Comparison of Bretschneider HTK and Blood Cardioplegia (4:1): A Prospective Randomized Study.

BACKGROUND: We compared the effect of intermittent blood and histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution of Bretschneider on myocardial histopathology and perioperative outcome. METHODS: Forty adult cardiac surgery patients were grouped into two (n = 20 for each): (1) Intermittent blood cardioplegia (IBC): had repeated cold 4:1 blood cardioplegia and (2) HTK: had a single dose of cold HTK for cardioprotection. Creatine kinase (CK)-MB, Troponin-I (cTn-I), pH, and lactate were studied in coronary sinus blood before and after aortic cross-clamping (AXC) and systemic blood at postoperative 6th, 24th, and 48th hours. Myocardial biopsy was performed before and after AXC for light microscopy. Vacuolation, inflammation, edema, and glycogen were graded semiquantitatively (from 0 to 3). The myocardial apoptotic index was evaluated via the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling. RESULTS: There were no differences in perioperative clinical outcomes between the groups. The coronary sinus samples after AXC were more acidotic (7.15 ± 0.14 vs. 7.32 ± 0.07, p = 0.001) and revealed higher CK-MB (21.0 ± 12.81 vs. 12.60 ± 11.80, p = 0.008) in HTK compared with IBC. The HTK had significantly a higher amount of erythrocyte suspension intraoperatively compared with IBC (0.21 ± 0.53 vs. 1.68 ± 0.93 U, p = 0.001). Microscopically, myocardial edema was more pronounced in HTK compared with IBC after AXC (2.25 ± 0.91 vs. 1.50 ± 0.04, p = 0.013). While a significant increase in the apoptotic index was seen after AXC in both groups (p = 0.001), no difference was detected between the groups (p = 0.417). CONCLUSION: IBC and HTK have a similar clinical outcome and protective effect, except for more pronounced myocardial edema and increased need for intraoperative transfusion with HTK.

Single-Dose St. Thomas Versus Custodiol® Cardioplegia for Right Mini-thoracotomy Mitral Valve Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Custodiol® and St. Thomas cardioplegia are widely employed in mini-thoracotomy mitral valve (MV) operations. One-dose of the former provides 3 h of myocardial protection. Conversely, St. Thomas solution is usually reinfused every 30 min and safety of single delivery is unknown. We aimed to compare single-shot St. Thomas versus Custodiol® cardioplegia. METHODS: Primary endpoint of the prospective observational study was cardiac troponin T level at different post-operative time-points. Propensity-weighted treatment served to adjust for confounding factors. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients receiving St. Thomas were compared with 25 patients receiving Custodiol® cardioplegia; cross-clamping always exceeded 45 min. No differences were found in postoperative markers of myocardial injury. Ventricular fibrillation at the resumption of electric activity was more frequent following Custodiol® cardioplegia (P = .01). CONCLUSION: Effective myocardial protection exceeding 1 h of ischemic arrest can be achieved with a single-dose St. Thomas cardioplegia in selected patients undergoing right mini-thoracotomy MV surgery.

Effects of Short-Term Potassium Chloride Supplementation in Patients with CKD.

BACKGROUND: Observational studies suggest that adequate dietary potassium intake (90-120 mmol/day) may be renoprotective, but the effects of increasing dietary potassium and the risk of hyperkalemia are unknown. METHODS: This is a prespecified analysis of the run-in phase of a clinical trial in which 191 patients (age 68±11 years, 74% males, 86% European ancestry, eGFR 31±9 ml/min per 1.73 m2, 83% renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, 38% diabetes) were treated with 40 mmol potassium chloride (KCl) per day for 2 weeks. RESULTS: KCl supplementation significantly increased urinary potassium excretion (72±24 to 107±29 mmol/day), plasma potassium (4.3±0.5 to 4.7±0.6 mmol/L), and plasma aldosterone (281 [198-431] to 351 [241-494] ng/L), but had no significant effect on urinary sodium excretion, plasma renin, BP, eGFR, or albuminuria. Furthermore, KCl supplementation increased plasma chloride (104±3 to 105±4 mmol/L) and reduced plasma bicarbonate (24.5±3.4 to 23.7±3.5 mmol/L) and urine pH (all P<0.001), but did not change urinary ammonium excretion. In total, 21 participants (11%) developed hyperkalemia (plasma potassium 5.9±0.4 mmol/L). They were older and had higher baseline plasma potassium. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CKD stage G3b-4, increasing dietary potassium intake to recommended levels with potassium chloride supplementation raises plasma potassium by 0.4 mmol/L. This may result in hyperkalemia in older patients or those with higher baseline plasma potassium. Longer-term studies should address whether cardiorenal protection outweighs the risk of hyperkalemia.Clinical trial number: NCT03253172.

