Perioperative Cerebrospinal Fluid Drain Placement Does Not Increase Venous Thromboembolism Risk After Thoracic and Fenestrated Endovascular Aortic Repair

BACKGROUND

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) incidence after thoracic and fenestrated endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR/FEVAR) is high (up to 6-7%) relative to other vascular procedures; however, the etiology for this discrepancy remains unknown. Notably, patients undergoing TEVAR/FEVAR commonly receive cerebrospinal fluid drains (CSFDs) for neuroprotection, requiring interruption of perioperative anticoagulation and prolonged immobility. We hypothesized that CSFDs are a risk factor for VTE after TEVAR/FEVAR.

METHODS

Consecutive TEVAR/FEVAR patients at a single center were reviewed (2011-2020). Cerebrospinal fluid drains (CSFDs) were placed based on surgeon preference preoperatively or for spinal cord ischemia (SCI) rescue therapy postoperatively. The primary end-point was VTE occurrence, defined as any new deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) confirmed on imaging within 30 days postoperatively. Routine postoperative VTE screening was not performed. Patients with and without VTE, and subjects with and without CSFDs were compared. Logistic regression was used to explore associations between VTE incidence and CSFD exposure.

RESULTS

Eight hundred ninety-seven patients underwent TEVAR/FEVAR and 43% (n = 387) received a CSFD at some point during their care (preoperative: 94% [n = 365/387]; postoperative SCI rescue therapy: 6% [n = 22/387]). CSFD patients were more likely to have previous aortic surgery (44% vs. 37%; P = 0.028) and received more postoperative blood products (780 vs. 405 mL; P = 0.005). The overall VTE incidence was 2.2% (n = 20). 70% (14) patients with VTE had DVT, 50% (10) had PE, and 20% (4) had DVT and PE. Among TEVAR/FEVAR patients with VTE, 65% (n = 13) were symptomatic. Most VTEs (90%, n = 18) were identified inhospital and the median time to diagnosis was 12.5 (interquartile range 7.5-18) days postoperatively. Patients with VTE were more likely to have nonelective surgery (95% vs. 41%; P < 0.001), had higher American Society of Anesthesiologists classification (4.1 vs. 3.7; P < 0.001), required longer intensive care unit admission (24 vs. 12 days; P < 0.001), and received more blood products (1,386 vs. 559 mL; P < 0.001). Venous thromboembolism (VTE) incidence was 1.8% in CSFD patients compared to 3.5% in non-CSFD patients (odds ratio 0.70 [95% confidence interval 0.28-1.78, P = 0.300). However, patients receiving CSFDs postoperatively for SCI rescue therapy had significantly greater VTE incidence (9.1% vs. 1.1%; P = 0.044).

CONCLUSIONS

CSFD placement was not associated with an increased risk of VTE in patients undergoing TEVAR/FEVAR. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk was greater in patients undergoing nonelective surgery and those with complicated perioperative courses. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk was greater in patients receiving therapeutic CSFDs compared to prophylactic CSFDs, highlighting the importance of careful patient selection for prophylactic CSFD placement.

Utilization of the percutaneous left ventricular support as bridge to heart transplantation across the United States: In-depth UNOS database analysis

BACKGROUND

Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and Impella device utilization as a bridge to heart transplantation (HTx) have risen exponentially. We aimed to explore the influence of device selection on HTx outcomes, considering regional practice variation.

METHODS

A retrospective longitudinal study was performed on a United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) registry dataset. We included adult patients listed for HTx between October 2018 and April 2022 as status 2, as justified by requiring IABP or Impella support. The primary end-point was successful bridging to HTx as status 2.

