Postoperative Low Cardiac Output Syndrome Research Articles

Warm blood versus St. Thomas cold crystalloid cardioplegia in patients affected by acute coronary syndromes undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery

BackgroundWe have evaluated in a single-center retrospective study early and mid-term outcomes of intermittent warm blood and St. Thomas cold crystalloid cardioplegia in patients referred for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) due to acute coronary syndromes (ACS). From January 2018 to December 2023, 336 consecutive patients underwent isolated on-pump CABG (unstable angina = 234, 69.6%; N-STE-myocardial infarction = 66, 19.6%; STE-myocardial infarction = 36, 10.7%). Myocardial protection was achieved using warm blood cardioplegia (WBC, n = 215, 64%) or cold crystalloid cardioplegia (CCC, n = 121, 36%). Primary endpoints of the study were the rate of operative mortality and low cardiac output syndrome, cardiac enzymes CK-MB, and troponin-I release in the postoperative period, i.e., at time 0 and 12 and 24 h after CABG. Secondary endpoints were the assessment of postoperative ventricular systolic function and mid-term results.ResultsBaseline characteristics and preoperative variables including cardiac enzymes values were similar. Based on the different administration protocol, as compared with CCC group, in WBC group, required number of cardioplegia’s doses per patient was higher (2.6 ± 0.8 vs 2.1 ± 0.8; P < 0.0001), despite lower number of distal coronary artery anastomoses (2.8 ± 0.7 vs 3.0 ± 0.8; P = 0.027) and shorter time of aortic cross-clamping (60 ± 21 vs 67 ± 21 min; P = 0.006). Completeness of revascularization was similar (100% vs 98%). Postoperative low cardiac output syndrome (5.8% vs 4.6%), mortality rate (3.3% vs 1.4%), left-ventricular ejection fraction (0.52 ± 0.07 vs 0.53 ± 0.07), overall CK-MB and troponin-I enzymes release were similar for two cardioplegia groups (P = NS, for all measurements). Within the WBC group, troponin-I and CK-MB release at time 0, 12, and 24 h were lower when cardioplegia was repeated within 18 min in comparison with a longer time of administration (P < 0.05, for both measurements). The rate of CK-MB/CK-total ratio > 5% was significantly lower at 12 and 24 h after CABG when WBC was repeated within 18 min (P < 0.05). Cross-clamp duration (65 ± 30 vs 64 ± 22 min) did not significantly correlate with CK-MB/CK-total ratio > 5% (P = 0.81) in comparison to lower ratios. Five-year survival was similar (97% ± 1.5% vs 96% ± 3.0%; P = 0.83).ConclusionsWBC and CCC seem to guarantee equivalent and satisfactory outcomes. A better protection appears to be achieved when WBC was administered in 18-min re-dosing interval.

Post-pericardiectomy ECMO for constrictive pericarditis: a case series and literature review

BackgroundPericardiectomy is the curative treatment for constrictive pericarditis, yet postoperative low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) may occur. The application of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) in post-pericardiectomy refractory LCOS has limited case reports, and its effectiveness and safety remain unclear. This study aims to provide evidence for the effectiveness of ECMO in treating post-pericardiectomy refractory LCOS.MethodsNine cases of post-pericardiectomy ECMO from two high-volume pericardiectomy centers in China were retrospectively reviewed. Meanwhile, a literature search was performed in PubMed and Embase on December 4, 2024. After screening, 5 articles were finally included for data extraction and comprehensive analysis.ResultsCase Series: There were 4 cases of tuberculous etiology, 1 with a history of cardiac surgery, and 4 idiopathic cases. All patients were in New York Heart Association class III - IV at baseline. All the patients undertwent pericardiectomy via median sternotomy, and 5 patients underwent concomitant valve procedures. One patient failed to wean from the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and was transferred to femoral VA-ECMO. Eight patients received femoral VA-ECMO support 4–96 h after surgery due to refractory LCOS. All the patients survived to discharge with good neurological outcomes after 120–192 h of ECMO support. Two patient were lost to follow-up, and the rest 7 patients survived to follow-up with a mean follow-up of 56 months. Literature Review: 4 case reports and 1 retrospective study were identified. In the retrospective study of 69 patients, 8 received ECMO during or after pericardiectomy with a hospital mortality rate of 63%. The four Patients of the 4 case reports were all survival at hospital discharge.ConclusionsVA-ECMO might be effective for refractory LCOS after pericardiectomy in patients with constrictive pericarditis, and could improve survival rates.

