Canadian Cardiovascular Society 2023 Guidelines on the Fitness to Drive.

Cardiovascular conditions are among the most frequent causes of impairment to drive, because they might induce unpredictable mental state alterations via diverse mechanisms like myocardial ischemia, cardiac arrhythmias, and vascular dysfunction. Accordingly, health professionals are often asked to assess patients' fitness to drive (FTD). The Canadian Cardiovascular Society previously published FTD guidelines in 2003-2004; herein, we present updated FTD guidelines. Because there are no randomized trials on FTD, observational studies were used to estimate the risk of driving impairment in each situation, and recommendations made on the basis of Canadian Cardiovascular Society Risk of Harm formula. More restrictive recommendations were made for commercial drivers, who spend longer average times behind the wheel, use larger vehicles, and might transport a larger number of passengers. We provide guidance for individuals with: (1) active coronary artery disease; (2) various forms of valvular heart disease; (3) heart failure, heart transplant, and left ventricular assist device situations; (4) arrhythmia syndromes; (5) implantable devices; (6) syncope history; and (7) congenital heart disease. We suggest appropriate waiting times after cardiac interventions or acute illnesses before driving resumption. When short-term driving cessation is recommended, recommendations are on the basis of expert consensus rather than the Risk of Harm formula because risk elevation is expected to be transient. These recommendations, although not a substitute for clinical judgement or governmental regulations, provide specialists, primary care providers, and allied health professionals with a comprehensive list of a wide range of cardiac conditions, with guidance provided on the basis of the level of risk of impairment, along with recommendations about ability to drive and the suggested duration of restrictions.

Sex Differences in Trends in Incidence of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Repair and Aortic Dissection: 2005-2015.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine trends in the incidence of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) repair and aortic dissection. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of patients from the period 2005-2015 with thoracic aortic disease. Unadjusted mortality was compared in women vs men. Rates of scheduled TAA repair, dissection events, acute type A aortic dissection (TAAD) repair, and aorta-related mortality were obtained from our institution's clinical registry and administrative data sources and used to calculate the age-adjusted incidence for each sex, adjusted to the Canadian standard population. Weighted linear regression was performed to analyze trends over time. Results: A total of 382 scheduled TAA repair operations, 345 dissection events, 85 TAAD repairs, and 182 aorta-related mortalities were identified. Women accounted for 23% of TAA repairs, 39% of dissection events, 22% of TAAD repairs, and 45% of aorta-related mortalities. The incidence of TAA repair was 3.5 per 100,000 person-years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.2-3.9), and increased in men (P = 0.02) but not women (P = 0.10) over time. The incidence of aortic dissection was 3.4 per 100,000 (95% CI: 3.1-3.8) and was stable over time (P = 0.43). The average annual age-adjusted incidence of TAAD repair was 0.8 per 100,000 (95% CI: 0.6-1.0) and increased over time (P = 0.001). The overall incidence of aorta-related mortality was 1.8 per 100,000 (95% CI: 1.5-2.0) and decreased over time (P = 0.02). Conclusion: The incidence of TAA repair is increasing in men but not women. Although aorta-related mortality is decreasing overall, disparities exist between the male and female population.

