Semaphorin 7A coordinates Neutrophil response during pulmonary inflammation and sepsis.

RATIONALE: Pulmonary defense mechanisms are critical for host integrity during pneumonia and sepsis. This defense is fundamentally dependent on the activation of neutrophils during the innate immune response. Recent work has shown that Semaphorin 7A (Sema7A) holds significant impact on platelet function, yet its role on neutrophil function within the lung is not well understood. OBJECTIVE: To identify the role of Sema7A during pulmonary inflammation and sepsis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In ARDS patients we were able to show a correlation between Sema7A and oxygenation levels. During subsequent workup we found that Sema7A binds to the neutrophil PlexinC1 receptor, increasing integrins and L-selectin on neutrophils. Sema7A prompted neutrophil chemotaxis in-vitro and the formation of platelet-neutrophil complexes in-vivo. We also observed altered adhesion and transmigration of neutrophils in Sema7A-/- animals in the lung during pulmonary inflammation. This effect resulted in increased number of neutrophils in the interstitial space of Sema7A-/- animals but reduced numbers of neutrophils in the alveolar space during pulmonary sepsis. This finding was associated with significantly worse outcome of Sema7A-/- animals in a model of pulmonary sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: Sema7A has an immunomodulatory effect in the lung affecting pulmonary sepsis and ARDS. This effect influences the response of neutrophils to external aggression and might influence patient outcome.

Patient-Related Factors Associated with Adverse Outcomes Following Weaning from Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vaECMO) removal reflects a critical moment and factors of adverse outcomes are incompletely understood. Thus, we studied various patient-related factors during vaECMO removal to determine their association with outcomes. METHODS: A total of 58 patients from a university hospital were included retrospectively. Demographic, clinical, and echocardiographic parameters were recorded while under vaECMO support, as well as the need for inotropic and vasoactive-inotropic scores (VIS). Successful weaning was defined as 28-day survival without reinitiation of vaECMO. RESULTS: Patient age differed significantly between patients with a successful and a failed vaECMO weaning (54 ± 14 vs. 62 ± 12 years, p = 0.029). In univariable logistic regression, age (OR 0.952 (0.909-0.997), p = 0.038), the necessities for inotropic agents at the time of echocardiography (OR 0.333 (0.113-0.981), p = 0.046), and vaECMO removal (OR 0.266 (0.081-0.877), p = 0.030) as well as the dobutamine dose during removal (OR 0.649 (0.473-0.890), p = 0.007), were significantly associated with a successful weaning from vaECMO. Age (HR 1.048 (1.006-1.091), p = 0.024) and the VIS (HR 1.030 (1.004-1.056), p = 0.025) at the time of vaECMO removal were independently associated with survival in bivariable Cox regression. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, a VIS of >5.1 at vaECMO removal was associated with impaired survival (log-rank p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, age and the extent of vasoactive-inotropic agents were associated with adverse outcomes following vaECMO, whereas echocardiographic biventricular function during vaECMO support was not.

Echocardiography as a Tool to Assess Cardiac Function in Critical Care-A Review.

In critically ill patients, hemodynamic disturbances are common and often lead to a detrimental outcome. Frequently, invasive hemodynamic monitoring is required for patients who are hemodynamically unstable. Although the pulmonary artery catheter enables a comprehensive assessment of the hemodynamic profile, this technique carries a substantial inherent risk of complications. Other less invasive techniques do not offer a full range of results to guide detailed hemodynamic therapies. An alternative with a lower risk profile is transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). After training, intensivists can obtain similar parameters on the hemodynamic profile using echocardiography, such as stroke volume and ejection fraction of the right and left ventricles, an estimate of the pulmonary artery wedge pressure, and cardiac output. Here, we will review individual echocardiography techniques that will help the intensivist obtain a comprehensive assessment of the hemodynamic profile using echocardiography.

Left Atrioventricular Transvalvular Pressure Gradients Derived from Intraoperative and Postoperative Echocardiograms following Atrioventricular Septal Defect Repair.

