Inflammation risk before cardiac surgery and the treatment effect of intraoperative dexamethasone.

Patients who exhibit high systemic inflammation after cardiac surgery may benefit most from pre-emptive anti-inflammatory treatments. In this secondary analysis ( = 813) of the randomised, double-blind Intraoperative High-Dose Dexamethasone for Cardiac Surgery trial, we set out to develop an inflammation risk prediction model and assess whether patients at higher risk benefit from a single intraoperative dose of dexamethasone (1 mg/kg). Inflammation risk before surgery was quantified from a linear regression model developed in the placebo arm, relating preoperatively available covariates to peak postoperative C-reactive protein.

Recovery of platelet-rich red blood cells and acquisition of convalescent plasma with a novel gravity-driven blood separation device.

Objectives: Our objectives were to determine the separation characteristics and blood product quality of a gravity-driven microfiltration blood separation system (HemoClear, The Netherlands).

Background: A range of centrifugal blood separation devices, including intraoperative cell salvage devices (cell savers) and apheresis machines, are available to assist in preparing both allogenic and autologous blood products. These devices are expensive to operate and require extensive training.

An In Vitro Pilot Study Comparing the Novel HemoClear Gravity-Driven Microfiltration Cell Salvage System with the Conventional Centrifugal XTRA™ Autotransfusion Device.

Background: In 2013, the World Health Organization reported a shortage of 17 million red blood cell units, a number that remains growing. Acts to relieve this shortage have primarily focused on allogeneic blood collection. Nevertheless, autologous transfusion can partially alleviate the current pressure and dependence on blood banking systems.

Implementation of a specific safety check is associated with lower postoperative mortality in cardiac surgery.

Introduction: In cardiac surgery, a preincision safety checklist may decrease complications and improve survival. Until now, it has not been demonstrated whether the implementation of such a checklist indeed reduces mortality.

Objective: Introduction of a preincision safety checklist on mortality was studied in a large adult cardiac surgery population.

Impact of Modified Transesophageal Echocardiography on Mortality and Stroke after Cardiac Surgery: A Large Cohort Study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of perioperative screening with modified transesophageal echocardiography (A-View method). We compared, in consecutive patients who underwent cardiac surgery between 2006 and 2014, 30-day mortality and in-hospital stroke incidence, operated either with perioperative modified TEE screening (intervention group) or only with conventional TEE screening (control group). Of the 8,605 study patients, modified TEE was applied in 1,391 patients (16.

A Protocol for Diagnosis and Management of Aortic Atherosclerosis in Cardiac Surgery Patients.

In patients undergoing cardiac surgery, use of perioperative screening for aortic atherosclerosis with modified TEE (A-View method) was associated with lower postoperative mortality, but not stroke, as compared to patients operated on without such screening. At the time of clinical implementation and validation, we did not yet standardize the indications for modified TEE and the changes in patient management in the presence of aortic atherosclerosis. Therefore, we designed a protocol, which combined the diagnosis of atherosclerosis of thoracic aorta and the subsequent considerations with respect to the intraoperative management and provides a systematic approach to reduce the risk of cerebral complications.

Effect of Fibrinogen Concentrate on Intraoperative Blood Loss Among Patients With Intraoperative Bleeding During High-Risk Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Fibrinogen concentrate might partly restore coagulation defects and reduce intraoperative bleeding.

Objective: To determine whether fibrinogen concentrate infusion dosed to achieve a plasma fibrinogen level of 2.5 g/L in high-risk cardiac surgery patients with intraoperative bleeding reduces intraoperative blood loss.

Trait anxiety mediates the effect of stress exposure on post-traumatic stress disorder and depression risk in cardiac surgery patients.

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are common after cardiac surgery. Lifetime stress exposure and personality traits may influence the development of these psychiatric conditions.

Methods: Self-reported rates of PTSD and depression and potential determinants (i.

Modified transesophageal echocardiography of the dissected thoracic aorta; a novel diagnostic approach.

Background: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a key diagnostic modality in patients with acute aortic dissection, yet its sensitivity is limited by a "blind-spot" caused by air in the trachea. After placement of a fluid-filled balloon in the trachea visualization of the thoracic aorta becomes possible. This method, modified TEE, has been shown to be an accurate test for the diagnosis of upper aortic atherosclerosis.

Survival and quality of life after surgical aortic valve replacement in octogenarians.

Background: In patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis, advanced age is often a reason for a transcatheter rather than surgical aortic valve replacement. In this pre-transcatheter cohort we had the unique opportunity to study outcomes after surgical aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis in patients who might currently be triaged to a percutaneous approach.

Methods: In a prospective single-center cohort study we compared the incidence of peri-operative complications, mortality, and health-related quality of life in octogenarians versus patients aged <80 years.

Imaging Techniques for Diagnosis of Thoracic Aortic Atherosclerosis.

The most severe complications after cardiac surgery are neurological complications including stroke which is often caused by emboli merging from atherosclerosis in the ascending aorta to the brain. Information about the thoracic aorta is crucial in reducing the embolization risk for both surgical open and closed chest procedures such as transaortic heart valve implantation. Several techniques are available to screen the ascending aorta, for example, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), epiaortic ultrasound, TEE A-view method, manual palpation, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging.

