Cerebral blood flow and metabolism during cardiopulmonary bypass

Cerebral oxygenation and autoregulation during rewarming on cardiopulmonary bypass

BACKGROUND

Rewarming on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with increased metabolic demands; however, it remains unclear whether cerebral autoregulation is affected during this phase. This RCT aims to describe the effects of 20% supranormal, compared to normal CPB flow, on monitoring signs of inadequate perfusion, oxygenation, and disturbed cerebral autoregulation, during the rewarming phase of CPB.

METHOD

Thirty two patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting were allocated to a Control group (n = 16) receiving a CPB pump flow corresponding to preoperatively measured cardiac output, and an Intervention group (n = 16) receiving the corresponding CPB pump flow increased by 20% during rewarming. Cerebral Oximetry Index (COx) was calculated with the aid of Near Infrared Spectroscopy.

RESULTS

Twenty five patients were included in the data. Results show a median COx value of 0.0 (IQR -0.33-0.5) (Control) and 0.0 (IQR -0.15-0.25) (Intervention), respectively; p = .85 with individual variations within groups. The median cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) was 55 (52-58) (Control) and 61 (54-66) mmHg (Intervention); p = .08. No significant difference in rSO2 values was observed between the groups (58.5% (50-61) versus 64% (58-68); p = .06).

CONCLUSION

The present study showed no difference between increased and normal CPB pump flow with respect to cerebral autoregulation during rewarming. Large variations in cerebral autoregulation were seen at individual level.

Influence of moderate-hypothermia on renal and cerebral haemodynamics and oxygenation during experimental cardiopulmonary bypass in sheep

AIM

Cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) can result in renal and cerebral injury. Intra-operative tissue hypoxia could contribute to such organ injury. Hypothermia, however, may alleviate organ hypoxia. Therefore, we tested whether moderate-hypothermia (30^o C) improves cerebral and renal tissue perfusion and oxygenation during ovine CPB.

METHODS

Ten sheep were studied while conscious, under stable anaesthesia and during 3 hours of CPB. In a randomised within-animal cross-over design, 5 sheep commenced CPB at a target body temperature of 30 ^o C (moderate-hypothermia). After 90 minutes, body temperature was increased to 36 ^o C (standard-procedure). The remaining 5 sheep were randomised to the opposite order of target body temperature.

RESULTS

Compared with the standard-procedure, moderately-hypothermic CPB reduced renal oxygen delivery (-34.8 ± 19.6%, P = 0.003) and renal oxygen consumption (-42.7 ± 35.2%, P = 0.04). Nevertheless, moderately-hypothermic CPB did not significantly alter either renal cortical or medullary tissue PO₂ . Moderately-hypothermic CPB also did not significantly alter cerebral perfusion, cerebral tissue PO₂ , or cerebral oxygen saturation compared with the standard-procedure. Compared with anaesthetised state, standard-procedure reduced renal medullary PO₂ (-21.0 ± 13.8 mmHg, P = 0.014) and cerebral oxygen saturation (65.0 ± 7.0 to 55.4 ± 9.6%, P = 0.022) but did not significantly alter either renal cortical or cerebral PO₂ .

CONCLUSION

Ovine experimental CPB leads to renal medullary tissue hypoxia. Moderately-hypothermic CPB did not improve cerebral or renal tissue oxygenation. In the kidney, this is probably because renal tissue oxygen consumption is matched by reduced renal oxygen delivery.

Effects of Arterial Carbon Dioxide Tension on Cerebral and Somatic Regional Tissue Oxygenation and Blood Flow in Neonates After the Norwood Procedure With Deep Hypothermic Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Neonates undergoing the Norwood procedure for hypoplastic left heart syndrome are at higher risk of impaired systemic oxygen delivery with resultant brain, kidney, and intestinal ischemic injury, shock, and death. Complex developmental, anatomic, and treatment-related influences on cerebral and renal-somatic circulations make individualized treatment strategies physiologically attractive. Monitoring cerebral and renal circulations with near infrared spectroscopy can help drive rational therapeutic interventions. The primary aim of this study was to describe the differential effects of carbon dioxide tension on cerebral and renal circulations in neonates after the Norwood procedure. Using a prospectively-maintained database of postoperative physiologic and hemodynamic parameters, we analyzed the relationship between postoperative arterial carbon dioxide tension and tissue oxygen saturation and arteriovenous saturation difference in cerebral and renal regions, applying univariate and multivariate multilevel mixed regression techniques. Results were available from 7,644 h of data in 178 patients. Increases in arterial carbon dioxide tension were associated with increased cerebral and decreased renal oxygen saturation. Differential changes in arteriovenous saturation difference explained these effects. The cerebral circulation showed more carbon dioxide sensitivity in the early postoperative period, while sensitivity in the renal circulation increased over time. Multivariate models supported the univariate findings and defined complex time-dependent interactions presented graphically. The cerebral and renal circulations may compete for blood flow with critical limitations of cardiac output. The cerebral and renal-somatic beds have different circulatory control mechanisms that can be manipulated to change the distribution of cardiac output by altering the arterial carbon dioxide tension. Monitoring cerebral and renal circulations with near infrared spectroscopy can provide rational physiologic targets for individualized treatment.

Contemporary Neuroprotection Strategies during Cardiac Surgery: State of the Art Review

Open-heart surgery is the leading cause of neuronal injury in the perioperative state, with some patients complicating with cerebrovascular accidents and delirium. Neurological fallout places an immense burden on the psychological well-being of the person affected, their family, and the healthcare system. Several randomised control trials (RCTs) have attempted to identify therapeutic and interventional strategies that reduce the morbidity and mortality rate in patients that experience perioperative neurological complications. However, there is still no consensus on the best strategy that yields improved patient outcomes, such that standardised neuroprotection protocols do not exist in a significant number of anaesthesia departments. This review aims to discuss contemporary evidence for preventing and managing risk factors for neuronal injury, mechanisms of injury, and neuroprotection interventions that lead to improved patient outcomes. Furthermore, a summary of existing RCTs and large observational studies are examined to determine which strategies are supported by science and which lack definitive evidence. We have established that the overall evidence for pharmacological neuroprotection is weak. Most neuroprotective strategies are based on animal studies, which cannot be fully extrapolated to the human population, and there is still no consensus on the optimal neuroprotective strategies for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Large multicenter studies using universal standardised neurological fallout definitions are still required to evaluate the beneficial effects of the existing neuroprotective techniques.

Investigation of the Relationship between Cerebral Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Measurements and Cerebrovascular Event in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Operation in Patients without Carotid Stenosis and Patients with Carotid Stenosis below Surgical Margins

OBJECTIVES

Stroke is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in surgery. In the present study, we examined the cerebral oximetry values of patients with carotid artery stenosis who did not present surgical indications and those who did not present carotid artery stenosis in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery by comparing their cerebral oximetry values with cerebrovascular disease (CVD).

METHODS

Between January and May 2014, 40 patients who underwent isolated CABG were included in the study. Cerebral oximetry probes were placed prior to induction of anesthesia. Cerebral oximetry values were recorded before induction, in the pump (cardiopulmonary bypass) inlet period, in the post-clamp period, in the pump outlet period, and in the intensive care unit and neurological complications.

RESULTS

There was no difference between the groups in terms of demographic data and routine follow-up parameters. Intraoperative surgical data and early postoperative results were similar in both groups. When comparing the groups, there were no statistically significant results in cerebral oximetry values and CVD development. Only one patient in group 2 had postoperative CVD and this patient was discharged from the hospital with right hemiplegia. Mean arterial pressure (MAP)levels were significantly higher in Group 2 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The follow-up of cerebral perfusion with a method like near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) will ensure that MAP is adjusted with interventions that will be made according to changes in NIRS. Thus, it will be possible to avoid unnecessary medication and flow-rate increase with cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) follow-up.

