Sex-Related Differences in Utilization and Outcomes of Extracorporeal Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation for Refractory Cardiac Arrest.

Sparse data exist on sex-related differences in extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) for refractory cardiac arrest (rCA). We explored the role of sex on the utilization and outcomes of ECPR for rCA by retrospective analysis of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) International Registry. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Exploratory outcomes were discharge disposition and occurrence of any specific extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) complications. From 1992 to 2020, a total of 7,460 adults with ECPR were identified: 30.5% women; 69.5% men; 55.9% Whites, 23.7% Asians, 8.9% Blacks, and 3.8% Hispanics. Women's age was 50.4 ± 16.9 years (mean ± standard deviation) and men's 54.7 ± 14.1 (p < 0.001). Ischemic heart disease occurred in 14.6% women vs. 18.5% men (p < 0.001). Overall, 28.5% survived at discharge, 30% women vs. 27.8% men (p = 0.138). In the adjusted analysis, sex was not associated with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR] = 0.93 [confidence interval {CI} = 0.80-1.08]; p = 0.374). Female sex was associated with decreased odds of neurologic, cardiovascular, and renal complications. Despite being younger and having fewer complications during ECMO, women had in-hospital mortality similar to men. Whether these findings are driven by biologic factors or disparities in health care warrants further investigation.

Non-resectional cordal repair for Barlow mitral valve disease.

BACKGROUND: The redundant leaflet tissue and annular pathology of Barlow disease can make surgical repair challenging. We examined perioperative and late outcomes of a large cohort of patients with Barlow disease undergoing surgical repair. METHODS: Patients included in this analysis underwent mitral valve repair from 01/2004-11/2021 by a single surgeon. RESULTS: Of 2798 patients undergoing mitral valve operations, 46% (N.=1292) had degenerative pathology and 7% (N.=184) had Barlow disease. Of the 179 Barlow patients, median age at surgery was 62 (51-70) years; 64% were male (115/179). Rates of non-resectional cordal repair and resectional repair were 86% (154/179) and 14% (25/179). Among patients undergoing non-resectional repair, the median number of cordal pairs inserted on the anterior and posterior leaflets was 2 (2-3) and 4 (3-4). Incidence of return to bypass for systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve, perioperative death, stroke, and renal failure was 2% (4/179), 1% (2/179), 0% (0/179), and 0% (0/179). Rates of clinical and echocardiographic follow-up were 93% (165/177) and 89% (157/177). Median time to latest postoperative clinical and echocardiographic follow-up was 2.4 (0.8-6.1) and 2.1 (0.6-4.7) years. Mitral regurgitation grade at latest follow-up or time of repair failure was none/trace, mild, mild to moderate, and severe in 63% (98/157), 26% (41/157), 8% (12/157), and 4% (6/157); five of six patients with severe MR underwent reoperation. Since 2011 97% (139/144) of patients underwent cordal repair without resection. CONCLUSIONS: Non-resectional artificial cordal repair is safe and feasible in almost all patients with Barlow valves and is associated with excellent mid-term results.

Racial disparities among patients on venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the pre-Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Coronavirus Disease 2019 eras: A retrospective registry review.

Objectives: Although many studies have addressed such disparities caused by COVID-19, to our knowledge, no study has focused on the association of race on outcomes for patients with COVID-19 requiring venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. The goal of this study was to assess association of race on death and duration on venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in both the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 eras. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry and included adults (≥18 years) who required venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation between January 2019 and April 2021. We performed descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression. Our primary outcomes were death and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation duration. Results: A total of 7477 patients were included after excluding 340 patients (4.3%) who were missing race data. In the COVID-19 era, 1474 of 2777 COVID-19-positive patients (53.1%) died. Our regression model suggested somewhat of a protective effect on death for Black and multiple race patients. Additionally, a diagnosis of COVID-19 and patients in the COVID-19 era in general, irrespective of COVID-19 diagnosis, had higher odds of death. Hispanic patients had the longest average venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation run times. Conclusions: Our study using data from the international Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry provides updated data on patients supported with venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 eras between 2019 and 2021 with a focus on race. Patients in the COVID-19 era group also had higher mortality compared with those in the pre-COVID-19 era even after being adjusted for COVID-19 diagnosis. Black and multiple races appeared somewhat protective in terms of death. Hispanic race was associated with longer venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation duration.

