ABO Blood Group and Bleeding and Survival in VA-ECMO Patients.

ABO blood group has been shown to be a major determinant of plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels. O blood group is associated with the lowest vWF levels and confers an increased risk of hemorrhagic events, while AB blood group has the highest levels and is associated with thromboembolic events. We hypothesized in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients that O blood type would have the highest and AB blood type would have the lowest transfusions, with an inverse relationship to survival. A retrospective analysis of 307 VA-ECMO patients at a major quaternary referral hospital was performed. The distribution of blood groups included 124 group O (40%), 122 group A (40%), 44 group B (14%), and 17 group AB (6%) patients. Regarding usage of packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, and platelets, there was a non-statistically significant difference in transfusions, with group O having the least and group AB having the most requirements. However, there was a statistically significant difference in cryoprecipitate usage when comparing to group O: group A (1.77, 95% CI: 1.05-2.97, P < .05), group B (2.05, 95% CI: 1.16-3.63, P < .05), and group AB (3.43, 95% CI: 1.71-6.90, P < .001). Furthermore, a 20% increase in length of days on ECMO was associated with a 2-12% increase in blood product usage. The cumulative 30-day mortality rate for groups O and A was 60%, group B was 50%, and group AB was 40%; the 1-year mortality rate for groups O and A was 65%, group B was 57%, and group AB was 41%; however, the mortality differences were not statistically significant.

Red blood cell distribution width predicts mortality of adult patients receiving veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a numerical measure of the variation in the size of circulating red blood cells. Recently, there is increasing interest in the role of RDW as a biomarker for inflammatory states and as a prognostication tool for a wide range of clinical manifestations. The predictive power of RDW on mortality among patients receiving mechanical circulatory support remains largely unknown. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 281 VA-ECMO patients at a tertiary referral academic hospital from 2009 to 2019 was performed. RDW was dichotomized with RDW-Low <14.5% and RDW-High ≥14.5%. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 30 days and 1 year. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the association between RDW and the clinical outcomes after adjusting for additional confounders. RESULTS: 281 patients were included in the analysis. There were 121 patients (43%) in the RDW-Low group and 160 patients (57%) in the RDW-High group. Survival to ECMO decannulation [RDW-H: 58% versus RDW-L: 67%, p = 0.07] were similar between the two groups. Patients in RDW-H group had higher 30-days mortality (RDW-H: 67.5% vs RDW-L: 39.7%, p < 0.001) and 1 year mortality (RDW-H: 79.4% vs RDW-L: 52.9%, p < 0.001) compared to patients in the RDW-L group. After adjusting for confounders, Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated that patients with high RDW had increased odds of mortality at 30 days (hazard ratio 1.9, 95% CI 1.2-3.0, p < 0.01) and 1 year (hazard ratio 1.9, 95% CI 1.3-2.8, p < 0.01) compared to patients with low RDW. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients receiving mechanical circulatory support with VA-ECMO, a higher RDW was independently associated with increased 30-days and 1-year mortality. RDW may serve as a simple biomarker that can be quickly obtained to help provide risk stratification and predict survival for patients receiving VA-ECMO.

The association of macronutrient deficit with functional status at discharge from the intensive care unit: a retrospective study from a single-center critical illness registry.

