Congestive Heart Failure and Noncardiac Operations: Risk of Serious Morbidity, Readmission, Reoperation, and Mortality

Outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure undergoing non-cardiac surgery: a secondary analysis of the METREPAIR international cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Heart failure is a frequent comorbidity in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery and an acknowledged risk factor for postoperative mortality. The associations between stable chronic heart failure and postoperative outcomes have not been explored extensively. The aim of this study was to determine associations between stable chronic heart failure and its peri-operative management and postoperative outcomes after major non-cardiac surgery.

METHODS

This is a secondary analysis of MET-REPAIR, an international prospective cohort study including patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery aged ≥ 45 y with increased cardiovascular risk. Main exposures were stable chronic heart failure and availability of a pre-operative transthoracic echocardiogram. The primary endpoint was the incidence of postoperative major adverse cardiovascular events at 30 days. Secondary endpoints included 30-day mortality and severe in-hospital complications. Multivariable logistic regression models were calculated.

RESULTS

Of 15,158 included patients, 3880 (25.6%) fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for stable chronic heart failure, of whom 1397 (36%) were female. Chronic heart failure was associated with increased risk of postoperative 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events (OR 2.04, 95%CI 1.59-2.60), 30-day mortality (OR 1.50, 95%CI 1.17-1.92) and in-hospital complications (OR 1.47, 95%CI 1.30-1.66). Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in 1267 (32.7%) patients with heart failure; 146 (11.5%) patients with heart failure presented with a left ventricular ejection fraction < 40%. Reduced ejection fraction was associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (OR 2.0, 95%CI 1.01-3.81).

DISCUSSION

Stable chronic heart failure is independently associated with major adverse cardiovascular events, mortality and severe postoperative complications when measured 30 days after non-cardiac surgery.

Preoperative Congestive Heart Failure Is Associated with Higher 30-Day Myocardial Infarction and Pneumonia after Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

INTRODUCTION

Preoperative congestive heart failure (CHF) is associated with higher postoperative mortality and complications in noncardiac surgery. However, postoperative outcomes for patients with preoperative CHF undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) have not been thoroughly established. This study evaluated the effect of preoperative CHF on 30-day outcomes following nonemergent intact EVAR using a large-scale national registry.

METHODS

Patients who had infrarenal EVAR were identified in the ACS-NSQIP database from 2012 to 2022. A 1:5 propensity-score matching was used to match demographics, baseline characteristics, aneurysm diameter, distant aneurysm extent, anesthesia, and concomitant procedures between patients with and without preoperative CHF. Thirty-day postoperative outcomes were examined.

RESULTS

467 (2.84%) CHF patients underwent intact EVAR. Meanwhile, 15,996 non-CHF patients underwent EVAR, where 2,248 of them were matched to all CHF patients. Patients with and without preoperative CHF had comparable 30-day mortality (3.02% vs. 2.62%, p = 0.64). However, CHF patients had higher myocardial infarction (3.02% vs. 1.47%, p = 0.03), pneumonia (3.23% vs. 1.73%, p = 0.04), 30-day readmission (p = 0.01), and longer length of stay (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

While patients with and without preoperative CHF had comparable 30-day mortality rates, those with CHF faced higher risks of cardiopulmonary complications. Effective management of preoperative CHF may help prevent postoperative complications in these patients.

What's New in Preoperative Cardiac Testing

More than 300 million surgeries are performed annually worldwide. Patients are progressively aging and often have multiple comorbidities that put them at increased cardiovascular risk in the perioperative period. The United States published latest guidelines regarding preoperative cardiac evaluation and risk stratification for patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery in 2014. There are multiple risk stratification tools available that can help guide management. Furthermore, newer laboratory tests, such as preoperative NT-proBNP and high-sensitivity troponin assays, may aid in preventing and diagnosing perioperative myocardial injury.

Chronic heart failure in patients undergoing major head and neck surgery: A hospital-based study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of chronic heart failure on various post-operative outcomes in head and neck cancer patients undergoing major cancer surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

For this retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing major head and neck cancer surgery, a sample of 10,002 patients between 2017 and 2019 were identified through the Nationwide Inpatient Sample.

SETTING

Patients were selected as undergoing major head and neck cancer surgery, defined as laryngectomy, pharyngectomy, glossectomy, neck dissection, mandibulectomy, and maxillectomy, then separated based on pre-surgical diagnosis of chronic heart failure.

