Sedation versus general anesthesia for transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Choice of anesthesia technique is associated with earlier hospital discharge and reduced costs after transcatheter transfemoral aortic valve implantation

Background

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become a viable alternative to palliation in patients with severe aortic stenosis. We compared general anesthesia to conscious sedation for TAVI procedures with respect to post operative morbidity, hospital length of stay, and financial burden.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of prospectively collected data in patients undergoing transfemoral TAVI procedures from 2012 to 2017. Patients were matched based on age and sex and classed into either general anesthesia or conscious sedation groups respectively. Conscious sedation was provided with a dexmedetomidine infusion, and patients in general anesthesia group received a standard induction, tracheal intubation, and maintenance with sevoflurane. The hospital case costs were compared between the two groups before and after adjustment for inflation.

Results

We matched 124 pairs for a total of 248 patients. Both groups were similar with respect to demographic data, past medical history, medications, and intraoperative characteristics. There was no difference in postoperative morbidity and mortality between the two groups. The median hospital length of stay was 5 [interquartile range (IQR): 3, 10] and 7 (IQR: 4, 12) days, P=0.01, and after adjustment for inflation, the total hospital case costs were $48,984 (IQR: $44,802, $61,438) Canadian (CAD) vs. $55,333 (IQR: $46,832, $68,702) CAD, P=0.01, in the conscious sedation and general anesthesia groups, respectively.

Conclusions

Advancements in TAVI technologies, conscious sedation and a collaborative, multidisciplinary team approach reduces overall length of hospital stay and procedure costs.

Anti-inflammatory potential of remimazolam: A laboratory and clinical investigation

BACKGROUND

Anesthetic agents, particularly intravenous anesthetics, may affect immune function and tumorigenic factors. We herein investigated whether the anti-inflammatory effects of anesthetic agents are attributed to their antioxidant properties. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of remimazolam, a new anesthetic, remain unclear. We hypothesized that remimazolam exerts anti-inflammatory effects due to its antioxidant properties, which may affect the postoperative inflammatory response. This retrospective clinical study examined this hypothesis using laboratory and clinical approaches.

METHODS

The antioxidant effects of remimazolam and dexmedetomidine were assessed by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, and postoperative inflammatory responses were compared in 143 patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement at Kindai University Hospital between April 2021 and December 2022. The primary endpoint was the presence or absence of the antioxidant effects of the anesthetics themselves using ESR.

RESULTS

Remimazolam at clinical concentrations exerted antioxidant effects, whereas dexmedetomidine did not. Increases in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels on POD3 from preoperative values were significantly smaller in the remimazolam group than in the dexmedetomidine group (1.33 ± 1.29 vs. 2.17 ± 1.84, p = .014).

CONCLUSIONS

Remimazolam exerted stronger anti-inflammatory effects than dexmedetomidine, and these effects were enhanced by its antioxidant properties, which may have affected postoperative CRP production.

Intraoperative Corticosteroids and Pacemaker Implantation After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has revolutionized the treatment of aortic stenosis. However, conduction disturbances leading to pacemaker implantation remain a common complication, increasing morbidity and mortality in these patients. Hence, measures to lower its incidence should be taken, and corticosteroid therapy could be effective by reducing inflammation caused by direct mechanical trauma to the conduction system.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, analyzing the medical records of patients with native severe aortic stenosis who underwent transfemoral TAVR in 2022. The Chi-square test was used to compare the rate of pacemaker implantation in patients who received corticosteroids with patients who didn't. The statistical significance was considered for a p-value <0.05.

RESULTS

A total of 341 patients were included in this study. Monitored anesthesia care was the preferred anesthetic technique (99.1%). Sixty-three point three percent (63.3%) of patients received corticosteroids at the beginning of the procedure. Corticosteroid administration did not significantly affect the incidence of permanent pacemaker implantation (p=0.277), vascular complications on the access site (p=0.765), or in-hospital mortality (p=0.909). Male gender, 1st-degree atrioventricular block, and right branch block were the only identified predictors of permanent pacemaker implantation after transfemoral TAVR (p=0.041 <0.001 and <0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Corticosteroid administration at the beginning of TAVR doesn't seem to influence the incidence of permanent pacemaker implantation, which can suggest that other factors play a more important role in the development of conduction disturbances leading to pacemaker implantation.

