Goal-directed fluid therapy using uncalibrated pulse contour analysis and balanced crystalloid solutions during hip revision arthroplasty: a quality implementation project.

BACKGROUND: To implement a goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) protocol using crystalloids in hip revision arthroplasty surgery within a quality management project at a tertiary hospital using a monocentric, prospective observational study. METHODS: Adult patients scheduled for elective hip revision arthroplasty surgery were screened for inclusion in this prospective study. Intraoperatively stroke volume (SV) was optimized within a previously published protocol using uncalibrated pulse contour analysis and balanced crystalloids. Quality of perioperative GDFT was assessed by protocol adherence, SV increase as well as the rate of perioperative complications. Findings were then compared to two different historical groups of a former trial: one receiving GDFT with colloids (prospective colloid group) and one standard fluid therapy (retrospective control group) throughout surgery. Statistical analysis constitutes exploratory data analyses and results are expressed as median with 25th and 75th percentiles, absolute and relative frequencies, and complication rates are further given with 95% confidence intervals for proportions using the normal approximation without continuity correction. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients underwent GDFT using balanced crystalloids and were compared to 130 patients with GDFT using balanced colloids and 130 controls without GDFT fluid resuscitation. There was a comparable increase in SV (crystalloids: 65 (54-74 ml; colloids: 67.5 (60-75.25 ml) and total volume infused (crystalloids: 2575 (2000-4210) ml; colloids: 2435 (1760-3480) ml; and controls: 2210 (1658-3000) ml). Overall perioperative complications rates were similar (42.4% (95%CI 30.3-55.2%) for crystalloids and 49.2% (95%CI 40.4-58.1%) for colloids and lower compared to controls: 66.9% (95%CI 58.1-74.9)). Interestingly, a reduced number of hemorrhagic complications was observed within crystalloids: 30% (95%CI 19.6-42.9); colloids: 43% (95%CI 34.4-52.0); and controls: 62% (95%CI 52.6-69.9). There were no differences in the rate of admission to the post-anesthesia care unit or intensive care unit as well as the length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative fluid management using a GDFT protocol with crystalloids in hip revision arthroplasty surgery was successfully implemented in daily clinical routine. Perioperative complications rates were reduced compared to a previous management without GDFT and comparable when using colloids. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01753050.

[Perioperative optimization using hemodynamically focused echocardiography in high-risk patients-A practice guide]. / Perioperative Optimierung mittels auf die Hämodynamik fokussierter Echokardiographie bei Hochrisikopatienten ­ eine Praxisanleitung.

BACKGROUND: The number of high-risk patients undergoing surgery is steadily increasing. In order to maintain and, if necessary, optimize perioperative hemodynamics as well as the oxygen supply to the organs (DO2) in this patient population, a timely assessment of cardiac function and the underlying pathophysiological causes of hemodynamic instability is essential for the anesthesiologist. A variety of hemodynamic monitoring procedures are available for this purpose; however, due to method-immanent limitations they are often not able to directly identify the underlying cause of cardiovascular impairment. OBJECTIVE: To present a stepwise algorithm for a perioperative echocardiography-based hemodynamic optimization in noncardiac surgery high-risk patients. In this context, echocardiography on demand according to international guidelines can be performed under certain conditions (hemodynamic instability, nonresponse to hemodynamic treatment) as well as in the context of a planned intraoperative procedure, mostly as a transesophageal echocardiography. METHODS AND RESULTS: Hemodynamically focused echocardiography as a rapidly available bedside method, enables the timely diagnosis and assessment of cardiac filling obstructions, volume status and volume response, right and left heart function, and the function of the heart valves. CONCLUSION: Integrating all echocardiographic findings in a differentiated assessment of the patient's cardiovascular function enables a (patho)physiologically oriented and individualized hemodynamic treatment.

Perioperative echocardiography-guided hemodynamic therapy in high-risk patients: a practical expert approach of hemodynamically focused echocardiography.

The number of high-risk patients undergoing surgery is growing. To maintain adequate hemodynamic functioning as well as oxygen delivery to the vital organs (DO2) amongst this patient population, a rapid assessment of cardiac functioning is essential for the anesthesiologist. Pinpointing any underlying cardiovascular pathophysiology can be decisive to guide interventions in the intraoperative setting. Various techniques are available to monitor the hemodynamic status of the patient, however due to intrinsic limitations, many of these methods may not be able to directly identify the underlying cause of cardiovascular impairment. Hemodynamic focused echocardiography, as a rapid diagnostic method, offers an excellent opportunity to examine signs of filling impairment, cardiac preload, myocardial contractility and the function of the heart valves. We thus propose a 6-step-echocardiographic approach to assess high-risk patients in order to improve and maintain perioperative DO2. The summary of all echocardiographic based findings allows a differentiated assessment of the patient's cardiovascular function and can thus help guide a (patho)physiological-orientated and individualized hemodynamic therapy.