Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition alters the inflammatory and fibrinolytic response to cardiopulmonary bypass in children

Cardiopulmonary bypass associated acute kidney injury: better understanding and better prevention

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is a common technique in cardiac surgery but is associated with acute kidney injury (AKI), which carries considerable morbidity and mortality. In this review, we explore the range and definition of CPB-associated AKI and discuss the possible impact of different disease recognition methods on research outcomes. Furthermore, we introduce the specialized equipment and procedural intricacies associated with CPB surgeries. Based on recent research, we discuss the potential pathogenesis of AKI that may result from CPB, including compromised perfusion and oxygenation, inflammatory activation, oxidative stress, coagulopathy, hemolysis, and endothelial damage. Finally, we explore current interventions aimed at preventing and attenuating renal impairment related to CPB, and presenting these measures from three perspectives: (1) avoiding CPB to eliminate the fundamental impact on renal function; (2) optimizing CPB by adjusting equipment parameters, optimizing surgical procedures, or using improved materials to mitigate kidney damage; (3) employing pharmacological or interventional measures targeting pathogenic factors.

Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury in newborns: A meta-analysis

<b>Introduction</b>: Acute kidney injury is a common complication following pediatric heart surgery, and it has been linked to an increased risk of morbidity and fatality.<br /> <b>Methods</b>: The PubMed and Medline databases were combed for relevant research until May 2022. The terms [Cardiac surgery] AND [acute renal injury] AND [newborns OR children OR neonates] AND [randomized control studies OR randomized control trials] were used as search criteria. The studies that met the inclusion criteria were considered qualified using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.<br /> <b>Results</b>: A total of 2,941 newborns or children were enrolled in 14 studies, with 931 developing acute renal damage. 2,095 of the enrolled infants and children received steroid, aminophylline, dexmedetomidine, and acetaminophen therapies. In seven studies, the odds ratio for steroids was not significantly different from control. In contrast, two studies comparing aminophylline to a control group found no statistically significant change. Two studies found no significant difference in dexmedetomidine therapy compared to control. Three trials, however, found a significant difference between the acetaminophen treatment and control groups.<br /> <b>Conclusion</b>: Acetaminophen was linked to a decreased risk of postoperative acute renal injury, while steroids had no benefit and aminophylline treatment could be justified.

Proteins Adsorbed during Intraoperative Hemoadsorption and Their In Vitro Effects on Endothelium

(1) Background: Hemoadsorption is a method of blood purification with a wide spectrum of indications. Pre-emptive use of hemoadsorption in patients undergoing heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass is considered to reduce the risk of postoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome. The current study aimed to identify the spectrum of blood proteins adsorbed on the polymer matrix of the CytoSorb hemoadsorption system and to investigate their influence on cultured endothelial cells in vitro. (2) Methods: Adsorbers used for intraoperative hemoadsorption were obtained from patients undergoing on-pump valve surgery in acute endocarditis. Proteins were extracted from the adsorbers, purified, identified with mass-spectrometry and applied to cultured human aortic endothelial cells. (3) Results: A broad range of blood proteins were identified in the material eluted from the CytoSorb adsorber. When added to cultured ECs, these protein extracts caused severe reduction in cell viability and migration. After 24 h exposure, transcriptional changes with up-regulation of multiple metabolic regulators were observed and verified on the protein level. Genes responsible for control of mitosis were significantly down-regulated. (4) Conclusions: In summary, our data reveal that intraoperative hemoadsorption allows broad spectrum removal of a wide range of molecules eliciting endothelial damage.

Effects of cardiopulmonary bypass perfusion temperature on perioperative renal function in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Aims and objective

The primary objective of this investigation was to study the effects of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) perfusion temperature on renal function parameters [serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, urine albumin, urine protein, and urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR)]. The secondary objective was to detect renal complications of CPB.

Materials and methods

This is a prospective longitudinal study of 30 adult patients (17 men, 13 women; mean age, 53.37 ± 16.02 years) who underwent valvular heart surgery [with or without coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)]. Serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, urine protein, urine albumin, and urine ACR were collected during CPB (at 28 °C, 32 °C, and 37 °C) and postoperatively (at 12 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours). Data were analyzed using one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). A significant ANOVA was followed by a Bonferroni–Holm post hoc test.

Results

Although serum creatinine (p < 0.001) and creatinine clearance (p = 0.0016) underwent a significant ANOVA change (p < 0.001 and p = 0.0016, respectively) after CPB, there was no statistically significant change compared with their baseline values. Urine ACR showed a significant change at 28 °C (p < 0.01), 32 °C (p < 0.01), and 37 °C (p < 0.05) as compared with baseline values. No significant change in urine albumin was observed during CPB or up to 24 hours. A significant change occurred after 48 hours of CPB (p < 0.05). A significant increase in urine protein was noted after CPB at 12 hours (p < 0.01), 24 hours (p < 0.01), and 48 hours (p < 0.01). Overall, 12 (40%) patients had acute kidney injury (AKI). Ten (33.33%) patients had stage I AKI, one patient progressed to AKI stage II, and another to AKI stage III. Of the 10 patients who had stage I AKI, eight had complete recovery within 48 hours.

