Radical mediastinal lipectomy for tamponade-like cardiac physiology.

BACKGROUND: Re-opening the chest is an unwanted and potentially morbid complication after open heart surgery, most commonly required for refractory bleeding or tamponade. In this report, we present a unique case of a postoperative coronary artery bypass patient, demonstrating clinical features of cardiac tamponade of the right atrium and ventricle with inconclusive findings on imaging. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62 year-old male presented to hospital with exertional angina and a coronary angiogram found severe three-vessel coronary artery disease with preserved left ventricular function. He underwent an uncomplicated triple coronary artery bypass surgery. Over the following hours in the cardiac intensive care unit, the patient had a climbing serum lactate level and increasing vasopressor requirements. On investigations, there was evidence of compression of the right heart. The patient was taken back to the operating room where very little clot or bleeding was identified, rather there was significant amounts of mediastinal fat surrounding the heart which was subsequently resected with wide margins. The patient had complete resolution of their symptoms and an uncomplicated postoperative course thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this case is the first reported occurrence of cardiac constriction from excessive mediastinal fat after open heart surgery. Identifying patients at high-risk for excessive pericardial fat, as well as considering alternative modalities of imaging appear to be the main stay in diagnosis at this point. Current treatment is a mediastinal lipectomy with wide margins, avoiding injury to surrounding structures such as the phrenic nerve and innominate vein. Future study might consider the value of prophylactic mediastinal lipectomy at time of surgery, and methods to improve detection with current and future imaging modalities.

[Management of a bi-caval dual lumen cannula clot obstruction after TEE guided diagnosis: a case-report]. / Conduta em obstrução por coágulo em cânula de duplo lúmen bicaval após diagnóstico guiado por ETE: relato de caso.

BACKGROUND: Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is an established therapy for patients with refractory acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). One complication related to the use of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is thrombosis despite proper anticoagulation. We report the diagnosis and management of a clot-obstruction in a single site cannula placed through the internal jugular vein, guided by transesophageal echocardiography. CASE REPORT: A 39 year-old male developed acute respiratory distress syndrome and hemodynamic instability after an episode of pulmonary aspiration in the ICU. Eight hours after placement of a single site veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, suddenly the perfusionist noticed a reduction in flow. TEE showed a thrombus-like mass obstructing the inflow port in SVC and inflow at IVC was intact. After unsuccessful attempts to reposition the cannula, the team decided to insert additional femoral inflow cannula through the IVC. The single site catheter was then pulled out until its tip was positioned in the right atrium and all three ports of the catheter were switched to the infusion ports. After this, flows and oxygenation improved significantly. Unfortunately, despite all of the efforts, the patient died 2 days later. DISCUSSION: The diagnosis of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannula obstruction is based on reduced inflow rates, hemodynamic instability and poor oxygenation of blood. TEE allows evaluation of the flows inside the cannula and in this case, an obstruction was found. The management presented points to the fact that in a situation of catheter obstruction caused by a clot, there is a feasible alternative to assure minimal interruption of the hemodynamic support offered by the veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

The role of thromboelastometry in the assessment and treatment of coagulopathy in liver transplant patients / O papel da tromboelastometria na avaliação e no tratamento da coagulopatia em pacientes submetidos ao transplante hepático

ABSTRACT Perioperative monitoring of coagulation is vital to assess bleeding risks, diagnose deficiencies associated with hemorrhage, and guide hemostatic therapy in major surgical procedures, such as liver transplantation. Routine static tests demand long turnaround time and do not assess platelet function; they are determined on plasma at a standard temperature of 37°C; hence these tests are ill-suited for intraoperative use. In contrast, methods which evaluate the viscoelastic properties of whole blood, such as thromboelastogram and rotational thromboelastometry, provide rapid qualitative coagulation assessment and appropriate guidance for transfusion therapy. These are promising tools for the assessment and treatment of hyper- and hypocoagulable states associated with bleeding in liver transplantation. When combined with traditional tests and objective assessment of the surgical field, this information provides ideal guidance for transfusion strategies, with potential improvement of patient outcomes.

