Surgery In High-risk Patients Research Articles

Risk Factors for Prolonged Air Leakage after Uniportal Anatomical Segmentectomy

Abstract Background As the population ages and comorbidities increase, minimal invasive anatomical segmentectomies are increasingly being performed. Complications are to be considered in this vulnerable population. Aims Our aim was to investigate the incidence and risk factors for prolonged air leak in patients undergoing minimally invasive single-port pulmonary segmentectomy at our institution. Methods Retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing uniportal segmentectomy in our department from March 2015 to August 2023. Prolonged air leak (PAL) was defined as an air leak that lasted longer than 5 days. Results 575 segmentectomies were performed using uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (uVATS). 374 complex segmentectomies (65.0%) and 405 (70.4%) single segmentectomies were performed. Prolonged air leak occurred in 88 patients (15.3%). Length of stay and duration of drainage were 8.6 (±4.86) and 10.6 (±8.12) days in the PAL subgroup, whereas they wer 3.6 (±2.25) and 2.0 (±1.3) days in the non-PAL group, both statistically significant. Patients with COPD GOLD II/III were significantly more common in the PAL group. Using machine learning, two models were developed that predicted the occurrence of PAL with an accuracy of 70 %. The first model detected the following parameters as significant: removal of segment 2 or 8, diabetes, inhalers, squamous cell carcinoma. The second model recognized DLCO (%), pack-years, FEV1 (%) and operation time as parameters. Furthermore, we used recursive partitioning to develop a decision tree that stratified PAL risk by answering 1-3 yes/no questions. Patients with >28 pack-years and DLCO < 71% had a 77% probability of developing prolonged air leak. Conclusion Severe COPD, low DLCO and FEV1, increased pack-years, inhalers, diabetes, and segment 2 or 8 surgery were identified as risk factors for prolonged air leak. These findings may help in the planning of surgery and the use of sealants at the end of surgery in high-risk patients.

Novel Approach to Difficult Spinal Reconstruction: Bilateral Simultaneous Rib and Iliac Crest Vascularized Bone Graft Spinoplastic Surgery

Summary: Pseudoarthrosis is a severe complication of spinal fusion surgery with occurrence rates as high as 35%–40%. Current options of revision surgery to correct pseudoarthrosis frequently carry high failure rates and risk of developing junctional kyphosis. Pedicled vascularized bone grafts (VBGs) are an innovative approach to boost spinal fusion rates via improving structural integrity and increasing the delivery of blood to the donor site. This versatile technique can be performed at different spinal levels without additional skin incisions and with minimal added operative time. Here we present the first bilateral rib and iliac crest VBG spinoplastic surgery performed to augment spinal fusion in a 68-year-old woman with distal junctional kyphosis and severe positive sagittal balance with low back and neck pain and significant difficulty standing upright. The patient had history of multiple spinal operations with preoperative CT imaging demonstrating loosening and pull out of L3 and fracture of L2 screws. She underwent two-stage surgical treatment involving anterior lumbar interbody fusion L3-S1 followed by removal of hardware, T4 to pelvis fusion with L2-3 prone lateral interbody fusion, and T11-S1 posterior column osteotomies. The surgery was augmented by bilateral rib and iliac crest VBGs performed by plastic surgery. At three-month follow-up the patient demonstrated functional improvement, being able to maintain upright posture and walk; was satisfied with the result of the surgery; and demonstrated no graft-related complications. In conclusion, utilization of pedicled VBGs is a novel, promising approach to augment spinal surgery in high risk patients.

