Patients with Infectious Endocarditis and Drug Dependence Have Worse Clinical Outcomes after Valvular Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Patients with infective endocarditis (IE) are at high risk for post-operative morbidity and death, which might be associated with drug abuse. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of drug dependence on outcomes in patients who have IE and undergo valvular surgery (VS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Nationwide/National Inpatient Sample 2001-2012 was queried to select patients with IE who had elective VS using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis and procedure codes. Among them, patients with drug dependence (PDD) were identified, and their health status and post-operative outcomes were compared with those in patients without drug dependence (control group). Chi-square and Wilcoxon rank sum tests as well as multi-variable regression analysis were used for statistics. RESULTS: A total of 809 (12.9%) PDD of the 6,264 patients who underwent VS were evaluated. They were younger compared with those in the control group (39.0 ± 10.8 y vs. 54.4 ± 14.8 y; p < 0.0001), had less age-related co-morbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, renal failure, obesity, but greater rates of alcohol abuse, liver disease, and psychoses. Despite the younger age and fewer co-morbidities, PDD compared with control patients were more likely to have post-operative complications develop overall (odds ratio [OR] = 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34-2.01), including infectious complications (OR = 1.5; 95% CI 1.27-1.78), specifically pneumonia (OR = 1.4; 95% CI 1.14-1.74) and sepsis (OR = 1.4; 95% CI 1.16-1.63), renal complications (OR = 1.5; 95% CI 1.23-1.77), and pulmonary embolism (OR = 1.9; 95% CI 1.44-2.52). Further, PDD had 11% longer hospital length of stay than those in the control groups (p < 0.0001). We did not find significant difference in hospital deaths, however, between these groups. CONCLUSION: Drug dependence is associated with worse post-operative outcomes in patients with infective endocarditis who underwent valvular surgery and lengthens their hospital stay.

The effect of Clostridium difficile infection on cardiac surgery outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile (CD) is a common cause of healthcare-associated infectious colitis that complicates about 1% of all hospital stays in the U.S. The impact of CD on outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and valvular surgery (VS) is not well known. METHODS: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2002-2009) was queried to identify CABG and VS patients utilizing International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnosis codes. Rates of CD, post-operative endocarditis and mediastinitis, hospital mortality rate, and resource utilization were evaluated. RESULTS: We identified 421,294 and 90,923 patients of age 40 yrs and older who underwent CABG and VS, respectively. The CD infection was more likely to develop in patients undergoing VS than in those having CABG (odds ratio [OR] 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.64-1.92) and was more likely after urgent or emergency admission than after elective admission (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.68-1.94). There was a greater likelihood of mediastinitis in patients with CD after CABG than in non-complicated cases without CD, both by univariable (OR 6.0; 95% CI 3.07-11.62) and multivariable analysis with adjustment for patient age, gender, race, type of admission, and co-morbidities (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.49-6.51). The infection thus was most likely a result of the antibiotics used to treat mediastinitis, as the patients treated for mediastinitis were most likely to develop CD. There was a significant association in patients with CD and endocarditis who underwent VS but not in patients who did not have CD. The CD infection in these patients thus was most likely a result of the antibiotics used to treat endocarditis. Endocarditis and CD developed 3.2 times (95% CI 2.65-3.97) as often as in patients without CD, a finding that was confirmed by multivariable analysis (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.70-2.84). At the same time, in patients having VS, there was no significant association of CD and mediastinitis. Clostridium difficile infection affected the hospital mortality rate significantly after both CABG (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.65-2.35) and VS (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.51-2.39). Development of CD increased median hospital length of stay and cost dramatically after both CABG (from 7 d to 19 d and from $33,105 to $65,535, respectively; p<0.0001 for both) and VS (from 8 d to 24 d and from $41,876 to $95,699, respectively; p<0.0001 for both). CONCLUSIONS: The development of CD worsened significantly the outcomes of adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery. There was a greater risk of CD in patients with either mediastinitis or endocarditis. The infection was associated with a higher hospital mortality rate, longer hospital stays, and greater cost after both CABG and VS.

The Impella device for acute mechanical circulatory support in patients in cardiogenic shock.

