Clinical Analysis of Risk Factors for Mortality in Type A Acute Aortic Dissection: A Single Study From China

Objective: Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is a fatal condition that requires emergency surgery. The aim of the present study was to determine pre- and intra-operative risk factors for in-hospital mortality in patients with ATAAD.Methods: Consecutive 313 patients with ATAAD who underwent emergency surgery at our hospital from February 2012 to February 2017 were enrolled in our study. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to identify the pre-operative and intra-operative risk factors for in-hospital mortality.Results: Of the 313 patients, 32 patients (10.2%) died. Compared with survivors, non-survivors had higher heart rate, serum potassium level and EuroSCORE II, and higher incidence of moderate to severe pericardial effusion, supra-aortic vessels involvement, myocardial ischemia and lower-extremity ischemia. As for surgery-related factors, the duration of surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass time were longer in non-survivors than survivors. In addition, non-survivors were more likely to undergo coronary-artery bypass graft compared with survivors. On multivariate analysis, elevated plasma potassium level (OR: 43.0, 95% CI: 3.8–51.5, p < 0.001), high incidence of supra-aortic vessels involvement (OR: 4.4, 95% CI: 1.5–7.0, p = 0.008) and lower-extremity ischemia (OR: 4.9, 95% CI: 1.6–6.9; p = 0.009), and longer duration of surgery (OR 6.0, 95% CI: 1.8–18.7, p = 0.000) and cardiopulmonary bypass time (OR: 3.7, 95% CI: 1.3–9.3, p = 0.001) were independently predictive of higher mortality in patients with ATAAD.Conclusions: Supra-aortic vessels involvement, lower-extremity ischemia and elevated plasma potassium level are independent predictors of mortality in patients with ATAAD. A significant decrease in duration of surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass time is helpful to improve survival of patients.

Relation between Prolonged Cardiopulmonary Bypass Time in Cardiac Surgery in Adult Patients and Post-Operative Acute Kidney Injury

Background Cardiac-surgery associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) remains an important and frequent complication in patients undergoing cardiac surgery and is associated with a poor short- and long-term prognosis. The incidence for CSA-AKI according to Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria (AKIN) varies between 3% and 50%. CSA-AKI requiring temporary renal replacement therapy (RRT) occurs in 5% to 20% of these patients and is associated with a high mortality rate. Objective To detect the relation between prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time in cardiac surgery and the incidence of post-operative acute kidney injury. Patients and Methods This is an observational retrospective study conducted on (80) adult patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery at Aswan Heart Centre (Magdi Yacoub Foundation) after the approval of the Ethical Medical Committee of Aswan Heart Centre. Results Results of the statistical analysis of the present study showed that mean CPB duration was prolonged in the AKI group of patients (155 min) than the non-AKI group of patients (129 min). Conclusion Prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass duration may be an independent risk factor for acute kidney injury post cardiac surgery in adult patients.

Clinical features and risk factors of postoperative in-hospital mortality following surgical repair of Stanford type A acute aortic dissection

Background To investigate the clinical features of patients with Stanford type A acute aortic dissection (AAD) and analyze the risk factors affecting postoperative in-hospital mortality rate. Methods The demographic and clinical data were retrospectively collected and analyzed from 118 AAD patients admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University from June 2016 to April 2019. All patients underwent surgical treatment and were grouped into death and survival groups. The risk factors affecting postoperative in-hospital death were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results The male to female ratio in the patients was 3.8:1 and the mean age was 50.11 ± 9.91 years. The patient’s main comorbidities were hypertension (70.33%) and coronary heart disease (10.17%). The main symptoms included chest pain and back pain (72.89%). The highest incidence of complications was pericardial effusion (48.31%), followed by pleural effusion (22.88%). The mean systolic blood pressure, white blood cell count and D-dimer in the patients were over the ranges of normal people. The incidences of cardiac and renal insufficiency were 18.64% and 16.95% respectively, and the postoperative in-hospital mortality rate was 12.71%. Univariable analysis showed that age, renal insufficiency, cardiac insufficiency, D-dimer level, cardiopulmonary bypass time, operation time, blood transfusion volume and postoperative hemostasis were significant factors leading to the death (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age > 65, renal insufficiency, cardiopulmonary bypass time ≥ 250 min and postoperative hemostasis were independent risk factors for the death (P < 0.05). Conclusions AAD patients frequently have underlying diseases with pain as the main symptom. Age > 65 years, renal insufficiency, cardiopulmonary bypass time ≥ 250 min and postoperative hemostasis are significantly risk factors for postoperative mortality.

Totally endoscopic resection of atrial myxoma: early results of 26 patients in E hospital

Objective: Myxoma is the most common form of non-malignant tumor that arises from connective tissue. Totally endoscopic surgery without robotic assistance can resect the entire atrial myxoma. This study aim to evaluate the early results of this surgical method. Methods: From January 2019 to April 2021, 26 patients (20 females, 6 males, mean age 49.5 ± 14.3) were diagnosed with atrial myxoma. All tumors of those patients were resected by totally endoscopic surgery. We evaluated the early outcome of this method based on the following criteria: mortality rates, conversion to open surgery, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamp time, postoperative time. Results: Totally endoscopic surgery to resect atrial myxoma was successfully performed in all patients with surgical ports on the thoracic wall. The largest incision was not more than 1.5 cm in diameter. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 134 ± 39 minutes, aortic cross-clamp time was 81.4 ± 26.4 minutes, mechanical ventilation time was 10.5 ± 4.6 hours, ICU length of stay was 2.1 ± 0.9 days, postoperative time was 6.9 ± 5.4 days. We had one case in which the excision of myxoma was performed contemporaneously with mitral valve annuloplasty. Conclusions: Initial outcomes of totally endoscopic surgery to resect atrial myxomas were satisfactory. However, to fully evaluate the effectiveness of this method, we need to conduct a long-term follow-up of these patients.