BACKGROUND: Nutrition is often thought to influence outcomes in critically ill patients. However, the relationship between macronutrient delivery and functional status is not well characterized. Our goal was to investigate whether caloric or protein deficit over the course of critical illness is associated with functional status at the time of intensive care unit (ICU) discharge. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of surgical ICU patients at a teaching hospital in Boston, MA. To investigate the association of caloric or protein deficit with Functional Status Score for the ICU (FSS-ICU), we constructed linear regression models, controlling for age, sex, race, body mass index, Nutritional Risk in the Critically Ill score, and ICU length of stay. We then dichotomized caloric as well as protein deficit, and performed logistic regressions to investigate their association with functional status, controlling for the same variables. RESULTS: Linear regression models (n = 976) demonstrated a caloric deficit of 238 kcal (237.88; 95%CI 75.13-400.63) or a protein deficit of 14 g (14.23; 95%CI 4.46-24.00) was associated with each unit decrement in FSS-ICU. Logistic regression models demonstrated a 6% likelihood (1.06; 95%CI 1.01-1.14) of caloric deficit ≥6000 vs. <6000 kcal and an 8% likelihood (1.08; 95%CI 1.01-1.15) of protein deficit ≥300 vs. <300 g with each unit decrement in FSS-ICU. CONCLUSION: In our cohort of patients, macronutrient deficit over the course of critical illness was associated with worse functional status at discharge. Future studies are needed to determine whether optimized macronutrient delivery can improve outcomes in ICU survivors.

Continuous Noninvasive Arterial Pressure Monitoring for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present study, which was conducted in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement, was to compare continuous noninvasive arterial pressure measured with the ClearSight device (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) with invasive radial artery pressure used as the reference method. The authors hypothesized that the ClearSight device is an accurate, precise, safe, and efficient method for arterial blood pressure measurement comparable with an invasive radial arterial line. DESIGN: The study included the retrospective review of 20 consecutive patients scheduled for elective transcatheter aortic valve replacement with the SAPIEN 3 transcatheter heart valve (Edwards Lifesciences) at a single tertiary academic hospital, who underwent monitoring with both the ClearSight device and an invasive radial arterial pressure line. The patients underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement from October to December 2019. SETTING: Single tertiary academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 20 patients, with 2,243 unique blood pressure data points. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A statistically significant correlation between the invasive radial arterial pressure line and the ClearSight device was observed for systolic blood pressure (correlation coefficient 0.86; p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (correlation coefficient 0.56; p < 0.001), and mean arterial pressure (correlation coefficient 0.78; p < 0.001). Bland-Altman analysis was used to assess the agreement of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure between the two methods. Results for systolic blood pressure between the arterial line and ClearSight device were as follows: bias = 9.8 ± 10.1, percentage bias = 7.6%, and mean error = 15.8%. Results for diastolic blood pressure between the arterial line and ClearSight device were as follows: bias = -5.9 ± 7.8, percentage bias = 10.7%, and mean error = 28.4%. Results for mean arterial pressure between the arterial line and ClearSight device were as follows: bias = 0.3 ± 7.4, percentage bias = 0.4%, and mean error = 18.3%. The concordance rates of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure were 100%, 95.1%, and 98.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy, agreement, and precision of the ClearSight device were convincing for mean arterial pressure, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure for patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing elective transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Perioperative Outcomes of Thrombectomy Patients Using Venovenous Bypass and Suction Filtration With General Anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: AngioVac (Angiodynamics, Latham, NY) is a novel drainage system that offers a less-invasive approach compared with open surgical thromboembolectomy to remove intracardiac and intravascular thrombotic and embolic material. For this study, the authors' single-center experience with patients undergoing thromboembolectomy using the AngioVac system was reviewed retrospectively to evaluate anesthetic management and postoperative complications. DESIGN: Retrospective, observational study. SETTING: Single institution, quaternary care hospital. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 20 consecutive patients whose treatment included the AngioVac between January 2016 and November 2019. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Twenty patients underwent AngioVac suction filtration. The mean age was 56 years, and women comprised 35% of the patient cohort. Indications for AngioVac suction filtration included deep venous thrombosis involving the inferior vena cava (n = 12 [60%]), right atrial mass/thrombus (n = 11 [55%]), right ventricular mass/thrombus (n = 3 [15%]), and pulmonary embolism(n = 2 [10%]). All patients required vasopressor support, and nine patients (45%) required blood transfusion during the procedure. There was no intraoperative death or cardiac arrest associated with the procedure. The 30-day mortality was zero, and in-hospital mortality was 5% (1/20). Significant postoperative complications occurred in 11/20 patients (55%). Postoperative left ventricular dysfunction (36% v 0%; p < 0.05), preoperative shock requiring vasopressors (36% v 0%; p < 0.05), postoperative blood transfusion (100% v 56%; p < 0.05), and having undergone recent surgery (64% v 11%; p < 0.05) were associated with increased odds of experiencing postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of intraoperative complication during AngioVac suction filtration is low, but vasopressors and blood transfusions often are required. Patients at increased risk of developing postoperative complications potentially can be identified as having undergone recent surgery, experiencing preoperative shock requiring vasopressors or postoperative left ventricular dysfunction, and requiring postoperative blood transfusion.

