Inhaled NO at a crossroads in cardiac surgery: current need to improve mechanistic understanding, clinical trial design and scientific evidence.

Inhaled nitric oxide (NO) has been used in pediatric and adult perioperative cardiac intensive care for over three decades. NO is a cellular signaling molecule that induces smooth muscle relaxation in the mammalian vasculature. Inhaled NO has the unique ability to exert its vasodilatory effects in the pulmonary vasculature without any hypotensive side-effects in the systemic circulation. In patients undergoing cardiac surgery, NO has been reported in numerous studies to exert beneficial effects on acutely lowering pulmonary artery pressure and reversing right ventricular dysfunction and/or failure. Yet, various investigations failed to demonstrate significant differences in long-term clinical outcomes. The authors, serving as an advisory board of international experts in the field of inhaled NO within pediatric and adult cardiac surgery, will discuss how the existing scientific evidence can be further improved. We will summarize the basic mechanisms underlying the clinical applications of inhaled NO and how this translates into the mandate for inhaled NO in cardiac surgery. We will move on to the popular use of inhaled NO and will talk about the evidence base of the use of this selective pulmonary vasodilator. This review will elucidate what kind of clinical and biological barriers and gaps in knowledge need to be solved and how this has impacted in the development of clinical trials. The authors will elaborate on how the optimization of inhaled NO therapy, the development of biomarkers to identify the target population and the definition of response can improve the design of future large clinical trials. We will explain why it is mandatory to gain an international consensus for the state of the art of NO therapy far beyond this expert advisory board by including the different major players in the field, such as the different medical societies and the pharma industry to improve our understanding of the real-life effects of inhaled NO in large scale observational studies. The design for future innovative randomized controlled trials on inhaled NO therapy in cardiac surgery, adequately powered and based on enhanced biological phenotyping, will be crucial to eventually provide scientific evidence of its clinical efficacy beyond its beneficial hemodynamic properties.

PERSUADE Survey-PERioperative AnestheSia and Intensive Care Management of Left VentricUlar Assist DevicE Implantation in Europe and the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To comprehensively assess relevant institutional variations in anesthesia and intensive care management during left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. DESIGN: The authors used a prospective data analysis. SETTING: This was an online survey. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were from LVAD centers in Europe and the US. INTERVENTIONS: After investigating initial interest, 91 of 202 European and 93 of 195 US centers received a link to the survey targeting institutional organization and experience, perioperative hemodynamic monitoring, medical management, and postoperative intensive care aspects. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The survey was completed by 73 (36.1%) European and 60 (30.8%) US centers. Although most LVAD implantations were performed in university hospitals (>5 years of experience), significant differences were observed in the composition of the preoperative multidisciplinary team and provision of intraoperative care. No significant differences in monitoring or induction agents were observed. Propofol was used more often for maintenance in Europe (p < 0.001). The choice for inotropes changed significantly from preoperatively (more levosimendan in Europe) to intraoperatively (more use of epinephrine in both Europe and the US). The use of quantitative methods for defining right ventricular (RV) function was reported more often from European centers than from US centers (p < 0.05). Temporary mechanical circulatory support for the treatment of RV failure was more often used in Europe. Nitric oxide appeared to play a major role only intraoperatively. There were no significant differences in early postoperative complications reported from European versus US centers. CONCLUSIONS: Although the perioperative practice of care for patients undergoing LVAD implantation differs in several aspects between Europe and the US, there were no perceived differences in early postoperative complications.

Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness of thoracic epidural and paravertebral blockade in reducing chronic post-thoracotomy pain: 2 (TOPIC 2).

