The effect of opium addiction on short-term postoperative outcomes after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A prospective observational cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Opium addiction has been recently suggested as a potential risk factor for the occurrence of perioperative complications in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether opium addiction can potentially affect patients' short-term postoperative outcomes after CABG surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a prospective observational cohort study, all consecutive patients who were scheduled for first-time isolated elective on pump CABG surgery were screened during the study period for opium addiction. The study was carried out between September 2015 and November 2016 at Mazandaran Heart Center, Sari, Iran. A total number of 228 patients [110 opium addicted (OA) and 118 non-addicted (NA)] were screened and included. All patients were evaluate, in terms of short-term postoperative outcomes, until hospital discharge or death. RESULTS: In the OA patients, the mean amount of estimated postoperative bleeding was significantly more than NA patients (535 ± 304.75 ml vs. 463.56 ± 209.77; P = 0.04). Mean ventilation time were significantly longer in the OA patients than in the NA (9.9 days vs. 8.66 days, P = 0.02). The mean duration of postoperative hospital stay was two days longer in the OA (10.83 days vs. 8.34 days, P < 0.001). Also, the mean use of packed cell during surgery and incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation were higher in the OA patients than NA (P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: The results of our study provide strong evidence that the opium addiction should be considered as a risk factors for developing perioperative complications, including higher mean postoperative bleeding, need for intraoperative packed red blood cell transfusion, ventilation time and length of hospital stay, in patients undergoing CABG surgery.

Neuroprotective effect of low mean arterial pressure on postoperative cognitive deficit attenuated by prolonged coronary artery bypass time: a meta-analysis

Abstract Introduction: The true influence of the low mean arterial pressure (low MAP) during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on the development of postoperative cognitive deficit (POCD) remains controversial. We aimed to perform a meta-analysis and meta-regression to determine the effect of low MAP on POCD, as well as moderator variables between low MAP and POCD. Methods: The Web of Science, PubMed database, Scopus and the Cochrane Library database (up to June 2018) were searched and retrieved articles systematically reviewed. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing maintenance of low MAP (<80 mmHg) and high MAP (>80 mmHg) during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were included in our final review. Statistical analysis of the risk ratio (RR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to report the overall effect. The overall effect and meta-regression analysis were done using Mantel-Haenszel risk ratio (MHRR) and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: A total of 731 patients in three RCTs were included in this study. POCD occurred in 6.4% of all cases. Maintenance of low MAP did not reduce the occurrence of POCD (MHRR 1.012 [95% CI 0.277-3.688]; Z=0.018; P=0.986; I2=66%). Shorter CPB time reduced the occurrence of POCD regardless of group assignment (MH log risk ratio -0.519 [95% CI -0.949 - -0.089]; Z= -2.367; P=0.017). Conclusion: POCD is a common event among CABG patients. The neuroprotective effect of low MAP on POCD was attenuated by the prolonged CPB time.

Neuroprotective Effect of Low Mean Arterial Pressure on Postoperative Cognitive Deficit Attenuated by Prolonged Coronary Artery Bypass Time: A Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The true influence of the low mean arterial pressure (low MAP) during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on the development of postoperative cognitive deficit (POCD) remains controversial. We aimed to perform a meta-analysis and meta-regression to determine the effect of low MAP on POCD, as well as moderator variables between low MAP and POCD. METHODS: The Web of Science, PubMed database, Scopus and the Cochrane Library database (up to June 2018) were searched and retrieved articles systematically reviewed. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing maintenance of low MAP (<80 mmHg) and high MAP (>80 mmHg) during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were included in our final review. Statistical analysis of the risk ratio (RR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to report the overall effect. The overall effect and meta-regression analysis were done using Mantel-Haenszel risk ratio (MHRR) and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: A total of 731 patients in three RCTs were included in this study. POCD occurred in 6.4% of all cases. Maintenance of low MAP did not reduce the occurrence of POCD (MHRR 1.012 [95% CI 0.277-3.688]; Z=0.018; P=0.986; I2=66%). Shorter CPB time reduced the occurrence of POCD regardless of group assignment (MH log risk ratio -0.519 [95% CI -0.949 - -0.089]; Z= -2.367; P=0.017). CONCLUSION: POCD is a common event among CABG patients. The neuroprotective effect of low MAP on POCD was attenuated by the prolonged CPB time.

Lidocaine dose-response effect on postoperative cognitive deficit: meta-analysis and meta-regression.