METHODS

The effects of pre-operative chronic heart failure on post-surgical outcomes in these patients were investigated by univariable and multivariable logistic regression using ICD-10 codes and SPSS.

RESULTS

A diagnosis of chronic heart failure was observed in 265 patients (2.6 %). Patients with chronic heart failure had more preexisting comorbidities when compared to patients without chronic heart failure (mean ± SD; 4 ± 1 vs. 2 ± 1). Multivariable logistic regression showed that chronic heart failure patients had significantly greater odds of dying during hospitalization (OR 2.86, 95 % CI 1.38-5.91) and experiencing non-routine discharge from admission (OR 1.89, 95 % CI 1.41-2.54) after undergoing major head and neck cancer surgery.

CONCLUSION

Chronic heart failure is associated with greater length of stay and hospital charges among head and neck cancer patients undergoing major head and neck cancer surgeries. Chronic heart failure patients have significantly greater rates of unfavorable post-operative outcomes, including death during hospitalization and non-routine discharge from admission.

Perioperative cardiac risk reduction in non cardiac surgery

For patients undergoing nonemergent noncardiac surgery, care must be taken to identify patients at increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, as these remain a significant source of perioperative morbidity and mortality. Identification of at-risk patients requires careful attention to risk factors including assessment of functional status, medical comorbidities, and a medication assessment. After identification, to minimize perioperative cardiac risk, care should be taken through a combination of appropriate medication management, close monitoring for cardiovascular ischemic events, and optimization of pre-existing medical conditions. There are multiple society guidelines that aim to mitigate risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing nonemergent noncardiac surgery. However, the rapid evolution of medical literature often creates gaps between the existing evidence and best practice recommendations. In this review, we aim to reconcile the recommendations made in the guidelines from the major cardiovascular and anesthesiology societies from the USA, Canada, and Europe, and to provide updated recommendations based on new evidence.

Postoperative 30-Day Comparative Complications of Multilevel Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion and Laminoplasty for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: An Evidence in Reaching Consensus

Although a few large-scale studies have investigated multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and laminoplasty (LAMP) and their related complications for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), the optimal surgical intervention remains controversial. Therefore, we compared their 30 days of postoperative complications. Through the 2010-2019 ACS NSQIP Participant Use Data Files, we estimated the risk of serious morbidity, reoperation, readmission, mortality, and other postoperative complications. Initially, propensity score matching (PSM) of the preoperative characteristics of both groups was performed for further analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis provided OR and 95% CI for comparative complications. After PSM, 621 pairs of cohorts were generated for both groups. Increased frequency of postoperative complications was observed in the LAMP group, especially for surgical wound infection, no matter whether superficial (ACDF/LAMP = 0%/1.13%, p = 0.0154) or deep wound infection (ACDF/LAMP = 0%/0.97%, p = 0.0309). The mean length of total hospital stays (ACDF/LAMP = 2.25/3.11, p < 0.0001) and days from operation to discharge (ACDF/LAMP = 2.12/3.08, p < 0.0001) were longer, while the hospitalization rate for over 30 days (ACDF/LAMP = 4.67%/7.41%, p = 0.0429) and unplanned reoperation (ACDF/LAMP = 6.12%/9.34%, p = 0.0336) were higher in LAMP. Results also indicated congestive heart failure as a risk factor (adjusted OR = 123.402, p = 0.0002). Conclusively, multilevel ACDF may be a safer surgical approach than LAMP for CSM in terms of perioperative morbidities, including surgical wound infection, prolonged hospitalization, and unplanned reoperation. However, these approaches showed no significant differences in systemic complications and perioperative mortality.