Balanced Multielectrolyte Solution versus Saline in Critically Ill Adults.

BACKGROUND: Whether the use of balanced multielectrolyte solution (BMES) in preference to 0.9% sodium chloride solution (saline) in critically ill patients reduces the risk of acute kidney injury or death is uncertain. METHODS: In a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial, we assigned critically ill patients to receive BMES (Plasma-Lyte 148) or saline as fluid therapy in the intensive care unit (ICU) for 90 days. The primary outcome was death from any cause within 90 days after randomization. Secondary outcomes were receipt of new renal-replacement therapy and the maximum increase in the creatinine level during ICU stay. RESULTS: A total of 5037 patients were recruited from 53 ICUs in Australia and New Zealand - 2515 patients were assigned to the BMES group and 2522 to the saline group. Death within 90 days after randomization occurred in 530 of 2433 patients (21.8%) in the BMES group and in 530 of 2413 patients (22.0%) in the saline group, for a difference of -0.15 percentage points (95% confidence interval [CI], -3.60 to 3.30; P = 0.90). New renal-replacement therapy was initiated in 306 of 2403 patients (12.7%) in the BMES group and in 310 of 2394 patients (12.9%) in the saline group, for a difference of -0.20 percentage points (95% CI, -2.96 to 2.56). The mean (±SD) maximum increase in serum creatinine level was 0.41±1.06 mg per deciliter (36.6±94.0 µmol per liter) in the BMES group and 0.41±1.02 mg per deciliter (36.1±90.0 µmol per liter) in the saline group, for a difference of 0.01 mg per deciliter (95% CI, -0.05 to 0.06) (0.5 µmol per liter [95% CI, -4.7 to 5.7]). The number of adverse and serious adverse events did not differ meaningfully between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence that the risk of death or acute kidney injury among critically ill adults in the ICU was lower with the use of BMES than with saline. (Funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and the Health Research Council of New Zealand; PLUS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02721654.).

Del Nido versus HTK cardioplegia for myocardial protection during adult complex valve surgery: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) and del Nido (DN) cardioplegia are intracellular-type and extracellular-type solution respectively, both can provide a long period of myocardial protection with single-dose infusion, but studies comparing the two are rare for adult cardiac surgery. This study aims to evaluate whether DN is suitable for cardioplegia in complex and high-risk valve surgery with long-term cardiac ischemia when compared with HTK. METHODS: The perioperative records of adult patients infused with DN/HTK as a cardioplegic solution who underwent complex valve surgery with an expected myocardial ischaemic duration longer than 90 min between Oct 2018 and Oct 2019 were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the 160 patients who received DN/HTK and underwent complex valve surgery, we propensity matched 73 pairs. Both groups achieved satisfactory cardiac arrest effects, and no significant difference was found in their cTnI and CK-MB levels within 12 to 72 h postoperatively. The DN group had a higher rate of return to spontaneous rhythm (0.88 v 0.52, P < 0.001), a lower frequency of postoperative severe arrythmias (12% v 26%, P = 0.036), a higher postoperative stroke volume (65 v 59 ml, P = 0.011) and a higher cardiac output (6.0 v 4.9 L/min, P = 0.007) as evaluated by echocardiography, fewer transfusions and shorter ICU stays (both P < 0.05). The two groups had similar inotrope usage and similar incidences of low cardiac output, morbidities and mortality. Subgroup analysis showed that when the aortic clamping time was greater than 120 min, the advantages of DN were weakened. CONCLUSIONS: DN can be safely applied to complex valve surgery, and it has a similar myocardial protection effect as HTK. Further prospective studies are required to verify these retrospective findings. Trial registration retrospectively registered.

