Serious complications in connection with cardiac surgery--next of kin's views on information and support.

OBJECTIVE: Next of kin (NoK) to patients undergoing cardiac surgery expect successful outcomes but sometimes serious complications occur and this affects their NoK. To describe NoK's experiences of information and support when serious complications occur during the first 30 days after cardiac surgery. METHODS: A qualitative, critical incident technique was used. Forty-two NoK were asked to describe their experiences of information and support. RESULTS: Three main areas emerged from the analysis. The first main area, Confidence during the waiting period, described how NoK could not participate in the forthcoming operation and how the NoK were informed. The second main area, Involvement during the hospital stay, described how the NoK feel trust in the healthcare professionals and dissatisfaction with the care in relation to the operation. The third main area, Sense of abandonment, described problems with the rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show the importance of pre- and post operative contacts between healthcare professionals, patients and NoK. When the NoK and the patients are well informed it constitutes a basis for fruitful conversations between them and the healthcare professionals, and everyone can be better prepared if complications occur.

Influence of prosthesis-patient mismatch on left ventricular remodelling in severe aortic insufficiency.

OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluates the impact of prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) on left ventricular remodelling following aortic valve replacement (AVR) for severe aortic insufficiency. METHODS: In this study, 230 patients undergoing aortic valve surgery were divided into two groups depending on whether or not they exhibited PPM. Postoperative left ventricular (LV) dimensions and function were compared to the preoperative status. RESULTS: The incidence of PPM (EOAi

Bileaflet blood cysts on the mitral valve in an adult.

Blood cysts within the heart are very rare entities in adults. The authors present possibly the first ever case in which blood cysts were found on both mitral valve leaflets. A 65-year-old woman was referred for transthoracic echocardiography because of vague chest discomfort. Transthoracic echocardiography displayed echo-free cysts on the tips of both mitral valve leaflets. Subsequent transesophageal echocardiography confirmed this finding. The blood cysts were successfully surgically removed.

B-type natriuretic peptide as a predictor of postoperative heart failure after aortic valve replacement.

OBJECTIVE: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) has been established as a biomarker for heart failure. The objective was to evaluate BNP measured on arrival in the intensive care unit (ICU) as a predictor for heart failure defined as need for inotropic support or IABP beyond 24 hours postoperatively after aortic valve replacement. DESIGN: A prospective, observational study. SETTING: A cardiothoracic surgery unit at a tertiary level hospital. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred sixty-one patients undergoing aortic valve replacement. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Two levels of BNP were evaluated: the median (BNP >133 pg/mL) and a cutoff (BNP >82 pg/mL) based on receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Uni- and multivariate analysis were performed to identify predictors of postoperative heart failure. Patients with postoperative heart failure (n = 37) showed a more than 10-fold increase in 30-day mortality (8.1%, 3/37) compared with patients without postoperative heart failure (0.8%, 1/124) (p = 0.038). Elevated postoperative BNP levels were identified as an independent predictor of postoperative heart failure: BNP >82 pg/mL (p = 0.004) and BNP >133 pg/mL (p = 0.013). The area under the ROC curve for BNP as a predictor of postoperative heart failure was 0.69. CONCLUSION: Postoperative heart failure after aortic valve replacement is still a very serious condition with increased early mortality. The results of the present study suggest that an elevated BNP level on arrival in the ICU is an independent predictor of postoperative heart failure after aortic valve replacement. In the authors' opinion, an increased BNP level on arrival in the ICU may support early diagnosis and allow optimal management of heart failure after aortic valve replacement.

Clinical transplantation of initially rejected donor lungs after reconditioning ex vivo.