RESUMO A monitorização perioperatória da coagulação é fundamental para estimar o risco de sangramento, diagnosticar deficiências causadoras de hemorragia e guiar terapias hemostáticas durante procedimentos cirúrgicos de grande porte, como o transplante hepático. Os testes estáticos, comumente usados na prática clínica, são insatisfatórios no intraoperatório, pois demandam tempo e não avaliam a função plaquetária; são determinados no plasma e realizados em temperatura padrão de 37°C. Os métodos que avaliam as propriedades viscoelásticas do sangue total, como o tromboelastograma e a tromboelastometria rotacional, podem suprir as deficiências dos testes estáticos tradicionais, uma vez que permitem avaliar a coagulação de forma rápida e qualitativa, guiando a terapia transfusional de forma adequada. A tromboelastometria rotacional mostrou-se promissora na avaliação e no tratamento de estados de hipercoagulação e hipocoagulação, associados a sangramento no transplante hepático. Estas informações, combinadas com os testes tradicionais e uma avaliação objetiva do campo cirúrgico, promovem um cenário ótimo para guiar as estratégias transfusionais e potencialmente melhorar o desfecho destes pacientes.

The role of thromboelastometry in the assessment and treatment of coagulopathy in liver transplant patients.

Perioperative monitoring of coagulation is vital to assess bleeding risks, diagnose deficiencies associated with hemorrhage, and guide hemostatic therapy in major surgical procedures, such as liver transplantation. Routine static tests demand long turnaround time and do not assess platelet function; they are determined on plasma at a standard temperature of 37°C; hence these tests are ill-suited for intraoperative use. In contrast, methods which evaluate the viscoelastic properties of whole blood, such as thromboelastogram and rotational thromboelastometry, provide rapid qualitative coagulation assessment and appropriate guidance for transfusion therapy. These are promising tools for the assessment and treatment of hyper- and hypocoagulable states associated with bleeding in liver transplantation. When combined with traditional tests and objective assessment of the surgical field, this information provides ideal guidance for transfusion strategies, with potential improvement of patient outcomes. RESUMO A monitorização perioperatória da coagulação é fundamental para estimar o risco de sangramento, diagnosticar deficiências causadoras de hemorragia e guiar terapias hemostáticas durante procedimentos cirúrgicos de grande porte, como o transplante hepático. Os testes estáticos, comumente usados na prática clínica, são insatisfatórios no intraoperatório, pois demandam tempo e não avaliam a função plaquetária; são determinados no plasma e realizados em temperatura padrão de 37°C. Os métodos que avaliam as propriedades viscoelásticas do sangue total, como o tromboelastograma e a tromboelastometria rotacional, podem suprir as deficiências dos testes estáticos tradicionais, uma vez que permitem avaliar a coagulação de forma rápida e qualitativa, guiando a terapia transfusional de forma adequada. A tromboelastometria rotacional mostrou-se promissora na avaliação e no tratamento de estados de hipercoagulação e hipocoagulação, associados a sangramento no transplante hepático. Estas informações, combinadas com os testes tradicionais e uma avaliação objetiva do campo cirúrgico, promovem um cenário ótimo para guiar as estratégias transfusionais e potencialmente melhorar o desfecho destes pacientes.

Evaluation of a computerized anesthesia report.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In Brazil, the use of information systems that allows filling out anesthesia reports automatically is still in its initial stages. The objective of this study was to validate an automated anesthesia record. METHODS: This study was approved by the Ethics Commission of the institution; an industry-university partnership (Dixtal, São Paulo, Brazil and Universidade de São Paulo) was developed, and the study received a grant from FINEP (Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos do Ministério de Ciência e Tecnologia). The integration of hospital information systems for recovery of data regarding identification, preoperative evaluation, and laboratorial exams was the premise of this study. The applicability of the final version of the prototype of the automated system was evaluated by applying a semi-structured tool to 33 physicians, residents, and/or anesthesiologists during surgery procedures in 66 patients. Descriptive evaluation of the data was undertaken. RESULTS: The computerized system was considered reliable even for large surgeries by 81% of the participants. The majority of the anesthesiologists considered the prototype of great value for future studies and capable of meeting the requirements of anesthesia reports, bringing benefits for anesthesiologists, patients, and hospitals. The full use of the system requires training and some of its aspects can be improved. CONCLUSIONS: Validation of this prototype of a computerized system for elaboration of anesthesia reports showed the viability of this type of solution to help anesthesiologists in their daily tasks, increasing the reliability of the data. Besides, when evaluating the applicability, anesthesiologists considered that the prototype could be useful for patients, physicians, and hospitals.