Sedation with propofol/remifentanil versus dexmedetomidine / remifentanil for patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implant: A retrospective study between 2012 and 2019

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Percutaneous implantation of an aortic valve prosthesis is a therapeutic alternative for patients with severe aortic stenosis. The procedure is traditionally performed under general anaesthesia; however, sedation is now gaining in popularity because it reduces the need for vasoactive drugs and shortens the patient's stay in the critical care unit and on the ward. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy, safety and potential benefits of sedation with dexmedetomidine in patients undergoing percutaneous implantation of an aortic valve prosthesis in terms of haemodynamic and respiratory complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of 222 patients that had undergone percutaneous implantation of an aortic valve prosthesis between 2012 and 2019 under sedation with either dexmedetomidine plus remifentanil (DEX-RMF) or propofol plus remifentanil (PROPO-RMF). We collected data on complications, mainly haemodynamic and respiratory, during and after the procedure.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found between sedation with dexmedetomidine and propofol (in combination with remifentanil) in terms of haemodynamic stability and intraprocedural cerebral blood oxygen. In the DEX-RMF group, however, mean blood pressure, midazolam dose, and duration of anaesthesia were lower compared with the PROPO-RMF group, but the incidence of haemodynamic and respiratory complications did not differ significantly between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that sedation, particularly with adjuvant dexmedetomidine, is a valid anaesthetic techniques in percutaneous aortic valve prosthesis implantation.

Postoperative delirium after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

To perform an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of postoperative delirium (POD) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

METHODS

We conducted a systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases from the time of the first human TAVR procedure in 2002 until December 24, 2021, which was supplemented by manual searches of bibliographies. Data were collected on incidence rates, risk factors, and/or associated mortality of POD after TAVR. Pooled analyses were conducted using random effects models to yield mean differences, odds ratios, hazard ratios, and risk ratios, with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

A total of 70 articles (69 studies) comprising 413,389 patients were included. The study heterogeneity was substantial. The pooled mean incidence of POD after TAVR in all included studies was 9.8% (95% CI: 8.7%-11.0%), whereas that in studies using validated tools to assess for delirium at least once a day for at least 2 consecutive days after TAVR was 20.7% (95% CI: 17.8%-23.7%). According to the level of evidence and results of meta-analysis, independent preoperative risk factors with a high level of evidence included increased age, male sex, prior stroke or transient ischemic attack, atrial fibrillation/flutter, weight loss, electrolyte abnormality, and impaired Instrumental Activities of Daily Living; intraoperative risk factors included non-transfemoral access and general anesthesia; and acute kidney injury was a postoperative risk factor. POD after TAVR was associated with significantly increased mortality (pooled unadjusted RR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.79-2.71; pooled adjusted RR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.25-2.10), particularly long-term mortality (pooled unadjusted HR: 2.84, 95% CI: 1.91-4.23; pooled adjusted HR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.30-2.73).

CONCLUSIONS

POD after TAVR is common and is associated with an increased risk of mortality. Accurate identification of risk factors for POD after TAVR and implementation of preventive measures are critical to improve prognosis.

The safety of early discharge following transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement under general anesthesia

Background

There is growing evidence of the safety of same-day discharge for low-risk conscious sedated TAVR patients. However, the evidence supporting the safety of early discharge following GA-TAVR with routine transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is limited.

Aims

To assess the safety of early discharge following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) using General Anesthesia (GA-TAVR) and identify predictors for patient selection.

Materials and methods

We used data from 2,447 TEE-guided GA-TAVR patients performed at Cedars-Sinai between 2016 and 2021. Patients were categorized into three groups based on the discharge time from admission: 24 h, 24–48 h, and >48 h. Predictors for 30-day outcomes (cumulative adverse events and death) were validated on a matched cohort of 24 h vs. >24 h using the bootstrap model.

Results

The >48 h group had significantly worse baseline cardiovascular profile, higher surgical risk, low functional status, and higher procedural complications than the 24 h and the 24–48 h groups. The rate of 30-day outcomes was significantly lower in the 24 h than the >48 h but did not differ from the 24–48 h (11.3 vs. 15.5 vs. 11.7%, p = 0.003 and p = 0.71, respectively). Independent poor prognostic factors of 30-day outcomes had a high STS risk of ≥8 (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.30–2.77, E-value = 3.2, P < 0.001), low left ventricle ejection fraction of <30% (OR 6.0, 95% CI 3.96–9.10, E-value = 11.5, P < 0.001), and life-threatening procedural complications (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.20–5.89, E-value = 4.7, P = 0.04). Our formulated predictors showed a good discrimination ability for patient selection (AUC: 0.78, 95% CI 0.75–0.81).

Conclusion

Discharge within 24 h following GA-TAVR using TEE is safe for selected patients using our proposed validated predictors.

Interventional echocardiography: Opportunities and challenges in an emerging field

The growth of transcatheter structural heart disease interventions has created a subspecialty of interventional imagers who focus on preprocedural planning and the periprocedural guidance of these complex cases. In particular interventional imagers who focus on periprocedural guidance have developed a specific expertise in interventional transesophageal echocardiography (iTEE). This nascent field has challenges in training, reimbursement, and occupational hazards which are unique to this field. This review encompasses the evolution of iTEE, current challenges, and future opportunities.