BACKGROUND: A major problem in clinical lung transplantation is the shortage of donor lungs. Only about 20% of donor lungs are accepted for transplantation. A method to evaluate and recondition lungs ex vivo has been tested on donor lungs that have been rejected for transplantation. METHODS: The donor lungs were reconditioned ex vivo in an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) circuit with STEEN solution (Vitrolife AB, Kungsbacka, Sweden) mixed with erythrocytes. The hyperoncotic solution dehydrates edematous lung tissue. Functional evaluations were performed with deoxygenated perfusate by varying the inspired fraction of oxygen. After the reconditioning, the lungs were kept immersed at 8 degrees C in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation until transplantation was performed. RESULTS: Six of nine initially rejected donor lungs were reconditioned to acceptable function, and in six recipients, double lung transplantation was performed. Three-month survival was 100%. One patient has since died due to sepsis after 95 days, and one due to rejection after 9 months. Four recipients are alive and well without any sign of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome 24 months after the transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: The result from the present study is promising, and we continue to transplant reconditioned lungs.

From hope and expectation to unexpected death after cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Relatives of patients undergoing cardiac surgery expect successful outcome but sometimes complications cause death. The aim was to interview relatives of patients who have died in connection with cardiac surgery and describe their experiences of information, reception and care. METHODS: Data were obtained from semi-structured interviews with 18 relatives of deceased patients and then analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Two main groups emerged: "Analysing the situation" with the sub-groups: knowledge of cardiac disease, the road to operation, hope and despair, information and choice and "The thin thread of life" with the sub-groups, reception, life is over, care, death as a relief, cause of death and support. CONCLUSION: Most relatives were satisfied with the information and care in connection with the operation and at the end of life. However, some aspects such as inadequate pain control and transportation of critically ill patients to other wards and hospitals could be improved. One way is to introduce a co-ordinator in order to better support patients, next of kin and colleagues without experience of cardio-thoracic surgery who need help during the patients' way from diagnosis and acceptance of cardiac surgery and through the treatment and postoperative care.

Influence of prosthesis-patient mismatch on diastolic heart failure after aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: Bioprostheses for supraannular placement have been developed to optimize the hemodynamic performance after aortic valve replacement. To evaluate the potential benefit of this design, we analyzed the influence of prosthesis-patient mismatch on diastolic function and left ventricular mass regression and evaluated the clinical performance of the Sorin Soprano and Medtronic Mosaic in the aortic position. METHODS: A total of 372 patients underwent aortic valve replacement between July 2004 and February 2007, receiving either a Sorin Soprano (n = 235) or a Medtronic Mosaic (n = 137) prosthetic valve. Echocardiographic and clinical data were collected prospectively, and follow-up was performed in April 2007. Multivariate analyses were used to identify differences in hemodynamic performance, diastolic function, left ventricular mass regression, and predictors of impaired survival. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank tests were used to compare postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: The 30-day mortality was 1.7% (4 of 235 patients) in the Sorin Soprano group and 2.9% (4 of 137 patients) in the Medtronic Mosaic group (p = 0.473). Neither prosthesis-patient mismatch nor type of prosthesis was a significant predictor of early or late mortality. Diastolic heart failure was a predictor of poor survival (p = 0.004); however, the recovery of diastolic function was not significantly influenced by prosthesis-patient mismatch. Neither moderate (indexed effective orifice area < 0.85 cm(2)/m(2)) nor severe (indexed effective orifice area < 0.65 cm(2)/m(2)) prosthesis-patient mismatch resulted in a significantly impaired left ventricular mass regression. CONCLUSIONS: Prosthesis-patient mismatch was not an independent predictor of poor survival, impaired left ventricular mass regression, or recovery of diastolic function. The Sorin Soprano and the Medtronic Mosaic bioprostheses demonstrated comparable hemodynamic performance and excellent clinical outcome without signs of structural valve deterioration during follow-up.

The influence of patient-prosthesis mismatch on in-hospital complications and early mortality after aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aim was to analyze the relationship between patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) and in-hospital complications and mortality after aortic valve replacement (AVR). METHODS: AVR was performed in 1,819 patients between January 1996 and July 2006. Follow up investigations were performed after a mean of 4.3 years (range: 0 days to 10.6 years). Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to evaluate risk factors for in-hospital complications and mortality in patients with prosthesis mismatch. Actuarial statistics were used to calculate survival rates. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis showed that PPM (defined as indexed effective orifice area < or = 0.85 cm2/m2) was associated with an increased risk of postoperative neurological events (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.05-4.83, p = 0.037). There were no significant differences in 30-day mortality between the PPM and non-PPM groups. Neither was any significant difference found between the two groups regarding long-term survival adjusted for significant risk factors for death after AVR. CONCLUSION: The results suggest PPM to be an independent predictor of postoperative neurological complications in patients undergoing AVR. However, PPM did not negatively influence either short- or long-term survival. PPM may play an important role in selected categories of patients, and should be considered in order to avoid postoperative neurological complications.

