Long-Term Results after Modified Bentall Operation in 200 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Composite graft replacement of the aortic root is the treatment of choice for an array of aortic root pathologies, such as annuloaortic ectasia, Marfan syndrome and acute or chronic aortic dissection type A. In this retrospective study of the authors' aortic surgery database, an exploration was made of factors related to early and long-term morbidity and mortality of patients who underwent this procedure. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2009, a total of 200 consecutive patients (male:female ratio 4:1; mean age 56.2 ± 11.66 years) underwent the modified Bentall operation at the authors' institution, with a composite graft (mechanical valve) being used to correct aortic root pathology. All preoperative, perioperative and postoperative data, as well as long-term follow up data, were retrieved from the authors' aortic surgery database. RESULTS: Preoperative characteristics of the patients included elective and emergency operations (83.1% and 15.9%, respectively). Intraoperative and 30-day mortalities were 2% and 3.5%, respectively, while the rate of postoperative cerebrovascular events was 1.5%. Long-term survival at a mean follow up of 110 months for the elective and emergency groups was 88.6% and 71.9%, respectively (p = 0.007). Moreover, during the same period new cerebrovascular events were observed in 5.8% of cases. Predictive factors for late survival were type of surgery (elective versus emergency; p = 0.023), conduit size (≤23 mm versus >23 mm; p = 0.053) , age >65 years (p = 0.001), intensive care unit stay (days; p <0.001) and postoperative creatinine level (p = 0.002). Survival rates at one, three, five and 10 years postoperatively were 93.5%, 92.5%, 91.5% and 85.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent the modified Bentall operation presented with minimal major adverse effects and demonstrated a good long-term survival.

Perioperative use of iloprost in cardiac surgery patients diagnosed with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia-reactive antibodies or with true HIT (HIT-reactive antibodies plus thrombocytopenia): An 11-year experience.

Thrombocytopenia and thromboembolism(s) may develop in heparin immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (HIT) patients after reexposure to heparin. At the Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, 530 out of 17,000 patients requiring heart surgery over an 11-year period underwent preoperative HIT assessment by ELISA and a three-point heparin-induced platelet aggregation assay (HIPAG). The screening identified 110 patients with HIT-reactive antibodies, out of which 46 were also thrombocytopenic (true HIT). Cardiac surgery was performed in HIT-positive patients under heparin anticoagulation and iloprost infusion. A control group of 118 HIT-negative patients received heparin but no iloprost during surgery. For the first 20 patients, the dose of iloprost diminishing the HIPAG test to ≤5% was determined prior to surgery by in vitro titration using the patients' own plasma and donor platelets. In parallel, the iloprost "target dose" was also established for each patient intraoperatively, but before heparin administration. Iloprost was infused initially at 3 ng/kg/mL and further adjusted intraoperatively, until ex vivo aggregation reached ≤5%. As a close correlation was observed between the "target dose" identified before surgery and that established intraoperatively, the remaining 90 patients were administered iloprost starting at the presurgery identified "target dose." This process significantly reduced the number of intraoperative HIPAG reassessments needed to determine the iloprost target dose, and reduced surgical time, while maintaining similar primary clinical outcomes to controls. Therefore, infusion of iloprost throughout surgery, under continuous titration, allows cardiac surgery to be undertaken safely using heparin, while avoiding life-threatening iloprost-induced hypotension in patients diagnosed with HIT-reactive antibodies or true HIT.

Preventing strategy of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumanii susceptible only to colistin in cardiac surgical intensive care units.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to determine the incidence and mortality of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in cardiac surgery, to elucidate the effectiveness of colistin treatment and to identify if the additional measures to the recommended procedures were able to control the dissemination of the pathogen. METHODS: A prospective observational cohort was conducted among cardiac surgical patients from 1 September 2005 to 31 December 2006. We reviewed the prophylactic measures of the surgical intensive care unit and implemented a two scale multiple program. Scale I included classical infection control measures, while Scale II referred to the geographic isolation of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii patients and environmental intense surveillance. RESULTS: Among 151 out of 1935 infected patients 20 were colonized and infected by strains of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii susceptible only to colistin. Seventeen patients presented respiratory tract infection, one patient suffered deep surgical site infection and two patients catheter related infection. Transmission of the pathogen occurred via two patients transferred from two other institutions. They were all treated with colistin. Cure or clinical improvement was observed only in four patients (20%). Scale I measures were implemented for the whole 16-month period while scale II for two separate periods of 3 weeks. Environmental specimens (n>350) proved negative. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii in surgical intensive care unit patients creates demand on strict screening and contact precautions. Following this infection control strategy we were able to achieve intermittent eradication of the pathogen during a 16-month period with continuous function of the intensive care unit. Despite the significant in vitro activity of colistin against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii the results were discouraging.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa susceptible only to colistin in intensive care unit patients.