What drives variability in postoperative cardiac surgery transfusion rates?

OBJECTIVE: Wide interhospital variation exists in cardiac surgical postoperative transfusion rates. We aimed to compare transfusion rates at 2 hospitals and identify the institutional practice factors, unrelated to patient or operative characteristics, associated with postoperative transfusion rates. METHODS: Records for adult patients undergoing routine cardiac surgery at 2 hospitals (H and L) from February 2020 to August 2022 were analyzed. Patient and operative characteristics, preoperative and intensive care unit hemoglobin values, and postoperative transfusion rates were compared. Transfusion indication was recorded prospectively. Propensity matching was completed to assess comparability of patient populations. RESULTS: After propensity matching patients at H and L on age, procedure type, predicted morbidity or mortality, crossclamp time, preoperative hypertension, preoperative heart failure, and preoperative stroke, 2111 patients remained, with similar characteristics except hypertension. Matched results showed no significant differences in mortality, reoperation, or other major outcomes. Hospital H transfused 36% of patients (mean postoperative hemoglobin [Hb] 10.5) with 1483 units of packed red blood cells whereas hospital L transfused 12% of patients (mean postoperative Hb 9.4) with 198 units of packed red blood cells (P < .001). For all patients with a Hb >7.5, hospital H versus L transfused 27% versus 0.9% (P < .001). Hospital L's sole transfusion indication for pretransfusion hemoglobin trigger >7.5 was bleeding versus hospital H, which had multiple indications. When Hb concentration alone was the indication for transfusion, the threshold at hospital H was <7.5 g/dL versus <6 g/dL at hospital L. CONCLUSIONS: Variation in transfusion rates between hospitals H and L resulted from strict adherence at hospital L to a transfusion trigger of <6 g/dL with narrow indications for transfusions above that Hb concentration.

The effect of allograft ischemic time on outcomes following bilateral, single, and reoperative lung transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether allograft ischemic times affect outcomes following bilateral, single, and redo lung transplantation. METHODS: A nationwide cohort of lung transplant recipients from 2005 through 2020 was examined using the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network registry. The effects of standard (<6 hours) and extended (≥6 hours) ischemic times on outcomes following primary bilateral (n = 19,624), primary single (n = 688), redo bilateral (n = 8461), and redo single (n = 449) lung transplantation were analyzed. A priori subgroup analysis was performed in the primary and redo bilateral-lung transplant cohorts by further stratifying the extended ischemic time group into mild (≥6 and <8 hours), moderate (≥8 and <10 hours), and long (≥10 hours) subgroups. Primary outcomes included 30-day mortality, 1-year mortality, intubation at 72 hours' posttransplant, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support at 72 hours' posttransplant, and a composite variable of intubation or ECMO at 72 hours' posttransplant. Secondary outcomes included acute rejection, postoperative dialysis, and hospital length of stay. RESULTS: Recipients of allografts with ischemic times ≥6 hours experienced increased 30-day and 1-year mortality following primary bilateral-lung transplantation, but increased mortality was not observed following primary single, redo bilateral, or redo single-lung transplants. Extended ischemic times correlated with prolonged intubation or increased postoperative ECMO support in the primary bilateral, primary single, and redo bilateral-lung transplant cohorts but did not affect these outcomes following redo single-lung transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Since prolonged allograft ischemia correlates with worse transplant outcomes, the decision to use donor lungs with extended ischemic times must consider the specific benefits and risks associated with individual recipient factors and institutional expertise.

