Shahid Chamran Hospital, Isfahan, Iran, for elective CABG surgery, were enrolled. For DM group, patients with controlled DM (i.e. glycosylated hemoglobin levels [HgA1C] ≤ 7%) were recruited. Blood glucose level (blood sugar, BS) was measured after anesthesia, during pumping, warming, off pumping, six and 12 hours after Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission, and at discharging from the hospital. The hemodynamic state of the patients, bleeding, need of blood transfusion, infection, and duration of hospitalization were also monitored and recorded. RESULTS: None of the BS measurements (FBS, after anesthesia, on-pump, warming, off pump, six and 12 hours after ICU admission, and at discharge) were significantly different between study groups (P > 0.05). Frequency of surgery site bleeding and blood transfusion need were not significantly different between these groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Semi-tight control of DM with insulin infusion during operation did not led to any difference in the type and rate of CABG complications between patients with well-controlled and those without DM; however, BS levels in patients with well-controlled DM could be more easily controlled.

Comparative evaluation of the effects of tranexamic acid and low-dose aprotinin on post-valvular heart surgery bleeding and allogenic transfusion.

Bleeding diathesis and allogenic transfusion after complex heart surgery, such as heart valve surgery, may result in complications such as transfusion reaction, viral infection, postoperative infection, haemodynamic disturbance, prolonged stay in the intensive care unit and hospital, renal and respiratory failure and mortality. In this prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 90 patients were randomly divided into three groups: aprotinin, tranexamic acid and control. Chest-tube drainage, transfusion requirements and renal and neurological complications were evaluated. We found that chest-tube drainage during the first (P < 0.0001) and second 24 h (P = 0.001) after admission to the intensive care unit were significantly lower in the aprotinin group. The amounts of transfused packed red blood cells (P < 0.0001) and platelets (P = 0.02) were significantly lower in the aprotinin and tranexamic acid groups. The quantity of transfused fresh frozen plasma (P = 0.034) was significantly lower in the aprotinin group only. We did not find any neurological complications or renal failure in the three groups. Our data suggest that in valvular heart surgery, low-dose aprotinin is significantly better than tranexamic acid or a placebo for reduction of postoperative bleeding and allogenic transfusion, without increasing adverse outcomes.

The efficacy of preventive parasternal single injection of bupivacaine on intubation time, blood gas parameters, narcotic requirement, and pain relief after open heart surgery: A randomized clinical trial study.

BACKGROUND: Postsurgical pain usually results in some complications in the patients. This study has tried to investigate the effects of parasternal single injection of bupivacaine on postoperative pulmonary and pain consequences in patients after open heart surgery. METHODS: In a prospective double blind clinical study, 100 consenting patients undergoing elective open heart surgery were randomized into two groups. In case group, bupivacaine was injected at both sides of sternum, immediately before sternal closure. In the control group, no intervention was performed. Then, the patients were investigated regarding intubation period, length of ICU stay, arterial blood gas (ABG) parameters, morphine requirement, and their severity of postoperative pain using a visual analogue scale (VAS) device. RESULTS: No differences were found between the two groups regarding to age, sex, pump time, operation time, and body mass index and preoperative cardiac ejection fraction. Mean intubation length in case group was much shorter than that in control group. Mean PaO(2) in case group was lower in different checking times in postoperative period. The patients in the case group needed less morphine compared to those in the control group during the 24-hour observation period in the ICU. Finally, mean VAS scores of pain in case group were significantly lower than those in control group at 6, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients' pain relief by parasternal single injection of bupivacaine in early postoperative period can facilitate earlier ventilator weaning and tracheal extubation after open heart surgery as well as achieving lower pain scores and narcotic requirements.

Randomized controlled trial of bilateral intrapleural block in cardiac surgery.

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of bilateral intrapleural block with bupivacaine as a preemptive analgesic for postoperative pain in coronary artery bypass graft surgery. In a double-blind prospective clinical trial, 70 patients were randomly divided into a bupivacaine group (20 mL bupivacaine 0.25% and 0.5 mL adrenaline 1/200,000 each side) and a control group (20.5 mL normal saline each side). Evaluation of the severity of pain was performed using the visual analog scale at 12 and 24 h after entering the intensive care unit and again during chest tube removal. Pain scores at 12 and 24 h after intensive care unit admission were significantly lower in the bupivacaine group. There were no side-effects related to intrapleural block, such as pneumothorax or emphysema. In coronary artery bypass graft candidates, preemptive analgesia with bilateral intrapleural block using bupivacaine provided relatively less painful conditions during the first 24 h after surgery, but it did not improve the clinical outcome.