The predictive value of NT-proBNP and hs-TnT for risk of death in cardiac surgical patients.

Background: European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II (EuroSCORE II) is used for risk stratification before cardiac surgery, but whether N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) may add prognostic information to EuroSCORE II is not known.

Methods: Preoperative (n=640) and postoperative (n=629) blood samples were available from cardiac surgical patients with 961-day follow-up (FINNAKI Heart study; cohort #1). The accuracy of a parsimonious risk model with NT-proBNP measurements was also tested in 90 patients with respiratory failure after cardiac surgery (FINNALI study; cohort #2).

Acute Kidney Injury After Cardiac Surgery by Complete KDIGO Criteria Predicts Increased Mortality.

Objectives: Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs frequently after cardiac surgery and is associated with increased mortality. The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria for diagnosing AKI include creatinine and urine output values. However, the value of the latter is debated.

Decreased maximum clot firmness in rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM®) is associated with bleeding during extracorporeal mechanical circulatory support.

Background:: We aimed to characterize the coagulation disturbances which may increase the risk of bleeding, thrombosis or death shortly after implantation of an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or ventricular assist (VAD) device.

Methods:: Antithrombotic treatment was started in 23 VAD and 24 ECMO patients according to the hospital protocol. Additionally, conventional laboratory testing, rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM®) and platelet function analysis (Multiplate®) were performed at predetermined intervals.

Predictive value of high-sensitivity troponin T in addition to EuroSCORE II in cardiac surgery.

Objectives: Plasma troponins, measured by fourth-generation assays, are associated with increased mortality and morbidity after cardiac surgery. They also offer predictive information in addition to EuroSCORE, a widely used risk model after cardiac surgery. However, preoperatively measured troponin has provided no additional information to postoperative values.

Association of plasma chloride values with acute kidney injury in the critically ill - a prospective observational study.

Background: Chloride-rich fluids have been found to associate with an increased risk for acute kidney injury (AKI) among intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Studies evaluating the association of plasma chloride (Cl) with the development of AKI are few. We hypothesized that higher plasma Cl is associated with an increased risk for the development of AKI.