Outcomes Comparison of Robot-Assisted and Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Cardiac Sympathetic Denervation.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiac sympathetic denervation (CSD) is a surgical antiadrenergic procedure that can reduce sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT). Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is currently the standard approach used in CSD, and the practicality for robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) has yet to be investigated. METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective study of all adult patients (N = 67) who underwent CSD from 2015 to 2021. We compared short-term outcomes of those treated with RATS versus VATS thoracic sympathectomy. For patients with VT, we examined the effectiveness of a RATS approach in reducing implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shock burden. RESULTS: A total of 34 patients underwent RATS cardiac denervation, and 33 underwent VATS cardiac denervation. Those undergoing RATS denervation had a significantly shorter procedure duration with a median of 129 min (P = 0.008). Patients receiving the VATS approach were significantly more complicated by pneumothorax (P = 0.004) and overall complications (P = 0.01) when compared with the RATS approach. At 1 year after surgery, both groups had significant reductions in ICD shocks compared with before surgery, both decreasing from a median of 4 to 0 shocks (P < 0.001). In addition, at 1 year after surgery, the percentage of patients with persistent ICD shocks and the median of ICD shocks were similar between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The RATS approach to cardiac denervation has similar 1-year follow-up outcomes in reducing recurrent VT as the VATS approach. However, patients undergoing RATS denervation experienced better perioperative outcomes. This shows promise for robotic CSD to be an effective and safe therapeutic option for patients with malignant arrhythmias.

The impact of a statewide payment reform on transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) utilization and readmissions.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an increasingly used but relatively expensive procedure with substantial associated readmission rates. It is unknown how cost-constrictive payment reform measures, such as Maryland's All Payer Model, impact TAVR utilization given its relative expense. This study investigated the impact of Maryland's All Payer Model on TAVR utilization and readmissions among Maryland Medicare beneficiaries. METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental investigation of Maryland Medicare patients undergoing TAVR between 2012 and 2018. New Jersey data were used for comparison. Longitudinal interrupted time series analyses were used to study TAVR utilization and difference-in-differences analyses were used to investigate post-TAVR readmissions. RESULTS: During the first year of payment reform (2014), TAVR utilization among Maryland Medicare beneficiaries dropped by 8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: -9.2% to -7.1%; p < 0.001), with no concomitant change in TAVR utilization in New Jersey (0.2%, 95% CI: 0%-1%, p = 0.09). Longitudinally, however, the All Payer Model did not impact TAVR utilization in Maryland compared to New Jersey. Difference-in-differences analyses demonstrated that implementation of the All Payer Model was not associated with significantly greater declines in 30-day post-TAVR readmissions in Maryland versus New Jersey (-2.1%; 95% CI: -5.2% to 0.9%; p =0.1). CONCLUSIONS: Maryland's All Payer Model resulted in an immediate decline in TAVR utilization, likely a result of hospitals adjusting to global budgeting. However, beyond this transition period, this cost-constrictive reform measure did not limit Maryland TAVR utilization. In addition, the All Payer Model did not reduce post-TAVR 30-day readmissions. These findings may help inform expansion of globally budgeted healthcare payment structures.

