COVID-19 in the perioperative period of cardiovascular surgery: the brazilian experience

Abstract Introduction: We investigated the clinical course and outcomes of patients submitted to cardiovascular surgery in Brazil and who had developed symptoms/signs of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the perioperative period. Methods: A retrospective multicenter study including 104 patients who were allocated in three groups according to time of positive real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2): group 1, patients who underwent cardiac surgery > 10 days after positive RT-PCR; group 2, patients with a positive RT-PCR within 10 days before or after surgery; group 3, patients who presented positive RT-PCR > 10 days after surgery. The primary outcome was mortality and secondary outcomes were postoperative complications, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, and postoperative days of hospitalization. Results: The three groups were similar with respect to age, the European System of Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation score, and comorbidities, except hypertension. Postoperative complications and death were significantly higher in groups 2 and 3 than in group 1, and no significant difference between groups 2 and 3 was seen. Group 2 showed a high prevalence of surgery performed as an urgent procedure. Although no significant differences were observed in ICU length of stay, total postoperative hospitalization time was significantly higher in group 3 than in groups 1 and 2. Conclusion: COVID-19 affecting the postoperative period of patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery is associated with a higher rate of morbidity and mortality. Delaying procedures in RT-PCR-positive patients may help reduce risks of perioperative complications and death.

Benefits of fasting abbreviation with carbohydrates and omega-3 infusion during cabg: a double-blind controlled randomized trial

Abstract Objective: To assess postoperative clinical data considering the association of preoperative fasting with carbohydrate (CHO) loading and intraoperative infusion of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA). Methods: 57 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were randomly assigned to receive 12.5% maltodextrin (200 mL, 2 h before anesthesia), (CHO, n=14); water (200 mL, 2 h before anesthesia), (control, n=14); 12.5% maltodextrin (200 mL, 2 h before anesthesia) plus intraoperative infusion of ω-3 PUFA (0.2 g/kg), (CHO+W3, n=15); or water (200 mL, 2 h before anesthesia) plus intraoperative infusion of ω-3 PUFA (0.2 g/kg), (W3, n=14). The need for vasoactive drugs was analyzed, in addition to postoperative inflammation and metabolic control. Results: There were two deaths (3.5%). Patients in CHO groups presented a lower incidence of hospital infection (RR=0.29, 95% CI 0.09-0.94; P=0.023), needed fewer vasoactive drugs during surgery and ICU stay (P<0.05); and had better blood glucose levels in the first six hours of recovery (P=0.015), requiring less exogenous insulin (P=0.018). Incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) varied significantly among groups (P=0.009). Subjects who receive ω-3 PUFA groups had fewer occurrences of POAF (RR=4.83, 95% CI 1.56-15.02; P=0.001). Patients in the W3 group had lower ultrasensitive-CRP levels at 36 h postoperatively (P=0.008). Interleukin-10 levels varied among groups (P=0.013), with the highest levels observed in the postoperative of patients who received intraoperative infusion of ω-3 PUFA (P=0.049). Conclusion: Fasting abbreviation with carbohydrate loading and intraoperative infusion of ω-3 PUFA is safe and supports faster postoperative recovery in patients undergoing on-pump CABG.

Resultados clínicos e metabólicos da abreviação do jejum com carboidratos na revascularização cirúrgica do miocárdio / Clinical and metabolic results of fasting abbreviation with carbohydrates in coronary artery bypass graft surgery

INTRODUÇÃO: Existe pouca informação sobre abreviação do jejum pré-operatório com oferta de líquidos ricos em carboidratos (CHO) nas operações cardiovasculares. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar variáveis clínicas, segurança do método e efeitos no metabolismo de pacientes submetidos à abreviação do jejum na cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio (CRVM). MÉTODOS: Quarenta pacientes submetidos à CRVM foram randomizados para receberem 400 ml (6 horas antes) e 200 mL (2 horas antes) de maltodextrina a 12,5% (Grupo I, n=20) ou apenas água (Grupo II, n=20) antes da indução anestésica. Foram avaliadas diversas variáveis clínicas no perioperatório e também a resistência insulínica (RI) pelo índice de Homa-IR e pela necessidade de insulina exógena; além da função excretora da célula beta pancreática pelo Homa-Beta e controle glicêmico por exames de glicemia capilar. RESULTADOS: Não ocorreram óbitos, broncoaspiração, mediastinite, infarto agudo do miocárdio ou acidente vascular encefálico perioperatórios. Fibrilação atrial ocorreu em dois pacientes de cada grupo e complicações infecciosas não diferiram entre os grupos (P=0,611). Pacientes do Grupo I apresentaram dois dias a menos de internação hospitalar (P=0,025) e um dia a menos na UTI (P<0,001). O tempo de uso de dobutamina foi menor no Grupo I (P=0,034). Houve pior controle glicêmico nas primeiras 6 horas de pós-operatório no Grupo II (P=0,012). RI foi constatada e não diferiu entre os grupos (P>0,05). Declínio da produção endógena de insulina ocorreu em ambos os grupos (P<0,001). CONCLUSÃO: Abreviação do jejum pré-operatório com oferta de CHO na CRVM foi segura, melhorou o controle glicêmico na UTI, diminuiu tempo de uso de dobutamina, e de internação hospitalar e na UTI. Contudo, não influenciou a RI e morbimortalidade de fase hospitalar.

