Reliability of Bioreactance and Pulse-Power Analysis in Measuring Cardiac Index During Open Abdominal Aortic Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the accuracy, precision, and trending ability of noninvasive bioreactance-based Starling SV and the mini invasive pulse-power device LiDCOrapid as compared to thermodilution cardiac output (TDCO) as measured by pulmonary artery catheter when assessing cardiac index (CIx) in the setting of elective open abdominal aortic (AA) surgery. DESIGN: A prospective method-comparison study. SETTING: Oulu University Hospital, Finland. PARTICIPANTS: Forty patients undergoing elective open abdominal aortic surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Intraoperative CI measurements were obtained simultaneously with TDCO and the study monitors, resulting in 627 measurement pairs with Starling SV and 497 with LiDCOrapid. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The Bland-Altman method was used to investigate the agreement among the devices, and four-quadrant plots with error grids were used to assess trending ability. The agreement between TDCO and Starling SV was associated with a bias of 0.18 L/min/m2 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.13 to 0.23), wide limits of agreement (LOA = -1.12 to 1.47 L/min/m2), and a percentage error (PE) of 63.7 (95% CI = 52.4-71.0). The agreement between TDCO and LiDCOrapid was associated with a bias of -0.15 L/min/m2 (95% CI = -0.21 to -0.09), wide LOA (-1.56 to 1.37), and a PE of 68.7 (95% CI = 54.9-79.6). The trending ability of neither device was sufficient. CONCLUSION: The CI measurements achieved with Starling SV and LiDCOrapid were not interchangeable with TDCO, and the ability to track changes in CI was poor. These results do not support the use of either study device in monitoring CI during open AA surgery.

Unresponsive Low Mixed Venous Oxygen Saturation During Early Intensive Care Unit Stay is Associated With Increased Risk of Organ Dysfunction After Cardiac Surgery: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine if unresponsive mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) values during early postoperative hours are associated with postoperative organ dysfunction. DESIGN: A single-center retrospective observational study. SETTING: A university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 6,282 adult patients requiring cardiac surgery who underwent surgery in a University Hospital from 2007 to 2020. INTERVENTIONS: A pulmonary artery catheter was used to gather SvO2 samples after surgery at admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and 4 hours later. For the analysis, patients were divided into 4 groups according to their SvO2 values. The rate of organ dysfunctions categorized according to the SOFA score was then studied among these subgroups. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The crude mortality rate for the cohort at 1 year was 4.3%. Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) was present in 33.0% of patients in the early postoperative phase. During the 4-hour initial treatment period, 43% of the 931 patients with low SvO2 on admission responded to goal-directed therapy to increase SvO2 >60%; whereas, in 57% of the 931 patients, the low SvO2 was sustained. According to the adjusted logistic regression analyses, the odds ratio for MODS (4.23 [95% CI 3.41-5.25]), renal- replacement therapy (4.97 [95% CI 3.28-7.52]), time on a ventilator (2.34 [95% CI 2.17-2.52]), and vasoactive-inotropic score >30 (3.62 [95% CI 2.96-4.43]) were the highest in the group with sustained low SvO2. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with SvO2 <60% at ICU admission and 4 hours later had the greatest risk of postoperative MODS. Responsiveness to a goal-directed therapy protocol targeting maintaining or increasing SvO2 ≥60% at and after ICU admission may be beneficial.

Changes in transcranial near-infrared spectroscopy values reflect changes in cardiac index during cardiac surgery.

To determine whether changes in transcranial near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) values reflect changes in cardiac index (CI) in adult cardiac surgical patients. Single-center prospective post hoc analysis. University hospital. One hundred and twenty-four adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery. In each patient, several CI measurements were taken, and NIRS values were collected simultaneously. We used a hierarchical linear regression model to assess the association between NIRS values and CI. We calculated a crude model with NIRS as the only factor included, and an adjusted model, where mean arterial pressure, end-tidal CO2 , and oxygen saturation were used as confounding factors. A total of 1301 pairs of NIRS and CI values were collected. The analysis of separate NIRS and CI pairs revealed a poor association, which was not statistically significant when adjusted with the chosen confounders. However, when the changes in NIRS from baseline or from the previous measurement were compared to those of CI, a clinically and statistically significant association between NIRS and CI was observed also in the adjusted model. Compared to the baseline and to the previous measurement, respectively, the regression coefficients with 95% confidence intervals were 0.048 (0.041-0.056) and 0.064 (0.055-0.073) in off-pump coronary artery bypass patients and 0.022 (0.016-0.029) and 0.026 (0.020-0.033) in patients who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass. In an unselected cardiac surgical population, the changes in NIRS values reflect those in CI, especially in off-pump coronary artery bypass patients. In this single-center post hoc analysis of data from a prospectively collected database of cardiac surgery patients, paired measurements of cardiac output and NIRS revealed that while there was a no correlation between individual paired measurements, a small correlation was found in changes in the two measurements from baseline values. This highlights a potential to utilize changes in NIRS from baseline to suggest changes in cardiac output in cardiac surgical populations.