Comparison of cerebral and cutaneous microvascular dysfunction with the development of type 1 diabetes

Rationale: Diabetes can lead to cerebral and cutaneous vascular dysfunction. However, it is still unclear how vascular function changes with the development of diabetes and what differences exist between cerebral and cutaneous vascular dysfunction. Thus, it is very important to monitor changes in cerebral and cutaneous vascular function responses in vivo and study their differences during diabetes development. Methods: With the assistance of newly developed skull and skin optical clearing techniques, we monitored the responses of sodium nitroprusside (SNP)- and acetyl choline (ACh)-induced cerebral and cutaneous vascular blood flow and blood oxygen in diabetic mice in vivo during the development of type 1 diabetes (T1D) by combining laser speckle contrast imaging with hyperspectral imaging. We then compared the differences between cerebral and cutaneous vascular responses and explored the reasons for abnormal changes induced in response to different vascular beds. Results: In the early stage of diabetes (T1D-1 week), there were abnormal changes in the cerebral vascular blood flow and blood oxygen responses to SNP and ACh as well as cutaneous vascular blood oxygen. The cutaneous vascular blood flow response also became abnormal from T1D-3 weeks. Additionally, the T1D-induced abnormal blood flow response was associated with changes in vascular myosin light chain phosphorylation and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3 levels, and the aberrant blood oxygen response was related to an increase in glycated hemoglobin levels. Conclusion: These results suggest that the abnormal cutaneous vascular blood oxygen response occurred earlier than the blood flow response and therefore has the potential to serve as a good assessment indicator for revealing cerebrovascular dysfunction in the early stage of diabetes.

Neuroprotection against stroke and encephalopathy after cardiac surgery

Cerebral ischemia in the perioperative period is a major risk factor for stroke, encephalopathy, and cognitive decline after cardiothoracic surgery. After coronary artery bypass grafting, both stroke and encephalopathy can result in poor patient outcomes and increased mortality. Neuroprotection aims to lessen the severity and occurrence of further injury mediated by stroke and encephalopathy and to aid the recovery of conditions already present. Several pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods of neuroprotection have been investigated in experimental studies and in animal models, and, although some have shown effectiveness in protection of the central nervous system, for most, clinical research is lacking or did not show the expected results. This review summarizes the value and need for neuroprotection in the context of cardiothoracic surgery and examines the use and effectiveness of several agents and methods with an emphasis on clinical trials and clinically relevant neuroprotectants.

A retrospective analysis of the mixed venous oxygen saturation as the target for systemic blood flow control during cardiopulmonary bypass

Objectives:

The patient’s body surface area serves as the traditional reference for the determination of systemic blood flow during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). New strategies refer to different algorithms of oxygen delivery. This study reports on the mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) as the target for systemic blood flow control. We hypothesise that an SvO2>75% (SvO275) is associated with better preservation of renal function and improved short-term survival.

Methods:

This retrospective, 10-year, observational study analysed 6945 consecutive cardiac surgical cases requiring CPB. Endpoints included rates of acute kidney injury (AKI) and short-term survival, also the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), lactate levels and blood transfusions.

Results:

Seventy-seven percent of the patients attained the SvO275 target. For this group, the median SvO2 was 78.1 (5.8) %, with a mean oxygen delivery of 331 (78) ml/min per m2 body surface area. Overall incidence of AKI levels (I-III): 7.5% - 2.6% - 0.6%. Incidence of eGFR (<50%): 3.9%, increasing to 6% for haemoglobin levels <80 g/L (p<0.001). Red cell transfusion was more frequent (p<0.001) within this group (30.6%) compared to levels >100 g/L (0.3%). Further, women (52.8%) were transfused more often than men (14.6%). Lactate level at weaning from CPB was 1.3 (0.7) mmol/L. The SvO275 target demonstrated a relative risk reduction of 22.5% (p=0.032) for AKI (I), increasing to 32.3% (p=0.026) for procedures extending >90 minutes. In addition, the risk for death 90-days postop was lower (p=0.039).

Conclusion:

The SvO275 target showed a decreased risk for postoperative AKI and prolonged short-term survival. Good clinical outcomes were also linked to measures of lactate and the eGFR. However, anaemia remains a risk factor for AKI.

Cerebral blood flow measured by positron emission tomography during normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass: an experimental porcine study

BACKGROUND

Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and/or pump flow during normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are the most important factors of cerebral perfusion. The aim of this study was to explore the influence of CPB blood flow on cerebral blood flow (CBF) measured by dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) using ¹⁵O-labelled water with no pharmacological interventions to maintain the MAP.

METHODS

Eight pigs (69-71 kg) were connected to normothermic CPB. After 60 minutes (min) with a CPB pump flow of 60 mL/kg/min, the pigs were changed to either 35 mL/kg/min or 47.5 mL/kg/min for 60 min and, thereafter, all the pigs returned to 60 mL/kg/min for another 60 min. The MAP was measured continuously and the CBF was measured by positron emission tomography (PET) during spontaneous circulation and at each CPB pump flow after 30 min of steady state.

RESULTS

Two pigs were excluded due to complications. CBF increased from spontaneous circulation to a CPB pump flow of 60 mL/kg/min. A reduction in CPB pump flow to 47.5 mL/kg/min (n=3) resulted in only minor changes in CBF while a reduction to 35 mL/kg/min (n=3) caused a pronounced change (correlation coefficient (R²) 0.56). A return of CPB pump flow to 60 mL/kg/min was followed by an increase in CBF, except in the one pig with the lowest CBF during low flow (R²=0.44). CBF and MAP were not correlated (R²=0.20).

CONCLUSION

In this experimental porcine study, a relationship was observed between pump flow and CBF under normothermic low-flow CPB. The effect of low pump flow on MAP showed substantial variations, with no correlation between CBF and MAP.

Optimal blood pressure during cardiopulmonary bypass defined by cerebral autoregulation monitoring

OBJECTIVES

We sought to define the lower and upper limits of cerebral blood flow autoregulation and the optimal blood pressure during cardiopulmonary bypass. We further sought to identify variables predictive of these autoregulation end points.

METHODS

Cerebral autoregulation was monitored continuously with transcranial Doppler in 614 patients during cardiopulmonary bypass enrolled in 3 investigations. A moving Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated between cerebral blood flow velocity and mean arterial pressure to generate the variable mean velocity index. Optimal mean arterial pressure was defined as the mean arterial pressure with the lowest mean velocity index indicating the best autoregulation. The lower and upper limits of cerebral blood flow autoregulation were defined as the mean arterial pressure at which mean velocity index was increasingly pressure passive (ie, mean velocity index ≥0.4) with declining or increasing blood pressure, respectively.

RESULTS

The mean (± standard deviation) lower and upper limits of cerebral blood flow autoregulation, and optimal mean arterial pressure were 65 ± 12 mm Hg, 84 ± 11 mm Hg, and 78 ± 11 mm Hg, respectively, after adjusting for study enrollment. In 17% of patients, though, the lower limit of cerebral autoregulation was above this optimal mean arterial pressure, whereas in 29% of patients the upper limit of autoregulation was below the population optimal mean arterial pressure. Variables associated with optimal mean arterial pressure based on multivariate regression analysis were nonwhite race (increased 2.7 mm Hg; P = .034), diuretics use (decreased 1.9 mm Hg; P = .049), prior carotid endarterectomy (decreased 5.5 mm Hg; P = .019), and duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (decreased 1.28 per 60 minutes of cardiopulmonary bypass). The product of the duration and magnitude that mean arterial pressure during cardiopulmonary bypass was below the lower limit of cerebral autoregulation was associated with the risk for stroke (P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

Real-time monitoring of autoregulation may improve individualizing mean arterial pressure during cardiopulmonary bypass and improving patient outcomes.

