Analysis of Anemia, Transfusions, and CABG Outcomes in The Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Database.

BACKGROUND: This study characterized the association of preoperative anemia and intraoperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion on outcomes of elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: Data from 53,856 patients who underwent CABG included in The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Adult Cardiac Database in 2019 were used. The primary outcome was operative mortality. Secondary outcomes were postoperative complications. The association of anemia with outcomes was analyzed with multivariable regression models. The influence of intraoperative RBC transfusion on the effect of preoperative anemia on outcomes was studied using mediation analysis. RESULTS: Anemia was present in 25% of patients. Anemic patients had a higher STS Predicted Risk of Operative Mortality (1.2% vs 0.7%; P < .001). Anemia was associated with operative mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.27; 99.5% CI, 1.00-1.61; P = .047), postoperative RBC transfusion (OR, 2.28; 99.5% CI, 2.12-2.44; P < .001), dialysis (OR, 1.58; 99.5% CI, 1.19-2.11; P < .001), and prolonged intensive care unit and hospital length of stay. Intraoperative RBC transfusion largely mediated the effects of anemia on mortality (76%), intensive care unit stay (99%), and hospital stay, but it only partially mediated the association with dialysis (34.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative anemia is common in patients who undergo CABG and is associated with increased postoperative risks of mortality, complications, and RBC transfusion. However, most of the effect of anemia on mortality is mediated through intraoperative RBC transfusion.

Cold platelet transfusion: The effects of a fluid warmer on platelet function.

BACKGROUND: Recently the US Food and Drug Administration has granted variances to select blood centers to supply cold-stored platelet components (CSP). In hemorrhage resuscitation warming of blood components with approved fluid warming devices is common. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Pathogen-reduced apheresis platelet units were collected and stored in one of two ways: (1) CSP-I, (2) CSP-D. CSP-I were collected and immediately stored at 1-6°C until used. CSP-D were collected and stored at 20-24°C for 5 days and transferred to storage at 1-6°C until use. Aggregometry using arachidonic acid (AA), adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and collagen as agonists was performed on the unit samples before and after the units were infused through a Ranger blood-warming device. RESULTS: CSP-I, 23 units, had very high aggregation responses to all agonists (all ≥47.6 ± 20.7). There was a statistically significant reduction in ADP-induced aggregometry results from 55.1 ± 23.2 before compared to 33.5 ± 14.6 following infusion of the PLT through the blood warmer (p < .001). There were no differences in AA and collagen aggregometry results before and after the infusion of the platelets through the blood warmer. CSP-D had 5 of the 15 units with visible clotting in the bag. The 10 CSP-Ds studied had lower aggregation than all agonists before and after infusion through the blood-warming device (all ≤49.9 ± 35.9). CONCLUSION: We detected a statistically significant reduction in ADP-induced aggregometry in CSP-I run through a Ranger blood-warming device with no change with AA or collagen agonist aggregometry.

Rates Among Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19 Treated With Convalescent Plasma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To examine the association of COVID-19 convalescent plasma transfusion with mortality and the differences between subgroups in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Patients and Methods: On October 26, 2022, a systematic search was performed for clinical studies of COVID-19 convalescent plasma in the literature from January 1, 2020, to October 26, 2022. Randomized clinical trials and matched cohort studies investigating COVID-19 convalescent plasma transfusion compared with standard of care treatment or placebo among hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 were included. The electronic search yielded 3841 unique records, of which 744 were considered for full-text screening. The selection process was performed independently by a panel of 5 reviewers. The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Data were extracted by 5 independent reviewers in duplicate and pooled using an inverse-variance random effects model. The prespecified end point was all-cause mortality during hospitalization. Results: Thirty-nine randomized clinical trials enrolling 21,529 participants and 70 matched cohort studies enrolling 50,160 participants were included in the systematic review. Separate meta-analyses reported that transfusion of COVID-19 convalescent plasma was associated with a decrease in mortality compared with the control cohort for both randomized clinical trials (odds ratio [OR], 0.87; 95% CI, 0.76-1.00) and matched cohort studies (OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66-0.88). The meta-analysis of subgroups revealed 2 important findings. First, treatment with convalescent plasma containing high antibody levels was associated with a decrease in mortality compared with convalescent plasma containing low antibody levels (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.99). Second, earlier treatment with COVID-19 convalescent plasma was associated with a decrease in mortality compared with the later treatment cohort (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.48 to 0.82). Conclusion: During COVID-19 convalescent plasma use was associated with a 13% reduced risk of mortality, implying a mortality benefit for hospitalized patients with COVID-19, particularly those treated with convalescent plasma containing high antibody levels treated earlier in the disease course.