Reliability of bioreactance and pulse power analysis in measuring cardiac index during cytoreductive abdominal surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).

PURPOSE: Various malignancies with peritoneal carcinomatosis are treated with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). The hemodynamic instability resulting from fluid balance alterations during the procedure necessitates reliable hemodynamic monitoring. The aim of the study was to compare the accuracy, precision and trending ability of two less invasive hemodynamic monitors, bioreactance-based Starling SV and pulse power device LiDCOrapid with bolus thermodilution technique with pulmonary artery catheter in the setting of cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC. METHODS: Thirty-one patients scheduled for cytoreductive surgery were recruited. Twenty-three of them proceeded to HIPEC and were included to the study. Altogether 439 and 430 intraoperative bolus thermodilution injections were compared to simultaneous cardiac index readings obtained with Starling SV and LiDCOrapid, respectively. Bland-Altman method, four-quadrant plots and error grids were used to assess the agreement of the devices. RESULTS: Comparing Starling SV with bolus thermodilution, the bias was acceptable (0.13 l min- 1 m- 2, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.20), but the limits of agreement were wide (- 1.55 to 1.71 l min- 1 m- 2) and the percentage error was high (60.0%). Comparing LiDCOrapid with bolus thermodilution, the bias was acceptable (- 0.26 l min- 1 m- 2, 95% CI - 0.34 to - 0.18), but the limits of agreement were wide (- 1.99 to 1.39 l min- 1 m- 2) and the percentage error was high (57.1%). Trending ability was inadequate with both devices. CONCLUSION: Starling SV and LiDCOrapid were not interchangeable with bolus thermodilution technique limiting their usefulness in the setting of cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC.

Association of low mixed venous oxygen saturations during early ICU stay with increased 30-day and 1-year mortality after cardiac surgery: a single-center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Low postoperative mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) values have been linked to poor outcomes after cardiac surgery. The present study was designed to assess whether SvO2 values of < 60% at intensive care unit (ICU) admission and 4 h after admission are associated with increased mortality after cardiac surgery. METHODS: During the years 2007-2020, 7046 patients (74.4% male; median age, 68 years [interquartile range, 60-74]) underwent cardiac surgery at an academic medical center in Finland. All patients were monitored with a pulmonary artery catheter. SvO2 values were obtained at ICU admission and 4 h later. Patients were divided into four groups for analyses: SvO2 ≥ 60% at ICU admission and 4 h later; SvO2 ≥ 60% at admission but < 60% at 4 h; SvO2 < 60% at admission but ≥ 60% at 4 h; and SvO2 < 60% at both ICU admission and 4 h later. Kaplan-Meier survival curves, Cox regression models, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were used to assess differences among groups in 30-day and 1-year mortality. RESULTS: In the overall cohort, 52.9% underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), 29.1% valvular surgery, 12.1% combined CABG and valvular procedures, 3.5% surgery of the ascending aorta or aortic dissection, and 2.4% other cardiac surgery. The 1-year crude mortality was 4.3%. The best outcomes were associated with SvO2 ≥ 60% at both ICU admission and 4 h later. Hazard ratios for 1-year mortality were highest among patients with SvO2 < 60% at both ICU admission and 4 h later, regardless of surgical subgroup. CONCLUSION: SvO2 values < 60% at ICU admission and 4 h after admission are associated with increased 30-day and 1-year mortality after cardiac surgery. Goal-directed therapy protocols targeting SvO2 ≥ 60% may be beneficial. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these observational findings.

