Tranexamic acid in cardiac surgery: Are low doses enough?

OBJECTIVES: Tranexamic acid is used to prevent hyperfibrinolysis and reduce postoperative bleeding and blood transfusions in on-pump cardiac surgery. We evaluate the efficacy of low or high dose tranexamic acid in a prospective cohort study conducted in Valencia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 427 patients were recruited between January 2019 and January 2020, 207 in the Hospital General Universitario (low dose [LD]) and 220 in the Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe (high dose [HD] and intermediate dose [ID]). We recorded the presence of hyperfibrinolysis on rotational thromboelastometry, intra- and postoperative administration of blood products, chest tube output within the first 12 h, and incidence of convulsions. Univariate and multivariate comparisons were performed. Univariate analysis of all categories was performed after propensity score matching between LD and HD and between LD and ID. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in: appearance of hyperfibrinolysis, administration of blood products, postoperative chest tube output within the first 12 h, or occurrence of convulsions. Group LD received less fibrinogen than group HD (P = .014) and ID (P = .040) but more fresh frozen plasma than group ID (P = .0002). CONCLUSIONS: Administration of low-dose tranexamic acid is as effective as higher doses in hyperfibrinolysis prophylaxis and the prevention of postoperative bleeding in cardiac surgery.

Tranexamic acid in cardiac surgery: Are low doses enough? / Ácido tranexámico en cirugía cardíaca: ¿las dosis bajas son suficientes?

OBJECTIVES: Tranexamic acid is used to prevent hyperfibrinolysis and reduce postoperative bleeding and blood transfusions in on-pump cardiac surgery. We evaluate the efficacy of low or high dose tranexamic acid in a prospective cohort study conducted in Valencia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 427 patients were recruited between January 2019 and January 2020, 207 in the Hospital General Universitario (low dose [LD]) and 220 in the Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe (high dose [HD] and intermediate dose [ID]). We recorded the presence of hyperfibrinolysis on rotational thromboelastometry, intra- and postoperative administration of blood products, chest tube output within the first 12h, and incidence of convulsions. Univariate and multivariate comparisons were performed. Univariate analysis of all categories was performed after propensity score matching between LD and HD and between LD and ID. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in: appearance of hyperfibrinolysis, administration of blood products, postoperative chest tube output within the first 12h, or occurrence of convulsions. Group LD received less fibrinogen than group HD (P=.014) and ID (P=.040) but more fresh frozen plasma than group ID (P=.0002). CONCLUSIONS: Administration of low-dose tranexamic acid is as effective as higher doses in hyperfibrinolysis prophylaxis and the prevention of postoperative bleeding in cardiac surgery.

Ecocardiografía transesofágica intraoperatoria en cirugía cardiovascular. Documento de consenso de la Sociedad Española de Anestesiología y Reanimación (SEDAR) y Sociedad Española de Cirugía Cardiovascular y Endovascular (SECCE) / Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography in cardiovascular surgery. Consensus document from the Spanish Society of Anesthesia and Critical Care (SEDAR) and the Spanish Society of Endovascular and Cardiovascular Surgery (SECCE)

La ecocardiografía transesfofágica es una técnica semiinvasiva que permite una evaluación de la morfología y función cardiaca a tiempo real y que constituye, a día de hoy, un estándar de calidad en las intervenciones de cirugía cardiovascular. Se ha convertido en una herramienta fundamental tanto de monitorización como de diagnóstico en el perioperatorio que permite la correcta planificación quirúrgica y manejo farmacológico dirigido. El objetivo de este documento es dar respuesta de forma consensuada y avalada por la evidencia científica de cuándo y cómo debe hacerse la ecocardiografía transesfofágica intraoperatoria en cirugía cardiovascular, qué aplicaciones tiene en el intraoperatorio, quién debe realizarla y cómo debe transmitirse la información obtenida durante el estudio. Los autores han hecho una revisión sistemática de las guías internacionales, artículos de revisión y ensayos clínicos para dar respuesta a estas preguntas

Transesophageal echocardiography is a semi-invasive technique that allows an evaluation of cardiac morphology and function in real time and it is a quality standard in cardiovascular surgery. It has become a fundamental tool for both monitoring and diagnosis in the intraoperative period that allows decide the correct surgical planning and pharmacological management. The goal of this document is to answer the questions of when and how the perioperative TEE should be performed in cardiovascular surgery, what are their applications in the intraoperative, who should perform it and how the information should be transmitted. The authors made a systematic review of international guidelines, review articles and clinical trials to answer by consensus to these questions

Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography in cardiovascular surgery. Consensus document from the Spanish Society of Anesthesia and Critical Care (SEDAR) and the Spanish Society of Endovascular and Cardiovascular Surgery (SECCE). / Ecocardiografía transesofágica intraoperatoria en cirugía cardiovascular. Documento de consenso de la Sociedad Española de Anestesiología y Reanimación (SEDAR) y Sociedad Española de Cirugía Cardiovascular y Endovascular (SECCE).