Role of individual factor X concentrate pharmacokinetic studies in perioperative management of AL amyloidosis-associated acquired factor X deficiency.

BACKGROUND: AL amyloidosis is associated with acquired factor X (FX) deficiency. Experience related to its management is limited to case reports and series using prothrombin complex concentrate, fresh frozen plasma, plasma exchange, recombinant activated factor seven, and desmopressin with limited and variable efficacy. FX concentrate has not been widely used in its management. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We report our experience with the perioperative use of FX concentrate (Coagadex) in two patients with AL amyloidosis-associated acquired FX deficiency requiring surgery, using their individual pharmacokinetic studies to manage perioperative hemostasis. Pharmacokinetic studies involved obtaining post-infusion FX activity at 10 min, 2, and 4 h following the administration of FX concentrate to calculate the FX half-life. RESULTS: Both patients' plasma FX activity was successfully increased to provide perioperative hemostatic support. Monitoring FX activity post-surgery was also utilized to maintain FX activity levels to prevent post-operative bleeding. CONCLUSION: Pharmacokinetic studies have a useful role in tailoring preoperative FX repletion in patients with AL amyloidosis associated with acquired FX deficiency.

Postoperative Transfusions after Administration of Delayed Cold-stored Platelets versus Room Temperature Platelets in Cardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Delayed cold storage of room temperature platelets may extend shelf life from 5 to 14 days. The study hypothesized that the use of delayed cold-stored platelets in cardiac surgery would be associated with decreased postoperative platelet count increments but similar transfusion and clinical outcomes compared to room temperature-stored platelets. METHODS: This is an observational cohort study of adults transfused with platelets intraoperatively during elective cardiac surgery between April 2020 and May 2021. Intraoperative platelets were either room temperature-stored or delayed cold-stored based on blood bank availability rather than clinical features or provider preference. Differences in transfusion and clinical outcomes, including a primary outcome of allogenic transfusion exposure in the first 24 h postoperatively, were compared between groups. RESULTS: A total of 713 patient encounters were included: 529 (74%) room temperature-stored platelets and 184 (26%) delayed cold-stored platelets. Median (interquartile range) intraoperative platelet volumes were 1 (1 to 2) units in both groups. Patients receiving delayed cold-stored platelets had higher odds of allogeneic transfusion in the first 24 h postoperatively (81 of 184 [44%] vs. 169 of 529 [32%]; adjusted odds ratio, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.13 to 2.39; P = 0.009), including both erythrocytes (65 of 184 [35%] vs. 135 of 529 [26%]; adjusted odds ratio, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.03 to 2.29; P = 0.035) and platelets (48 of 184 [26%] vs. 79 of 529 [15%]; adjusted odds ratio, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.22 to 2.99; P = 0.005). There was no difference in the number of units administered postoperatively among those transfused. Platelet counts were modestly lower in the delayed cold-stored platelet group (-9 × 109/l; 95% CI, -16 to -3]) through the first 3 days postoperatively. There were no significant differences in reoperation for bleeding, postoperative chest tube output, or clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In adults undergoing cardiac surgery, delayed cold-stored platelets were associated with higher postoperative transfusion utilization and lower platelet counts compared to room temperature-stored platelets without differences in clinical outcomes. The use of delayed cold-stored platelets in this setting may offer a viable alternative when facing critical platelet inventories but is not recommended as a primary transfusion approach.

Resisting arrest: Perioperative confirmation and management of an iatrogenic aortocoronary arteriovenous fistula after coronary artery bypass grafting for redo cardiac surgery.