Introduction: L'objectif de cette étude était d'examiner les tendances relatives à l'incidence des réparations d'anévrisme de l'aorte thoracique (AAT) et de dissection aortique. Méthodes: Nous avons mené une étude rétrospective de patients atteints d'une maladie de l'aorte thoracique de la période 2005-2015. Nous avons comparé la mortalité non ajustée entre les femmes et les hommes. Nous avons obtenu les taux de réparations planifiées d'AAT, de dissections, de dissections aortiques de type A (DATA) à la phase aiguë et de mortalité d'origine aortique du registre clinique de notre établissement et des sources de données administratives, et les avons utilisés pour calculer l'incidence ajustée selon l'âge pour chacun des sexes, ajustée à la population canadienne type. Nous avons effectué une régression linéaire pondérée pour analyser les tendances temporelles. Résultats: Nous avons recensé un total de 382 réparations planifiées d'AAT, 345 dissections, 85 réparations de DATA et 182 cas de mortalité d'origine aortique. Les femmes représentaient 23 % des cas de réparation d'AAT, 39 % des cas de dissection, 22 % des cas de réparations de DATA et 45 % des cas de mortalité d'origine aortique. L'incidence des réparations d'AAT était de 3,5 par 100 000 années-personnes (intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 % : 3,2-3,9) et augmentait chez les hommes (P = 0,02), mais non chez les femmes (P = 0,10) avec le temps. L'incidence des dissections aortiques était de 3,4 par 100 000 (IC à 95 % : 3,1-3,8) et était stable au fil du temps (P = 0,43). L'incidence moyenne annuelle selon l'âge de réparations de DATA était de 0,8 par 100 000 (IC à 95 % : 0,6-1,0) et augmentait avec le temps (P = 0,001). L'incidence globale de mortalité d'origine aortique était de 1,8 par 100 000 (IC à 95 % : 1,5-2,0) et diminuait avec le temps (P = 0,02). Conclusion: L'incidence des réparations d'AAT augmente chez les hommes, mais non chez les femmes. Bien que la mortalité d'origine aortique tende dans l'ensemble à diminuer, il existe des disparités entre la population masculine et la population féminine.

Enhanced Telehealth Home-Monitoring Intervention for Vulnerable and Frail Patients after Cardiac Surgery (THE-FACS Pilot Intervention Study).

BACKGROUND: Frail cardiac surgery patients have an increased risk of worse postoperative outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implementation of a novel Telehealth Home monitoring Enhanced-Frailty And Cardiac Surgery (THE-FACS) intervention and determine its impact on clinical outcomes in frail patients post-cardiac surgery. METHODS: Frail/vulnerable patients defined by Edmonton Frailty Scale (EFS > 4) undergoing cardiac surgery were prospectively enrolled (November 2019 -March 2020) at the New Brunswick Heart Centre. Exclusion criteria included age < 55 years, emergent status, minimally invasive surgery, lack of home support, and > 10-days postoperative hospital stay. Following standard training on THE-FACS, participants were sent home with a tablet device to answer questions about their health/recovery and measure blood pressure for 30-consecutive days. Transmitted data were monitored by trained cardiac surgery follow-up nurses. Patients were contacted only if the algorithm based on the patient's self-collected data triggered an alert. Patients who completed the study were compared to historical controls. The primary outcome of interest was to determine the number of patients that could complete THE-FACS; secondary outcomes included participant/caregiver satisfaction and impact on hospital readmission. RESULTS: We identified 86 eligible (EFS > 4), out of 254 patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery during the study period (vulnerable: 34%). The patients who consented to participate in THE-FACS (64/86, 74%) had a mean age of 69.1 ± 6.4 years, 25% were female, 79.7% underwent isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) and median EFS was 6 (5-8). 29/64 (45%) were excluded post-enrollment due to prolonged hospitalization (15/64) or requirement for hospital-to-hospital transfer (12/64). Of the remaining 35 patients, 21 completed the 30-day follow-up (completion rate:60%). Reasons for withdrawal (14/35, 40%) were mostly due to technical difficulties with the tablet. Hospital readmission, although non-significant, was reduced in THE-FACS participants compared to controls (0% vs. 14.3%). A satisfaction survey revealed > 90% satisfaction and ~ 67% willingness to re-use a home monitoring device. CONCLUSIONS: THE-FACS intervention can be used to successfully monitor vulnerable patients returning home post-cardiac surgery. However, a significant number of frail patients could not benefit from THE-FACS given prolonged hospitalization and technological challenges. Our findings suggest that despite overall excellent satisfaction in participants who completed THE-FACS, there remain major challenges for wide-scale implementation of technology-driven home monitoring programs as only 24% completed the study.