Inorganic phosphorus as a predictor of postoperative low cardiac output syndrome in congenital heart disease surgery.

Inorganic phosphorus as a predictor of postoperative low cardiac output syndrome in congenital heart disease surgery.

Development and evaluation of a machine learning model for post-surgical acute kidney injury in active infective endocarditis.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is notably prevalent after cardiac surgery for patients with active infective endocarditis. This study aims to create a machine learning model to predict AKI in this high-risk group, improving upon existing models by focusing specifically on endocarditis-related surgeries. We analyzed medical records from 527 patients who underwent cardiac surgery for active infective endocarditis from January 2012 to December 2023. Feature selection was performed using LASSO regression. These features informed the development of machine learning models, including logistic regression, linear and radial basis function support vector machines, XGBoost, decision trees, and random forests. The optimal model was selected based on ROC curve AUC. Model performance was assessed through discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility, with explanations provided by SHAP values. Post-surgical AKI was observed in 261 patients (49.53%). LASSO regression identified 25 significant features for the models. Among the six algorithms tested, the radial basis function support vector machine (RBF-SVM) had the highest AUC at 0.771. The 15 most critical features were valve replacement, pre-operative hypertension, large vegetations, NYHA class, alcoholism, age, post-operative low cardiac output syndrome, TyG index, pre-operative creatinine clearance, cardiopulmonary bypass duration, intra-operative red blood cell transfusion, intra-operative urine output, pre-operative hemoglobin levels, and timing of surgery. Compared to standard cardiac surgery, AKI occurs more frequently and with a more complex etiology in surgeries for active infective endocarditis. Machine learning models enable early prediction of post-surgical AKI, facilitating targeted perioperative optimization and risk stratification in this distinct patient group.

Recent advances in Del Nido cardioplegia: A comprehensive analysis of randomized clinical trials in adult cardiac surgery.

Del Nido cardioplegia (DNC) has extensively been used for pediatric population undergoing cardiac surgery. However, its use in adult cardiac surgeries have been limited thus, its benefits are not yet fully known. This analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of DNC versus any other type of cardioplegia in adult patients who are undergoing cardiac surgery. We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus from database inception till March 2023, and moderate to high-quality randomized controlled trials were included which compared DNC to other cardioplegia. The primary outcome was postoperative stroke and/or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Secondary outcomes included spontaneous rhythm return, postoperative myocardial infarction, all-cause mortality, postoperative atrial fibrillation, defibrillation after coronary reperfusion, postoperative intra-aortic balloon pump, postoperative kidney injury, postoperative low cardiac output syndrome, inotropic support, cardiopulmonary bypass time, cross-clamp time, blood transfusion, cardioplegia volume, hospital stay, intensive care unit stay, mechanical ventilation stay, postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction, and cardiac markers. In this meta-analysis, 13 studies were included with a patient population of 2207. Stroke and/or TIA studies (risk ratio [RR]: 0.54, 95% CI [0.29, 1.00]) and all-cause mortality studies (RR: 1.30, 95% CI [0.66, 2.56]) were insignificant. From the secondary outcomes, spontaneous rhythm return (RR: 1.58, 95% CI [1.02, 2.45]), defibrillation after coronary reperfusion (RR: 0.49, 95% CI [0.30, 0.79]), inotropic support (RR: 0.70, 95% CI [0.57, 0.85]), composite risk of stroke and/or TIA and/or acute kidney injury and mortality (RR: 0.72, 95% CI [0.53, 0.99]), cross-clamp time (mean difference [MD]: -6.01, 95% CI [-11.14, -0.89]), blood transfusion (RR: 0.73, 95% CI [0.60, 0.90]), cardioplegia volume (MD: -537.17, 95% CI [-758.89, -315.45]), troponin T (MD: -1.71, 95% CI [-2.11, -1.32]), creatine phosphokinase-MB (MD: -2.96, 95% CI [-5.84, -0.07]) were significant. Whereas all other secondary outcomes were found to be insignificant. No significant difference was observed between patients undergoing Del Nido administration in comparison to other cardioplegia solutions for the primary outcome, stroke or/and TIA.

