High Risk Of Cardiac Complications Research Articles

Risk of cardiovascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation and cancer. Data from the ATHERO-AF cohort

Abstract Background Patients with non valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) and cancer represent a high-risk subgroup of patients in whom the management of oral anticoagulation may be challenging. The relationship between cancer type and the risk of cardiovascular events (CVEs) in patients with AF is unclear. Purpose To investigate the incidence of CVEs in patients with AF and cancer according to cancer type. Methods Prospective cohort study including 2,092 consecutive AF patients on vitamin K antagonists. Principal endpoint was the occurrence of CVEs including fatal/non-fatal myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke and cardiovascular death. We also performed a subgroup analysis of cardiac and thromboembolic events separately. Patients with cancer were divided in subgroups based on cancer site as follows: group 1 gastrointestinal tract; group 2 respiratory tract; group 3 genitourinary tract; group 4 other sites. Results Mean age was 73.7±9.1 years and 42.1% were woman; 367 (17.5%) had cancer, of these 21% gastro-intestinal, 10% respiratory, 28% genito-urinary and 41% had other localization. Patients with cancer were older than those without but with similar clinical characteristics. During a mean follow up of 35.9±28.0 months (6264.5 patient-years), 203 CVEs occurred (3.24%/year, 95% CI 2.81–3.72) of whom 86 were cardiac ischemia (1.37%/year, 95% CI 1.10–1.69), 70 thromboembolic events (1.12%/year, 95% CI 0.87–1.41) and 47 cardiovascular deaths (0.75%/year, 95% CI 0.55–0.99). The incidence of CVEs for AF patients with and without cancer was respectively (n=45, 3.78%, 95% CI 2.76–5.06) and (n=158, 3.11%/year, 95% CI 2.65–3.64). In particular, compared to patients without cancer, a higher incidence rate of CVEs was found in patients with gastrointestinal tract cancer (5.61%/year, 95% CI 2.90–9.79, p=0.046), and in patients with respiratory tract cancer (6.15%/year, 95% CI 2.66–12.1, p=0.055), while no difference was found in patients with genito-urinary tract cancer (2.24%/year, 95% CI 0.97–4.41, p=0.362) and other site cancer (3.11%/year, 95% CI 2.65–3.64, p=0.512). Cox regression multivariate analysis showed that factors associated with cardiac events were COPD, dyslipidemia, TTR <70%, PPI drugs and gastrointestinal cancer (figure). Conversely, CHA2DS2VASc score and respiratory cancer were predictors of thromboembolic events. Conclusions Our findings suggest an association between cancer type and specific ischemic complications in AF patients. In particular, we found a higher risk of cardiac complications in patients with gastrointestinal cancer and of thromboembolic events in patients with respiratory cancer. These associations need to be confirmed in larger studies. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Cardioprotective Properties Of Xenon

Abstract The review presents the main aspects of the cardioprotective properties of the xenon inhalation anesthetic. Based on the analysis of publications, the article discusses modern views on the mechanisms of the protective action of xenon, realized using pre- and post-conditioning mechanisms, shows major molecular targets and their effects. The article presents the results of experimental studies in vivo and in vitro, which showed the protective effect of xenon on the myocardium and the results of recent randomized clinical trials. The analysis of studies demonstrates the ability of xenon to increase myocardial resistance to ischemia and reperfusion and opens up good prospects for its use in clinical practice in patients with a high risk of cardiac complications.