BACKGROUND: Left atrioventricular valve (LAVV) stenosis following an atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) repair is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication. While echocardiographic quantification of diastolic transvalvular pressure gradients is paramount in the evaluation of a newly corrected valve function, it is hypothesized that these measured gradients are overestimated immediately following a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) due to the altered hemodynamics when compared to postoperative valve assessments using awake transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) upon recovery after surgery. METHODS: Out of the 72 patients screened for inclusion at a tertiary center, 39 patients undergoing an AVSD repair with both intraoperative transesophageal echocardiograms (TEE, performed immediately after a CPB) and an awake TTE (performed prior to hospital discharge) were retrospectively selected. The mean (MPGs) and peak pressure gradients (PPGs) were quantified using a Doppler echocardiography and other measures of interest were recorded (e.g., a non-invasive surrogate of the cardiac output and index (CI), left ventricular ejection fraction, blood pressures and airway pressures). The variables were analyzed using the paired Student's t-tests and Spearman's correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The MPGs were significantly higher in the intraoperative measurements when compared to the awake TTE (3.0 ± 1.2 vs. 2.3 ± 1.1 mmHg; p < 0.01); however, the PPGs did not significantly differ (6.6 ± 2.7 vs. 5.7 ± 2.8 mmHg; p = 0.06). Although the assessed intraoperative heart rates (HRs) were also higher (132 ± 17 vs. 114 ± 21 bpm; p < 0.001), there was no correlation found between the MPG and the HR, or any other parameter of interest, at either time-point. In a further analysis, a moderate to strong correlation was observed in the linear relationship between the CI and the MPG (r = 0.60; p < 0.001). During the in-hospital follow-up period, no patients died or required an intervention due to LAVV stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: The Doppler-based quantification of diastolic transvalvular LAVV mean pressure gradients using intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography seems to be prone to overestimation due to altered hemodynamics immediately after an AVSD repair. Thus, the current hemodynamic state should be taken into consideration during the intraoperative interpretation of these gradients.

Abdominal and Peripheral Tissue Oxygen Supply during Selective Lower Body Perfusion for the Surgical Repair of Congenital Heart Disease: A Pilot Study.

Background: Lower body perfusion (LBP) may be a strategy for maintaining organ perfusion during congenital heart disease surgery. It is hypothesized that renal and lower limb oxygen supply during LBP is superior to off-pump surgery and comparable to that of a standard cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Methods: in this prospective single-center study, patients aged <1 year were recruited if they were scheduled for a correction of aortic arch anomalies using antegrade cerebral perfusion and LBP (group 1), a repair of coarctation during aortic cross-clamping (group 2), or surgery under whole-body CPB (group 3). Renal (prefix "r") and peripheral (prefix "p") oxygen saturation (SO2), hemoglobin amount (Hb), blood velocity (Velo), and blood flow (Flow) were measured noninvasively. Results: A total of 23 patients were included (group 1, n = 9; group 2, n = 5; group 3, n = 9). Compared to the baseline values, rSO2 and pSO2 decreased significantly in group 2 compared to groups 1 and 3. Conversely, rHB significantly increased in group 2 compared to groups 1 and 3, reflecting abdominal venous stasis. Compared to group 3, group 1 showed a significantly lower pFlow during CPB; however, rFlow, pFlow, and pVelo did not differ. Conclusion: according to these observations, LBP results in an improved renal oxygen supply compared to off-pump surgery and may prove to be a promising alternative to conventional CPB.

Corrigendum: Methylene blue dosing strategies in critically ill adults with shock-A retrospective cohort study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1014276.].

A one-day focused cardiac ultrasound training has a limited impact on residents' abilities to visually assess right ventricular dimensions and function.

BACKGROUND: Focused cardiac ultrasound (FCU) is a helpful tool to rapidly identify right ventricular (RV) causes of hemodynamic instability and facilitate the initiation of therapy. The clinical value of existing course models often remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of a one-day FCU training on the visual estimation skills of RV characteristics. METHODS: Four residents were included as the study group after completing a standardized one-day FCU training. Four gender-matched controls did not take part in the training. All residents graded image quality, RV systolic function, and RV dimensions in a test comprising 35 ultrasound clips. RESULTS: The study and control group did not differ in ICU or ultrasound experience. Overall, training participants were able to distinguish between good and insufficient image quality significantly better than the control group (agreement 80.0% vs 61.4%, p = 0.04). The agreement for the estimation of RV function and RV dimensions was not different between the groups (63.2% vs 60.5%, p = 0.66 and 64.3% vs 67.1%, p = 0.18, respectively). Descriptively, only small differences were found between the groups for the estimation of RV function and RV dimensions in subgroups of patients with normal versus reduced systolic RV function or normal versus enlarged RV dimensions, respectively. Both groups struggled in identifying RV enlargement (34.6% vs 46.2%). DISCUSSION: In this study, a single one-day FCU training had no impact on residents' skills to visually assess systolic RV function or RV dimensions. Improvements of current training modalities or continuous teaching models are needed to optimize residency programs and patient care.

