[Gastrointestinal complications after on-pump cardiac surgery]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence and independent predictors of gastrointestinal complications (GICs) following on-pump cardiac surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data of 9559 adults who underwent cardiac surgery in 2012-2017. Two groups of patients were distinguished: group 1 - 47 (0.5%) patients with abdominal complications followed by urgent surgery; group 2 - 9512 (95.5%) patients without complications or effective therapy.

CONCLUSION

1. Predictors of gastrointestinal complications: age >65 years, previous AF (p=0.011) and multifocal atherosclerosis (p=0.016), LV EF <40% (p=0.039), aortic cross-clamping time > 90 min (p=0.021), intraoperative blood loss over 600 ml (p=0.002), postoperative serum creatinine >140 μmol/l (p=0.005), mechanical ventilation >24 hours (p=0.023).

2. Reduced hemodilution during CPB, warm blood cardioplegia, higher perioperative values of Hb, Ht and IDO2 during cardiopulmonary bypass can prevent ischemic injury of abdominal organs during prolonged cardiac surgery.

Evaluation of the cardioprotective effects of crystalloid del Nido cardioplegia solution via a rapid and accurate cardiac marker: heart-type fatty acid-binding protein

Background/aim

Our aim in this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of crystalloid del Nido solution and cold blood cardioplegia solution on clinical and laboratory parameters.

Materials and methods

Sixty patients who underwent elective coronary bypass operation between July 2019 and January 2020 were included in our study. Patients were divided into 2 groups of 30 patients using del Nido solution (DNS) and cold blood cardioplegia solution (CBCS), which were given for cardiac arrest. Demographic data, preoperative, postoperative 0th h, 6th h and 4th day creatine kinase myocardial band (CK-MB) and troponin I values were compared with a specific cardiac enzyme heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP).

Results

We found that aortic cross clamp duration and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time were shorter in patients using del Nido solution than cold blood cardioplegia solution (57.30 ± 23.57 min, 76.07 ± 27.18 min, P = 0.006) (95.07 ± 23.06 min, 114.13 ± 33.93, P = 0.014). Total cardioplegia solution volume was higher in the cold blood cardioplegia solution group (1426.67 ± 416.00 vs. 1200 ± 310.73 P = 0.02). Preoperative and postoperative levels of cardiac enzymes including CK-MB, troponin I and H-FABP were comparable in del Nido solution and cold blood cardioplegia solution groups.

Conclusion

According to these results, when we compare both demographic data and CK-MB, troponin I and H-FABP levels, both cardioplegia solutions were comparable regarding safety and efficacy in terms of myocardial protection.

Comparison of Del Nido and Intermittent Warm Blood Cardioplegia in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery

Purpose: In this study, we aim to investigate the efficacy and clinical results of using Del Nido solution (DNS) in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery by comparing with intermittent warm blood cardioplegia (IWBC).

Methods: Between March 2017 and February 2018, 297 adult patients who underwent primary isolated CABG surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were included in the study. We used DNS in 112 patients and IWBC was used in 185 patients. We compared both the clinical and the laboratory results.

Results: Aortic cross-clamp time, CPB time, and peak glucose level are lower with DNS. But we did not observe any meaningful difference of clinical results between two methods including postoperative myocardial enzyme release.

Conclusion: Del Nido cardioplegia was developed for immature heart and pediatric surgery. But in our opinion, it is a good and useful alternative to CABG surgery with similar results to IWBC.

Impact of minimally invasive extracorporeal circuits on octogenarians undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Have we been looking in the wrong direction?

OBJECTIVES

Minimally invasive extracorporeal circuits (MiECCs) aim at the preservation of physiologic reserves, the impact of which is expected to be most evident in patients in whom these are depleted. In this context, octogenarians present a subpopulation of specific interest.

METHODS

Based on the type of the utilized ECC, we performed a retrospective comparison between all octogenarians (n = 324) who received a primary coronary artery bypass in our institution from 2003 until 2010.

RESULTS

An MiECC was used in 52% of patients. Preoperative variables showed that the MiECC patients were older (83 ± 2 vs 82 ± 2 years; P = 0.001), had higher incidence of renal dysfunction (8% vs 3%; P = 0.04), moderately reduced left ventricular function (43 vs 33%; P = 0.07) and lower incidence of unstable angina (20% vs 28%; P = 0.06). To overcome these differences, a propensity score matching was performed and yielded 126 matched pairs of patients. The overall transfusion of packed red blood cells (2.3 ± 2.3 vs 3.4 ± 3.2 units per patint; P = <0.001), the rate of low cardiac output (0% vs 6%; P = 0.01) and the 30-day postoperative mortality (2.4% vs 9.5%; P = 0.02) were all in favour of the MiECC group in the matched patient population.