RESULTS

Of 32,806 HTx during the study period, 4178 met inclusion criteria (Impella n = 650, IABP n = 3528). Waitlist mortality increased from a nadir of 16 (in 2019) to a peak of 36 (in 2022) per thousand status 2 listed patients. Impella annual use increased from 8% in 2019 to 19% in 2021. Compared to IABP, Impella patients demonstrated higher medical acuity and lower success rate of transplantation as status 2 (92.1% vs 88.9%, p < 0.001). The IABP:Impella utilization ratio varied widely between regions, ranging from 1.77 to 21.31, with high Impella use in Southern and Western states. However, this difference was not justified by medical acuity, regional transplant volume, or waitlist time and did not correlate with waitlist mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The shift in utilizing Impella as opposed to IABP did not improve waitlist outcomes. Our results suggest that clinical practice patterns beyond mere device selection determine successful bridging to HTx. There is a critical need for objective evidence to guide tMCS utilization and a paradigm shift in the UNOS allocation system to achieve equitable HTx practice across the United States.

Preoperative respiratory strength training is feasible and safe and improves pulmonary physiologic capacity in individuals undergoing cardiovascular surgery

Objective

To determine the safety, feasibility, and physiologic impact of a preoperative respiratory strength training (RST) program in individuals undergoing elective cardiac surgery (CS).

Methods

Twenty-five adults undergoing an elective CS at an academic hospital setting enrolled and completed RST 5 days/week (50 repetitions, 50% training load, ≥3 weeks) at home via telehealth in this open-label prospective cohort study. RST adherence, telehealth attendance, and adverse events were tracked. Pre- and post-RST outcomes of maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), voluntary cough spirometry, and patient-reported dyspnea were collected. Descriptive analyses and Wilcoxon signed rank-tests were performed.

Results

Two participants (9%) did not complete the prescribed RST program. No significant RST-related adverse events occurred. Treatment adherence for all enrolled participants was 90%, and telehealth attendance was 99%. Of the CS patients who completed the prescribed program (n = 23; 91%), treatment adherence and telehealth attendance were excellent (98% and 100%, respectively). Significant increases in primary outcomes were observed: MEP mean change, +15.4 (95% confidence interval [CI], +3.4 to +27.3, P < .007); MIP mean change, +14.9 (95% CI, +9.4 to +20.4, P < .0001). No statistically significant differences in voluntary cough or perceived dyspnea outcomes were observed (P > .05).

Conclusions

These preliminary data demonstrate that a preoperative RST program is safe and feasible and can improve short-term respiratory physiologic capacity (MEP and MIP) in CS patients. Future research is warranted to validate the current findings in a larger cohort of CS patients and to determine whether RST improves postoperative extubation outcomes, airway clearance capacity, and aspiration following cardiac surgery.

Provision of Oral Care in the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit: Survey of Nursing Staff Training, Confidence, Methods, Attitudes, and Perceived Barriers

BACKGROUND

Poor oral health is associated with adverse outcomes in critical care settings. Although provision of oral care is a fundamental aspect of nursing practice, both formal training and practice among nursing staff remain unclear.

METHOD

Cardiothoracic intensive care unit nurses were recruited to complete a 16-item survey regarding training, confidence, methods, prioritization, and barriers to provision of oral care.

RESULTS

A total of 108 nurses participated (70% response rate). Formal training in oral care was reported by 38%, most frequently reported as less than 1 hour (53%) in duration. Of the respondents, 70% reported confidence in providing oral care. Nine methods and 16 products were identified, with variability in the frequency of provision. Prioritization of oral care was rated most frequently as moderate (53%), with 28% reporting barriers.

CONCLUSION

Despite limited formal training, surveyed nurses reported confidence in providing oral care. Methods, frequency, and prioritization were variable. Both development of formal curricula and evaluation of adherence to standardized protocols for oral care are warranted. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2023;54(7):313-321.].

Intraoperative Hemi-Diaphragm Electrical Stimulation Demonstrates Attenuated Mitochondrial Function without Change in Oxidative Stress in Cardiothoracic Surgery Patients