BACKGROUND: Thoracotomy is considered one of the most painful surgical procedures and can cause debilitating chronic post-surgical pain lasting months or years postoperatively. Aggressive management of acute pain resulting from thoracotomy may reduce the likelihood of developing chronic pain. This trial compares the two most commonly used modes of acute analgesia provision at the time of thoracotomy (thoracic epidural blockade (TEB) and paravertebral blockade (PVB)) in terms of their clinical and cost-effectiveness in preventing chronic post-thoracotomy pain. METHODS: TOPIC 2 is a multi-centre, open-label, parallel group, superiority, randomised controlled trial, with an internal pilot investigating the use of TEB and PVB in 1026 adult (≥ 18 years old) patients undergoing thoracotomy in up to 20 thoracic centres throughout the UK. Patients (N = 1026) will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive either TEB or PVB. During the first year, the trial will include an integrated QuinteT (Qualitative Research Integrated into Trials) Recruitment Intervention (QRI) with the aim of optimising recruitment and informed consent. The primary outcome is the incidence of chronic post-surgical pain at 6 months post-randomisation defined as 'worst chest pain over the last week' equating to a visual analogue score greater than or equal to 40 mm indicating at least a moderate level of pain. Secondary outcomes include acute pain, complications of regional analgesia and surgery, health-related quality of life, mortality and a health economic analysis. DISCUSSION: Both TEB and PVB have been demonstrated to be effective in the prevention of acute pain following thoracotomy and nationally practice is divided. Identification of which mode of analgesia is both clinically and cost-effective in preventing chronic post-thoracotomy pain could ameliorate the debilitating effects of chronic pain, improving health-related quality of life, facilitating return to work and caring responsibilities and resulting in a cost saving to the NHS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03677856 [ClinicalTrials.gov] registered September 19, 2018. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03677856 . First patient recruited 8 January 2019.

ERAS in Cardiac Surgery: Wishful Thinking or Reality.

Enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery (ERACS) is a multi-disciplinary approach to improve patient outcomes and reduce complications following cardiac surgery. The aim of ERACS protocol is to optimize pre-operative preparation, reduce surgical trauma, and minimize post-operative stress.The protocol has been shown to improve patient outcomes, including shorter hospital stays, lower rates of complications, and faster return to normal activities. It is important to note that ERACS is a multi-disciplinary approach, and requires close collaboration between surgeons, anaesthesiologists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure successful implementation. Anaesthesiologists play a crucial role in the ERACS protocol, as they are responsible for the management of the patient's anaesthesia and pain management during and after surgery. In this paper provide an overview of the ERACS protocol from the perspective of an anaesthesiologist.

Antiplatelet Resistance in Patients Who Underwent Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Antiplatelet therapy (APT) with aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor is commonly given to patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to reduce thrombotic events. APT resistance, the inadequate antiplatelet effect of these drugs, is a growing concern. This review aimed to assess APT resistance prevalence in patients who underwent CABG and its impact on clinical outcomes. We conducted a comprehensive search for relevant studies published to date. The included studies measured platelet function through laboratory assays and reported on clinical outcomes in patients who underwent CABG. The primary outcomes were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and mortality, whereas the secondary outcomes included acute coronary syndrome (ACS), stroke, and thromboembolic events. The meta-analysis used random-effects models, with heterogeneity assessed using the I2 statistic. The initial search identified 45 studies, with 11 meeting the inclusion criteria, involving 3,122 patients. The overall prevalence of APT resistance in patients who underwent CABG was 39%. Patients with APT resistance had significantly higher risks of MACEs and death (odds ratio [OR] 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06 to 2.83, p = 0.03) and postoperative myocardial infarction (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.13 to 4.48, p = 0.02) than those without resistance. However, no significant association was found between APT resistance and stroke (OR 2.25, 95% CI 0.80 to 6.35, p = 0.12) or other thromboembolic events (OR 1.72, 95% CI 0.72 to 4.08, p = 0.22). In conclusion, APT resistance is prevalent in a significant proportion of patients who underwent CABG, increasing the risk of MACEs and postoperative myocardial infarction. These findings emphasize the need for further research to develop tailored antiplatelet strategies in this patient population.

Current Perspectives and Future Directions in Lung Transplantation.

This Special Issue of Life features compelling original research and reviews related to current trends in lung transplantation (LTx) [...].