Reliability of Bioreactance and Pulse-Power Analysis in Measuring Cardiac Index in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery With Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

OBJECTIVES: Less-invasive and continuous cardiac output monitors recently have been developed to monitor patient hemodynamics. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy, precision, and trending ability of noninvasive bioreactance-based Starling SV and miniinvasive pulse-power device LiDCOrapid to bolus thermodilution technique with a pulmonary artery catheter (TDCO) when measuring cardiac index in the setting of cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). DESIGN: A prospective method-comparison study. SETTING: Oulu University Hospital, Finland. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB. INTERVENTIONS: Cardiac index measurements were obtained simultaneously with TDCO intraoperatively and postoperatively, resulting in 498 measurements with Starling SV and 444 with LiDCOrapid. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The authors used the Bland-Altman method to investigate the agreement between the devices and four-quadrant plots with error grids to assess the trending ability. The agreement between TDCO and Starling SV was qualified with a bias of 0.43 L/min/m2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37-0.50), wide limits of agreement (LOA, -1.07 to 1.94 L/min/m2), and a percentage error (PE) of 66.3%. The agreement between TDCO and LiDCOrapid was qualified, with a bias of 0.22 L/min/m2 (95% CI 0.16-0.27), wide LOA (-0.93 to 1.43), and a PE of 53.2%. With both devices, trending ability was insufficient. CONCLUSION: The reliability of bioreactance-based Starling SV and pulse-power analyzer LiDCOrapid was not interchangeable with TDCO, thus limiting their usefulness in cardiac surgery with CPB.

Bioreactance and fourth-generation pulse contour methods in monitoring cardiac index during off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.

The pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) is considered the gold standard for cardiac index monitoring. Recently new and less invasive methods to assess cardiac performance have been developed. The aim of our study was to assess the reliability of a non-invasive monitor utilizing bioreactance (Starling SV) and a non-calibrated mini-invasive pulse contour device (FloTrac/EV1000, fourth-generation software) compared to bolus thermodilution technique with PAC (TDCO) during off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB). In this prospective study, 579 simultaneous intra- and postoperative cardiac index measurements obtained with Starling SV, FloTrac/EV1000 and TDCO were compared in 20 patients undergoing OPCAB. The agreement of data was investigated by Bland-Altman plots, while trending ability was assessed by four-quadrant plots with error grids. In comparison with TDCO, Starling SV was associated with a bias of 0.13 L min-1 m-2 (95% confidence interval, 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.18), wide limits of agreement (LOA, - 1.23 to 1.51 L min-1 m-2), a percentage error (PE) of 60.7%, and poor trending ability. In comparison with TDCO, FloTrac was associated with a bias of 0.01 L min-1 m-2 (95% CI - 0.05 to 0.06), wide LOA (- 1.27 to 1.29 L min-1 m-2), a PE of 56.8% and poor trending ability. Both Starling SV and fourth-generation FloTrac showed acceptable mean bias but imprecision due to wide LOA and high PE, and poor trending ability. These findings indicate limited reliability in monitoring cardiac index in patients undergoing OPCAB.

Accuracy, Precision, and Trending Ability of Perioperative Central Venous Oxygen Saturation Compared to Mixed Venous Oxygen Saturation in Unselected Cardiac Surgical Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) measurements could be used interchangeably with mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) measurements in adult cardiac surgery patients. DESIGN: A single-center prospective observational study. SETTING: A university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-five adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: The study authors compared the oxygen saturations in 590 pairs of venous blood samples drawn from the pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) at three different time points during surgery and four different time points in the intensive care unit. They compared samples obtained from the distal pulmonary artery line (SvO2) to those drawn from the proximal central venous line of the PAC (ScvO2) with the Bland-Altman test and the four-quadrant method. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The mean bias between SvO2 and ScvO2 was -1.9 (95% confidence interval [CI], -2.3 to -1.5) and the limits of agreement (LOA) were -11.5 to 7.6 (95% CI, -12.5 to -10.7 and 6.8-8.5, respectively). The percentage error (PE) was 13.2%. Based on the four-quadrant plot, only 50% of the measurement pairs were in agreement, indicating deficient trending ability. CONCLUSION: ScvO2 values showed acceptable accuracy as the mean bias was low. The precision was inadequate; although the PE was acceptable, the LOA were wide. Trending ability was inadequate. The authors cannot recommend the use of ScvO2 values interchangeably with SvO2 measurements in the management of adult cardiac surgery patients.