Pulse pressure variation guided goal-direct fluid therapy decreases postoperative complications in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal cancer: a randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveThe use of goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) has been shown to reduce complications and improve prognosis in high-risk abdominal surgery patients. However, the utilization of pulse pressure variation (PPV) guided GDFT in laparoscopic surgery remains a subject of debate. We hypothesized that utilizing PPV guidance for GDFT would optimize short-term prognosis in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection for colorectal cancer compared to conventional fluid therapy.MethodsElderly patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal cancer were randomized to receive either PPV guided GDFT or conventional fluid therapy and explore whether PPV guided GDFT can optimize the short-term prognosis of elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal cancer compared with conventional fluid therapy.ResultsThe incidence of complications was significantly lower in the PPV group compared to the control group (32.8% vs. 57.1%, P = .009). Additionally, the PPV group had a lower occurrence of gastrointestinal dysfunction (19.0% vs. 39.3%, P = .017) and postoperative pneumonia (8.6% vs. 23.2%, P = .033) than the control group.ConclusionUtilizing PPV as a monitoring index for GDFT can improve short-term prognosis in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal cancer.Registration numberChiCTR2300067361; date of registration: January 5, 2023.

The first experience of the combined use of nitric oxide and molecular hydrogen for cardiac surgery in high-risk patients

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of myocardial protection with a combined supply of nitric oxide (NO) (40 ppm) and hydrogen (1.2 ppm) into the gas-air mixture delivery line of the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) machine during the entire period of CPB.Methods. The study included patients (n = 91) who had cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass and pharmacological cold cardioplegia. Patients were randomized into 3 groups. The Group 1 (n = 30) was control. Groups 2 (n = 28) and 3 (n = 33) received an isolated supply of NO (40 ppm) and a combined supply of NO (40 ppm) and hydrogen (1.2 ppm) into the extracorporeal IR circuit, respectively. During the postoperative period, clinical and functional indicators were studied (dynamics of myocardial contractile function according to ultrasound data); duration of artificial pulmonary ventilation (ALV); stay in the intensive care unit; hospital stay; mortality; level of marker of myocardial injury – troponin I (cTnI). Myocardial injury index (MII) was calculated to assess the degree of injury.Results. It was found that the level of cTnI in the postoperative period increased statistically significantly in all groups but was statistically significantly lower in Groups 2 and 3 compared to Group 1 at the end of the surgery and 12 and 24 hours after the surgery. Also, level of cTnI was statistically significantly lower in Group 3 at all stages of the study compared to Group 1 and after 12, 24 and 48 hours compared to Group 2. Statistically significantly lower MII values were revealed at all stages of the postoperative period in Group 3 compared with Groups 1 and 2. Changes in indicators of myocardial contractile function suggest an earlier and more complete recovery in Groups 2 and 3 (the changes were statistically significantly higher than that in Group 1). In Groups 2 and 3, the incidence of acute heart failure was statistically significantly lower (p = 0.046) compared to Group 1, according to Fisher’s exact test. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of acute respiratory and multiple organ failure in Groups 2 and 3 compared to Group 1. Also, patients of Groups 2 and 3 did not experience any complications in the early postoperative period. In Group 3, there was a statistically significant decrease in the duration of mechanical ventilation and stay in the intensive care unit after surgery compared to Group 2.Conclusion. Isolated supply of NO into the IR circuit has an additional cardioprotective effect, which is confirmed by statistically lower levels of troponin I and smaller changes in the indicators of myocardial contractile function during the postoperative period compared to standard technology. A more pronounced protective effect on the myocardium was shown with the combined supply of NO and molecular hydrogen to the IR circuit as seen by statistically lower levels of troponin I and MII in the postoperative period compared with the isolated supply of NO.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on surgical volume and outcomes in a terciary care center in Brazil.

COVID-19 pandemic led to a sharp decline in surgical volume worldwide due to the postponement of elective procedures. This study evaluated the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in surgical volumes and outcomes of abdominal surgery in high-risk patients requiring intensive care unit admission. patients admitted for postoperative care were retrospectively evaluated. Data concerning perioperative variables and outcomes were compared in two different periods: January 2017-December 2019 and January 2020-December 2022, respectively, before (period I) and after (period II) the onset of COVID-19 pandemic. 1.402 patients (897 women, mean age 62+17 years) were investigated. Most of the patients underwent colorectal (n=393) and pancreato-biliary (n=240) surgery, 52% of elective procedures. Surgical volume was significantly lower in period II (n=514) when compared to period I (n= 888). No recovery was observed in the number of surgical procedures in 2022 (n=135) when compared to 2021(n=211) and 2020 (n=168). Subjects who underwent abdominal surgery in period II had higher Charlson comorbidity index (4,85+3,0 vs. 4,35+2,8, p=0,002), more emergent/urgent procedures (51% vs. 45%, p=0,03) and more clean-contaminated wounds (73,5% vs. 66,8%, p=0,02). A significant decrease in the volume of colorectal surgery was also observed (24% vs, 31%, p<0,0001) after the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, 125 (8,9%) died, no deaths due to COVID-19 infection. Mortality was higher in period II when compared to period I (11% vs. 8%, p=0,08). COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a decrease in surgical volume of high-risk patients without apparent recovery in recent years. No influence of COVID-19 was noted in postoperative mortality.

