Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: the impact of advances in perioperative techniques in patient outcomes / Hipertensão pulmonar tromboembólica crônica: o impacto dos avanços nas técnicas perioperatórias nos resultados dos pacientes

ABSTRACT Objectives Pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is the gold standard treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). This study aimed at reporting outcomes of CTEPH patients undergoing PEA within 10 years, focusing on advances in anesthetic and surgical techniques. Methods We evaluated 102 patients who underwent PEA between January 2007 and May 2016 at the Instituto do Coração do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade de São Paulo. Changes in techniques included longer cardiopulmonary bypass, heating, and cooling times and mean time of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and shortened reperfusion time. Patients were stratified according to temporal changes in anesthetic and surgical techniques: group 1 (January 2007-December 2012), group 2 (January 2013-March 2015), and group 3 (April 2015-May 2016). Clinical outcomes were any occurrence of complications during hospitalization. Results Groups 1, 2, and 3 included 38, 35, and 29 patients, respectively. Overall, 62.8% were women (mean age, 49.1 years), and 65.7% were in New York Heart Association functional class III-IV. Postoperative complications were less frequent in group 3 than in groups 1 and 2: surgical complications (10.3% vs. 34.2% vs. 31.4%, p=0.035), bleeding (10.3% vs. 31.5% vs. 25.7%, p=0.047), and stroke (0 vs. 13.2% vs. 0, p=0.01). Between 3 and 6 months post-discharge, 85% were in NYHA class I-II. Conclusion Improvements in anesthetic and surgical procedures were associated with better outcomes in CTEPH patients undergoing PEA during the 10-year period.

RESUMO Objetivo A endarterectomia pulmonar (EAP) é o tratamento padrão ouro para hipertensão pulmonar tromboembólica crônica (HPTEC). O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar a evolução de pacientes com HPTEC submetidos a EAP em 10 anos, com foco nos avanços nas técnicas anestésicas e cirúrgicas. Métodos Foram avaliados 102 pacientes submetidos à EAP entre janeiro de 2007 e maio de 2016 no Instituto do Coração do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade de São Paulo. Mudanças nas técnicas incluíram circulação extracorpórea, tempos de aquecimento e resfriamento mais longos e tempo médio de hipotermia profunda com parada circulatória e tempo de reperfusão reduzido. Os pacientes foram estratificados de acordo com as mudanças temporais nas técnicas anestésicas e cirúrgicas: grupo 1 (janeiro de 2007 a dezembro de 2012), grupo 2 (janeiro de 2013 a março de 2015) e grupo 3 (abril de 2015 a maio de 2016). Os desfechos clínicos foram qualquer ocorrência de complicações durante a hospitalização. Resultados Os grupos 1, 2 e 3 incluíram 38, 35 e 29 pacientes, respectivamente. No geral, 62,8% eram mulheres (idade média, 49,1 anos) e 65,7% estavam em classe funcional III-IV da New York Heart Association. As complicações pós-operatórias foram menos frequentes no grupo 3 do que nos grupos 1 e 2: complicações cirúrgicas (10,3% vs. 34,2% vs. 31,4%, p=0,035), sangramento (10,3% vs. 31,5% vs. 25,7%, p=0,047) e acidente vascular cerebral (0 vs. 13,2% vs. 0, p=0,01). Entre 3 e 6 meses após a alta, 85% estavam na classe I-II da NYHA. Conclusão Melhorias nos procedimentos anestésicos e cirúrgicos foram associadas a melhores resultados em pacientes com HPTEC submetidos a EAP durante o período de 10 anos.

Complete Treatment Versus Residual Lesion - Long-Term Evolution After Acute Coronary Syndrome / Tratamento Completo Versus Lesão Residual - Evolução a Longo Prazo Após Síndrome Coronariana Aguda

Abstract Introduction: A recently published study raised doubts about the need for percutaneous treatment of nonculprit lesions in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Methods: Retrospective, unicentric, observational study. Objective: To analyze the long-term outcomes in patients undergoing treatment of the culprit artery, comparing those who remained with significant residual lesions in nonculprit arteries (group I) versus those without residual lesions in other coronary artery beds (group II). The study included 580 patients (284 in group I and 296 in group II) between May 2010 and May 2013. We obtained demographic and clinical data, as well as information regarding the coronary treatment administered to the patients. In the statistical analysis, the primary outcome included combined events (reinfarction/angina, death, heart failure, and need for reintervention). The comparison between groups was performed using the chi-square test and ANOVA. The long-term analysis was conducted with the Kaplan-Meier method, with a mean follow-up of 9.86 months. Results: The mean ages were 63 years in group I and 62 years in group II. On long-term follow-up, there was no significant difference in combined events in groups I and II (31.9% versus 35.6%, respectively, p = 0.76). Conclusion: The strategy of treating the culprit artery alone seems safe. In this study, no long-term differences in combined endpoints were observed between patients who remained with significant lesions compared with those without other obstructions.