The Standard Point-of-Care Hemochron Jr. ACT+ Test in Monitoring Heparin Administration for Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Severe Factor XII Deficiency.

Coagulation factor XII (FXII) is a plasma serine protease that belongs to the contact activation complex responsible for initiating the intrinsic coagulation pathway. FXII deficiency is a rare congenital disorder that is not associated with an increased tendency for bleeding. However, as contact activation is impaired in FXII deficiency, both the celite- and kaolin-initiated activated clotting time (ACT) measurements are prolonged markedly, which poses a challenge for anticoagulation monitoring in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The authors successfully have used the standard Hemochron Jr. ACT+ test, which is activated by silica and phospholipid in addition to kaolin, to monitor anticoagulation for cardiopulmonary bypass in two patients with severe FXII deficiency. The ACT+ test showed low baseline values, increased adequately in response to heparin, and decreased to baseline after protamine. Importantly, there was no abnormal intra- or postoperative bleeding nor any thrombotic complications. Furthermore, in vitro dose-response ACT+ testing of FXII-deficient blood with increasing heparin concentrations supports the use of ACT+ in FXII deficiency.

Factors associated with time delay to angiography in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction - A retrospective cohort study in Northern Finland.

BACKGROUND: The delay of percutaneous coronary intervention increases the risk of heart failure and mortality in STEMI. The aim of this study was to examine the time intervals of EMS and the factors associated with the time delay to angiography in patients with STEMI. METHODS: The present study was conducted in Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland in 2014-2016. All patients transported to the hospital by EMS who were diagnosed with STEMI and underwent a primary angiography within 24 h of arrival were included. Angiography was defined as delayed if it was performed over 120 min of the first medical contact (FMC). RESULTS: 310 patients met the inclusion criteria during the study period. Time from the FMC to angiography was less than 120 min in 231 patients (74.5%). In multivariate analysis, the factors associated with delayed angiography were the absence of chest pain (OR 2.46 (1.18-5.13),p = 0.016), dyspnea (OR 3.11 (1.54-6.28),p = 0.002), the treatment protocol violations by EMS (OR 2.41 (0.99-5.80),p = 0.050), treatment initiation at a primary health care center (OR 3.64 (1.39-9.48),p = 0.008), and the distance to hospital of over 100 km (OR 11.87 (6.14-22.93),p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In our study, treatment protocol violations, non-specific symptoms, and the distance to hospital of over 100 km were associated with primary angiography in patients with STEMI transported to the hospital by EMS.

Peripheral chemoreflex activation and cardiac function during hypoxemia in near-term fetal sheep without placental compromise.

A drop in arterial oxygen content activates fetal chemoreflex including an increase in sympathetic activity leading to peripheral vasoconstriction and redistribution of blood flow to protect the brain, myocardium, and adrenal glands. By using a chronically instrumented fetal sheep model with intact placental circulation at near-term gestation, we investigated the relationship between peripheral chemoreflex activation induced by hypoxemia and central hemodynamics. A total of 17 Åland landrace sheep fetuses at 115-128/145 gestational days were instrumented. Carotid artery was catheterized in 10 fetuses and descending aorta in 7 fetuses. After a 4-day recovery, baseline measurements of fetal arterial blood pressures, blood gas values, and fetal cardiovascular hemodynamics by pulsed Doppler ultrasonography were obtained under isoflurane anesthesia. Comparable data to baseline were collected 10 min (acute hypoxemia) and 60 min (prolonged hypoxemia) after maternal hypo-oxygenation to saturation level of 70%-80% was achieved. During prolonged hypoxemia, pH and base excess (BE) were lower and lactate levels were higher in the descending aorta than in the carotid artery. During hypoxemia mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) in the descending aorta increased, whereas in the carotid artery, MAP decreased. In addition, right pulmonary artery pulsatility index values increased, and the diastolic component in the aortic isthmus blood flow velocity waveform became more retrograde, thus decreasing the aortic isthmus antegrade/retrograde blood flow (AoI Net Flow) ratio. Both fetal ventricular cardiac outputs were maintained even during prolonged hypoxemia when significant fetal metabolic acidemia developed. Fetal chemoreflex activation induced by hypoxemia decreased the perfusion pressure in the cerebral circulation. Fetal weight-indexed left ventricular cardiac output (LVCO) or AoI Net Flow ratio did not correlate with a drop in carotid artery blood pressure.NEW & NOTEWORTHY During fetal hypoxemia with intact placental circulation, peripheral chemoreflex was activated, as demonstrated by an increase in the descending aorta blood pressure, pulmonary vasoconstriction, and an increase in retrograde diastolic AoI blood flow, while both ventricular cardiac outputs remained stable. However, perfusion pressure in the cerebral circulation decreased. These changes were seen even during prolonged hypoxemia when significant metabolic acidosis developed. Weight-indexed LVCO or AoI Net Flow ratio did not correlate with a drop in carotid artery blood pressure.