Surgical Triage and Timing for Patients With Coronavirus Disease: A Guidance Statement from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to disrupt the provision of cardiac procedural services due to overwhelming interval surges in COVID-19 cases and the associated crisis of cardiac intervention deferment. Despite the availability of widespread testing, highly efficacious vaccines, and intensive public health efforts, the pandemic is entering its third year, where new severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 variants have increased the likelihood that patients scheduled for a cardiac intervention will contract COVID-19 in the perioperative period. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Workforce on Critical Care, the STS Workforce on Adult Cardiac and Vascular Surgery, and the Canadian Society of Cardiac Surgeons have developed this document, endorsed by the STS and affirmed by the Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions and the Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology, to provide guidance for cardiac procedure deferment and intervention timing for preoperative patients diagnosed with COVID-19. This document is intended for the perioperative cardiac surgical team and outlines the present state of the pandemic, the impact of COVID-19 on intervention outcome, and offers a recommended algorithm for individualized cardiac procedure triage and timing.

Fast tracking in cardiac surgery: is it safe?

BACKGROUND: While fast track clinical pathways have been demonstrated to reduce resource utilization in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, it remains unclear as to whether they adversely affect post-operative outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of fast tracking on post-operative outcomes following cardiac surgery. METHODS: In a retrospective study, all patients undergoing first-time, on-pump, non-emergent coronary artery bypass grafting, valve, or coronary artery bypass grafting + valve at a single centre between 2010 and 2017 were included. Patients were considered to have been fast tracked if they were extubated and transferred from intensive care to a step-down unit on the same day as their procedure. The risk-adjusted effect of fast tracking on a 30-day composite of all-cause mortality, stroke, renal failure, infection, atrial fibrillation, and readmission to hospital was determined. Furthermore, propensity score matching was used to match fasting track patients in a 1-to-1 manner with their nearest "neighbor" in the control group and subsequently compared in terms of 30-day post-operative outcomes. RESULTS: 3252 patients formed the final study population (fast track: n = 245; control: n = 3007). Patients who were fast tracked experienced reduced time to initial extubation (4.3 vs. 5.6 h, p < 0.0001) and lower median initial intensive care unit length of stay (7.8 vs. 20.4 h, p < 0.0001). Fast tracked patients experienced lower 30-day rates of the composite outcome (42.4% vs. 51.5%, p = 0.008). However, following propensity score matching, fast tracked patients experienced similar 30-day rates of the composite outcome as the control group (42.4% vs. 44.5%, p = 0.72). After risk adjustment using multivariable regression modeling, fast tracking was predictive of an improved 30-day composite outcome (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.57-0.98, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Fast track clinical pathways was associated with reduced intensive care unit, overall length of stay and similar 30-day post-operative outcomes. These results suggest that fast tracking appropriate patients may reduce resource utilization, while maintaining patient safety.

Increased Travel Time to the Tertiary Centre Is Associated With Decreased Long-term Survival Following Ascending Aortic Operations.

BACKGROUND: The association between travel time from tertiary care centre and outcomes after ascending thoracic aortic surgery is unknown. We determined the effect of travel time from the tertiary care centre on outcomes in ascending aortic repair in Nova Scotia. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing elective and emergent ascending thoracic aortic operations from 2005 to 2015 was carried out. Patient's residential geographic coordinates were used to calculate travel time to the tertiary care centre, and patients who resided < 1 hour vs ≥ 1 hour were compared. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine the effect of travel time on in-hospital outcomes. Cox-proportional hazard modelling and Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were created to determine the effect on long-term survival. RESULTS: A total of 476 patients underwent ascending thoracic aortic surgery from 2005 to 2015. Patients who resided < 1 hour from the tertiary care centre vs patients who resided ≥ 1 hour had similar rates of in-hospital mortality (4.4% vs 6.1%, P = 0.42), in-hospital composite complications (66.7% vs 67.7%, P = 0.80), hospital length of stay (median 9 days; interquartile range [7-16] vs 10 [7-17], P = 0.41), and discharge disposition other than home (9.7% vs 11.7%, P = 0.55). Compared with patients who resided < 1 hour from the tertiary centre, patients who resided ≥ 1 hour were at higher risk for long-term mortality (hazard ratio, 2.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-4.28; P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who reside remotely from the tertiary centre experience equivalent in-hospital outcomes but decreased long-term survival following ascending aortic operations. These findings may guide resource expansion for postoperative follow-up.

