Multicenter Analysis of the Relationship Between Operative Team Familiarity and Safety and Efficiency Outcomes in Cardiac Surgery.

Background: Safety in cardiac surgical procedures is predicated on effective team dynamics. This study associated operative team familiarity (ie, the extent of clinical collaboration among surgical team members) with procedural efficiency and Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) adjudicated patient outcomes.

Methods: Institutional STS adult cardiac surgery registry and electronic health record data from 2014 to 2021 were evaluated across 3 quaternary hospitals.

Prebypass Critical Closing Pressure Predicts Acute Kidney Injury After Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Objectives: Optimal blood pressure goals during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) remain uncertain and new metrics to individualize perfusion targets are needed. Critical closing pressure (Pcrit) is a fundamental property of the arterial circulation related to vascular tone and represents the outflow pressure impacting flow across the systemic circulation. We examined Pcrit as a prognostic marker of acute kidney injury (AKI).

Protamine dose to neutralize heparin at the completion of cardiopulmonary bypass can be reduced significantly without affecting post-operative bleeding.

Background: Systemic anticoagulation with heparin during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) should be neutralized by protamine administration to restore normal hemostasis. Our previous study showed the protamine-to-heparin ratio (P-to-H) of 1:1 (1 mg protamine:100 IU circulating heparin; 1.0 Ratio) is likely an overestimation.

Can the Minimum Protamine Dose to Neutralize Heparin at the Completion of Cardiopulmonary Bypass be Significantly Lower than the Conventional Practice?

Systemic anticoagulation with heparin during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) should be neutralized by protamine administration to restore normal hemostasis. However, protamine has potentially serious side effects and excessive protamine can cause increased postoperative bleeding. Thus, our goal is to appropriately dose protamine at the completion of CPB to neutralize heparin so that neither residual heparin nor excessive protamine is present.

A tool to assess nontechnical skills of perfusionists in the cardiac operating room.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop the Perfusionists' Intraoperative Non-Technical Skills tool, specifically to the perfusionists' context, and test its inter-rater reliability.

Methods: An expert panel was convened to review existing surgical nontechnical skills taxonomies and develop the Perfusionists' Intraoperative Non-Technical Skills tool. During a workshop held at a national meeting, perfusionists completed the Perfusionists' Intraoperative Non-Technical Skills ratings after watching 4 videos displaying simulated cardiac operations.

Improved Estimation of Total Blood Volume Can Provide a Reliable Prediction of Dilutional Hematocrit and Oxygen Delivery during Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Optimal oxygen delivery during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for open heart surgery is crucial to protect organ function, improve outcomes, and reduce hospital stay. Effective preparation for optimal oxygen delivery during CPB is dependent on a reliable estimation of total blood volume (TBV) to accurately predict dilutional hematocrit (Hct) and calculate indexed oxygen delivery (iDO). Unreliable estimation of TBV is a major reason for inaccurate prediction of dilutional Hct and iDO.

Effect of sex on nadir hematocrit and rates of acute kidney injury in coronary artery bypass.

Objective: Findings from a large multicenter experience showed that sex influenced the relationship between low nadir hematocrit and increased risk of acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery. We explored whether sex-related differences persisted among patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods: We undertook a prospective, observational study of 17,363 patients without dialysis (13,137 male: 75.

Is Conventional Bypass for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery a Misnomer?

Although recent trials comparing on vs. off-pump revascularization techniques describe cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) as "conventional," inadequate description and evaluation of how CPB is managed often exist in the peer-reviewed literature. We identify and subsequently describe regional and center-level differences in the techniques and equipment used for conducting CPB in the setting of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery.

An In-Vitro Study Comparing the GME Handling of Two Contemporary Oxygenators.

Gaseous microemboli (GME) are a potential complication of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Though it is difficult to prove that GME is the only major cause of neurological deficits, it may increase the chance of post-operative cognitive dysfunction if not removed. The objectives of this research were to compare LivaNova-Sorin Inspire (Inspire) oxygenator with a Medtronic arterial filter to the Medtronic Fusion (Fusion) oxygenator with and without a Medtronic arterial filter based on each system's ability to handle GME.

The Relationship between Intra-Operative Transfusions and Nadir Hematocrit on Post-Operative Outcomes after Cardiac Surgery.

Uncertainty exists regarding the optimal strategy for the management of anemia in the setting of cardiac surgery. We sought to improve our understanding of the role of intra-operative hematocrit (HCT) and transfusions on peri-operative outcomes following cardiac surgery. A total of 18,886 patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery were identified from a multi-institutional registry including surgical and perfusion data.

Report from AmSECT's International Consortium for Evidence- Based Perfusion Consensus Statement: Minimal Criteria for Reporting Cardiopulmonary Bypass-Related Contributions to Red Blood Cell Transfusions Associated With Adult Cardiac Surgery.