The Effect of Dexamethasone on Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression After Cardiac Surgery and Intensive Care Admission: Longitudinal Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: Cardiac surgery and postoperative admission to the ICU may lead to posttraumatic stress disorder and depression. Perioperatively administered corticosteroids potentially alter the risk of development of these psychiatric conditions, by affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. However, findings of previous studies are inconsistent.

Accuracy, Precision, and Trending Ability of Uncalibrated Arterial Pressure Waveform Analysis of Cardiac Output in Patients With Impaired Left Ventricular Function: A Prospective, Observational Study.

Objectives: Uncalibrated arterial waveform analysis provides minimally invasive and continuous measurement of cardiac output (CO). This technique could be of great value in patients with impaired left ventricular function, but the validity in these patients is not well established. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy, precision, and trending ability of uncalibrated arterial waveform analysis of cardiac output in patients with impaired left ventricular function.

Intraoperative High-Dose Dexamethasone in Cardiac Surgery and the Risk of Rethoracotomy.

Background: Cardiac surgery with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with a systemic inflammatory response. Intraoperative corticosteroids are administered to attenuate this inflammatory response. The recent Dexamethasone for Cardiac Surgery (DECS) trial could not demonstrate a beneficial effect of dexamethasone on major adverse events in cardiac surgical patients.

Intraoperative High-Dose Dexamethasone and Severe AKI after Cardiac Surgery.

Administration of prophylactic glucocorticoids has been suggested as a strategy to reduce postoperative AKI and other adverse events after cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass. In this post hoc analysis of a large placebo-controlled randomized trial of dexamethasone in 4465 adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery, we examined severe AKI, defined as use of RRT, as a primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were doubling of serum creatinine level or AKI-RRT, as well as AKI-RRT or in-hospital mortality (RRT/death).

Effects of dexamethasone on cognitive decline after cardiac surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Cardiac surgery can be complicated by postoperative cognitive decline (POCD), which is characterized by impaired memory function and intellectual ability. The systemic inflammatory response that is induced by major surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass may play an important role in the etiology of POCD. Prophylactic corticosteroids to attenuate the inflammatory response may therefore reduce the risk of POCD.

Effectiveness of a cardiac surgery-specific transfusion protocol.

Background: Cardiac surgery is often complicated by excessive bleeding that is commonly treated with blood products. In the year 2009 a transfusion protocol was introduced specifically designed for cardiac surgery procedures. This study aims to evaluate the effect of this protocol on transfusion of blood products and the occurrence of clinical events.

Epidural analgesia for cardiac surgery.

Background: A combination of general anaesthesia (GA) with thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) may have a beneficial effect on clinical outcomes by reducing the risk of perioperative complications after cardiac surgery.

Objectives: The objective of this review was to determine the impact of perioperative epidural analgesia in cardiac surgery on perioperative mortality and cardiac, pulmonary or neurological morbidity. We performed a meta-analysis to compare the risk of adverse events and mortality in patients undergoing cardiac surgery under general anaesthesia with and without epidural analgesia.

Intraoperative high-dose dexamethasone for cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

Context: Prophylactic corticosteroids are often administered during cardiac surgery to attenuate the inflammatory response to cardiopulmonary bypass and surgical trauma; however, evidence that routine corticosteroid use can prevent major adverse events is lacking.

Objective: To quantify the effect of intraoperative high-dose dexamethasone on the incidence of major adverse events in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 4494 patients aged 18 years or older undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass at 8 cardiac surgical centers in The Netherlands enrolled between April 13, 2006, and November 23, 2011.

Fibrinogen concentrate therapy in complex cardiac surgery.

Objectives: Fibrinogen concentrate increasingly is used to treat coagulopathic bleeding in cardiac surgery although its effectiveness and safety have not been shown. The authors conducted a cohort study to quantify the effects of fibrinogen concentrate on postoperative blood loss and transfusion and the occurrence of adverse clinical events in complex cardiac surgery patients.

Design: A cohort analysis using prospectively collected data.

Predicting prolonged intensive care unit stays in older cardiac surgery patients: a validation study.

Purpose: In cardiac surgery prediction models identifying patients at risk of prolonged stay at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) are used to optimize treatment and use of ICU resources. A recent systematic validation study of 14 of these models identified three models with a good predictive performance across patients of all ages. It is however unclear how these models perform in older patients, who nowadays form a considerable part of this patient population.

Thoracic epidural anesthesia for cardiac surgery: a randomized trial.

Background: The addition of thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) to general anesthesia (GA) during cardiac surgery may have a beneficial effect on clinical outcomes. TEA in cardiac surgery, however, is controversial because the insertion of an epidural catheter in patients requiring full heparinization for cardiopulmonary bypass may lead to an epidural hematoma. The clinical effects of fast-track GA plus TEA were compared with those of with fast-track GA alone.