Institutional infrastructural preconditions and current perioperative anaesthesia practice in patients undergoing transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a cross-sectional study in German heart centres

OBJECTIVES

Transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TF-TAVI) is an established therapy for patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis, which requires periprocedural anaesthesia care. In 2015, the German Federal Joint Committee released a directive on minimally invasive heart valve interventions which defines institutional infrastructural requirements in German heart centres. But still generally accepted expert consensus recommendations or national or international guidelines regarding periprocedural anaesthesia management for TF-TAVI are lacking. This nationwide cross-sectional study had two major objectives: first to assess the concordance with existing national regulations regarding infrastructural requirements and second to evaluate the status quo of periprocedural anaesthesia management for patients undergoing TF-TAVI in German heart centres.

DESIGN

Multicentre cross-sectional online study to evaluate the periprocedural anaesthesia management.

SETTING

In this nationwide cross-sectional study, electronic questionnaires were sent out to anaesthesia departments at TF-TAVI-performing centres in Germany in March 2019.

PARTICIPANTS

78 anaesthesia departments of German heart centres.

RESULTS

54 (69.2%) centres returned the questionnaire of which 94.4% stated to hold regular Heart Team meetings, 75.9% to have ready-to-use heart-lung machines available on-site, 77.8% to have cardiac surgeons and 66.7% to have perfusionists routinely attending throughout TF-TAVI procedures. Regarding periprocedural anaesthesia management, 41 (75.9%) of the participating centres reported to predominantly use 'monitored anaesthesia care' and 13 (24.1%) to favour general anaesthesia. 49 (90.7%) centres stated to use institutional standard operating procedures for anaesthesia. Five-lead ECG, central venous lines, capnometry and intraprocedural echocardiography were reported to be routine measures in 85.2%, 83.3%, 77.8% and 51.9% of the surveyed heart centres.

CONCLUSIONS

The concordance with national regulations, anaesthesia management and in-house standards for TF-TAVI vary broadly among German heart centres. According to the opinion of the authors, international expert consensus recommendations and/or guidelines would be helpful to standardise peri interventional anaesthesia care.

Same Day Discharge during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Highly Selected Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Patients

Background

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with a standardized clinical pathway allows most patients to achieve safe next-day discharge. This approach has been successfully implemented across global centers as part of the Benchmark Program. Considering restricted hospital resources resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, a modified same day discharge (SDD) clinical pathway was implemented for selected TAVR patients at a single Benchmark site.

Methods

All patients accepted for TAVR were assessed for the SDD clinical pathway. Eligibility criteria included adequate social support and accessibility to the TAVR program post-discharge. Patients with preexisting conduction disease were excluded. The clinical pathway comprised of mobilization, bloodwork and electrocardiogram 4 hours post-TAVR and discharge ≥8 hours following groin hemostasis.

Results

From June to December 2020, 142 patients underwent TAVR at a single community Benchmark site. Of those, 29 highly selected patients were successfully discharged the same day using the SDD clinical pathway. There were no vascular access complications, permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation, or mortality in the SDD group during index admission or at 30-day follow-up. When compared to a standard therapy group, there was no statistically significant difference in 30-day cardiovascular readmission.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the safety and feasibility of same day discharge post-TAVR in a highly selected cohort of patients, with no observable difference in safety outcomes when compared to patients who were discharged according to standard institutional practice.Abbreviations: AS: aortic stenosis; ACT: Activated clotting time; AV: atrioventricular; AVB: atrioventricular block; BBB: bundle branch block; CAIC: Canadian Society for Cardiovascular Angiography; CCL: cardiac catheterization laboratory; CT: Computed topography; CV: cardiovascular; IQR: Interquartile Range; IVCD: intraventricular conduction delay; LBBB: left bundle branch block; LOS: length of stay; NDD: next day discharge; PPM: permanent pacemaker; RBBB: right bundle branch block; SCAI: Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention; SD: standard deviation; SDD: same day discharge; ST: standard therapy; STS PROM: society of thoracic surgeons predicted risk of mortality; TAVR: transcatheter aortic valve replacement; TF: transfemoral; THV: transcatheter heart valve; TTE: transthoracic echocardiogram; VARC: Valve Academic Research Consortium

Incidence, Predictors, and Outcomes of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Insights From the Society of Thoracic Surgeons/American College of Cardiology National Cardiovascular Data Registry-Transcatheter Valve Therapy Registry

[Figure: see text].