Characterizing Physician-Staffing Models in the Care of Postoperative Cardiac Surgical Patients in Canada.

BACKGROUND: Current intensive care unit physician-staffing (IPS) models for postoperative cardiac surgery have not been previously investigated in Canada. The purpose of this study was to determine current IPS models at 2 time points and describe the evolution of Canadian cardiac surgery IPS models. METHODS: A survey of 32 Canadian cardiovascular intensive care units (CVICUs) was undertaken in 2012 and 2017 to determine IPS models of care during "daytime" and "after-hours" in each unit. Data were collected regarding surgical volume, base specialties, and style of IPS management ("open"; "semi-open"; "closed"). In addition, we collected the overnight experience level of the bedside healthcare provider for in-house intensive care units. RESULTS: Survey responses were received from 27 of 32 CVICUs (87%). As of 2017, the style of 1 (4%) was open, 7 (26%) were semi-open, and 19 (70%) were closed in their unit IPS strategy. Base specialties of CVICU physicians varied. A medical doctor provided after-hours coverage in 81% of CVICUs. Senior residents (37%) or critical care certified attending staff (25%) typically provided after-hours coverage for in-house CVICUs. Linked Canadian Institute for Health Information data did not indicate a difference among CVICU models in mortality or rehospitalization for coronary artery bypass graft or valve procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Considerable heterogeneity is demonstrated in CVICU staffing patterns. No consensus was identified regarding the appropriate level of training for "after-hours" coverage. In-house overnight physician staffing in CVICUs varies widely. Finally, semi-open and closed style models did not demonstrate differences compared to Canadian Institute for Health Information data. Variability among CVICUs does exist; however, benefits of one model over another have not been identified.

INTRODUCTION: Les modèles actuels de dotation en médecins aux soins intensifs (DMSI) postopératoires de chirurgie cardiaque n'ont pas fait l'objet d'études antérieures au Canada. L'objectif de la présente étude était de déterminer les modèles actuels de DMSI à deux points temporels et de décrire l'évolution des modèles de DMSI de chirurgie cardiaque au Canada. MÉTHODES: Nous avons entrepris une enquête auprès de 32 unités de soins intensifs cardiovasculaires du Canada (USICC) en 2012 et en 2017 pour déterminer les modèles de soins DMSI « pendant la journée ¼ et « après les heures normales ¼ dans chaque unité. Nous avons collecté les données relatives au volume d'interventions chi- rurgicales, aux spécialités de base et au style de gestion de la DMSI (« ouvert ¼, « semi-ouvert ¼, « fermé ¼). De plus, nous avons collecté les données sur le niveau d'expérience de nuit des prestataires de soins au chevet des patients des unités intégrées de soins intensifs. RÉSULTATS: Nous avons reçu les réponses à l'enquête de 27 des 32 USICC (87 %). Depuis 2017, le style de 1 (4 %) USICC était ouvert, de 7 (26 %) était semi-ouvert et de 19 (70 %) était fermé dans leur stra- tégie de DMSI à l'unité. Les spécialités de base des médecins de l'USICC variaient. Un docteur en médecine offrait ses services après les heures normales dans 81 % des USICC. Les résidents chevronnés (37 %) ou les médecins titulaires agréés en soins aux patients en phase critique (25 %) offraient habituellement leurs services après les heures normales aux USICC intégrées. Les données liées de l'Institut canadien d'information sur la santé n'indiquaient pas de différence entre les modèles des USICC en ce qui a trait à la mortalité ou à la réhospitalisation en raison de pontages aortocoronariens ou d'interventions valvulaires. CONCLUSIONS: Les modèles de dotation en personnel aux USICC démontrent une importante hétérogénéité. Aucun consensus n'a été établi quant au niveau approprié de formation pour les services offerts « après les heures normales ¼. Le personnel médical de nuit à l'interne des USICC varie grandement. Finalement, les modèles de styles semi-ouverts et fermés ne démontraient pas de différence par rapport aux données de l'Institut canadien d'information sur la santé. Une variabilité existe entre les USICC. Toutefois, les avantages d'un modèle par rapport à un autre n'ont pas été définis.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cardiac Procedure Wait List Mortality in Ontario, Canada.