Transesophageal echocardiography is a semi-invasive technique that allows an evaluation of cardiac morphology and function in real time and it is a quality standard in cardiovascular surgery. It has become a fundamental tool for both monitoring and diagnosis in the intraoperative period that allows decide the correct surgical planning and pharmacological management. The goal of this document is to answer the questions of when and how the perioperative TEE should be performed in cardiovascular surgery, what are their applications in the intraoperative, who should perform it and how the information should be transmitted. The authors made a systematic review of international guidelines, review articles and clinical trials to answer by consensus to these questions.

¿Puede la saturación regional de oxígeno cerebral guiar la transfusión de hematíes en cirugía cardiaca en pacientes de alto riesgo? Estudio prospectivo observacional / Can regional cerebral oxygen saturation guide red blood cell transfusion in high risk cardiac surgery?

Introducción: La cirugía cardíaca se asocia a un uso significativo de hemoderivados. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la transfusión sobre la saturación regional de oxígeno cerebral (SrO2) en pacientes tratados mediante cirugía cardiaca con EuroSCORE I aditivo > 6. Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo observacional. Se incluyó en el estudio a los pacientes con EuroSCORE I aditivo > 6 tratados mediante cirugía cardiaca con circulación extracorpórea. Se recogieron los valores demográficos, complicaciones perioperatorias, estancias hospitalarias, así como el valor de SrO2 basal preinducción, el valor más bajo de hemoglobina (Hb) registrado durante la cirugía, el valor de la Hb y la SrO2 pre y postransfusional, así como la existencia de una caída significativa de más del 20% del valor basal de la SrO2 o por debajo del 50%. Consideramos como respondedores a la transfusión aquellos que presentaron un aumento de la SrO2 postransfusión de al menos el 20% del valor previo, un aumento de la desviación estándar (DE) (7,9) o un aumento hasta el nivel basal. Resultados: Se recogieron los datos de 57 pacientes. El EuroSCORE I aditivo medio +/- DE fue de 7,4 +/- DE 2,6 y el EuroSCORE II fue de 6,1 +/- DE 7,4. El 52% fueron varones. Se trasfundió al menos un concentrado de hematíes al 35,1% de la muestra (20 pacientes). La SrO2 pretransfusional fue 59 +/- DE 8,6 y aumentó de forma no significativa tras la transfusión del primer CH (61,19 +/- 7,9; p = 0,1). Un 29,8% de los pacientes presentaron durante la cirugía una disminución de la SrO2 del 20% con respecto a su basal o un valor inferior al 50%. Los pacientes con una disminución significativa de la SrO2 presentaron un mayor tasa de complicaciones perioperatorias (p = 0,04). La estancia en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) fue mayor en los pacientes con una disminución significativa de la SrO2 respecto a los que la no presentaron (6,8 +/- 8,2 días vs. 4,3 +/- 3,6; p = 0,01) al igual que la estancia hospitalaria (14,2 +/- 9,4 días vs. 10,1 +/- 3,1; p = 0,01). En nuestra muestra, 6 de los 21 pacientes fueron respondedores. No hubo diferencias significativas en la morbilidad o la mortalidad entre los respondedores y los no respondedores. Discusión: En nuestra población, se observó un aumento no significativo en la SrO2 tras la transfusión. Cuando se analizaron los respondedores a la transfusión por incrementos de SrO2, pocos pacientes fueron identificados como respondedores. En conclusión, la SrO2 podría no ser una herramienta que guíe la transfusión en pacientes tratados mediante cirugía cardiaca con EuroSCORE I aditivo > 6