Impact of kidney transplant on post-operative morbidity and mortality in patients with pre-operative cardiac dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Several studies show an increase in complications, both cardiac and non-cardiac, and a higher mortality in patients with preexisting cardiac disease when they undergo elective surgery. Due to the high incidence of cardiac dysfunction in patients with concomitant chronic kidney disease, we wanted to determine if the same negative impact is demonstrated in patients undergoing kidney transplantation.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was done on 582 patients who underwent kidney transplant from a single transplant center between 2014 and 2019. Participants for this study were divided into two groups based on cardiac ejection fraction: normal EF (≥40%) (n = 540) and low EF (<40%) (n = 33); exclusion criteria included patients undergoing multi-organ transplants (n = 9). Characteristics and outcomes of patients were compared before and after transplant using chi-square tests for categorical measures, and either Kruskal-Wallis or paired Student's t tests for continuous measures. Overall survival (OS) between groups was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier test. We compared outcomes between the normal EF and low EF groups using logistic regression in raw data, and propensity score matched sample and inverse-probability-weighting to mitigate selection bias.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in survival between patients in the low EF and normal EF groups (p = .33). Among patients with low EF, mean EF after transplant significantly improved (mean: 55.83% ± 5.75%) compared to mean EF before transplant (38.28% ± 7.35%), (p = < .0001). Of the patients with a low EF before transplant, 1 in 5 had a history of CAD, compared to only 1 in 10 among those patients with a normal EF, p = .0657. Post-transplant complications were comparable between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Patients undergoing kidney transplantation with a low ejection fraction do not demonstrate an increased incidence of morbidity or mortality in the peri- and post-transplant follow-up compared with patients with a normal ejection fraction. Cardiac events post-transplantation is also comparable between the two groups. Of note, patients with a low EF have a significantly improved EF after kidney transplant which is likely a function of improvement in their physiologic state after the kidney transplant.

Risk factors of serious postoperative outcomes in patients aged ≥90 years undergoing surgical intervention

Objective

We aimed to identify preoperative and intraoperative factors associated with serious postoperative outcomes, which may help patients and clinicians make better-informed decisions.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study including all patients aged ≥90 years who underwent surgery between January 1, 2011, and January 1, 2021, at Chongqing University Central Hospital. We assessed 30 pre- and intraoperative demographic and clinical variables. Logistic regression was used to identify the independent risk factors for serious postoperative outcomes in patients aged ≥90 years.

Results

A total of 428 patients were included in our analysis. The mean age was 92.6 years (SD ± 2.6). There were 240 (56.1%) females and 188 (43.9%) males. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (44.9%) and arrhythmias (34.8%). The 30-day hospital mortality was 5.6%, and severe morbidity was 33.2%. Based on the multivariate logistic regression classification analysis of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)≥ Ⅳ [odds ratio (OR), 5.39, 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.06-14.16, P = .001], emergency surgery (OR, 5.02, 95% CI, 2.85-15.98, P = .001) and chronic heart failure (OR, 6.11, 95% CI, 1.93-13.06, P = .001) were identified as independent risk factors for 30-day hospital mortality, and ASA≥ Ⅳ (OR, 4.56, 95%CI, 2.56-8.15, P < .001), Barthel index (BI) < 35 (OR, 2.28, 95%CI, 1.30-3.98, P = .001), chronic heart failure (OR, 3.67, 95%CI, 1.62-8.31, P = .002), chronic kidney disease (OR, 4.24, 95%CI, 1.99-9.05, P < .001), general anesthesia (OR, 3.31, 95%CI, 1.91-5.76, P < .001), emergency surgery (OR, 3.72, 95%CI, 1.98-6.99, P < .001), and major surgery (OR, 3.44, 95%CI, 1.90-6.22, P < .001) were identified as independent risk factors for serious postoperative complications.

Conclusions

Patients aged ≥90 years with ASA≥ Ⅳ, BI < 35, combined with chronic heart failure or chronic kidney disease, undergoing emergency surgery, major surgery or general anesthesia have a higher risk of serious postoperative outcomes. Identifying these risk factors in an early stage may contribute to our clinical decision-making and improve the quality of treatments.

Risk factors for early and late morbidity in patients with cardiovascular disease undergoing inguinal hernia repair with a tailored approach: a single-center cohort study

BACKGROUND

Inguinal hernia repair is a common procedure in surgery. Patients with cardiovascular disease have an increased operative risk for postoperative morbidity. The study aimed to identify the most beneficial surgical procedure for these patients.

METHODS

Patients undergoing elective surgery for unilateral or bilateral inguinal hernia between December 2015 and February 2020 were included. The cohort was divided into the group of patients with (CVD group) and without (NO group) cardiovascular disease and analyzed according to the postoperative morbidity distribution and correlated to the surgical technique used.

RESULTS

Of the 474 patients included 223 (47%) were operated on using the Lichtenstein technique and 251 (53%) using TAPP, respectively. In the CVD group the Lichtenstein procedure was more common (n = 102, 68.9%), in the NO group it was TAPP (n = 205, 62.9%; p < 0.001). 13 (8.8%) patients in the CVD group and 12 (3.7%) patients in the NO group developed a postoperative hematoma (p = 0.023). In the further subgroup analysis within the CVD group revealed cumarine treatment as a risk factor for postoperative hematoma development, whereas the laparoscopic approach did not elevate the morbidity risk.