Early-Stage Hyperoxia Is Associated with Favorable Neurological Outcomes and Survival after Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Post-Hoc Analysis of the Brain Hypothermia Study

The effects of hyperoxia on the neurological outcomes of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are still controversial. We examined whether the partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO₂) and hyperoxia were associated with neurological outcomes and survival by conducting post-hoc analyses of the Brain Hypothermia (B-HYPO) study, a multi-center randomized controlled trial of mild therapeutic hypothermia for severe TBI. The differences in PaO₂ and PaO₂/fraction of inspiratory oxygen (P/F) ratio on the 1st day of admission were compared between patients with favorable (n = 64) and unfavorable (n = 65) neurological outcomes and between survivors (n = 90) and deceased patients (n = 39). PaO₂ and the P/F ratio were significantly greater in patients with favorable outcomes than in patients with unfavorable neurological outcomes (PaO₂: 252 ± 122 vs. 202 ± 87 mm Hg, respectively, p = 0.008; P/F ratio: 455 ± 171 vs. 389 ± 155, respectively, p = 0.022) and in survivors than in deceased patients (PaO₂: 242 ± 117 vs. 193 ± 75 mm Hg, respectively, p = 0.005; P/F ratio: 445 ± 171 vs. 370 ± 141, respectively, p = 0.018). Similar tendencies were observed in subgroup analyses in patients with fever control and therapeutic hypothermia, and in patients with an evacuated mass or other lesions (unevacuated lesions). PaO₂ was independently associated with survival (odds ratio 1.008, p = 0.037). These results suggested that early-stage hyperoxia might be associated with favorable neurological outcomes and survival following severe TBI.

Perfusion Pressure Cerebral Infarct (PPCI) trial - the importance of mean arterial pressure during cardiopulmonary bypass to prevent cerebral complications after cardiac surgery: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Background

Debilitating brain injury occurs in 1.6–5 % of patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging studies have reported stroke-like lesions in up to 51 % of patients after cardiac surgery. The majority of the lesions seem to be caused by emboli, but inadequate blood flow caused by other mechanisms may increase ischaemia in the penumbra or cause watershed infarcts. During cardiopulmonary bypass, blood pressure can be below the lower limit of cerebral autoregulation. Although much debated, the constant blood flow provided by the cardiopulmonary bypass system is still considered by many as appropriate to avoid cerebral ischaemia despite the low blood pressure.

Methods/design

The Perfusion Pressure Cerebral Infarct trial is a single-centre superiority trial with a blinded outcome assessment. The trial is randomising 210 patients with coronary vessel and/or valve disease and who are undergoing cardiac surgery with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. Patients are stratified by age and surgical procedure and are randomised 1:1 to either an increased mean arterial pressure (70–80 mmHg) or ‘usual practice’ (40–50 mmHg) during cardiopulmonary bypass.

The cardiopulmonary bypass pump flow is fixed and set at 2.4 L/minute/m² body surface area plus 10–20 % in both groups.

The primary outcome measure is the volume of the new ischaemic cerebral lesions (in mL), expressed as the difference between a baseline, diffusion-weighted, magnetic resonance imaging scan and an equal scan conducted 3–6 days postoperatively. Secondary endpoints are the total number of new ischaemic cerebral lesions, postoperative cognitive dysfunction at discharge and 3 months postoperatively, diffuse cerebral injury evaluated by magnetic resonance spectroscopy and selected biochemical markers of cerebral injury.

The sample size will enable us to detect a 50 % reduction in the primary outcome measure in the intervention compared to the control group at a significance level of 0.05 and with a power of 0.80.

Discussion

This is the first clinical randomised study to evaluate whether the mean arterial pressure level during cardiopulmonary bypass influences the development of brain injuries that are detected by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02185885. Registered on 7 July 2014.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1373-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Cerebral Autoregulation Monitoring with Ultrasound-Tagged Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Cardiac Surgery Patients

BACKGROUND

Individualizing mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) based on cerebral blood flow (CBF) autoregulation monitoring during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) holds promise as a strategy to optimize organ perfusion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of cerebral autoregulation monitoring using microcirculatory flow measured with innovative ultrasound-tagged near-infrared spectroscopy (UT-NIRS) noninvasive technology compared with transcranial Doppler (TCD).

METHODS

Sixty-four patients undergoing CPB were monitored with TCD and UT-NIRS (CerOx™). The mean velocity index (Mx) was calculated as a moving, linear correlation coefficient between slow waves of TCD-measured CBF velocity and MAP. The cerebral flow velocity index (CFVx) was calculated as a similar coefficient between slow waves of cerebral flow index measured using UT-NIRS and MAP. When MAP is outside the autoregulation range, Mx is progressively more positive. Optimal blood pressure was defined as the MAP with the lowest Mx and CFVx. The right- and left-sided optimal MAP values were averaged to define the individual optimal MAP and were the variables used for analysis.

RESULTS

The Mx for the left side was 0.31 ± 0.17 and for the right side was 0.32 ± 0.17. The mean CFVx for the left side was 0.33 ± 0.19 and for the right side was 0.35 ± 0.19. Time-averaged Mx and CFVx during CPB had a statistically significant "among-subject" correlation (r = 0.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22-0.53; P < 0.001) but had only a modest agreement within subjects (bias 0.03 ± 0.20; 95% prediction interval for the difference between Mx and CFVx, -0.37 to 0.42). The MAP with the lowest Mx and CFVx ("optimal blood pressure") was correlated (r = 0.71; 95% CI, 0.56-0.81; P < 0.0001) and was in modest within-subject agreement (bias -2.85 ± 8.54; 95% limits of agreement for MAP predicted by Mx and CFVx, -19.60 to 13.89). Coherence between ipsilateral middle CBF velocity and cerebral flow index values averaged 0.61 ± 0.07 (95% CI, 0.59-0.63).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a statistically significant correlation and agreement between CBF autoregulation monitored by CerOx compared with TCD-based Mx.

Neuroprotective effect of nicorandil through inhibition of apoptosis by the PI3K/Akt1 pathway in a mouse model of deep hypothermic low flow

OBJECTIVE

Nicorandil exerts a protective effect on ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in the brain and kidney through anti-apoptotic mechanisms. However, the mechanism by which nicorandil protects against I/R injury induced by deep hypothermic low flow (DHLF) remains unclear.

METHODS

We used a cerebral I/R model induced by DHLF to determine the neuroprotective effects and possible mechanisms of nicorandil.

RESULTS

Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay were used to detect changes in cell morphology and the number of apoptotic cells in hippocampus, respectively. The apoptotic regulators including Bcl-2, Bax, Akt, and p-Akt (the active, phosphorylated form of Akt) were examined by Western blot (WB). Histopathological findings showed that nicorandil significantly alleviated morphological damage in hippocampal and reduced the number of TUNEL-positive nuclei induced by DHLF. Nicorandil also increased the expression of Bcl-2 and decreased the expression of Bax, while increasing p-Akt level. Consistent with these results, nicorandil-mediated neuroprotection was reduced in the Akt1+/- mutant mice and inhibited by LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings showed that nicorandil provides a neuroprotective role in DHLF-induced I/R injury by inhibiting apoptosis via activation of the PI3K/Akt1 signaling pathway.

Efficacy of near-infrared spectrometry for monitoring the cerebral effects of severe dilutional anemia

INTRODUCTION

Clear guidelines for red cell transfusion during cardiac surgery have not yet been established. The current focus on blood conservation during cardiac surgery has increased the urgency to determine the minimum safe hematocrit for these patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether monitoring of cerebral regional oxygen saturation (rSO2) via near-infrared spectrometry (NIRS) is effective for assessing the cerebral effects of severe dilutional anemia during elective coronary arterial bypass graft surgery (CABG).

