Determinants of postoperative atrial fibrillation: A retrospective evaluation of postoperative atrial fibrillation in cardiac surgery

Atrial fibrillation is the most common postoperative arrhythmia and is associated with increased length of stay, cost, morbidity and mortality. The incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation for noncardiac, nonthoracic surgeries ranges from 0.4% to 26%. The incidence increases to 20%–50% in cardiac surgery, occurring in approximately 30% of isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), approximately 40% of isolated valve surgeries and up to 50% of CABG plus valve surgeries. Our aim was to identify risk factors that may predispose patients to postoperative atrial fibrillation and compare the efficacy of previously developed prediction tools to a new bedside prediction tool. We sought to develop a bedside screening tool using 4 easily identifiable variables: body mass index, age, congestive heart failure and hypertension (BACH). We predicted that our model would compare similarly to previously developed and validated prediction models but would be easier to use.

Evaluation of Critical Factors of Postoperative Arrhythmia and Preventive Measures of Deep Venous Thrombosis

The study focused on the risk factors of postoperative arrhythmia and lung infection and the preventive effects of targeted low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) on the occurrence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in patients with esophageal/cardia cancer. In this article, 82 patients who were pathologically diagnosed with esophageal/cardia cancer and underwent surgical treatment were selected as the research subjects. According to the different preoperative treatment methods, the patients were divided into the control group (without anticoagulant drugs before the operation, 44 cases) and the anticoagulation group (anticoagulant drugs were administered before the operation, 38 cases), and they were compared for basic clinical indicators and disease history. Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the risk factors of adverse events, and the Wells and Autar scale scores were calculated. Different groups were compared for the operation time, blood loss, and postoperative drainage volume during the operation. D-dimer was detected on the first 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after the operation, and the lower extremity venous color Doppler ultrasound was performed on the 1st and 7th days after the operation. The results showed that age ≥65 years, abnormal preoperative ECG, preoperative coronary heart disease (CHD), preoperative chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), operative time ≥4 h, and preoperative blood sodium <4.04.0 mmol/L were all risk factors for postoperative arrhythmia. Age, preoperative diabetes mellitus, preoperative COPD, length of hospital stay, and FEV1 were all risk factors for postoperative lung infections. In the control group and anticoagulation group, 11 cases (13.41%) and 5 cases (16.10%) had lower extremity DVT, respectively. The incidence of lower extremity DVT was lower in the anticoagulation group than in the control group P < 0.01 . It suggested that age, preoperative disease history, hospital stay, and operation time were risk factors for postoperative adverse events in patients with esophageal/cardia cancer. The targeted anticoagulant LMWH has a significant preventive effect on the occurrence of lower extremity DVT in patients with esophageal/cardia cancer, providing an effective reference for the prognosis and prevention of esophageal/cardia cancer.

Amiodarone in the Management of Cardiac Arrhythmia Following Open Heart Surgery

Background: Postoperative cardiac arrhythmias may present as life threatening complications like- cerebrovascular strokes, thrombo-embolic manifestations, inadequate ventricular filling and compromised hemodynamic stability. Amiodarone is an effective drug for various postoperative arrhythmias. Objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Amiodarone in controlling postoperative arrhythmia in our settings at the department of cardiac surgery. Methods: This retrospective observational study involved random selection of 20 patients, who developed potentially life-threatening arrhythmia following cardiac surgical procedures under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) at Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) between January 2018 and December 2020. Amiodarone was used in controlling postoperative cardiac arrhythmia by loading 1000 mg in first 24 hours, followed by 800 mg orally in daily divided doses. Results: Among 20 patients under study, five had valvular replacement, three had ASD closure, one VSD closure, one patient had excision of LA myxoma and in ten patients had undergone CABG. The Mean ± SD of the age of the patients was 50.2 ± 14.7 years. Eleven patients (55%) were female. Atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate occurred in 15 patients, supraventricular tachycardia in two and ventricular tachycardia three patients. Targets were achieved in all 20 of these patients. Among them 13 (65%) reverted to sinus rhythm, in other 7 AF persisted but ventricular rates became below 100/m with hemodynamic stability. The Mean ± SD of the time required for target achievement was 8.9 ± 7.4 hours. There was no perioperative death in these patients. Conclusion: Amiodarone is an effective medication in combating both atrial and ventricular arrhythmia following cardiac surgery employing cardiopulmonary bypass. Cardiovasc j 2021; 14(1): 20-23