Introduction: Cardiac surgery (CS) is associated with a significant use of blood products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of red blood cells concentrates (RBC) transfusion on regional cerebral oxygen saturation (SrO2) in patients undergoing CS with additive EuroSCORE I > 6. Material and methods: This is a prospective descriptive study. Patients with additive EuroSCORE I > 6 undergoing CS with extracorporeal circulation were included in the study. The demographic values, perioperative complications, hospital/ICU length of stay (LOS), as well as the preinduction baseline SrO2values, the lowest SrO2 value during surgery, number of blood products transfused, hemoglobine (HB) and pre and postransfusional SrO2 values were recorded, and events of significant decrease in SrO2 below 20% of basal value or decrease below 50%. We considered responders those who had an increase post-transfusion SrO2 at least 20% of pre-transfusion value, an increase of standar deviation (7.9) or an increase up to basal SrO2. Results: Data from 57 patients were collected. The average additive EuroSCORE I was 7.4 (SD 2.6) and the EuroSCORE II was 6.1 (SD 7.4). 52% were male. 35.1% of patients received intraoperative transfusion of at least one unit of RBC. The overall mortality was 8.7% (N = 5). During surgery 29.8% of the overall sample presented a decrease of more than 20% of baseline SrO2 or a value lower than 50%. Patients with a significant decrease in SrO2 presented a higher rate of perioperative complications (P=0.04) and longer ICU-LOS 4.3 (SD 3.6) vs. 6.8 (SD 8.2) days (P=0.01) and hospital LOS 10.1 (SD 3.1) vs. 14.2 (SD 9.4) days (P=0.01). Pretransfusional HB was 7.4 (SD 0.8) mg/dl and postransfusional value was 8.4 (SD 0.8) (P =0.00). Pretransfusional SrO2 was 59 (SD 8.6) and increased non- significantly after RBC transfusion to 61.1 (SD 7.9) (P=0.1). Only 6 patients out of 21 could be considered responders. There were no significant differences in morbidity, mortality or LOS between responders and non-responders. Discussion: In our population a non statistically significant increase in SrO2 was observed after RBC transfusion. When considering responders few patients were identified by SrO2. In conclusion SrO2 might not be reliable triger to decide transfusion

Can regional cerebral oxygen saturation guide red blood cell transfusion in high risk cardiac surgery? / ¿Puede la saturación regional de oxígeno cerebral guiar la transfusión de hematíes en cirugía cardiaca en pacientes de alto riesgo? Estudio prospectivo observacional.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac surgery (CS) is associated with a significant use of blood products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of red blood cells concentrates (RBC) transfusion on regional cerebral oxygen saturation (SrO2) in patients undergoing CS with additive EuroSCORE I > 6. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a prospective descriptive study. Patients with additive EuroSCORE I > 6 undergoing CS with extracorporeal circulation were included in the study. The demographic values, perioperative complications, hospital/ICU length of stay (LOS), as well as the preinduction baseline SrO2values, the lowest SrO2 value during surgery, number of blood products transfused, hemoglobine (HB) and pre and postransfusional SrO2 values were recorded, and events of significant decrease in SrO2 below 20% of basal value or decrease below 50%. We considered responders those who had an increase post-transfusion SrO2 at least 20% of pre-transfusion value, an increase of standar deviation (7.9) or an increase up to basal SrO2. RESULTS: Data from 57 patients were collected. The average additive EuroSCORE I was 7.4 (SD 2.6) and the EuroSCORE II was 6.1 (SD 7.4). 52% were male. 35.1% of patients received intraoperative transfusion of at least one unit of RBC. The overall mortality was 8.7% (N = 5). During surgery 29.8% of the overall sample presented a decrease of more than 20% of baseline SrO2 or a value lower than 50%. Patients with a significant decrease in SrO2 presented a higher rate of perioperative complications (P=0.04) and longer ICU-LOS 4.3 (SD 3.6) vs. 6.8 (SD 8.2) days (P=0.01) and hospital LOS 10.1 (SD 3.1) vs. 14.2 (SD 9.4) days (P=0.01). Pretransfusional HB was 7.4 (SD 0.8) mg/dl and postransfusional value was 8.4 (SD 0.8) (P =0.00). Pretransfusional SrO2 was 59 (SD 8.6) and increased non- significantly after RBC transfusion to 61.1 (SD 7.9) (P=0.1). Only 6 patients out of 21 could be considered responders. There were no significant differences in morbidity, mortality or LOS between responders and non-responders. DISCUSSION: In our population a non statistically significant increase in SrO2 was observed after RBC transfusion. When considering responders few patients were identified by SrO2. In conclusion SrO2 might not be reliable triger to decide transfusion.