METHODS

The prospective observational study involved patients who underwent cerebral rSO2 monitoring by NIRS during elective isolated first-time CABG: an anemic group (N=15) (minimum Hemoglobin (Hb) <7 g/dL at any period during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and a control group (N=15) (Hb >8 g/dL during CPB). Mean arterial pressure (MAP), pump blood flow, blood lactate level, pCO2, pO2 at five time points and cross-clamp time, extracorporeal circulation time were recorded for each patient. Group results statistically were compared.

RESULTS

The anemic group had significantly lower mean preoperative Hb than the control group (10.3 mg/dL versus 14.2 mg/dL; P = .001). The lowest Hb levels were observed in the hypothermic period of CPB in the anemic group. None of the controls exhibited a >20% decrease in cerebral rSO2. Eleven (73.3%) of the anemic patients required an increase in pump blood flow to raise their cerebral rSO2.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the changes in cerebral rSO2 in the patients with low Hb were within acceptable limits, and this was in concordance with the blood lactate levels and blood-gas analysis. It can be suggested that NIRS monitoring of cerebral rSO2 can assist in decision making related to blood transfusion and dilutional anemia during CPB.

Inducible glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase as a therapeutic target against ischemic stroke

SIGNIFICANCE

Glutamate serves multi-faceted (patho)physiological functions in the central nervous system as the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter and under pathological conditions as a potent neurotoxin. Regarding the latter, elevated extracellular glutamate is known to play a central role in ischemic stroke brain injury.

RECENT ADVANCES

Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) has emerged as a new therapeutic target in protecting against ischemic stroke injury. Oxygen-sensitive induction of GOT expression and activity during ischemic stroke lowers glutamate levels at the stroke site while sustaining adenosine triphosphate levels in brain. The energy demands of the brain are among the highest of all organs underscoring the need to quickly mobilize alternative carbon skeletons for metabolism in the absence of glucose during ischemic stroke. Recent work builds on the important observation of Hans Krebs that GOT-mediated metabolism of glutamate generates tri-carboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates in brain tissue. Taken together, outcomes suggest GOT may enable the transformative switch of otherwise excitotoxic glutamate into life-sustaining TCA cycle intermediates during ischemic stroke.

CRITICAL ISSUES

Neuroprotective strategies that focus solely on blocking mechanisms of glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity have historically failed in clinical trials. That GOT can enable glutamate to assume the role of a survival factor represents a paradigm shift necessary to develop the overall significance of glutamate in stroke biology.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Ongoing efforts are focused to develop the therapeutic significance of GOT in stroke-affected brain. Small molecules that target induction of GOT expression and activity in the ischemic penumbra are the focus of ongoing studies.

Granulocyte colony stimulating factor reduces brain injury in a cardiopulmonary bypass-circulatory arrest model of ischemia in a newborn piglet

Ischemic brain injury continues to be of major concern in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery for congenital heart disease. Striatum and hippocampus are particularly vulnerable to injury during these processes. Our hypothesis is that the neuronal injury resulting from CPB and the associated circulatory arrest can be at least partly ameliorated by pre-treatment with granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). Fourteen male newborn piglets were assigned to three groups: deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA), DHCA with G-CSF, and sham-operated. The first two groups were placed on CPB, cooled to 18 °C, subjected to 60 min of DHCA, re-warmed and recovered for 8-9 h. At the end of experiment, the brains were perfused, fixed and cut into 10 µm transverse sections. Apoptotic cells were visualized by in situ DNA fragmentation assay (TUNEL), with the density of injured cells expressed as a mean number ± SD per mm(2). The number of injured cells in the striatum and CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus increased significantly following DHCA. In the striatum, the increase was from 0.46 ± 0.37 to 3.67 ± 1.57 (p = 0.002); in the CA1, from 0.11 ± 0.19 to 5.16 ± 1.57 (p = 0.001), and in the CA3, from 0.28 ± 0.25 to 2.98 ± 1.82 (p = 0.040). Injection of G-CSF prior to bypass significantly reduced the number of injured cells in the striatum and CA1 region, by 51 and 37 %, respectively. In the CA3 region, injured cell density did not differ between the G-CSF and control group. In a model of hypoxic brain insult associated with CPB, G-CSF significantly reduces neuronal injury in brain regions important for cognitive functions, suggesting it can significantly improve neurological outcomes from procedures requiring DHCA.

A multiscale 0-D/3-D approach to patient-specific adaptation of a cerebral autoregulation model for computational fluid dynamics studies of cardiopulmonary bypass

Neurological complication often occurs during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). One of the main causes is hypoperfusion of the cerebral tissue affected by the position of the cannula tip and diminished cerebral autoregulation (CA). Recently, a lumped parameter approach could describe the baroreflex, one of the main mechanisms of cerebral autoregulation, in a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study of CPB. However, the cerebral blood flow (CBF) was overestimated and the physiological meaning of the variables and their impact on the model was unknown. In this study, we use a 0-D control circuit representation of the Baroreflex mechanism, to assess the parameters with respect to their physiological meaning and their influence on CBF. Afterwards the parameters are transferred to 3D-CFD and the static and dynamic behavior of cerebral autoregulation is investigated. The parameters of the baroreflex mechanism can reproduce normotensive, hypertensive and impaired autoregulation behavior. Further on, the proposed model can mimic the effects of anesthetic agents and other factors controlling dynamic CA. The CFD simulations deliver similar results of static and dynamic CBF as the 0-D control circuit. This study shows the feasibility of a multiscale 0-D/3-D approach to include patient-specific cerebral autoregulation into CFD studies.

Duration and magnitude of blood pressure below cerebral autoregulation threshold during cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with major morbidity and operative mortality

OBJECTIVES

Optimizing blood pressure using near-infrared spectroscopy monitoring has been suggested to ensure organ perfusion during cardiac surgery. Near-infrared spectroscopy is a reliable surrogate for cerebral blood flow in clinical cerebral autoregulation monitoring and might provide an earlier warning of malperfusion than indicators of cerebral ischemia. We hypothesized that blood pressure below the limits of cerebral autoregulation during cardiopulmonary bypass would be associated with major morbidity and operative mortality after cardiac surgery.

METHODS

Autoregulation was monitored during cardiopulmonary bypass in 450 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valve surgery. A continuous, moving Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated between the arterial pressure and low-frequency near-infrared spectroscopy signals and displayed continuously during surgery using a laptop computer. The area under the curve of the product of the duration and magnitude of blood pressure below the limits of autoregulation was compared between patients with and without major morbidity (eg, stroke, renal failure, mechanical lung ventilation >48 hours, inotrope use >24 hours, or intra-aortic balloon pump insertion) or operative mortality.

RESULTS

Of the 450 patients, 83 experienced major morbidity or operative mortality. The area under the curve of the product of the duration and magnitude of blood pressure below the limits of autoregulation was independently associated with major morbidity or operative mortality after cardiac surgery (odds ratio, 1.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.71; P = .008).

CONCLUSIONS

Blood pressure management during cardiopulmonary bypass using physiologic endpoints such as cerebral autoregulation monitoring might provide a method of optimizing organ perfusion and improving patient outcomes from cardiac surgery.

Cerebral blood flow autoregulation is preserved after continuous-flow left ventricular assist device implantation

OBJECTIVE

To compare cerebral blood flow (CBF) autoregulation in patients undergoing continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation with that in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

DESIGN

Prospective, observational, controlled study.

