Del Nido versus HTK cardioplegia for myocardial protection during adult complex valve surgery: a retrospective study

Background Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) and del Nido (DN) cardioplegia are intracellular-type and extracellular-type solution respectively, both can provide a long period of myocardial protection with single-dose infusion, but studies comparing the two are rare for adult cardiac surgery. This study aims to evaluate whether DN is suitable for cardioplegia in complex and high-risk valve surgery with long-term cardiac ischemia when compared with HTK. Methods The perioperative records of adult patients infused with DN/HTK as a cardioplegic solution who underwent complex valve surgery with an expected myocardial ischaemic duration longer than 90 min between Oct 2018 and Oct 2019 were analysed retrospectively. Results Of the 160 patients who received DN/HTK and underwent complex valve surgery, we propensity matched 73 pairs. Both groups achieved satisfactory cardiac arrest effects, and no significant difference was found in their cTnI and CK-MB levels within 12 to 72 h postoperatively. The DN group had a higher rate of return to spontaneous rhythm (0.88 v 0.52, P < 0.001), a lower frequency of postoperative severe arrythmias (12% v 26%, P = 0.036), a higher postoperative stroke volume (65 v 59 ml, P = 0.011) and a higher cardiac output (6.0 v 4.9 L/min, P = 0.007) as evaluated by echocardiography, fewer transfusions and shorter ICU stays (both P < 0.05). The two groups had similar inotrope usage and similar incidences of low cardiac output, morbidities and mortality. Subgroup analysis showed that when the aortic clamping time was greater than 120 min, the advantages of DN were weakened. Conclusions DN can be safely applied to complex valve surgery, and it has a similar myocardial protection effect as HTK. Further prospective studies are required to verify these retrospective findings. Trial registration retrospectively registered.

Methylene blue is not contraindicated to treat hemodynamic instability in pediatric and neonate patient

: The present review was carried out to describe publications on the use of methylene blue (MB) in pediatrics and neonatology, discussing dose, infusion rate, action characteristics and possible benefits for a pediatric patient group. The research was performed on the data sources PubMed, BioMed Central, and Embase (updated on Aug 31, 2020) by two independent investigators. The selected articles included human studies that evaluated MB use in pediatric or neonatal patients with vasoplegia due to any cause, regardless of the applied methodology. The MB use and 0 to18-years-old patients with vasodilatory shock were the adopted criteria. Exclusion criteria were the use of MB in patients without vasoplegia and patients ≥ 18-years-old. The primary endpoint was the increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP). Side effects and dose were also evaluated. Eleven studies were found of which 10 were case reports and 1 was a randomized clinical study. Only two of these studies were with neonatal patients (less than 28 days-old), reporting a small number of cases (1 and 6). All studies described positive action of MB on MAP, allowing the decrease of vasoactive amines in several of them. No severe side effects or death related to the use of the medication was reported. The maximum dose used was 2 mg/kg, but there was no consensus on the infusion rate and drug administration timing. Finally, no theoretical or experimental basis sustains the decision to avoid MB in children claiming it can cause pulmonary hypertension. The same goes for the concern of a possible deleterious effect on inflammatory distress syndrome.

The retrospective observational study of clinical outcomes of single dose infusion of warm blood cardioplegia in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the safety and efficacy of a normothermic cardioplegia solution N trademark use and obtain additional information about dosing regimens during normothermic or mild hypothermic cardiac surgery. Methods: A retrospective observational study included 150 cardio surgery patients. The primary endpoint was the intraoperative acute heart failure development. The secondary endpoints were the postoperative Troponin T concentrations, the need for catecholamine support, and the repeated infusion of a cardioplegia solution. Results: The duration of aortic cross-clamping varied from 17 to 154 minutes, median 59 [interquartile range, 46 - 73] minutes. Spontaneous sinus rhythm recovery was observed in 136 (90.7%) patients. Intraoperative acute heart failure was observed in 1 case. The Troponin T concentrations were 0.331 plus-or-minus sign 0.143 ng/mL after surgery. Mortality was 2% (3 patients). Eight patients received an additional volume of N trademark solution to maintain asystole. Among 16 patients with a cross-clamp duration greater than 90 minutes epinephrine was used in 3 (18.8%) patients in doses of more than 0.05 mcg/kg/min. Among 134 patients cross-clamp duration less than 90 minutes the catecholamine support was used in 4 (3%) patients, p=0.027. Conclusions: A primary single-dose infusion of cardioplegia solution N trademark provides myocardial protection for 59 (interquartile range, 46-73) minutes and up to 154 minutes. The catecholamine support in the group of aortic cross-clamp duration less than 90 minutes was used lesser than in the group of aortic cross-clamp duration greater than 90 minutes (3% and 18.8%, respectively). The cardioprotection during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery especially in elderly patients with concomitant disease needs to be confirmed in future investigations.