Suicidio con cloruro de potasio: Reporte de un caso / Suicide with potassium chloride: Case report

Resumen El suicidio es el uso deliberado de violencia externa con la intención de quitarse la vida, y el uso de medicamentos es una forma en la que esta se puede consumar, el cloruro de potasio es uno de los medicamentos que en concentraciones elevadas tienen efectos letales, por lo que el objetivo de este artículo científico es detallar características farmacológicas del cloruro de potasio, y los elementos a considerar en el estudio postmorten de cadáveres cuando se sospecha de una intoxicación por cloruro de potasio con manera de muerte suicida; con la metodología de estudio de artículos científicos, exposición de un caso clínico y discusión de la importancia del análisis de los elementos aportados y solicitados durante la investigación médico legal, también la especial y delicada importancia de una correcta recolección de muestras biológicas y continentes de medicamentos para el estudio toxicológico y químicoanalítico; de esta manera se concluye que el Cloruro de potasio es un fármaco con efectos colaterales dañinos en la función eléctrica cardiaca, la determinación de la manera de muerte es un trabajo complejo para el médico forense en este tipo de casos, y los resultados de la pericias complementarias a la autopsia tienen mucha importancia para el análisis de este tipo de casos.

Abstract Suicide is the deliberate use of external violence with the intention of taking one's life, and the use of medications is one way in which this can be consumed, potassium chloride is one of the medications that in high concentrations have lethal effects, Therefore, the objective of this scientific article is to detail the pharmacological characteristics of potassium chloride, and the elements to be considered in the postmortem study of corpses when potassium chloride poisoning is suspected as a suicidal death; with the methodology of study of scientific articles, presentation of a clinical case and discussion of the importance of the analysis of the elements provided and requested during the medical-legal research, also the special and delicate importance of a correct collection of biological samples and drug containers for toxicological and chemical analysis; In this way, it is concluded that potassium chloride is a drug with harmful collateral effects on cardiac electrical function, determining the manner of death is a complex job for the forensic doctor in this type of case, and the results of the expertise complementary to the autopsy are very important for the analysis of this type of case.

Accidental epidural catheter infusion of potassium chloride for postoperative analgesia: A case report.

An infusion of 100 cc of 0,2% potassium chloride was accidental performed through a thoracic epidural catheter, inserted to perioperative analgesia, to a 66 years old man who was scheduled for right hemicolectomy, 48 h after surgery. Paresis of upper limbs, flaccid paralysis of lower limbs and a sensitive level at T8 was observed. An epidural lavage with an initial dose of 20 cc of saline was slowly injected, followed for a saline infusion of 20 cc per hour. Neurologic signs were totally reverted some hours later and 24 h after the incident the physical exam was normal. We reviewed the clinical presentation of the complication and its mechanisms, the more frequent clinical evolution, as well as treatment measures and strategies to prevent the incident.

Narrative review of neuraxial potassium chloride administration errors: clinical features, human factors, and prevention measures.

BACKGROUND: Administration of the wrong drug via the epidural or intrathecal route can cause devastating consequences. Because of the commonality of potassium replacement therapy coupled to its potential neurotoxic profile, we suspected that injuries related to this drug error would be present in the literature. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify clinical characteristics associated with the inadvertent administration of potassium chloride (KCl) during neuraxial anesthesia. Our secondary objective was to identify human factors that may have been associated. EVIDENCE REVIEW: Published reports of neuraxial administration of KCl in humans were searched using Medline and Google Scholar. Error reports in any language were included. FINDINGS: 25 case reports/series reported administration of KCl via epidural (25 patients) or intrathecal routes (three patients). There were six cases during interventional pain procedures, five cases in operating rooms and 17 in wards or intensive care units. Neuraxial KCl caused paraplegia in 22 patients. Mechanical ventilation was instituted in 11 of 28 patients. Three patients died. Epidural (eight patients) and spinal (two patients) lavage were performed to minimize consequences. A correctly prepared KCl infusion was connected to the epidural catheter for nine patients on wards (32%; 95% upper confidence limit: 48%) due to epidural-intravenous line confusion. Among the other 19 errors, KCl was confused with normal saline for 13 patients or local anesthetic in three patients. A wide range of concentrations and doses of KCl were administered. Variable use of intravenous steroid (13 patients) and epidural saline (eight patients) was found among patients who received epidural KCl. Human factors identified included incorrect visual perception, inadequate monitoring of infusions and substandard practice related to neuraxial anesthesia or analgesia. CONCLUSIONS: KCl administration via epidural or intrathecal route has been reported to cause catastrophic consequences.