BACKGROUND: Acute cardiogenic shock is associated with high mortality rates. Mechanical circulatory devices have been increasingly used in this setting for hemodynamic support. The Impella device (Abiomed Inc, Danvers, MA) is a microaxial left ventricular assist device that can be inserted using a less invasive technique. This study was conducted to determine the outcome of patients who have undergone placement of the Impella device for acute cardiogenic shock in our institution. METHODS: A retrospective record review of 47 patients who underwent placement of the Impella device was performed from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2011. Records were evaluated for demographics, operative details, and postoperative outcomes. Operative mortality was defined as death within 30 days of the operation. RESULTS: The patients (33 male) were an average age of 60.23 ± 13 years. The indication for placement of the Impella device included cardiogenic shock in 15 patients (32%) and postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock in 32 (68%). Of the 47 patients, 38 (80%) received the Impella 5.0 and the rest the 2.5 device. Ventricular function recovered in 34 of 47 patients (72%), and the device was removed, with 4 patients (8%) transitioned to long-term ventricular assist devices. The 30-day mortality was 25% (12 of 47 patients). Complications occurred in 14 patients (30%), consisting of device malfunction, high purge pressures, tube fracture, and groin hematoma. CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the largest series of patients undergoing placement of the Impella device for acute cardiogenic shock. Our outcomes showed improved results compared with historical data. Myocardial recovery was accomplished in most patients. Finally, the 30-day mortality and complication rate was acceptable in these critical patients. These benefits were all achieved with the Impella device in a less invasive method.

Alterations in immunocyte tumor necrosis factor receptor and apoptosis in patients with congestive heart failure.

OBJECTIVE: To examine systemic immune cell proinflammatory receptor expression and apoptosis in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Prior studies have demonstrated that CHF is associated with a chronic myocardial inflammatory state, including increased plasma proinflammatory cytokine and soluble receptor expression. By contrast, it has also been shown that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor protein expression is decreased in the failing myocardium. However, no studies to date have examined systemic immune cell proinflammatory receptor expression or function as disease markers in patients with heart failure. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients were studied prospectively over an 8-month period at a single institution. One group (n = 16) had a history of clinical symptoms of CHF and moderate to severe left ventricular dysfunction. The second group (n = 13) consisted of patients who had coronary artery disease without symptoms of CHF and documented preservation of left ventricular function. Blood samples were analyzed for polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) and monocyte TNF and CD95 membrane-associated receptor expression, spontaneous and CD95 (Fas)-mediated PMN apoptosis, and plasma cytokine and soluble TNF receptor levels. Isolated PMNs were incubated for 6 hours with or without CH 11, a CD95 agonist. Propidium iodide/RNAase staining and flow cytometry was used to assess apoptosis, defined as PMNs expressing hypodiploid DNA (<2 n DNA). Membrane-associated TNF receptor and CD95 were also measured by flow cytometry. Plasma levels of TNF, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and soluble TNF receptors 1 and 2 were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Compared to patients without CHF, circulating PMN and monocyte TNF receptor levels were significantly decreased in patients with CHF. By contrast, PMN and monocyte CD95 expression was not significantly changed in patients with CHF versus those without CHF. Patients with CHF had a 60% decrease in spontaneous PMN apoptosis compared to patients without CHF, whereas no significant difference in CD95-mediated apoptosis was observed between the two groups. Pearson-product movement correlation of monocyte TNF receptor expression and spontaneous PMN apoptosis rates versus patients' ejection fraction was performed and was statistically significant. Plasma levels of soluble TNF receptor 2 (p75) were elevated in CHF patients versus patients without CHF, while there was no significant difference in soluble TNF receptor 1 (p55), TNF, IL-6, and IL-10 between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate a systemic alteration in immune cell phenotype and apoptosis in patients with CHF. These findings provide support for the concept that inflammatory mediators either contribute to myocardial dysfunction or are elaborated systemically by left ventricular compromise. This present study suggests that immune cell TNF receptor expression and diminished PMN apoptosis may serve as biologic markers of myocardial failure.

Hemorrhage related reexploration following open heart surgery: the impact of pre-operative and post-operative coagulation testing.

PURPOSE: Our objective was to determine the association of pre-operative and post-operative coagulation testing abnormalities with the cause of post-operative bleeding requiring re-exploration following cardiac surgery. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of post-operative bleeding and the incidence of re-exploration for hemorrhage in 2263 adult patients undergoing elective and emergency open heart surgery which included coronary artery bypass, valvular, and combined valve coronary procedures. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients (3.6%) required re-exploration. Sixty-six percent had surgical bleeding; the remaining 34% were coagulopathic (no surgical site found). The pre-operative PT and ACT were significantly elevated in coagulopathic patients (P<0.005). Post-operative ACT, PT, and APTT were increased and fibrinogen levels were decreased in coagulopathic patients (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-operative testing (ACT, PT) weakly correlated with post-operative coagulopathy. Post-operative coagulation abnormalities were identified with high risk ratios and good diagnostic accuracy when using testing cut-off values to assist in surgical decision making.