CONCLUSION

CVD is a known risk factor for perioperative morbidity in general surgery, however, the TAPP method does not elevate the individual perioperative risk.

The Association Between Congestive Heart Failure and One-Year Mortality After Surgery in Singaporean Adults: A Secondary Retrospective Cohort Study Using Propensity-Score Matching, Propensity Adjustment, and Propensity-Based Weighting

Background

Although congestive heart failure (CHF) is considered a risk factor for postoperative mortality, reliable quantification of the relationship between CHF and postoperative mortality risk is limited. We aimed to investigate the association between CHF and 1-year mortality after surgery in a large cohort of the Singaporean population.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, the study population included 69,032 adult patients who underwent surgery at Singapore General Hospital between 1 January 2012 and 31 October 2016. The target independent and dependent variables were CHF and 1-year mortality after surgery, respectively. Propensity score was estimated using a non-parsimonious multivariable logistic regression model. Multivariable adjustment, propensity score matching, propensity score adjustment, and propensity score-based weighting Cox proportional-hazards regression were performed to investigate the association between CHF and 1-year mortality after surgery.

Results

The multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) in the original cohort was 1.39 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.20–1.61, P < 0.001). In additional propensity score adjustment, the HR between CHF and 1-year mortality after surgery was 1.34 (95% CI: 1.15–1.56, P < 0.001). In the propensity score-matched cohort, the multivariate-adjusted Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis showed participants with CHF had a 54% increased risk of 1-year mortality after surgery (HR 1.54, 95% CI: 1.19–1.98, P < 0.001). The multivariate-adjusted HR of the inverse probability of treatment-weighted and standardised mortality ratio-weighted cohorts was 1.34 (95% CI: 1.10–1.62, P = 0.004) and 1.24 (95% CI: 1.17–1.32, P < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusion

CHF is an independent risk factor for 1-year mortality after surgery in patients undergoing surgery. Depending on the statistical method, patients with CHF had a 24–54% increased risk of 1-year all-cause mortality after surgery. This provides a reference for optimising clinical decision-making, improving preoperative consultation, and promoting clinical communication.

Influence of Preoperative and Postoperative Factors on Prolonged Length of Stay and Readmission after Minimally Invasive Radical Prostatectomy

BACKGROUND

The mean length of stay (LOS) following minimally invasive radical prostatectomy (MI-RP) is less than 2 days. Our main objective was to utilize the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database (NSQIP) to evaluate preoperative factors that may contribute to prolonged hospital stay and readmission.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Utilizing the NSQIP database, records for surgery with the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code 55866 (prostatectomy) between 2007 and 2017 were evaluated. Chi-square and t-tests were used to assess the effects of preoperative factors on prolonged LOS and rates of hospital readmission within 30 days. Odds ratios, p-values, and confidence intervals were determined using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

40,764 patients underwent MI-RP between 2007 and 2017. Of these, 11.7% reported a LOS of more than 2 days, while 3.9% of patients were readmitted to the hospital within 30 days. Preoperative congestive heart failure within 30 days of surgery was shown to be strongly associated with both prolonged LOS (OR = 6.16) and readmission (OR = 3.28). Bleeding requiring transfusion was demonstrated to be the most significant postoperative factor for prolonged LOS (OR= 23.9), while unplanned intubation was shown to be the most significant postoperative factor for readmission (OR=57.1). BMI over 30 was associated with both prolonged LOS and increase in readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

Upon NSQIP database analysis, cardiopulmonary factors and BMI were demonstrated to have negative impacts on postoperative quality indicators. Patients with comorbidities should be counselled preoperatively concerning their individual risk factors. Mitigation of these factors is important in ensuring optimal outcomes.

Perioperative Cardiac Risk Reduction in Noncardiac Surgery

Major adverse cardiovascular events are a significant source of morbidity and mortality in the perioperative setting, estimated to occur in approximately 5% of patients undergoing nonemergent noncardiac surgery. To minimize the incidence and impact of these events, careful attention must be paid to preoperative cardiovascular assessment to identify patients at high risk of cardiovascular complications. Once identified, cardiovascular risk reduction is achieved through optimization of medical conditions, appropriate management of medication, and careful monitoring to allow for early identification of-and intervention for-any new conditions that would increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The major cardiovascular and anesthesiology societies in the United States, Europe, and Canada have published guidelines for perioperative management of patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. However, since publication of these guidelines, there has been a practice-changing evolution in the medical literature. In this review, we attempt to reconcile the recommendations made in these 3 comprehensive guidelines, while updating recommendations, based on new evidence, when available.