Application of pixantrone in a III line of treatment as a bridge therapy to allotransplantation of stem cells

Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas are the most common group among all lymphomas. Despite the effectiveness of the I line therapy in 10–40% of patients, the possibility of relapse should be taken into account. The anthracycline antibiotics used in the II line therapy carry a high risk of cardiac complications. In patients with refractory or recurrent disease, emergency treatment is used, aiming for the transplantation of hematopoietic cells. If the II line therapy fails, the prognosis is bad. A new chance for patients with refractory or recurrent B-cell lymphoma is pixantrone dimaleate, a drug structurally related to anthracyclines with a significantly lower cardiotoxic potential. The paper presents a case of a 65-year-old patient with relapsing DLBCL lymphoma, after two treatment lines: R-CHOP and R-DHAP, and after autologous transplantation of stem cells, in which the use of pixantrone in the treatment of recurrence allowed to achieve remission and prepare the patient for the allo-HSCT procedure.

Fatal arrhythmias: Another reason why doctors remain cautious about chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine for treating COVID-19

BackgroundEarly during the current coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) received a significant amount of attention as a potential antiviral treatment, such that it became one of the most commonly prescribed medications for COVID-19 patients. However, not only has the effectiveness of HCQ remained questionable, but mainly based on preclinical and a few small clinical studies, HCQ is known to be potentially arrhythmogenic, especially as a result of QT prolongation.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the arrhythmic effects of HCQ, as the heightened risk is especially relevant to COVID-19 patients, who are at higher risk for cardiac complications and arrhythmias at baseline.MethodsAn optical mapping technique utilizing voltage-sensitive fluorescent dyes was used to determine the arrhythmic effects of HCQ in ex vivo guinea pig and rabbit hearts perfused with the upper therapeutic serum dose of HCQ (1000 ng/mL).ResultsHCQ markedly increased action potential dispersion, resulted in development of repolarization alternans, and initiated polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.ConclusionThe study results further highlight the proarrhythmic effects of HCQ.

The Effect of an Abnormal BMI on Orthopaedic Trauma Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Aims: The aim of this systemic review is to identify the complications that arise in operating on orthopaedic trauma patients with an abnormal body mass index (BMI). Materials and Methods: Systematic literature search using a combination of MESH subject headings and free text searching of Medline, Embase, SCOPUS and Cochrane databases in August 2019. Any orthopaedic injury requiring surgery was included. Papers were reviewed and quality assessed by two independent reviewers to select for inclusion. Where sufficiently homogenous, meta-analysis was performed. Results: A total of 26 articles (379,333 patients) were selected for inclusion. All complications were more common in those with a high BMI (>30). The odds ratio (OR) for high BMI patients sustaining post-operative complication of any type was 2.32 with a 23% overall complication rate in the BMI > 30 group, vs. 14% in the normal BMI group (p < 0.05). The OR for mortality was 3.5. The OR for infection was 2.28. The OR for non-union in tibial fractures was 2.57. Thrombotic events were also more likely in the obese group. Low BMI (<18.5) was associated with a higher risk of cardiac complications than either those with a normal or high BMI (OR 1.56). Conclusion: Almost all complications are more common in trauma patients with a raised BMI. This should be made clear during the consent process, and strategies developed to reduce these risks where possible. Unlike in elective surgery, BMI is a non-modifiable risk factor in the trauma context, but an awareness of the complications should inform clinicians and patients alike. Underweight patients have a higher risk of developing cardiac complications than either high or normal BMI patient groups, but as few studies exist, further research into this group is recommended.

EP1.17-04 Pneumonectomy Should Be Avoided in Patients Who Do Not Reach the Distance of 500 Meters in 6-Minute Walking Test Due to High Early Mortality