INTRODUCTION: The true influence of the perioperative intravenous lidocaine on the development of postoperative cognitive deficit (POCD) in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remains controversial. The principal aim is to undertake a meta-regression to determine whether moderator variables mediate the relationship between lidocaine and POCD. Areas covered: We searched the Web of Science, PubMed database, Scopus and the Cochrane Library database (up to June 2017) and systematically reviewed a list of retrieved articles. Our final review includes only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared infusion of lidocaine and placebo during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Mantel-Haenszel risk ratio (MH RR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to report the overall effect and meta-regression analysis. A total of 688 patients in five RCTs were included. POCD occurred in 34% of all cases. Perioperative lidocaine reduces POCD (MH RR 0.702 (95% CI: 0.541-0.909). Younger age, male gender, longer CPB and higher concentration of lidocaine significantly mediate the relationship between lidocaine and POCD in favour of the neuroprotective effect of lidocaine. Expert commentary: The neuroprotective effect of lidocaine on POCD is consistent in spite of longer CPB time. A higher concentration of lidocaine strengthened the neuroprotective effect of lidocaine.

The effect of intravenous N-acetylcysteine on prevention of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most frequently occurring dysrhythmias after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of intravenous N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on the prevention of AF after CABG surgery. METHODS: In a double-blind, randomised controlled trial, a total of 150 patients who were scheduled for on-pump CABG surgery were randomly assigned into two groups. In group A, patients received an intravenous NAC infusion (50 mg/kg) after induction of anaesthesia. These patients additionally received two intravenous doses of NAC on postoperative days 1 and 2. Patients in group B received normal saline (as a placebo) with the same volume, during the same time interval. During the first three days after surgery, postoperative AF (POAF) was assessed by continuous electrocardiogram monitoring; serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) level was also assessed before and three days after surgery. RESULTS: During follow-up, 17 patients (17/141, 12.1%) developed POAF. POAF occurred in four (5.6%) patients in the NAC group and 13 (18.8%) patients in the placebo group (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.08-0.82; p = 0.02). In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, the only predictor of AF after CABG surgery was the use of NAC (OR 0.21; 95% CI 0.06-0.73; p = 0.01). Also, the hsCRP level trend in the NAC group was different from the trend in the control group (group time interaction or interaction effect) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: It seems that perioperative intravenous NAC therapy can be effectively used to reduce inflammation and the incidence of POAF after CABG surgery. The clinical trial registration number: IRCT2015040921669N1.

Comparing Hemodynamic Responses to Diazepam, Propofol and Etomidate During Anesthesia Induction in Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: a Double-blind, Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Anesthesia induction is often accompanied by a period of hemodynamic instability, which could be deleterious in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and left ventricular dysfunction undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the hemodynamic responses to propofol, etomidate, and diazepam following anesthesia induction, laryngoscopy and intubation in CABG surgery patients with low ejection fraction (EF). METHODS: A double-blind randomized, clinical study was performed on 150 patients with CAD and left ventricular dysfunction (EF≤35%) scheduled for elective CABG surgery with Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Patients were randomly allocated to three groups A, B, and C. These patients received propofol, etomidate or diazepam at induction of anesthesia, respectively. Hemodynamic variables (systolic and diastolic blood pressure [SBP, DBP], mean arterial pressure [MAP] and heart rate [HR]) were measured and recorded at baseline, immediately before laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation and one and three minutes after intubation. RESULT: One minute after induction and before laryngoscopy, there was a statistically significant decrease from the baseline in SBP, DBP and MAP in all three groups, but these variables in each hemodynamic parameters in diazepam group were less than other two groups (p<0.001). Moreover, the mean HR decreased in patients receiving propofol and etomidate one minute after induction and before laryngoscopy, but did not decreased in the diazepam group (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: The present study showed that in patients undergoing CABG surgery with low EF, diazepam is more favorable in terms of hemodynamic stability compared to propofol and etomidate and this drug can be used safely for induction of anesthesia in patients with impaired ventricular function.

Comparison of Different Analgesic Techniques for Pain Relief During Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy: a Double-blind, Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Most patients experience some degree of pain during extracorporeal shock waves lithotripsy (ESWL). AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of target-controlled infusion (TCI) of remifentanil or sufentanil and patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with sufentanil or morphine for pain relief during ESWL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a double blind, randomized clinical trial, a total of 60 patients who were scheduled for elective ESWL, randomly assigned into four groups (A, B, C and D). Patients in group A and B received remifentanil and sufentanil with TCI, respectively. Also, patients in group C and D received sufentanil and morphine with PCA, respectively. All patients in four groups were assessed about the intensity of their pain with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in three phases; the discharge of the waves (phase A), during breaking the stones (phase B) and the end of the procedure (phase C). RESULTS: Patients in morphine PCA group experienced highest pain intensity in all stages, but patients in remifentanil TCI group experienced lowest pain intensity during lithotripsy. Remifentanil/TCI group experienced the lowest pain in B and C phases and the sufentanil/TCI group had the lowest pain only in the phase A. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of complications in all four groups. CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrates that efficacy of TCI pump in the reduction of pain during ESWL is superior to the PCA pump. Among the drugs that used in this study, remifentanil has more effective in pain management in the all phases during ESWL. We believe that using remifentanil/TCI should strongly be considered to clinicians in ESWL units.