Mortalidad de la cirugía coronaria aislada en octogenarios. Análisis restrospectivo de 14 años / Mortality in isolated coronary artery bypass surgery in elderly patients. A retrospective analysis over 14 years

Introducción. El objetivo de este estudio es describir nuestra experiencia en la cirugía de revascularización coronaria aislada en pacientes mayores de 80 años e identificar los riesgos específicos y predictores de mortalidad precoz. Material y métodos. Entre enero de 1999 y junio de 2013, 3.097 pacientes fueron sometidos a cirugía de revascularización coronaria aislada. Se analizaron los pacientes mayores de 80 años de edad. Se realizó una regresión mutivariante de Cox para predictores de mortalidad. Resultados. Se identificaron 99 pacientes mayores de 80 años (grupo-80; edad media 82±3,5 años) y 2.957 menores de 80 años (grupo control; edad media 64,2±9,7 años). El EuroSCORE aditivo fue 8,4±4,8 y 4,6±4,6 (p<0,001) en los>80 años vs.<80 años, respectivamente. La cirugía sin CEC se realizó en el 79,6% en el grupo-80 años. La mortalidad a los 30 días en el grupo-80 fue significativamente superior, del 11,2 vs. 3,3% (p<0,001). El grupo-80 se reintervino por sangrado más frecuentemente (9,2 vs. 2,9%; p=0,001) y tuvieron con mayor frecuencia complicaciones cardiovasculares mayores (6,1 vs. 2,1%; p=0,001). Los predictores independientes de mortalidad a 30 días fueron: la reintervención por sangrado (HR 5,7; IC 95% 1,6-19,5) y las complicaciones cardiovasculares mayores (HR 3,7; IC 95% 1,1-12,2). El seguimiento medio del grupo-80 fue de 6,3±4,2 años, con una supervivencia acumulada de estos pacientes del 65,7% durante el periodo de estudio. Conclusión. La cirugía de revascularización coronaria aislada se realiza preferentemente en pacientes mayores de 80 años sin CEC. Presentan una mayor incidencia de complicaciones cardiovasculares, reintervenciones por sangrado en el postoperatorio inmediato y una mortalidad más elevada (AU)

Introduction. We aim to describe our experience in coronary artery bypass graft in elderly patients older than 80 years and assess the associated risk and predictors of mortality in this subgroup. Material and method. From January 1999 to June 2013, 3097 patients underwent consecutive coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Patients aged over 80 years were identified. Multivariate survival analysis using Cox's regression model was performed. Results. We identified 99 patients older than 80 years (80-group; mean age 82±3.5 years) and 2957 younger than 80 years (control group) (mean age 64.2±9.7 years). Additive EuroSCORE was 8.4±4.8 and 4.6±4.6 (P<.001) in the 80-group vs. control group, respectively. Off-pump coronary artery bypass graft was performed in 79.6 vs. 41.6% (P<.001) in the 80-group vs. the control group. respectively. There was significantly higher 30 day-mortality in the 80-group, 11.2 vs. 3.3%, respectively (P<.001). Patients in the 80-group underwent reintervention for bleeding more frequently (9.2 vs. 2.9%; P=.001) and had a higher incidence of major cardiovascular complications than the control group (6.1 vs. 2.1%; P=.001). Independent predictors of mortality for the 80-group were: reoperation for bleeding (HR 5.7; 95% CI 1.6-19.5) and cardiovascular complications (HR 3.7; 95% CI 1.1-12.2). The mean follow-up was 6.3±4.2 years for the octogenarian group. The cumulative survival of these patients was 65.7% during the study period. Conclusion. Coronary artery bypass graft is performed preferably in patients over 80 years old under the off-pump procedure. Mortality is higher in this group of patients probably related to a higher incidence of cardiovascular complications and reintervention for bleeding in the immediate postoperative period (AU)

Mortality in isolated coronary artery bypass surgery in elderly patients. A retrospective analysis over 14 years. / Mortalidad de la cirugía coronaria aislada en octogenarios. Análisis restrospectivo de 14 años.