Methylene blue dosing strategies in critically ill adults with shock-A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Shock increases mortality in the critically ill and the mainstay of therapy is the administration of vasopressor agents to achieve hemodynamic targets. In the past, studies have found that the NO-pathway antagonist methylene blue improves hemodynamics. However, the optimal dosing strategy remains elusive. Therefore, we investigated the hemodynamic and ICU outcome parameters of three different dosing strategies for methylene blue. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients in shock treated with methylene blue. Shock was defined as norepinephrine dose >0.1 µg/kg/min and serum lactate level >2 mmol/l at the start of methylene blue administration. Different demographic variables, ICU treatment, and outcome parameters were evaluated. To compare the differences in the administration of vasopressors or inotropes, the vasoactive inotropic score (VIS) was calculated at different time points after starting the administration of methylene blue. Response to methylene blue or mortality at 28 days were assessed. Results: 262 patients from July 2014 to October 2019 received methylene blue. 209 patients met the inclusion criteria. Three different dosing strategies were identified: bolus injection followed by continuous infusion (n = 111), bolus injection only (no continuous infusion; n = 59) or continuous infusion only (no bolus prior; n = 39). The groups did not differ in demographics, ICU scoring system, or comorbidities. In all groups, VIS decreased over time, indicating improved hemodynamics. Cardiogenic shock and higher doses of norepinephrine increased the chance of responding to methylene blue, while bolus only decreased the chance of responding to methylene blue treatment. 28-day mortality increased with higher SAPSII scores and higher serum lactate levels, while bolus injection followed by continuous infusion decreased 28-day mortality. No severe side effects were noted. Conclusion: In this cohort, methylene blue as a bolus injection followed by continuous infusion was associated with a reduced 28-day mortality in patients with shock. Prospective studies are needed to systematically evaluate the role of methylene blue in the treatment of shock.

Right ventricular volume-strain loops using 3D echocardiography-derived mesh models: proof-of-concept application on patients undergoing different types of open-heart surgery.

Background: Right ventricular (RV) function can be quantified by right heart catheterization-derived pressure-volume loops. While this technique is invasive, echocardiography-based volume-strain loops (VSLs) potentially reflect a non-invasive alternative. In this study, an approach to generate VSLs from volume and multidimensional strain data of 3D echocardiography-derived RV mesh models is evaluated with regard to feasibility and reproducibility. Methods: In a retrospective cohort study design, 3D intraoperative transesophageal echocardiograms of twenty-three patients undergoing aortic valve surgery (AVS) and eighteen patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) grafting were available prior to sternotomy and after sternal closure. RV meshes were generated using 3D speckle-tracking. Custom-made software quantified the meshes' volumes, global longitudinal (RV-GLS) and global circumferential strain (RV-GCS) for VSL generation. Linear regression of systolic VSLs yielded slopes, intercepts and systolic areas. Polynomial regression of two orders was used to analyze systolic-diastolic coupling at 10% increments of the RV end-diastolic volume (RVEDV). Reproducibility was analyzed by fourfold double-measurements of four datasets. Results: VSL calculation was feasible from all included 3D datasets. RV-GLS remained unaltered, but RV-GCS worsened in AVS [abs. diff. (∆) 3.9%, P<0.01] and OPCAB patients (∆4.5%, P<0.001). While RV-GCS systolic areas were markedly reduced at the end of AVS (∆268mL%, P<0.01) and OPCAB (∆185mL%, P<0.001), RV-GCS slopes did not change. Systolic-diastolic uncoupling was not observed, but in trend, decreased diastolic RV-GCS after AVS (P=0.06) and increased diastolic RV-GCS after OPCAB (P=0.06) were observed. Intraclass correlation coefficients (0.84-0.98) and coefficients of variation (6.4-11.8%) indicated good reproducibility. Conclusions: RV VSL generation using 3D echocardiography-derived mesh models is feasible. Longitudinal and circumferential strain vectors yield intrinsically different VSL indices. In future investigations, VSLs of multidimensional strains could provide further insight into periprocedural changes of RV mechanics.