Hemorrhage, Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy, and Thrombosis Complications Among Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19: An International COVID-19 Critical Care Consortium Study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and outcomes associated with hemorrhage, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, and thrombosis (HECTOR) complications in ICU patients with COVID-19. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: Two hundred twenty-nine ICUs across 32 countries. PATIENTS: Adult patients (≥ 16 yr) admitted to participating ICUs for severe COVID-19 from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: HECTOR complications occurred in 1,732 of 11,969 study eligible patients (14%). Acute thrombosis occurred in 1,249 patients (10%), including 712 (57%) with pulmonary embolism, 413 (33%) with myocardial ischemia, 93 (7.4%) with deep vein thrombosis, and 49 (3.9%) with ischemic strokes. Hemorrhagic complications were reported in 579 patients (4.8%), including 276 (48%) with gastrointestinal hemorrhage, 83 (14%) with hemorrhagic stroke, 77 (13%) with pulmonary hemorrhage, and 68 (12%) with hemorrhage associated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cannula site. Disseminated intravascular coagulation occurred in 11 patients (0.09%). Univariate analysis showed that diabetes, cardiac and kidney diseases, and ECMO use were risk factors for HECTOR. Among survivors, ICU stay was longer (median days 19 vs 12; p < 0.001) for patients with versus without HECTOR, but the hazard of ICU mortality was similar (hazard ratio [HR] 1.01; 95% CI 0.92-1.12; p = 0.784) overall, although this hazard was identified when non-ECMO patients were considered (HR 1.13; 95% CI 1.02-1.25; p = 0.015). Hemorrhagic complications were associated with an increased hazard of ICU mortality compared to patients without HECTOR complications (HR 1.26; 95% CI 1.09-1.45; p = 0.002), whereas thrombosis complications were associated with reduced hazard (HR 0.88; 95% CI 0.79-0.99, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: HECTOR events are frequent complications of severe COVID-19 in ICU patients. Patients receiving ECMO are at particular risk of hemorrhagic complications. Hemorrhagic, but not thrombotic complications, are associated with increased ICU mortality.

Rising Mortality in Coronavirus-19 Patients Supported With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

We aimed to describe practice patterns and outcomes in patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support throughout the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, with the hypothesis that mortality would improve as we accumulated knowledge and experience. We included 48 patients supported on veno-venous ECMO (VV-ECMO) at a single institution between April 2020 and December 2021. Patients were categorized into three waves based on cannulation date, corresponding to the wild-type (wave 1), alpha (wave 2), and delta (wave 3) variants. One hundred percent of patients in waves 2 and 3 received glucocorticoids, compared with 29% in wave 1 ( p < 0.01), and the majority received remdesivir (84% and 92% in waves 2 and 3, vs . 35% in wave 1; p < 0.01). Duration of pre-ECMO noninvasive ventilation was longer in waves 2 and 3 (mean 8.8 days and 3.9 days, vs . 0.7 days in wave 1; p < 0.01), as was time to cannulation (mean 17.2 and 14.6 days vs . 8.8 days in wave 1; p < 0.01) and ECMO duration (mean 55.7 days and 43.0 days vs . 28.4 days in wave 1; p = 0.02). Mortality in wave 1 was 35%, compared with 63% and 75% in waves 2 and 3 ( p = 0.05). These results suggest an increased prevalence of medically refractory disease and rising mortality in later variants of COVID-19.

Heart Allocation Change and Multiple Temporary Circulatory Support as Bridge-to-Bridge.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated how the 2018 Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network heart allocation policy change was associated with changes in characteristics and outcomes of candidates receiving multiple temporary mechanical circulatory support (mtMCS) devices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included adult heart transplant candidates listed October 2014-January 2018 and October 2018-January 2022 in the United Network of Organ Sharing dataset. Prepolicy and postpolicy mtMCS recipients were compared at listing, transplant, 90-days, and 1-year post-transplant. Time between first and second devices and time between first device and transplant were modeled via multivariable linear regression. Transplantation likelihood was modeled using competing risks analysis. RESULTS: Postpolicy, a higher proportion of transplant candidates received mtMCS (4% versus 1%, P < 0.001), and received their second device an adjusted 49 d sooner versus prepolicy (P = 0.001). Time to transplant was also an adjusted 35 d shorter postpolicy, with an 80% increased transplantation likelihood versus prepolicy (95% confidence interval: 1.6-1.9, P < 0.001). Postpolicy patients experienced reduced waitlist mortality (8% versus 14%, P = 0.04) with marked improvements in 90-day (93% versus 85%, P < 0.001) and 1-year (88% versus 70%, P = 0.01) post-transplant survival. CONCLUSIONS: Postpolicy mtMCS recipients are more likely to progress to transplantation sooner on the waitlist and their shorter waitlist course together with earlier change to a secondary device was associated with improved post-transplant survival versus prepolicy.

Ketamine Mitigates Neurobehavioral Deficits in a Canine Model of Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest.