Avaliação de relatório eletrônico de anestesia / Evaluation of a computerized anesthesia report

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A utilização de sistemas de informação que permitem o preenchimento automático de relatórios de anestesia ainda é incipiente no Brasil. O objetivo deste estudo foi validar um sistema informatizado para elaboração de relatório de anestesia. MÉTODOS: O projeto foi aprovado pela Comissão de Ética institucional e desenvolvido em sistema de parceria empresa-universidade (Dixtal, São Paulo, Brasil e Universidade de São Paulo) com financiamento da FINEP (Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos do Ministério de Ciência e Tecnologia). O projeto elaborado teve como premissa a integração ao sistema de informações hospitalares para recuperação de dados referentes à identificação, avaliação pré-operatória e resultados de exames laboratoriais. A versão final do protótipo do sistema informatizado desenvolvido foi submetida à avaliação com relação à aplicabilidade por meio de instrumento semiestruturado, aplicado a 33 médicos, residentes e/ou especialistas em Anestesiologia durante procedimentos anestésico-cirúrgicos realizados em 66 pacientes. Os dados foram avaliados descritivamente. RESULTADOS: O sistema informatizado avaliado foi considerado con fiável por 81 por cento dos participantes, inclusive para cirurgias de grande porte. A maioria dos anestesiologistas considerou o protótipo proveitoso para a realização de pesquisas futuras e capaz de atender às necessidades de confecção de relatório de anestesia, com benefícios para...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In Brazil, the use of information systems that allows filling out anesthesia reports automatically is still in its initial stages. The objective of this study was to validate an automated anesthesia record. METHODS: This study was approved by the Ethics Commission of the institution; an industry-university partnership (Dixtal, São Paulo, Brazil and Universidade de São Paulo) was developed, and the study received a grant from FINEP (Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos do Ministério de Ciência e Tecnologia). The integration of hospital information systems for recovery of data regarding identification, preoperative evaluation, and laboratorial exams was the premise of this study. The applicability of the final version of the prototype of the automated system was evaluated by applying a semi-structured tool to 33 physicians, residents, and/or anesthesiologists during surgery procedures in 66 patients. Descriptive evaluation of the data was undertaken. RESULTS: The computerized system was considered reliable even for large surgeries by 81 percent of the participants. The majority of the anesthesiologists considered the prototype of great value for future studies and capable of meeting the requirements of anesthesia reports,...

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: La utilización de sistemas de información que permiten el rellenado automático de informes de anestesia, todavía es algo incipiente en Brasil. El objetivo de este estudio, fue validar un sistema informatizado para la elaboración de un informe de anestesia. MÉTODOS: El proyecto fue aprobado por la Comisión de Ética institucional y desarrollado en asociación con la empresa universidad (Dixtal, São Paulo, Brasil y Universidad de São Paulo), con la financiación de la FINEP (Financiadora de Estudios y Proyectos del Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología). El Proyecto elaborado tuvo como premisa la integración en el sistema de informaciones hospitalarias para la recuperación de los datos referentes a la identificación, evaluación preoperatoria y los resultados de los exámenes laboratoriales. La versión final del prototipo del sistema informatizado desarrollado se sometió a la evaluación con relación a la aplicabilidad por medio de un instrumento semiestructurado, aplicado a 33 médicos, residentes y/o expertos en Anestesiología, durante procedimientos anestésico-quirúrgicos realizados en 66 pacientes. Los datos se evaluaron descriptivamente. RESULTADOS: El sistema informatizado evaluado fue considerado confiable por un 81 por ciento de los participantes, inclusive para cirugías de gran porte. La mayoría de los anestesistas consideró el prototipo provechoso para la realización de investigaciones futuras, y capaz de atender a las necesidades de confección del informe de anestesia, con beneficios para los anestesistas, los pacientes y para el hospital. El sistema exige la capacitación para el...