Activated clotting time value as an independent predictor of postoperative bleeding and transfusion.

OBJECTIVES: Activated clotting time (ACT) is commonly used to monitor anticoagulation during cardiac surgeries. Final ACT values may be essential to predict postoperative bleeding and transfusions, although ideal values remain unknown. Our aim was to evaluate the utility of ACT as a predictor of postoperative bleeding and transfusion use. METHODS: Retrospective study (722 patients) submitted to surgery between July 2018-October 2021. We compared patients with final ACT < basal ACT and final ACT ≥ basal ACT and final ACT < 140 s with ≥140 s. Continuous variables were analysed with the Wilcoxon rank-sum test; categorical variables using Chi-square or Fisher's exact test. A linear mixed regression model was used to analyse bleeding in patients with final ACT < 140 and ≥140. Independent variables were analysed with binary logistic regression models to investigate their association with bleeding and transfusion. RESULTS: Patients with final ACT ≥ 140 s presented higher postoperative bleeding than final ACT < 140 s at 12 h (P = 0.006) and 24 h (**P = 0.004). Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time [odds ratio (OR) 1.009, 1.002-1.015, 95% confidence interval (CI)] and masculine sex (OR 2.842,1.721-4.821, 95% CI) were significant predictors of bleeding. Patients with final ACT ≥ 140 s had higher risk of UT (OR 1.81, 1.13-2.89, 95% CI; P = 0.0104), compared to final ACT < 140 s. CPB time (OR 1.019,1.012-1.026, 95% CI) and final ACT (OR 1.021,1.010-1.032, 95% CI) were significant predictors of transfusion. Female sex was a predictor of use of transfusion, with a probability for use of 27.23% (21.84-33.39%, 95% CI) in elective surgeries, and 60.38% (37.65-79.36%, 95% CI) in urgent surgeries, higher than in males. CONCLUSIONS: Final ACT has a good predictive value for the use of transfusion. Final ACT ≥ 140 s correlates with higher risk of transfusion and increased bleeding. The risk of bleeding and transfusion is higher with longer periods of CPB. Males have a higher risk of bleeding, but females have a higher risk of transfusion.

The impact of cardiopulmonary bypass time on the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score after cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Postoperative organ dysfunction is common after cardiac surgery, particularly when cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is used. The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score is validated to predict morbidity and mortality in cardiac surgery. However, the impact of CPB duration on postoperative SOFA remains unclear. METHODS: This is a retrospective study. Categorical values are presented as percentages. The comparison of SOFA groups utilized the Kruskal-Wallis chi-squared test, complemented by ad hoc Dunn's test with Bonferroni correction. Multinomial logistics regressions were employed to evaluate the relationship between CPB time and SOFA. RESULTS: A total of 1032 patients were included. CPB time was independently associated with higher postoperative SOFA scores at 24 h. CPB time was significantly higher in patients with SOFA 4-5 (**P = 0.0022) or higher (***P < 0.001) when compared to SOFA 0-1. The percentage of patients with no/mild dysfunction decreased with longer periods of CPB, down to 0% for CPB time >180min (50% of the patients with >180m in of CPB presented SOFA ≥ 10). The same trend is observed for each of the SOFA variables, with higher impact in the cardiovascular and renal systems. Severe dysfunction occurs especially >200 min of CPB (cardiovascular system >100 min; other systems mainly >200 min). CONCLUSIONS: CPB time may predict the probability of postoperative SOFA categories. Patients with extended CPB durations exhibited higher SOFA scores (overall and for each variable) at 24 h, with higher proportion of moderate and severe dysfunction with increasing times of CPB.

Role of Omega-6 Fatty Acid Metabolism in Cardiac Surgery Postoperative Bleeding Risk.