Pneumonectomy is required in less than 10% of patients operated for lung cancer. This type of surgery is performed ultimately because of its debilitating character, high morbidity, and mortality. Previously estimated values of the 6-minute walking test (6MWT) performed preoperatively helps to identify high risk of postoperative complications, increased early mortality and worse long term results in patients undergoing lobectomy for lung cancer. The aim of the study was to validate the value of 500 meters in 6MWT differentiating risk of complications in patients undergoing pneumonectomy. Between January 2009 and January 2018 1618 patients were operated in the Thoracic Surgery Department. All of the patients were accepted for resection based on a standard evaluation protocol. Additionally, on the day before the surgery, patients performed 6MWT. 141 patients underwent pneumonectomy, but 16 patients did not undergo 6MWT due to different reasons. Finally, 125 patients entered the analysis. The cut-off value of 6MWT – 500 meters was defined in previously published papers in patients requiring lobectomy. This value was validated in the current study in patients who underwent pneumonectomy. There were 93 men and 32 women with a mean age of 63 years. All patients underwent pneumonectomies due to primary lung cancer. The cut-off value of 500 meters identified patients with increased 90-day mortality [17.9% vs. 3.5% odds ratio (OR) 6.271 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.528-25.739 p=0.005], and first-year mortality (30.7% vs. 11.6% OR 3.378 95%CI 1.310-8.709 p=0.009), while 30-day mortality (10.3% vs. 2.3% OR 4.800 95%CI 0.840-27.418 p=0.055) fairly reached statistical significance. Patients who covered distance shorter than 500 meters had increased risk of atrial fibrillation (35.9% vs. 16.3% OR 2.880 95%CI 1.207-6.870 p=0.015) and cardiac complications (38.4% vs. 19.8% OR 2.537 95%CI 1.100-5.849 p=0.026). The rates of pulmonary complications, general complications, and duration of postoperative stay did not differ between the study populations. Patients who do not reach the distance of 500 meters in 6MWT have a high risk of cardiac complications and early postoperative death after pneumonectomy.

Exploring the Prognostic Value of Novel Markers in Adults With a Systemic Right Ventricle.

BackgroundAdults with a systemic right ventricle (sRV) have a high risk of cardiac complications. This study aimed to identify prognostic markers in adults with sRV based on clinical evaluation, echocardiography, and blood biomarkers.Methods and ResultsIn this prospective cohort study, consecutive clinically stable adults with sRV caused by Mustard‐ or congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries were included (2011–2013). Eighty‐six patients were included (age 37±9 years, 65% male, 83% New York Heart Association functional class I, 76% Mustard transposition of the great arteries, 24% congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries). Venous blood sampling was performed including N‐terminal pro B‐type natriuretic peptide, high‐sensitive‐troponin‐T, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, growth differentiation factor‐15, galectin‐3, red cell distribution width, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and hemoglobin. Besides conventional echocardiographic measurements, longitudinal, circumferential, and radial strain were assessed using strain analysis. During a median follow‐up of 5.9 (interquartile range 5.3–6.3) years, 19 (22%) patients died or had heart failure (primary end point) and 29 (34%) patients died or had arrhythmia (secondary end point). Univariable Cox regression analysis was performed using dichotomous or standardized continuous variables. New York Heart Association functional class >I, systolic blood pressure, and most blood biomarkers were associated with the primary and secondary end point (galectin‐3 not for primary, N‐terminal pro B‐type natriuretic peptide and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein not for secondary end point). Growth differentiation factor‐15 showed the strongest association with both end points (hazard ratios; 2.44 [95% CI 1.67–3.57, P<0.001], 2.00 [95% CI 1.46–2.73, P<0.001], respectively). End‐diastolic basal dimension of the subpulmonary ventricle was associated with both end points (hazard ratio: 1.95 [95% CI 1.34–2.85], P<0.001, 1.70 [95% CI 1.21–2.38, P=0.002], respectively). Concerning strain analysis, only sRV septal strain was associated with the secondary end point (hazard ratio 0.58 [95% CI 0.39–0.86], P=0.006).ConclusionsClinical, conventional echocardiographic, and blood measurements are important markers for risk stratification in adults with a sRV. The value of novel echocardiographic strain analysis seems limited.