Hypothermic circulatory arrest is a protective technique used when complete cessation of circulation is required during cardiac surgery. Prior efforts to decrease neurologic injury with the NMDA receptor antagonist MK801 were limited by unacceptable side effects. We hypothesized that ketamine would provide neuroprotection without dose-limiting side effects. Canines were peripherally cannulated for cardiopulmonary bypass, cooled to 18°C, and underwent 90 minutes of circulatory arrest. Ketamine-treated canines (n = 5; total dose 2.85 mg/kg) were compared to untreated controls (n = 10). A validated neurobehavioral deficit score was obtained at 24, 48, and 72 hours (0 = no deficits/normal exam; higher score represents increasing deficits). Biomarkers of neuronal injury in the cerebrospinal fluid were examined at baseline and at 8, 24, 48, and 72 hours. Brain histopathologic injury was scored at 72 hours (higher score indicates more necrosis and apoptosis). Ketamine-treated canines had significantly improved, lower neurobehavioral deficit scores compared to controls (overall P = 0.003; 24 hours: median 72 vs 112, P = 0.030; 48 hours: 47 vs 90, P = 0.021; 72 hours: 30 vs 89, P = 0.069). Although the histopathologic injury scores of ketamine-treated canines (median 12) were lower than controls (16), there was no statistical difference (P = 0.10). Levels of phosphorylated neurofilament-H and neuron specific enolase, markers of neuronal injury, were significantly lower in ketamine-treated animals (P = 0.010 and = 0.039, respectively). Ketamine significantly reduced neurologic deficits and biomarkers of injury in canines after hypothermic circulatory arrest. Ketamine represents a safe and approved medication that may be useful as a pharmacologic neuroprotectant during cardiac surgery with circulatory arrest.

Hospital variability in modifiable factors driving coronary artery bypass charges.

OBJECTIVE: Coronary artery bypass grafting is associated with significant interhospital variability in charges. Drivers of hospital charge variability remain elusive. We identified modifiable factors associated with statewide interhospital variability in hospital charges for coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: Charge data were used as a surrogate for cost. Society of Thoracic Surgeons data from Maryland institutions and charge data from the Maryland Health Care Commission were linked to characterize interhospital charge variability for coronary artery bypass grafting. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify perioperative factors independently related to coronary artery bypass grafting charges. Of the factors independently associated with charges, we analyzed which factors varied between hospitals. RESULTS: A total of 10,337 patients underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting at 9 Maryland hospitals from 2012 to 2016, of whom 7532 patients were available for analyses. Mean normalized charges for isolated coronary artery bypass grafting varied significantly among hospitals, ranging from $30,000 to $57,000 (P < .001). Longer preoperative length of stay, operating room time, and major postoperative morbidity including stroke, renal failure, prolonged ventilation, reoperation, and deep sternal wound infection were associated with greater hospital charges. Incidence of major postoperative events, except stroke and deep sternal wound infection, was variable between hospitals. In a univariate linear regression model, patient risk profile only accounted for approximately 10% of statistical variance in charges. CONCLUSIONS: There is significant charge variability for coronary artery bypass grafting among hospitals within the same state. By targeting variation in preoperative length of stay, operating room time, postoperative renal failure, prolonged ventilation, and reoperation, cardiac surgery programs can realize cost savings while improving quality of care for this resource-intense patient population.