Conclusions

CPB with moderate hypothermia for valvular heart surgeries can be performed safely in patients with adequate renal functional reserve. The glomerular permeability across the Bowman’s capsule increases after CPB as evidenced by significant proteinuria at 12 hours and increased albuminuria at 48 hours after surgery. There is an increased risk of transient stage I AKI after CPB, from which patients recover within 48 hours.

Prevention of Acute Kidney Injury in Children Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Narrative Review

Children undergoing cardiac surgery are at risk of developing acute kidney injury (AKI). Preventing cardiac surgery-associated AKI (CS-AKI) is important as it is associated with increased early- and long-term mortality and morbidity. Targeting modifiable risk factors (eg, avoiding poor renal perfusion, nephrotoxic drugs, and fluid overload) reduces the risk of CS-AKI. There is currently no strong evidence for the routine use of pharmacological approaches (eg, aminophylline, dexmedetomidine, fenoldopam, and steroids) to prevent CS-AKI. There is robust evidence to support the role of early peritoneal dialysis as a nonpharmacologic approach to prevent CS-AKI.

Acute kidney injury following cardiac surgery: current understanding and future directions

Acute kidney injury (AKI) complicates recovery from cardiac surgery in up to 30 % of patients, injures and impairs the function of the brain, lungs, and gut, and places patients at a 5-fold increased risk of death during hospitalization. Renal ischemia, reperfusion, inflammation, hemolysis, oxidative stress, cholesterol emboli, and toxins contribute to the development and progression of AKI. Preventive strategies are limited, but current evidence supports maintenance of renal perfusion and intravascular volume while avoiding venous congestion, administration of balanced salt as opposed to high-chloride intravenous fluids, and the avoidance or limitation of cardiopulmonary bypass exposure. AKI that requires renal replacement therapy occurs in 2–5 % of patients following cardiac surgery and is associated with 50 % mortality. For those who recover from renal replacement therapy or even mild AKI, progression to chronic kidney disease in the ensuing months and years is more likely than for those who do not develop AKI. Cardiac surgery continues to be a popular clinical model to evaluate novel therapeutics, off-label use of existing medications, and nonpharmacologic treatments for AKI, since cardiac surgery is fairly common, typically elective, provides a relatively standardized insult, and patients remain hospitalized and monitored following surgery. More efficient and time-sensitive methods to diagnose AKI are imperative to reduce this negative outcome. The discovery and validation of renal damage biomarkers should in time supplant creatinine-based criteria for the clinical diagnosis of AKI.

Acetaminophen attenuates lipid peroxidation in children undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass

OBJECTIVE

Hemolysis, occurring during cardiopulmonary bypass, is associated with lipid peroxidation and postoperative acute kidney injury. Acetaminophen inhibits lipid peroxidation catalyzed by hemeproteins and in an animal model attenuated rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury. This pilot study tests the hypothesis that acetaminophen attenuates lipid peroxidation in children undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.

DESIGN

Single-center prospective randomized double-blinded study.

SETTING

University-affiliated pediatric hospital.

PATIENTS

Thirty children undergoing elective surgical correction of a congenital heart defect.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomized to acetaminophen (OFIRMEV [acetaminophen] injection; Cadence Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, CA) or placebo every 6 hours for four doses starting before the onset of cardiopulmonary bypass.

MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS

Markers of hemolysis, lipid peroxidation (isofurans and F2-isoprostanes), and acute kidney injury were measured throughout the perioperative period. Cardiopulmonary bypass was associated with a significant increase in free hemoglobin (from a prebypass level of 9.8 ± 6.2 mg/dL to a peak of 201.5 ± 42.6 mg/dL postbypass). Plasma and urine isofuran and F2-isoprostane concentrations increased significantly during surgery. The magnitude of increase in plasma isofurans was greater than the magnitude in increase in plasma F2-isoprostanes. Acetaminophen attenuated the increase in plasma isofurans compared with placebo (p = 0.02 for effect of study drug). There was no significant effect of acetaminophen on plasma F2-isoprostanes or urinary makers of lipid peroxidation. Acetaminophen did not affect postoperative creatinine, urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, or prevalence of acute kidney injury.

CONCLUSION

Cardiopulmonary bypass in children is associated with hemolysis and lipid peroxidation. Acetaminophen attenuated the increase in plasma isofuran concentrations. Future studies are needed to establish whether other therapies that attenuate or prevent the effects of free hemoglobin result in more effective inhibition of lipid peroxidation in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.

