Independent prognostic value of the congestion and renal index in patients with acute heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Clinical outcomes are poor if patients with acute heart failure (AHF) are discharged with residual congestion in the presence of renal dysfunction. However, there is no single indication to reflect the combined effects of the two related pathophysiological processes. We, therefore, proposed an indicator, congestion and renal index (CRI), and examined the associations between the CRI and one-year outcomes and the incremental prognostic value of CRI compared with the established scoring systems in a multicenter prospective cohort of AHF. METHODS: We enrolled AHF patients and calculated the ratio of thoracic fluid content index divided by estimated glomerular filtration rate before discharge, as CRI. Then we examined the associations between CRI and one-year outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 944 patients were included in the analysis (mean age 63.3 ± 13.8 years, 39.3% women). Compared with patients with CRI ≤ 0.59 mL/min per kΩ, those with CRI > 0.59 mL/min per kΩ had higher risks of cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization (HR = 1.56 [1.13-2.15]) and all-cause death or all-cause hospitalization (HR = 1.33 [1.01-1.74]). CRI had an incremental prognostic value compared with the established scoring system. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with AHF, CRI is independently associated with the risk of death or hospitalization within one year, and improves the risk stratification of the established risk models.

Incidence, risk factors, and consequences of emergence delirium after elective brain tumor resection.

BACKGROUND: Emergence delirium (ED) is a common phenomenon occurring in the recovery period. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence, risk factors, and consequences of ED in adults after elective brain tumor resection. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of a prospective cohort performed in a tertiary university hospital. Adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) immediately after elective brain tumor resection were consecutively enrolled. Level of consciousness was assessed using the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale and ED was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU. Risk factors for ED were determined by multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 659 patients met the inclusion criteria, of which 41 patients with coma were excluded. Among the remaining 618 patients, 131 (21.2%) developed ED. Independent risk factors for ED were: age, education level, use of anticholinergic and mannitol, Glasgow Coma Score and arterial partial pressure of oxygen postoperatively, postoperative pain, malignant tumor, and frontal approach craniotomy. ED was associated with increased postoperative delirium, longer length of hospital stay, and higher hospitalization costs. There was no significant difference in the neurological function deficits (modified Rankin Scale score) between ED and non-ED groups. CONCLUSIONS: ED has a high incidence and is associated with poor outcomes in adults after elective brain tumor resection. Early screening and prevention for ED should be established in perioperative management of this population.

Association of preoperative frailty with postoperative delirium after elective brain tumor resection: Retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative frailty is associated with poor outcomes in major surgery. Postoperative delirium is common after neurosurgery. To date, the association of preoperative frailty with postoperative delirium after neurosurgery has not been established. We aimed to determine the association between preoperative frailty and postoperative delirium in patients undergoing elective brain tumor resection. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of a prospective cohort, consecutively enrolling adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit after elective craniotomy for brain tumor resection under general anesthesia in a tertiary hospital in China from March 1, 2017 to February 2, 2018. Preoperative frailty was evaluated using the modified frailty index. The primary outcome was postoperative delirium, assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were performed to examine the association. RESULTS: 659 patients met inclusion criteria for our analysis. There were 398 (60.4%) non-frail (modified frailty index = 0), 237 (36.0%) pre-frail (modified frailty index = 1-2), and 24 (3.6%) frail (modified frailty index ≥ 3) patients. Of these, 124 (18.8%) developed postoperative delirium. In adjusted analyses, frailty was independently associated with postoperative delirium (odds ratio 1.7, 95% confidence interval 1.0-2.7, P = .032). Frail patients had longer length of hospital stay and higher total costs than non-frail patients. CONCLUSION: Preoperative frailty is associated with postoperative delirium, length of hospital stay, and total costs in patients undergoing elective brain tumor resection. Preoperative frailty assessment and appropriate management strategies should be involved in the perioperative management of postoperative delirium.