BACKGROUND: Gram-negative bacilli, including multi-drug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are responsible for severe intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired infections, mainly pneumonia and bacteremia. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of MDR strains of Pseudomonas in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, to elucidate the effectiveness of treating these patients with colistin, and to assess the safety of the drug. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted among 1,452 patients who underwent surgery for a variety of cardiac lesions over a one-year period, and who spent a portion of the recovery period in the surgical ICU. Their case histories were analyzed to identify infectious complications. Diagnosis of infection was based on clinical data, and the pathogen was tested with respect to its susceptibility to colistin (polymyxin E). The clinical response to the antibiotic was evaluated. RESULTS: Over the 12-month period, among 115 infected patients, 15 were affected by strains of P. aeruginosa. In 10 patients, this pathogen proved resistant to all potentially active antibiotics except colistin. All of the affected patients were being ventilated mechanically, and eight of them presented with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), whereas one patient suffered a deep incisional surgical site infection and bacteremia and the remaining patient had a superficial infection of a lower-extremity vein graft donor site. The MDR pathogen was introduced to the hospital by three patients transferred from three institutions. All patients were treated with intravenous colistin. In cases of VAP, aerosolized colistin was added. Deterioration of renal function occurred in three patients (30%), all of whom had a history of renal insufficiency. Cure or clinical improvement was observed in seven patients (70%), whereas four patients, including one who improved initially, developed sepsis and died with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (mortality rate 40%). CONCLUSIONS: The increasing prevalence of MDR P. aeruginosa in ICU patients has rekindled interest in polymyxins, which had been abandoned because of toxic side effects. Colistin retained significant in vitro activity against this virulent organism, had an acceptable safety profile, and should be considered as a treatment option in critically ill patients with infection caused by MDR gram-negative bacilli. Aerosolized colistin may merit further consideration as a therapeutic intervention for patients with refractory pulmonary infections.

Complications involving gall bladder and biliary tract in cardiovascular surgery.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to ascertain the frequency of biliary complications following cardiac surgery, to determine preoperative risk factors and to identify the significance of prompt diagnosis and institution of therapy. METHODOLOGY: All patients who underwent open-heart surgery (4588 patients) during a period of 3 years were examined prospectively for complications involving gall bladder and biliary tract. Patients with preoperative hepatic dysfunction or biliary disorders were excluded from this study. RESULTS: Biliary complications occurred in 14 patients. Gangrene of gallbladder (n=5) and acute acalculous cholecystitis (n = 5) were the most common complications followed by distension of the common bile duct (n = 2), cholelithiasis (n = 1) and empyema (n = 1). The majority of complications presented within the 3rd postoperative week. Chole cystectomy was performed in 5 patients and percutaneous drainage of the gallbladder in 7. Mortality rate was 43%. Biliary complications correlated with advanced age, the male sex, combined surgical procedures, preoperative low cardiac output syndrome, prolonged bypass and aortic cross-clump time, mechanical ventilation, the usage of Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping, multiple transfusions and the administration of inotrops. CONCLUSIONS: Biliary complications after cardiac surgery are uncommon but life threatening and may result from hypoperfusion. Clinical features are often subtle, and a high index of suspicion is necessary for an early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Predictors of Outcomes after Correction of Acute Type A Aortic Dissection under Moderate Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest and Antegrade Cerebral Perfusion.

INTRODUCTION: Hypothermic circulatory arrest is widely used for correction of acute type A aortic dissection pathology. We present our experience of 45 consecutive patients operated in our unit with bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion and moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest. METHODS: Between January 2011 and April 2015, 45 consecutive patients were admitted for acute type A aortic dissection and operated emergently under moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest and bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion. RESULTS: Mean age was 58±11.4 years old. Median circulatory arrest time was 41.5 (30-54) minutes while the 30-day mortality and postoperative permanent neurological deficits rates were 6.7% and 13.3%, respectively. Unadjusted analysis revealed that the factors associated with 30-day mortality were: preoperative hemodynamic instability (OR: 14.8, 95% CI: 2.41, 90.6, P=0.004); and postoperative requirement for open sternum management (OR: 5.0, 95% CI: 1.041, 24.02, P=0.044) while preoperative hemodynamic instability (OR: 8.8, 95% CI: 1.41, 54.9, P=0.02) and postoperative sepsis or multiple organ dysfunction (OR: 13.6, 95% CI: 2.1, 89.9, P=0.007) were correlated with neurological dysfunction. By multivariable logistic regression analysis, postoperative sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction independently predicted (OR: 15.9, 95% CI: 1.05, 96.4, P=0.045) the incidence of severe postoperative neurological complication. During median follow-up of 6 (2-12) months, the survival rate was 86.7%. CONCLUSION: Bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion and direct carotid perfusion for cardiopulmonary bypass, in the surgical treatment for correction of acute aortic dissection type A, is a valuable technique with low 30-day mortality rate. However, postoperative severe neurological dysfunctions remain an issue that warrants further research.

