Use of Bioimpedance Spectroscopy for Postoperative Fluid Management in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery with Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether bioimpedance spectroscopy analysis (BIA) can be used as a tool to guide postoperative fluid management in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. DESIGN: An observational study. SETTING: A single tertiary hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass between June and November 2023 who were able to undergo BIA measurements. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Correlations between BIA measurements of extracellular fluid (ECF) and total body water (TBW) volumes and daily changes in weight and 24-hour net intake and output (I/O) of fluids were assessed. Correlations between predischarge ECF volume as a percentage of TBW volume (ECF%TBW) and predischarge pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (Pro-BNP) levels and readmissions were analyzed. Changes in daily ECF volume significantly correlated with daily weight changes (p < 0.01) and 24-hour I/O (p < 0 .01). TBW volume significantly correlated with daily weight changes (p < 0.01) and with 24-hour I/O (p = 0.04). Daily weight changes did not correlate with 24-hour I/O (p = 0.06). The patients with predischarge ECF%TBW(%) greater than or equal to 51 had significantly higher predischarge Pro-BNP than those with ECF%TBW(%) less than 51 (p < 0.01). Patients who had heart failure revisits or admissions after discharge had a higher predischarge ECF%TBW(%) on index admission compared with patients who did not have heart failure readmissions (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: BIA measurements in postoperative cardiac surgery patients may be a valuable tool to quantitatively determine fluid status to help guide fluid management in this patient population. Further studies validating the use of BIA for postoperative care in this population are warranted.

Factor Eight Inhibitor Bypassing Activity as First-line Therapy for Coagulopathy in Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the outcomes of factor eight inhibitor bypassing activity (FEIBA) versus fresh frozen plasma (FFP) as the primary treatment for postoperative coagulopathy in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. DESIGN: A retrospective, propensity-matched study. SETTING: A single, tertiary hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients who underwent noncoronary cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass between 2015 and 2023. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We stratified patients into 2 groups based on whether they received intraoperative FFP or FEIBA; cases using both were excluded. We analyzed 434 cases, with 197 receiving FFP and 237 receiving FEIBA. After propensity matching, there was no significant difference in the proportion of the patients who required packed red blood cell transfusions (p = 0.08). However, of those who required packed red blood cell transfusions, patients in the FEIBA group required significantly fewer units of packed red blood cells (p < 0.001). Significantly fewer patients in the FEIBA group required platelet (p < 0.001) and cryoprecipitate (p < 0.001) transfusions. The FEIBA group showed decreased prolonged postoperative intubation (p = 0.05), decreased intensive care unit length of stay (p = 0.04), and lower 30-day readmission rates (p = 0.03). There were no differences in the rates of thrombotic complications between the 2 cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: In the initial treatment of postcardiopulmonary bypass coagulopathy, FEIBA may be more effective than FFP in decreasing blood product transfusions and readmission rates. Further studies are needed to explore the potential routine use of FEIBA as first-line agent in this patient population.

Caring for Patients Requiring Venous Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Can Upstream Palliative Care Make a Difference?

OBJECTIVE: Palliative care consultation is relevant for patients requiring Venous-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VA-ECMO); however, evidence is limited to support its value. For this population, we compared length of stay (LOS) (primary outcome), operational metrics and goals of care (GOC) frequency before and after a collaboration between cardiothoracic (CT) surgery and Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine (GaP). METHODS: Retrospective chart review of patients (18+) admitted to a quaternary center that required VA-ECMO between 2019-2021 and received GaP consultation. Demographics, LOS, times to consult, illness severity, GOC, and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: 120 patients met inclusion criteria and 64 (53.3%) had GaP consultation. No differences were observed regarding demographics and insertion status (emergent vs elective). Median (IQR) days to GaP consult for 2019, 2020 and 2021 were 6.5 (4.0-14.5), 5.0 (2.0-11.0) and 3.0 (2.0-5.0), respectively (P = .006). Median days from insertion to consult for 2019, 2020 and 2021 were 6.0 (4.0-20.0), 3.0 (1.0-6.0) and 2.0 (1.0-4.0) (P = .003). Among survivors, over the 3-year course, median LOS was not statistically different. Between expired patients, median (IQR) LOS for 2019, 2020, and 2021 was 28.5 (23.0-40.0), 12.0 (8.0-14.0), 11.0 (5.0-17.0) days (P = .013). For patients not seen by GaP, 8 (14.3%) GOC notes were documented, compared with 42 (65.6%) for patients seen. Mortality was similar (53.6% vs 53.1% [GaP]). CONCLUSION: For patient on VA-ECMO, early GaP consultation may improve hospital LOS and GOC rates. We suggest organizations consider early palliative integration when instituting mechanical circulatory support.