General anesthesia vs. sedation in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI): retrospective study of the incidence of acute kidney injury

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Anesthetic techniques have been reported as having an impact on acute kidney injury (AKI) incidence in the postoperative period in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). This study aimed to assess whether exists an association between anesthetic approach in patients undergoing TAVI and the post-operative AKI incidence. The existence of association between anesthetic approach and mortality was also assessed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective, single-center, observational study was conducted at the Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, a Portuguese reference center. All patients undergoing TAVI from January 2015 to June 2018 were recruited and were divided into two groups for analysis: general anesthesia (GA) and sedation.

RESULTS

One hundred and seven patients underwent TAVI (GA: n = 24; sedation: n = 83) and the overall incidence of AKI was 14.02%. We found a higher incidence of intraoperative hypotension in the GA group (83.3 vs. 33.7%, p < 0.001). Regarding postoperative outcomes, there were no significant differences in AKI incidence (20.8 vs. 12.0%, p = 0.319) and mortality. A significant association was found between postoperative AKI and preexisting chronic kidney disease (CKD), preoperative heart failure functional class, intraoperative hypotension, longer length of stay in level II unit, longer hospital stay and worsening of previous CKD stage.

CONCLUSIONS

It was not possible to established association between the anesthetic approach for TAVI procedures and postoperative AKI and mortality. Our study reinforces the importance of preventing AKI incidence, considering its impact on the worsening of baseline CKD and on the length of stay, leading to higher hospitalization costs.

TAVR: A Review of Current Practices and Considerations in Low-Risk Patients

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an established treatment for severe, symptomatic, aortic stenosis (AS) in patients of all risk categories and now comprises 12.5% of all aortic valve replacements. TAVR is a less invasive alternative to traditional surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), with equivalent or superior outcomes. The use of TAVR has increased rapidly. The success and increase in use of TAVR are a result of advances in technology, greater operator experience, and improved outcomes. Indications have recently expanded to include patients considered to be at low risk for SAVR. While TAVR outcomes have improved, remaining challenges include the management of coexistent coronary artery disease, prevention of periprocedural stroke, and issue of durability. These issues are even more relevant for low-risk, younger patients.

Reducing Opioid Use in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery - Preoperative, Intraoperative, and Critical Care Strategies

Patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery are exposed to opioids in the operating room and intensive care unit and after hospital discharge. Opportunities exist to reduce perioperative opioid use at all stages of care and include alternative oral and intravenous medications, novel intraoperative regional anesthetic techniques, and postoperative opioid-sparing sedative and analgesic strategies. In this review, currently used and investigational strategies to reduce the opioid burden for cardiothoracic surgical patients are explored.

Current Anesthetic Care of Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Europe: Results of an Online Survey

OBJECTIVES

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become an alternative treatment for patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis not eligible for surgical valve replacement due to a high periprocedural risk or comorbidities. However, there are several areas of debate concerning the pre-, intra- and post-procedural management. The standards and management for these topics may vary widely among different institutions and countries in Europe.

DESIGN

Structured web-based, anonymized, voluntary survey.

SETTING

Distribution of the survey via email among members of the European Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiology working in European centers performing TAVR between September and December 2018.

PARTICIPANTS

Physicians.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The survey consisted of 25 questions, including inquiries regarding number of TAVR procedures, technical aspects of TAVR, medical specialities present, preoperative evaluation of TAVR candidates, anesthesia regimen, as well as postoperative management. Seventy members participated in the survey. Reporting members mostly performed 151-to-300 TAVR procedures per year. In 90% of the responses, a cardiologist, cardiac surgeon, cardiothoracic anesthesiologist, and perfusionist always were available. Sixty-six percent of the members had a national curriculum for cardiothoracic anesthesia. Among 60% of responders, the decision for TAVR was made preoperatively by an interdisciplinary heart team with a cardiothoracic anesthesiologist, yet in 5 countries an anesthesiologist was not part of the decision-making. General anesthesia was employed in 40% of the responses, monitored anesthesia care in 44%, local anesthesia in 23%, and in 49% all techniques were offered to the patients. In cases of general anesthesia, endotracheal intubation almost always was performed (91%). It was stated that norepinephrine was the vasopressor of choice (63% of centers). Transesophageal echocardiography guiding, whether performed by an anesthesiologist or cardiologist, was used only ≤30%. Postprocedurally, patients were transferred to an intensive care unit by 51.43% of the respondents with a reported nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:2 or 1:3, to a post-anesthesia care unit by 27.14%, to a postoperative recovery room by 11.43%, and to a peripheral ward by 10%.

CONCLUSION

The results indicated that requirements and quality indicators (eg, periprocedural anesthetic management, involvement of the anesthesiologist in the heart team, etc) for TAVR procedures as published within the European guideline are largely, yet still not fully implemented in daily routine. In addition, anesthetic TAVR management also is performed heterogeneously throughout Europe.