Long-Term Protective Effects of Single-Dose infusion of Warm Blood Cardioplegic Solution in a mini-pig model on the background of intraoperative anemia

Objectives: The tolerable ischemic time for many cardioplegia solutions has not been established yet. The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of a single-dose of cardioplegia solution Normacor (solution No. 1) and to establish the tolerable ischemic time in a normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass mini-pig model on the background of intraoperative anemia. Methods: Five female mini-pigs (34plus-or-minus sign3 kg, 6-month-old) were subjected to 180 min or 210 min of cardiac arrest by single-dose 400 ml Normacor cardioplegia (solution No. 1). A needle biopsy was taken from the left ventricle before the aortic cross-clamping and every 30 minutes after it. The restoration of left ventricle contractility was assessed by the clinical indicators, catecholamine support, morphological and immunohistochemical examination. Results: The morphological signs of cardiomyocytes ischemia were found after 120 minutes of aortic cross-clamping. According to the content of succinate dehydrogenase and hypoxia-inducible factor, the signs of the cardiomyocytes ischemic injury onset were detected at the same time point. During the entire period of aortic cross-clamping atrial activity was observed in all cases. The proposed single-dose ischemic time for re-dosing of cardioplegia is 120 minutes or ventricular activity onset. Conclusions: Safe and effective cardioprotection can be achieved with warm blood cardioplegia Normacor (solution No. 1) within 120 minutes for a single-dose infusion.

Evaluation of Hypersensitivity Reactions in Pediatric Patients Using Biological Drugs

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Biological drugs are currently used for the treatment of chronic inflammatory, autoimmune, and neoplastic diseases. With their expanding indication spectrum and increasing use, hypersensitivity reactions to these drugs are also becoming more frequent. The present study aimed to report the incidence and the features of such reactions in pediatric patients using biologicals for the treatment of various diseases. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The medical records of pediatric patients treated with biological agents between October 1, 2011 and August 31, 2019 were reviewed and adverse reactions were evaluated retrospectively. <b><i>Results:</i></b> During the study period, 211 patients (116 boys, 55%) used 21 different biological drugs for the treatment of various diseases. Their median age at the time of the first treatment was 139.9 (IQR: 92.2–187.8) months. Hematologic-oncologic diseases were the most common indication for biological therapy (97/211; 46.0%), followed by rheumatologic diseases (82/211; 38.9%). Of the 211 patients, 14 (6.64%) experienced reactions to biological drugs. The most common culprit agent was rituximab (57.1%). Most of the patients (85.7%) had a history of reactions either during the infusion or within 1 h after taking the drug. Five patients underwent desensitization to the culprit drug, while 7 other patients continued treatment with a reduced dose/infusion rate or premedication. Also 1 patient continued to take the drug without any additional treatment. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> It was reported that 6.64% of the patients who received biologic drug therapy for various reasons in our hospital had hypersensitivity. The most common culprit agent was rituximab, and most of the reactions were immediate reactions.

Unusual presentation of mitral prosthetic heart valve thrombosis managed with low dose tenecteplase infusion

A 11-year-old with history of mitral valve replacement presented with low-grade fever, breathlessness and multiple episodes of haemoptysis for 2 days. Detailed echocardiographic evaluation revealed possible prosthetic valve thrombosis, which was confirmed by fluoroscopy. She was thrombolysed with low dose infusion of tenecteplase. Post thrombolysis her symptoms improved, valve mobility was restored, and haemoptysis subsided. Left sided prosthetic valve thrombosis presenting predominantly with haemoptysis is very rare.