Postoperative vasoplegia in lung transplantation: incidence and relation to outcome in a single-centre retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The incidence and clinical importance of vasoplegia after lung transplantation remains poorly studied. We describe the incidence of vasoplegia and its association with complications after lung transplantation. METHODS: Perioperative data of 279 lung transplant recipients operated on from 2015 to 2020 in a UK hospital were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: Vasoplegia occurred in 41.6% of patients after lung transplantation (mild, 31.0%; moderate, 55.2%; severe, 13.8%). Compared with non-vasoplegic patients, vasoplegic patients had a higher incidence of any acute kidney injury, defined by Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria (78.5% vs 65%, P=0.015), renal replacement therapy (47.4% vs 24.5%, P<0.001), and delayed chest closure (18.4% vs 9.2%, P=0.025); were ventilated longer (70 [32-368] vs 34 [19-105] h, P<0.001); and stayed longer in the ICU (12.9 [5-30] vs 6.8 [3-20] days, P<0.001). Mortality at 30 days and 1 yr was higher in patients with vasoplegia (11.2% vs 5.5% and 20.7% vs 11.7%, P=0.039, respectively). Severe vasoplegia represented a predictor of longer-term mortality (hazard ratio=1.65, P=0.008). Underlying infectious disease, increased BMI, higher preoperative pulmonary artery systolic pressure and bilirubin levels, lower glomerular filtration rate, and increased fresh frozen plasma transfusion were predictors of vasoplegia severity. Neutrophilia, leucocytosis, and increased C-reactive protein were associated with vasoplegia, but release of the neutrophil activation markers myeloperoxidase and heparin-binding protein was similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Influenced by preoperative status as well as procedural factors and inflammatory response, vasoplegia is a common and critical condition after lung transplantation with worse short-term outcomes and long-term survival.

Impact of Lower Tidal Volumes During One-Lung Ventilation: A 2022 Update of the Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVES: To clarify the influence of lower tidal volume (4-7 mL/kg) compared with higher tidal volume (8-15 mL/kg) during one-lung ventilation (OLV) on gas exchange and postoperative clinical outcome. DESIGN: Meta-analysis of randomized trials. SETTING: Thoracic surgery. PARTICIPANTS: Patients receiving OLV. INTERVENTIONS: Lower tidal volume during OLV. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Primary outcome was PaO2-to-the oxygen fraction (PaO2/FIO2) ratio at the end of the surgery, after the reinstitution of two-lung ventilation. Secondary endpoints included perioperative changes in PaO2/FIO2 ratio and carbon dioxide (PaCO2) tension, airway pressure, the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications, arrhythmia, and length of hospital stay. Seventeen randomized controlled trials (1,463 patients) were selected. Overall analysis showed that the use of low tidal volume during OLV was associated with a significantly higher PaO2/FIO2 ratio 15 minutes after the start of OLV and at the end of surgery (mean difference 33.7 mmHg [p = 0.02] and mean difference 18.59 mmHg [p < 0.001], respectively). The low tidal volume also was associated with higher PaCO2 values 15 minutes and 60 minutes after the start of OLV and with lower airway pressure, which was maintained during two-lung ventilation after surgery. Moreover, the application of lower tidal volume was associated with fewer postoperative pulmonary complications (odds ratio 0.50; p < 0.001) and arrhythmias (odds ratio 0.58; p = 0.009), with no difference in length of hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: The use of lower tidal volume, a component of protective OLV, increases the PaO2/FIO2 ratio, reduces the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications, and should be considered strongly in daily practice.

Leflunomide treatment for patients hospitalised with COVID-19: DEFEAT-COVID randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of leflunomide (L) added to the standard-of-care (SOC) treatment in COVID-19 patients hospitalised with moderate/critical clinical symptoms. DESIGN: Prospective, open-label, multicentre, stratified, randomised clinical trial. SETTING: Five hospitals in UK and India, from September 2020 to May 2021. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with PCR confirmed COVID-19 infection with moderate/critical symptoms within 15 days of onset. INTERVENTION: Leflunomide 100 mg/day (3 days) followed by 10-20 mg/day (7 days) added to standard care. PRIMARY OUTCOMES: The time to clinical improvement (TTCI) defined as two-point reduction on a clinical status scale or live discharge prior to 28 days; safety profile measured by the incidence of adverse events (AEs) within 28 days. RESULTS: Eligible patients (n=214; age 56.3±14.9 years; 33% female) were randomised to SOC+L (n=104) and SOC group (n=110), stratified according to their clinical risk profile. TTCI was 7 vs 8 days in SOC+L vs SOC group (HR 1.317; 95% CI 0.980 to 1.768; p=0.070). Incidence of serious AEs was similar between the groups and none was attributed to leflunomide. In sensitivity analyses, excluding 10 patients not fulfilling the inclusion criteria and 3 who withdrew consent before leflunomide treatment, TTCI was 7 vs 8 days (HR 1.416, 95% CI 1.041 to 1.935; p=0.028), indicating a trend in favour of the intervention group. All-cause mortality rate was similar between groups, 9/104 vs 10/110. Duration of oxygen dependence was shorter in the SOC+L group being a median 6 days (IQR 4-8) compared with 7 days (IQR 5-10) in SOC group (p=0.047). CONCLUSION: Leflunomide, added to the SOC treatment for COVID-19, was safe and well tolerated but had no major impact on clinical outcomes. It may shorten the time of oxygen dependence by 1 day and thereby improve TTCI/hospital discharge in moderately affected COVID-19 patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: EudraCT Number: 2020-002952-18, NCT05007678.