Long-term outcomes of minimally invasive concomitant mitral and tricuspid valve surgery with surgical ablation.

We compared the outcomes of a right mini-thoracotomy (RMT) versus those of a sternotomy for concomitant mitral and tricuspid valve surgery and surgical ablation. We analysed patients who underwent concomitant mitral and tricuspid valve surgery and surgical ablation at a single institution (mean follow-up: 7 years) after propensity score matching. The primary and secondary outcomes were all-cause death, composite major adverse events (including stroke, reoperation, readmission, permanent pacemaker insertion) and recurrence of atrial fibrillation (A-fib). A subgroup analysis was performed. A total of 797 procedures (mean age: 61.6 years; RMT: 45.2%; female: 66.5%; mitral valve repair: 33.6%) were done; 267 pairs were matched. The 5- and 10-year overall survival in the matched cohort was 92.7% and 86.9% for the RMT group and 92.1% and 83.1% for the sternotomy group (P = 0.879). Significant differences were not observed in major adverse events (P = 0.273; hazard ratio: 0.76) and A-fib recurrence (P = 0.080; hazard ratio: 0.72). The RMT group had lower rates of postoperative low cardiac output syndrome (P = 0.019) and acute renal failure (P = 0.003). Atrial fibrillation high-risk factors (including long-standing A-fib, enlarged left atrium, old age) exhibited significant interactions (P for interaction = 0.002) with the approach regarding A-fib recurrence. In this study, an RMT exhibited no significant differences in long-term outcomes compared to a sternotomy, but it could remain a clinically reasonable option. Patients with a high risk of A-fib may have favourable ablation outcomes with a sternotomy.

Post cardiotomy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in pediatric patients: Results and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

The increasing complexity of congenital cardiac surgery has led to greater utilization of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for children post-surgery. This study aims to identify risk factors for mortality and brain injury in pediatric patients requiring post-cardiotomy ECMO and to evaluate their neurological outcomes. This retrospective study includes pediatric patients with congenital heart diseases who required ECMO after surgery. Risk factors for in-hospital mortality and brain injury were assessed. Neurodevelopmental status was determined using the Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category (PCPC) Scale at discharge and during follow-up. Between October 2014 and May 2021, 2651 pediatric patients underwent cardiac surgery, with 90 (3.4%) requiring ECMO. The mean age was 0.6 years, ranging from 1 day to 13 years and 7 months. ECMO was implemented for 45 patients due to CPB weaning failure (NW-CPB), 24 due to postoperative low-cardiac output syndrome (LCOS), and 21 for extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR). ECMO weaning was achieved in 73 patients (81%), with an overall mortality rate of 36%. Pre-implant lactate levels (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.03-1.25; p = 0.009) and peak bilirubin levels (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.87-1.24; p = 0.69) were risk factors for in-hospital mortality. Survival rates were 79% for LCOS, 60% for NW-CPB, and 48% for E-CPR. Brain injury incidence was 33%, with E-CPR being a significant risk factor (p = 0.006) and NW-CPB being protective (p = 0.001). Follow-up in November 2023 showed significant improvement in neurodevelopmental status (p < 0.001). Elevated pre-implant lactate and elevated bilirubin levels during ECMO are major risk factors for mortality. E-CPR is the primary risk factor for brain injury. Follow-up revealed significant improvements in neurodevelopmental outcomes.

A nomogram for predicting low cardiac output syndrome in older patients undergoing acute type A aortic dissection surgery.

