Inflammation and coagulation following minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation technologies

Benefit of minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation on minimally invasive aortic valve replacement through right lateral mini-thoracotomy using femoral cannulation: a propensity-matched analysis

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation on blood transfusion and asymptomatic brain injury in comparison to conventional extracorporeal circulation in the context of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement through right lateral mini-thoracotomy surgery.

METHODS

This was a retrospective observational study. Patients who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement through right lateral mini-thoracotomy surgery were divided into two groups: the minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation group and the conventional extracorporeal circulation group. Propensity matching was employed for further analysis.

RESULTS

Of 242 patients, the minimally invasive group and conventional group comprised 166 patients and 76 patients, respectively. In the matched cohort of 71 pairs, the two groups had similar preoperative characteristics. Extracorporeal circulation time was similar between the minimally invasive and conventional groups: 113 and 115 min, respectively, as was aortic clamp time: 86 and 82 min, respectively. Estimated amount of haemodilution was lower in the minimally invasive group (16.8 vs. 18.8%, P = 0.006). Blood transfusion frequency during surgery was less than half of conventional in the minimally invasive group (12.7 vs. 31.0%, P = 0.01). There were no deaths or stroke in either group during the hospital stay. Asymptomatic brain injury rate was the same for the two groups (35.2 vs. 35.2%, P = 1.00).

CONCLUSIONS

Minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation was associated with fewer patients requiring transfusion than conventional extracorporeal circulation without an increase of asymptomatic brain injury in minimally invasive aortic valve replacement through right lateral mini-thoracotomy surgery.

Influence of minimal invasive extracorporeal circuits on dialysis dependent patients undergoing cardiac surgery

INTRODUCTION

Cardiac surgery in patients on chronic renal dialysis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Minimally invasive extracorporeal circuits (MiECC) have shown a positive impact on patient outcome in different high-risk populations. This retrospective study compares the outcome of these high-risk patients undergoing heart surgery either with a MiECC or a conventional extracorporeal circulation (CECC).

METHODS

This is a single-center experience including 131 consecutive dialysis dependent patients undergoing cardiac surgery between January 2006 and December 2016. A propensity score matching was employed leaving 30 matched cases in each group.

RESULTS

After propensity score matching the 30-day mortality was significantly lower in the MiECC group (n = 3 (10%) vs n = 10 (33%) in the CECC group, p = .028). Further, intraoperative transfused units of packed red blood cells were lower in the MiECC group (1.4 ± 1.8 units vs 2.8 ± 1.7, p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

There are evident advantages to using MiECC in dialysis dependent patients, especially regarding mortality. These findings necessitate additional research in MiECC usage in high-risk populations.

Coagulation after paediatric miniaturised versus conventional cardiopulmonary bypass: Retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) causes coagulation disorders after surgery. This study aimed to compare the coagulation parameters after congenital cardiac surgery with miniaturised CPB (MCPB) versus conventional CPB (CCPB).

METHODS

We gathered information about children who underwent cardiac surgery between 1/1/2016 and 12/31/2019. Using propensity score-matched data, we compared the coagulation parameters and postoperative outcomes of the MCPB and CCPB groups.

RESULTS

A total of 496 patients (327 with MCPB, 169 withCCPB) underwent congenital cardiac surgery, and 160 matched pairs in each group were enrolled in the analysis. Compared with CCPB children, MCPB children had a lowermean prothrombin time (14.9 ± 2.0 vs 16.4 ± 4.1; p < 0.001)and international normalised ratio (1.3 ± 0.2 vs. 1.4 ± 0.3; p < 0.001), but higher thrombin time (23.4 ± 20.4 vs 18.2 ± 4.4; p = 0.002). The CCPB group had greaterperioperative changes inprothrombin time, international normalised ratio, fibrinogen, and antithrombin III activity (all p < 0.01) but lower perioperative changesin thrombin time (p = 0.001) thanthe MCPB group. Ultra-fasttrack extubation and blood transfusionrates, postoperative blood loss, and intensive care unitlength of stay were considerably decreased in the MCPB group. There were no considerable intergroup differences in the activated partial thromboplastin time or platelet count.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with CCPB, MCPB was associated with lower coagulation changes and better early outcomes, including shorter intensive care unit stay and less postoperative blood loss.