Uso del catéter de arteria pulmonar en las primeras horas posoperatorias de cirugía cardiovascular de alto riesgo

IntroductionInformation on physiological phenomena in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery, pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) use, and medical behaviors derived from its measurement, is limited. ObjectiveTo describe the patterns of PAC use and therapeutic behaviors derived from it in the first postoperative hours of high-risk cardiovascular surgery. Materials and methodsRetrospective cohort study of high-risk cardiovascular surgery patients, managed with PAC in the intensive care unit of the Hospital Universitario San Ignacio in Bogotá D.C. (Colombia). The therapeutic interventions derived from the hemodynamic evaluation with this catheter were evaluated, taking into account the patterns of use and therapeutic behaviors according to the postoperative moment. ResultsForty-two patients were included. Median age 65 years, 59.5% men, 57.1% with EuroSCORE≥6. Median time of PAC use was 63 h (RIC 45–80). The number of PAC measurements per 12 h decreased from 2.16±0.53 in the first 12 h to 1.30±0.82 after 48 h (p: 0.0003). The number of behaviors taken from each measurement decreased from 1.48±0.45 to 0.71±0.51 (p: 0.0001) in the same period. There was significant reduction in number of behaviors associated with fluid, vasoactive, and vasodilator administration over time. ConclusionsOur data suggest that with the passage of hours the number of PAC measurements is decreasing, as well as the number of behaviors taken based on these measurements. These data suggest that many of the patients who maintained the pulmonary artery catheter for up to 48–72 h no longer required it. Further studies will be needed to clarify which patients benefit from pulmonary artery catheterization beyond 48 h.

Determinants of postoperative complications in high-risk noncardiac surgery patients optimized with hemodynamic treatment strategies: A post-hoc analysis of a randomized multicenter clinical trial

Study objectiveThis post-hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial was undertaken to establish the determinants of postoperative complications and acute kidney injury in high-risk noncardiac surgery patients supported with hemodynamic treatment strategies. DesignWe conducted a post-hoc analysis of patients enrolled in the OPtimization Hemodynamic Individualized by the respiratory QUotiEnt (OPHIQUE) trial. SettingOperating rooms in four university medical centers and one non-university hospital from December 26, 2018, to September 9, 2021. PatientsWe enrolled 350 patients with a high risk of postoperative complications undergoing high-risk noncardiac surgery lasting 2 h or longer under general anesthesia. InterventionsAll patients were treated according to hemodynamic treatment strategies which included cardiac output optimization by titration of fluid challenge and targeted systolic blood pressure to remain within ±10% of the reference value. MeasurementsWe assessed the association between pre-operative and intra-operative exposure of interest with a composite primary outcome of major complications or death within seven days following surgery using a multivariable logistic regression model. We also assessed the association between these exposures of interest and acute kidney injury. Main resultsThe data of 341 patients were analyzed. In multivariate analysis, the factors independently associated with the primary outcome were age (OR = 1.04 (1.01–1.06), P = 0.002), preoperative hemoglobin concentration (OR = 0.85 (0.75–0.96), P = 0.012), non-vascular surgery (OR = 0.30 (0.17–0.53), P < 0.0001), and intraoperative surgical complications (OR = 2.08 (1.02–4.24), P = 0.046). The factors independently associated with postoperative acute kidney injury were age (OR = 1.04 (1.01–1.08), P = 0.008), preoperative creatinine concentration (OR = 1.01 (1.00–1.01), P = 0.049), non-vascular surgery (OR = 0.36 (0.20–0.66), P = 0.001), and intraoperative surgical complications (OR = 3.36 (1.50–7.55), P = 0.031). ConclusionsSurgical complications, a lower preoperative hemoglobin concentration, age, and vascular surgery were associated with postoperative complications in a high-risk noncardiac surgery population supported with hemodynamic treatment strategies.