[Echocardiographic Assessment of Perioperative Right and Left Ventricular Function]. / Perioperative Echokardiografie der rechts- und linksventrikulären Funktion.

The perioperative quantification of left and right ventricular function is cornerstone to provide optimal patient care. Echocardiography has emerged as the most important cardiac imaging modality in this setting, mainly due to its rapid availability, non-invasiveness and cost-efficiency. Both the transthoracic and the transesophageal acoustic windows offer manifold modes, e.g., doppler-based measurements or M-mode display, to assess systolic and diastolic ventricular function. An association with patient outcome and corresponding prognostic implications could be demonstrated for the majority of those parameters. Hence, a profound understanding of these measurements is key to delineate sufficient from failing left or right ventricular function and guide treatment decisions. This article gives the reader an overview over the most important measurements, reference values and pitfalls.

Regional Right Ventricular Function Assessed by Intraoperative Three-Dimensional Echocardiography Is Associated With Short-Term Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery.

Background: The assessment of right ventricular (RV) function in patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery is paramount for providing optimal perioperative care. The role of regional RV function assessment employing sophisticated state-of-the-art cardiac imaging modalities has not been investigated in this cohort. Hence, this study investigated the association of 3D echocardiography-based regional RV volumetry with short-term outcomes. Materials and Methods: In a retrospective single-center study, patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery were included if they underwent 3D transesophageal echocardiography prior to thoracotomy. A dedicated software quantified regional RV volumes of the inflow tract, apical body and RV outflow tract employing meshes derived from 3D speckle-tracking. Echocardiographic, clinical and laboratory data were entered into univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses to determine association with the endpoint (in-hospital mortality or the need for extracorporeal circulatory support). Results: Out of 357 included patients, 25 (7%) reached the endpoint. Inflow RV ejection fraction (RVEF, 32 ± 8% vs. 37 ± 11%, p = 0.01) and relative stroke volume (rel. SV) were significantly lower in patients who reached the endpoint (44 ± 8 vs. 48 ± 9%, p = 0.02), while the rel. SV of the apex was higher (38 ± 10% vs. 33 ± 8%, p = 0.01). Global left and right ventricular function including RVEF and left ventricular global longitudinal strain did not differ. In univariable logistic regression, tricuspid regurgitation grade ≥ 2 [odds ratio (OR) 4.24 (1.66-10.84), p < 0.01], inflow RVEF [OR 0.95 (0.92-0.99), p = 0.01], inflow rel. SV [OR 0.94 (0.90-0.99), p = 0.02], apex rel. SV [OR 1.07 (1.02-1.13), p < 0.01] and apex to inflow rel. SV ratio [OR 5.81 (1.90-17.77), p < 0.01] were significantly associated with the endpoint. In a multivariable model, only the presence of tricuspid regurgitation [OR 4.24 (1.66-10.84), p < 0.01] and apex to inflow rel. SV ratio [OR 6.55 (2.09-20.60), p < 0.001] were independently associated with the endpoint. Conclusions: Regional RV function is associated with short-term outcomes in patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery and might be helpful for optimizing risk stratification.

The impact of dissection membrane motility on mid-term aortic remodelling after thoracic endovascular repair.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess preoperative dissection flap motility and to evaluate its impact on the aortic remodelling and the development of distal stent-induced new entry after thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR)/frozen elephant trunk (FET). METHODS: Patients with primary or residual type B dissections were included in a retrospective study with transoesophageal echocardiography analysis of the preoperative dissection flap motility assessed by the true lumen (TL) strain. Three-dimensional computing tomography centreline reconstructions before TEVAR/FET and during the follow-up were conducted to measure aortic remodelling: false lumen thrombosis, TL expansion and aortic diameters at 10 and 20 cm downstream the left subclavian artery, at the coeliac trunk and in the infrarenal aorta. All continuous variables are reported as median with first and third quartiles. RESULTS: Fifty-six consecutive patients were treated with TEVAR (n = 45) or FET (n = 11) in the acute (n = 16), subacute (n = 16) and chronic (n = 24) dissection phase. At a median follow-up of 6 (3-12) months, they showed a favourable TL expansion in the descending aorta, significantly higher in the acute [+9 mm (5-12); P < 0.001] and subacute groups [+5 mm (3-8); P = 0.039] than in the chronic group [+2 mm (0-5)]. The dissection flap motility parameter TL strain was superior in the acute (P = 0.006) and subacute (P = 0.035) groups in comparison to the chronic group. The motile flap [TL strain >22.5% (median)] was associated with a higher TL expansion rate in the thoracic aorta (P = 0.009) and a comparable distal stent-induced new entry incidence (overall: 16%) in comparison to the immobile flap (P = 0.89). CONCLUSIONS: The intraoperative assessment and the inclusion of the dissection flap motility parameters in the decision-making during TEVAR/FET may refine the distal endograft sizing for an improved remodelling of the TL.