The Effect of Green Tea Gargle Solution on Sore Throat After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Tracheal intubation is an essential method of keeping the airway open in patients under general anesthesia. Sore throat is a prevalent complication after endotracheal intubation. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of green tea gargling on sore throat after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a single-blind, randomized clinical trial, in which 121 patients who had undergone CABG were divided into two groups: those who gargled distilled water and those who gargled a green tea solution. An hour after extubation, the patients of the intervention group were asked to gargle 30 cc of green tea, and the patients of the control group were asked to gargle 30 cc of distilled water, every 6 hours for up to 24 hours (four times per patient). A sore throat questionnaire was filled out 6, 12, and 24 hours after endotracheal extubation. RESULTS: The results showed that there were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to patient age, sex, body mass index, smoking background, and duration of anesthesia. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of sore throat before the intervention (P = 0.461) and 6 hours after the intervention (P = 0.901). However, a significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of sore throat 12 hours (P = 0.047) and 24 hours (P < 0.001) after removing the endotracheal tube. CONCLUSIONS: Gargling a green tea solution, an anti-inflammatory, natural, and harmless substance, can reduce the pain of sore throat in patients after endotracheal extubation.

Women's Sexual Issues After Myocardial Infarction: A Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Sexual activity after myocardial infarction (MI) is a concern for patients and often a challenge for health care professionals to address. It is widely recognized that most patients, of both sexes, report sexual problems or concerns after MI. However, there are reported differences between men and women. Women with sexual concerns may seek less help from health care providers and are more inclined to conceal them because of cultural barriers. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study is to present a comprehensive review of the literature describing women's sexual issues after MI. METHOD: A systematic search of the relevant literature was performed within international databases, including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and ProQuest, as well as Google Scholar using relevant keywords. Also, Persian electronic databases such as Magiran, Scientific Information Databases, and Iran Medex were searched from the inception to October 2014. Articles focusing on the sexual issues after MI only in women, as well as articles on both sexes where women's results could be separated, were included in this review. RESULTS: A total of 8 articles were included in the final dataset. The main themes of women's sexual concerns after MI were "loss or decrease of sexual activity," "dissatisfaction of sexual relationship," "doubt about resumption time of sexual activity," "fear of reinfarction or sudden death during sexual activity after MI," "knowledge deficit regarding sexual activity after MI," and "poor performance of health care providers in sexual counseling." DISCUSSION: The results of this review demonstrate that women's post-MI sexual activity is affected by many concerns. The concerns may be a knowledge deficit related to not receiving necessary consultation on this topic. Nurses, as first-line care givers, can provide appropriate consultation and education for patients post-MI. As a result, breaking taboo imposed by cultural barriers, personal assumptions, or lack of confidence on giving sexual consultation may ultimately help patients to improve their quality of life.

Frequency Rate of Atelectasis in Patients Following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft and Its Associated Factors at Mazandaran Heart Center in 2013-2014.

INTRODUCTION: As the most common postoperative pulmonary complications after cardiac surgery, atelectasis is one of the most important and serious early postoperative complications and one of the most important causes of prolonged hospitalization, increased costs, and mortality rise. Therefore, the present study was aimed at specifying the frequency of atelectasis in patients following coronary artery bypass graft and its associated factors in Mazandaran Heart Center in 2013-2014. MATERIALS: The present investigation was a descriptive cross-sectional study in which sequential sampling was used. It was conducted on 375 patients whose coronary artery bypass graft had been performed by the same surgeon and anesthesiologist. For data collection, first the patients' demographic variables and the information of their surgery were retrieved through their profiles, direct observation, patient inquiry, and the collected data were recorded in the data collection forms. Then, atelectasis was measured before the surgery and on the first and second days after it by taking CXR whose results were checked by two radiologists who were not aware of the previous observations. Data were analyzed through t-test, Pearson test, and Chi-square test using SPSS 16.0. RESULTS: The results of the present study indicated that, 123 out of 375 patients (32.8%) were diagnosed with at least one type of tattletales during the first three days after the surgery. The mean age of the patients who were diagnosed with atelectasis was 62.9 and most of them were female. The results also showed that there was a significant relationship between postoperative frequency of atelectasis and the patients' pulmonary diseases and underlying diseases like diabetes and hyperlipidemia, smoking and alcohol use before the surgery, and transfusion of 4 units of packed red blood cells during the surgery (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Atelectasis is the most common postoperative complication which emerges more in patients with pulmonary and underlying diseases than other patients.

Green Tea Gargling Effect on Cough & Hoarseness After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft.