Prognostic impact of high sensitive Troponin T in patients with influenza virus infection: A retrospective analysis

BackgroundSeasonal influenza is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and cardiac injuries are dangerous complications of influenza infection. Cardiac troponins are established biomarkers of myocardial damage. ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to assess high sensitive Troponin-T (hsTnT) serum levels as a surrogate parameter of cardiac involvement in influenza patients. MethodsCross-sectional analysis of 264 patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza virus infection. Routine laboratory parameters, hsTNT, and the history of cardiovascular disease were included in the analysis. Assessed prognostic endpoints were inpatient therapy requirement, death < 30 days after hospitalization and acute cardiac events (ACE) defined as myocardial ischemia, heart failure or new arrhythmia requiring therapy. ResultsEighty-four patients (31.8%) had increased hsTnT at the initial presentation and twenty patients (7.6%) experienced ACE. Patients with ACE had higher hsTnT (p < 0.01) and CRP (p = 0.04) serum levels compared to patients who did not experience ACE. A binary logistic regression model to predict ACE revealed hsTnT (p < 0.01) and CRP (p = 0.01) to significantly influence the odds for ACE. A hsTnT cut-off of 46,4 ng/l was identified as having the best discriminative potential to identify patients with ACE (sensitivity = 0.7, specificity = 0.8). ConclusionTo date, this is the largest available analysis of the specific cardiac marker hsTnT in patients with influenza. A slight elevation of hsTnT is a common feature of patients with influenza, however increased hsTnT also highlights a higher risk for cardiac complications and fatal outcome.

Genotypic Groups As Risk Factor for Cardiac MR Abnormalities and Complications in Thalassemia Major

Introduction. Beta thalassemia major (β-TM) displays a great deal of genotypic heterogeneity, not fully investigated in terms of cause-effect. This prospective and multicentre study aimed to detect if different genotypic groups could predict the development of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) abnormalities and cardiac complications (CC).Methods. We considered 708 β-TM patients (373 females, 30.05±9.47 years), consecutively enrolled in Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia (MIOT) network. Data were collected from birth to the first CMR imaging scan. Myocardial iron overload was assessed by the multislice multiecho T2* technique. Biventricular function parameters were quantified by cine images. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) images were acquired to detect myocardial fibrosis.Results. On the basis of the type of gene mutation, three groups of patients were identified: homozygotes β+ (N=158), compound heterozygotes β+ / β° (N=298) and homozygotes β° (N=252). Table 1 shows the effect of genotype group on the development of different cardiac outcomes. Compared to the milder genotype group homozygotes β+, the other two groups showed a significantly higher risk of myocardial iron overload (MIO) and left ventricular dysfunction. We recorded 90 (13.0 %) cardiac events: 46 heart failures (HF), 38 arrhythmias (33 supraventricular, 3 ventricular and 2 hypoinetic) and 6 pulmonary hypertensions (PH). No prospective association was detected between genotype group and HF and PH. The homozygous β° group showed a significantly higher risk of arrhythmias than the homozygous β+ group and at the limit of significance than the compound heterozygotes. Globally, homozygotes β° showed a significantly higher risk of CC than homozygotes β+.Conclusion. Different genotypic groups predict the development of MIO, left ventricular dysfunction, arrhythmias and CC in β-TM patients. These data support the knowledge of the different genotypic groups in the clinical management of β-TM patients. [Display omitted] DisclosuresPepe:Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., ApoPharma Inc., and Bayer: Other: No profit support.

Cardioprotection in the Modern Era of Cancer Chemotherapy.

The current arsenal of cancer chemotherapy is broad and rapidly expanding and includes conventional cytotoxic agents and targeted and immune-based therapies. As cancer survival rates have improved, the acute and latent cardiotoxicities of chemotherapy have emerged as important contributors to morbidity and mortality in cancer survivors. All chemotherapeutic agents have the potential for cardiac complications, with manifestations ranging from subclinical left ventricular dysfunction and asymptomatic QT prolongation, to congestive heart failure, myocardial ischemia, myocarditis, arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac death. Efforts are ongoing to identify patients at high risk of cardiac complications and to develop evidence-based approaches to cardioprotection. In this review, we describe antitumor agents commonly associated with cardiotoxicity, with a focus on risk assessment, surveillance strategies, and pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions aimed at preventing and mitigating chemotherapy-induced myocardial dysfunction.

