Seguimiento a 5 años de pacientes octogenarios post cirugía cardíaca / A five year follow up of octogenarians following cardiac surgery

Introducción: El aumento significativo de la esperanza de vida en el grupo de octogenarios en Chile ha generado preocupación sobre la eficacia y la necesidad de cirugías cardíacas mayores en esta población incluso cuando el 85 % de ellos llega a dicha edad en condiciones de salud favorables. Objetivos: Este estudio se propuso evaluar la mortalidad hospitalaria y a mediano plazo, así como identificar complicaciones postoperatorias en pacientes octogenarios sometidos a cirugía cardíaca en Chile. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio observacional retrospectivo en el Hospital Las Higueras de Talcahuano entre enero de 2014 y diciembre de 2022, con una muestra de 79 pacientes. Resultados: Se encontró que el 86% de los procedimientos utilizaron circulación extracorpórea, y el 84% fueron electivos, principalmente cirugías coronarias (54%). La mortalidad intrahospitalaria fue 9%, con el uso preoperatorio de Balón Contrapulsación Intraaórtico identificado como un factor de mal pronóstico. Complicaciones postoperatorias como la Fibrilación Auricular afectaron al 17%, mientras que solo Neumonía y Falla Renal influyeron significativamente en la mortalidad. La supervivencia a 1, 3 y 5 años fue 81%, 76% y 73%, respectivamente. Conclusión: La cirugía cardíaca en octogenarios en Chile presenta resultados comparables a nivel mundial, destacando la importancia del análisis individual por un equipo multidisciplinario al considerar cirugías mayores en pacientes frágiles. El uso de técnicas mínimamente invasivas podría mejorar la calidad de vida, aunque se requieren estudios adicionales con más pacientes para confirmar esta hipótesis.

Background: Background: The significant increase in life expectancy among octogenarians in Chile has raised concerns about the efficacy and need of major cardiac surger in this population, even as 85% of them reach this age in favorable health conditions. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate in-hospital and medium-term mortality and identify postoperative complications in octogenarian patients undergoing cardiac surgery in Chile. Methods: An observational retrospective study was conducted at Hospital Las Higueras de Talcahuano between January 2014 and December 2022, involving a sample of 79 patients. Results: 86% of procedures utilized extracorporeal circulation, and 84% were elective, predominantly coronary artery surgeries (54%). In-hospital mortality was 9%. Preoperative Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump use identified as a poor prognostic factor. Postoperative complications such as Atrial Fibrillation affected 17%, while only Pneumonia and Renal Failure significantly influenced mortality. Survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 81%, 76%, and 73%, respectively. Conclusion: Cardiac surgery in octogenarians in Chile yields comparable outcomes to those worldwide, emphasizing the importance of individual assessment by a multidisciplinary team when considering major surgeries in frail patients. The use of minimally invasive techniques may enhance quality of life, although further studies with larger patient cohorts are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Uses in Refractory Cardiogenic Shock After Open-Heart Surgery

ABSTRACT Introduction: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is the first-line therapy for temporary mechanical circulatory support allowing cardiac and pulmonary recovery or as a bridge to further therapeutic alternatives. The aim of this study was to report clinical outcomes in adult patients with refractory cardiac failure after open-heart surgery undergoing ECMO in a single center with an ECMO unit in Chile. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed adults with refractory cardiac failure after open-heart surgery who required a venoarterial (VA) ECMO between 2016 and 2021. Results: Of 16 patients with VA ECMO, 60% were men (n=10), 90% had hypertension (n=14), 69% had < 30% of left ventricular ejection fraction (n=11), and the mean European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II score was 12 ± 11%. ECMO support with central cannulation accounts for 81% (n=13), and an intra-aortic balloon pump was used in nine patients (56%). The mean time of support was 4.7 ± 2.6 days (1.5 - 12 days). ECMO weaning was achieved in 88% of patients, and in-hospital mortality was 44% (n=7) after discharge. The freedom from all-cause mortality at one year of follow-up of the entire cohort was 38% (n=6). Conclusion: VA ECMO is now a well-known life-saving therapeutic option, but mortality and morbidity remain high. Implementation of an ECMO program with educational training is mandatory in order to find the proper balance between patient benefits, ethical considerations, and public health financial input in South America.