Preoperative predictors of delirium after cardiac surgery: a preliminary study.

Preoperative risk factors of postoperative delirium were evaluated in 260 patients admitted for open heart surgery. The incidence of delirium was 11.5%. Independent predictors included cognitive impairment, atrial fibrillation, a history of peripheral vascular disease major depression and advanced age. Aforementioned factors might be helpful in predicting delirium following cardiac surgery.

Resistance to aspirin in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting is transient: impact on the monitoring of aspirin antiplatelet therapy.

The aim of the present study was to assess the responsiveness of blood platelets to aspirin in patients following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Aspirin was administered following CABG in 24 operated patients (aged 63.2 +/- 6.3 years). Platelet function was monitored on the 10th postoperative day (A) and 1 month after CABG (B) with the use of whole-blood aggregometry (WBEA) and PFA-100 closure time (PFA-100 CTCEPI). Normal platelet response to aspirin was defined by 3 criteria: the complete inhibition of WBEA induced by arachidonic acid (0.5 mmol/L), partial inhibition of collagen (1 microg/mL)-induced aggregation (WBEA < 14 Omega), and prolongation of PFA-100 CTCEPI (>150 seconds) ("good responders"). Depending on whether 0, 1, 2, or 3 of these 3 criteria were fulfilled, patients were classified as "nonresponders," "weak responders," "incomplete responders," or "good responders," respectively. On the 10th postoperative day, there were 3 good responders, 6 incomplete responders, 11 weak responders, and 4 nonresponders among 24 patients. In contrast, 1 month after CABG within the same group of 24 patients there were 18 good responders, 5 incomplete responders, and 1 weak responder. Using a new methodology to assess impaired platelet responsiveness to aspirin ex vivo, we describe here the transient nature of "aspirin resistance" following CABG. These results indicate the necessity for the prolonged monitoring of the antiplatelet effectiveness of aspirin in the postoperative period after CABG.

[Early results of surgical coronary revascularization in patients 65 years and older]. / Wczesne wyniki chirurgicznej rewaskularyzacji miesnia sercowego u chorych powyzej 65 roku zycia.

276 patients aged 65 years or more, who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting in the Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Lódz in 1999 and 2000, were assessed. The analyzed group consisted of 193 men (69.93%) and 83 women (30.07%). The mean age of the patients was 69.14 years (+/- 3.42, age range from 65 to 79 years), 18 (6.52%) patients were in the first functional class of CCS classification, 55 pts (19.93%) in the second, 106 pts (38.41%) in the third and 97 pts (35.14%) in the fourth class. 87 patients (31.52%) had no history of myocardial infarction, 137 pts (49.28%) had a history of 1 infarction and 53 pts (19.2%) of 2 or more myocardial infarctions. 68.12% of patients smoked cigarettes. Arterial hypertension was observed in 176 pts (63.77%), diabetes mellitus in 50 pts (18.11%), chronic renal failure in 10 pts (3.62%), a history of stroke in 8 pts (2.9%), peptic ulcer in 42 pts (15.22%). Left ventricular ejection fraction below 30% was observed in 16 (5.8%) patients. 10 pts (3.62%) underwent coronary angioplasty and in 26 pts (9.42%) critical stenosis of the left main stem was observed. All patients were operated on cardiopulmonary bypass and myocardial protection was obtained by the use of cold crystalloid cardioplegy solution based on St. Thomas Hospital formula. 224 patients (81.16%) were operated electively. In early postoperative period the following complications were observed: death--35 (12.68%), low cardiac output syndrome--84 (30.43%), need of use of intraaortic contrapulsation--31 (11.23%), perioperative myocardial infarction--44 (15.94%). Respiratory complications were observed in 83 pts (30.07%), neurological complications in 7 pts (2.54%), acute renal failure in 25 pts (9.06%), intestinal bleeding in 5 pts (1.81%). Rethoracotomy was necessary in 12 of the operated (4.35%). Currently the age of a patient is considered as one of many risk factors and should not be treated as a contraindication to surgical revascularization procedure. In the analyzed material mortality correlated with a number of risk factors. It is to remember that the elderly have higher prevalence of coexisting diseases and that is why their exposure to the perioperative complications is also higher.