SETTING

Academic medical center.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifteen patients undergoing LVAD insertion and 10 patients undergoing CABG.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Cerebral autoregulation was monitored with transcranial Doppler and near-infrared spectroscopy. A continuous Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated between mean arterial pressure (MAP) and CBF velocity and between MAP and near-infrared spectroscopic data, rendering the variables mean velocity index (Mx) and cerebral oximetry index (COx), respectively. Mx and COx approach 0 when autoregulation is intact (no correlation between CBF and MAP), but approach 1 when autoregulation is impaired. Mx was lower during and immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass in the LVAD group than in the CABG group, indicating better-preserved autoregulation. Based on COx monitoring, autoregulation tended to be better preserved in the LVAD group than in the CABG group immediately after surgery (p = 0.0906). On postoperative day 1, COx was lower in the LVAD group than in the CABG group, indicating preserved CBF autoregulation (p = 0.0410). Based on COx monitoring, 3 patients (30%) in the CABG group had abnormal autoregulation (COx ≥0.3) on the first postoperative day but no patient in the LVAD group had this abnormality (p = 0.037).

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that CBF autoregulation is preserved during and immediately after surgery in patients undergoing LVAD insertion.

Blood pressure excursions below the cerebral autoregulation threshold during cardiac surgery are associated with acute kidney injury

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether mean arterial blood pressure excursions below the lower limit of cerebral blood flow autoregulation during cardiopulmonary bypass are associated with acute kidney injury after surgery.

SETTING

Tertiary care medical center.

PATIENTS

Four hundred ten patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Autoregulation was monitored during cardiopulmonary bypass by calculating a continuous, moving Pearson's correlation coefficient between mean arterial blood pressure and processed near-infrared spectroscopy signals to generate the variable cerebral oximetry index. When mean arterial blood pressure is below the lower limit of autoregulation, cerebral oximetry index approaches 1, because cerebral blood flow is pressure passive. An identifiable lower limit of autoregulation was ascertained in 348 patients. Based on the RIFLE criteria (Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss of kidney function, End-stage renal disease), acute kidney injury developed within 7 days of surgery in 121 (34.8%) of these patients. Although the average mean arterial blood pressure during cardiopulmonary bypass did not differ, the mean arterial blood pressure at the limit of autoregulation and the duration and degree to which mean arterial blood pressure was below the autoregulation threshold (mm Hg × min/hr of cardiopulmonary bypass) were both higher in patients with acute kidney injury than in those without acute kidney injury. Excursions of mean arterial blood pressure below the lower limit of autoregulation (relative risk 1.02; 95% confidence interval 1.01 to 1.03; p < 0.0001) and diabetes (relative risk 1.78; 95% confidence interval 1.27 to 2.50; p = 0.001) were independently associated with for acute kidney injury.

CONCLUSIONS

Excursions of mean arterial blood pressure below the limit of autoregulation and not absolute mean arterial blood pressure are independently associated with for acute kidney injury. Monitoring cerebral oximetry index may provide a novel method for precisely guiding mean arterial blood pressure targets during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Validation of a stand-alone near-infrared spectroscopy system for monitoring cerebral autoregulation during cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND

Individualizing arterial blood pressure (ABP) targets during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) based on cerebral blood flow (CBF) autoregulation monitoring may provide a more effective means for preventing cerebral hypoperfusion than the current standard of care. Autoregulation can be monitored in real time with transcranial Doppler (TCD). We have previously demonstrated that near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-derived regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rS(c)O(2)) provides a clinically suitable surrogate of CBF for autoregulation monitoring. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of a stand-alone "plug-and-play" investigational system for autoregulation monitoring that uses a commercially available NIRS monitor with TCD methods.

METHODS

TCD monitoring of middle cerebral artery CBF velocity and NIRS monitoring were performed in 70 patients during CPB. Indices of autoregulation were computed by both a personal computer-based system and an investigational prototype NIRS-based monitor. A moving linear correlation coefficient between slow waves of ABP and CBF velocity (mean velocity index [Mx]) and between ABP and rS(c)O(2) (cerebral oximetry index [COx]) were calculated. When CBF is autoregulated, there is no correlation between CBF and ABP; when CBF is dysregulated, Mx and COx approach 1 (i.e., CBF and ABP are correlated). Linear regression and bias analysis were performed between time-averaged values of Mx and COx derived from the personal computer-based system and from COx measured with the prototype monitor. Values for Mx and COx were categorized in 5 mm Hg bins of ABP for each patient. The lower limit of CBF autoregulation was defined as the ABP where Mx incrementally increased to ≥0.4.

RESULTS

There was correlation and good agreement between COx derived from the prototype monitor and Mx (r = 0.510; 95% confidence interval, 0.414-0.595; P < 0.001; bias, -0.07 ± 0.19). The correlation and bias between the personal computer-based COx and the COx from the prototype NIRS monitor were r = 0.957 (95% confidence interval, 0.945-0.966; P < 0.001 and 0.06 ± 0.06, respectively). The average ABP at the lower limit of autoregulation was 63 ± 11 mm Hg (95% prediction interval, 52-74 mm Hg). Although the mean ABP at the COx-determined lower limit of autoregulation determined with the prototype monitor was statistically different from that determined by Mx (59 ± 9 mm Hg; 95% prediction interval, 50-68 mm Hg; P = 0.026), the difference was not likely clinically meaningful.

CONCLUSIONS

Monitoring CBF autoregulation with an investigational stand-alone NIRS monitor is correlated and in good agreement with TCD-based methods. The availability of such a device would allow widespread autoregulation monitoring as a means of individualizing ABP targets during CPB.

SjO2/SvO2 correlation during pediatric cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass

OBJECTIVES

To compare the SjO2 (cerebral oxygenation indicator) and SvO2 (cardiac output indicator) during pediatric cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

METHODS

Retrospective study. Data of SjO2 and SvO2 measured simultaneously at critical time periods during cardiac surgery with CPB were analyzed by the Spearman correlation test and Bland- Altman plot.

RESULTS

Regression analysis of the pooled data showed poor correlation between SjO2 and SvO2 (r²=0.14, P=0.03) and Bland- Altman plot had a high bias (-7.9), indicating independency of the two variables. SjO2<50% (indicative of cerebral ischemia-hypoxia) were observed in 50% of the measurements after rewarming during hypothermic CPB.

CONCLUSIONS

SvO2 is not a good predictor of SjO2 during pediatric cardiac surgery with CPB, and low SjO2 can be undetected measuring SvO2 only.

Predicting the limits of cerebral autoregulation during cardiopulmonary bypass

BACKGROUND

Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) targets are empirically chosen during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We have previously shown that near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can be used clinically for monitoring cerebral blood flow autoregulation. The hypothesis of this study was that real-time autoregulation monitoring using NIRS-based methods is more accurate for delineating the MAP at the lower limit of autoregulation (LLA) during CPB than empiric determinations based on age, preoperative history, and preoperative blood pressure.

METHODS

Two hundred thirty-two patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft and/or valve surgery with CPB underwent transcranial Doppler monitoring of the middle cerebral arteries and NIRS monitoring. A continuous, moving Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated between MAP and cerebral blood flow velocity and between MAP and NIRS data to generate mean velocity index and cerebral oximeter index. When autoregulated, there is no correlation between cerebral blood flow and MAP (i.e., mean velocity and cerebral oximetry indices approach 0); when MAP is below the LLA, mean velocity and cerebral oximetry indices approach 1. The LLA was defined as the MAP at which mean velocity index increased with declining MAP to ≥ 0.4. Linear regression was performed to assess the relation between preoperative systolic blood pressure, MAP, MAP in 10% decrements from baseline, and average cerebral oximetry index with MAP at the LLA.