Heart Failure in Patients Undergoing Elective and Emergency Noncardiac Surgery: Still a Poorly Addressed Risk Factor

BACKGROUND

Noncardiac surgery is increasingly offered to an older, more comorbid population. The aim was to characterize patients with the diagnosis of heart failure (HF) undergoing elective and emergency noncardiac surgery in a broad, contemporary Swedish cohort, and to assess the short- and long-term mortality in patients with HF as compared with patients without HF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Data from 200,638 and 97,129 patients undergoing elective and emergency surgical procedures at 23 Swedish university, county, and district hospitals during 2007 to 2013 were analyzed through linkage of the surgical Orbit Database to the National Patient and the Cause of Death registries. In total 7212 patients (3.6%) with a diagnosis of HF before surgery underwent elective and 6455 patients (6.6%) underwent emergency surgery. Patients with HF were older had more comorbidities, and higher mortality than patients without HF. Crude and adjusted risk ratios for 30-day mortality after elective surgery were 5.36 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.67-6.16) and 1.79 (95% CI 1.50-2.14) (adjusted for comorbidities, surgical risk level, age, and sex). Corresponding data for emergency surgery was 3.84 (95% CI 3.58-4.12) and 1.48 (95% CI 1.31-1.62). Mortality in patients with HF after elective surgery at 30 days, 90 days, and 1 year was 3.2%, 6.5%, and 16.2% and after emergency surgery it was 13.7%, 22.4%, and 39.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with HF undergoing elective or emergency noncardiac surgery in a modern surgical setting have a substantial mortality risk and HF is both a risk factor and a strong marker for increasd risk. The reasons for the high mortality are not well-understood and warrant further attention.

Association Between Heart Failure and Postoperative Mortality Among Patients Undergoing Ambulatory Noncardiac Surgery

Importance

Heart failure is an established risk factor for postoperative mortality, but how heart failure is associated with operative outcomes specifically in the ambulatory surgical setting is not well characterized.

Objective

To assess the risk of postoperative mortality and complications in patients with vs without heart failure at various levels of echocardiographic (left ventricular systolic dysfunction) and clinical (symptoms) severity who were undergoing ambulatory surgery.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this US multisite retrospective cohort study of all adult patients undergoing ambulatory, elective, noncardiac surgery in the Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Project database during fiscal years 2009 to 2016, a total of 355 121 patient records were identified and analyzed with 1 year of follow-up after surgery (final date of follow-up September 1, 2017).

Exposures

Heart failure, left ventricular ejection fraction, and presence of signs or symptoms of heart failure within 30 days of surgery.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcomes were postoperative mortality at 90 days and any postoperative complication at 30 days.

Results

Among 355 121 total patients, outcome data from 19 353 patients with heart failure (5.5%; mean [SD] age, 67.9 [10.1] years; 18 841 [96.9%] male) and 334 768 patients without heart failure (94.5%; mean [SD] age, 57.2 [14.0] years; 301 198 [90.0%] male) were analyzed. Compared with patients without heart failure, patients with heart failure had a higher risk of 90-day postoperative mortality (crude mortality risk, 2.00% vs 0.39%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.95; 95% CI, 1.69-2.44), and risk of mortality progressively increased with decreasing systolic function. Compared with patients without heart failure, symptomatic patients with heart failure had a greater risk of mortality (crude mortality risk, 3.57%; aOR, 2.76; 95% CI, 2.07-3.70), as did asymptomatic patients with heart failure (crude mortality risk, 1.85%; aOR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.60-2.15). Patients with heart failure had a higher risk of experiencing a 30-day postoperative complication than did patients without heart failure (crude risk, 5.65% vs 2.65%; aOR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.02-1.19).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, among patients undergoing elective, ambulatory surgery, heart failure with or without symptoms was significantly associated with 90-day mortality and 30-day postoperative complications. These data may be helpful in preoperative discussions with patients with heart failure undergoing ambulatory surgery.

Comparison of Perioperative Outcomes in Heart Failure Patients With Reduced Versus Preserved Ejection Fraction After Noncardiac Surgery

OBJECTIVE

To compare outcome after noncardiac surgery between HF patients with reduced versus preserved ejection fraction.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

HF patients who undergo major noncardiac surgery have higher risks of morbidity and mortality compared to the general population. However, it is unclear whether HF subtypes confer different risk.