Perioperative cardiovascular pathophysiology in patients undergoing lung resection surgery: a narrative review.

Although thoracic surgery is understood to confer a high risk of postoperative respiratory complications, the substantial haemodynamic challenges posed are less well appreciated. This review highlights the influence of cardiovascular comorbidity on outcome, reviews the complex pathophysiological changes inherent in one-lung ventilation and lung resection, and examines their influence on cardiovascular complications and postoperative functional limitation. There is now good evidence for the presence of right ventricular dysfunction postoperatively, a finding that persists to at least 3 months. This dysfunction results from increased right ventricular afterload occurring both intraoperatively and persisting postoperatively. Although many patients adapt well, those with reduced right ventricular contractile reserve and reduced pulmonary vascular flow reserve might struggle. Postoperative right ventricular dysfunction has been implicated in the aetiology of postoperative atrial fibrillation and perioperative myocardial injury, both common cardiovascular complications which are increasingly being appreciated to have impact long into the postoperative period. In response to the physiological demands of critical illness or exercise, contractile reserve, flow reserve, or both can be overwhelmed resulting in acute decompensation or impaired long-term functional capacity. Aiding adaptation to the unique perioperative physiology seen in patients undergoing thoracic surgery could provide a novel therapeutic avenue to prevent cardiovascular complications and improve long-term functional capacity after surgery.

Do we have the 'power' to 'drive' down the incidence of pulmonary complications after thoracic surgery.

The concept, mechanisms, and physical and physiological determinants of ventilator-induced lung injury, as well as the influence of lung-protective ventilation strategies, are novel paradigms of modern intensive care and perioperative medicine. Driving pressure and mechanical power have emerged as meaningful and modifiable targets with specific relevance to thoracic anaesthesia and one-lung ventilation. The relationship between these factors and postoperative pulmonary complications remains complex because of the methodological design and outcome selection. Larger observational studies are required to better understand the characteristics of driving pressure and power in current practice of thoracic anaesthesia in order to design future trials in high-risk thoracic populations at risk of acute lung injury.

Use of Cytokine Filters During Cardiopulmonary Bypass: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) activates an inflammatory response releasing cytokines that are associated with less favourable outcomes. This study aims to compare i) CPB during cardiac surgery (control) versus ii) CPB with haemoadsorption therapy; and assess the effect of adding this therapy in reducing the inflammatory cytokines burden. METHODS: A systematic literature review with meta-analysis was conducted regarding the main outcomes (operative mortality, ventilation duration, intensive care unit [ICU] and hospital stays) and day-1 inflammatory markers levels post-surgery. Fifteen (15) studies were included for final analysis (eight randomised controlled trials, seven observational studies) with no evidence of publication bias. RESULTS: Subgroup analysis of non-elective surgeries across observational studies (emergency and infective endocarditis) significantly favoured cytokine filters in terms of 30-day mortality (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.20, 0.83; p=0.01) and shorter ICU stay (MD -42.36, 95% CI -68.07, -16.65; p=0.001). At day-1 post-surgery, there was a significant difference favouring the cytokine filter group in c-reactive protein (CRP) (MD -0.71, 95% CI -0.84, -0.59; p<0.001) with no differences in white blood count (WBC), procalcitonin (PCT), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IL-6, IL-8 and lactate. When comparing cytokine filters and control across all studies there was no significant difference in operative mortality, ventilation duration, hospital stay and ICU length of stay. Also, there were no statistical differences in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) using haemadsorption filters. CONCLUSIONS: A significant reduction in 30-day mortality and ICU stay could be obtained by using haemadsorption therapy during non-elective cardiac surgery, especially emergency surgery and in patients with higher inflammatory burden such as infective endocarditis.