BACKGROUND: The novel SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has dramatically altered the delivery of healthcare services, resulting in significant referral pattern changes, delayed presentations, and procedural delays. Our objective was to determine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on all-cause mortality in patients awaiting commonly performed cardiac procedures. METHODS: Clinical and administrative data sets were linked to identify all adults referred for: (1) percutaneous coronary intervention; (2) coronary artery bypass grafting; (3) valve surgery; and (4) transcatheter aortic valve implantation, from January 2014 to September 2020 in Ontario, Canada. Piece-wise regression models were used to determine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on referrals and procedural volume. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the effect of the pandemic on waitlist mortality for the 4 procedures. RESULTS: We included 584,341 patients who were first-time referrals for 1 of the 4 procedures, of whom 37,718 (6.4%) were referred during the pandemic. The pandemic period was associated with a significant decline in the number of referrals and procedures completed compared with the prepandemic period. Referral during the pandemic period was a significant predictor for increased all-cause mortality for the percutaneous coronary intervention (hazard ratio, 1.83; 95% confidence interval, 1.47-2.27) and coronary artery bypass grafting (hazard ratio, 1.96; 95% confidence interval, 1.28-3.01), but not for surgical valve or transcatheter aortic valve implantation referrals. Procedural wait times were shorter during the pandemic period compared with the prepandemic period. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant decrease in referrals and procedures completed for cardiac procedures during the pandemic period. Referral during the pandemic was associated with increased all-cause mortality while awaiting coronary revascularization.

Nanoparticle surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy as a noninvasive, label-free tool to monitor hematological malignancy.

Aim: Monitoring minimal residual disease remains a challenge to the effective medical management of hematological malignancies; yet surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has emerged as a potential clinical tool to do so. Materials & methods: We developed a cell-free, label-free SERS approach using gold nanoparticles (nanoSERS) to classify hematological malignancies referenced against two control cohorts: healthy and noncancer cardiovascular disease. A predictive model was built using machine-learning algorithms to incorporate disease burden scores for patients under standard treatment upon. Results: Linear- and quadratic-discriminant analysis distinguished three cohorts with 69.8 and 71.4% accuracies, respectively. A predictive nanoSERS model correlated (MSE = 1.6) with established clinical parameters. Conclusion: This study offers a proof-of-concept for the noninvasive monitoring of disease progression, highlighting the potential to incorporate nanoSERS into translational medicine.

Cancer patient quality of life is achieved by reassurance from informed doctors using the best clinical tools. Confirming the earliest detection or absence of disease ensures treatment is timely and recovery optimal. Here we show the potential for a new tool to be developed to reassure patients and inform doctors. We examined the 'chemical fingerprints' (Raman spectroscopic profiling) of patient's blood, enhanced by gold nanoparticles with a double-referenced machine learning algorithm. Teaching a machine to learn as it works ensures it is improving how it finds clinically important features in the chemical fingerprint. This helps patients live more confidently with cancer or in cancer recovery. Eventually, once fully trained and translated into a real-world hospital application, this could improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Development of Quality Indicators for the Management of Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

In an effort to further improve surgical outcomes in patients with acute type A aortic dissection (ATAD), the Canadian Thoracic Aortic Collaborative (CTAC), with the support of the Canadian Society of Cardiac Surgeons (CSCS), endeavoured to develop quality indicators (QIs) for the management of patients with ATAD. After 2 successive consultations with the CTAC membership, 11 QIs were selected and separated into 5 broad categories: preoperative (time from presentation to diagnosis, time from presentation to the operating room), intraoperative (use of hypothermic circulatory arrest and antegrade cerebral perfusion), 30-day outcomes (30-day rates of all-cause mortality, 30-day rates of new postoperative stroke), 1-year outcomes (1-year rates of follow-up imaging, 1-year rates of all-cause mortality, and 1-year rates of surgical reintervention), and institutional (institutional surgical volumes, individual surgical volumes, and presence of institutional aortic disease teams). The purpose of this article is to describe the process by which QIs for the management of ATAD were developed and the feasibility by which they may be collected using existing clinical and administrative data sources. Furthermore, we demonstrate how they may be used to evaluate success following surgery for repair of ATAD and ultimately improve clinical outcomes.