Patients perceptions of information about risks at cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to describe the patients' own experiences of risk information in connection with cardiac surgery and it's outcome. METHODS: Questionnaires were answered prior to and 8 weeks after cardiac surgery. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Patients in the intervention group (n=55) received standard information and a newly written extended information brochure about risks in connection with cardiac surgery. Patients in the control group (n=44) only received standard information. RESULTS: Three categories emerged: attitude towards information, deficiencies and advantages of the information and concerns related to cardiac surgery. Patients in both groups pointed out the importance of information when they were put on the waiting list. Patients in the control group missed information about complications and some patients thought that their complications were caused by maltreatment. Patients having complications in the intervention group were more understanding about their situation. CONCLUSION: Much can be done for the patients on their path from diagnosis and being accepted for cardiac surgery and throughout the treatment period regarding the provision of information. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: If patients become carefully and thoroughly informed by the health care professionals, they are more satisfied and better prepared if complications occur.

Effects of coagulation factor XIII on intestinal functional capillary density, leukocyte adherence and mesenteric plasma extravasation in experimental endotoxemia.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the administration of the coagulation factor XIII (F XIII) on intestinal functional capillary density, leukocyte adherence and mesenteric plasma extravasation during experimental endotoxemia. METHODS: In a prospective, randomized, controlled animal study 42 male Wistar rats were divided into three groups. Group 1 served as the control group. Groups 2 (lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group) and 3 (F XIII group) received endotoxin infusions (2.5 mg/kg/h for 2 hours). In group 3, 50 U/kg body weight F XIII was continuously administered during the first 30 minutes of endotoxemia. F XIII levels were measured in all animals. One half of the animals of each group were studied for intestinal functional capillary density (FCD) and leukocyte adherence on venular endothelium by intravital fluorescence microscopy (IVM). In the other half of each group, mesenteric plasma extravasation (FITC-albumin) was determined by IVM. RESULTS: The F XIII level was significantly increased in the F XIII treatment group. In the LPS group, endotoxemia led to a significant reduction of mucosal FCD (-18.5%; p < 0.01 versus control group). F XIII administration in the F XIII group attenuated the decrease in mucosal FCD (-3.7% compared to control; p < 0.05 versus LPS group). During endotoxemia, a significant increase of leukocyte adherence at the endothelium could be noted in the LPS group compared to the control group. Leukocyte adherence at the endothelium and plasma extravasation in the F XIII group did not differ significantly from the LPS group. CONCLUSION: Factor XIII protected mucosal capillary perfusion against endotoxin-induced impairment in an experimental sepsis model in rats, whereas leukocyte adherence and plasma extravasation remained unchanged.

Comparison of 19 pre-operative risk stratification models in open-heart surgery.

AIMS: To compare 19 risk score algorithms with regard to their validity to predict 30-day and 1-year mortality after cardiac surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: Risk factors for patients undergoing heart surgery between 1996 and 2001 at a single centre were prospectively collected. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were used to describe the performance and accuracy. Survival at 1 year and cause of death were obtained in all cases. The study included 6222 cardiac surgical procedures. Actual mortality was 2.9% at 30 days and 6.1% at 1 year. Discriminatory power for 30-day and 1-year mortality in cardiac surgery was highest for logistic (0.84 and 0.77) and additive (0.84 and 0.77) European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) algorithms, followed by Cleveland Clinic (0.82 and 0.76) and Magovern (0.82 and 0.76) scoring systems. None of the other 15 risk algorithms had a significantly better discriminatory power than these four. In coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)-only surgery, EuroSCORE followed by New York State (NYS) and Cleveland Clinic risk score showed the highest discriminatory power for 30-day and 1-year mortality. CONCLUSION: EuroSCORE, Cleveland Clinic, and Magovern risk algorithms showed superior performance and accuracy in open-heart surgery, and EuroSCORE, NYS, and Cleveland Clinic in CABG-only surgery. Although the models were originally designed to predict early mortality, the 1-year mortality prediction was also reasonably accurate.