Individualization of risk factors for postoperative complication after lung cancer surgery: a retrospective study

Background The risk factors for postoperative complications after pulmonary resection in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have not been elucidated. Methods Clinical data of 956 patients with NSCLC were analyzed. Patient factors such as sex, age, comorbidities, smoking history, respiratory function, and the lobe involved in lung cancer and operative factors such as operative approach and operative procedures were collected and analyzed. Results Male sex (odds ratio [OR]: 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09–2.75, p = 0.01), coexistence of asthma (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.19–6.02, p = 0.01), low percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.02–1.95, p = 0.03), and lobectomy or greater resection (OR 2.47, 95% CI 1.66–3.68, p < 0.01) were identified as significant risk factors for postoperative complications. Male sex (OR 1.98; 95% CI 1.03–3.81, p = 0.03) and complete video-assisted thoracic surgery and robot-assisted thoracic surgery (OR 1.64; 95% CI 1.09–2.45; p = 0.01) were identified as significant risk factors for postoperative air leakage. Coexistence of asthma (OR 9.97; 95% CI 3.66–27.38; p < 0.01) was identified as a significant risk factor for postoperative atelectasis or pneumonia. Lobectomy or greater resection (OR 19.71; 95% CI 2.70–143.57; p < 0.01) was identified as a significant risk factor for postoperative arrhythmia. Conclusion Male sex, coexistence of asthma, low percentage of FEV1, and operative procedure were significant risk factors for postoperative complications. Furthermore, risk factors varied according to postoperative complications.

Prediction of arrhythmia after intervention in children with atrial septal defect based on random forest

Background Using random forest to predict arrhythmia after intervention in children with atrial septal defect. Methods We constructed a prediction model of complications after interventional closure for children with atrial septal defect. The model was based on random forest, and it solved the need for postoperative arrhythmia risk prediction and assisted clinicians and patients’ families to make preoperative decisions. Results Available risk prediction models provided patients with specific risk factor assessments, we used Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique algorithm and random forest machine learning to propose a prediction model, and got a prediction accuracy of 94.65 % and an Area Under Curve value of 0.8956. Conclusions Our study was based on the model constructed by random forest, which can effectively predict the complications of arrhythmia after interventional closure in children with atrial septal defect.

Prediction of Arrhythmia After Intervention in Children With Atrial Septal Defect Based on Random Forest

Background Using random forest to predict arrhythmia after intervention in children with atrial septal defect. Methods We constructed a prediction model of complications after interventional closure for children with atrial septal defect. The model was based on random forest, and it solved the need for postoperative arrhythmia risk prediction and assisted clinicians and patients' families to make preoperative decisions. Results Available risk prediction models provided patients with specific risk factor assessments, we used Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique algorithm and random forest machine learning to propose a prediction model, and got a prediction accuracy of 94.65% and an Area Under Curve value of 0.8956. Conclusions Our study was based on the model constructed by random forest, which can effectively predict the complications of arrhythmia after interventional closure in children with atrial septal defect.