Insurance Status Affects In-Hospital Complication Rates After Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Insurance status has been shown to be a predictor of patient morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of patient insurance status on the in-hospital complication rates following total knee arthroplasty. Data were obtained from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2004 through 2011). Patient demographics and comorbidities were analyzed and stratified by insurance type. Analysis was performed with a matched cohort comparing complication rates between patients with Medicare vs private insurance using the coarsened exact matching algorithm and multivariable logistic regression. A total of 1,352,505 patients (Medicare, 57.8%; private insurance, 35.6%; Medicaid/uninsured, 3.1%; other, 3.3%; unknown, 0.2%) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The matched cohort analysis comparing Medicare with privately insured patients showed significantly higher risk of mortality (relative risk [RR], 1.34; P<.001), wound dehiscence (RR, 1.32; P<.001), central nervous system complications (RR, 1.16; P=.030), and gastrointestinal complications (RR, 1.13; P<.001) in Medicare patients, whereas privately insured patients had a higher risk of cardiac complications (RR, 0.93; P=.003). Independent of insurance status, older patients and patients with an increased comorbidity index were also associated with a higher complication rate and mortality following total knee arthroplasty. These data suggest that insurance status may be considered as an independent risk factor for increased complications when stratifying patients preoperatively for total knee replacement. Further research is needed to investigate the disparities in these findings to optimize patient outcomes following total knee arthroplasty. [Orthopedics. 2018; 41(3):e340-e347.].

Effect of maternal age on pregnancy outcome in patients with structural heart disease

Objective: To analyze the effect of maternal age on pregnancy outcome in patients with structural heart disease. Methods: Totally 986 patients diagnosed with structural heart disease who had their delivery at Renji Hospital from January 1st, 2003 to December 31st, 2016 were divided into 5 groups according to maternal age. Sixteen (1.6%) were in age group <20 years, 204 (20.7%) were in age group 20-24 years, 461 (46.8%) were in age group 25-29 years, 222 (22.5%) was in age group 30-34 years and 83 (8.4%) was in age group ≥35 years. The incidence of cardiac, obstetric and fetal complications among these groups were analyzed. Results: Among the 986 patients with structural heart disease, 82 (8.3%) experienced adverse cardiac events (some patients had more than 1 complication) , including infective endocarditis (0.4%, 4/986) , malignant arrhythmia (3.3%, 33/986) , heart failure (5.3%, 52/986) , cardiac death (0.9%, 9/986) . The incidence of cardiac complications were respectively 12.5%,11.3%,4.8%,10.4% and 14.5% in each age group, with statistically significant differences when compared with one another (P=0.004) . There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of obstetric complications (P>0.05) . The incidence of fetal complications in each group showed statistically significant differences (P=0.001) ; which was 25.0%,30.4%,24.1%,29.3% and 47.0% respectively. Conclusions: Age group 25- 29 years presented the lowest risk of cardiac complications and is potentially the optimal age for pregnancy and delivery. Age group <20 or ≥35 years is at higher risk for cardiac complications. The highest rate of fetal complications is in age group ≥35 years.

Derivation and Validation of a Geriatric-Sensitive Perioperative Cardiac Risk Index.