[Tricuspid valve stenosis--an serious complication to Port-a-cath]. / Trikuspidalisstenos--en allvarlig komplikation till Port-a-cath.

Tricuspid valve stenosis and occlusion of superior vena cava are severe complications to Port-a-cath. In a child with SLE, symptoms started to develop about five to seven years after Port-a-cath insertion and cyclophosphamid injections. The patient developed hepatomegaly with abdominal and venous distension. Open heart surgery was necessary to remove the catheter. At operation it was found that the catheter was placed adjacent and through the tricuspid valve. The valve was severely stenosed with thrombus formation. The catheter and thrombus were removed, commissurotomy and bicuspidization of the valve and chordeal replacement performed to achieve an acceptable functional result. The superior vena cava was repaired with a pericardial patch. Retrospective analyses of the echocardiograms and chest x-rays show that the catheter was nearly related to the tricuspid valve and with the tip in the right ventricle. In such circumstances it is recommended with early withdrawal of the catheter, and in patients with immunological disease the indwelling time should be considered and limited.

Extended written pre-operative information about possible complications at cardiac surgery--do the patients want to know?

OBJECTIVE: It is important that patients for whom cardiac surgery is planned are supplied with structured oral and written information regarding their disease and its treatment, so that they can understand and discuss the coming operation and the risk of complications. The aim was to describe patients' experiences of information regarding possible complications related to cardiac surgery, both before and after the operation. A comparison was made between patients who received detailed written information (intervention group) regarding possible complications and patients who received conventional information (control group). METHODS: One hundred eighty-two patients were included in the intervention group and 156 in the control group. Questionnaires were distributed and experiences, anxiety and depression (the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS), and avoidance or intrusion distress (the Impact of Event Scale, IES) were measured before and 8 weeks after the surgery. RESULTS: Seventy-two percent of the intervention group and 69% of the control group wanted information about both common and rare complications. Patients in the intervention group were significantly more satisfied with all aspects of the information compared to the control group both pre- and post-operatively. There were no significant differences between the groups for either the HADS or the IES. CONCLUSION: Most, but not all, patients in the present study were positive to the extended written detailed information about risk of complications in connection with cardiac surgery. Detailed information can be a useful base for fruitful conversations between the health care personnel and the patients. The patients and their next of kin are informed, and better prepared if complications occur.

EuroSCORE predicts intensive care unit stay and costs of open heart surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine whether the preoperative risk stratification model EuroSCORE predicts the different components of resource utilization in open heart surgery. METHODS: Data for all adult patients undergoing heart surgery at the University Hospital of Lund, Sweden, between 1999 and 2002 were prospectively collected. Costs were calculated for the surgery and intensive care and ward stay for each patient (excluding transplant cases and patients who died intraoperatively). Regression analysis was applied to evaluate the correlation between EuroSCORE and costs. The predictive accuracy for prolonged postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) stay was assessed by the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test. The discriminatory power was evaluated by calculating the areas under receiver operating characteristics curves. RESULTS: The study included 3,404 patients. The mean cost for the surgery was 7,300 dollars, in the ICU 3,746 dollars, and in the ward 3,500 dollars. Total cost was significantly correlated with EuroSCORE, with a correlation coefficient of 0.47 (p < 0.0001); the correlation coefficient was 0.31 for the surgery cost, 0.46 for the ICU cost, and 0.11 for the ward cost. The Hosmer-Lemeshow p value for EuroSCORE prediction of more than 2 days' stay in the ICU was 0.40, indicating good accuracy. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.78. The probability of an ICU stay exceeding 2 days was more than 50% at a EuroSCORE of 14 or more. CONCLUSIONS: In this single-institution study, the additive EuroSCORE algorithm could be used to predict ICU cost and also an ICU stay of more than 2 days after open heart surgery.