Low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) is a dangerous postoperative complication in patients with acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). This study aims to develop and evaluate a nomogram model that can reliably identify risk variables for postoperative LCOS in elderly patients suffering from ATAAD. In this retrospective study, a total of 310 elderly patients with ATAAD admitted to Fujian Medical University Union Hospital were included and categorized into the LCOS and non-LCOS groups. Stepwise logistic regression was used to analyze independent predictors of LCOS, and a nomogram was constructed. The best clinical decision points were found using decision analysis and a clinical impact curve. Postoperative LCOS occurred in 22 (7.1%) of elderly patients with ATAAD. Independent risk factors for postoperative LCOS were age, smoking history, aortic cross-clamp (ACC), coronary heart disease (CHD), and preoperative shock. The nomogram constructed based on the identified risk factors showed good performance. Our results suggest that preventive treatment can be administered when needed when the risk of LCOS in older patients with ATAAD after surgery is >60%. This study contributes to developing a methodology that may improve therapeutic decision-making in older patients and provides insights for assessing the risk of LCOS.

Early postoperative beta-blockers are associated with improved cardiac output after late complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot: a retrospective cohort study

Tetralogy of Fallot is the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease. For decades, our institution has cared for humanitarian patients with late presentation of tetralogy of Fallot. They are characterized by severe right ventricular hypertrophy with consecutive diastolic dysfunction, increasing the risk of postoperative low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS). By right ventricular restrictive physiology, we hypothesized that patients receiving early postoperative beta-blockers (within 48 h after cardiopulmonary bypass) may have better diastolic function and cardiac output. This is a retrospective cohort study in a single-center tertiary pediatric intensive care unit. We included > 1-year-old humanitarian patients with a confirmed diagnosis of tetralogy of Fallot undergoing a complete surgical repair between 2005 and 2019. We measured demographic data, preoperative echocardiographic and cardiac catheterization measures, postoperative mean heart rate, vasoactive-inotropic scores, LCOS scores, length of stay, and mechanical ventilation duration. One hundred sixty-five patients met the inclusion criteria. Fifty-nine patients (36%) received early postoperative beta-blockers, associated with a lower mean heart rate, higher vasoactive-inotropic scores, and lower LCOS scores during the first 48 h following cardiopulmonary bypass. There was no significant difference in lengths of stay and ventilation. Conclusion: Early postoperative beta-blockers lower the prevalence of postoperative LCOS at the expense of a higher need for vasoactive drugs without any consequence on length of stay and ventilation duration. This approach may benefit the specific population of children undergoing a late complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot.What is Known:• Prevalence of low cardiac output syndrome is high following a late complete surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot.What is New:• Early postoperative beta-blockade is associated with lower heart rate, prolonged relaxation time, and lower prevalence of low cardiac output syndrome.• Negative chronotropic agents like beta-blockers may benefit selected patients undergoing a late complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot, who are numerous in low-income countries.

Correlation between Post-operative Serum Lactate Levels and Low Cardiac Output Syndrome in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery: A Prospective Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the correlation between the development of low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) and post-operative serum lactate levels in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery at a tertiary care hospital. Methodology: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2021, involving 50 patients undergoing CABG surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Arterial samples were obtained immediately post-surgery and at six, twelve, and twenty-four-hour intervals post-operatively. The association between lactate levels and the occurrence of LCOS, need for inotropic support, and intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) utilization was evaluated. Results: The study comprised predominantly male patients (84%). Patients were categorized into two groups based on lactate levels: Group 1 (&gt; 4 mmol/L) and Group 2 (&lt; 4 mmol/L). In Group 1, 32% of patients developed LCOS, 10% required IABP, and 20% needed inotropic and vasopressor support. Immediately post-CABG, the mean lactate level was 7.5 mmol/L, with 3% requiring IABP and 20% needing double inotropic support. Lactate levels decreased over time, with mean levels at six, twelve, and twenty-four hours post-surgery being 6.3 mmol/L, 3.8 mmol/L, and 3.3 mmol/L, respectively. Correspondingly, the need for IABP and inotropic support decreased. LCOS occurrence within 24 hours post-surgery correlated significantly with elevated lactate levels (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: Elevated lactate levels were associated with the development of LCOS within 24 hours post-CABG surgery. Monitoring lactate levels postoperatively may serve as a valuable tool in predicting and managing LCOS in CABG patients.