INTRODUCTION: We aim to describe our experience in coronary artery bypass graft in elderly patients older than 80 years and assess the associated risk and predictors of mortality in this subgroup. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From January 1999 to June 2013, 3097 patients underwent consecutive coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Patients aged over 80 years were identified. Multivariate survival analysis using Cox's regression model was performed. RESULTS: We identified 99 patients older than 80 years (80-group; mean age 82±3.5 years) and 2957 younger than 80 years (control group) (mean age 64.2±9.7 years). Additive EuroSCORE was 8.4±4.8 and 4.6±4.6 (P<.001) in the 80-group vs. control group, respectively. Off-pump coronary artery bypass graft was performed in 79.6 vs. 41.6% (P<.001) in the 80-group vs. the control group. respectively. There was significantly higher 30 day-mortality in the 80-group, 11.2 vs. 3.3%, respectively (P<.001). Patients in the 80-group underwent reintervention for bleeding more frequently (9.2 vs. 2.9%; P=.001) and had a higher incidence of major cardiovascular complications than the control group (6.1 vs. 2.1%; P=.001). Independent predictors of mortality for the 80-group were: reoperation for bleeding (HR 5.7; 95% CI 1.6-19.5) and cardiovascular complications (HR 3.7; 95% CI 1.1-12.2). The mean follow-up was 6.3±4.2 years for the octogenarian group. The cumulative survival of these patients was 65.7% during the study period. CONCLUSION: Coronary artery bypass graft is performed preferably in patients over 80 years old under the off-pump procedure. Mortality is higher in this group of patients probably related to a higher incidence of cardiovascular complications and reintervention for bleeding in the immediate postoperative period.

Oxigenación con membrana extracorpórea en la disfunción primaria del injerto en trasplante bipulmonar pediátrico: a propósito de un caso / Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in primary graft dysfunction in a paediatric double lung transplant: presentation of a case

La disfunción primaria del injerto es la principal causa de morbimortalidad en el postoperatorio inmediato de los pacientes sometidos a trasplante pulmonar. Entre las opciones de tratamiento se encuentran las estrategias ventilatorias de protección pulmonar, el óxido nítrico, el surfactante pulmonar, así como medidas de soporte con dispositivo de membrana de oxigenación extracorpórea (ECMO), como puente a la recuperación de la función pulmonar o al retrasplante. Presentamos el caso de una niña de 9 años afectada de fibrosis quística y sometida a trasplante bipulmonar que en el postoperatorio inmediato presentó una disfunción primaria del injerto severa refractaria al tratamiento. Ante el desarrollo de disfunción multiorgánica se decidió el empleo de ECMO venoarterial (arteria pulmonar-aurícula derecha). La evolución posterior fue satisfactoria, permitiendo su retirada a los 5 días de postoperatorio. Actualmente la paciente vive libre de rechazo y con excelente calidad de vida tras 600 días de seguimiento (AU)

Primary graft dysfunction is a leading cause of morbimortality in the immediate postoperative period of patients undergoing lung transplantation. Among the treatment options are: lung protective ventilatory strategies, nitric oxide, lung surfactant therapy, and supportive treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridge to recovery of lung function or re-transplant. We report the case of a 9-year-old girl affected by cystic fibrosis who underwent double-lung transplantation complicated with a severe primary graft dysfunction in the immediate postoperative period and refractory to standard therapies. Due to development of multiple organ failure, it was decided to insert arteriovenous ECMO catheters (pulmonary artery-right atrium). The postoperative course was satisfactory, allowing withdrawal of ECMO on the 5 th post-surgical day. Currently the patient survives free of rejection and with an excellent quality of life after 600 days of follow up (AU)

[Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in primary graft dysfunction in a paediatric double lung transplant: presentation of a case]. / Oxigenación con membrana extracorpórea en la disfunción primaria del injerto en trasplante bipulmonar pediátrico: a propósito de un caso.

Primary graft dysfunction is a leading cause of morbimortality in the immediate postoperative period of patients undergoing lung transplantation. Among the treatment options are: lung protective ventilatory strategies, nitric oxide, lung surfactant therapy, and supportive treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridge to recovery of lung function or re-transplant. We report the case of a 9-year-old girl affected by cystic fibrosis who underwent double-lung transplantation complicated with a severe primary graft dysfunction in the immediate postoperative period and refractory to standard therapies. Due to development of multiple organ failure, it was decided to insert arteriovenous ECMO catheters (pulmonary artery-right atrium). The postoperative course was satisfactory, allowing withdrawal of ECMO on the 5th post-surgical day. Currently the patient survives free of rejection and with an excellent quality of life after 600 days of follow up.