European association of cardiothoracic anesthesiology and intensive care (EACTAIC) fellowship curriculum: second edition

Abstract Pediatric cardiac anesthesia is a subspecialty of cardiac and pediatric anesthesiology dedicated to the perioperative care of patients with congenital heart disease. Members of the Congenital and Education Subcommittees of the European Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (EACTAIC) agreed on the necessity to develop an EACTAIC pediatric cardiac anesthesia fellowship curriculum. This manuscript represents a consensus on the composition and the design of the EACTAIC Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesia Fellowship program. This curriculum provides a basis for the training of future pediatric cardiac anesthesiologists by clearly defining the theoretical and practical requirements for fellows and host centers.

Volatile organic compound profiling to explore primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation.

Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is a major determinant of morbidity and mortality following lung transplantation. Delineating basic mechanisms and molecular signatures of PGD remain a fundamental challenge. This pilot study examines if the pulmonary volatile organic compound (VOC) spectrum relate to PGD and postoperative outcomes. The VOC profiles of 58 bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and blind bronchial aspirate samples from 35 transplant patients were extracted using solid-phase-microextraction and analyzed with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The support vector machine algorithm was used to identify VOCs that could differentiate patients with severe from lower grade PGD. Using 20 statistically significant VOCs from the sample headspace collected immediately after transplantation (< 6 h), severe PGD was differentiable from low PGD with an AUROC of 0.90 and an accuracy of 0.83 on test set samples. The model was somewhat effective for later time points with an AUROC of 0.80. Three major chemical classes in the model were dominated by alkylated hydrocarbons, linear hydrocarbons, and aldehydes in severe PGD samples. These VOCs may have important clinical and mechanistic implications, therefore large-scale study and potential translation to breath analysis is recommended.

Do in-hospital outcomes of isolated coronary artery bypass grafting vary between male and female octogenarians?

OBJECTIVES: Female gender and advanced age are regarded as independent risk factors for adverse outcomes after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). There is paucity of evidence comparing outcomes of CABG between male and female octogenarians. We aimed to analyse in-hospital outcomes of isolated CABG in this cohort. METHODS: All octogenarians that underwent isolated CABG, from January 2000 to October 2017, were included. A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected cardiac surgery database (PATS; Dendrite Clinical Systems, Oxford, UK) was performed. A propensity score was generated for each patient from a multivariable logistic regression model based on 25 pre-treatment covariates. A total of 156 matching pairs were derived. RESULTS: Five hundred and sixty-seven octogenarians underwent isolated CABG. This included 156 females (mean age 82.1 [SD: 0.9]) and 411 males (mean age 82.4 [SD: 2.1 years]). More males were current smokers (P = 0.002) with renal impairment (P = 0.041), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P = 0.048), history of cerebrovascular accident (P = 0.039) and peripheral vascular disease (P = 0.027) while more females had New York Heart Association class 4 (P = 0.02), left ventricular ejection fraction 30-49% (P = 0.038) and left ventricular ejection fraction <30% (P = 0.049). On-pump, CABG was performed in 140 males and 52 females (P = 0.921). There was no difference in in-hospital mortality (5.4% vs 6.4%; P = 0.840), stroke (0.9% vs 1.3%; P = 0.689), need for renal replacement therapy (17.0% vs 13.5%; P = 0.732), pulmonary complications (9.5% vs 8.3%; P = 0.746) and sternal wound infection (2.7% vs 2.6%; P = 0.882). The outcomes were comparable for the propensity-matched cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: No gender difference in outcomes was seen in octogenarians undergoing isolated CABG.

Thoracic Anesthesia during the COVID-19 Pandemic: 2021 Updated Recommendations by the European Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (EACTAIC) Thoracic Subspecialty Committee.

The novel coronavirus pandemic has radically changed the landscape of normal surgical practice. Lifesaving cancer surgery, however, remains a clinical priority, and there is an increasing need to fully define the optimal oncologic management of patients with varying stages of lung cancer, allowing prioritization of which thoracic procedures should be performed in the current era. Healthcare providers and managers should not ignore the risk of a bimodal peak of mortality in patients with lung cancer; an imminent spike due to mortality from acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, and a secondary peak reflecting an excess of cancer-related mortality among patients whose treatments were deemed less urgent, delayed, or cancelled. The European Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Thoracic Anesthesia Subspecialty group has considered these challenges and developed an updated set of expert recommendations concerning the infectious period, timing of surgery, vaccination, preoperative screening and evaluation, airway management, and ventilation of thoracic surgical patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Multicenter International Survey on Cardiopulmonary Bypass Perfusion Practices in Adult Cardiac Surgery