Comparison of On-Pump Beating Heart Surgery Versus Conventional Bypass Surgery in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Requiring Urgent Revascularization

Background: The objective of our study was to provide the initial outcomes of the traditional coronary artery surgery approach and the on-pump beating heart surgery in terms of survival and morbidity in patients who needed emergency surgery for acute myocardial infarction. Methods: A single-center retrospective study was performed from November 2013 to September 2023 on a total of 212 patients requiring emergency coronary artery surgery. Group I patients (n = 108) received traditional coronary artery bypass grafting with cross-clamping, while Group II patients (n = 104) underwent on-pump coronary surgery on the beating heart. Results: There were no disparities observed in the preoperative left ventricular function, percutaneous coronary intervention, intra-aortic balloon usage, or clinical-hemodynamic characteristics. Group I patients had significantly higher rates of postoperative mortality and low cardiac output syndrome, as well as a greater utilization of intra-aortic balloons and a higher requirement for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (p &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: Ultimately, the on-pump beating heart approach could serve as a viable alternative to enhance the preservation of cardiac function and decrease postoperative complications and mortality rates in patients with acute myocardial infarction who require emergency surgery.

Long-term survival after surgical treatment for post-infarction mechanical complications: results from the Caution study.

Mechanical complications (MCs) are rare but potentially fatal sequelae of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Surgery, though challenging, is considered the treatment of choice. The authors sought to study the early and long-term results of patients undergoing surgical treatment for post-AMI MCs. Patients who underwent surgical treatment for post-infarction MCs between 2001 through 2019 in 27 centres worldwide were retrieved from the database of the CAUTION study. In-hospital and long-term mortality were the primary outcomes. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to determine independent factors associated with overall mortality. The study included 720 patients. The median age was 70.0 [62.0-77.0] years, with a male predominance (64.6%). The most common MC encountered was ventricular septal rupture (VSR) (59.4%). Cardiogenic shock was seen on presentation in 56.1% of patients. In-hospital mortality rate was 37.4%; in more than 50% of cases, the cause of death was low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS). Late mortality occurred in 133 patients, with a median follow-up of 4.4 [1.0-8.6] years. Overall survival at 1, 5, and 10 years was 54.0, 48.1, and 41.0%, respectively. Older age (P<0.001) and post-operative LCOS (P<0.001) were independent predictors of overall mortality. For hospital survivors, 10-year survival was 65.7% and was significantly higher for patients with VSR than those with papillary muscle rupture (long-rank P=0.022). Contemporary data from a multicentre cohort study show that surgical treatment for post-AMI MCs continues to be associated with high in-hospital mortality rates. However, long-term survival in patients surviving the immediate post-operative period is encouraging.

The effect of histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate cardioplegia alone or combined with preoperative infusion of levosimendan on vasoactive inotropic score in patients with poor cardiac function undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting

ABSTRACT Background: Patients with poor left ventricular function undergoing cardiac surgery frequently require inotropic drug support immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass. Levosimendan is an effective agent that acts via two complementary mechanisms. It enhances cardiac contractility and reduces cardiac workload. Aim: to assess the effect of histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate cardioplegia (HTK cardioplegia) alone or combined with preoperative infusion of levosimendan on the vasoactive inotropic score in patients with poor left ventricular function undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Material and method: this double-blinded randomized controlled trial was carried on 100 patients, divided into two groups; Levosimendan group (n = 49): patients received 0.1ug/kg/min levosimendan without loading, 12 hours preoperatively and continued for a total of 24 hours. Control group (n = 51): patients received a placebo 12 hours before surgery and continued for a total 24 hours. Both groups received HTK cardioplegia after cross-clamping of the aorta approximately 20 ml/kg into the ascending aorta over 6–8 minutes at a temperature of 4−10°C. Results: Levosimendan group was superior to control group with statistical significance regarding the need of intraaortic balloon pump (IABP), vasoactive inotropic score over the first 24 hours, troponin levels over the first 72 hours, ICU stays, hospital stay, and cumulative hospital costs. Although the incidence of postoperative low Cardiac output syndrome (LCOS), atrial fibrillation (AF), acute kidney injury (AKI), and overall mortality was lower in levosimendan group, but all were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Preoperative infusion of levosimendan combined with HTK cardioplegia in patients with poor cardiac function decreased vasoactive inotropic score and lowered the costs of hospital stay.