Impact of Limited Enhanced Recovery Pathway for Cardiac Surgery: A Single-Institution Experience.

OBJECTIVES: Enhanced recovery pathway (ERP) refers to extensive multidisciplinary, evidence-based pathways used to facilitate recovery after surgery. The authors assessed the impact that limited ERP protocols had on outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery at their institution. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: This study was a single-institution study conducted at a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients undergoing open adult cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Enhanced recovery pathways limited to preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative management of pain, atrial fibrillation prevention, and nutrition optimization were implemented. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 1,058 patients were included in this study. There were 374 patients in each pre- and post-ERP cohort after propensity matching, with no significant baseline differences between the 2 cohorts. Compared to the matched patients in the pre-ERP group, patients in the post-ERP group had decreased total ventilation hours (6.8 v 7.8, p = 0.006), less use of postoperative opioid analgesics as determined by total morphine milligram equivalent (32.5 v 47.5, p < 0.001), and a decreased rate of postoperative atrial fibrillation (23.3% v 30.5%, p = 0.032). Post-ERP patients also experienced less subjective pain and postoperative nausea and drowsiness as compared to their matched pre-ERP cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Limited ERP implementation resulted in significantly improved perioperative outcomes. Patients additionally experienced less postoperative pain despite decreased opioid use. Implementation of ERP, even in a limited format, is a promising approach to improving outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Massive Embolism: Knife versus PCI.

Pulmonary embolism is the third most common cardiovascular syndrome with an estimated up to 25% of patients presenting with sudden death. For those who survive, a mainstay of management for patients with hemodynamic stability is anticoagulation; however, recommendations and options are rapidly changing for patients with submassive or massive pulmonary embolism with hemodynamic instability. Catheter-based and surgical approaches offer efficacious management options for unstable patients or patients with contraindications to anticoagulation; however, both approaches have inherent benefits and risk. This article seeks to offer a brief review on the recommendations and options for management of pulmonary embolism from both surgical and catheter-based perspectives.

Contemporary national utilization of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

OBJECTIVE: The utilization of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) has demonstrated promising evidence for the management of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). We aim to describe contemporary utilization and predictors of survival of patients receiving ECPR for OHCA. METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was queried to identify hospital discharge records of patients aged ≥18 years who underwent ECPR from 2012 to 2017. Patients with an International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis of cardiac arrest, admitted urgently and placed on ECMO on Day 0 of hospitalization, were selected. Patients with a primary diagnosis indicative of veno-venous ECMO were excluded. Predictors of mortality were assessed using multivariable analyses. RESULTS: There were 1675 cases of ECPR, increasing from 185 cases in 2012 to 400 in 2017 (p < .001). Overall mortality was 63.3%, which remained stable over time (p = .441). Common diagnoses included ST-elevation myocardial infarction (39.1%), non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (9.3%), and pulmonary embolism (13.7%). Percutaneous coronary intervention was performed in 495 patients (29.6%); coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in 125 patients (7.5%). In multivariable analysis, decreased age, female gender, and left ventricular (LV) decompression were associated with reduced mortality. CONCLUSION: Utilization of ECPR is increasing nationally with stable mortality rates. Younger age, female gender, and utilization of LV decompression were associated with increased survival.

The Half-Century Mark: Explant of Ball and Cage Valve after 50 Years.