Efficacy and safety of perioperative infusion of levosimendan in patients with compromised cardiac function undergoing open-heart surgery: importance of early use.

OBJECTIVE: Levosimendan is a promising new inotrope. We investigate the proper time for its infusion during or after open-heart surgery to avoid complications related with low-output syndrome and high dosage of inotropes. METHODS: Forty-five consecutive patients were randomised to receive levosimendan in addition to the conventional therapy, its infusion starting in the operating theatre (Group OT) or in the ICU (Group ICU) when low-output syndrome was certified and were consequently dependent on classical inotropic support and IABP. Levosimendan was infused at a rate of 0.1 microg/kg min without loading dose, the infusion being for at least 24h to a maximum 48 h. RESULTS: Levosimendan was well tolerated, with the simultaneous infusion of norepinephrine if required. Its efficacy was identical in both groups with improvement in the haemodynamic and functional status of patients (amelioration of stroke volume, cardiac index and mixed venous blood oxygen saturation, increase of left ventricular ejection fraction by echo study, de-escalation of traditional inotropes, subtraction of IABP and reduction in BNP plasma levels). The ICU stay and hospital stay were significantly decreased in patients of Group OT, compared to patients of Group ICU. Four patients died because of multiple organs dysfunction syndrome (MODS) due to sepsis (all patients of Group ICU). CONCLUSION: Levosimendan is a safe and efficient choice in the management of low-output syndrome during and after open-heart surgery. The shortening of hospitalisation and the trend for better outcome confirm its clear superiority when the infusion starts from the operating theatre.

Postoperative jaundice after cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: The frequency and pattern of hyperbilirubinemia after open-heart surgery and its severe perioperative complications are not well clarified. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and nature of postoperative jaundice in patients undergoing cardiac operation, to analyze the determinants, and to identify the clinical significance of this complication with regard to the associated morbidity and mortality. METHODS: A prospective observational study was made during the period of 2003-2004 in a Surgical Intensive Care Unit of a Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens. One hundred twenty-eight adult patients for open heart surgery were divided into three groups. Group A included 50 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass crafting (CABG), group B 31 patients who were subjected to aortic valve replacement (AVR)+CABG and group C 47 patients who underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR)+CABG. Aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase and both types of bilirubin were determined at admission, 24 hours after the operation and thereafter according to clinical evolution. The presence of jaundice was associated with elevated serum bilirubin above 3 mg/dl. RESULTS: Hyperbilirubinemia developed in 34 patients (26.5%). The incidence of postoperative jaundice was higher in patients who were subjected to MVR+CABG than to CABG and AVR+CABG. Hyperbilirubinemia was correlated with prolonged cardiopulmonary by-pass time (P<0.001), aortic cross-clamping time (P<0.001), the use of intra aortic balloon pumping (P<0.001), the administration of inotrops and the number of blood and plasma transfusions. Postoperative jaundice resulted mainly from an increase in conjugated bilirubin. CONCLUSIONS: Although hyperbilirubinemia seems to be multifactorial, the type of operation, the preoperative hepatic dysfunction due to advanced heart failure (NYHA II-III) and the decreased hepatic flow during the operation seem to determine the incidence of jaundice.

Predictors of outcomes after correction of acute type a aortic dissection under moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest and antegrade cerebral perfusion

Abstract Introduction: Hypothermic circulatory arrest is widely used for correction of acute type A aortic dissection pathology. We present our experience of 45 consecutive patients operated in our unit with bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion and moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest. Methods: Between January 2011 and April 2015, 45 consecutive patients were admitted for acute type A aortic dissection and operated emergently under moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest and bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion. Results: Mean age was 58±11.4 years old. Median circulatory arrest time was 41.5 (30-54) minutes while the 30-day mortality and postoperative permanent neurological deficits rates were 6.7% and 13.3%, respectively. Unadjusted analysis revealed that the factors associated with 30-day mortality were: preoperative hemodynamic instability (OR: 14.8, 95% CI: 2.41, 90.6, P=0.004); and postoperative requirement for open sternum management (OR: 5.0, 95% CI: 1.041, 24.02, P=0.044) while preoperative hemodynamic instability (OR: 8.8, 95% CI: 1.41, 54.9, P=0.02) and postoperative sepsis or multiple organ dysfunction (OR: 13.6, 95% CI: 2.1, 89.9, P=0.007) were correlated with neurological dysfunction. By multivariable logistic regression analysis, postoperative sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction independently predicted (OR: 15.9, 95% CI: 1.05, 96.4, P=0.045) the incidence of severe postoperative neurological complication. During median follow-up of 6 (2-12) months, the survival rate was 86.7%. Conclusion: Bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion and direct carotid perfusion for cardiopulmonary bypass, in the surgical treatment for correction of acute aortic dissection type A, is a valuable technique with low 30-day mortality rate. However, postoperative severe neurological dysfunctions remain an issue that warrants further research.