Age- and gender-related differences in the del Nido cardioprotection protocol.

BACKGROUND: The evidence regarding the impact of patient's age and gender on del Nido cardioplegia cadio-protection capability in adults is strongly limited. METHODS: A group of 75 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) with del Nido cardioplegia was divided into Group 1 (male) and Group 2 (female). Creatine kinase (CK-MB isoenzyme) and high sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) values at 24 hours and 48 hours, occurrence of cardiac activity during crossclamp and ventricular fibrillation (VF) during reperfusion were compared. The impact of age on hs-TnT,CK-MB, VF during reperfusion and cardiac activity during crossclamp was investigated using regression models. RESULTS: No difference between the groups was reported in 24-hour CK-MB (median 15.57 ng/mL; IQR 12.13-22.82 ng/mL vs. 13.97; 12.09-17.147 ng/mL; P=0.168), 48-hour CK-MB (6.19; 4.22-7.71 ng/mL vs. 6.07;4.56-7.06 ng/mL; P=0.707), 24-hour hs-TnT (259.2; 172.0-376.9 pg/mL vs. 193.0; 167.8-351 pg/mL.1; P=0.339), 48-hour hs-TnT (169.1; 124.9-293.0 pg/mL vs. 159.2; 123.12-211.77 pg/mL; P=0.673), VF during reperfusion (25% vs. 18,5%; P=0.774) and cardiac activity during arrest (39.6% vs. 37.1%; p= 1.0). Values of CK-MB at 24 hours, hs-TnT at 24 hours and hs-TnT at 48 hours were not dependent on age. The CK-MB at 48 hours was dependent on age (P=0.039). Probit regression failed to reveal the impact of patients' age on postclamp VF occurrence (P=0.11) or electrical activity during arrest (P=0.57). CONCLUSIONS: Considering our study results, it can be hypothesized that the del Nido cardioplegia provides adequate myocardial protection in AVR patients regardless of age and gender.

The effects of 0.9% saline versus Plasma-Lyte 148 on renal function as assessed by creatinine concentration in patients undergoing major surgery: A single-centre double-blinded cluster crossover trial.

OBJECTIVES: Saline and Plasma-Lyte have different physiochemical contents; consequently, they may differently affect patients' renal function. We compared the effects of fluid therapy with 0.9% saline and with Plasma-Lyte 148 on renal function as assessed by creatinine concentration among patients undergoing major surgery. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, double-blinded cluster crossover trial comparing the effects of the two fluids on major surgery patients. The primary aim was to establish the pilot feasibility, safety and preliminary efficacy evidence base for a large interventional trial to establish whether saline or Plasma-Lyte is the preferred crystalloid fluid for managing major surgery patients. The primary efficacy outcome was the proportion of patients with changes in renal function as assessed by creatinine concentration during their index hospital admission. We used changes in creatinine to define acute kidney injury (AKI) according to the RIFLE criteria. RESULTS: The study was feasible with 100% patient and clinician acceptance. There were no deviations from the trial protocol. After screening, we allocated 602 patients to saline and 458 to Plasma-Lyte. The median (IQR) volume of intraoperative fluid received was 2000 mL (1000:2000) in both groups. Forty-nine saline patients (8.1%) and 49 Plasma-Lyte patients (10.7%) developed a postoperative AKI (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR]: 1.34; 95% CI: 0.93-1.95; p = 0.120). No differences were observed in the development of postoperative complications (aIRR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.89-1.08) or the severity of the worst complication (aIRR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.78-1.30). The median (IQR) length of hospital stay was six days (3:11) for the saline group and five days (3:10) for the Plasma-Lyte group (aIRR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.73-0.98). There were no serious adverse events relating to the trial fluids, nor were there fluid crossover or contamination events. CONCLUSIONS: The study design was feasible to support a future follow-up larger clinical trial. Patients treated with saline did not demonstrate an increased incidence of postoperative AKI (defined as changes in creatinine) compared to those treated with Plasma-Lyte. Our findings imply that clinicians can reasonably use either solution intraoperatively for adult patients undergoing major surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registry: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry; ACTRN12613001042730; URL: https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=364988.