This is a case report of a 69-year-old man with chronic hemolysis and worsening diastolic heart failure, secondary to known periprosthetic leak, who underwent a reoperative mitral valve replacement 50 years following initial implantation of a Starr-Edwards ball and cage valve.

Extracorporeal Life Support for Respiratory Failure in Patients With Electronic Cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury.

OBJECTIVES: Electronic cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury is a clinical entity that can lead to respiratory failure and death. Despite the severity of electronic cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury, the role of extracorporeal life support in its management remains unclear. Our objective was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with electronic cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury who received extracorporeal life support. DESIGN: We performed a retrospective review of records of electronic cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury patients who received extracorporeal life support. Standardized data were collected via direct contact with extracorporeal life support centers. Data regarding presentation, ventilatory management, extracorporeal life support details, and outcome were analyzed. SETTING: This was a multi-institutional, international case series with patients from 10 different institutions in three different countries. PATIENTS: Patients who met criteria for confirmed electronic cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (based on previously reported diagnostic criteria) and were placed on extracorporeal life support were included. Patients were identified via literature review and by direct contact with extracorporeal life support centers. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Data were collected for 14 patients ranging from 16 to 45 years old. All had confirmed vape use within 3 months of presentation. Nicotine was the most commonly used vaping product. All patients had respiratory symptoms and radiographic evidence of bilateral pulmonary opacities. IV antibiotics and corticosteroids were universally initiated. Patients were intubated for 1.9 days (range, 0-6) prior to extracorporeal life support initiation. Poor oxygenation and ventilation were the most common indications for extracorporeal life support. Five patients showed evidence of ventricular dysfunction on echocardiography. Thirteen patients (93%) were placed on venovenous extracorporeal life support, and one patient required multiple rounds of extracorporeal life support. Total extracorporeal life support duration ranged from 2 to 37 days. Thirteen patients survived to hospital discharge; one patient died of septic shock. CONCLUSIONS: Electronic cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury can cause refractory respiratory failure and hypoxemia. These data suggest that venovenous extracorporeal life support can be an effective treatment option for profound, refractory respiratory failure secondary to electronic cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury.

CABG versus PCI in the Treatment of Unprotected Left Main Disease in Diabetics: A Literature Review.

The approach to left main coronary artery disease (CAD) in diabetic patients has been extensively debated. Diabetic patients have an elevated risk of left main disease in addition to multivessel disease. Previous trials have shown increased revascularization rates in percutaneous coronary intervention compared with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) but overall comparable outcomes, although many of these studies were not using the latest stent technology or CABG with arterial revascularization. Our aim is to review the most recent trials that have recently published long-term follow-up, as well as other literature pertaining to left main disease in diabetic patients. Furthermore, we will be discussing some future treatment strategies that could likely create a paradigm shift in how left main CAD is managed.

Using machine learning to predict early readmission following esophagectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a machine learning (ML)-based prediction model for readmission within 30 days (early readmission or early readmission) of patients based on their profile at index hospitalization for esophagectomy. METHODS: Using the National Readmission Database, 383 patients requiring early readmission out of a total of 2037 esophagectomy patients alive at discharge in 2016 were identified. Early readmission risk factors were identified using standard statistics and after the application of ML methodology, the models were interpreted. RESULTS: Early readmission after esophagectomy connoted an increased severity score and risk of mortality. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and malnutrition as well as postoperative prolonged intubation, pneumonia, acute kidney failure, and length of stay were identified as factors most contributing to increased odds of early readmission. The reasons for early readmission were more likely to be cardiopulmonary complications, anastomotic leak, and sepsis/infection. Patients with upper esophageal neoplasms had significantly higher early readmission and patients who received pyloroplasty/pyloromyotomy had significantly lower early readmission. Two ML models to predict early readmission were generated: 1 with 71.7% sensitivity for clinical decision making and the other with 84.8% accuracy and 98.7% specificity for quality review. CONCLUSIONS: We identified risk factors for early readmission after esophagectomy and introduced ML-based techniques to predict early readmission in 2 different settings: clinical decision making and quality review. ML techniques can be utilized to provide targeted support and standardize quality measures.