Prognostic Value of GDF-15 in Predicting Prolonged Intensive Care Stay following Cardiac Surgery: A Pilot Study

Introduction. Predicting intensive care unit length of stay and outcome following cardiac surgery is currently based on clinical parameters. Novel biomarkers could be employed to improve the prediction models. Materials and Methods. We performed a qualitative cytokine screening array to identify highly expressed biomarkers in preoperative blood samples of cardiac surgery patients. After identification of one highly expressed biomarker, growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), a quantitative ELISA was undertaken. Preoperative levels of GDF-15 were compared in regard to duration of intensive care stay, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and indicators of organ dysfunction. Results. Preoperatively, GDF-15 was highly expressed in addition to several less highly expressed other biomarkers. After qualitative analysis, we could show that preoperatively raised levels of GDF-15 were positively associated with prolonged ICU stay exceeding 48 h (median 713 versus 1041 pg/ml, p = 0.003 ). It was also associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation and rates of severe sepsis but not with dialysis rates or cardiopulmonary bypass time. In univariate regression, raised GDF-15 levels were predictive of a prolonged ICU stay (OR 1.01, 95% confidence interval 1–1.02, and p = 0.029 ). On ROC curves, GDF-15 was found to predict prolonged ICU stay ( AUC = 0.86 , 95% confidence interval 0.71–0.99, and p = 0.003 ). Conclusion. GDF-15 showed potential as predictor of prolonged intensive care stay following cardiac surgery, which might be valuable for risk stratification models.

Preoperative anemia and transfusion in cardiac surgery: a single-centre retrospective study

Background Preoperative anemia and transfusion are associated with worse outcomes. This study aims to identify the prevalence of preoperative anemia, transfusion rates on surgery day, and predictors of transfusion in elective cardiac surgery patients at our centre. We also aim to evaluate our preoperative intervention program, and examine the intervention window for anemia before surgery. Methods This study included 797 adult patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery at a tertiary hospital. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of transfusion on surgery day. Results Preoperative anemia was present in 15% of patients. Anemic patients had a significantly higher transfusion rate at 53% compared to 10% in non-anemic patients. Hemoglobin concentration, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), body surface area (BSA), and total cardiopulmonary bypass time were predictive of transfusion on surgery day. Patients had a median of 7 days between initial visit and surgery day, however, referral to the blood conservation clinic was only done for 8% of anemic patients and treatment was initiated in 3% of anemic patients. Among the 3 anemic patients who received treatment, 2 did not require blood transfusion on surgery day. Conclusions Preoperative anemia is present in 15% of patients at our centre and these patients have 53% transfusion rates on surgery day. Hemoglobin concentration, eGFR, BSA, and total cardiopulmonary bypass time were predictors of transfusion on surgery day. Patients had a median of 7 days between initial visit and surgery day. Referral and anemia treatment were infrequently initiated in preoperative anemic patient.

Vasoplegia in patients following ventricular assist device explant and heart transplantation

Background: Vasoplegia has been shown to be associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. It has been previously stated that low pulsatile states as seen with current left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) may contribute to vasoplegia post LVAD-explant and heart transplant. We sought to examine the literature regarding vasoplegia in the post-operative setting for patients undergoing LVAD explant and heart transplant. Method: A literature review was conducted to firstly define vasoplegia in the setting of LVAD patients, and secondly to better understand the relationship between vasoplegia and LVAD explantation in the postoperative heart transplant patient cohort. A keyword search of ‘vasoplegia’ OR ‘vasoplegic’ AND ‘transplant’ was used. Search engines used were PubMed, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov , Ovid, Scopus and grey literature. Results: 17 studies met the selection criteria for review. Three key themes emerged from the literature. Firstly, there is limited consensus regarding the definition of vasoplegia. Secondly, patients with LVADs experienced higher rates of vasoplegia following heart transplant than their counterparts and thirdly, increased cardiopulmonary bypass time was associated with a higher rate of vasoplegia. Conclusion: Vasoplegia is not clearly defined in the literature as it pertains to the LVAD patient cohort. Patients bridged with LVADs appear to have higher rates of vasoplegia, however the aetiology of this is unclear and may be associated with continuous flow physiology or prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time. A universal definition will aid in risk stratification, early recognition and management.

Does tricuspid valve detachment improve outcomes compared with the non-tricuspid valve detachment approach in ventricular septal defect closure?

Summary A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether the tricuspid valve detachment (TVD) approach to ventricular septal defect repair provides superior outcomes compared with the non-TVD approach. Altogether more than 54 papers were found using the reported search, of which 10 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. A total of 2059 participants were enrolled in the 10 studies, including 2 prospective studies and 8 retrospective studies. Six studies demonstrated a longer cardiopulmonary bypass time or aortic clamp time in the TVD group, whereas 4 studies showed no difference. Only 1 study reported a lower incidence of trivial tricuspid regurgitation in the TVD group, whereas the other 9 studies showed no significant difference. One study showed that a higher incidence of residual shunting occurred in those patients who had indications for TVD but did not perform detachment during surgery. No difference in postoperative residual shunting was demonstrated in the other 9 studies. We conclude that surgeons should be reassured that if TVD is required to repair the ventricular septal defect, although it may lead to longer cardiopulmonary bypass time and cross-clamp times, outcomes are equivalent in terms of the degree of tricuspid regurgitation and incidence of the residual ventricular septal defect.