METHODS

This retrospective study included HF patients, 45 years or older, who underwent noncardiac surgery from January 1, 2010 to September 30, 2015 in the Nationwide Readmissions Database. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to provide adjusted rates of postoperative outcomes. Hospital-level clustering and Nationwide Readmissions Database sampling weights were applied to all models.

RESULTS

Of the weighted 296,057 HF patients [HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) 48.1%; HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) 51.9%] who underwent noncardiac surgery, 41.1% had cardiopulmonary complications, 55.7% had noncardiopulmonary complications and 5.4% died during hospitalization. Thirty-day readmission rates for the weighted 232,852 HF patients was 21.5%. The adjusted odds ratios of cardiopulmonary and noncardiopulmonary complications, in-hospital mortality and 30-day readmission for HFrEF compared to HFpEF patients were 1.01 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.99-1.04], 1.05 (95% CI, 1.02-1.07), 1.27 (95% CI, 1.21-1.34), and 1.08 (95% CI, 1.05-1.12), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

HFrEF patients have increased risks of noncardiopulmonary complications, mortality, and readmission after noncardiac surgery. These findings suggest that targeted perioperative care for HF subtypes may be crucial for the growing population of HF patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. Despite cardiopulmonary complications not being statistically different between HF subtypes, given the high occurrence rate, any intervention to decrease the rate would be clinically meaningful.

Association between heart failure and perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery

AIMS

Heart failure (HF) affects ∼5.7 million US adults and many of these patients develop non-cardiac disease that requires surgery. The aim of this study was to determine perioperative outcomes associated with HF in a large cohort of patients undergoing in-hospital non-cardiac surgery.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Adults ≥18 years old undergoing non-cardiac surgery between 2012 and 2014 were identified using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National Inpatient Sample. Patients with HF were identified by ICD-9 diagnosis codes. The primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate associations between HF and outcomes. A total of 21 560 996 surgical hospitalizations were identified, of which 1 063 405 (4.9%) had a diagnosis of HF. Among hospitalizations with HF, 4.7% had acute HF, 11.3% had acute on chronic HF, 27.8% had chronic HF, and 56.2% had an indeterminate diagnosis code that did not specify temporality. In-hospital perioperative mortality was more common among patients with any diagnosis of HF compared to those without HF [4.8% vs. 0.78%, P < 0.001; adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.09-2.22], and the association between HF and mortality was greatest at small and non-teaching hospitals. Acute HF without chronic HF was associated with 8.0% mortality. Among patients with a chronic HF diagnosis, perioperative mortality was greater in those with acute on chronic HF compared to chronic HF alone (7.8% vs. 3.9%, P < 0.001; aOR 1.78, 95% CI 1.67-1.90).

CONCLUSION

In patients hospitalized for non-cardiac surgery, HF was common and was associated with increased risk of perioperative mortality. The greatest risks were in patients with acute HF.

Association of Sex With Postoperative Mortality Among Patients With Heart Failure Who Underwent Elective Noncardiac Operations

IMPORTANCE

Sex differences in postoperative outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) have not been well characterized. Women generally experience a lower postoperative mortality risk after noncardiac operations. It is unclear if this pattern holds among patients with HF.

OBJECTIVES

To determine if the risk of postoperative mortality is associated with sex among patients with HF who underwent noncardiac operations and to determine if sex is associated with the relationship between HF and postoperative mortality.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This multisite cohort study used data from the US Department of Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Project database for all patients who underwent elective noncardiac operations from October 1, 2009, to September 30, 2016, with a minimum of 1 year follow-up. The data analysis was conducted from May 1, 2018, to August 31, 2018.

EXPOSURES

Heart failure, left ventricular ejection fraction, and sex.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Postoperative mortality at 90 days.

RESULTS

Among 609 735 patients who underwent elective noncardiac operations from 2009 to 2016, 47 997 patients had HF (7.9%; mean [SD] age, 68.6 [10.1] years; 1391 [2.9%] women) and 561 738 patients did not have HF (92.1%; mean [SD] age, 59.4 [13.4] years; 50 862 [9.1%] women). Among patients with HF, female sex was not independently associated with 90-day postoperative mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.97; 95% CI, 0.71-1.32). Although HF was associated with increased odds of postoperative mortality in both sexes compared with their peers without HF, the odds of postoperative mortality were higher among women with HF (aOR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.73-3.45) than men with HF (aOR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.54-1.74), suggesting that HF may negate the general protective association of female sex with postoperative mortality (P for interaction of HF × sex = .03). This pattern was consistent across all levels of left ventricular ejection fraction.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Although HF was associated with increased odds of postoperative mortality in both sexes compared with their peers without HF, the odds of postoperative mortality were higher among women with HF than men with HF, suggesting that HF may negate the general protective association of female sex with postoperative mortality risk in noncardiac operations.