An age-independent hospital record-based frailty score correlates with adverse outcomes after heart surgery and increased health care costs.

Background: Globally, an increasing number of vulnerable or frail patients are undergoing cardiac surgery. However, large-scale frailty data are often limited by the need for time-consuming frailty assessments. This study aimed to (1) create a retrospective registry-based frailty score (FS), (2) determine its effect on outcomes and age, and (3) health care costs. Methods: Retrospective data were obtained from the New Brunswick Heart Centre registry for all cardiac surgery patients between 2012 and 2017. A 20-point FS was created using available binary risk variables. The primary outcomes of interest most relevant to vulnerable patients were prolonged hospitalization, failure to be discharged home, and hospitalization bed cost. Composite outcome of prolonged hospitalization (>8 days) and/or non-home discharge were analyzed using multivariate analysis. Results: A total of 3463 patients (mean age, 66 ± 10 years) were included in the final analysis. Tercile-based FSs were: low (0-4; n = 856), medium (5-7; n = 1709), high (≥8; n = 898). In unadjusted data, frail patients were older with more comorbidities. High FS patients had greater risks of prolonged hospitalization (median 7 vs 5 days; P < .001), lower home-discharge rates (51% vs 83%; P < .001), higher 30-day readmission rates (18% vs 10%; P < .001), and increased 30-day mortality rates (≤0.7% [low], >0.7% to ≤1.2% [medium], and >1.2% to 4.8% [high]; P < .001). After statistical adjustment, the FS was an independent predictor of composite outcome (odds ratio, 1.3: 95% CI, 1.26-1.35), and increased hospital bed costs. Conclusions: A registry-based FS can be used to identify vulnerable or frail patients undergoing cardiac surgery and was associated with poor outcomes independent of age. This highlights that although frailty defined by increased vulnerability is often associated with older age, it is not a surrogate for aging, thereby having important implications in reducing health system costs and efforts to provide streamlined care to the most vulnerable.

High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin-Optimizing the Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction/Injury in Women (CODE-MI): Rationale and design for a multicenter, stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized trial.

Despite evidence that high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) levels in women are lower than in men, a single threshold based on the 99th percentile upper reference limit of the overall reference population is commonly used to diagnose myocardial infarction in clinical practice. This trial aims to determine whether the use of a lower female-specific hs-cTn threshold would improve the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of women presenting to the emergency department with symptoms suggestive of myocardial ischemia. METHODS/DESIGN: CODE-MI (hs-cTn-Optimizing the Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction/Injury in Women) is a multicenter, stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized trial of 30 secondary and tertiary care hospitals across 8 Canadian provinces, with the unit of randomization being the hospital. All adults (≥20 years of age) presenting to the emergency department with symptoms suggestive of myocardial ischemia and at least 1 hs-cTn test are eligible for inclusion. Over five, 5-month intervals, hospitals will be randomized to implement lower female hs-cTn thresholds according to the assay being used at each site. Men will continue to be assessed using the overall thresholds throughout. Women with a peak hs-cTn value between the female-specific and the overall thresholds will form our primary cohort. The primary outcome, a 1-year composite of all-cause mortality or readmission for nonfatal myocardial infarction, incident heart failure, or emergent/urgent coronary revascularization, will be compared before and after the implementation of female thresholds using mixed-effects logistic regression models. The cohort and outcomes will be obtained from routinely collected administrative data. The trial is designed to detect a 20% relative risk difference in the primary outcome, or a 2.2% absolute difference, with 82% power. CONCLUSIONS: This pragmatic trial will assess whether adopting lower female hs-cTn thresholds leads to appropriate assessment of women with symptoms suggestive of myocardial infarction, thereby improving treatment and outcomes.

Adverse Outcomes in Obese Cardiac Surgery Patients Correlates With Altered Branched-Chain Amino Acid Catabolism in Adipose Tissue and Heart.