Resumo Fundamento: Um estudo publicado recentemente levantou dúvidas sobre a necessidade de abordagem percutânea de lesões não culpadas em pacientes com síndromes coronarianas agudas (SCA). Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, unicêntrico e observacional. Objetivo: Comparar desfechos a longo prazo entre pacientes submetidos à abordagem da artéria culpada, comparando os que permaneceram com lesões residuais significativas em artérias não culpadas (grupo I) versus aqueles sem lesões residuais em outros leitos coronarianos (grupo II). Foram incluídos 580 pacientes (284 no grupo I e 296 no grupo II) entre maio de 2010 e maio de 2013. Foram obtidos dados demográficos e clínicos, além de informações sobre o tratamento coronariano administrado aos pacientes. Na análise estatística, o desfecho primário incluiu eventos combinados (reinfarto/angina, morte, insuficiência cardíaca e necessidade de reintervenção). A comparação entre grupos foi realizada através do teste do qui-quadrado e ANOVA. A análise a longo prazo foi realizada pelo método de Kaplan-Meier, com seguimento médio de 9,86 meses. Resultados: As médias das idades foram de 63 anos no grupo I e 62 anos no grupo II. O seguimento a longo prazo não mostrou diferença significativa em eventos combinados nos grupos I e II (31,9% versus 35,6%, respectivamente, p = 0,76). Conclusão: A estratégia de tratar somente a artéria considerada culpada parece segura. Neste estudo, não houve diferenças a longo prazo em desfechos combinados entre pacientes que permaneceram com lesões significativas comparativamente àqueles sem outras obstruções.

High levels of B-type natriuretic peptide predict weaning failure from mechanical ventilation in adult patients after cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVE: The failure to wean from mechanical ventilation is related to worse outcomes after cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the serum level of B-type natriuretic peptide is a predictor of weaning failure from mechanical ventilation after cardiac surgery. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, observational cohort study of 101 patients who underwent on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. B-type natriuretic peptide was measured postoperatively after intensive care unit admission and at the end of a 60-min spontaneous breathing test. The demographic data, hemodynamic and respiratory parameters, fluid balance, need for vasopressor or inotropic support, and length of the intensive care unit and hospital stays were recorded. Weaning failure was considered as either the inability to sustain spontaneous breathing after 60 min or the need for reintubation within 48 h. RESULTS: Of the 101 patients studied, 12 patients failed the weaning trial. There were no differences between the groups in the baseline or intraoperative characteristics, including left ventricular function, EuroSCORE and lengths of the cardiac procedure and cardiopulmonary bypass. The B-type natriuretic peptide levels were significantly higher at intensive care unit admission and at the end of the breathing test in the patients with weaning failure compared with the patients who were successfully weaned. In a multivariate model, a high B-type natriuretic peptide level at the end of a spontaneous breathing trial was the only independent predictor of weaning failure from mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: A high B-type natriuretic peptide level is a predictive factor for the failure to wean from mechanical ventilation after cardiac surgery. These findings suggest that optimizing ventricular function should be a goal during the perioperative period.

Lactate and base deficit are predictors of mortality in critically ill patients with cancer

OBJECTIVE: Cancer patients frequently require admission to intensive care unit. However, there are a few data regarding predictive factors for mortality in this group of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether arterial lactate or standard base deficit on admission and after 24 hours can predict mortality for patients with cancer. METHODS: We evaluated 1,129 patients with severe sepsis, septic shock, or postoperative after high-risk surgery. Lactate and standard base deficit collected at admission and after 24 hours were compared between survivors and non-survivors. We evaluated whether these perfusion markers are independent predictors of mortality. RESULTS: There were 854 hospital survivors (76.5 percent). 24 h lactate .1.9 mmol/L and standard base deficit , -2.3 were independent predictors of intensive care unit mortality. 24 h lactate .1.9 mmol/L and 24 h standard base deficit , -2.3 mmol/Lwere independent predictors of hospital death. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that lactate and standard base deficit measurement should be included in the routine assessment of patients with cancer admitted to the intensive care unit with sepsis, septic shock or after highrisk surgery. These markers may be useful in the adequate allocation of resources in this population.