OCOSO2: study protocol for a single-blinded, multicentre, randomised controlled trial assessing a central venous oxygen saturation-based goal-directed therapy to reduce postoperative complications in high-risk patients after elective major surgery

BackgroundFluid loading-based goal-directed therapy is a cornerstone of anaesthesia management in major surgery. Its widespread application has contributed to a significant improvement in perioperative morbidity and mortality. In theory, only hypovolemic patients should receive fluid therapy. However, to achieve such a diagnosis, a surrogate marker of cardiac output adequacy must be used. Current methods of fluid loading-based goal-directed therapy do not assess cardiac output adequacy. Nowadays, new devices make it possible to continuously monitor central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) and therefore, to assess the adequacy of perioperative cardiac output during surgery. In major surgery, ScvO2-based goal-directed therapy can be used to enhance fluid therapy and improve patient outcomes.MethodsWe designed a prospective, randomised, single-blinded, multicentre controlled superiority study with a 1:1 allocation ratio. Patients to be included will be high-risk major surgery patients (> 50 years old, ASA score > 2, major intra-abdominal or intra-thoracic surgery > 90 min). Patients in the control group will undergo standard fluid loading-based goal-directed therapy, as recommended by the guidelines. Patients in the intervention group will have ScvO2-based goal-directed therapy and receive fluid loading only if fluid responsiveness and cardiac output inadequacy are present. The primary outcome will be the Comprehensive Complication Index on day five postoperatively.DiscussionThis study is the first to address the issue of cardiac output adequacy in goal-directed therapy. Our hypothesis is that cardiac output optimisation during major surgery achieved by continuous monitoring of the ScvO2 to guide fluid therapy will result in a reduction of postoperative complications as compared with current goal-directed fluid therapy practices.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov. NCT03828565. Registered on February 4, 2019.

Early versus Delayed Surgery in Patients with Left-Sided Infective Endocarditis and Stroke.

Timing of surgery remains controversial in patients with infective endocarditis and stroke. Guidelines on infective endocarditis suggest delaying surgery for up to 4 weeks. However, with early heart failure due to progression of the infection or recurrent septic embolism, urgent surgery becomes imperative. Out of 688 patients who were surgically treated for left-sided infective endocarditis, 187 presented with preoperative neurological events. The date of cerebral stroke onset was documented in 147 patients. The patients were stratified according to timing of surgery: 61 in the early group (0-7 days) vs. 86 in the delayed group (>7 days). Postoperative neurological outcome was assessed by the modified Rankin Scale. Preoperative sepsis was more prevalent in patients with preoperative neurological complications (46.0% vs. 29.5%, p < 0.001). Patients with haemorrhagic stroke were operated on later (19.8% vs. 3.3%, p = 0.003). Postoperative cerebrovascular accidents were comparable between both groups (p = 0.13). Overall, we observed good neurological outcomes (p = 0.80) and a high recovery rate, with only 5% of cases showing neurological deterioration after surgery (p = 0.29). In-hospital mortality and long-term survival were not significantly different in the early and delayed surgery groups (log-rank, p = 0.22). Early valve surgery in high-risk patients with infective endocarditis and stroke can be performed safely and is not associated with worse outcomes.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors of intracranial hemorrhage after spinal surgery.