Effect of Levosimendan on Low Cardiac Output Syndrome After Pericardiectomy.

Low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) after pericardiectomy is associated with high morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the effect of levosimendan on postoperative LCOS in the patients with constrictive pericarditis. Patients were retrospectively enrolled, and those receiving the treatment of levosimendan were assigned in the LEVO (+) group, and others were in the LEVO (-) group. Postoperative outcomes including durations of intubation, vasoactive agents using, ICU stay, hospital stay and mortality were compared between the two groups. A total of 32 patients were eligible for analysis, 19 of whom were in the LEVO (+) group, and 13 of whom were in the LEVO (-) group. The LEVO (+) group was associated with shorter postoperative duration of intubation (P < 0.001), vasopressor using (P = 0.006), ICU stay (P = 0.001) and hospital stay (P = 0.042), and less incidence of acute liver or kidney injury (P = 0.046). There were no significant differences in 30-day mortality and 1-year mortality between the LEVO (+) group and the LEVO (-) group. The prevalence of adverse events in the LEVO (+) group was acceptable. Levosimendan could be administered in the patients with constrictive pericarditis developing LCOS after pericardiectomy to enhanced postoperative recovery.

Early improvement of ejection fraction in patients with reduced ejection fraction after coronary artery bypass grafting

Early improvement of ejection fraction in patients with reduced ejection fraction after coronary artery bypass grafting

Surgical treatment strategy of pulmonary artery sling: a series of 110 cases

Objective: To examine the effect of surgical treatment in children with pulmonary artery sling and the surgical treatment strategy. Methods: Relevant data of 110 children with pulmonary artery sling admitted to the Department of Cardiac Surgery, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University from February 2017 to July 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 55 males and 55 females, aging (M(IQR)) 9.0 (10.6) months (range: 1 to 96 months). The weight was 7.8 (3.5) kg (range: 2.5 to 25.0 kg). Of the 110 patients, 108 had different degrees of tracheal stenosis and 2 had normal trachea. Left pulmonary artery transplantation and tracheoplasty were performed in 78 patients. Left pulmonary artery transplantation was performed in 30 patients (11 in our hospital and 19 in other hospitals) due to the lack of an early tracheoplasty technique, in which 24 patients needed stage Ⅱ tracheoplasty due to obvious respiratory symptoms and limited activity endurance, and 6 cases did not intervene. Two children with normal trachea only underwent left pulmonary artery transplantation. Results: Among the 78 children who underwent surgery in the same period, 70 cases recovered smoothly after surgery, of whom respiratory symptoms were significantly reduced or disappeared during the 1 to 65 months follow-up, with similar activity endurance to normal children of the same age. Eight cases died, including 4 cases of postoperative multi-drug resistant bacteria infection, died from tracheal anastomotic opening or septic shock, 1 cases with severe congenital heart disease died from postoperative low cardiac output syndrome difficult to correct, 1 case died from blood pressure could not be maintained due to the compressed left pulmonary artery after transplantation, 2 cases of postoperative digestive system diseases (adhesive intestinal obstruction, gastrointestinal bleeding, etc.). The 24 patients in the staging group were followed for 1 to 84 months. All patients needed stage Ⅱ tracheoplasty due to respiratory symptoms and decreased endurance to activity. Eight cases of the non-intervention tracheal group were successfully separated from the ventilator, cured and discharged in a short period of time. Conclusions: Most children with pulmonary artery sling have tracheal stenosis. Children with low degree of tracheal stenosis and inconspicuous respiratory symptoms can only undergo left pulmonary artery transplantation by lateral thoracotomy. For patients combined with severe tracheal stenosis or obvious respiratory symptoms, a simultaneous left pulmonary artery transplantat and tracheoplasty is recommended.

Influence of timing of Levosimendan administration on outcomes in cardiac surgery.