Mechanical ventilation during cardiothoracic surgery is life-saving but can lead to ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction (VIDD) and prolong ventilator weaning and hospital length of stay. Intraoperative phrenic nerve stimulation may preserve diaphragm force production to offset VIDD; we also investigated changes in mitochondrial function after stimulation. During cardiothoracic surgeries (n = 21), supramaximal, unilateral phrenic nerve stimulation was performed every 30 min for 1 min. Diaphragm biopsies were collected after the last stimulation and analyzed for mitochondrial respiration in permeabilized fibers and protein expression and enzymatic activity of biomarkers of oxidative stress and mitophagy. Patients received, on average, 6.2 ± 1.9 stimulation bouts. Stimulated hemidiaphragms showed lower leak respiration, maximum electron transport system (ETS) capacities, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), and spare capacity compared with unstimulated sides. There were no significant differences between mitochondrial enzyme activities and oxidative stress and mitophagy protein expression levels. Intraoperative phrenic nerve electrical stimulation led to an acute decrease of mitochondrial respiration in the stimulated hemidiaphragm, without differences in biomarkers of mitophagy or oxidative stress. Future studies warrant investigating optimal stimulation doses and testing post-operative chronic stimulation effects on weaning from the ventilator and rehabilitation outcomes.

Caregiver Stress Is Improved and Sustained Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Background

Little is known about the impact of symptomatic aortic stenosis and subsequent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) on stress and health for the caregiver. In this prospective cohort study, we measured caregiver stress before and after TAVR.

Methods

We interviewed 34 primary caregivers for patients undergoing outpatient TAVR at an academic institution. Caregiver stress was measured using the Kingston Caregiver Stress Scale (KCSS) and the Caregiver Self-Assessment Questionnaire (CSAQ) before TAVR and at one and six months after. Mean scores were compared pre- and post-TAVR using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results

There was significant improvement in KCSS caregiver stress at one month that was sustained at six months post-TAVR (mean change -1.91 ± 2.50 for six months, p-value 0.01). This was primarily driven by improvement in caregiving issues rather than family or financial issues. There was also significant improvement in CSAQ self-assessed health/illness at one and six months (mean change -2.78 ± 4.01 for six months, p-value 0.016).

Conclusions

Our findings support further investigation of caregiver outcomes in shared decision making before TAVR.

TAVR in the tricuspid domain: valve-in-valve transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement for bioprosthetic valve degeneration

We report a novel use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for valve-in-valve tricuspid valve replacement. A man in his 50s with prohibitive risks for surgical intervention underwent this procedure to improve severe, symptomatic tricuspid stenosis. Though current literature is limited to case reports, the Valve-in-Valve International Database (VIVID) reports similar mortality rates between surgical and transcutaneous replacement. As a novel, off-label procedure, there is limited operator experience. Nonetheless, in non-operative or high-risk patients, similar outcomes are noted in between transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement and surgical replacement. This registry sets the framework for further studies with the possibility of observing outcomes as operator experience increases, while highlighting the feasibility of the procedure.

Early versus standard renal replacement therapy after left ventricular assist device implantation

OBJECTIVES

Renal function may improve after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implant, however, some patients develop postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI). Randomized trials showed benefit for early renal replacement therapy (RRT) in critically ill patients with AKI, but this practice has not been studied in LVAD patients.

METHODS

We performed a single-center, retrospective cohort study of all adults (>18 years) who underwent LVAD placement from 1/2010 to 12/2018. We collected preoperative, hemodynamic, echocardiographic, intraoperative, and postoperative data. AKI was defined according to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes definition. Early (E) RRT was considered treatment at AKI stage II or below. Standard (S) RRT was considered treatment at AKI stage III. Outcomes and Kaplan-Meier analysis were compared between groups.

RESULTS

A total of 184 patients were included (mean age 56.10 years, 81% males, 30.4% African-American race). A total of 71 (38.6%) developed AKI and 17 (9.24%) needed RRT (11 E vs 6 S). A total of 11 remained hemodialysis-dependent at discharge (5 [45.5%] in E vs 6 [100%] in S, P = .043). There was a trend toward shorter intensive care unit stay and ventilation time in E group, and overall hospital stay was significantly less in the E group (48.18 ± 25.95 vs 94.00 ± 53.07 days, P = .028). Thirty-day mortality was similar between groups (E 18% vs S 16%, P = .9), but there was a trend toward improved overall survival in the E group.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to examine early initiation of RRT after LVAD implant. Early RRT was associated with shorter hospital stay, lower need for permanent RRT, and a trend toward improved survival. This practice may provide significant cost savings and should be examined further.