INTRODUCTION: Limited information is available about preoperative fasting abbreviation with administration of liquid enriched with carbohydrates (CHO) in cardiovascular surgeries. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate clinical variables, security of the method and effects on the metabolism of patients undergoing fasting abbreviation in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. METHODS: Forty patients undergoing CABG were randomized to receive 400 ml (6 hours before) and 200 ml (2 hours before) of maltodextrin at 12.5% (Group I, n=20) or just water (Group II, n=20) before anesthetic induction. Perioperative clinical variables were evaluated. Insulin resistance (IR) was evaluated by Homa-IR index and also by the need of exogenous insulin; pancreatic beta-cell excretory function by Homa-Beta index and glycemic control by tests of capillary glucose. RESULTS: Deaths, bronchoaspiration, mediastinitis, stroke and acute myocardial infarction did not occur. Atrial fibrillation occurred in two patients of each group and infectious complications did not differ among groups (P=0.611). Patients of Group I presented two days less of hospital stay (P=0.025) and one day less in the ICU (P<0.001). The length of time using dobutamine was shorter in Group I (P=0.034). Glycemic control in the first 6h after surgery was worse for Group II (P=0.012). IR was verified and did not differ among groups (P>0.05). A decline in the endogenous production of insulin was observed in both groups (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Preoperative fasting abbreviation with the administration of CHO in the CABG was safe. The glycemic control improved in the ICU; there was less time in the use of dobutamine and length of hospital and ICU stay was reduced. However, neither IR nor morbimortality during hospital phase were influenced.

Troca valvar aórtica com diferentes próteses: existem diferenças nos resultados da fase hospitalar? / Aortic valve replacement with different types of prosthesis: are there differences in the outcomes during hospital phase?

OBJETIVOS: Analisar dados intra-operatórios e possíveis diferenças na evolução clínica da fase hospitalar de pós-operatório da troca valvar aórtica com diferentes próteses. MÉTODOS: Análise de 60 pacientes, divididos em três grupos: os submetidos a troca valvar por prótese biológica (20); por prótese mecânica (20); e finalmente, por valva homóloga (20). A média da idade foi de 51,1 anos; 60 por cento eram do sexo masculino e 40 por cento do feminino; 86,7 por cento estavam em NYHA II ou III; 63,3 por cento eram hipertensos, 18,3 por cento diabéticos; a etiologia valvar foi degenerativa em 39 por cento, reumática em 36 por cento e endocardite em 15 por cento. RESULTADOS: A mortalidade hospitalar foi de 5 por cento; não houve diferenças entre os grupos na incidência de choque séptico ou cardiogênico, insuficiência renal aguda, arritmias no centro cirúrgico e na unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI), assim como para o tempo de internação na UTI e tempo de ventilação mecânica. Houve diferença estatística nos tempos de circulação extracorpórea (P=0,02) e pinçamento aórtico (P<0,0001) desfavorável aos pacientes com valva homóloga. O tempo de internação na enfermaria foi maior para os pacientes com valva mecânica (P=0,05), assim como o tempo total de internação hospitalar tende a ser maior neste grupo, porém sem significância estatística. Pacientes com hematócrito pré-operatório abaixo de 38,1 por cento utilizaram 2,73 unidades de hemoderivados; e com hematócrito no pós-operatório abaixo de 32 por cento utilizaram 1,79 unidades. Controle ecocardiográfico mostrou mínimas diferenças evolutivas. CONCLUSÃO: A utilização de diferentes próteses, nesta amostra, não gerou diferenças nos resultados da fase hospitalar de pós-operatório; O homoenxerto é uma opção viável e com boa aplicabilidade clínica.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze intraoperative data and possible differences in clinical evolution during postoperative hospital phase for aortic valve replacement surgery using different types of prosthesis. METHODS: Analysis of 60 patients divided into three groups. Valve replacement with bioprosthesis (20), mechanical prosthesis (20) and homologous valve (20). The mean age was 51.1, 60 percent were male and 40 percent female patients; 86.7 percent were in NYHA II or III; 63.3 percent presented arterial hypertension and 18.3 percent had diabetes. Aetiology of valve disease was degenerative for 39 percent, rheumatic for 36 percent and endocardits for 15 percent. RESULTS: The hospital mortality was 5 percent; there were no differences in the incidence of septical or cardiogenic shock, acute renal failure, rhythms disorders during surgery or intensive care, neither for total time in intensive care and mechanical ventilation. However, there was statistical differences as regards the cardiopulmonary bypass total time (P=0.02) and the aortic clamping time (P<0.0001) unfavorable to homograft valve group. The ward admission time was greater for mechanical valve group (P=0.05) as well as for total admission time, but without statistical significance. It was observed that patients with preoperative hematocrit smaller than 38.1 percent used 2.73 units of blood components, and with postoperative hematocrit smaller than 32 percent used 1,79 units of blood components. Echocardiography control showed minimal evolutional differences. CONCLUSION: The use of different types of prosthesis for this study does not cause differences in the results of postoperative hospital phase. The use of homograft valve is a feasible option with good clinical applicability.