Antiphospholipid syndrome, cardiac surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass

Surgical outcomes of cardiac surgery in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review

BackgroundAntiphospholipid syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus are autoimmune inflammatory conditions involving multiple organs and sharing various clinical aspects. Owing to the scarcity of data about the surgical outcomes of these autoimmune disorders, we conducted a systematic review to assess the outcomes for patients with these diagnoses undergoing heart surgery and contextualize the findings regarding high-risk cardiac surgeries.MethodsA thorough search of PubMed, Embase and Scopus used Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses standards to find articles that involved patients who underwent heart surgery and had antiphospholipid syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus. Inclusion criteria concentrated on a definitive diagnosis, while case reports and studies lacking data on surgical outcomes were excluded. Using the Joanna Briggs Institute's methodologies, quality evaluation categorized studies according to their risk of bias.ResultsFourteen studies with 277 patients and a prevalence of middle-aged females met the inclusion criteria out of 6381 papers. The major preoperative comorbidity in the cohort was a history of thromboembolic events (43%). Thromboembolic complications (6%) and catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (2%), even with appropriate anticoagulation, were notable early post-operative outcomes. Six percent of people died within 30 days. Data from follow-up studies showed a 14% death rate and a 23% frequency of thromboembolic events.ConclusionsWith the striking exception of a high frequency of thromboembolic complications and catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome, surgical results in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus are analogous to those in high-risk cardiac procedures. Improving surgical care for this susceptible population requires an understanding of these hazards.

Anesthetic Management of a Jehovah's Witness Patient for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting With Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome and Renal Transplant

Anesthesia for cardiac surgical patients with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APLS) presents challenges with monitoring anticoagulation during cardiopulmonary bypass. Additionally, this condition is associated with other autoimmune diseases and comorbidities that need to be considered in caring for these patients, and there is minimal evidence for specific strategies during cardiac surgery. Separately, Jehovah's Witness (JW) patients typically do not consent to receiving blood products, presenting an additional challenge for resuscitation during cardiac surgery and especially in the context of APLS. We present our approach to the anesthetic management of a JW patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated by APLS, thrombocytopenia, and renal failure with history of renal transplant who presented for coronary artery bypass surgery. Management strategies we recommend include administration of antifibrinolytics after heparinization to mitigate bleeding risk and interdisciplinary management with the perfusion, intensive care, surgical, and nephrology teams.

Management of perioperative anticoagulation in a patient with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome undergoing cardiac surgery: A case report

Patients with Antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS) are at high risk for both bleeding and thrombotic complications during cardiac surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). In this case we present a patient with APLS and Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura who successfully underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) with CPB despite recent craniotomy for subdural hematoma evacuation. Anticoagulation for CPB was monitored by targeting an Activated Clotting Time (ACT) that was 2× the upper limit of normal. A multidisciplinary approach was essential in ensuring a safe and successful operation.

Oral surgery in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by recurrent thrombosis, other associated autoimmune disease, and/or obstetrical morbidity along with persistent production of antiphospholipid antibodies. Because of the nature of this systemic disease, most patients are medicated with antithrombotic agents and abundant glucocorticoids. This study reports a cohort of 16 patients with APS, who underwent oral surgery between 2010 and 2017 at the Nagasaki University Hospital. Because oral antithrombotic therapy was continued in the perioperative period, all wounds were strictly closed by suturing to prevent postoperative bleeding. Perioperative laboratory dates and medications were assessed. All patients achieved local postoperative hemostasis and did not exhibit systemic complications. Moreover, there were no postoperative systemic and/or local infections. Oral surgeons should suture oral wounds and ensure local hemostasis to prevent postoperative bleeding. Because patients with APS are likely to develop thrombosis despite continued administration of antithrombotic medications, strict perioperative examination of blood coagulation is needed. Furthermore, it is important to consider the damage and stress caused due to oral surgery. Moreover, when necessary, glucocorticoid therapy should be carefully administered, in accordance with the degree of invasion and judgment of the attending physician.