Early posthospitalization recovery after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in survivors of COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the influence of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) on outcomes of mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19 during the first 120 days after hospital discharge. METHODS: Five academic centers conducted a retrospective analysis of mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19 admitted during March through May 2020. Survivors had access to a multidisciplinary postintensive care recovery clinic. Physical, psychological, and cognitive deficits were measured using validated instruments and compared based on ECMO status. RESULTS: Two hundred sixty two mechanically ventilated patients were compared with 46 patients cannulated for venovenous ECMO. Patients receiving ECMO were younger and traveled farther but there was no significant difference in gender, race, or body mass index. ECMO patients were mechanically ventilated for longer durations (median, 26 days [interquartile range, 19.5-41 days] vs 13 days [interquartile range, 7-20 days]) and were more likely to receive inhaled pulmonary vasodilators, neuromuscular blockade, investigational COVID-19 therapies, blood transfusions, and inotropes. Patients receiving ECMO experienced greater bleeding and clotting events (P < .01). However, survival at discharge was similar (69.6% vs 70.6%). Of the 217 survivors, 65.0% had documented follow-up within 120 days. Overall, 95.5% were residing at home, 25.7% had returned to work or usual activity, and 23.1% were still using supplemental oxygen; these rates did not differ significantly based on ECMO status. Rates of physical, psychological, and cognitive deficits were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that COVID-19 survivors experience significant physical, psychological, and cognitive deficits following intensive care unit admission. Despite a more complex critical illness course, longer average duration of mechanical ventilation, and longer average length of stay, patients treated with venovenous ECMO had similar survival at discharge and outcomes within 120 days of discharge.

Neuromonitoring detects brain injury in patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support.

OBJECTIVE: There is limited evidence on standardized protocols for optimal neurological monitoring methods in patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We previously introduced protocolized noninvasive multimodal neuromonitoring using serial neurological examinations, electroencephalography, transcranial Doppler ultrasound, and somatosensory evoked potentials. The purpose of this study was to examine if standardized neuromonitoring is associated with detection of acute brain injury (ABI) and improved patient outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of ECMO patients who received neurocritical care consultation was performed and outcomes were reviewed. The cohort was stratified according to those who did not receive standardized neuromonitoring (era 1: 2016-2017) and those who received standardized neuromonitoring (era 2: 2017-2020). Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between standardized neuromonitoring and ABI. RESULTS: A total of 215 patients (mean age, 54 years; 60% male) underwent ECMO (71% venoarterial-ECMO) in our institution, 70 in era 1 and 145 in era 2. The proportion of patients diagnosed with ABI were 23% in era 1 and 33% in era 2 (P = .12). In multivariable logistic regression, standardized neuromonitoring (odds ratio, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.12-4.48; P = .02) and pre-ECMO cardiac arrest (odds ratio, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.14-4.14; P = .02) were independently associated with ABI. There was a greater proportion of patients with good neurological outcomes when discharged alive in era 2 (54% vs 30%; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Standardized neuromonitoring was associated with increased ABIs in ECMO patients. Although neuromonitoring does not prevent ABI from occurring, it might prevent worsening with timely interventions (eg, anticoagulation management, optimizing oxygen delivery and blood pressure), leading to improved neurological outcomes at discharge.

Global Disparities in Burn Outcomes: Does Gender Predict Mortality in the Global Burn Registry?

INTRODUCTION: Global burn injury burden disproportionately impacts low- and middle-income countries. Surgery is a mainstay of burn treatment, yet access to surgical care appears to be inequitably distributed for women. This study sought to identify gender disparities in mortality and access to surgery for burn patients in the World Health Organization Global Burn Registry (GBR). METHODS: We queried the World Health Organization GBR for a retrospective cohort (2016-2021). Patients were stratified by sex. Outcomes of interest were in-hospital mortality and surgical treatment. Patient demographics, injury characteristics, outcomes, and health facility resources were compared between sexes with Wilcoxon rank sum test for nonparametric medians, and chi-squared or Fisher's exact test for nonparametric proportions. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to assess the relationships between sex and mortality, and sex and surgery. RESULTS: Of 8445 patients in the GBR from 20 countries (10 low resource), 40% of patients were female, with 51% of all patients receiving surgical treatment during their hospitalization. Female patients had a higher incidence of mortality (24% versus 15%, P < 0.001) and a higher median total body surface area (20% versus 15%, P < 0.001), yet a lower incidence of surgery (47% versus 53%, P < 0.001) following burn injury when compared to males. In multivariable analysis, female sex was independently associated with mortality after controlling for age, time to presentation, smoke injury, percent total body surface area, surgery, and country income status. Female sex was independently associated with surgical care (odds ratio 0.86, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Female burn patients suffer higher mortality compared to males and are less likely to receive surgery. Further study into this gender disparity in burns is warranted.