RESULTS

The MAP at the LLA was 66 mm Hg (95% prediction interval, 43 to 90 mm Hg) for the 225 patients in which this limit was observed. There was no relationship between preoperative MAP and the LLA (P = 0.829) after adjusting for age, gender, prior stroke, diabetes, and hypertension, but a cerebral oximetry index value of >0.5 was associated with the LLA (P = 0.022). The LLA could be identified with cerebral oximetry index in 219 (94.4%) patients. The mean difference in the LLA for mean velocity index versus cerebral oximetry index was -0.2 ± 10.2 mm Hg (95% CI, -1.5 to 1.2 mm Hg). Preoperative systolic blood pressure was associated with a higher LLA (P = 0.046) but only for those with systolic blood pressure ≤ 160 mm Hg.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a wide range of MAP at the LLA in patients during CPB, making estimation of this target difficult. Real-time monitoring of autoregulation with cerebral oximetry index may provide a more rational means for individualizing MAP during CPB.

Effect of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest followed by low-flow cardiopulmonary bypass on brain metabolism in newborn piglets: comparison of pH-stat and α-stat management

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of pH-stat and α-stat management before deep hypothermic circulatory arrest followed by a period of low-flow (two rates) cardiopulmonary bypass on cortical oxygenation and selected regulatory proteins: Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, and phospho-Akt.

DESIGN

Piglets were placed on cardiopulmonary bypass, cooled with pH-stat or α-stat management to 18 °C over 30 mins, subjected to 30-min deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and 1-hr low flow at 20 mL/kg/min (LF-20) or 50 mL/kg/min (LF-50), rewarmed to 37 °C, separated from cardiopulmonary bypass, and recovered for 6 hrs.

SUBJECTS

Newborn piglets, 2-5 days old, assigned randomly to experimental groups.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Cortical oxygen was measured by oxygen-dependent quenching of phosphorescence; proteins were measured by Western blots. The means from six experiments ± sem are presented as % of α-stat. Significance was determined by Student's t test. For LF-20, cortical oxygenation was similar for α-stat and pH-stat, whereas for LF-50, it was significantly better using pH-stat. For LF-20, the measured proteins were not different except for Bax in the cortex (214 ± 24%, p = .006) and hippocampus (118 ± 6%, p = .024) and Caspase 3 in striatum (126% ± 7%, p = .019). For LF-50, in pH-stat group: In cortex, Bax and Caspase-3 were lower (72 ± 8%, p = .001 and 72 ± 10%, p = .004, respectively) and pAkt was higher (138 ± 12%, p = .049). In hippocampus, Bcl-2 and Bax were not different but pAkt was higher (212 ± 37%, p = .005) and Caspase 3 was lower (84 ± 4%, p = .018). In striatum, Bax and pAkt did not differ, but Bcl-2 increased (146 ± 11%, p = .001) and Caspase-3 decreased (81 ± 11%, p = .042).

CONCLUSIONS

In this deep hypothermic circulatory arrest-LF model, when flow was 20 mL/kg/min, there was little difference between α-stat and pH-stat management. However, for LF-50, pH-stat management resulted in better cortical oxygenation during recovery and Bax, Bcl-2, pAk, and Caspase-3 changes were consistent with lesser activation of proapoptotic signaling with pH-stat than with α-stat.

Real-time continuous monitoring of cerebral blood flow autoregulation using near-infrared spectroscopy in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Individualizing mean arterial blood pressure targets to a patient's cerebral blood flow autoregulatory range might prevent brain ischemia for patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). This study compares the accuracy of real-time cerebral blood flow autoregulation monitoring using near-infrared spectroscopy with that of transcranial Doppler.

METHODS

Sixty adult patients undergoing CPB had transcranial Doppler monitoring of middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity and near-infrared spectroscopy monitoring. The mean velocity index (Mx) was calculated as a moving, linear correlation coefficient between slow waves of middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity and mean arterial blood pressure. The cerebral oximetry index was calculated as a similar coefficient between slow waves of cerebral oximetry and mean arterial blood pressure. When cerebral blood flow is autoregulated, Mx and cerebral oximetry index vary around zero. Loss of autoregulation results in progressively more positive Mx and cerebral oximetry index.

RESULTS

Mx and cerebral oximetry index showed significant correlation (r=0.55, P<0.0001) and good agreement (bias, 0.08+/-0.18, 95% limits of agreement: -0.27 to 0.43) during CPB. Autoregulation was disturbed in this cohort during CPB (average Mx 0.38, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.43). The lower cerebral blood flow autoregulatory threshold (defined as incremental increase in Mx >0.45) during CPB ranged from 45 to 80 mm Hg.

CONCLUSIONS

Cerebral blood flow autoregulation can be monitored continuously with near-infrared spectroscopy in adult patients undergoing CPB. Real-time autoregulation monitoring may have a role in preventing injurious hypotension during CPB. Clinical Trials Registration- at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00769691).

Impaired autoregulation of cerebral blood flow during rewarming from hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass and its potential association with stroke

BACKGROUND

Patient rewarming after hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has been linked to brain injury after cardiac surgery. In this study, we evaluated whether cooling and then rewarming of body temperature during CPB in adult patients is associated with alterations in cerebral blood flow (CBF)-blood pressure autoregulation.

METHODS

One hundred twenty-seven adult patients undergoing CPB during cardiac surgery had transcranial Doppler monitoring of the right and left middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity. Eleven patients undergoing CPB who had arterial inflow maintained at >35 degrees C served as controls. The mean velocity index (Mx) was calculated as a moving, linear correlation coefficient between slow waves of middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity and mean arterial blood pressure. Intact CBF-blood pressure autoregulation is associated with an Mx that approaches 0. Impaired autoregulation results in an increasing Mx approaching 1.0. Comparisons of time-averaged Mx values were made between the following periods: before CPB (baseline), during the cooling and rewarming phases of CPB, and after CPB. The number of patients in each phase of CPB with an Mx >4.0, indicative of impaired CBF autoregulation, was determined.

RESULTS

During cooling, Mx (left, 0.29 +/- 0.18; right, 0.28 +/- 0.18 [mean +/- SD]) was greater than that at baseline (left, 0.17 +/- 0.21; right, 0.17 +/- 0.20; P <or= 0.0001). Mx increased during the rewarming phase of CPB (left, 0.40 +/- 0.19; right, 0.39 +/- 0.19) compared with baseline (P <or= 0.001) and the cooling phase (P <or= 0.0001), indicating impaired CBF autoregulation. After CPB, Mx (left, 0.27 +/- 0.20; right, 0.28 +/- 0.21) was higher than at baseline (left, P = 0.0004; right, P = 0.0003), no different than during the cooling phase, but lower than during rewarming (left, P <or= 0.0001; right, P <or= 0.0005). Forty-three patients (34%) had an Mx >or=0.4 during the cooling phase of CPB and 68 (53%) had an average Mx >or=0.4 during rewarming. Nine of the 11 warm controls had an average Mx >or=0.4 during the entire CPB period. There were 7 strokes and 1 TIA after surgery. All strokes were in patients with Mx >or= 0.4 during rewarming (P = 0.015). The unadjusted odds ratio for any neurologic event (stroke or transient ischemic attack) for patients with Mx >or= 0.4 during rewarming was 6.57 (95% confidence interval, 0.79 to 55.0, P < 0.08).

CONCLUSIONS

Hypothermic CPB is associated with abnormal CBF-blood pressure autoregulation that is worsened with rewarming. We found a high rate of strokes in patients with evidence of impaired CBF autoregulation. Whether a pressure-passive CBF state during rewarming is associated with risk for ischemic brain injury requires further investigation.