Cardiac surgery is frequently associated with significant postoperative bleeding. Platelet-dysfunction is the main cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)-induced hemostatic defect. Not only the number of platelets decreases, but also the remaining are functionally impaired. Although lipid metabolism is crucial for platelet function, little is known regarding platelet metabolic changes associated with CPB-dysfunction. Our aim is to explore possible contribution of metabolic perturbations for platelet dysfunction after cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary academic cardiothoracic-surgery ICU. PATIENTS: Thirty-three patients submitted to elective surgical aortic valve replacement. INTERVENTIONS: Samples from patients were collected at three time points (preoperative, 6- and 24-hr postoperative). Untargeted metabolic analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was performed to compare patients with significant postoperative bleeding with patients without hemorrhage. Principal component analyses, Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank tests, adjusted to FDR, and pairwise comparison were used to identify pathways of interest. Enrichment and pathway metabolomic complemented the analyses. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We identified a platelet-related signature based on an overrepresentation of changes in known fatty acid metabolism pathways involved in platelet function. We observed that arachidonic acid (AA) levels and other metabolites from the pathway were reduced at 6 and 24 hours, independently from antiagreggation therapy and platelet count. Concentrations of preoperative AA were inversely correlated with postoperative chest tube blood loss but were not correlated with platelet count in the preoperative, at 6 or at 24 hours. Patients with significant postoperative blood-loss had considerably lower values of AA and higher transfusion rates. Values of postoperative interleukin-6 were strongly correlated with AA variability. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Our observations suggest that an inflammatory-related perturbation of AA metabolism is a signature of cardiac surgery with CPB and that preoperative levels of AA may be more relevant than platelet count to anticipate and prevent postoperative blood loss in patients submitted to cardiac surgery with CPB.

Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score in the ICU As a Predictor of Long-Term Survival After Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score is a predictor of mortality in ICU patients. Although it is widely used and has been validated as a reliable and independent predictor of mortality and morbidity in cardiac ICU, few studies correlate early postoperative SOFA with long-term survival. DESIGN: Retrospective observational cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary academic cardiac surgery ICU. PATIENTS: One-thousand three-hundred seventy-nine patients submitted to cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: SOFA 24 hours, SOFA 48 hours, mean, and highest SOFA scores were correlated with survival at 12 and 24 months. Wilcoxon tests were used to analyze differences in variables. Multivariate logistic regressions and likelihood ratio test were used to access the predictive modeling. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to assess accuracy of the variables in separating survivor from nonsurvivors. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Lower SOFA scores have better survival rates at 12 and 24 months. Highest SOFA and SOFA at 48 hours showed to be better predictors of outcome and to have higher accuracy in distinguishing survivors from nonsurvivors than initial SOFA and mean SOFA. A decreasing score during the first 48 hours had mortality rates of 4.9%, while an unchanged or increased score was associated with a mortality rate of 5.7%. CONCLUSIONS: SOFA score in the ICU after cardiac surgery correlated with survival at 12 and 24 months. Patients with lower SOFA scores had higher survival rates. Differences in survival at 12 months were better correlated with the absolute value at 48 hours than with its variation. SOFA score may be useful to predict long-term outcomes and to stratify patients with higher probability of mortality.

Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve Degeneration: a Review from a Basic Science Perspective

Abstract Introduction: The increase in the prevalence of aortic stenosis due to an aging population has led to an increasing number of surgical aortic valve replacements. Over the past 20 years, there has been a major shift in preference from mechanical to bioprosthetic valves. However, despite efforts, there is still no "ideal" bioprosthesis. It is crucial to understand the structure, biology, and function of native heart valves to design more intelligent, strong, durable, and physiological heart valve tissues. Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was performed to identify articles reporting the basic mechanisms of bioprosthetic valve dysfunction and the biology of native valve cells. Searches were run in PubMed, MEDLINE® (the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online), and Google Scholar. Terms for subject heading and keywords search included "biological heart valve dysfunction", "bioprosthesis dysfunction", "bioprosthesis degeneration", and "tissue heart valves". Results: All the relevant findings are summarized in the appropriate subsections. Structural dysfunction is a logical and expected consequence of the chemical, mechanical, and immunological processes that occur during fixation, manufacture, and implantation. Conclusion: Biological prosthesis valve dysfunction is a clinically significant process. It has become a major issue considering the growing rate of bioprosthesis implantation and improved long-term patient survival. Understanding bioprosthetic aortic valve degeneration from a basic science perspective is a key point to improve technologic advances and specifications that lead to a new generation of bioprostheses.

Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve Degeneration: a Review from a Basic Science Perspective.

INTRODUCTION: The increase in the prevalence of aortic stenosis due to an aging population has led to an increasing number of surgical aortic valve replacements. Over the past 20 years, there has been a major shift in preference from mechanical to bioprosthetic valves. However, despite efforts, there is still no "ideal" bioprosthesis. It is crucial to understand the structure, biology, and function of native heart valves to design more intelligent, strong, durable, and physiological heart valve tissues. METHODS: A comprehensive review of the literature was performed to identify articles reporting the basic mechanisms of bioprosthetic valve dysfunction and the biology of native valve cells. Searches were run in PubMed, MEDLINE® (the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online), and Google Scholar. Terms for subject heading and keywords search included "biological heart valve dysfunction", "bioprosthesis dysfunction", "bioprosthesis degeneration", and "tissue heart valves". RESULTS: All the relevant findings are summarized in the appropriate subsections. Structural dysfunction is a logical and expected consequence of the chemical, mechanical, and immunological processes that occur during fixation, manufacture, and implantation. CONCLUSION: Biological prosthesis valve dysfunction is a clinically significant process. It has become a major issue considering the growing rate of bioprosthesis implantation and improved long-term patient survival. Understanding bioprosthetic aortic valve degeneration from a basic science perspective is a key point to improve technologic advances and specifications that lead to a new generation of bioprostheses.

Primary cardiac hydatic cyst with multiple locations: an unusual case of chest pain.

Cardiac echinococcosis is a rare manifestation of Echinococcus infection, affecting 0.5-2% of the patients. Since it may be a life-threatening condition, surgical treatment should be always considered. Herein, here we present a case of a 66-year-old male with chest pain. Subsequent exams confirmed the diagnosis of multiple cardiac hydatic cysts. The patient initiated treatment with albendazole and was submitted to a surgical resection with cardiopulmonary bypass. A complete surgical resection was achieved, and patient remains asymptomatic without disease signs of recurrence on imaging exams. We highlight the necessity of cardiac screening in echinococcosis cases and the surgical management in this case.

Age Is Not Just A Number For A Rapid Deployment Valve In Octogenarians.

INTRODUCTION: Aortic valve stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular pathology in the elderly and surgery (AVR) remains the gold-standard. However, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVI) has become an emerging alternative to surgery. In a recent survey from the European Society of Cardiology, 9,4% stated that age was the main reason to propose for TAVI. METHODS: Single-center retrospective study including 353 patients (149 ≥80 years-old;204 with 60-69 years-old) submitted to AVR between 2013-2016. Primary endpoint was survival. Secondary outcomes included the rate of post- -operative complications. Long-term survival was determined by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Continuous variables were analyzed with t-test and linear regression and categorical variables with chi-square or Fisher. RESULTS: clinical characteristics were similar between the two groups. Both had similar survival at 30 days, 12 (93,29% 60-69yo vs 91,47% ≥80yo) and 24 months (88,34% 60-69yo vs 86,11% ≥80yo). However, rapid deployment valves (RD) had better survival rates in elderly patients. Cross-clamp time was lower in ≥80yo group, with higher percentage of RD valves (20,1% vs 4.9% in 60-69yo). The rate of post-operative atrial fibrillation was higher in >80yo group (29,06% vs. 17,28%,p=0,0147). In all patients, cross-clamp time was directly related to ventilation time(p=0,025) and chest drainage(p=0,0015). CONCLUSION: AVR after 80yo is safe. Cross-clamp time is directly correlated with ventilation time and bleeding, with a stronger correlation in patients over 80yo. RD valves reduce cross-clamp times, so their use in elderly may improve surgery outcome. Prospective studies are needed to evaluate if age may be clinical criteria for a RD.