Adrenergic inhibition facilitates normalization of extracellular potassium after cortical spreading depolarization.

Cortical spreading depolarization (CSD) is a propagating wave of tissue depolarization characterized by a large increase of extracellular potassium concentration and prolonged subsequent electrical silencing of neurons. Waves of CSD arise spontaneously in various acute neurological settings, including migraine aura and ischemic stroke. Recently, we have reported that pan-inhibition of adrenergic receptors (AdRs) facilitates the normalization of extracellular potassium after acute photothrombotic stroke in mice. Here, we have extended that mechanistic study to ask whether AdR antagonists also modify the dynamics of KCl-induced CSD and post-CSD recovery in vivo. Spontaneous neural activity and KCl-induced CSD were visualized by cortex-wide transcranial Ca2+ imaging in G-CaMP7 transgenic mice. AdR antagonism decreased the recurrence of CSD waves and accelerated the post-CSD recovery of neural activity. Two-photon imaging revealed that astrocytes exhibited aberrant Ca2+ signaling after passage of the CSD wave. This astrocytic Ca2+ activity was diminished by the AdR antagonists. Furthermore, AdR pan-antagonism facilitated the normalization of the extracellular potassium level after CSD, which paralleled the recovery of neural activity. These observations add support to the proposal that neuroprotective effects of AdR pan-antagonism arise from accelerated normalization of extracellular K+ levels in the setting of acute brain injury.

Clinical outcomes of single-dose cardioplegia in high-risk coronary bypass.

BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing popularity of single-dose cardioplegia techniques in coronary artery bypass grafting, the time window for successful reperfusion remains unclear. This study aimed to compare different cardioplegic techniques based on early and 30-day clinical outcomes via thorough monitoring. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included high-risk patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and receiving 3 different types of cardioplegia between January 2017 and June 2019. Group 1 (n = 101) had a single dose of del Nido cardioplegia, group 2 (n = 92) had a single dose of histidine-tryptophane-ketoglutarate, and group 3 (n = 119) had cold blood cardioplegia. Patients were examined perioperatively by memory loop recording and auto-triggered memory loop recording for 30 days, with documentation of predefined events. RESULTS: Interleukin-6 and cardiac troponin levels in group 1 were significantly higher than those in groups 2 and 3. The incidence of predefined events as markers of inadequate myocardial protection was significantly higher group 1, with more frequent atrial fibrillation attacks and more hospital readmissions. The readmission rate was 17.6% in group 1, 9% in group 2, and 8% in group 3. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate the long-term efficacy of cardioplegic techniques, which may become more crucial in high-risk patients who genuinely have a chance to benefit from adjunct myocardial protection. Patients given del Nido cardioplegia had a significantly more prominent inflammatory response and higher troponin levels after cardiopulmonary bypass. This group had issues in the longer term with significantly more cardiac events and a higher rehospitalization rate.

Effect of Del Nido cardioplegia on ventricular arrhythmias after cardiovascular surgery.