Background: Predicting relapses of post-operative complications in obese patients who undergo cardiac surgery is significantly complicated by persistent metabolic maladaptation associated with obesity. Despite studies supporting the linkages of increased systemic branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) driving the pathogenesis of obesity, metabolome wide studies have either supported or challenged association of circulating BCAAs with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Objective: We interrogated whether BCAA catabolic changes precipitated by obesity in the heart and adipose tissue can be reliable prognosticators of adverse outcomes following cardiac surgery. Our study specifically clarified the correlation between BCAA catabolizing enzymes, cellular BCAAs and branched-chain keto acids (BCKAs) with the severity of cardiometabolic outcomes in obese patients pre and post cardiac surgery. Methods: Male and female patients of ages between 44 and 75 were stratified across different body mass index (BMI) (non-obese = 17, pre-obese = 19, obese class I = 14, class II = 17, class III = 12) and blood, atrial appendage (AA), and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) collected during cardiac surgery. Plasma and intracellular BCAAs and BC ketoacids (BCKAs), tissue mRNA and protein expression and activity of BCAA catabolizing enzymes were assessed and correlated with clinical parameters. Results: Intramyocellular, but not systemic, BCAAs increased with BMI in cardiac surgery patients. In SAT, from class III obese patients, mRNA and protein expression of BCAA catabolic enzymes and BCKA dehydrogenase (BCKDH) enzyme activity was decreased. Within AA, a concomitant increase in mRNA levels of BCAA metabolizing enzymes was observed, independent of changes in BCKDH protein expression or activity. BMI, indices of tissue dysfunction and duration of hospital stay following surgery correlated with BCAA metabolizing enzyme expression and metabolite levels in AA and SAT. Conclusion: This study proposes that in a setting of obesity, dysregulated BCAA catabolism could be an effective surrogate to determine cardiac surgery outcomes and plausibly predict premature re-hospitalization.

Impact on cardiac surgery volume of a comprehensive partnership with Integrated Health Solutions.

Background: The New Brunswick Heart Centre (NBHC) entered a contractual partnership with Integrated Health Solutions (IHS) to help address increasing wait times in the province of New Brunswick. Methods: Team leaders were identified from each of the target areas, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses (operating room, intensive care unit [ICU] and postoperative ward), access coordinators and administrators. The methodology used was based on Lean principles and involved exercises by stakeholders aimed at identifying opportunities for improvement. A weekly dashboard was created to monitor and facilitate improvement efforts. No additional hospital beds or operating room theatres were added during the study period. Results: After 2 years, the annual number of cardiac surgical interventions increased from 788 to 873, representing a 10.8% increase in capacity. The best median wait time for patients decreased from 52 to 35 days (35% reduction). The best 90th percentile wait time decreased from 126 to 98 days (22% reduction). The overall increase in capacity could be explained in part by the significant increase in fast tracking from the ICU to the ward (> 2-fold) or bypassing the ICU altogether (4-fold increase reaching 13%). Despite these successes, challenges persist as the number of OR cancellations remained around 7.5% of all cases, mainly because of limited ICU resources. Conclusion: The NBHC-IHS partnership on this project has resulted in excellent engagement by stakeholders and promoted team cohesiveness. Furthermore, it has allowed significant reorganization and realignment of efforts to limit wait times and maximize overall capacity.