Intracranial hemorrhage after spinal surgery is a rare and devastating complication. To investigate the economic burden, clinical characteristics, risk factors, and mechanisms of intracranial hemorrhage after spinal surgery. A retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2022. Patients aged ≥ 18 years, who had undergone spinal surgery were included. Intracranial hemorrhage patients were selected after spinal surgery during hospitalization. Based on the type of spinal surgery, patients with intracranial hemorrhage were randomly matched in a 1:5 ratio with control patients without intracranial hemorrhage. The patients' pre-, intra-, and post-operative data and clinical manifestations were recorded. A total of 24472 patients underwent spinal surgery. Six patients (3 males and 3 females, average age 71.3 years) developed intracranial hemorrhage after posterior spinal fusion procedures, with an incidence of 0.025% (6/24472). The prevailing type of intracranial hemorrhage was cerebellar hemorrhage. Two patients had a poor clinical outcome. Based on the type of surgery, 30 control patients were randomly matched in 1:5 ratio. The intracranial hemorrhage group showed significant differences compared with the control group with regard to age (71.33 ± 7.45 years vs 58.39 ± 8.07 years, P = 0.001), previous history of cerebrovascular disease (50% vs 6.7%, P = 0.024), spinal dura mater injury (50% vs 3.3%, P = 0.010), hospital expenses (RMB 242119.1 ± 87610.0 vs RMB 96290.7 ± 32029.9, P = 0.009), and discharge activity daily living score (40.00 ± 25.88 vs 75.40 ± 18.29, P = 0.019). The incidence of intracranial hemorrhage after spinal surgery was extremely low, with poor clinical outcomes. Patient age, previous stroke history, and dura mater damage were possible risk factors. It is suggested that spinal dura mater injury should be avoided during surgery in high-risk patients.

Are we improving in the optimization of surgery for high-risk adult cervical spine deformity patients over time?

The aim of this study was to investigate whether surgery for high-risk patients is being optimized over time and if poor outcomes are being minimized. Patients who underwent surgery for cervical deformity (CD) and were ≥ 18 years with baseline and 2-year data were stratified by year of surgery from 2013 to 2018. The cohort was divided into two groups based on when the surgery was performed. Patients in the early cohort underwent surgery between 2013 and 2015 and those in the recent cohort underwent surgery between 2016 and 2018. High-risk patients met at least 2 of the following criteria: 1) baseline C2-7 Cobb angle > 15°, mismatch between T1 slope and cervical lordosis ≥ 35°, C2-7 sagittal vertical axis > 4 cm, or chin-brow vertical angle > 25°; 2) age ≥ 70 years; 3) severe baseline frailty (Miller index); 4) Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) ≥ 1 SD above the mean; 5) three-column osteotomy as treatment; and 6) fusion > 10 levels or > 7 levels for elderly patients. The mean comparison analysis assessed differences between groups. Stepwise multivariable linear regression described associations between increasing year of surgery and complications. Eighty-two CD patients met high-risk criteria (mean age 62.11 ± 10.87 years, 63.7% female, mean BMI 29.70 ± 8.16 kg/m2, and mean CCI 1.07 ± 1.45). The proportion of high-risk patients increased with time, with 41.8% of patients in the early cohort classified as high risk compared with 47.6% of patients in the recent cohort (p > 0.05). Recent high-risk patients were more likely to be female (p = 0.008), have a lower BMI (p = 0.038), and have a higher baseline CCI (p = 0.013). Surgically, high-risk patients in the recent cohort were more likely to undergo low-grade osteotomy (p = 0.003). By postoperative complications, recent high-risk patients were less likely to experience any postoperative adverse events overall (p = 0.020) or complications such as dysphagia (p = 0.045) at 2 years. Regression analysis revealed increasing year of surgery to be correlated with decreasing minor complication rates (p = 0.030), as well as lowered rates of distal junctional kyphosis by 2 years (p = 0.048). Over time, high-risk CD patients have an increase in frequency and comorbidity rates but have demonstrated improved postoperative outcomes. These findings suggest that spine surgeons have improved over time in optimizing selection and reducing potential adverse events in high-risk patients.