Ipsilateral Vocal Cord Monitoring for Carotid Endarterectomy and Concurrent Contralateral Vocal Cord Paralysis: A Case Report.

Vagus nerve injury may complicate carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) branches from the vagus nerve, innervating the ipsilateral vocal cord. Vagus nerve injury can cause vocal cord dysfunction. Intraoperative vocal cord monitoring can detect vagus nerve injury during CEA. A patient with distorted neck anatomy from radiotherapy to treat oropharyngeal cancer and resultant right vocal cord paralysis required left CEA. Anticipating difficult neck dissection risking vagus nerve damage with associate RLN malfunction, we added vocal cord electromyography (EMG) to routine CEA electroencephalography (EEG). We recommend vocal cord EMG in anatomically complex CEA to avoid vagus nerve injury.

Rescue Echocardiography/Ultrasonography in the Management of Combined Cardiac Surgical and Medical Patients in a Cardiac Intensive Care Unit.

OBJECTIVES: Rescue point-of-care ultrasound (r-POCUS) in critical care medicine has revolutionized the management of critically ill patients with hemodynamic instability. However, clinical studies on its use among high-risk cardiac patients still are limited. The authors aimed to assess the utility of r-POCUS for managing high-risk cardiac patients in a mixed cardiac-surgical and cardiac-medical intensive care unit (ICU) in a quaternary care hospital by reviewing the indications and findings of r-POCUS and subsequent effect on patient management. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. DESIGN: Single institution, quaternary care hospital. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 189 consecutive r-POCUS examinations performed in a cardiac medical and surgical ICU. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: r-POCUS was performed on 141 patients. Common indications for r-POCUS included hypotension (n = 93 [49%]), assessment of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and ventricular assist devices (n = 33 [17%]), arrhythmias (n = 13 [7%]), abnormal pulmonary artery catheter values (n = 11 [6%]), and ischemic electrocardiogram changes (n = 10 [5%]). Cardiac pathology was positive in 129 (68%) of the rescue examinations. Common reported pathologies included left ventricular dysfunction (n = 47 [25%]), right ventricular dysfunction (n = 52 [28%]), hypervolemia (n = 13 [7%]), hypovolemia (n = 25 [13%]), pericardial effusion/tamponade (n = 21 [11%]), and ECMO/ventricular assist device cannula malposition (n = 9 [5%]). Seventy-five percent of the rescue examinations resulted in medical and surgical interventions, including fluid resuscitation (n = 25 [13%]), diuresis (n = 14 [7%]), ionotropic support (n = 23 [12%]), surgical intervention in the operating room (n = 21 [11%]), surgical intervention at the bedside (n = 8 [4%]), ECMO initiation (n = 15 [8%]), and ECMO/ventricular assist device cannula/setting adjustment (n = 12 [6%]). CONCLUSION: In this retrospective study, r-POCUS performed by attending intensivists resulted in diverse findings and was associated with rapid changes in clinical management of patients in a high-acuity, mixed cardiac-surgical and cardiac-medical ICU.

Implementing a Cardiac Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol: Nuts and Bolts.