BackgroundSurgical patients aged 65 and over face a higher risk of cardiac complications from noncardiac surgery. The Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI) and the Gupta Myocardial Infarction or Cardiac Arrest (MICA) calculator are widely used to predict this risk, but they are not specifically designed to predict MICA in geriatric patients. Our hypothesis is that a new geriatric‐sensitive index, derived from geriatric data, will capture this population's unique response to risk factors.Methods and ResultsThe model was developed using the NSQIP (National Surgical Quality Improvement Program) 2013 geriatric cohort (N=584,931) (210,914 age ≥65) and validated on the NSQIP 2012 geriatric cohort (N= 485,426) (172,905 age ≥65). Least Angle Shrinkage and Selection Operator regression was used for initial variable selection. The Geriatric‐Sensitive Cardiac Risk Index (GSCRI) was then evaluated in the 2012 data set. The area under the curve (AUC) was compared among the GSCRI, RCRI, and Gupta MICA in the 2012 data set. The GSCRI had an AUC of 0.76 in the validation cohort among geriatric patients. When the Gupta MICA was tested on geriatric patients in the validation cohort, a significant deterioration (≈17%) was noted, as well as a significant underestimation of the risk. The GSCRI AUC of 0.76 in the geriatric subset was significantly greater (P<0.001) than those in the RCRI (AUC=0.63) or Gupta MICA (AUC=0.70) models, outperforming the RCRI and Gupta MICA models in geriatric patients by 13% and 6%, respectively, with a ΔAUC and P‐value of 0.13 (P<0.001), and 0.06 (P<0.001).ConclusionsThe GSCRI is a significantly better predictor of cardiac risk in geriatric patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.

The Effect of Previous Coronary Artery Revascularization on the Adverse Cardiac Events Ninety days After Total Joint Arthroplasty

BackgroundAlthough coronary artery revascularization therapies are effective for treating coronary artery disease (CAD), these patients may be more susceptible to adverse cardiac events during later non-cardiac surgeries. The purpose of this study is to evaluate post-operative 90-day complications of total joint arthroplasty (TJA) in CAD patients with a history of CAD and to study the risk factors for cardiac complications. MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of TJA patients between 2005 and 2015 at our institute by summarizing the history of CAD, cardiac revascularization, and cardiac complications within 90 days after the operation. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the factors that predicted cardiac complications within 90 days after the operation. ResultsA total of 4414 patients were included; of these, 64 underwent cardiac revascularization and 201 CAD patients underwent medical therapy other than revascularization. All the revascularization had history of myocardial infarction (MI). The rate of cardiac complications within 90 days for the CAD with revascularization was 18.7%, 18.4% for the CAD without revascularization, and 2.0% for the non-CAD group. A history of CAD and revascularization, bilateral TJA, general anesthesia, body mass index ≥30 kg/m2, and history of MI were associated with a higher risk of cardiac complications. Patients who underwent TJA within 2 years after cardiac revascularization had a significantly higher cardiac complication rate, and the risk decreased with time. ConclusionThere is an increased risk of cardiac complications within 90 days after the operation among TJA patients with a history of CAD. Revascularization cannot significantly reduce the risk of cardiac complications after TJA for CAD patients. However, the risk decreased as the interval between revascularization and TJA increased.

Difficult diagnosis of atypical kawasaki disease in an infant younger than six months: a case report

BackgroundKawasaki disease (KD) is an acute inflammatory vasculitis of unknown origin.Case presentationWe report the case of a 5-month-old child with an atypical form of KD, characterized by undulating symptoms, who developed an aneurysm of the right coronary artery and an ectasia of the left anterior descending coronary artery.ConclusionThis case report underlines the difficulties in recognizing incomplete forms of the illness in young infants, who are at higher risk of cardiac complications.

A contemporary evaluation of carotid endarterectomy outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease in the United States.