Incidence of postoperative infections in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery receiving antimicrobial prophylaxis with original and generic cefuroxime.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of post-operative infections in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery who received generic cefuroxime (gCFX) instead of original cefuroxime (oCFX) as antimicrobial prophylaxis. METHODS: The study had two parts, a prospective and a retrospective one (4 weeks with oCFX followed by 4 weeks with gCFX in each part; total study duration of 16 weeks). The studied patient population was 618 consecutive adult patients who underwent on pump CABG surgery. Patients were divided into two groups according to type of formulation they received: 313 patients received oCFX and 305 gCFX. RESULTS: Eight (2.5%) and 39 (12.8%) patients in the oCFX and gCFX group, respectively, developed postoperative infections (p<0.001). There were 6 (1.9%) surgical site infections in the oCFX group and 31 (10.1%) in the gCFX group (p<0.001). Bacteremia occurred in 2 (0.6%) patients in the oCFX group and in 8 (2.6%) patients in the gCFX group (p=0.1). In addition, septic shock occurred in 6 cases (2.0%, p=0.04) and multiple organ failure in another 4 patients (1.3%, p=0.1) in the gCFX group. The most common pathogens isolated were Gram-positive cocci in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a higher incidence of postoperative infections in adult patients undergoing CABG surgery receiving gCFX compared to oCFX as antimicrobial prophylaxis. The findings of our study provide additional evidence regarding the problem of substandard drugs, in our case a formulation of a generic antibiotic, even in developed countries. ULTRAMINI-SUMMARY: The incidence of post-operative infections following CABG surgery was higher in adult patients receiving generic instead of original cefuroxime as antimicrobial prophylaxis. The findings of our study provide additional evidence regarding the problem of substandard drugs, in our case a formulation of a generic antibiotic, even in developed countries.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus preventing strategy in cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this survey was to elucidate the efficacy of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) preventing strategy in our institution by investigating the incidence and evaluating the morbidity and mortality associated with this multi-resistant virulent organism. METHODS: A prospective observational cohort among patients submitted to cardiovascular surgical procedures was conducted from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2005. Preventing strategy included active screening programs by nasal swabs for all patients admitted from other hospitals or being at risk for developing infectious complications. Carriers or infected patients remained isolated and were treated promptly. Furthermore, all newly employed health care workers were screened for MRSA and carriers were treated with mupirocin until the eradication of the pathogen. RESULTS: Throughout the 9-year study period 826 infectious complications were registered among 15,270 cardiac surgical patients. Total infection rate was 5.4%. MRSA was identified in 86 patients; 56 patients proved carriers and 30 infected. The MRSA associated infection rate was 0.2%. During this period of time mean ICU stay was 1.7 days and ICU mortality rate was 2.9%. MRSA infected patients presented a mean ICU stay of 46.5 days and a mortality rate of 30%. In ten patients, MRSA was detected in tracheal secretions, in four patients in swabs taken from donor site infection and in four patients from superficial sternal surgical wound. In ten patients the pathogen was isolated from cultures of the surgical site drainage and the diagnosis of post-sternotomy mediastinitis was confirmed. The remaining two patients were defined as having severe sepsis; MRSA was documented in central venous catheter tips and blood cultures. CONCLUSIONS: The prompt determination, isolation and appropriate treatment of MRSA patients admitted from other institutions combined with the detection and elimination of carriers among new health care workers and patients at high risk of developing infectious complications prevented further spread of the pathogen.

Cefuroxime as antibiotic prophylaxis in coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Nosocomial-acquired infections remain a serious problem in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. The objective of this retrospective study was to compare the incidence of nosocomial infections in patients undergoing CABG surgery within two periods (1994 and 2003). A single dose of a second generation cephalosporin (cefuroxime) was administered as antibiotic prophylaxis in all patients. There was no statistical significant difference regards to the incidence of hospital-acquired infections between these two periods (4.9% in 1994 and 5.6% in 2003, P=0.62). The most frequent types of postoperative infections were the respiratory tract infection (2.3%) in the first period and the superficial surgical site infection (3.1%) in the second period. The majority of isolated pathogens were Gram-positive cocci (68%) in both periods. The majority of incisional surgical site infections and of central venous catheter-related infections were attributed to Staphylococcus coagulase negative strains. Only one episode of hospital-acquired infection due to a resistant Gram-negative bacterium was recorded during the second period. A single-dose of cefuroxime remains the antibiotic prophylaxis of choice in adult patients submitted to CABG surgery. It is still associated with a low incidence of postoperative infections mainly due to sensitive pathogens.