Association of Three-Dimensional Mesh-Derived Right Ventricular Strain with Short-Term Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) right ventricular (RV) strain analysis is not routinely performed perioperatively. Although 3D RV strain adds incrementally to outcome prediction in various cardiac diseases, its role in the perioperative setting is not sufficiently understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between 3D RV strain measured on RV meshes created from 3D transesophageal echocardiographic data and short-term outcomes among patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: A total of 496 patients undergoing cardiac surgery who underwent intraoperative 3D transesophageal echocardiography (under general anesthesia, before sternotomy) were retrospectively selected, and RV meshes were generated using commercially available speckle-tracking software. Custom-made software automatically quantified longitudinal and circumferential RV strains on the mesh surfaces. Echocardiographic and clinical parameters were entered into logistic regression models to determine their associations with the primary (in-hospital death or need for extracorporeal life support) and secondary (postoperative ventilation > 48 hours) end points. RESULTS: Mesh-derived RV strain analysis was feasible in 94% of patients and revealed distinct regional patterns with basal-apical gradients for both longitudinal and circumferential strain. Thirty-seven patients (7.6%) reached the primary end point, and 118 patients (23.8%) reached the secondary end point. In a multivariable logistic regression model, serum lactate (P < .01), an emergency indication for surgery (P < .01), tricuspid regurgitation (P < .001), and mesh-derived RV global longitudinal strain (RV-GLS; P < .01) were independently associated with the primary end point, while established measures of RV function (3D RV ejection fraction, fractional area change, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion) and left ventricular (LV) function (3D-derived LV ejection fraction and LV-GLS) were not independently associated. Hematocrit (P < .01), serum lactate (P < .001), pulmonary hypertension (P = .04), tricuspid regurgitation (P < .01), emergency procedures (P = .02), LV-GLS (P = .02), and RV-GLS (P < .001) were associated with the secondary end point. CONCLUSIONS: RV-GLS measured on RV meshes derived from 3D transesophageal echocardiography was independently associated with short-term outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery and might be helpful for identifying patients at risk for adverse postoperative events.

[Vasopressors: Physiology, Pharmacology and Clinical Applications]. / Vasopressoren: Physiologie, Pharmakologie und klinischer Einsatz.

Vasopressors are widely used in anaesthesiology and critical care medicine, to treat harmless (e.g. anaesthesia-induced hypotension) as well as life-threatening conditions (e.g. septic shock). Some clinically used vasopressors resemble endogenous substances - such as norepinephrine - while others have been artificially synthesized (e.g. phenylephrine). Most of the substances used in different clinical scenarios have various effects except for vasoconstriction alone. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the pharmacology and clinical profile of every single substance is of highest importance prior to practical usage. Furthermore, the fundamentals of vascular physiology and vasotonic regulation are mandatory to safely provide vasopressor-based therapies. This article covers the essentials of physiology and pharmacology of vasopressors, and the clinical settings they are used in (e.g. septic shock, vasoplegic shock after cardiac surgery, trauma-induced hypotension).

Neuronal guidance proteins in cardiovascular inflammation.

Cardiovascular pathologies are often induced by inflammation. The associated changes in the inflammatory response influence vascular endothelial biology; they complicate the extent of ischaemia and reperfusion injury, direct the migration of immune competent cells and activate platelets. The initiation and progression of inflammation is regulated by the classical paradigm through the system of cytokines and chemokines. Therapeutic approaches have previously used this knowledge to control the extent of cardiovascular changes with varying degrees of success. Neuronal guidance proteins (NGPs) have emerged in recent years and have been shown to be significantly involved in the control of tissue inflammation and the mechanisms of immune cell activation. Therefore, proteins of this class might be used in the future as targets to control the extent of inflammation in the cardiovascular system. In this review, we describe the role of NGPs during cardiovascular inflammation and highlight potential therapeutic options that could be explored in the future.