BACKGROUND: Del Nido cardioplegia (DNC) has been proven safe and effective in pediatric patients. However, the use of DNC in adult undergoing cardiovascular surgery lacks support with substantial evidence. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of DNC as a cardioplegia of prophylaxis to ventricular arrhythmias associated to cardiovascular surgery in adult patients. METHODS: This study recruited nine hundred fifty-four patients who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass surgeries in Nanjing Hospital affiliated to Nanjing Medical University between January 2019 and December 2019. Among 954 patients, 324 patients were treated with DNC (DNC group), and 630 patients were treated with St. Thomas cardioplegia (STH group). The incidence of postoperative arrhythmia as well as other cardiovascular events relavant to the surgery were investigated in both groups. RESULTS: In DNC group, the incidence of postoperative ventricular arrhythmias was lower (12.4% vs. 17.4%, P = 0.040), and the length of ICU stay was shorter (1.97 ± 1.49 vs. 2.26 ± 1.46, P = 0.004). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that the use of DNC helped to reduce the incidence of postoperative ventricular arrhythmias (adjusted odds ratio 0.475, 95% CI 0.266-0.825, P = 0.010). The propensity score-based analysis and subgroup analysis indicated that DNC has the same protecting effects towards myocardial in all kinds of cardiopulmonary bypass surgeries. CONCLUSIONS: Del Nido cardioplegia may potentially reduce the incidence of postoperative ventricular arrhythmias, shorten the length of ICU stay and improve the overall outcome of the patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery.

Del Nido cardioplegia versus blood cardioplegia in adult aortic root surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Del Nido cardioplegia solution offers prolonged cardiac protection with single-dose administration; this is particularly interesting for aortic root surgery. However, there is a scarcity of data supporting its safety in adults undergoing complex cardiac surgery, such as aortic root repair. We hypothesized that del Nido cardioplegia solution and blood cardioplegia solution provide equivalent safety during aortic root surgery. METHODS: Between January 2015 and June 2018, 283 consecutive patients undergoing the Ross procedure (204) and valve-sparing operation (79) with del Nido cardioplegia solution or blood cardioplegia solution were 1:1 propensity matched (110 aortic root surgery), and outcomes were compared. Clinical patient characteristics and data were extracted from our local database for valve-sparing operations and for Ross procedures. RESULTS: Preoperative characteristics were similar between del Nido cardioplegia solution and blood cardioplegia solution after propensity matching (mean age, 48.6 ± 1.5 years). Median postoperative creatine kinase MB isotype did not differ between del Nido cardioplegia solution and blood cardioplegia solution (48.9 [14.9-300] µg/L vs 51.2 [12.4-116] µg/L for blood cardioplegia solution [P = .1]), but there was a trend toward higher troponin T levels with del Nido cardioplegia solution (748 [221-5834] ng/L vs 710 [212-3332] ng/L for blood cardioplegia solution [P = .07]). In patients with myocardial ischemia longer than 180 minutes, median creatine kinase MB isotype was higher in del Nido cardioplegia solution (75.1 [59.3-300] µg/L than in blood cardioplegia solution 60.5 [16.5-116] µg/L [P = .01]). Aortic crossclamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times were shorter with del Nido cardioplegia solution (163 ± 5 vs 181 ± 5 minutes, P = .01 and 145 ± 4 vs 161 ± 4 minutes, respectively, P = .006). Return to spontaneous rhythm was more frequent in the del Nido cardioplegia solution group (52% [29/55] vs 27% [15/55], P = .006). There was no difference in inotropic or vasoactive agent use (P = .8). Postoperative left ventricle ejection fraction was similar (0.54 ± 0.09 vs 0.55 ± 0.08 for del Nido cardioplegia solution and blood cardioplegia solution, respectively; P = .4). There was no difference between groups for perioperative mortality and postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Del Nido cardioplegia solution can be used as an alternative to blood cardioplegia solution in adults undergoing complex aortic root surgery, providing comparable clinical outcomes and improved surgical workflow. However, del Nido cardioplegia solution seems to be associated with increased myocardial injury, especially with extended myocardial ischemic times, but this finding did not translate into adverse clinical events. Caution is warranted in adopting this cardioplegic solution in aortic interventions requiring long ischemic times, and further study is required to establish its exact role in complex cardiac surgery.

Scavenging right atrial Bretschneider histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate cardioplegia: Impact on hyponatremia and seizures in pediatric cardiac surgery patients.