INTRODUCTION: Endotracheal intubation is a method necessary for controlling and maintaining airway during general anesthesia. Cough and hoarseness are common complications after endotracheal intubation. Inflammation has an important role in postoperative cough and hoarseness outbreak. Also it has been stated that green tea has anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, the current study has been conducted to investigate green tea gargling solution effect on cough and hoarseness after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. METHODS: In this single-blind, randomized, & controlled clinical trial, we enrolled 121 patients undergoing CABG admitted to the ICU. The intervention group participants were asked to gargle 30 cc of green tea solution. The control group patients gargled 30 cc of distilled water. An hour after extubation, the intervention group patients were asked to gargle 30 cc of green tea and the control group patients were required to gargle 30 cc of distilled water every 6 hour up to 24 hour (each patient for 4 times). Moreover, the cough and hoarseness questionnaire was also filled in 6, 12, and 24 hours after endotracheal extubation. RESULTS: The results showed no significant differences among the patients in both groups regarding age, gender, body mass index, smoking history, and anesthesia duration. There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of cough 12 hours after removing the endotracheal tube. At other times, there was no significant difference between the two groups considering cough and hoarseness. CONCLUSION: The present study results showed that green tea gargling does not decrease hoarseness. Though, cough occurrence was less in the intervention group than the other group.

Severe Left Atrioventricular Valve Regurgitation Due to Discontinuity between the Leaflets of the Aortic and Left Atrioventricular Valves in a Patient with Endocardial Cushion Defect: A Rare Case Report.

Discontinuities between the leaflets of the aortic and left atrioventricular valves are uncommon congenital malformations. The anomaly may be discovered during surgery without preoperative diagnosis. It represents a spectrum of anomalies that result from interruption of the normal development of the endocardial cushions during the fetal life. We describe a rare case of Down syndrome with transient complete atrioventricular block and discontinuity between the leaflets of the aortic and left atrioventricular valves without intervening fibrous band, leading to separation and detachment between them. It caused severe eccentric jet of regurgitation originated from left ventricular outflow tract and base of anterior leaflet of left atrioventricular valve into the left atrium. He underwent cardiopulmonary bypass, and the defect between left atrioventricular valve and aortic annuli was sewn. Permanent epicardial pacing was inserted during cardiac surgery. To the best of our knowledge, such a case has not been previously reported in the literature.

Hemodynamic responses to etomidate versus ketamine-thiopental sodium combination for anesthetic induction in coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients with low ejection fraction: a double-blind, randomized, clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: During induction of anesthesia and intubation, hemodynamic changes are very important; especially in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and left ventricular dysfunction. A little information is available on the hemodynamic effects of a combination of ketamine-thiopental for induction of anesthesia in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, with impaired ventricular function. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the hemodynamic responses to etomidate versus ketamine-thiopental sodium combination for anesthetic induction in CABG surgery patients with low ejection fraction (EF<45%). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a double blind randomized clinical trial, a total of 100 patients, scheduled for elective CABG surgery were randomly assigned into two groups. These patients received either etomidate or ketamine-thiopental sodium combination at induction of anesthesia. Hemodynamics variable were measured and recorded at baseline, immediately before and after laryngoscopy and intubation, one, two and three minutes after intubation. Also, muscle twitching incidence among patients in two groups was evaluated. RESULTS: No significant differences between the two groups regarding the changes of hemodynamic variables including systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and heart rate, were notice (p>0.05). Muscle twitching was not observed in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Hemodynamic stability after administration of ketamine-thiopental sodium combination for induction of anesthesia in patients undergoing CABG surgery, with impaired ventricular function, supports the clinical impression that this combination is safe in CABG surgery patients with low EF.

The effects of listening to preferred music on pain intensity after open heart surgery.

BACKGROUND: Pain is a common phenomenon after surgery. Cardiac surgeries are no exception and patients generally experience acute pain after these surgeries. Inadequate pain management after cardiac surgery predisposes patients to many complications. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of listening to preferred music on pain intensity after open heart surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a randomized clinical trial (RCT) conducted in open heart intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital in Sari, Iran. A total of 60 patients who were scheduled to undergo open heart surgery were randomly allocated in two groups. Patients in the intervention group (n = 30) listened to their preferred music by headphones for 30 minutes, whereas those in the control group (n = 30) did not listen to music. Using a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), pain intensity was measured among the patients before the intervention, and immediately, 30 minutes and one hour after the intervention. Data was analyzed by Chi-square test, student's t-test and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). FINDINGS: Mean pain intensity in the intervention group before, immediately after, 30 minutes and one hour after the intervention were 5.8, 3.1, 2.5 and 2.4, respectively. Corresponding numbers in the control group were 4.7, 4.7, 4.8 and 4.9, respectively. Repeated measures ANOVA showed music to significantly reduce pain intensity (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Music can be effective as a non-pharmacological, inexpensive, non-invasive and side effect free method for pain management after open heart surgery.