Although rare, iatrogenic aortocoronary arteriovenous fistulae (ACAVF) occur when a coronary graft is mistakenly anastomosed to an epicardial vein rather than its intended arterial target. Patients may be asymptomatic, demonstrate angina, dyspnea, arrhythmias, syncope, or diminished exercise capacity, and may have wide pulse pressures with evidence of coronary steal. A thorough insight into the disordered anatomy is critical to safely manage a patient for redo cardiac surgery, especially when attempting to arrest the heart. We present a case for redo cardiac surgery of an iatrogenic ACAVF confirmed perioperatively with multiple modalities and its intraoperative management.

Contemporary Perioperative Management of Direct Oral Anticoagulants.

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have rapidly emerged as popular alternatives to warfarin in the setting of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism, and secondary prevention of arterial thrombosis. It is now estimated that more patients in the United States take DOACs than warfarin for approved indications. Studies to date have shown that these drugs are similarly efficacious with perhaps a lower bleeding risk than warfarin. The purpose of this review is to provide insight into the currently available DOACs and discuss the management and reversal strategies for patients in the perioperative period.

Coagulation profile of human COVID-19 convalescent plasma.

Convalescent plasma is used to treat COVID-19. There are theoretical concerns about the impact of pro-coagulant factors in convalescent plasma on the coagulation cascade particularly among patients with severe COVID-19. The aim of this study was to evaluate the coagulation profile of COVID-19 convalescent plasma. Clotting times and coagulation factor assays were compared between fresh frozen plasma, COVID-19 convalescent plasma, and pathogen-reduced COVID-19 convalescent plasma. Measurements included prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, fibrinogen, D-dimer, von Willebrand factor activity, von Willebrand factor antigen, coagulation factors II, V, VII-XII, protein S activity, protein C antigen, and alpha-2 plasmin inhibitor. Clotting times and coagulation factor assays were not different between COVID-19 convalescent plasma and fresh frozen plasma, except for protein C antigen. When compared to fresh frozen plasma and regular convalescent plasma, pathogen reduction treatment increased activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time, while reducing fibrinogen, coagulation factor II, V, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, protein S activity, and alpha-2 plasmin inhibitor. The coagulation profiles of human COVID-19 convalescent plasma and standard fresh frozen plasma are not different. Pathogen reduced COVID-19 convalescent plasma is associated with reduction of coagulation factors and a slight prolongation of coagulation times, as anticipated. A key limitation of the study is that the COVID-19 disease course of the convalesced donors was not characterized.

Thrombocytopenia: Perioperative Considerations for Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery.

The etiologies of thrombocytopenia in patients presenting for cardiac surgery are extensive, but clinically relevant conditions generally can be categorized by those related to decreased platelet production or increased platelet destruction. Many causes require mere acknowledgment and availability of allogeneic platelet transfusion; others have unique considerations for which providers should be familiar. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the common causes of thrombocytopenia, summarize the literature, and discuss perioperative considerations for patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

The Triple HIT: Perioperative Management of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia Using Plasma Exchange, Intravenous Immunoglobulin, and Protamine Infusion for Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a serious complication in patients exposed to heparin, leading to thrombocytopenia and, potentially, thrombosis. This disorder is challenging in cardiac surgery when anticoagulation for cardiopulmonary bypass is required. Herein a patient with HIT who had active thrombosis and successfully underwent urgent left ventricular assist device implantation managed with plasma exchange, intravenous immunoglobulin, and protamine infusion is described. These therapies reduce the immune response to heparin and minimize thrombosis when heparin reexposure is planned. These approaches to perioperative management of HIT represent an attractive alternative to the use of non-heparin anticoagulants in the cardiac and vascular surgical population.

Access to and safety of COVID-19 convalescent plasma in the United States Expanded Access Program: A national registry study.