OBJECTIVE: Custodiol-HTK cardioplegia (Custodiol-HTK Koheler Chemie, GmbH, Bensheim, Germany) causes fluctuations in serum sodium levels, hyponatremia, and is associated with postoperative seizures. We investigated the influence of scavenging right atrial effluent during delivery on intraoperative serum sodium levels and postoperative seizure incidence in pediatric cardiac surgery patients. METHODS: A total of 204 patients younger than age 18 years undergoing congenital heart surgery between January 2016 and March 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Serum sodium levels after administration of Custodiol-HTK cardioplegia were compared between the scavenge and nonscavenge groups and then in the propensity score-matched cohort (n = 96). Postoperative seizures were documented clinically and with electroencephalogram findings. Logistic regression models were used to identify the independent predictors of serum sodium level after aortic crossclamp. RESULTS: Of 204 patients, 156 (76.5%) were in the nonscavenge, and 48 (23.5%) in the scavenge groups. A serum sodium level <130 mEq/L after crossclamp and administration of Custodiol-HTK cardioplegia in the nonscavenge group were 70% versus 21% in the scavenge group (odds ratio, 8.8; 95% confidence interval, 4.1-18.3; P < .0001) in the entire cohort, and 77% versus 21% (odds ratio, 12.8; 95% confidence interval, 4.8-33.1; P < .0001) in the propensity score-matched cohort. Of 16 patients experiencing a postoperative seizure, 14 (87.5%) had a sodium level <130 mEq/L and 2 (12.5%) had a sodium level ≥130 mEq/L (odds ratio, 5.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-22.8; P = .021) after crossclamp. Postoperative seizures occurred in the nonscavenge group but not the scavenge group in the entire cohort (P = .02) and in the propensity score-matched patients (P = .041). Multivariable analysis of the entire cohort showed that scavenge intervention was an independent factor associated with significantly decreased risk of sodium level <130 mEq/L (odds ratio, 0.17; 95% confidence interval, 0.08-0.36; P = .000). CONCLUSIONS: Right atrial effluent scavenging was protective against fluctuations in serum sodium levels after crossclamp and Custodiol-HTK cardioplegia administration independently in both entire and matched cohort, and was also associated with decreased incidence of postoperative seizures.

Transitioning to Del Nido cardioplegia for all-comers: the next switching gear?

BACKGROUND: Exclusive use of Del Nido cardioplegia administration in all adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery has been studied for operative, postoperative and myocardial protection outcomes. METHODS: From November 2016 to October 2017, Del Nido cardioplegia was used in 131 consecutive patients (DN group). Using a propensity score, DN group was compared to 251 patients having received intermittent cold blood cardioplegia (CB group). RESULTS: Preoperative characteristics were similar in DN and CB groups. Operative outcomes were statistically different (p < 0.0001): cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time (DN 105.9 ± 46.5, CB 131.2 ± 38.8); aortic cross-clamp time (DN 80.8 ± 35.5, CB 102.2 ± 31.3); operative time (DN 203.1 ± 65.0, CB 241.5 ± 54.7); total cardioplegia volume (DN 1328 ± 879, CB 3773 ± 1226); and peak glycemia on CPB (DN 8.2 ± 2.3, CB 9.0 ± 1.8). No statistical differences were noted in intensive care unit stay, hospital stay and hospital death. Myocardial protection outcomes were similar: discharge left ventricular ejection fraction (DN 52 ± 11, CB 51 ± 10); Troponin levels at the end of the surgery (DN 871 ± 1623, CB 1958 ± 854), day 1 (DN 853 ± 1139, CB 993 ± 8234) and day 4 (DN 442 ± 540, CB 463 ± 317). CONCLUSION: Del Nido cardioplegia use in all adult cardiac surgeries is associated with improved surgical efficiency. The design of larger trials including adults combined cardiac procedures and emergencies is needed.

A prospective, randomized, single-blind, multicentre, phase III study on organ preservation with Custodiol-N solution compared with Custodiol® solution in organ transplantation (kidney, liver and pancreas).