[Early results of aortic valve replacement in patients 65 year and older]. / Ocena wczesnych wyników implantacji sztucznych zastawek aortalnych u chorych powyzej 65 roku zycia.

30 patients aged 65 years or more, who underwent aortic valve replacement in the Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Lódz in 2000, were assessed. This group consisted of 19 women (63.3%) and 11 men (36.7%). The mean age of the patients was 71.83 years +/- 3.76, age range from 66 to 78 years. The analysis of preoperative clinical state of the patients revealed prevalence of diabetes mellitus in 23 pts (76.7%), chronic bronchitis in 4 pts (13.3%), arterial hypertension in 8 pts (26.7%), pulmonary hypertension in 8 pts (26.7%), atrial fibrillation in 4 pts (13.3%), ventricular arrhythmia in 13 pts (43.3%) and cigarette smoking in 8 pts (26.7%). The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 50.8% (+/- 8.12%, from 31% to 64%). All patients before aortic valve replacement procedure underwent coronary angiography. All patients were operated on cardiopulmonary by-pass and myocardial protection was obtained by the use of cold crystalloid cardioplegy solution based on St. Thomas Hospital formula. 7 patients (23.3%) underwent myocardial revascularization procedure simultaneously. In early postoperative period the following complications were observed: death--2 (6.67%), low cardiac output syndrome--4 (13.33%), need of use of intraaortic contrapulsation--3 (10%), need of use of inotropic agents--13 (43.33%), respiratory failure with the need of prolonged intubation--8 (26.67%), acute renal failure--2 (6.67%), stroke--1 (3.33%), need of temporary cardiac pacing--4 (13.33%), need of rethoracotomy--2 (6.67%). The results of aortic valve replacement procedures in patients over 65 years age good, in spite of prevalence of number risk factors in these patients. The high rate (23.3%) of patients requiring simultaneous myocardial revascularization is remarkable. The age of a patient should not be treated as a contradiction to the cardiac surgery.

[Early results of mitral valve replacement in patients 65 years and older]. / Ocena wczesnych wyników implantacji sztucznych zastawek mitralnych u chorych powyzej 65 roku zycia.

36 patients aged 65 years or more, who underwent mitral valve replacement in the Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Lódz in 2000, were assessed. This group consisted of 22 women (61.1%) and 14 men (38.9%). The mean age of the patients was 68.5 years (+/- 2.96, age range from 65 to 76 years). The analysis of preoperative clinical state of the patients revealed prevalence of diabetes mellitus in 19 pts (52.78%), chronic bronchitis in 9 pts (25%), arterial hypertension in 14 (38.89%), pulmonary hypertension in 21 pts (58.33%), atrial fibrillation in 25 pts (69.44%), ventricular arrhythmia in 2 pts (5.56%) and cigarette smoking in 15 pts (41.67%). The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 48.89% (+/- 9.26, from 30% to 70%). All patients were operated on cardiopulmonary by-pass and cardioprotection was obtained by the use of cold crystalloid cardioplegy solution based on St. Thomas Hospital formula. 6 patients (16.67%) underwent myocardial revascularization procedure simultaneously. In early postoperative period the following complications were observed: death--6 (16.67%), low cardiac output syndrome--5 (13.89%), need of use of intraaortic contrapulsation--2 (5.56%), need of use of inotropic agents--9 (25%), respiratory failure with the need of prolonged intubation--4 (11.11%), acute renal failure--4 (11.11%), stroke--2 (5.56%), need of temporary cardiac pacing--5 (13.89%), need of rethoracotomy--1 (2.78%). The results of mitral valve replacement procedures in patients over 65 years are less satisfactory than those of aortic valve replacement procedures in the same age group, however deaths considered patients with number of risk factors. The older age of the patients should not be treated at the moment as a contradiction to the cardiac surgery, but should be considered as a one of many risk factors.