Though a subgroup analysis has shown improved survival for patients suffering severely reduced ventricular function undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, RCTs were not able to demonstrate overall beneficial effects of perioperative Levosimendan in cardiac surgery. This might be due to Levosimendan's pharmacokinetics reaching a steady-state concentration only 4-8 h after administration. Thus, this study now analysed the influence of timing of Levosimendan administration on perioperative outcome in cardiac surgery patients preoperatively presenting with severely reduced ventricular function and therefore considered at high-risk for intra- or postoperative low cardiac output syndrome. We hypothesized that prolonged preoperative Levosimendan administration ("preconditioning") would reduce mortality. All adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery between 2006 and 2018 perioperatively receiving Levosimendan were included in this retrospective, observational cohort study (n = 498). Patients were stratified into 3 groups: Levosimendan started on the day prior to surgery ("preop"), Levosimendan started on the day of surgery ("intraop") or post ICU admission ("postop"). After propensity score matching (PSM) was performed, outcomes defined according to proposed standard definitions for perioperative outcome research were compared between groups. After PSM, there were no significant differences in patients' characteristics, comorbidities and type/priority of surgery between groups. Compared to intraop or postop Levosimendan treatment, preop treated patients had significantly lower in-hospital-mortality (preop vs. intraop. vs. postop = 16,7% vs. 33,3% vs. 42,3%), duration of mechanical ventilation and rate of continuous renal replacement therapy. Prolonged preoperative treatment with Levosimendan of cardiac surgery patients preoperatively presenting with severely reduced left ventricular function might be beneficial in terms of postoperative outcome. Our results are in line with recent experts' recommendations concerning the prolonged perioperative use of Levosimendan. We strongly recommend that future randomized trials include this "preconditioning" treatment as an experimental arm.

Sutureless technique combined with vertical vein incision and pulmonary veins unroofed for correction of infracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous connection.

We report a surgical method (sutureless technique), combined with vertical vein incision and pulmonary veins unroofed (semisutureless technique), to correct infracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC). The clinical characteristics of 21 patients, who were diagnosed with infracardiac TAPVS between February 2017 and March 2022, were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into three groups according to different surgical methods: conventional surgery group, sutureless technique group, and semisutureless technique group. The conventional surgery group enrolled five patients with a median age of 16 days (interquartile range, 9-27 days) and a median weight of 3.25 kg (interquartile range, 3.1-3.42 kg). In this group, no preoperative pulmonary vein obstruction (PVO), preoperative ventilator support, or emergency surgery were reported. The sutureless technique group enrolled seven patients with a median age of 12 days (interquartile range, 5-16 days) and a median weight of 3.04 kg (interquartile range, 2.76-3.20 kg). In this group, two patients with preoperative PVO, four patients with preoperative ventilator support, and seven patients requiring emergency operation were found. The semisutureless technique group enrolled nine patients with a median age of 14 days (interquartile range, 7-24 days) and a median weight of 3.22 kg (interquartile range, 3.15-3.50 kg). In this group, four patients with preoperative PVO, two patients with preoperative ventilator support, and seven patients requiring emergency operation were noted. In the conventional surgery group, two patients with postoperative supraventricular tachycardia, one patient with postoperative low cardiac output syndrome, one patient with PVO, and no case of postoperative death were reported. In the sutureless technique group, two patients with postoperative low cardiac output syndrome, one patient with postoperative supraventricular tachycardia, one patient with postoperative PVO, and no postoperative deaths were determined. In the semisutureless technique group, three patients had low cardiac output syndrome, two patients had supraventricular tachycardia after the operation, and one patient, who had been admitted to the hospital after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the emergency room, died early after the operation. No case of death or PVO was noted after the operation. The semisutureless technique has positive effects. This surgery method can enlarge the anastomotic stoma, increase the volume of the left atrium, reduce the tension of the anastomotic stoma, fix the pulmonary vein to avoid distortion, and prevent postoperative hemorrhage.

Development and validation of a predictive model for low cardiac output syndrome after surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot.