Evaluation of the impact of transmitral mean gradient elevation after transcatheter mitral valve implantation

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI) has emerged as an alternative to surgery in high risk patients with failing mitral bioprosthesis (valve-in-valve) or annuloplasties (valve-in-ring). The presence of an elevated mean gradient &amp;gt; 5mmHg after the procedure has been defined as an unsuccessful procedure but the impact and outcomes of an elevated mean gradient after TMVI have not been studied. Materials and methods 103 patients undergoing TMVI from 2010 to 2020 were included. Patients were classified in three groups according to mean gradient after the procedure: Group 1&amp;lt; 5mmHg, Group 2 between 5 and 10mmHg and Group 3 &amp;gt; 10mmHg. Results The median age was 71 (52.5–81.5) years. Indications for TMVI were bioprosthesis failure in 67 patients (65%) and ring annuloplasty failure in 36 patients (35%). 84 (81.6%) patients were in NYHA class III or IV. 42 patients were in group 1, 51 in group 2 and 10 in group 3, without any difference in baseline characteristics or procedural findings. At 30 days, the rates of all-cause mortality (respectively 2,6%, 0% and 0%, p = 0,66), rehospitalization for heart failure (respectively 8,4%, 7,7% and 8,4%, p = 0,89), paravalvular leak (10,3%, 27,7%, 22,2%, p = 0,33), LVOT obstruction (respectively 6,3%, 8,2% and 10%, p = 0,99) or valve thrombosis (respectively 7,7%, 4,3% and 0%) were similar in the three groups. At a median follow up of 2 years, 27 patients have died with a cumulative rate of all-cause mortality at 1 and 2 years of 21.5% and 38.1% respectively. The presence of an elevated mean gradient was not associated with increased risk of mortality (HR=1,11, (95% CI [0,93, 1,31]), p = 0,25) An improvement of NYHA class was observed in the three groups without any difference between the groups. Median systolic pulmonary arterial pressure significantly improved in group 1 (from 53mmHg (30–90) in baseline to 45mmHg (25–60), p = 0.005) and 2 (from 55mmHg (30–112) in baseline to 40mmHg (30–75), p = 0.004)) but not in group 3. Conclusion An elevated mean gradient post-TMVI had no impact on cardiovascular outcomes up to 2 years. Further studies with longer follow up are necessary.

The Effect of BIS Usage on Anaesthetic Agents Consumption in High-risk Patients for Coronary Artery-bypass Grafting Off-pump Surgery

The Effect of BIS Usage on Anaesthetic Agents Consumption in High-risk Patients for Coronary Artery-bypass Grafting Off-pump Surgery

Palliative Care Consults and Frailty Screening in High-Risk Vascular Surgery Patients

Palliative care has increasingly been integrated into the management of high-risk surgery because of the beneficial effect on patient quality of life. However, the utilization of palliative care in vascular surgery remains unclear due to a lack of data. The purpose of this study was to determine the palliative care consult rate in high-risk vascular surgery patients. A retrospective chart review was performed at a single Veteran Affairs Medical Center from 2013 to 2021. High-risk vascular surgery patients were identified by using the Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program (VASQIP) risk score of >4%, which predicted 30-day mortality. Patient demographics, operative procedures, and clinical outcomes were collected. A total of 126 patients underwent a high-risk vascular surgery operation. The surgical procedures consisted of 78 amputations, 19 bypasses, 18 endovascular aneurysm repair/stents, and 11 thrombectomy/arterial repair. Palliative care was consulted in 44 patients (35%) during the hospitalization: 8 patients (18%) had preoperative consults, whereas 36 patients (82%) had postoperative consults. The overall 30-day mortality was 15%, and the 1-year mortality rate was 34%. The 30-day and 1-year mortality rates were higher in those patients who received palliative care consultation (36% and 64%, respectively) compared with those without consult (0% and 21%, respectively). The palliative care consults had a higher referral rate in more frail patients, by Revised Analysis Index (RAI): n = 13 of 57 (23%) nonfrail (RAI <20), n = 14 of 44 (32%) frail (RAI = 21-32), and n = 17 of 25 (68%) very frail (RAI >33). The majority of the palliative care consults were obtained for goals of care discussion (80%) compared with withdrawal of care (20%). Palliative care is generally underused for vascular surgery patients, but our data demonstrated a palliative care consult rate of 35% in high-risk vascular surgery patients. A frailty screening program can further stratify high-risk vascular surgery patients who would benefit from an early palliative care consult.