Lung Transplantation in Patients With COVID-19-The Early National Experience.

Lung transplant (LT) has become a viable option for COVID-19 patients suffering from end-stage Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). This analysis sought to describe the early national experience of COVID-19 patients who received LT and compare transplant characteristics and short-term outcomes of COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 ARDS LT recipients. We queried the Organ Procurement and Transplantation database for adults (≥18 years old) receiving LT from January 2009 to March 31, 2022 with diagnoses of COVID-19 or ARDS. We identified 353 COVID-19 and 64 non-COVID-19 ARDS LT recipients. COVID-19 recipients were older (median age: 51, interquartile range [40-57] years vs 41 [26-52]; P < 0.001), more predominantly male (78% (n = 274) vs 55% (n = 35), P < 0.001), and had higher body mass indices (median 27.2 interquartile range [24.5-30.9] vs 25.4 [22.1-28.6]; P < 0.01) than non-COVID-19 ARDS recipients. COVID-19 LT recipients were less frequently reliant on extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation at 72 hours after transplant (26% (n = 80) vs 31% (n = 15), P < 0.001), and were less frequently dependent on dialysis post-transplant than non-COVID-19 ARDS LT recipients (14% (n = 43) vs 23% (n = 14); P = 0.01). Survival at 90 days post-transplant was comparable for the non-COVID ARDS (90%, n = 54) and COVID-19 (94%, n = 202) LT recipients with available follow-up (P = 0.17). LT appears to be a viable therapy for COVID-19 patients with end-stage lung disease. COVID-19 LT and non-COVID-19 ARDS LT recipients have comparable 90 days post-transplant survival.

Early Reexploration for Bleeding Is Associated With Improved Outcome in Cardiac Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Reexploration after cardiac surgery, most frequently for bleeding, is a quality metric used to assess surgical performance. This may cause surgeons to delay return to the operating room in favor of attempting nonoperative management. This study investigated the impact of the timing of reexploration on morbidity and mortality. METHODS: This study was a single-institution retrospective review of all adult cardiac surgery patients from July 2010 to June 2020. Time to reexploration was assessed, and outcomes were compared across increasing time intervals. Reported bleeding sites were classified into 5 groups, and bleeding rate (chest tube output) was compared across bleeding sites. Univariable analysis was performed using the Fisher exact and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Multivariable logistic regression models were used for risk-adjusted analyses. RESULTS: Of 10 070 eligible patients, 251 (2.5%) required reexploration for postoperative bleeding. The most common site of bleeding was "any suture line" (n = 70; 28%). Interestingly, in 30% of cases (n = 75) "no active bleeding" site was reported. The highest rate of bleeding (mL/h) was observed in the "any mediastinal structure" group (median, 450; interquartile range [IQR], 185, 8878), and the lowest rate was noted in the "no active bleeding" group (median, 151.2; IQR, 102, 270). Both morbidity rates (0-4 hours, 12.3% vs 25-48 hours, 37.5%; P = .001) and mortality rates (0-4 hours, 3.1% vs 25-48 hours, 43.8%; P = .001) escalated significantly with increasing time to reexploration. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed reexploration for bleeding after cardiac surgery is associated with increased risk for morbidity and mortality. Early surgical intervention, particularly within 4 hours, may improve outcomes. Implications from using reoperation as a performance metric may lead to unnecessary delay and patient harm.

Costs and Readmissions Associated with Type A Aortic Dissections at High- and Low-Volume Centers.