Low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) remains a serious postoperative complication for children with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), which often leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Early identification of LCOS and timely management are critical for better outcomes. This study aimed to develop a prediction model incorporating pre- and intraoperative characteristics for LCOS within 24 hours after surgical repair of TOF in children. The training dataset consisted of patients with TOF who underwent surgical repair in 2021, while the validation dataset consisted of patients in 2022. The univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to recognize the risk factors of postoperative LCOS and a predictive model was established based on multivariable logistic regression analysis in the training dataset. Model predictive power was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The calibration of the nomogram was evaluated and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to assess the good fit. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to estimate the net benefits of the prediction model at different threshold probabilities. In the multivariable logistic analysis, peripheral oxygen saturation, mean blood pressure, and central venous pressure were independent risk factors for postoperative LCOS. The AUC of the predictive model for postoperative LCOS was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.77-0.91) and 0.80 (95% CI: 0.70-0.90) in the training and validation datasets, respectively. The calibration curve for the probability of LCOS showed good agreement between the prediction by nomogram and actual observation both in the training and validation datasets. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test yielded nonsignificant statistics both in the training and validation datasets (P=0.69 and 0.54, respectively), indicating a good fit. The DCA revealed that more net benefits would be obtained by using the nomogram to predict LCOS than that achieved in either the treat-all-patient scheme or the treat-none scheme both in the training and validation datasets. This study is the first to incorporate pre- and intraoperative characteristics to develop a predictive model for LCOS after surgical repair of TOF in children. This model showed good discrimination, good fit and clinical benefits.

Clinical trends of children with primary cardiac tumors: 15-year experience from a single center.

e22008 Background: Clinical presentation of pediatric primary cardiac tumors is exceptionally rare throughout the world. The purpose of our study is to evaluate clinical intervention by following up on children with primary cardiac tumors. Methods: Our study retrospectively enrolled 97 children diagnosed with primary cardiac tumors from Jan 2005 to Dec 2020 in a single center, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University by confirming with clinicoradiological and non-invasive diagnostic procedures. Primary outcome was to measure clinical trends and interventions while secondary was to analyze survival of 26 (26.80%) operative and 71 (73.19%) non-operative patients. Surgical intervention patients were followed for 6 Mo in the first postoperative year, then every year. Meanwhile, non-serious, asymptomatic, and no hemodynamic changes patients were treated non-operatively and followed up every year regularly. Results: In primary outcome, median age of children was 4.72±4.10 years (1d~16y), and median follow-up was 5.60±4.97 years (1m~15y). Most enrolled children were younger than 1 year old at the time of diagnosis. Primary cardiac tumors patients consisting of 60 rhabdomyoma (61.85%), 11 myxomas (11.34%), 7 fibromas (7.21%), 3 lymphangiomas (3.09%), 2 lipomas (2.06%), 9 unclassified tumors (9.27%) and 5 malignant tumors (5.15%) were retrospectively analyzed. Major 75 patients (77.31%) were diagnosed during various treatments of clinical symptoms, whereas 18 (18.55%) were diagnosed with routine investigation and 14 (14.43%) were diagnosed by prenatal fetal echocardiography. Herein, 26 children with critical symptoms and serious hemodynamic alteration had undergone surgical intervention in our hospital. Among them, 6 (23.07%) patients had postoperative complications; 2 (7.7%) patients were unable to survive due to post-operative arrhythmia and low cardiac output syndrome; While 2 (7.7%) patients with myxomas had a reoccurrence, and 2 (7.7%) patients had been diagnosed with another rhabdomyoma after intervention, others recovered well. Meanwhile, 71 children had non-surgical management, where 8 (11.26%) were lost to follow-up; 3 (4.22%) patients with malignant tumors were unable to survive after discharge due to unknown causes, and other patients had no serious symptoms or growth of tumors during follow-up. In secondary outcome, survival between operative and non-operative patients had no significant difference ( P &gt; 0.05). Conclusions: Clinical intervention of pediatric primary cardiac tumors may be performed one-on-one by accounting presentations, symptoms, and emergence even though majority of primary cardiac tumors in children are benign in nature, and postoperative reoccurrence is feasible, particularly for rhabdomyoma. Meanwhile, the primary goal of surgical intervention is to reinstate normal hemodynamics, and preserve significant structures and cardiac tissues.