Effect of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation initiation timing on tricuspid valve surgery outcomes

ObjectivesTricuspid valve surgery is associated with high rates of shock and in-hospital mortality. Early initiation of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after surgery may provide right ventricular support and improve survival. We evaluated mortality in patients undergoing tricuspid valve surgery based on the timing of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. MethodsAll consecutive adult patients undergoing isolated or combined surgical tricuspid valve repair or replacement from 2010 to 2022 requiring venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use were stratified by initiation in the operating room (Early) versus outside of the operating room (Late). Variables associated with in-hospital mortality were explored using logistic regression. ResultsThere were 47 patients who required venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: 31 Early and 16 Late. Mean age was 55.6 years (standard deviation, 16.8), 25 (54.3%) were in New York Heart Association class III/IV, 30 (60.8%) had left-sided valve disease, and 11 (23.4%) had undergone prior cardiac surgery. Median left ventricular ejection fraction was 60.0% (interquartile range, 45-65), right ventricular size was moderately to severely increased in 26 patients (60.5%), and right ventricular function was moderately to severely reduced in 24 patients (51.1%). Concomitant left-sided valve surgery was performed in 25 patients (53.2%). There were no differences in baseline characteristics or invasive measurements immediately before surgery between the Early and Late groups. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was initiated 194 (23.0-840.0) minutes after cardiopulmonary bypass in the Late venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation group. In-hospital mortality was 35.5% (n = 11) in the Early group versus 68.8% (n = 11) in the Late group (P = .037). Late venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was associated with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 4.00; 1.10-14.50; P = .035). ConclusionsEarly postoperative initiation of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after tricuspid valve surgery in high-risk patients may be associated with improvement in postoperative hemodynamics and in-hospital mortality.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation against conventional aortic valve replacement surgery in high-risk patients with aortic stenosis; a cost-effectiveness analysis

BackgroundAortic stenosis is a prevalent heart valvular disorder in Iran. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) and Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (SAVR) are two common procedures for treating the disease in the current clinical pathway. However, TAVI is an expensive procedure, and for Iran with severe limitations in financial resources, it is crucial to investigate the cost-effectiveness of the technology against other competing alternatives with the same purpose. This study aims to analyse the cost-effectiveness of TAVI vs SAVR in elderly patients who are at a higher risk of surgery.MethodsThis study is a decision economic evaluation modeling, with a lifetime horizon and a healthcare payer (health insurer) perspective. The utility values are from a previous study, transitional probabilities come from an established clinical trial called PARTNER-1, and the unit costs are from Iran’s national fee schedule for medical services. The probabilistic and one-way sensitivity analyses have been performed to mitigate the uncertainty.ResultsThe incremental cost, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness ratio for the base case were: 368,180,101 Iranian Rial, (US$ 1,473), 0.37 QALY-per-patient, and, 995,081,354 Iranian Rial (US$ 3,980), respectively. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis yielded 981,765,302 I.R.I Rials (US$ 3,927) per patient for the ICER. The probability of being cost-effective at one and three times the country’s Gross Domestic Production (GDP) is 0.31 and 0.83, respectively.ConclusionsTAVI does not seem a cost-effective procedure in comparison with SAVR at the current willingness to pay thresholds of the country. However, by increasing the WTP threshold to 3 times the GDP per capita the probability of being cost-effective will raise to 83%.

Just What the Doctor Ordered: Missed Ordering of Venous Thromboembolism Chemoprophylaxis Is Associated With Increased VTE Events in High-risk General Surgery Patients.