Defining Serious Illness Among Adult Surgical Patients

CONTEXT

Palliative care (PC) for seriously ill surgical patients, including aligning treatments with patients' goals and managing symptoms, is associated with improved patient-oriented outcomes and decreased health care utilization. However, efforts to integrate PC alongside restorative surgical care are limited by the lack of a consensus definition for serious illness in the perioperative context.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to develop a serious illness definition for surgical patients and identify a denominator for quality measurement efforts.

METHODS

We developed a preliminary definition including a set of criteria for 11 conditions and health states. Using the RAND-UCLA Appropriateness Method, a 12-member expert advisory panel rated the criteria for each condition and health state twice, once after an in-person moderated discussion, for validity (primary outcome) and feasibility of measurement.

RESULTS

All panelists completed both rounds of rating. All 11 conditions and health states defining serious illness for surgical patients were rated as valid. During the in-person discussion, panelists refined and narrowed criteria for two conditions (vulnerable elder, heart failure). The final definition included the following 11 conditions and health states: vulnerable elder, heart failure, advanced cancer, oxygen-dependent pulmonary disease, cirrhosis, end-stage renal disease, dementia, critical trauma, frailty, nursing home residency, and American Society of Anesthesiology Risk Score IV-V.

CONCLUSION

We identified a consensus definition for serious illness in surgery. Opportunities remain in measuring the prevalence, identifying health trajectories, and developing screening criteria to integrate PC with restorative surgical care.

Association of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction and Symptoms With Mortality After Elective Noncardiac Surgery Among Patients With Heart Failure

IMPORTANCE

Heart failure is an established risk factor for postoperative mortality, but how left ventricular ejection fraction and heart failure symptoms affect surgical outcomes is not fully described.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the risk of postoperative mortality among patients with heart failure at various levels of echocardiographic (left ventricular systolic dysfunction) and clinical (symptoms) severity compared with those without heart failure and to evaluate how risk varies across levels of surgical complexity.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

US multisite retrospective cohort study of all adult patients receiving elective, noncardiac surgery in the Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Project database from 2009 through 2016. A total of 609 735 patient records were identified and analyzed with 1 year of follow-up after having surgery (final study follow-up: September 1, 2017).

EXPOSURES

Heart failure, left ventricular ejection fraction, and presence of signs or symptoms of heart failure within 30 days of surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURE

The primary outcome was postoperative mortality at 90 days.

RESULTS

Outcome data from 47 997 patients with heart failure (7.9%; mean [SD] age, 68.6 [10.1] years; 1391 women [2.9%]) and 561 738 patients without heart failure (92.1%; mean [SD] age, 59.4 [13.4] years; 50 862 women [9.1%]) were analyzed. Compared with patients without heart failure, those with heart failure had a higher risk of 90-day postoperative mortality (2635 vs 6881 90-day deaths; crude mortality risk, 5.49% vs 1.22%; adjusted absolute risk difference [RD], 1.03% [95% CI, 0.91%-1.15%]; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.67 [95% CI, 1.57-1.76]). Compared with patients without heart failure, symptomatic patients with heart failure (n = 5906) had a higher risk (597 deaths [10.11%]; adjusted absolute RD, 2.37% [95% CI, 2.06%-2.57%]; adjusted OR, 2.37 [95% CI, 2.14-2.63]). Asymptomatic patients with heart failure (n = 42 091) (2038 deaths [crude risk, 4.84%]; adjusted absolute RD, 0.74% [95% CI, 0.63%-0.87%]; adjusted OR, 1.53 [95% CI, 1.44-1.63]), including the subset with preserved left ventricular systolic function (1144 deaths [4.42%]; adjusted absolute RD, 0.66% [95% CI, 0.54%-0.79%]; adjusted OR, 1.46 [95% CI, 1.35-1.57]), also experienced elevated risk.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among patients undergoing elective noncardiac surgery, heart failure with or without symptoms was significantly associated with 90-day postoperative mortality. These data may be helpful in preoperative discussions with patients with heart failure undergoing noncardiac surgery.