Estudo prospectivo e randomizado das estratégias liberal e restritiva de transfusão de hemácias em cirurgia cardíaca / Liberal or restrictive strategy of red blood cell transfusion in cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Introdução: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito de uma estratégia restritiva de transfusão de hemácias comparada a uma estratégia liberal na evolução clínica de pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca com circulação extracorpórea. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo, randomizado, e controlado. Foram randomizados 512 pacientes para uma estratégia liberal de transfusão (hematócrito 30%) ou restritiva (hematócrito 24%). Resultados: Os pacientes apresentaram idade média de 60,7 ± 12,5 anos no grupo liberal e 58,6 ± 12,5 anos no grupo restritivo. Em ambos, houve predomínio de pacientes com fração de ejeção normal, mas 13% dos pacientes do grupo liberal e 15% do grupo restritivo apresentavam fração de ejeção abaixo de 40%. A mortalidade ou a morbidade grave em 30 dias foi semelhante nos dois grupos (10% na estratégia liberal e 11% na estratégia restritiva, P=0,518). Não houve diferença entre os grupos em relação às taxas de complicações secundárias. A média da concentração de hemoglobina foi 10,5 0,9 g/dL no grupo liberal e 9,1 1,2 gdL no grupo restritivo (P<0,001). No grupo liberal, 198 pacientes (78%) receberam transfusão de hemácias, e no grupo restritivo 118 pacientes (47%). Independente da estratégia utilizada, o número de transfusão de hemácias foi fator preditor independente para a ocorrência de complicações clínicas graves ou morte em 30 dias (OR=1,21; IC 95%=1,1-1,4, P= 0,002). Conclusão: A estratégia restritiva de transfusão foi tão segura quanto à estratégia liberal em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca com circulação extracorpórea. Cada unidade de concentrado de hemácias administrada foi associada a aumento de 1,2 vezes no risco de mortalidade em 30 dias.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a restrictive strategy of red blood cells transfusion is as safe as a liberal one with respect to clinical outcomes. Methods: In this prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial we randomly assigned 512 patients after cardiac surgery to a liberal strategy of transfusion (to maintain a hematocrit at least at 30%) or to a restrictive one (to maintain a hematocrit at least at 24%). Results: The mean age of patients was 60.7 ± 12.5 year-old in liberal group vs. 58.6 ± 12.5 year-old in restrictive group. In both groups, most patients had normal left ventricular function, but 13% of patients in the liberal group and 15% in the restrictive one presented ejection fraction of less than 40%. The primary end-point - a composite endpoint of 30 day all cause mortality or severe morbidity was similar between groups (10% in the liberal-strategy group vs. 11% in the restrictive-strategy group) (P=0.518). Also, there were no differences between groups with respect to the rates of other complications. Hemoglobin concentrations were maintained at a level of 10.5 ± 0.9 g/dL in the liberal group and 9.1 ± 1.2 g/dL in the restrictive group (P<0.001). A total of 198 patients (78%) in the liberal group and 118 patients (47%) in the restrictive group received a blood transfusion (P<0.001). Independently of the strategy group, the number of transfused RBC units was an independent risk factor for the occurrence of several clinical complications or death at 30 days (HR = 1.21; CI 95%=1.1-1.4, P=0.002). Conclusions: A restrictive transfusion strategy was as safe as a liberal strategy in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. For each RBC unit transfused, transfusion was independently associated with a 1.2-fold higher risk of death at 30 days.

Manifestações extra-hepáticas da Hepatite C / Extra-hepatic manifestations hepatittis C

A hepatite C, até recentemente considerada um diagnóstico de exclusäo e conhecida como hepatite näo-A näo-B, tornou-se uma das principais causas conhecidas de doença hepática. A hepatite C aguda é geralmente asintomática e raramente fulminate, porém na maioria dos casos leva à infecçäo crônica. Estima-se que a hepatite C seja a causa mais comum de doença hepática, cirrose e câncer de fígado, no mundo. O espectro clínico da hepatite C também inclui manifestações näo-hepáticas, e diferentemente das manifestações extra-hepáticas da hepatite viral aguda, que säo autolimitadas, as síndromes associadas com a hepatite viral crônica contribuem significantemente para a morbi-mortalidade da infecçäo viral persistentes. As mais descritas dentre essas incluem a crioglobulinemia mista e glomerulonefrite. Alguns mecanismos säo propostos para explicar as manifestações extra-hepáticas, principalmente de natureza auto-imune. O entendimento da fisiopatologia dessa associaçäo pode elucidar aspectos importantes da infecçäo e tornar mais precoce seu diagnóstico e mais adequado seu manuseio.