Cardiopulmonary bypass management and neurologic outcomes: an evidence-based appraisal of current practices

Neurologic complications after cardiac surgery are of growing importance for an aging surgical population. In this review, we provide a critical appraisal of the impact of current cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) management strategies on neurologic complications. Other than the use of 20-40 microm arterial line filters and membrane oxygenators, newer modifications of the basic CPB apparatus or the use of specialized equipment or procedures (including hypothermia and "tight" glucose control) have unproven benefit on neurologic outcomes. Epiaortic ultrasound can be considered for ascending aorta manipulations to avoid atheroma, although available clinical trials assessing this maneuver are limited. Current approaches for managing flow, arterial blood pressure, and pH during CPB are supported by data from clinical investigations, but these studies included few elderly or high-risk patients and predated many other contemporary practices. Although there are promising data on the benefits of some drugs blocking excitatory amino acid signaling pathways and inflammation, there are currently no drugs that can be recommended for neuroprotection during CPB. Together, the reviewed data highlight the deficiencies of the current knowledge base that physicians are dependent on to guide patient care during CPB. Multicenter clinical trials assessing measures to reduce the frequency of neurologic complications are needed to develop evidence-based strategies to avoid increasing patient morbidity and mortality.

Effects of pH management during deep hypothermic bypass on cerebral oxygenation: alpha-stat versus pH-stat

OBJECTIVE

There is a remarkable lack of scientific evidence to support the option to use alpha-stat or pH-stat management, as to which is more beneficial to brain protection during deep hypothermic CPB. This study examined cortical blood flow (CBF), cerebral oxygenation, and brain oxygen consumption in relation to deep hypothermic CPB with alpha-stat or pH-stat management.

METHODS

Twenty-two pigs were cooled with alpha-stat or pH-stat during CPB to 15 degrees C esophageal temperature. CBF and cerebral oxygenation were measured continuously with a laser flowmeter and near-infrared spectroscopy, respectively. Brain oxygen consumption was measured with standard laboratory techniques.

RESULTS

During CPB cooling, CBF was significantly decreased, about 52.2%+/-6.3% (P<0.01 vs 92.6%+/-6.5% of pH-stat) at 15 degrees C in alpha-stat, whereas there were no significant changes in CBF in pH-stat. While cooling down, brain oxygen extraction (OER) progressively decreased, about 9.5%+/-0.9% and 10.9%+/-1.5% at 15 degrees C in alpha-stat and pH-stat, respectively. At 31 degrees C the decreased value in pH-stat was lower than in alpha-stat (29.9%+/-2.7% vs 22.5%+/-1.9%; P<0.05). The ratio of CBF/OER were 2.0+/-0.3 in alpha-stat and pH-stat, respectively; it was kept in constant level in alpha-stat, and significantly increased by 19 degrees C to 15 degrees C in pH-stat (4.9+/-0.9 vs 2.3+/-0.4; P<0.01). In mild hypothermia, cerebral oxyhemoglobin and oxygen saturation in alpha-stat were greater than that in pH-stat (102.5%+/-1.4% vs 99.1%+/-0.7%; P<0.05). In deep hypothermia, brain oxygen saturation in pH-stat was greater than that in alpha-stat (99.2%+/-1.0% vs 93.8%+/-1.0%; P<0.01), and deoxyhemoglobin in pH-stat decreased more greatly than that in alpha-stat (28.7%+/-6.8% vs 54.1%+/-4.7%; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In mild hypothermic CPB, brain tissue oxygen saturation was greater in alpha-stat than in pH-stat. However, cerebral oxygenation and brain tissue oxygen saturation were better in pH-stat than in alpha-stat during profound hypothermia. PH-stat strategy provided much more oxygen to brain tissue before deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Effects of hemodilution and phenylephrine on cerebral blood flow and metabolism during cardiopulmonary bypass

OBJECTIVE

Hypotension resulting from hemodilution on cardiopulmonary bypass is often treated by pressor (eg, phenylephrine) infusion. The effect of phenylephrine on cerebral blood flow (CBF) in this setting is not clear. It was hypothesized that phenylephrine might decrease CBF.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Six different radioactively labeled microspheres (15 microm) were used to measure CBF at 6 time points (T) in 9 pigs (mean body weight 11.3 +/- 1.2 kg): T1 baseline before bypass (mean arterial pressure [MAP] 76 +/- 5 mmHg), T2 on mildly hypothermic CPB (34 degrees C, pump flow 100 mL/kg/min, hematocrit 30%, MAP 79 +/- 7 mmHg), T3 after moderate hemodilution with crystalloid (hematocrit 20%, resulting MAP 62 +/- 6 mmHg), T4 after phenylephrine administration to increase MAP to baseline values (hematocrit 20%), T5 after severe hemodilution (hematocrit 10%, resulting MAP 41 +/- 4 mmHg), and T6 after phenylephrine administration to normalize MAP (hematocrit 10%). In addition, blood flow to liver, small bowel and skeletal muscle, and pH of jugular venous blood were measured at each time point. After institution of CPB, the CBF (mL/min/100 g tissue) increased significantly to 53 +/- 9 (baseline levels 44 +/- 8, T1 v T2, p = 0.03). Hemodilution resulted in significant increases in CBF on CPB to 65 +/- 9 and 90 +/- 9 at hematocrit 20% and hematocrit 10%, respectively (T2 v T3, p = 0.03; T3 v T5, p = 0.01) and a progressive fall in jugular venous pH. At each level of hemodilution, phenylephrine resulted in an additional increase in CBF (T4, 74 +/- 8; T6, 108 +/- 12; T3 v T4, p = 0.04; T5 v T6, p = 0.01) but did not improve jugular venous pH. Changes in liver blood flow after hemodilution and vasopressor injection showed a similar pattern to CBF. However, the blood flow to small bowel and skeletal muscle increased with hemodilution but decreased significantly with phenylephrine administration.

CONCLUSIONS

Phenylephrine redirects blood flow from the bowel and muscle to the brain and liver. Hemodilution increases CBF and pressor administration further increases CBF by elevating perfusion pressure. Maintenance of a higher hematocrit on CPB increases MAP and should decrease the need for vasopressor administration.

Cerebral ischemia caused by obstructed superior vena cava cannula is detected by near-infrared spectroscopy

OBJECTIVE

Bicaval venous cannulation is being used with increasing frequency in neonates and infants to avoid circulatory arrest. However, superior vena cava (SVC) cannula obstruction may result in cerebral ischemia with no change in blood pressure or mixed venous O2 saturation. The authors hypothesized that near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) would allow noninvasive detection of SVC cannula obstruction.

METHODS

Fifteen Yorkshire piglets (9.07 +/- 0.20 kg) underwent total cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (100 mL/kg/min, pH-stat strategy, hematocrit of 20%) with ascending aortic and bicaval cannulations. Femoral arterial and SVC pressure were monitored as well as mixed venous O2 saturation. NIRS monitoring of tissue oxygenation index (TOI) as well as oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin (HHb) was undertaken. Animals were cooled to an esophageal temperature of 25 degrees C over 20 minutes. CPB flow was reduced to 50 mL/kg/min for 20 minutes. Animals then underwent a 60-minute study period of continuous CPB at 50 mL/kg/min with manipulation of the SVC cannula: group 1, open; group 2, partial occlusion; and group 3, complete occlusion. Animals were rewarmed to 37 degrees C at full flow with the SVC cannula open. Cerebral blood flow was assessed at onset of CPB, at end of cooling, at end of low flow, at end of SVC manipulation period, and at end of rewarming using radioactive microspheres.