Rates of Mortality in Lumbar Spine Surgery and Factors Associated With Its Occurrence Over a 10-Year Period: A Study of 803,949 Patients in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample

Background

The rate of mortality in surgical procedures involving the lumbar spine has historically been low, and as a result, there has been difficulty providing accurate quantitative mortality rates to patients in the preoperative planning phase. Awareness of these mortality rates is essential in reducing postoperative complications and improving outcomes. Additionally, mortality rates can be influenced by procedure type and patient profile, including demographics and comorbidities. The purpose of this study is to assess rates and risk factors associated with mortality in surgical procedures involving the lumbar spine using a large national database.

Methods

The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was reviewed from 2003 to 2012. A total of 803,949 patients age 18 years or older were identified by ICD-9CM procedure codes for spinal fusion or decompression of the lumbar spine. Mortality was stratified based on type of procedure (simple or complex fusion, decompression), patient demographics and comorbidities, and in-hospital complications. Binary logistic regression was used to identify the risk of death while controlling for comorbidities, race, sex, and procedure performed. Significance was defined as P < .05 differences relative to the overall cohort.

Results

Mortality for all patients requiring surgery of the lumbar spine was 0.13%. Mortality based on procedure type was 0.105% for simple fusions, 0.321% for complex fusions, and 0.081% for decompression only. Increased mortality was observed demographically in patients who were male (odds ratio [OR]: 1.75; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.51-2.03), black (OR: 1.40; CI: 1.10-1.79), ages 65-74 (OR: 1.46; CI: 1.25-1.70), and age 75+ (OR: 2.70; CI: 2.30-3.17). Comorbidities associated with the greatest increase in mortality were mild (OR: 10.04; CI: 7.76-13.01) and severe (OR: 26.47; CI: 16.03-43.70) liver disease and congestive heart failure (OR: 4.57; CI: 3.77-5.53). The complications with the highest mortality rates were shock (OR: 20.67; CI: 13.89-30.56) and pulmonary embolism (OR: 20.15; CI: 14.01-29.00).

Conclusions

From 2003 to 2012, the overall mortality rate in 803,949 lumbar spine surgery patients was 0.13%. Risk factors that were significantly associated with increased mortality rates were male gender, black race, and ages 65-74 and 75+. Comorbidities associated with an increased mortality rate were mild and severe liver disease and congestive heart failure. Inpatient complications with the highest mortality rates were shock and pulmonary embolism. These findings can be helpful to surgeons providing preoperative counseling for patients considering elective lumbar procedures and for allocating resources to treat and prevent perioperative complications leading to mortality.

Level of Evidence

3.

Long-Term Mortality in Patients Operated for Perforated Peptic Ulcer: Factors Limiting Longevity are Dominated by Older Age, Comorbidity Burden and Severe Postoperative Complications

BACKGROUND

Perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) is a surgical emergency associated with high short-term mortality. However, studies on long-term outcomes are scarce. Our aim was to investigate long-term survival after surgery for PPU.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A population-based, consecutive cohort of patients who underwent surgery for PPU between 2001 and 2014 was reviewed, and the long-term mortality was assessed. Survival was investigated by univariate analysis (log-rank test) and displayed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Multivariable analysis of risk factors for long-term mortality was assessed by Cox proportional hazards regression and reported as hazard ratio (HR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

A total of 234 patients were available for the calculation of ninety-day, one-year and two-year mortality, and the results showed rates of 19.2 % (45/234), 22.6 % (53/234) and 24.8 % (58/234), respectively. At the end of follow-up, a total of 109 of the 234 patients (46.6 %) had died. Excluding 37 (15.2 %) patients who died within 30 days of surgery, 197 patients had long-term follow-up (median 57 months, range 1-168) of which 36 % (71/197) died during the follow-up period. In multivariable analyses, age >60 years (HR 3.95, 95 % CI 1.81-8.65), active cancer (HR 3.49, 95 % CI 1.73-7.04), hypoalbuminemia (HR 1.65, 95 % CI 0.99-2.73), pulmonary disease (HR 2.06, 95 % CI 1.14-3.71), cardiovascular disease (HR 1.67, 95 % CI 1.01-2.79) and severe postoperative complications (HR 1.76, 95 % CI 1.07-2.89) during the initial stay for PPU were all independently associated with an increased risk of long-term mortality. Cause of long-term mortality was most frequently (18 of 71; 25 %) attributed to new onset sepsis and/or multiorgan failure.

CONCLUSION

The long-term mortality after surgery for PPU is high. One in every three patients died during follow-up. Older age, comorbidity and severe postoperative complications were risk factors for long-term mortality.