Early mortality in coronary bypass surgery: the EuroSCORE versus The Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk algorithm.

BACKGROUND: We compare two widely used risk algorithms for coronary bypass surgery: The European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) and The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk stratification algorithm. METHODS: Risk factors for all adult patients undergoing heart surgery at the University Hospital of Lund between 1996 and 2001 were collected prospectively at preoperative admission. Predictive accuracy for 30-day mortality was assessed by comparing the observed and the expected mortality for equal-sized quintiles of risk by using the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test. The discriminatory power was evaluated by calculating the areas under receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves. RESULTS: The study included 4497 coronary artery bypass-only operations. The average age was 66.4 +/- 9.3 years (range 31 to 90 years). Most patients were men (77.0% versus 23.0%). The actual 30-day mortality was 1.89%. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test gave a p value of 0.81 (EuroSCORE) and 0.83 (STS), which indicates a good accuracy of both models. The area under the ROC curve was 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.80 to 0.88) for EuroSCORE and 0.71 (95% CI 0.66 to 0.77) for STS. The discriminatory power (area under the ROC curve) was significantly larger for EuroSCORE compared with STS (p < 0.00005). CONCLUSIONS: In this large, single institution study the additive EuroSCORE algorithm had a significantly better discriminatory power to predict 30-day mortality than the STS risk algorithm for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass.

Effects of C1 esterase inhibitor administration on intestinal functional capillary density, leukocyte adherence and mesenteric plasma extravasation during experimental endotoxemia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) administration on intestinal functional capillary density, leukocyte adherence, and mesenteric plasma extravasation during experimental endotoxemia. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective, randomized, controlled animal study in the experimental laboratory of a university. SUBJECTS: 42 male Wistar rats. INTERVENTIONS: The animals were divided into three groups. One half of the animals of each group underwent studies of intestinal functional capillary density and leukocyte adherence on venular endothelium by intravital fluorescence microscopy. In the other half of the animals mesenteric plasma extravasation (FITC albumin) was determined by intravital fluorescence microscopy. Treatment groups received endotoxin infusion of 2.5 mg/kg per hour (group 2 and 3) and 100 U/kg b.w. C1-INH (group 3) during the 2 h of endotoxemia. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Endotoxemia resulted in a significant decrease in mucosal functional capillary density (18.5% vs. controls), which was reduced by C1-INH administration (9.5%). Treatment with C1-INH also significantly attenuated intestinal leukocyte adherence in submucosal venules (35% vs. endotoxin group) and mesenteric plasma extravasation (44% vs. endotoxin group). CONCLUSIONS: C1-INH administration diminishes endotoxin-induced changes in the intestinal microcirculation during experimental endotoxemia.

Increased S100B in blood after cardiac surgery is a powerful predictor of late mortality.

BACKGROUND: Long-term outcome in patients who suffered stroke after undergoing a cardiac operation has been investigated sparingly, but increased long-term mortality has been reported. S100B is a biochemical marker of brain cell ischemia and blood-brain barrier dysfunction. The aim of this investigation was to record the long-term mortality in consecutive patients undergoing cardiac operations and to explore whether increased concentrations of S100B in blood had a predictive value for mortality. METHODS: Prospectively collected clinical variables, including S100B, in 767 patients who survived more than 30 days after a cardiac operation, were analyzed with actuarial survival analysis and 678 patients were analyzed with Cox multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients (6.4%) were dead at follow-up (range, 18 to 42 months); 11.5% (88 of 767 patients) had elevated S100B 2 days after operation (range, 38 to 42 hours). The probability for death at follow-up was 0.239 if the S100B level was more than 0.3 microg/L, and 0.041 if it was less than 0.3 microg/L. The clinical variables independently associated with mortality were preoperative renal failure, preoperative low left ventricular ejection fraction, emergency operation, severe postoperative central nervous system complication, and elevated S100B values, which turned out to be the most powerful predictor. CONCLUSIONS: Even slightly elevated S100B values in blood 2 days after cardiac operation imply a bad prognosis for outcome, and especially so in combination with any central nervous system complication.