Lupus is associated with poorer outcomes after primary total hip arthroplasty

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess whether lupus is associated with poorer outcomes after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Methods

We used the 1998–2014 US National Inpatient Sample data. Multivariable-adjusted separate logistic regression models assessed the association of lupus with post-operative complications (implant infection, transfusion, THA revision and mortality) and health care utilization outcomes (total hospital charges, discharge to an inpatient facility and length of hospital stay >3 days) post-THA, adjusting for demographics, underlying diagnosis, comorbidity, insurance payer and hospital characteristics, using odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Among 4,116,485 primary THA hospitalizations, 22,557 (0.5%) were in patients with lupus. Patients with lupus were younger and more likely to be female, African-American or Hispanic, living in the South, or to have Medicaid insurance, and had higher comorbidity or lower income. In multivariable-adjusted analyses, the presence of lupus was associated with significantly higher risk of implant infection, transfusion, discharge to an inpatient facility and higher hospital charges above the median, with respective ORs of 1.95 (95% CI, 1.28, 2.97), 1.34 (95% CI, 1.25, 1.43), 1.21 (95% CI, 1.01, 1.44) and 1.38 (95% CI, 1.30, 1.47). Lupus was not significantly associated with the risk of revision, mortality or hospital stay >3 days; the ORs were 1.10 (95% CI, 0.68, 1.78), 0.95 (95% CI, 0.61, 1.47) and 1.06 (95% CI, 0.99, 1.13), respectively.

Conclusions

Lupus was associated with a higher risk of implant infection, transfusion, discharge to an inpatient facility and higher hospital charges post-primary THA. Insight into modifiable factors associated with these outcomes may improve outcomes in patients with lupus undergoing THA.

Understanding the Haemodynamics of Hypertension

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article introduces the haemodynamic principles that underpin the pathophysiology of hypertension and introduces a rational physiological approach to appropriate pharmacologic treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS

Outdated understanding of haemodynamics based on previous measurement systems can no longer be applied to our understanding of the circulation. We question the current view of hypertension as defined by a predominantly systolic blood pressure and introduce the concept of vasogenic, cardiogenic and mixed-origin hypertension. We postulate that failure to identify the individual's haemodynamic pattern may lead to the use of inappropriate medication, which in turn may be a major factor in patient non-compliance with therapeutic strategies. A population-based approach to treatment of hypertension may lead to suboptimal functional dynamics in the individual patient. Finally, we question the validity of current guidelines and published evidence relating morbidity and mortality to the future treatment of hypertension. The importance of individual haemodynamic profiles may be pivotal in the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of hypertension if optimal control with minimal adverse effects is to be achieved. Research based on individual haemodynamic patterns is overdue.

Influence of Active Recovery on Cardiovascular Function During Ice Hockey

Background

Ice hockey is a popular sport comprised of high-intensity repeated bouts of activity. Light activity, as opposed to passive rest, has been shown to improve power output in repeated sprinting and could potentially help to offset venous pooling, poor perfusion, and the risk of an ischemic event. The objective of our study was, thus, to examine the efficacy of low-intensity lower body activity following a simulated hockey shift for altering hemodynamic function.

Methods

In a cross-over design, 15 healthy hockey players (23 ± 1 years, 54 ± 3 mL/kg/min) performed two simulated hockey shifts. In both conditions, players skated up to 85 % of age-predicted heart rate maximum, followed by either passive recovery or active recovery while hemodynamic measures were tracked for up to 180 s of rest.

Results

Light active recovery within the confines of an ice hockey bench, while wearing skates and protective gear, was effective for augmenting cardiac output (an average of 2.5 ± 0.2 L/min, p = 0.03) at 45, 50, and 120 s. These alterations were driven by a sustained elevation in heart rate (12 bpm, p = 0.05) combined with a physiological relevant but non-significant (11.6 mL, p = 0.06) increase in stroke volume.

Conclusions

Standing and pacing between shifts offers a realistic in-game solution to help slow the precipitous drop in cardiac output (heart rate and stroke volume) that typically occurs with passive rest. Prolonging the duration of an elevated cardiac output further into recovery may be beneficial for promoting recovery of the working skeletal muscles and also avoiding venous pooling and reduced myocardial perfusion.

Key Points

Evidence that light activity in the form of standing/pacing is effective for maintaining cardiac output, and thus venous return

Increased cardiac output and venous return may help reduce the chances of poor perfusion (ischemia) and could also promote recovery for performance

This is a simple, low-risk, intervention demonstrated for the first time to work within the confines of a player’s bench while wearing hockey gear

Aortic valve replacement in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Valvular heart disease in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Current therapy includes symptomatic measures and valve replacement. SLE can present major challenges because of accrued organ damage, coagulation defects and complex management regimes. The peri-operative goals are to maintain strict asepsis, avoid use of nephrotoxic drugs and thereby renal insult, and to promote early ambulation post-operatively.