Effect of Del Nido cardioplegia on ventricular arrhythmias after cardiovascular surgery

Background Del Nido cardioplegia (DNC) has been proven safe and effective in pediatric patients. However, the use of DNC in adult undergoing cardiovascular surgery lacks support with substantial evidence. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of DNC as a cardioplegia of prophylaxis to ventricular arrhythmias associated to cardiovascular surgery in adult patients. Methods This study recruited nine hundred fifty-four patients who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass surgeries in Nanjing Hospital affiliated to Nanjing Medical University between January 2019 and December 2019. Among 954 patients, 324 patients were treated with DNC (DNC group), and 630 patients were treated with St. Thomas cardioplegia (STH group). The incidence of postoperative arrhythmia as well as other cardiovascular events relavant to the surgery were investigated in both groups. Results In DNC group, the incidence of postoperative ventricular arrhythmias was lower (12.4% vs. 17.4%, P = 0.040), and the length of ICU stay was shorter (1.97 ± 1.49 vs. 2.26 ± 1.46, P = 0.004). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that the use of DNC helped to reduce the incidence of postoperative ventricular arrhythmias (adjusted odds ratio 0.475, 95% CI 0.266–0.825, P = 0.010). The propensity score-based analysis and subgroup analysis indicated that DNC has the same protecting effects towards myocardial in all kinds of cardiopulmonary bypass surgeries. Conclusions Del Nido cardioplegia may potentially reduce the incidence of postoperative ventricular arrhythmias, shorten the length of ICU stay and improve the overall outcome of the patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery.

Influence of Age on Cardiac Surgery Outcomes in United States Veterans

Objective: Heart disease is still the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, and the rate of cardiovascular disease in veterans is even higher than in civilians. This study examines age-related outcomes for veterans undergoing cardiac surgeries at a single institution. Methods: We included all veterans undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and/or valve surgery between 1997 to 2017 at a single Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center. We stratified this cohort into 4 age groups: ≤59 years old, 60–69 years old, 70–79 years old, and ≥80 years old. Outcomes in age groups were compared using standard statistical methods with the ≤59 years old group as reference. Results: A total of 2,301 patients underwent open cardiac procedures at our institution. The frequency of simultaneous CABG and valve operations increased with age. Usage of cardiopulmonary bypass versus off-pump CABG and operative time was not associated with age. Increased pulmonary and renal complications as well as rates of postoperative arrhythmias all were associated with increasing age. There was no statistically significant difference in 30-day mortality. However, multivariable analysis adjusted for covariates showed all-cause mortality significantly was increased with older age groups (aHR ≥80 years old: 2.94 [2.07-4.17], P < .01; aHR 70-79 years old: 2.15 [1.63-2.83], P < 0.01, with ≤59 years old as reference). Conclusions: Older patients may have comparable perioperative mortality as their younger counterparts. However, age still is a significant predictor of all-cause mortality, pulmonary and renal complications, and postoperative arrhythmia, and should be considered as a major factor in preoperative risk assessment.

Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia in Patients Undergoing Valvular and Aortic Surgery: A Modern Assessment of Risk

Objective The incidence and outcomes of patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) are well defined for general cardiac surgical populations. The purpose of this study was to define the outcomes of patients with HIT in a population excluding patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods The local Society of Thoracic Surgeons cardiac surgical database was queried between January 2008 and May 2017 for patients who underwent either open valvular surgery or aortic surgery. Patients who underwent either isolated or combined CABG procedures were excluded. Cohorts were formed based on the presence or absence of postoperative HIT. Logistic regression models were built to determine the association between postoperative HIT and outcomes, adjusted for both preoperative and intraoperative variables. Results Of the total cohort (8,107 patients), 176 patients (2.2%) developed HIT after surgery. HIT patients experienced an increased incidence of morbidities postoperatively, including reoperation for bleeding, reoperation for cardiac and noncardiac etiologies, postoperative stroke, perioperative myocardial infarction, postoperative sternal infection, postoperative arrhythmia, new-onset renal failure, and dialysis (all with P < 0.01). The unadjusted 30-day mortality was 14.8% in HIT patients vs 4.9% in those without HIT ( P < 0.01). After risk adjustment, reoperation for noncardiac events, renal failure, new dialysis, postoperative stroke, arrhythmia, and sternal wound infection remained significantly elevated in patients who developed postoperative HIT. Conclusions Patients who developed HIT after non-CABG cardiac surgery experienced increased postoperative rates of morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and treatment remained mainstays of therapy. Early identification of patients at highest risk should prompt careful risk stratification when possible.