BACKGROUND: Organ preservation before transplantation is still a challenge. Both the University of Wisconsin and Bretschneider's histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK; Custodiol®) solution are standard for liver, kidney and pancreas preservation. Organ preservation with both solutions is comparable; recently, however, Custodiol® solution has been modified to Custodiol-N according to the needs of today. Thus, our study was defined to study its effect in clinical transplantation. METHODS: Patients undergoing kidney transplantation (n = 412) (including approximately 30 combined kidney-pancreas) or liver transplantation (n = 202) receive grafts that have been cold stored in either Custodiol® or Custodiol-N to demonstrate noninferiority of Custodiol-N regarding both graft function and graft injury after transplantation. DISCUSSION: Preclinical data have clearly shown that Custodiol-N is superior to Custodiol® in cold static organ preservation via mechanisms including inhibition of hypoxic cell injury, cold-induced cell injury and avoidance of adverse effects during warm exposure to the solution. Further clinical safety data on Custodiol-N for cardioplegia are available. Thus, this study was designed to compare Custodiol® with Custodiol-N for the first time in a prospective, randomized, single-blinded, multicentre, phase III clinical transplantation trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Eudra-CT, 2017-002198-20. Registered on 28 November 2018.

Single-dose cardioplegia protects myocardium as well as traditional repetitive dosing: A noninferiority randomized study.

OBJECTIVE: The present prospective noninferiority randomized trial was designed to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of a single dose of Custodiol histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate compared with repetitive cold-blood cardioplegia. METHODS: From October 2012 to May 2014, 110 patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: Group 1 (55 patients) received repetitive cold-blood cardioplegia, and group 2 (55 patients) received single-dose Custodiol histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate. Isolated aortic valve replacement, isolated mitral valve replacement, and multivalve procedures represented the most frequent operations, with 39 cases (71%) in group 1 and 49 cases (89%) in group 2. There was no difference in cardiopulmonary bypass time (102 ± 26 minutes vs 99 ± 19 minutes, P = .70) or aortic crossclamp time (77 ± 19 minutes vs 74 ± 17 minutes, P = .33). All patients underwent preoperative electrocardiogram and determination of creatine kinase-MB, troponin I, left ventricular ejection fraction, and regional wall motion. Postoperative cardiac biomarkers were checked at 7, 24, and 48 hours, and an echocardiogram was obtained to check for left ventricular function abnormalities. RESULTS: There was no difference in cardiac biomarkers release between the 2 groups at baseline and 7, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively (creatine kinase, P = .18, troponin P = .23). Left ventricular function was similar between groups preoperatively and at 24 hours after surgery. No death or myocardial infarction was observed in either group. There were no differences in intensive care unit length of stay, incidence of atrial fibrillation, use of inotropes or vasopressors support, time of intubation, or creatinine levels. CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of Custodiol histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate cardioplegia is not inferior to repeated cold-blood cardioplegia during elective cardiac surgery.

Electronic prescription: frequency and severity of medication errors.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency and severity of prescriptions errors with potentially dangerous drugs (heparin and potassium chloride for injection concentrate) before and after the introduction of a computerized provider order entry (CPOE) system. METHODS: This is a retrospective study that compared errors in manual/pre-typed prescriptions in 2007 (Stage 1) with CPOE prescriptions in 2014 (Stage 2) (Total = 1,028 prescriptions), in two high-complexity hospitals of Belo Horizonte, Brasil. RESULTS: An increase of 25% in the frequency of errors in Hospital 1 was observed after the intervention (p<0.001). In contrast, a decreased error frequency of 85% was observed in Hospital 2 (p<0.001). Regarding potassium chloride, the error rate remained unchanged in Hospital 1 (p>0.05). In Hospital 2, a significant decrease was recorded in Stage 2 (p<0.001). A reduced error severity with heparin (p<0.001) was noted, while potassium chloride-related prescription severity remain unchanged (p> 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency and severity of medication errors after the introduction of CPOE was affected differently in the two hospitals, which shows a need for thorough observation when the prescription system is modified. Control of new potential errors introduced and their causes for the adoption of measures to prevent these events must be in place during and after the implementation of this technology.