Heme Oxygenase-1 and Acute Kidney Injury following Cardiac Surgery

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative hemolysis and inflammation are associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) following cardiac surgery. Plasma-free hemoglobin induces heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression. HO-1 degrades heme but increases in experimental models of AKI. This study tested the hypothesis that plasma HO-1 concentrations are associated with intraoperative hemolysis and are increased in patients that develop AKI following cardiac surgery.

METHODS

We measured plasma HO-1, free hemoglobin, and inflammatory markers in 74 patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). AKI was defined as an increase in serum creatinine concentration of 50% or 0.3 mg/dl within 72 h of surgery.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight percent of patients developed AKI. HO-1 concentrations increased from 4.2 ± 0.2 ng/ml at baseline to 6.6 ± 0.5 ng/ml on postoperative day (POD) 1 (p < 0.001). POD1 HO-1 concentrations were 3.1 ng/ml higher (95% CI 1.1-5.1) in AKI patients, as was the change in HO-1 from baseline to POD1 (4.4 ± 1.3 ng/ml in AKI patients vs. 1.5 ± 0.3 ng/ml in no-AKI patients, p = 0.006). HO-1 concentrations remained elevated in AKI patients even after controlling for AKI risk factors and preoperative drug therapy. Peak-free hemoglobin concentrations correlated with peak HO-1 concentrations on POD1 in patients that developed AKI (p = 0.02). Duration of CPB and post-CPB IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations were also associated with increased HO-1 on POD1.

CONCLUSION

Plasma HO-1 is increased in patients that develop AKI, and CPB duration, hemolysis, and inflammation are associated with increased HO-1 concentrations following cardiac surgery. Strategies that alter hemolysis and HO-1 expression during cardiac surgery may affect risk for AKI.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition or mineralocorticoid receptor blockade do not affect prevalence of atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVE

This study tested the hypothesis that interruption of the renin-angiotensin system with either an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist will decrease the prevalence of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery.

DESIGN

Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study.

SETTING

University-affiliated hospitals.

PATIENTS

Four hundred forty-five adult patients in normal sinus rhythm undergoing elective cardiac surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

One week to 4 days prior to surgery, patients were randomized to treatment with placebo, ramipril (2.5 mg the first 3 days followed by 5 mg/day, with the dose reduced to 2.5 mg/day on the first postoperative day only), or spironolactone (25 mg/day).

MEASUREMENTS

The primary endpoint was the occurrence of electrocardiographically confirmed postoperative atrial fibrillation. Secondary endpoints included acute renal failure, hyperkalemia, the prevalence of hypotension, length of hospital stay, stroke, and death.

MAIN RESULTS

The prevalence of atrial fibrillation was 27.2% in the placebo group, 27.8% in the ramipril group, and 25.9% in the spironolactone group (p=.95). Patients in the ramipril (0.7%) or spironolactone (0.7%) group were less likely to develop acute renal failure than those randomized to placebo (5.4%, p=.006). Patients in the placebo group tended to be hospitalized longer than those in the ramipril or spironolactone group (6.8±8.2 days vs. 5.7±3.2 days and 5.8±3.4 days, respectively, p=.08 for the comparison of placebo vs. the active treatment groups using log-rank test). Compared with patients in the placebo group, patients in the spironolactone group were extubated sooner after surgery (576.4±761.5 mins vs. 1091.3±3067.3 mins, p=.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Neither angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition nor mineralocorticoid receptor blockade decreased the primary outcome of postoperative atrial fibrillation. Treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist was associated with decreased acute renal failure. Spironolactone use was also associated with a shorter duration of mechanical ventilation after surgery.

Comparative effects of angiotensin receptor blockade and ACE inhibition on the fibrinolytic and inflammatory responses to cardiopulmonary bypass

The effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition and angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockade (ARB) on fibrinolysis and inflammation following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are uncertain. This study tested the hypothesis that ACE inhibition enhances fibrinolysis and inflammation to greater extent than ARB in patients undergoing CPB.One week to five days prior to surgery, patients were randomized to ramipril 5mg/day,candesartan 16mg/day or placebo.ACE inhibition increased intraoperative bradykinin and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) concentrations compared to ARB. Both ACE inhibition and ARB decreased plasma transfusion compared to placebo, but only ACE inhibition decreased length of stay. Neither ACE inhibition nor ARB significantly affectedplasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, or IL-10 concentrations. ACE inhibition enhanced intraoperative fibrinolysis without increasing red cell transfusion risk. In contrast, neither ACE inhibition nor ARB affected the inflammatory response. ACE inhibitors and ARB may be safely continued until the day of surgery.