OBJECTIVES: To assess current practice in adult cardiac surgery during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) across European and non-European countries. DESIGN: International, multicenter, web-based survey including 28 multiple choice questions addressing hemodynamic and tissue oxygenation parameters, organ protection measures, and the monitoring and usage of anesthetic drugs as part of the anesthetic and perfusion practice during CPB. SETTING: Online survey endorsed by the European Association of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologists. PARTICIPANTS: Representatives of anesthesiology departments in European and non-European adult cardiac surgical centers. INTERVENTIONS: None. Measurements and Main Results: The survey was distributed via e-mail to European Association of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologists members (n = 797) and kept open for 1 month. The response rate was 34% (n = 271). After exclusion of responses from the same centers and of incomplete answers, data from 202 cardiac centers in 56 countries, of which 67% of centers were university hospitals, were analyzed. Optimization of pump flows and tissue oxygenation parameters during CPB were applied by the majority of centers, with target flow rates of >2.2 L/min/m2 in 93% (n = 187) of centers and mean arterial blood pressures between 51 and 90 mmHg in 85% (n = 172). Hemoglobin transfusion triggers were either individualized or between 7 and 8 g/dL in 92% (n = 186) of centers. Mixed venous oxyhemoglobin saturations were assessed routinely in 59% (n = 120) and lactate in 88% (n = 178) of cardiac surgery units. Noninvasive cerebral saturation monitoring was used in a subgroup of patients or routinely in 84% (n = 169) of sites, and depth-of-anesthesia monitoring was used routinely in 53% (n = 106). Transesophageal echocardiography and pulmonary artery catheters were used routinely or in subgroups of patients in 97% (n = 195) and 71% (n = 153) of centers, respectively. The preferred site for temperature monitoring was the nasopharynx in 66% (n = 134) of centers. Anesthetic techniques were variable, with 26% of centers (n = 52) using low-tidal-volume ventilation and 28% (n = 57) using continuous positive airway pressure during CPB. Volatile agents were used routinely as the only agent during CPB in 36% sites (n = 73) and propofol in 47% (n = 95). Other drugs routinely administered included magnesium in 45% (n = 91), steroids in 18% (n = 37), tranexamic acid in 88% (n = 177), and aprotinin in 15% (n = 30) of the centers. CONCLUSION: This international CPB survey revealed that techniques for optimization of pump flow and oxygenation during CPB usually were applied. Furthermore, cerebral and hemodynamic monitoring devices were frequently used during CPB. However, most CPB-related anesthetic techniques and medications were more variable. More high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to assess anesthetic techniques and organ protection.

Use of oxygenator with short-term ventricular assist devices.

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) serves as a conventional short-term mechanical circulatory assist to support heart and lung functions. The short-term ventricular assist devices (ST-VAD) can, on the contrary, offer only circulatory support. A combination of VAD and oxygenator (Oxy-VAD) could help overcome this potential disadvantage. This is a retrospective case note study of patients supported on ST-VAD which required adding an oxygenator for extra respiratory support. The oxygenator was introduced in the ST-VAD circuit, either on the left or the right side. Twenty-two patients with the etiology of refractory cardiogenic shock in decompensation were supported on Oxy-VAD between years 2009 and 2019 at tertiary care . All patients were classified into class-I INTERMACS with a mean SOFA Score of 14 ± 2.58. 86.4% of patients were already on mechanical support pre-ST-VAD implant, 80% on VA-ECMO. The BiVAD implant accounted for 63.6%, followed by LVAD and RVAD with 27.3% and 9.1%. Mean duration of the ST-VAD was 8.5 days. The oxygenator was introduced in 14 RVAD and 8 LVAD circuits. The oxygenator was successfully weaned in 54.5% while ST-VAD was explanted in 31.8%. Discharge to home survival was 22.7%. Oxy-VAD proves a viable, and probably, a better option to VA-ECMO in acute cardiorespiratory decompensation. It offers organ-specific tailor-made support to the right and/or left heart and/or lungs. While on Oxy-VAD support, each organ performance can be assessed independently, and the assistance of the specifically improved organ can be weaned off without discontinuing the support for the rest.