CONCLUSIONS

The MiECC concept has shown its benefits regarding both morbidity and mortality in this high-risk patient population. We believe that this beneficial effect finds its reason in a better preservation of physiologic reserves that are essential for a positive outcome in this patient group.

Pre-admission interventions to improve outcome after elective surgery-protocol for a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Poor physical health and fitness increases the risk of death and complications after major elective surgery. Pre-admission interventions to improve patients' health and fitness (referred to as prehabilitation) may reduce postoperative complications, decrease the length of hospital stay and facilitate the patient's recovery. We will conduct a systematic review of RCTs to examine the effectiveness of different types of prehabilitation interventions in improving the surgical outcomes of patients undergoing elective surgery.

METHODS

This review will be conducted and reported according to the Cochrane and PRISMA reporting guidelines. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ISI Web of Science and clinical trial registers will be searched for any intervention administered before any elective surgery (including physical activity, nutritional, educational, psychological, clinical or multicomponent), which aims to improve postoperative outcomes. Reference lists of included studies will be searched, and grey literature including conference proceedings, theses, dissertations and preoperative assessment protocols will be examined. Study quality will be assessed using Cochrane's risk of bias tool, and meta-analyses for trials that use similar interventions and report similar outcomes will be undertaken where possible.

DISCUSSION

This systematic review will determine whether different types of interventions administered before elective surgery are effective in improving postoperative outcomes. It will also determine which components or combinations of components would form the most effective prehabilitation intervention.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42015019191.

Six-years survival and predictors of mortality after CABG using cold vs. warm blood cardioplegia in elective and emergent settings

Background

The aim of this study was to determine whether intermittent warm blood cardioplegia (IWC) is associated with comparable myocardial protection compared to cold blood cardioplegia (ICC) in patients undergoing elective vs. emergent CABG procedures.

Methods

Out of 2292 consecutive patients who underwent isolated on-pump CABG surgery using cardioplegic arrest either with ICC or IWC between January 2008 and December 2010, 247 consecutive emergent patients were identified and consecutively matched 1:2 with elective patients based on gender, age (<50 years, 50–70 years, >70 years) and ejection fraction (<40 %, 40–50 %, >50 %). Perioperative outcomes and long-term mortality were compared between ICC and IWC strategies and predictors for 30-day mortality and perioperative myocardial injury were identified in both elective and emergent subgroups of patients.

Results

Preoperative demographics and baseline characteristics, logistic Euroscore, CPB-time, number of distal anastomoses and LIMA-use were comparable. Aortic cross clamp time was significantly longer in the IWC-group regardless of the urgency of the procedure (p = 0.05 and p = 0.015 for emergent and elective settings). There were no significant differences regarding ICU-stay, ventilation time, total blood loss and need for dialysis. The overall 30-day, 1-, 3- and 6-year survival of the entire patient cohort was 93.7, 91.8, 90.4 and 89.1 %, respectively, with significantly better outcomes when operated electively (p < 0.001) but no differences between ICC and IWC both in elective (p = 0.857) and emergent (p = 0.741) subgroups. Multivariate analysis did not identify the type of cardioplegia as a predictor for 30-day mortality and for perioperative myocardial injury. However, independent factors predictive of 30-day mortality were: EF < 40 % (OR 3.66; 95 % CI: 1.79–7.52; p < 0.001), atrial fibrillation (OR 3.33; 95 % CI: 1.49-7.47; p < 0.003), peripheral artery disease (OR 2.51; 95 % CI: 1.13–5.55; p < 0.023) and COPD (OR 0.26; 95 % CI: 1.05–6.21; p < 0.038); predictors for perioperative myocardial infarction were EF < 40 % (OR 2.04; 95 % CI: 1.32–3.15; p < 0.001), preoperative IABP support (OR 3.68; 95 % CI: 1.34-10.13; p < 0.012), and hemofiltration (OR 3.61; 95 % CI: 2.22–5.87; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Although the aortic cross clamp time was prolonged in the IWC group our results confirm effective myocardial protection under IWC, regardless of the urgency of the procedure. We suggest that intermittent warm cardioplegia in emergent CABG setting is a low-cost alternative and safe. It is associated with similar long-term outcomes both in elective and emergent settings compared to intermittent cold cardioplegia.