Objectives Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been identified as a significant risk factor for poor post-surgical outcomes. This study was designed to provide a contemporary analysis of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) outcomes in patients with CKD, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and normal renal function (NF). Methods The Nationwide Inpatient Sample data 2006-2012 was queried to select patients aging 40 years old and above who underwent CEA during two days after admission and had a diagnosis of ESRD on long-term hemodialysis, patients with non-dialysis-dependent CKD, or NF. Patients with acute renal failure were excluded. We subsequently compared procedure outcomes and hospital resource utilization in these patients. Results Totally 573,723 CEA procedures were estimated: 4801 (ESRD)' 32,988 (CKD)' and 535,934 (NF). Mean age was 71.0 years, 57.7% were males, and 73.7% were white. Overall hospital mortality was 0.20%: 0.69% (ESRD), 0.35% (CKD), and 0.19% (NF), p < 0.0005 between groups. The overall stroke rate was 1.6%: 1.8% (ESRD), 2.0% (CKD), and 1.6% (NF). Comparing NF to CKD there was a significant difference: p < 0.0001. For CKD patients, compared to NF patients, there was an increased risk in cardiac complications (odds ratio = 1.2; 95% CI 1.15-1.32), respiratory complications (odds ratio = 1.2; 95% CI 1.15-1.32), and stroke (odds ratio = 1.1; 95% CI 1.04-1.23). For ESRD patients compared to NF patients there was an increased risk in respiratory complications (odds ratio = 1.3; 95% CI 1.08-1.47) and sepsis (odds ratio = 4.4; 95% CI 3.23-5.94). Mean length of stay and cost were: 2.8 d and $13,903 (ESRD), 2.2 d and $12,057 (CKD), and 1.8 d and $10,130 (NF), all p < 0.0001. Conclusions Patients with ESRD undergoing CEA had an increased risk of respiratory and septic complications, but not a higher risk of stroke compared to patients with normal renal function. The greatest risks of postoperative stroke, respiratory, and cardiac complications were found in patients with CKD. A diagnosis of ESRD and CKD were both found to significantly increase hospital mortality, length of stay and cost. Where clinicians typically consider ESRD patients the highest risk for CEA, further consideration should be given to patients with CKD not yet on dialysis as they had the higher risk of cardiac complications and stroke compared to the others evaluated.

Identifying an Ideal Time Frame for Staged Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty to Maximize Functional Outcome.

Compared with staged bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA), simultaneous bilateral TKA carries a higher risk of cardiac complications, pulmonary complications, and mortality, especially in patients with preexisting cardiopulmonary disease or advanced age. However, the period of time between staged TKAs that would eliminate these increased risks has yet to be determined. The purpose of this study is to evaluate complication rates and functional outcome in patients who underwent staged bilateral TKA and to determine an optimal time frame for the second knee. The authors retrospectively reviewed 306 patients who underwent staged bilateral TKA between 2002 and 2013. Patients were grouped into 31 to 90, 91 to 180, 181 to 270, and 271 to 365 days interval, where complication and 90-day readmission rates for the second TKA were identified. Patients were also assessed preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively using the Oxford knee score (OKS) and Short-Form (SF)-36. There was no significant difference in complication and 90-day readmission rates between the various groups. The functional outcome of the knees scored 2 years postoperatively using OKS and SF-36 showed comparable results across all four groups. Thus, the authors could not identify an ideal time frame for performing the second TKA with the objective of maximizing functional outcome.

Admission troponin-I predicts subsequent cardiac complications and mortality in acute stroke patients.