Gaps remain in our understanding of the contribution of bypass-related practices associated with red blood cell (RBC) transfusions after cardiac surgery. Variability exists in the reporting of bypass-related practices in the peer-reviewed literature. In an effort to create uniformity in reporting, a draft statement outlining proposed minimal criteria for reporting cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)- related contributions (i.

Impact of Ultrafiltration on Kidney Injury After Cardiac Surgery: The Michigan Experience.

Background: This study examines the relationship between the use and volume of conventional ultrafiltration (CUF) and the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) after isolated on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Methods: A total of 6,407 consecutive patients underwent isolated on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery between 2010 and 2013 at 21 medical centers participating in the PERFusion Measures and Outcomes (PERForm) registry. We assessed the effect of CUF use on AKI and other postoperative sequelae using a generalized linear mixed-effect model with a logit link.

Greater Volume of Acute Normovolemic Hemodilution May Aid in Reducing Blood Transfusions After Cardiac Surgery.

Background: Perioperative red blood cell transfusions (RBC) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery. Acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) is recommended to reduce perioperative transfusions; however, supporting data are limited and conflicting. We describe the relationship between ANH and RBC transfusions after cardiac surgery using a multi-center registry.

Advances in Perfusion Techniques: Minimally Invasive Procedures.

There is a growing demand from patients and referring physicians for minimally invasive cardiac surgery. Minimally invasive cardiac procedures are technically unique from conventional cardiac procedures and require a thorough understanding of the surgical, anesthetic, and perfusion strategies. Strategies include routine use of augmented venous drainage, alternative arterial and venous cannulation sites, and special cannulas designed for minimally invasive procedures.

Report from AmSECT's International Consortium for Evidence-Based Perfusion: American Society of Extracorporeal Technology Standards and Guidelines for Perfusion Practice: 2013.

Unlabelled: One of the roles of a professional society is to develop standards and guidelines of practice as an instrument to guide safe and effective patient care. The American Society of Extracorporeal Technology (AmSECT) first published its Essentials for Perfusion Practice, Clinical Function: Conduct of Extracorporeal Circulation in 1993. The International Consortium for Evidence-Based Perfusion (ICEBP), a committee within AmSECT, was tasked with updating this document in 2010.

International pediatric perfusion practice: 2011 survey results.

New cardiopulmonary bypass devices and new innovative methods are frequently reported in the literature; however, the actual extent to which they are adopted into clinical practice is not well known. We distributed an electronic survey to 289 domestic and international pediatric congenital surgery centers in an effort to measure attributes of current clinical practice. The survey consisted of 107 questions relating to program demographics, equipment, and techniques.

Validation of a perfusion registry: methodological approach and initial findings.

Although regional and national registries exist to measure and report performance of cardiac surgical programs, few registries exist dedicated to the practice of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We developed and implemented a cardiovascular perfusion registry (Perfusion Measures and outcomes [PERForm] Registry) within the structure of the Michigan Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons (MSTCVS) to improve our understanding of the practice of CPB. The PERForm Registry comprises data elements describing the practice of CPB.

2011 update to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists blood conservation clinical practice guidelines.

Background: Practice guidelines reflect published literature. Because of the ever changing literature base, it is necessary to update and revise guideline recommendations from time to time. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons recommends review and possible update of previously published guidelines at least every three years.

Diagnosis of inadvertent cannulation of the azygos vein during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass demands diligence and attention to detail to prevent neurologic injury. Arterial and venous cannulae are used to facilitate cardiopulmonary bypass. The assessment of adequate decompression of the venous circulation is an essential duty of the cardiac surgical team.

The effect of the perioperative blood transfusion and blood conservation in cardiac surgery Clinical Practice Guidelines of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists upon clinical practices.

The 2007 Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Clinical Practice Guideline for Perioperative Blood Transfusion and Blood Conservation in Cardiac Surgery was recently promulgated and has received much attention. Using a survey of cardiac anesthesiologists and perfusionists' clinical practice, we assessed the current practices of perfusion, anesthesia, and surgery, as recommended by the Guidelines and also determined the role the Guidelines had in changing these practices. Nontrainee members of the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists, the American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion, the Canadian Society of Clinical Perfusion, and the American Society of ExtraCorporeal Technology were surveyed using a standardized survey instrument that examined clinical practices and responses to the Guidelines.

Effect of the perioperative blood transfusion and blood conservation in cardiac surgery clinical practice guidelines of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists upon clinical practices.

Background: The 2007 Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Clinical Practice Guideline for Perioperative Blood Transfusion and Blood Conservation in Cardiac Surgery was recently promulgated and has received much attention. Using a survey of cardiac anesthesiologists and perfusionists' clinical practice, we aimed to assess the current practices of perfusion, anesthesia, and surgery, as recommended by the Guidelines, and to also determine the role the Guidelines had in changing these practices.

Methods: Nontrainee members of the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists, the American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion, the Canadian Society of Clinical Perfusion, and the American Society of ExtraCorporeal Technology were surveyed using a standardized survey instrument that examined clinical practices and responses to the Guidelines.