RESULTS

CBF decreased to 27.9 +/- 1.5 mL/min/100 g with complete occlusion (p < 0.01 v group 1: 39.7 +/- 1.9, group 2, 38.3 +/- 2.0 mL/min/100 g) with no change in arterial pressure or mixed venous saturation. There were also significant differences in cerebral oxygen delivery between group 3 and other groups (p < 0.01). SVC pressure increased to 19.5 +/- 4.5 and 32.5 +/- 3.1mmHg with partial and complete occlusion. NIRS indicated significant cerebral ischemia with a decrease in TOI (p < 0.05; group 3 v group 1 and 2) and an increase in HHb (p < 0.05; group 3 v group 1). At the end of the study, significant acidosis was found in group 3 compared with group 1 (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

SVC cannula obstruction causes cerebral ischemia with no change in blood pressure or venous oxygen saturation. In view of the difficulties and risks of CVP monitoring in babies, it is recommended to use other monitoring modalities such as NIRS to assess adequacy of cerebral perfusion if bicaval cannulation is used in neonates and infants.

Hemodilution elevates cerebral blood flow and oxygen metabolism during cardiopulmonary bypass in piglets

BACKGROUND

Hemodilution continues to be widely used during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for both adults and children. Previous studies with nonbypass models have suggested that an increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) compensates for the reduced oxygen-carrying capacity; however, this increased CBF is achieved by an increase in cardiac output. We hypothesized that even with the fixed-flow perfusion of CPB, CBF would be increased during hemodilution.

METHODS

Two experiments were conducted and analyzed separately. In each experiment, 10 piglets were randomized to two different groups, one with a total blood prime yielding a high hematocrit (25% or 30%), and the other with a crystalloid prime resulting in a low hematocrit (10% or 15%). Animals were cooled with pH-stat strategy at full flow (100 or 150 mL.kg(-1).min(-1)) to a nasopharyngeal temperature of 15 degrees C, a period of low flow (50 mL.kg(-1).min(-1)) preceding deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (45 or 60 minutes), and a period of rewarming at full flow. Cerebral blood flow was measured at the beginning of CPB, at the end of cooling, at the end of low flow, 5 minutes after the start of rewarming, and at the end of rewarming by injection of radioactive microspheres.

RESULTS

Mean arterial pressure was significantly greater with higher hematocrit at each time point (p< 0.05). Cerebral blood flow and the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen decreased during cooling and further during low flow bypass but were significantly greater with lower hematocrit during mild hypothermia and at the end of rewarming (p< 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Hemodilution is associated with decreased perfusion pressure, increased CBF and increased the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen during hypothermic CPB.

The influence of pH strategy on cerebral and collateral circulation during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass in cyanotic patients with heart disease: results of a randomized trial and real-time monitoring

OBJECTIVE

The optimal pH strategy during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass remains controversial. Systemic pulmonary collateral circulation may develop in patients with cyanotic anomalies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of pH strategies on cerebral oxygenation and systemic pulmonary collateral circulation during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass in cyanotic patients with heart disease.

METHODS

Forty cyanotic patients (age > 1 year) with heart disease were prospectively randomized into 2 groups. Group 1 (n = 19, 14.3 +/- 1.5 kg) underwent hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass with alpha-stat strategy and group 2 (n = 21, 12.5 +/- 0.9 kg) with pH-stat. Cardiopulmonary bypass was established with pump-assisted drainage. Cerebral oxygenation was assessed by near-infrared spectroscopy and the systemic pulmonary collateral circulation was calculated by pump flows [% systemic pulmonary collateral circulation = perfusion flow - drainage flow)/perfusion flow x 100]. Lactate was measured as an index of systemic anaerobic metabolism.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in preoperative hematocrit, oxygen saturation, Qp/Qs, cardiopulmonary bypass duration, minimum temperatures, perfusion flow and pressure, urine output, and depth of anesthesia between the groups. Oxyhemoglobin signal and tissue oxygenation index of near-infrared spectroscopy monitoring were significantly lower in group 1 compared with group 2 (P =.008 and P <.0001, respectively), suggesting inadequate cerebral oxygenation with alpha-stat. Deoxygenated hemoglobin signal was significantly higher in group 1 relative to group 2 (P <.0001). The % systemic pulmonary collateral circulation was significantly lower in group 2 compared with group 1, suggesting a reduced pulmonary collateral circulation with pH-stat (P <.0001, average; group 1, 20.1% +/- 1.2%; group 2; 7.7% +/- 0.7%). Serum lactate was significantly lower in group 2 (P <.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The pH-stat strategy results in an improved environment, including sufficient cerebral oxygenation, decreased systemic pulmonary collateral circulation, and lower lactate level during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass in cyanotic patients with heart disease. Future studies should investigate the long-term neurological outcome.

Effects of hypothermia on neuronal-vascular function after cerebral ischemia in piglets

We determined whether cerebral arteriolar dilation to N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA), a response dependent on stimulation of cortical neurons and inhibited by anoxic stress, would be preserved by hypothermia during and following ischemia. Pial arteriolar diameters in anesthetized piglets were determined via intravital microscopy. Arteriolar responses to NMDA (10, 50, and 100 micromol/l) were measured before and 1 h after 10 min of global ischemia. Piglets were exposed to either total body or selective brain cooling (33-34 degrees C). Arteriolar dilation to lower doses or to 100 micromol/l NMDA was not affected by hypothermia alone (51 +/- 3 vs. 46 +/- 7%, normothermia vs. hypothermia; n = 7) in nonischemic animals. However, arteriolar responses to 100 micromol/l NMDA were clearly attenuated after ischemia despite body cooling during ischemia (53 +/- 3 vs. 32 +/- 6%; n = 8), hypothermia during ischemia and early reperfusion (49 +/- 10 vs. 20 +/- 3%; n = 8), or selective brain cooling (48 +/- 5 vs. 20 +/- 5%; n = 10). In contrast, pretreatment with indomethacin resulted in complete preservation of NMDA-induced vasodilation after ischemia. Thus, hypothermia fails to protect against neuronal dysfunction during ischemia.

Increasing mean arterial blood pressure has no effect on jugular venous oxygen saturation in insulin-dependent patients during tepid cardiopulmonary bypass

Preexisting diabetes mellitus is one of the major factors related to adverse postoperative neurological disorders after cardiac surgery. In previous reports, we found that diabetic patients more often experienced cerebral desaturation than nondiabetic patients during normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of increasing mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) by the administration of phenylephrine on internal jugular venous oxygen hemoglobin saturation (SjvO2) during tepid CPB in diabetic patients. We studied 20 diabetic patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery and, as a control, 20 age-matched nondiabetic patients. After the induction of anesthesia, a fiberoptic oximetry catheter was inserted into the right jugular bulb to monitor SjvO2. After measuring the baseline partial pressure of the arterial and jugular venous blood gases and cardiovascular hemodynamic values, MAP was increased by the repeated administration of a 10-microg bolus of phenylephrine until it reached 100% of baseline values. There was a significant difference in SjvO2 value between the Diabetic and CONTROL GROUPs after the administration of phenylephrine (Diabetic group, 56% +/- 6%;

CONTROL GROUP

60% +/- 4%) (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in the arterial-jugular oxygen content difference value between the Diabetic and CONTROL GROUPs after the administration of phenylephrine (diabetic group, 4.9% +/- 0.6%; CONTROL GROUP, 4.5% +/- 0.4%) (P < 0.05). We subdivided the Diabetic group into three groups (Diet Therapy group [n = 4], Glibenclamide group [n = 10], and Insulin-Dependent group [n = 6]). There was a significant difference in the mean slopes of SjvO2 versus cerebral perfusion pressure for increasing cerebral perfusion pressure between the Insulin-Dependent group and the other groups (Dunnett test: P = 0.04). Increasing MAP had no effects on the SjvO2 value in insulin-dependent patients during tepid CPB.

IMPLICATIONS

We examined the effects of increasing mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) by the administration of phenylephrine on internal jugular venous oxygen saturation (SjvO2) during tepid cardiopulmonary bypass in diabetic patients and found that increasing MAP had no effect on the SjvO2 value in insulin-dependent patients.