A modified low-priming cardiopulmonary bypass system in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with medium risk of transfusion: A randomized controlled trial

Objectives

The FUWAI-SAVE system is a modified low-priming cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) system. The study aimed to explore whether the FUWAI-SAVE system can reduce the perioperative blood transfusion and its impact on other postoperative complications during cardiac surgery.

Metohds

This study was a single-center, single-blind, randomized controlled trial, registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (identifier: ChiCTR2100050488). Adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB and intermediate risk for transfusion risk stratification were randomly assigned to an intervention group (FUWAI-SAVE group) or a control group (conventional group). The primary endpoint of the study was the peri-CPB red blood cell transfusion (RBC) rate. The secondary endpoints included the transfusion rate of other blood products, the amount of blood products transfused, the incidence of major complications, in-hospital mortality, and others.

Results

360 patients were randomized from December 9, 2021, to January 30, 2023. The rate of the primary endpoint was significantly lower in the FUWAI-SAVE group compared to the control group [ OR (95%CI): 0.649 (0.424-0.994)]. Meanwhile, the amount of RBC transfusion during the peri-CPB period was significantly lower in the FUWAI-SAVE group compared to the control group, with a mean difference of -0.626 (-1.176 to -0.076) units. The occurrence rate of major complications did not differ significantly between the two groups.

Conclusions

Among adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB, the application of the FUWAI-SAVE system significantly reduced RBC transfusion rate and amount. The FUWAI-SAVE system can be considered an important component of comprehensive blood management strategies in cardiac surgery.

Adverse renal effects associated with cardiopulmonary bypass

Cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with postoperative renal dysfunction, one of the most common complications of this surgical cohort. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with increased short-term morbidity and mortality and has been the focus of much research. There is increasing recognition of the role of AKI as the key pathophysiological state leading to the disease entities acute and chronic kidney disease (AKD and CKD). In this narrative review, we will consider the epidemiology of renal dysfunction after cardiac surgery on CPB and the clinical manifestations across the spectrum of disease. We will discuss the transition between different states of injury and dysfunction, and, importantly, the relevance to clinicians. The specific facets of kidney injury on extracorporeal circulation will be described and the current evidence evaluated for the use of perfusion-based techniques to reduce the incidence and mitigate the complications of renal dysfunction after cardiac surgery.

Severe coagulopathy and inflammation occurred after resection of giant right ventricular intimal sarcoma with cardiopulmonary bypass: a case report

BACKGROUND

Primary malignant cardiac tumors are rare in clinic, and surgical resection under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) remains the main treatment. The non-physiological perfusion process of CPB leads to contact activation, and the resulting coagulopathy and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) are common complications. However, it is difficult to predict the impact of foreign tumor fragments on this pathophysiological process once they enter the bloodstream, making this phenomenon more complex and challenging.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of cardiac intimal sarcoma who developed severe coagulopathy and widespread inflammation after excision of massive right ventricular tumor and replacement of tricuspid valve by median sternotomy under CPB. Although the procedure was expected to cause tumor cell necrosis and precautions were taken, uncontrolled massive postoperative bleeding, persistent fever, abnormally elevated inflammatory markers, and recurrent malignant arrhythmias occurred after surgery. In addition to common factors, the most possible underlying mechanism is contact activation triggered following surgical procedure for intimal sarcoma with CPB.

CONCLUSION

Patients with intracardiac malignant tumors are at a high risk for serious contact activation during CPB. Preventive application of comprehensive anti-inflammatory measures such as drugs and adsorptive CPB technology, as well as point-of-care (POC) monitoring of coagulation status will be helpful for individualized guidance and optimization of CPB management, and improvement of patient prognosis.

The Role of «Novel» Biomarkers of Systemic Inflammation in the Development of Early Hospital Events after Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients with Aortic Stenosis

INTRODUCTION

The pathogenesis of aortic stenosis includes the processes of chronic inflammation, calcification, lipid metabolism disorders, and congenital structural changes. The goal of our study was to determine the predictive value of novel biomarkers of systemic inflammation and some hematological indices based on the numbers of leukocytes and their subtypes in the development of early hospital medical conditions after mechanical aortic valve replacement in patients with aortic stenosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a cohort study involving 363 patients who underwent surgical intervention for aortic valve pathology between 2014 and 2020. The following markers of systemic inflammation and hematological indices were studied: SIRI (Systemic Inflammation Response Index), SII (Systemic Inflammation Index), AISI (Aggregate Index of Systemic Inflammation), NLR (Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio), PLR (Platelet/Lymphocyte Ratio), and MLR (Monocyte/Lymphocyte Ratio). Associations of the levels of these biomarkers and indices with the development of in-hospital death, acute kidney injury, postoperative atrial fibrillation, stroke/acute cerebrovascular accident, and bleeding were calculated.