Extubation and Noninvasive Ventilation of Patients Supported by Extracorporeal Life Support for Cardiogenic Shock: A Single-Center Retrospective Observational Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Temporary extracorporeal life support (ECLS) by venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is an emerging therapy for patients with severe, ongoing cardiogenic shock. After stabilization of the hemodynamic status and end-organ function, sedation weaning, extubation, and noninvasive ventilation (NIV) can be attempted. The goal of this study was to analyze the feasibility of extubation and NIV during versus after ECLS for cardiogenic shock. METHODS: Single-center retrospective observational study of 132 patients undergoing ECLS due to severe cardiogenic shock between January 2015 and December 2016 at a tertiary care university hospital. RESULTS: Patients received ECLS due to acute myocardial infarction (20.6%), ongoing cardiogenic shock (15.2%), postoperative low-cardiac-output syndrome (24.2%), and extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (40.2%). Overall, intensive care unit survival was 44.7%. Sixty-nine (52.3%) patients could never be extubated. Forty-three (32.6%) were extubated while on ECLS support (group 1) and 20 (15.1%) were extubated after weaning from ECLS (group 2). Patients extubated during ECLS had a significantly shorter total time on ventilator (P = .003, mean difference: -284 hours [95% confidence limits: -83 to -484]) and more invasive ventilation free days (P = .0018; mean difference 8 days [95%CL: 2-14]). Mortality and NIV failure rates were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Extubation and NIV are feasible in patients who stabilize during ECLS therapy. Further studies need to address whether extubation has the potential to improve patients outcome or if the feasibility to extubate is a surrogate for disease severeness.

Acute changes of global and longitudinal right ventricular function: an exploratory analysis in patients undergoing open-chest mitral valve surgery, percutaneous mitral valve repair and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV) function is an important prognostic indicator. The acute effects of cardiac interventions or cardiac surgery on global and longitudinal RV function are not entirely understood. In this study, acute changes of RV function during mitral valve surgery (MVS), percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR) and off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB) were investigated employing 3D echocardiography. METHODS: Twenty patients scheduled for MVS, 23 patients scheduled for PMVR and 25 patients scheduled for OPCAB were included retrospectively if patients had received 3D transesophageal echocardiography before and immediately after MVS, PMVR or OPCAB, respectively. RV global and longitudinal function was assessed using a 3D multiparameter set consisting of global right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), longitudinal contribution to RVEF (RVEFlong) and free wall longitudinal strain (FWLS). RESULTS: Longitudinal RV function was significantly depressed immediately after MVS, as reflected by all parameters (RVEFlong: 20 ± 5% vs. 13 ± 6%, p <  0.001, TAPSE: 13.1 ± 5.1 mm vs. 11.0 ± 3.5 mm, p = 0.04 and FWLS: -20.1 ± 7.1% vs. -15.4 ± 5.1%, p <  0.001, respectively). The global RVEF was slightly impaired, but the difference did not reach significance (37 ± 13% vs. 32 ± 9%, p = 0.15). In the PMVR group, both global and longitudinal RV function parameters were unaltered, whereas the OPCAB group showed a slight reduction of RVEFlong only (18 ± 7% vs. 14 ± 5%, p <  0.01). RVEFlong yielded moderate case-to-case but good overall reproducibility. CONCLUSIONS: TAPSE, FWLS and RVEFlong reflect the depression of longitudinal compared to global RV function initially after MVS. PMVR alone had no impact, while OPCAB had a slight impact on longitudinal RV function. The prognostic implications of these phenomena remain unclear and require further investigation.