BACKGROUND: The United States (US) Expanded Access Program (EAP) to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescent plasma was initiated in response to the rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19. While randomized clinical trials were in various stages of development and enrollment, there was an urgent need for widespread access to potential therapeutic agents. The objective of this study is to report on the demographic, geographical, and chronological characteristics of patients in the EAP, and key safety metrics following transfusion of COVID-19 convalescent plasma. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Mayo Clinic served as the central institutional review board for all participating facilities, and any US physician could participate as a local physician-principal investigator. Eligible patients were hospitalized, were aged 18 years or older, and had-or were at risk of progression to-severe or life-threatening COVID-19; eligible patients were enrolled through the EAP central website. Blood collection facilities rapidly implemented programs to collect convalescent plasma for hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Demographic and clinical characteristics of all enrolled patients in the EAP were summarized. Temporal patterns in access to COVID-19 convalescent plasma were investigated by comparing daily and weekly changes in EAP enrollment in response to changes in infection rate at the state level. Geographical analyses on access to convalescent plasma included assessing EAP enrollment in all national hospital referral regions, as well as assessing enrollment in metropolitan areas and less populated areas that did not have access to COVID-19 clinical trials. From April 3 to August 23, 2020, 105,717 hospitalized patients with severe or life-threatening COVID-19 were enrolled in the EAP. The majority of patients were 60 years of age or older (57.8%), were male (58.4%), and had overweight or obesity (83.8%). There was substantial inclusion of minorities and underserved populations: 46.4% of patients were of a race other than white, and 37.2% of patients were of Hispanic ethnicity. Chronologically and geographically, increases in the number of both enrollments and transfusions in the EAP closely followed confirmed infections across all 50 states. Nearly all national hospital referral regions enrolled and transfused patients in the EAP, including both in metropolitan and in less populated areas. The incidence of serious adverse events was objectively low (<1%), and the overall crude 30-day mortality rate was 25.2% (95% CI, 25.0% to 25.5%). This registry study was limited by the observational and pragmatic study design that did not include a control or comparator group; thus, the data should not be used to infer definitive treatment effects. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the EAP provided widespread access to COVID-19 convalescent plasma in all 50 states, including for underserved racial and ethnic minority populations. The study design of the EAP may serve as a model for future efforts when broad access to a treatment is needed in response to an emerging infectious disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT#: NCT04338360.

The Success of a Simulation-Based Transesophageal Echocardiography Course for Liver Transplant Anesthesiologists.

INTRODUCTION: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is increasingly used for intraoperative management during orthotopic liver transplantation. Proficient TEE use requires skill and knowledge to accurately assess the hemodynamic status and guide clinical management. Currently there are no TEE educational tracks specifically focused on perioperative liver transplant management and barriers to obtaining basic certification exist. METHODS: A 4-hour simulation-based learning (SBL) course was provided to improve liver transplant anesthesiologist TEE knowledge and skill. Learners received training and education using a TEE simulator in small groups focusing on basic image acquisition, relevant anatomy, hemodynamic calculations, and pathology germane to the liver transplant period. Knowledge assessment and survey responses were assessed at the beginning and completion of the course. Learners completed TEE examinations with simulated pathology during high-fidelity simulations following the course. RESULTS: Seventeen anesthesiologists completed the course. The median baseline knowledge assessment score was 55.0% (37-70). The median postcourse knowledge assessment score improved to 95.0% (94-100) (P < .001). All anesthesiologists were able to identify TEE pathology during high-fidelity simulation. Survey responses yielded significant median score improvement in all areas assessed using a 5-point Likert scale. CONCLUSIONS: A small group, simulation TEE course delivered over 4 hours can increase knowledge and skill in TEE use for liver transplant anesthesiologists.

Emergent pulmonary thromboembolectomy and atrial septal aneurysmectomy for intracardiac impending paradoxical embolism: An en bloc approach to prevent clot embolism and facilitate repair.

Although a patent foramen ovale (PFO) is relatively common, confirmed reports of thrombus entrapped within a PFO are uncommon. Management of impending paradoxical embolism (IPE), also called a thrombus in transit, lacks consensus but includes systemic anticoagulation (e.g., heparin), systemic thrombolysis, or surgical thrombectomy. We present a case of IPE diagnosed with intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) as well as a novel en bloc approach to atrial septal aneurysmectomy to minimize embolism and facilitate repair of the interatrial septum. Timely use of intraoperative TEE may aid in diagnosis and help guide the surgical approach to minimize embolic risk with an IPE.

Mortality in individuals treated with COVID-19 convalescent plasma varies with the geographic provenance of donors.

