Aortic arch surgery at 32°C: mild hypothermia and unilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion.

OBJECTIVES: With development of antegrade cerebral perfusion, the necessity of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (CA) in aortic arch surgery has been called into question. To minimize the adverse effects of hypothermia, surgeons now perform these procedures closer to normothermia. This study examined postoperative outcomes of hemiarch replacement patients using unilateral selective antegrade cerebral perfusion and mild hypothermic CA. METHODS: Single-centre retrospective review of 66 patients undergoing hemiarch replacement with mild hypothermic CA (32°C) and unilateral selective antegrade cerebral perfusion between 2011 and 2018. Antegrade cerebral perfusion was delivered using right axillary artery cannulation. Postoperative data included death, neurological dysfunction, acute kidney injury and renal failure requiring new dialysis. Additional intraoperative metabolic data and blood transfusions were obtained. RESULTS: Eighty-six percent of patients underwent elective surgery. Mean age was 67 ± 3 years. Lowest mean core body temperature was 32 ± 2°C. Average CA was 17 ± 5 min. No intraoperative or 30-day mortality occurred. Survival was 97% at 1 year, 91% at 3 years and 88% at 5 years. Permanent and temporary neurological dysfunction occurred in 1 (2%) and 2 (3%) patients, respectively. Only 3 (5%) patients suffered postoperative stage 3 acute kidney injury requiring new dialysis. Intraoperative transfusions occurred in 44% of patients and no major metabolic derangements were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing hemiarch surgery, mild hypothermia (32°C) with unilateral selective antegrade cerebral perfusion via right axillary cannulation is associated with low mortality and morbidity, offering adequate neurological and renal protection. These findings require validation in larger, prospective clinical trials.

Development of a median sternotomy simulation model for cardiac surgery training.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to develop a simulation model to train resident physicians in the performance of a median sternotomy. METHODS: A modified Delphi consensus process was used with cardiac surgery staff to develop a 20-point checklist for the safe performance of a median sternotomy. Thirteen junior cardiac surgery trainees from across Canada participated in this study to assess the simulation model. Trainees performed the sternotomy before and after reviewing an instructional video. Two senior cardiac surgery resident physicians assessed the participants with the checklist during each session. An entry and exit questionnaire was given to the participants to evaluate the simulation model. RESULTS: Participants scored higher after the training (14.3 ± 2.0) compared with before training (8.0 ± 3.1) (P < .001). The mean duration of time for participants to complete the sternotomy was shorter before training (188 ± 52 seconds vs 228 ± 58 seconds; P = .003). The checklist interrater reliability was κ = 0.47 (moderate) for before training and κ = 0.37 (fair) for after training. All study participants rated the simulation sessions as very useful or extremely useful. CONCLUSIONS: Using the simulation model, training video, and checklist, trainees were able to improve their skill in performing a median sternotomy. This improvement was associated with longer times to complete all procedure steps. Rater training may further improve interrater reliability. Our median sternotomy checklist and simulation model can be adopted for the technical skills training of future cardiac surgery trainees.

Catheter-Based Educational Experiences: A Canadian Survey of Current Residents and Recent Graduates in Cardiac Surgery.

The past decade has witnessed significant developments in the use of catheter-based therapies in cardiovascular medicine. We sought to assess the educational opportunities for cardiac surgery trainees to determine their readiness for participation in these strategies. A web-based survey was distributed to current residents, recent graduates, and program directors in Canadian cardiac surgery residency programs from 2008-2013. The survey was distributed to 110 residents and graduates. Forty-five percent completed the survey. Thirty-five percent expressed that they experienced resistance organizing their rotations because they had to compete with non-cardiac surgery colleagues, and 6 were denied local cardiac catheterization rotations. By the end of the rotation, 56% were comfortable performing a diagnostic cardiac catheterization independently. Exposure to being the operator performing diagnostic catheterization was significantly associated with the positive perception of being able to perform a diagnostic catheterization independently (odds ratio [OR], 5.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33-19.81; P = 0.017). Eighty-eight percent of respondents expressed the need for more exposure in catheter-based rotations. Seven of 11 program directors completed the survey. All believed such rotations should be mandatory and foresaw a bigger role for hybrid catheter-based/cardiac surgery procedures in the future. Trainees and program directors perceive that increased exposure to catheter-based therapies is important to career development as a cardiac surgeon. This survey will contribute to the development of a cardiac surgery training curriculum as we foresee more hybrid and team procedures.