RESULTS

According to an ROC analysis, an SIRI > 1.5 (p < 0.001), an SII > 718 (p = 0.002), an AISI > 593 (p < 0.001), an NLR > 2.48 (p < 0.001), a PLR > 132 (p = 0.004), and an MLR > 0.332 (p < 0.001) were statistically significantly associated with in-hospital death. Additionally, an SIRI > 1.5 (p < 0.001), an NLR > 2.8 (p < 0.001), and an MLR > 0.392 (p < 0.001) were associated with bleeding in the postoperative period. In a univariate logistic regression, SIRI, SII, AISI, and NLR were statistically significant independent factors associated with in-hospital death. In a multivariate logistic regression model, SIRI was the most powerful marker of systemic inflammation.

CONCLUSION

SIRI, SII, AISI, and NLR as novel biomarkers of systemic inflammation were associated with in-hospital mortality. Of all markers and indices of systemic inflammation in our study, SIRI was the strongest predictor of a poor outcome in the multivariate regression model.

The Significance of Simple Inflammatory Markers in Off Pump Surgery-Review

The inflammatory background of coronary artery disease is gaining more attention in recent times. Off pump surgery is minimally invasive type of surgical revascularization with relatively low number of applications in cardiac surgery centers worldwide that allows for perioperative inflammatory reactions minimalization. The simple inflammatory markers (neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelets to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic inflammatory index (SII), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI)) possess a clinically significant impact on patients' prognosis and may help to improve patients' long-term results. The review presents the current knowledge regarding their utility in clinical practice. Assessment of inflammatory indices obtained from whole blood count analysis allows to indicate those patients who need scrupulous follow-up due to predicted worse long-term survival. Perioperative measurement and analysis of simple whole blood counts is inexpensive and easily available and may improve the results of surgical revascularization by better identification of patients at higher risk of worse outcomes.

Minimized Extracorporeal Circulation Is Associated with Reduced Plasma Levels of Free-Circulating Mitochondrial DNA Compared to Conventional Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Secondary Analysis of an Exploratory, Prospective, Interventional Study

The use of minimized extracorporeal circulation (MiECC) during cardiac surgery is associated with a reduced inflammatory reaction compared to conventional cardiopulmonary bypass (cCPB). Since it is unknown if MiECC also reduces the amount of free-circulating mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), this study aims to compare MiECC-induced mtDNA release to that of cCPB as well as to identify potential relations between the plasma levels of mtDNA and an adverse outcome. Overall, 45 patients undergoing cardiac surgery with either cCPB or MiECC were included in the study. MtDNA encoding for NADH dehydrogenase 1 was quantified with quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The plasma amount of mtDNA was significantly lower in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with MiECC compared to cCPB (MiECC: 161.8 (65.5−501.9); cCPB 190.8 (82−705.7); p < 0.001). Plasma levels of mtDNA showed comparable kinetics independently of the study group and peaked during CPB (MiECC preoperative: 68.2 (26.5−104.9); MiECC 60 min after start of CPB: 536.5 (215.7−919.6); cCPB preoperative: 152.5 (80.9−207.6); cCPB 60 min after start of CPB: 1818.0 (844.2−3932.2); all p < 0.001). Patients offering an mtDNA blood concentration of >650 copies/µL after the commencement of CPB had a 5-fold higher risk for postoperative atrial fibrillation independently of the type of cardiopulmonary bypass. An amount of mtDNA being higher than 650 copies/µL showed moderate predictive power (AUROC 0.71 (0.53−071)) for the identification of postoperative atrial fibrillation. In conclusion, plasma levels of mtDNA were lower in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with MiECC compared to cCPB. The amount of mtDNA at the beginning of the CPB was associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation independent of the type of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in the Context of Extracorporeal Cardiac and Pulmonary Support

Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) systems, including cardiopulmonary bypass, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation have been an irreplaceable part of the cardiothoracic surgeries, and treatment of critically ill patients with respiratory and/or cardiac failure for more than half a century. During the recent decades, the concept of extracorporeal circulation has been extended to isolated machine perfusion of the donor organ including thoracic organs (ex-situ organ perfusion, ESOP) as a method for dynamic, semi-physiologic preservation, and potential improvement of the donor organs. The extracorporeal life support systems (ECLS) have been lifesaving and facilitating complex cardiothoracic surgeries, and the ESOP technology has the potential to increase the number of the transplantable donor organs, and to improve the outcomes of transplantation. However, these artificial circulation systems in general have been associated with activation of the inflammatory and oxidative stress responses in patients and/or in the exposed tissues and organs. The activation of these responses can negatively affect patient outcomes in ECLS, and may as well jeopardize the reliability of the organ viability assessment, and the outcomes of thoracic organ preservation and transplantation in ESOP. Both ECLS and ESOP consist of artificial circuit materials and components, which play a key role in the induction of these responses. However, while ECLS can lead to systemic inflammatory and oxidative stress responses negatively affecting various organs/systems of the body, in ESOP, the absence of the organs that play an important role in oxidant scavenging/antioxidative replenishment of the body, such as liver, may make the perfused organ more susceptible to inflammation and oxidative stress during extracorporeal circulation. In the present manuscript, we will review the activation of the inflammatory and oxidative stress responses during ECLP and ESOP, mechanisms involved, clinical implications, and the interventions for attenuating these responses in ECC.

Postoperative Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Is Associated with Mortality in Adult Patients After Cardiopulmonary Bypass Surgery: A Cohort Study

Background

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) contributes to the development of systemic inflammatory response after cardiothoracic surgery. As a measure of inflammation and immune reaction, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been linked to poor outcomes in a variety of diseases. However, it remains to be seen whether postoperative NLR is associated with CPB patient mortality. The purpose of this research was to explore the prognostic role of the postoperative NLR in adult patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Material/Methods

This study incorporates data from the MIMIC III database, which includes more than 50 000 critically ill patients. The variable of interest was postoperative NLR. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality and the secondary outcomes were 90-day mortality, length of intensive care unit stay, and length of hospital stay.

Results

We enrolled 575 CPB patients. The ROC curve for the postoperative NLR to estimate mortality was 0.741 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.636–0.847, P<0.001), and the critical value was 7.48. There was a significant difference between different postoperative NLR levels in the Kaplan-Meier curve (P=0.045). Furthermore, elevated postoperative NLR was associated with increased hospital mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0–1.1, P=0.021). However, there was no important relationship in these patients between the postoperative NLR levels and 90-day mortality (HR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0–1.5, P=0.465).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that higher postoperative NLR is associated with greater hospital mortality in adult patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

Minimally invasive versus standard extracorporeal circulation system in minimally invasive aortic valve surgery: a propensity score-matched study

OBJECTIVES

The impact of minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation (MiECC) systems on the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (MI-AVR) has still to be defined. This study compared in-hospital and 1 year outcomes of MI-AVR interventions using MiECC systems versus conventional extracorporeal circulation (c-ECC).

METHODS

Data from 288 consecutive patients undergoing primary isolated MI-AVR using MiECC (n = 102) or c-ECC (n = 186) were prospectively collected. Treatment selection bias was addressed by the use of propensity score matching (MiECC vs c-ECC). After propensity score matching, 2 groups of 93 patients each were created.

RESULTS

Compared with c-ECC, MiECC was associated with a higher rate of autologous priming (82.4% vs 0%; P < 0.001) and a greater nadir haemoglobin (9.3 vs 8.7 g/dl; P = 0.021) level and haematocrit (27.9% vs 26.4%; P = 0.023). Patients who had MiECC were more likely to receive ultra-fast-track management (60.8% vs 26.9%; P < 0.001) and less likely to receive blood transfusions (32.7% vs 44%; P = 0.04). The in-hospital mortality rate was 1.1% in the MiECC group and 0% in the c-ECC group (P = 0.5). Those in the MiECC group had reduced rates of bleeding requiring revision (0% vs 5.3%; P = 0.031) and postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) (30.1% vs 44.1%; P = 0.034). The 1-year survival rate was 96.8% and 97.5% for MiECC and c-ECC patients, respectively (P = 0.4).