Successful therapeutics and vaccines for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have harnessed the immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Evidence that SARS-CoV-2 exists as locally evolving variants suggests that immunological differences may impact the effectiveness of antibody-based treatments such as convalescent plasma and vaccines. Considering that near-sourced convalescent plasma likely reflects the antigenic composition of local viral strains, we hypothesize that convalescent plasma has a higher efficacy, as defined by death within 30 days of transfusion, when the convalescent plasma donor and treated patient were in close geographic proximity. Results of a series of modeling techniques applied to approximately 28,000 patients from the Expanded Access to Convalescent Plasma program (ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT04338360) support this hypothesis. This work has implications for the interpretation of clinical studies, the ability to develop effective COVID-19 treatments, and, potentially, for the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines as additional locally-evolving variants continue to emerge.

Program and patient characteristics for the United States Expanded Access Program to COVID-19 convalescent plasma.

BACKGROUND: The United States (US) Expanded Access Program (EAP) to COVID-19 convalescent plasma was initiated in response to the rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). While randomized clinical trials were in various stages of development and enrollment, there was an urgent need for widespread access to potential therapeutic agents particularly for vulnerable racial and ethnic minority populations who were disproportionately affected by the pandemic. The objective of this study is to report on the demographic, geographic, and chronological access to COVID-19 convalescent plasma in the US via the EAP. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Mayo Clinic served as the central IRB for all participating facilities and any US physician could participate as local physician-principal investigator. Registration occurred through the EAP central website. Blood banks rapidly developed logistics to provide convalescent plasma to hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Demographic and clinical characteristics of all enrolled patients in the EAP were summarized. Temporal trends in access to COVID-19 convalescent plasma were investigated by comparing daily and weekly changes in EAP enrollment in response to changes in infection rate on a state level. Geographical analyses on access to convalescent plasma included assessing EAP enrollment in all national hospital referral regions as well as assessing enrollment in metropolitan and less populated areas which did not have access to COVID-19 clinical trials.From April 3 to August 23, 2020, 105,717 hospitalized patients with severe or life-threatening COVID-19 were enrolled in the EAP. A majority of patients were older than 60 years of age (57.8%), male (58.4%), and overweight or obese (83.8%). There was substantial inclusion of minorities and underserved populations, including 46.4% of patients with a race other than White, and 37.2% of patients were of Hispanic ethnicity. Severe or life-threatening COVID-19 was present in 61.8% of patients and 18.9% of patients were mechanically ventilated at time of convalescent plasma infusion. Chronologically and geographically, increases in enrollment in the EAP closely followed confirmed infections across all 50 states. Nearly all national hospital referral regions enrolled patients in the EAP, including both in metropolitan and less populated areas. CONCLUSIONS: The EAP successfully provided widespread access to COVID-19 convalescent plasma in all 50 states, including for underserved racial and ethnic minority populations. The efficient study design of the EAP may serve as an example framework for future efforts when broad access to a treatment is needed in response to a dynamic disease affecting demographic groups and areas historically underrepresented in clinical studies.

Convalescent Plasma Antibody Levels and the Risk of Death from Covid-19.

BACKGROUND: Convalescent plasma has been widely used to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) under the presumption that such plasma contains potentially therapeutic antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that can be passively transferred to the plasma recipient. Whether convalescent plasma with high antibody levels rather than low antibody levels is associated with a lower risk of death is unknown. METHODS: In a retrospective study based on a U.S. national registry, we determined the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels in convalescent plasma used to treat hospitalized adults with Covid-19. The primary outcome was death within 30 days after plasma transfusion. Patients who were enrolled through July 4, 2020, and for whom data on anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels in plasma transfusions and on 30-day mortality were available were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Of the 3082 patients included in this analysis, death within 30 days after plasma transfusion occurred in 115 of 515 patients (22.3%) in the high-titer group, 549 of 2006 patients (27.4%) in the medium-titer group, and 166 of 561 patients (29.6%) in the low-titer group. The association of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels with the risk of death from Covid-19 was moderated by mechanical ventilation status. A lower risk of death within 30 days in the high-titer group than in the low-titer group was observed among patients who had not received mechanical ventilation before transfusion (relative risk, 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48 to 0.91), and no effect on the risk of death was observed among patients who had received mechanical ventilation (relative risk, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.78 to 1.32). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients hospitalized with Covid-19 who were not receiving mechanical ventilation, transfusion of plasma with higher anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels was associated with a lower risk of death than transfusion of plasma with lower antibody levels. (Funded by the Department of Health and Human Services and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04338360.).