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy enhances blood coagulation perioperatively evaluated by thromboelastography: a pilot study.

Background and Objectives: Postoperative thromboembolism is a significant cause of prolonged recovery in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Thromboelastography (TEG) can detect hypercoagulable states and predict thromboembolic complications after surgery. This study assessed the impact of CRS and HIPEC on TEG values.Methods: TEG parameters reaction time (R), kinetics time (K), angle (α), maximum amplitude (MA), and lysis percent at 60 min (LY60) were determined preoperatively, and at the end of CRS, during HIPEC, and at the end of the operation using blood samples from 15 HIPEC patients. Platelets, P-TT, and aPTT were also determined before and after CRS.Results: A total of 75 samples were analyzed. During CRS, there was a significant reduction in the mean MA (3.06 mm, p = 0.001). The mean P-TT declined by 32% (p < 0.001) and mean platelets by 55 × 109/L (p < 0.001). During HIPEC, the mean R and K shortened by 1.04 min (p = 0.015) and 0.18 min (p = 0.018), respectively, whereas α increased by 2.48° (p = 0.005).Conclusions: During CRS, both TEG and conventional laboratory tests indicated hypocoagulation. During HIPEC, however, the initiation of coagulation and the kinetics of thrombin formation were accelerated.

Effect of Sildenafil on Pulmonary Circulation and Cardiovascular Function in Near-Term Fetal Sheep During Hypoxemia.

Sildenafil is a potential new treatment for placental insufficiency in human pregnancies as it reduces the breakdown of vasodilator nitric oxide. Pulmonary vasodilatation is observed in normoxemic fetuses following sildenafil administration. Placental insufficiency often leads to fetal hypoxemia that can cause pulmonary vasoconstriction and fetal cardiac dysfunction as evidenced by reduced isovolumic myocardial velocities. We tested the hypotheses that sildenafil, when given directly to the hypoxemic fetus, reverses reactive pulmonary vasoconstriction, increases left ventricular cardiac output by increasing pulmonary venous return, and ameliorates hypoxemic myocardial dysfunction. We used an instrumented sheep model. Fetuses were made hypoxemic over a mean (standard deviation) duration of 41.3 (9.5) minutes and then given intravenous sildenafil or saline infusion. Volume blood flow through ductus arteriosus was measured with an ultrasonic transit-time flow probe. Fetal left and right ventricular outputs and lung volume blood flow were calculated, and ventricular function was examined using echocardiography. Lung volume blood flow decreased and the ductus arteriosus volume blood flow increased with hypoxemia. There was a significant reduction in left ventricular and combined cardiac outputs during hypoxemia in both groups. Hypoxemia led to a reduction in myocardial isovolumic velocities, increased ductus venosus pulsatility, and reduced left ventricular myocardial deformation. Direct administration of sildenafil to hypoxemic fetus did not reverse the redistribution of cardiac output. Furthermore, fetal cardiac systolic and diastolic dysfunction was observed during hypoxemia, which was not improved by fetal sildenafil treatment. In conclusion, sildenafil did not improve pulmonary blood flow or cardiac function in hypoxemic sheep fetuses.

Foramen ovale blood flow and cardiac function after main pulmonary artery occlusion in fetal sheep.

NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? At near-term gestation, foramen ovale blood flow accounts for a significant proportion of fetal left ventricular output. Can the foramen ovale increase its volume blood flow when right ventricular afterload is increased by main pulmonary artery occlusion? What is the main finding and its importance? Foramen ovale volume blood flow increased during main pulmonary artery occlusion. However, this increase was attributable to an increase in fetal heart rate, because left ventricular stroke volume remained unchanged. These findings suggest that the foramen ovale has a limited capacity to increase its volume blood flow. ABSTRACT: The foramen ovale (FO) accounts for the majority of fetal left ventricular (LV) output. Increased right ventricular afterload can cause a redistribution of combined cardiac output between the ventricles. To understand the capability of the FO to increase its volume blood flow and thus LV output, we mechanically occluded the main pulmonary artery in seven chronically instrumented near-term sheep fetuses. We hypothesized that FO volume blood flow and LV output would increase during main pulmonary artery occlusion. Fetal cardiac function and haemodynamics were assessed by pulsed and tissue Doppler at baseline, 15 and 60 min after occlusion of the main pulmonary artery and 15 min after occlusion was released. Fetal ascending aorta and central venous pressures and blood gas values were monitored. Main pulmonary artery occlusion initially increased fetal heart rate (P < 0.05) from [mean (SD)] 158 (7) to 188 (23) beats min-1 and LV cardiac output (P < 0.0001) from 629 (198) to 776 (283) ml min-1 . Combined cardiac output fell (P < 0.0001) from 1524 (341) to 720 (273) ml min-1 . During main pulmonary artery occlusion, FO volume blood flow increased (P < 0.001) from 507 (181) to 776 (283) ml min-1 . This increase was related to fetal tachycardia, because LV stroke volume did not change. Fetal ascending aortic blood pressure remained stable. Central venous pressure was higher (P < 0.05) during the occlusion than after it was released. During the occlusion, fetal pH decreased and P C O 2 increased. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction developed while LV diastolic function was preserved. Right ventricular systolic and diastolic function deteriorated after the occlusion. In conclusion, the FO has a limited capacity to increase its volume blood flow at near-term gestation.

Thromboelastography Values Remain Hypercoagulative 6 Months After Obesity Surgery: a Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: Obesity causes a prothrombotic state and is known as a predisposing factor for thromboembolic events. In this pilot study, we assessed the impact of surgery for obesity and the subsequent weight loss on blood coagulation using traditional coagulation tests and thromboelastography (TEG). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied blood samples from 18 patients receiving bariatric surgery. Besides traditional blood coagulation tests and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) as a marker of inflammation, the TEG parameters reaction time (R), kinetics time (K), angle (α), maximum amplitude (MA), clot strength (G), and lysis percent at 60 min (LY60) were determined preoperatively and on the first postoperative day and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: Altogether, 54 samples were analyzed. The median MA (71.3 mm), G (12,403.3 d/sc), and hsCRP (3.5 mg/l) were elevated preoperatively. The median hsCRP further increased on the first day postoperatively, but declined to the normal range 6 months after surgery, while MA and G remained elevated. In traditional coagulation tests, there was an increase in median fibrinogen and D-dimer postoperatively. D-dimer normalized (0.4 mg/l) during the study period, while the fibrinogen level (4.1 g/l) remained above the upper limit of normal. CONCLUSIONS: Measured by TEG, patients receiving bariatric surgery have hemostatic abnormalities indicating hypercoagulation at the 6-month follow-up visit, suggesting an elevated risk for thromboembolic events for at least 6 months after surgery.

Fetal sheep central haemodynamics and cardiac function during occlusion of the ascending aorta.

NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? The fetal aortic isthmus has an important physiological role, allowing communication between the left and right ventricular outputs, which are arranged in parallel. Can the aortic isthmus provide unrestrictive communication between the left and right ventricular circulations during occlusion of the ascending aorta? What is the main finding and its importance? During occlusion of the ascending aorta, fetal carotid artery perfusion pressure fell significantly, showing that the aortic isthmus failed to redirect blood flow and pressure from the ductus arteriosus to the aortic arch. This suggests that the aortic isthmus cannot provide unrestrictive communication between left and right ventricular circulations. The fetal aortic isthmus (AoI) allows communication between left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) outputs and represents an arterial watershed between the brachiocephalic (brain) and subdiaphragmatic (placenta) circulations. To understand the capability of the AoI to maintain the balance between the upper and lower body circulations, we performed a complete occlusion of the fetal ascending aorta in nine chronically instrumented sheep at near term gestation. We hypothesized that the occlusion would significantly decrease LV output and concomitantly increase RV output in order to maintain adequate systemic cardiac output and perfusion pressure to the fetal brain circulation through retrograde filling of the AoI. Fetal cardiac function and haemodynamics were assessed by pulsed and tissue Doppler at baseline, 15 and 60 min after occlusion of the ascending aorta and 15 min after occlusion was released. Carotid artery and jugular vein pressures were monitored. Occlusion of the ascending aorta increased (P < 0.002) RV output from [mean (SD)] 684 (369) to 907 (414) ml min-1 and decreased (P < 0.0001) LV output from 440 (136) to 40 (16) ml min-1 . Combined cardiac output decreased (P < 0.02) from 1125 (494) to 946 (417) ml min-1 . During occlusion, carotid artery mean pressure decreased from 32 (7) to 12 (7) mmHg (P < 0.0001). Systemic venous pressure was unaffected. Left ventricular systolic and diastolic function deteriorated during occlusion. Right ventricular systolic function improved, while diastolic dysfunction developed. Fetal carotid artery perfusion pressure decreased significantly during occlusion of the ascending aorta, demonstrating that AoI failed to redirect blood flow and pressure from the ductus arteriosus to the aortic arch. Our finding suggests that at near term gestation the aortic AoI cannot provide unrestrictive communication between LV and RV circulations.

Effect of Hypoxemia on Fetal Ventricular Deformation in a Chronically Instrumented Sheep Model.

We hypothesized that in near-term sheep fetuses, hypoxemia changes myocardial function as reflected in altered ventricular deformation on speckle-tracking echocardiography. Fetuses in 21 pregnant sheep were instrumented. After 4 d of recovery, fetal cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography at baseline, after 30 and 120 min of induced fetal hypoxemia and after its reversal. Left (LV) and right (RV) ventricular cardiac output and myocardial strain were measured. Baseline mean (standard deviation [SD]) LV and RV global longitudinal strains were -18.7% (3.8) and -14.3% (5.3). Baseline RV global longitudinal and circumferential deformations were less compared with those of the left ventricle (p = 0.016 and p < 0.005). LV, but not RV, global longitudinal strain was decreased (p = 0.003) compared with baseline with hypoxemia. Circumferential and radial strains did not exhibit significant changes. In the near-term sheep fetus, LV global longitudinal and circumferential strains are more negative than RV strains. Acute hypoxemia leads to LV rather than RV dysfunction as reflected by decreased deformation.

Effect of Hypoxemia with or without Increased Placental Vascular Resistance on Fetal Left and Right Ventricular Myocardial Performance Index in Chronically Instrumented Sheep.

Myocardial performance index (MPI) is increased in growth-restricted fetuses with placental insufficiency, but it is unknown if this is due to fetal hypoxemia or increased placental vascular resistance (Rplac). We used chronically instrumented sheep fetuses (n = 24). In 12 fetuses, placental embolization was performed 24 h before experiments. On the day of the experiment, left (LV) and right (RV) ventricular MPIs were obtained by pulsed Doppler at baseline and in the hypoxemia and recovery phases. At baseline, Rplac was greater and fetal pO2 lower in the placental embolization group, but RV and LV MPIs were comparable to those of the control group. During hypoxemia, mean LV MPI increased significantly only in fetuses with an intact placenta (0.34 vs. 0.46), returning to baseline during the recovery phase. Right ventricular MPI was unaffected. We conclude that fetal LV function is sensitive to acute hypoxemia. Exposure to chronic hypoxemia could pre-condition the fetal heart and protect its function with worsening hypoxemia.

Decompressive hemicraniectomy for treatment of space occupying ischemic stroke after repair of type-A aortic dissection.

Postoperative stroke after cardiac surgery is often a lethal complication. Herein, we report on a patient who suffered space-occupying ischemic stroke after surgical treatment of type A aortic dissection. He underwent decompressive hemicraniectomy and, despite residual hemianopsia and left side flaccid hemiplegia, survived surgery and was discharged for rehabilitation. This observation suggests that early consultation with a neurosurgeon, intracranial pressure monitoring and, when indicated, decompressive hemicraniectomy should be considered in order to reduce the high mortality rate associated with ischemic stroke after cardiac surgery.