The use of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols among various surgical subspecialties is increasing, including in cardiac surgery. The goal of these protocols is to optimize patient outcomes and satisfaction and improve the value of healthcare delivered. Cardiac ERAS protocols are divided into the following 3 stages of perioperative care: preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative. ERAS strategies have been shown to work synergistically to reduce the length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, hospital cost, and opioid consumption; increase patient satisfaction; and result in less and early extubation. The ERAS team should consist of clinicians involved in the patient's care throughout the entire ERAS process. A cardiac ERAS program is an example of value-based care applied to a specific surgical specialty with goals to improve patient satisfaction, provide earlier recovery, and reduce hospital cost. This narrative review details the updates and gaps in the literature regarding the efficacy and utility of an ERAS protocol in cardiac surgery, outlines the individual components of a cardiac surgery ERAS protocol, and describes the implementation science that can be used to execute a cardiac ERAS protocol successfully.

Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Outcomes and Complications at a Quaternary Referral Center.

OBJECTIVE: At a quaternary care center that regularly performs and cares for patients undergoing extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (eCPR), a database of all adult patients who underwent eCPR with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) over a 10-year period was reviewed. Seventy-one eCPR patients were analyzed to compare outcomes and complication rates. The authors hypothesized that evidence of end-organ injury, such as the need for continuous renal replacement therapy, in their institution's eCPR population would be associated with increased in-hospital mortality. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review of prospectively collected data at a quaternary care center. SETTING: Single quaternary academic referral center for ECMO. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised adult patients who underwent venoarterial ECMO for eCPR from 2009-2019 and for whom demographic data, survival data, and complication rates were available. INTERVENTIONS: None-this was a retrospective chart review. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: eCPR survival was 53.5% (38 of 71), and hospital survival was 33.8% (24 of 71). The most common complications were hemorrhage (26 of 67), renal failure (19 of 67), and neurologic injury (14 of 67). Of 19 patients requiring renal replacement therapy, only 1 survived to hospital discharge (5.3%) versus 23 of 48 patients without renal failure (47.9%) surviving to discharge (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of 71 patients who underwent eCPR, outcomes were promising; however, complication rates were high, and renal failure in particular demonstrated an extremely high mortality. These are single-institution results that should be followed up with larger multicenter cohorts of eCPR patients.

Pulmonary Artery Catheter Thrombus in a Patient With Essential Thrombocytosis: A Case Report.

Essential thrombocytosis (ET) is a rare chronic myeloproliferative disorder characterized by elevated platelet counts. The management of patients with ET undergoing coronary artery bypass graft remains unclear. Often, patients who are deemed "high risk" for thrombotic events receive cytoreductive therapy before surgery, while patients deemed "low risk" do not receive cytoreductive therapy. Here, we present a case of a patient with ET with only a mild elevation in platelets deemed "low risk" for thrombotic complications who was found to have a small intracardiac thrombus around the pulmonary artery catheter before initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Complications related to invasive hemodynamic monitors during adult liver transplantation.

The rate of complications directly related to invasive monitors during liver transplantation (LT) was reviewed in 1206 consecutive adult LTs performed over 8.6 yr (1/1/2004-7/31/2012). The designated anesthesiologists placed intra-operative monitors, including two arterial catheters (via the radial and the right femoral arteries), central venous catheters (a 9 Fr. catheter and an 18 Fr. veno-venous bypass [VVB] return cannula in an internal jugular vein), a pulmonary artery catheter, and a transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) probe. A 17 Fr. VVB drainage cannula was placed via the left femoral vein. No Clavien-Dindo Grade V (death) or Grade IV (organ dysfunction) complication was identified. Nine Grade III complications (requiring surgical intervention) and 15 Grade II complications (conservative treatment) were noted. Seven (0.58% in 1206 cases) were related to a femoral arterial line with Grade III of four; seven (0.58%) were due to VVB return cannula in the femoral vein with Grade III of one; four (0.33%) were related to central venous catheters with Grade III of two; four (0.33%) were due to a TEE probe with Grade III of two; and two minor complications (0.17%) that were related to a radial arterial line. No complication was observed with a pulmonary arterial catheter. Current invasive monitors placed during LT have an acceptable risk.