The importance of troponin elevation at stroke presentation remains uncertain. We aimed to assess whether baseline ultrasensitive Troponin I (hs-TnI) predicts cardiac complications and outcome in acute stroke patients. Stroke patients admitted within 6 h were consecutively enrolled from May 2013 to March 2014. Blood samples were taken at admission to determine hs-TnI by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. hs-TnI > 34.2 pg/ml (male) and >15.6 pg/ml (female) were considered elevated. Complications during in-hospital stay and outcome at 90 days were prospectively recorded. Independent predictors of cardiac complications (heart failure and acute coronary syndrome) and mortality were determined by logistic regression. The additional predictive value of hs-TnI was evaluated by integrated discrimination improvement index. A subanalysis was performed after excluding patients with previous cardiac diseases. From 174 patients, 39(22%) had elevated hs-TnI, having these patients higher incidence of cardiac complications (57% versus 19%, p = 0.004). hs-TnI was an independent predictor of cardiac complications (OR = 16.1 (1.7-150.3)) together with diastolic blood pressure (OR = 0.92 (0.86-0.99)). Addition of hs-TnI to clinical variables significantly improved discrimination (IDI = 15.2% (7.8-22.7)). Subanalysis in patients without previous cardiac diseases showed similar results. Elevated hs-TnI was independently associated with 90 days mortality (OR = 3.6 (1.3-9.4)), but addition of hs-TnI to clinical data did not result in an increased discrimination. The present study confers hs-TnI a 2b level of evidence as a diagnostic tool to predict cardiac complications in stroke. Absence of serial hs-TnI measurements and limited sample size are the main weaknesses of the study. Patients with elevated baseline hs-TnI showed a higher frequency of cardiac complications and a higher mortality. Measurement of hs-TnI in acute stroke might be useful to identify patients at a high risk of cardiac complications and death.

PREVENTION OF COMPLICATIONS CAUSED BY MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA-REPERFUSION IN NONCARDIAC SURGICAL PROCEDURES

In the next 20 years, the aging population will be a major factor affecting the characteristics of perioperative anesthesia tactics. Domestic researchers have reported that the incidence of cardiac complications after general surgical procedures in patients with middle and old age is 9.1%, and mortality in these complications reached 45.5%. Analyzed current data on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion, the etiopathogenesis of perioperative cardiac complications, recurrence of their development and the possible consequences. It is concluded that prevention and timely treatment of complications resulting from ischemia-reperfusion of the myocardium, with noncardiac surgical interventions is an important tactical (prevention of perioperative myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, cardiac death) and policy (prevention of cardiac remodeling and post-hospital disability of patients) anaesthesiological tasks. Research carried out in the Nrgovsky Research Institute of General Reanimatology showed that in the real practice Detsky index, Lee index and echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction did not provide high accuracy prediction of cardiac events. More informative proved preoperative determination of blood N-terminal part of the pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). In assessing the predictive ability of NT-proBNP area under the ROC-curve achieved 0.86. NT-proBNP value 358 pg/ml and above provided 77% sensitivity and 85% specificity. The comparative assessment and recommendations on the use to reduce the risk of cardiac complications of β-blockers, statins, calcium channel blockers, nitrates, clonidine, dexmedetomidine, levosimendan and phosphocreatine. Phosphocreatine, introduced in practice domestic cardiac surgery and transplantology more than 20 years ago, continues to be studied and used at the moment. Recently demonstrated that perioperative phosphocreatine usage appointment in older oncological patients with a high risk of cardiac complications reduces the incidence of acute ischemia and delirium, shortens the length of stay the intensive care unit and hospital stay. It was concluded that the reduction in the incidence of cardiac events has undoubted relevance with noncardiac operations.

Excessive intravenous fluid therapy in head and neck cancer surgery

The purpose of this retrospective study was to present our assessment of modifiable perioperative factors for major cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). This study included an unselected cohort of patients with head and neck cancer (n = 456) treated in Turku University Hospital between 1999 and 2008. Perioperative and postoperative univariate predictors of MACCE at 30-day follow-up were: total amount of fluids (during 24 hours) over 4000 mL, any red blood cell (RBC) infusion, treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU), tracheostomy, and microvascular reconstruction surgery. Median time from operation to MACCE was 3 days. Patients receiving >4000 mL of fluids had MACCE more often compared with those receiving <4000 mL (10.8% vs 2.4%; p < .001, respectively). Moreover, every RBC unit transfused or every liter of fluid administered over 4000 mL/24h increased the risk of MACCE 18% per unit/liter, respectively. Patients with head and neck cancer receiving excessive intravenous fluid administration perioperatively and postoperatively are at high risk for cardiac complications, especially heart failure. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 37-41, 2017.