BACKGROUND: Costs and readmissions associated with type A aortic dissection repairs are not well understood. We investigated statewide readmissions, costs, and outcomes associated with the surgical management of type A aortic dissection repairs at low- and high-volume centers. METHODS: We identified all adult type A aortic dissection patients who underwent operative repair in the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission's database (2012-2020). Hospitals were stratified into high- (top quartile of total repairs) or low-volume centers. RESULTS: Of the 249 patients included, 193 (77.5%) were treated at a high-volume center. Patients treated at high- and low-volume centers had no differences in age, sex, race, primary payer, or severity (all p > 0.5). High- compared to low-volume centers had a greater proportion of patients transferred in (71.5% vs. 17.9%, p < 0.001). High-volume centers also had longer lengths of stay (12 vs. 8 days, p < 0.001), similar inpatient mortality (13.0% vs. 16.1%, p = 0.6), and similar proportion of patients readmitted (54.9% vs. 51.8%, p = 0.7). High-volume centers had greater index admission costs ($114,859 vs. $72,090, p < 0.001) and similar readmission costs ($48,367 vs. $42,204, p = 0.5). At high-volume centers, transferred patients compared to direct admissions had greater severity of illness (p = 0.05), similar mortality (p = 0.53), and greater lengths of stay (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: High-volume centers had a greater number of patients transferred from other institutions compared to low-volume centers. High-volume centers were associated with increased index admission resource utilization, with transfer patients having higher illness severity and greater resource utilization, yet similar mortality, compared to direct admission patients.

Patent anomalous circumflex coronary artery stent occlusion following aortic valve replacement with coronary artery bypass.

An anomalous left circumflex artery branching arising from the right coronary artery is one of the most common congenital coronary artery abnormalities. Despite this, the incidence is low and our clinical understanding of the nuances in patients with such abnormalities remains limited. We present a case of a 73-year-old male with coronary artery disease status-post stenting of an anomalous circumflex artery who subsequently underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and surgical aortic valve replacement with EKG changes post-operatively. He was emergently taken to the cardiac catheterization lab, where catheterization revealed total occlusion of the proximal circumflex artery, just distal to the previous stent. Acute inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction was suspected to be secondary to intraoperative external manipulation at the site of occlusion in the retro-aortic segment of the vessel. In patients with abnormal coronary artery anatomy, it is imperative to monitor for new EKG changes that may be indicative of new ischemia requiring further intervention.

ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channel Opener Diazoxide Reduces Myocardial Stunning in a Porcine Regional With Subsequent Global Ischemia Model.

Background ATP-sensitive potassium channels are inhibited by ATP and open during metabolic stress, providing endogenous myocardial protection. Pharmacologic opening of ATP potassium channels with diazoxide preserves myocardial function following prolonged global ischemia, making it an ideal candidate for use during cardiac surgery. We hypothesized that diazoxide would reduce myocardial stunning after regional ischemia with subsequent prolonged global ischemia, similar to the clinical situation of myocardial ischemia at the time of revascularization. Methods and Results Swine underwent left anterior descending occlusion (30 minutes), followed by 120 minutes global ischemia protected with hyperkalemic cardioplegia±diazoxide (N=6 each), every 20 minutes cardioplegia, then 60 minutes reperfusion. Cardiac output, time to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass, left ventricular (LV) function, caspase-3, and infarct size were compared. Six animals in the diazoxide group separated from bypass by 30 minutes, whereas only 4 animals in the cardioplegia group separated. Diazoxide was associated with shorter but not significant time to wean from bypass (17.5 versus 27.0 minutes; P=0.13), higher, but not significant, cardiac output during reperfusion (2.9 versus 1.5 L/min at 30 minutes; P=0.05), and significantly higher left ventricular ejection fraction at 30 minutes (42.5 versus 15.8%; P<0.01). Linear mixed regression modeling demonstrated greater left ventricular developed pressure (P<0.01) and maximum change in ventricular pressure during isovolumetric contraction (P<0.01) in the diazoxide group at 30 minutes of reperfusion. Conclusions Diazoxide reduces myocardial stunning and facilitates separation from cardiopulmonary bypass in a model that mimics the clinical setting of ongoing myocardial ischemia before revascularization. Diazoxide has the potential to reduce myocardial stunning in the clinical setting.