CONCLUSIONS

MiECC systems were a safe and effective tool in patients who had MI-AVR. Compared with c-ECC, MiECC promotes ultra-fast-track management and provides better clinical outcomes as regards bleeding, blood transfusions and postoperative AF. Thus, by reducing surgical injury and promoting faster recovery, MiECC may further validate MI-AVR interventions.

Hematic Antegrade Repriming: A Reproducible Method to Decrease the Cardiopulmonary Bypass Insult

The current practice of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) requires a preoperative priming of the circuit that is frequently performed with crystalloid solutions. Crystalloid priming avoids massive embolism but is unable to eliminate all microbubbles contained in the circuit. In addition, it causes a sudden hemodilution which is correlated with transfusion requirements and an increased risk of cognitive impairment. Several repriming techniques using autologous blood, collectively termed retrograde autologous priming (RAP), have been demonstrated to reduce the hemodilutional impact of CPB. However, the current heterogeneity in the practice of RAP limits its evidence and benefits. Here, we describe hematic antegrade repriming as an easy and reliable method that could be applied with any circuit in the market to decrease transfusion requirements, emboli, and inflammatory responses, reducing costs and the impact of CPB on postoperative recovery.

Guidelines for enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery. Consensus document of Spanish Societies of Anesthesia (SEDAR), Cardiovascular Surgery (SECCE) and Perfusionists (AEP)

The ERAS guidelines are intended to identify, disseminate and promote the implementation of the best, scientific evidence-based actions to decrease variability in clinical practice. The implementation of these practices in the global clinical process will promote better outcomes and the shortening of hospital and critical care unit stays, thereby resulting in a reduction in costs and in greater efficiency. After completing a systematic review at each of the points of the perioperative process in cardiac surgery, recommendations have been developed based on the best scientific evidence currently available with the consensus of the scientific societies involved.

The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio is associated with postoperative mortality of cardiac surgery

Background

The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been recognized as a useful marker of poor prognosis in non-cardiac surgery patients. But, the prognostic function of NLR in cardiovascular surgery patients still largely unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between postoperative NLR and mortality in cardiac surgery patients.

Methods

Clinical data were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III (MIMIC-III) database. Postoperative day 1 (POD-1) NLR of the patients was calculated. All patients were divided into two groups according to the cut-off value of NLR, which was determined using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Youden Index. The primary death outcomes were 30-day, 90-day and 1-year mortality. Cox proportional hazard analysis was performed to assess the associations between NLR and 1-year mortality. Logistic analysis was performed to assess the associations between NLR and other outcomes. Multivariate analyses were used to control for confounders.

Results

A total of 2,707 cardiac surgery patients were included in this study. The cut-off value of postoperative NLR was 7.28. Elevated postoperative NLR was associated with increased death outcomes including 30-day mortality [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.25, P=0.019], 90-day mortality (adjusted OR 2.49, P=0.001) and 1-year mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.58, P=0.03] of cardiac surgery in cox proportional hazard model. Elevated NLR was also associated with increased risk of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) rate (adjusted OR 3.01, P=0.004), prolonged ICU stays (adjusted OR 2.55, P<0.001), prolonged hospital stays (adjusted OR 3.32, P<0.001) and duration of ventilatory support (adjusted OR 4.16, P<0.001) after adjusting confounders.

Conclusions

Elevated postoperative NLR was significantly associated with increased short-term and long-term mortality, CRRT rate, longer ICU and hospital stay, prolonged ventilation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. NLR is promising to be a readily available and independent prognostic biomarker for patients with cardiac surgery.

Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement: extracorporeal circulation optimization and minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation system evolution

Treatment of aortic valve disease has become less and less invasive during the last years, thanks to progress in anesthesiology, surgical techniques, and perfusion management. In fact, it has been demonstrated that shorter skin incision, combined with ultra-fast-track anesthesia and minimized extracorporeal circuit could improve clinical outcomes. Current evidence shows that minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation system is associated with reduced red blood cells' transfusion rate, improved end-organ perfusion, decreased incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation, air embolism leakage, and so less cerebral accidents with better neurological outcomes. Moreover, the use of a closed circuit seems to be more physiologic for the patients, reducing systemic inflammatory response due to less air-blood contact and the use of biocompatible surfaces. In the literature, the benefits of minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation are described mostly for coronary surgery but few data are nowadays available for minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation during aortic valve replacement. In this article, we describe our perfusion protocol in minimally invasive aortic valve replacement.