To define the impact of missed ordering of venous thromboembolism (VTE) chemoprophylaxis in high-risk general surgery populations. The primary cause of preventable death in surgical patients is VTE. Although guidelines and validated risk calculators assist in dosing recommendations, there remains considerable variability in ordering and adherence to recommended dosing. All adult inpatients who underwent a general surgery procedure between 2016 and 2019 and were entered into Atrium Health National Surgical Quality Improvement Program registry were identified. Patients at high risk for VTE (2010 Caprini score ≥5) and without bleeding history and/or acute renal failure were included. Primary outcome was 30-day postoperative VTE. Electronic medical record identified compliance with "perfect" VTE chemoprophylaxis orders (pVTE): no missed orders and no inadequate dose ordering. Multivariable analysis examined association between pVTE and 30-day VTE events. A total of 19,578 patients were identified of which 4252 were high-risk inpatients. Hospital compliance of pVTE was present in 32.4%. pVTE was associated with shorter postoperative length of stay and lower perioperative red blood cell transfusions. There was 50% reduced odds of 30-day VTE event with pVTE (odds ratio: 0.50; 95% CI, 0.30-0.80) and 55% reduction in VTE event/mortality (odds ratio: 0.45; 95% CI, 0.31-0.63). After controlling for relevant covariates, pVTE remained significantly associated with decreased odds of VTE event and VTE event/mortality. pVTE ordering in high-risk general surgery patients was associated with 42% reduction in odds of postoperative 30-day VTE. Comprehending factors contributing to missed or suboptimal ordering and development of quality improvement strategies to reduce them are critical to improving outcomes.

Venous Thromboembolism Risk Assessment Models in Plastic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched between February 2010 and December 2021. All published English articles that report the incidence of VTE stratified by a RAM among patients who underwent plastic surgery were included. The results of the presented meta-analysis were pooled using a random-effects model. The database search revealed 809 articles, out of which eight studies (n = 1,348,606) were eligible. Out of the eight studies, six utilized the Caprini score, and three utilized ASA score. Super-high-risk patients were significantly more likely to present with VTE than their high-risk [odds ratio (OR), 2.92; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.26-6.78], medium-risk (OR, 5.29; 95% CI, 2.38-11.79), or low-risk counterparts (OR, 10.00; 95% CI, 2.32-43.10) at Caprini score. High-risk patients in ASA score showed significant increase in VTE incidents (OR, 2.72; 95% CI, 1.10-6.72). Both Caprini and ASA RAMs showed compelling evidence of efficacy in our study. However, the Caprini RAM is more predictive of postoperative VTE incidents in high-risk plastic surgery patients than the ASA grading system.

MitraClip: a review of its current status and future perspectives.

Mitral regurgitation (MR), among the most common valvular heart diseases, is closely associated with heart failure and worse clinical outcomes. Surgical repair or replacement as an intervention for MR is deemed too high risk in patients who are elderly or have multiple comorbidities; thus, nearly half of all patients with severe symptomatic MR are not referred for surgical therapy. MitraClip, a transcatheter mitral valve repair system for MR that mimics the Alfieri surgical edge-to-edge technique for mitral valve repair, was developed in the late 1990s. After clinical trials demonstrated its safety and efficacy, it received approval for clinical use, particularly for aging and inoperable or high-risk patients for heart surgery in Europe, the US, and Japan. Since the start of its clinical use, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have optimized patient selection, and the latest generation MitraClip can increase procedural success, even in patients with challenging mitral valve anatomy. Therefore, here, we review evidence from clinical trials and RCTs and discuss optical patient selection and future perspectives for the MitraClip.

Combined fascial plane blocks as the sole regional anesthesia technique for breast surgery in high-risk patients.

The quest for an effective regional anaesthesia technique in breast surgery has always been eluded by its apparent complexity. Various techniques had been described as anaesthetic techniques for breast cancer surgeries. Fascial plane blocks had been used as analgesic techniques for this procedure. We describe a case series of 12 patients who were given a combination of erector spinae plane block (ESP), Pectoralis I (Pecs I) and serratus anterior plane (SAP) block as sole anaesthetic technique with high risk surgical morbidity. Two patients had discomfort during retraction of axillary apex towards the end of surgery, and one patient had discomfort during medial parasternal incision, which needed a single bolus of low dose ketamine injection. Combined fascial plane blocks could be effectively utilized as a sole regional anesthesia modality for breast cancer surgeries with mild sedation.