Contexte: Le New-Brunswick Heart Centre (NBHC) a conclu une entente contractuelle avec Integrated Health Solutions (IHS) pour remédier aux temps d'attente de plus en plus longs au Nouveau-Brunswick. Méthodes: Des chefs d'équipe ont été identifiés pour chaque domaine cible, notamment la chirurgie, l'anesthésie, les soins infirmiers (en salle d'opération, aux soins intensifs et en soins postopératoires), la coordination des soins et la direction. La méthodologie utilisée se fondait sur l'approche Lean et comprenait des exercices visant à relever les possibilités d'amélioration. Un tableau de bord hebdomadaire a été créé pour suivre et faciliter les mesures d'amélioration. On n'a ajouté aucun lit d'hôpital et aucune salle d'opération pendant la période étudiée. Résultats: Après 2 ans, le nombre de chirurgies cardiaques par année est passé de 788 à 873, une augmentation de 10,8 % de la capacité. Le temps d'attente médian pour les patients est tombé de 52 à 35 jours (réduction de 35 %). Le temps d'attente au 90e centile est passé de 126 à 98 jours (réduction de 22 %). L'augmentation générale de la capacité peut s'expliquer en partie par la réduction significative du temps passé aux soins intensifs avant l'admission en soins généraux (> 2 fois) ou par l'élimination complète du passage aux soins intensifs (augmentation de 400 %; 13 % des cas). Malgré ces réussites, des défis demeurent puisque le taux d'annulation des interventions est resté autour de 7,5 % des cas, surtout en raison des ressources limitées aux soins intensifs. Conclusion: Le partenariat NBHC­IHS sur ce projet a permis de mobiliser efficacement les participants et a favorisé la cohésion au sein de l'équipe. Il a en outre permis une importante réorganisation des ressources pour réduire les temps d'attente et augmenter la capacité générale.

Serum GDF15, a Promising Biomarker in Obese Patients Undergoing Heart Surgery.

Background: Obesity is a risk factor that negatively impacts outcomes in patients undergoing heart surgery by mechanisms that are not well-defined nor predicated on BMI alone. This knowledge gap has fuelled a search for biomarkers associated with cardiovascular diseases that could provide clinical insight to surgeons. One such biomarker is growth differentiation factor15(GDF15), associated with inflammation, metabolism, and heart failure outcomes but not yet examined in the context of obesity and cardiac surgery outcomes. Methods: Patients undergoing open-heart surgery were consented and enrolled for blood and tissue (atria) sampling at the time of surgery. Biomarker analysis was carried out using ELISA and western blot/qPCR, respectively. Biomarker screening was classified by inflammation(NLR, GDF15, Galectin3, ST2, TNFR2), heart failure(HF)/remodeling(NT-proBNP) and metabolism(glycemia, lipid profile). Patients were categorized based on BMI: obese group (BMI ≥30.0) and non-obese group(BMI 20.0-29.9). Subsequent stratification of GDF15 high patients was conservatively set as being in the 75th percentile. Results: A total of 80 patients undergoing any open-heart surgical interventions were included in the study. Obese (mean BMI = 35.8, n = 38) and non-obese (mean BMI = 25.7, n = 42) groups had no significant differences in age, sex, or co-morbidities. Compared to other biomarkers, plasma GDF15 (mean 1,736 vs. 1,207 ng/l, p < 0.001) was significantly higher in obese patients compared to non-obese. Plasma GDF15 also displayed a significant linear correlation with BMI (R 2 = 0.097; p = 0.0049). Atria tissue was shown to be a significant source of GDF15 protein and tissue levels significantly correlated with plasma GDF15 (R 2 = 0.4, p = 0.0004). Obesity was not associated with early/late mortality at median follow-up >2years. However, patients with high GDF15 (>1,580 ng/l) had reduced survival (65%) compared to the remaining patients with lower GDF15 levels (95%) by Kaplan Meier Analysis (median >2 years; p = 0.007). Conclusions: Circulating GDF15 is a salient biomarker likely sourced from heart tissue that appears to predict higher risk obese patients for adverse outcomes. More importantly, elevated GDF15 accounted for more sensitive outcome association than BMI at 2 years post-cardiac surgery, suggesting it heralds links to pathogenicity and should be actively studied prospectively and dynamically in a post-operative follow-up. Trial number: NCT03248921.

Adult cardiac surgery and the COVID-19 pandemic: Aggressive infection mitigation strategies are necessary in the operating room and surgical recovery.

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitates aggressive infection mitigation strategies to reduce the risk to patients and healthcare providers. This document is intended to provide a framework for the adult cardiac surgeon to consider in this rapidly changing environment. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative detailed protective measures are outlined. These are guidance recommendations during a pandemic surge to be used for all patients while local COVID-19 disease burden remains elevated.