Supplementing sleep actigraphy with button pressing while awake.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Wrist-worn sleep actigraphs are limited for evaluating sleep, especially in sleepers who lie awake in bed without moving for extended periods. Sleep logs depend on the accuracy of perceiving and remembering times of being awake. Here we evaluated pressing an event-marker button while lying awake under two conditions: self-initiated pressing every 5 to 10 minutes or pressing when signaled every 5 minutes by a vibration pulse from a wristband. We evaluated the two conditions for acceptability and their concordance with actigraphically scored sleep. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine adults wore actigraphs on six nights. On nights 1 and 4, they pressed the marker to a vibration signal, and on nights 2 and 5, they self-initiated presses without any signal. On nights 3 and 6, they were told not to press the marker. Every morning they filled out a sleep log about how they had slept. RESULTS: The vibration band was unacceptable to 42% of the participants, who judged it too disturbing to their sleep. Self-initiated pressing was acceptable to all, although it reduced log reported sleep depth compared to a no pressing condition. Estimations of sleep onset latency were considerably longer by button pressing than by actigraphy. Agreement of epoch-by-epoch sleep scoring by actigraphy and by button pressing was poor (kappa = 0.23) for self-initiated pressing and moderate (kappa = 0.46) for pressing in response to a vibration. CONCLUSIONS: Self-initiated button pressing to indicate being awake while lying in bed is acceptable to many, interferes little with sleep, and adds substantially to the information given by actigraphy.

The effects of anesthesia induction and positive pressure ventilation on right-ventricular function: an echocardiography-based prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: General anesthesia induction with the initiation of positive pressure ventilation creates a vulnerable phase for patients. The impact of positive intrathoracic pressure on cardiac performance has been studied but remains controversial. 3D echocardiography is a valid and MRI-validated bed-side tool to evaluate the right ventricle (RV). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of anesthesia induction (using midazolam, sufentanil and rocuronium, followed by sevoflurane) with positive pressure ventilation (PEEP 5, tidal volume 6-8 ml/kg) on 2D and 3D echocardiography derived parameters of RV function. METHODS: A prospective observational study on fifty-three patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery in a tertiary care university hospital was designed. Transthoracic echocardiography exams were performed before and immediately after anesthesia induction and were recorded together with hemodynamic parameters and ventilator settings. RESULTS: After anesthesia induction TAPSE (mean difference - 1.6 mm (95% CI - 2.6 mm to - 0.7 mm; p = 0.0013) as well as the Tissue Doppler derived tricuspid annulus peak velocity (TDITVs') were significantly reduced (mean difference - 1.9% (95% CI: - 2.6 to - 1.2; p < 0.0001), but global right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF; p = 0.1607) and right ventricular stroke volume (RVSV; p = 0.1838) did not change. CONCLUSIONS: This data shows a preserved right ventricular ejection fraction and right ventricular stroke volume after anesthesia induction and initiation of positive pressure ventilation. However, the baso-apical right ventricular function is significantly reduced. Larger studies are needed in order to determine the clinical impact of these findings especially in patients presenting with impaired right ventricular function before anesthesia induction. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospecitvely registered, 6th June 2016, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02820727 .

Novel mesh-derived right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain analysis by intraoperative three-dimensional transoesophageal speckle-tracking echocardiography: a comparison with conventional parameters.

Longitudinal right ventricular (RV) function is substantial and might be reflected by free wall longitudinal strain (FWLS). Software solutions for FWLS analysis by two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) are available, but data on validation are sparse. In this study, a novel method for FWLS analysis on 3D meshes ("mesh surface", MS-FWLS,) was tested for feasibility and compared to available parameters. 80 patients undergoing left-sided cardiac valve surgery with intraoperative TEE were included retrospectively. 2D-FWLS, 3D-derived (3Dd)-FWLS (assessed in optimized four-chamber views after volume analysis) and MS-FWLS were measured and compared to conventional parameters (3Dd-TAPSE, FAC and RVEF). The mean FWLS values did not differ significantly between methods (- 19.0 ± 6.1%, - 20.0 ± 7.3%, - 19.5 ± 7.3% for 2D-, 3Dd- and MS-FWLS, respectively). No significant differences in the mean FWLS between patients with normal or increased pulmonary artery pressures as well as normal or reduced left ventricular ejection fraction were observed. Agreement was best between 3Dd- and MS-FWLS (r = 0.89, bias = - 1.0%, LOA ± 6.9%). Conventional echocardiographic parameters yielded poorer intermodality agreement. In patients with discrepant results between 2D- and 3Dd-FWLS, 3Dd-FWLS and MS-FWLS yielded similar results (r = 0.82, bias = - 0.3%, LOA ± 8.6%), while 2D-FWLS and MS-FWLS did not. Intra- and interobserver variabilities of strain analyses were low. MS-FWLS might represent a promising method to overcome artefacts associated with 2D analysis. Its prognostic relevance needs to be investigated in prospective studies.