Safety and efficacy of a single total dose infusion (1020 mg) of ferumoxytol

Purpose: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common type of anemia. A single dose infusion of intravenous (IV) iron is a convenient treatment option. Ferumoxytol is an IV formulation of iron that is typically given in two doses of 510 mg each. Utilizing a single dose of 1020 mg over 15 min has previously been described as safe and effective. In July 2018, we began to administer a single 1020 mg dose of ferumoxytol to patients needing IV iron replacement at the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System. To evaluate the impact of this change, a utilization review was conducted. Methods: Outcomes of all patients who received ferumoxytol injections in the 6 months prior to and after the dosing strategy change were analyzed. A total of 140 patients, who received 270 separate IV ferumoxytol infusions, were included in the analysis. Results: No significant difference in safety was observed, with one infusion reaction occurring in each group ( p = 1.00). Efficacy also appeared equivalent with no significant difference between the change in hemoglobin for those who received a single 1020 mg dose versus those who received two 510 mg doses ( p = 0.764). As expected, those who received a single total dose infusion of 1020 mg had less clinic utilization ( p < 0.0001). Conclusion: In summary, ferumoxytol administered as a 1020 mg single dose infusion was more convenient and should be considered a safe and effective treatment option for IDA.

Comparison between intracoronary versus intravenous bolus injection of tirofiban on infarct size during primary PCI in patients with acute anterior ST segment elevation myocardial infarction

Background The latest guidelines considered glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPI) as a bailout strategy in selected situations in patients presented with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) however, did not recommend route of administration over another and did not correlate it to infarct size. Infarct size correlates generally with prognosis following acute myocardial infarction and Reduction in infarct size can boost clinical outcomes and decrease rate of heart failure hospitalization. Purpose To evaluate intracoronary vs intravenous use of tirofiban on reduction of infarct size in STEMI treated with primary PCI. Methods Between February, 2018, and October, 2019, one hundred patients presented within 6 hours of anterior STEMI undergoing primary PCI after exclusion of (rescue PCI, TIMI flow less than II post PCI, Previous MI, Stent thrombosis, Previous CABG, Significant left main occlusion, Pulmonary edema and Cardiogenic shock). Group (A): 50 patients who were treated by intracoronary bolus infusion of tirofiban followed by IV maintenance dose infusion of tirofiban. Group (B): 50 patients who were treated by intravenous bolus infusion of tirofiban followed by IV maintenance dose infusion of tirofiban. Primary endpoint: Infarct size was assessed 1 month after randomization by SPECT. Secondary endpoint: Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during hospital stay (cardiac death, MI, stroke or target vessel revascularization), heart failure and bleeding. Results Patients randomized to intracoronary tirofiban compared with intravenous tirofiban had a significant decrease in the primary end point of infarct size (mean [SD], 14.46% [7.79%] vs 18.06% [7.83%]; P=0.02). Also associated with lower incidence of heart failure (number [%], 8 [16%] vs 17 [34%]; P=0.037). There were no significant differences in any of the MACE or bleeding between the randomized groups at 30 days. Conclusions In patients with anterior STEMI presenting early after symptom onset, intracoronary tirofiban administration when compared to intravenous route during primary PCI resulted in infarction size reduction and lower heart failure incidence mainly driven by enhanced left ventricular systolic function however no distinction between two strategies on MACE or bleeding risk. Results Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Is Unfavourable Cervix prior to Labor Induction Risk for Adverse Obstetrical Outcome in Time of Universal Ripening Agents Usage? Single Center Retrospective Observational Study

Cervical assessment on the Bishop scale prior to induction of labor (IOL) is one of the strongest prognostic criteria in relation to the success of the procedure. The commonly used preinduction methods are mainly aimed at reducing the percentage of cesarean sections. Our study has analyzed obstetric results of patients who had unripe cervix (Bishop score <7) before IOL and used preinduction (Foley catheter or misoprostol vaginal insert releasing 7 mcg of misoprostol per hour for 24 hours) with obstetric results of patients in whom, due to favourable cervix, only a low-dose infusion of oxytocin was used. We reviewed the medical records of 1010 single pregnancies in whom IOL was performed. We divided the patients into two groups: group A (where preinduction was used) and group B (Bishop score ≥7 points) where preinduction was not used. Patients in group A were more likely to complete the delivery by caesarean section (OR=4.58, 95% CI 3.22-6.51), and more likely to have events that were indications for operative delivery: unreassuring fetal heart rate trace (OR=3.29, 95% CI 2.07-5.23) and arrested labor or failed induction (OR=3.4, 95% CI 2.06-5.62). The groups did not differ in the percentage of vacuum extraction, postpartum haemorrhage, and meconium stained amniotic fluid. In group B, more infants were born with umbilical cord blood pH <7.1 (1.38% vs. 0%), both groups included no deliveries of newborns with Apgar score ≤3 points, the groups did not differ in terms of the percentage of newborns with Apgar score between 4 and 7 at birth (OR=0.66, 95% CI 0.29-1.49). The immature cervix and the need to use labor preinduction is a risk factor for caesarean section. The necessity of preinduction does not impair neonatological results.