Impairment of exogenous lactate clearance in experimental hyperdynamic septic shock is not related to total liver hypoperfusion

Introduction: Although the prognostic value of persistent hyperlactatemia in septic shock is unequivocal, its physiological determinants are controversial. Particularly, the role of impaired hepatic clearance has been underestimated and is only considered relevant in patients with liver ischemia or cirrhosis. Our objectives were to establish whether endotoxemia impairs whole body net lactate clearance, and to explore a potential role for total liver hypoperfusion during the early phase of septic shock. Methods: After anesthesia, 12 sheep were subjected to hemodynamic/perfusion monitoring including hepatic and portal catheterization, and a hepatic ultrasound flow probe. After stabilization (point A), sheep were alternatively assigned to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (5 mcg/kg bolus followed by 4 mcg/kg/h) or sham for a three-hour study period. After 60 minutes of shock, animals were fluid resuscitated to normalize mean arterial pressure. Repeated series of measurements were performed immediately after fluid resuscitation (point B), and one (point C) and two hours later (point D). Monitoring included systemic and regional hemodynamics, blood gases and lactate measurements, and ex-vivo hepatic mitochondrial respiration at point D. Parallel exogenous lactate and sorbitol clearances were performed at points B and D. Both groups included an intravenous bolus followed by serial blood sampling to draw a curve using the least squares method. Results: Significant hyperlactatemia was already present in LPS as compared to sham animals at point B (4.7 (3.1 to 6.7) versus 1.8 (1.5 to 3.7) mmol/L), increasing to 10.2 (7.8 to 12.3) mmol/L at point D. A significant increase in portal and hepatic lactate levels in LPS animals was also observed. No within-group difference in hepatic DO2, VO2 or O2 extraction, total hepatic blood flow (point D: 915 (773 to 1,046) versus 655 (593 to 1,175) ml/min), mitochondrial respiration, liver enzymes or sorbitol clearance was found. However, there was a highly significant decrease in lactate clearance in LPS animals (point B: 46 (30 to 180) versus 1,212 (743 to 2,116) ml/min, P <0.01; point D: 113 (65 to 322) versus 944 (363 to 1,235) ml/min, P <0.01). Conclusions: Endotoxemia induces an early and severe impairment in lactate clearance that is not related to total liver hypoperfusion

Outcomes of elective liver surgery worldwide: a global, prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study

Background: The outcomes of liver surgery worldwide remain unknown. The true population-based outcomes are likely different to those vastly reported that reflect the activity of highly specialized academic centers. The aim of this study was to measure the true worldwide practice of liver surgery and associated outcomes by recruiting from centers across the globe. The geographic distribution of liver surgery activity and complexity was also evaluated to further understand variations in outcomes. Methods: LiverGroup.org was an international, prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study following the Global Surgery Collaborative Snapshot Research approach with a 3-month prospective, consecutive patient enrollment within January–December 2019. Each patient was followed up for 90 days postoperatively. All patients undergoing liver surgery at their respective centers were eligible for study inclusion. Basic demographics, patient and operation characteristics were collected. Morbidity was recorded according to the Clavien–Dindo Classification of Surgical Complications. Country-based and hospital-based data were collected, including the Human Development Index (HDI). (NCT03768141). Results: A total of 2159 patients were included from six continents. Surgery was performed for cancer in 1785 (83%) patients. Of all patients, 912 (42%) experienced a postoperative complication of any severity, while the major complication rate was 16% (341/2159). The overall 90-day mortality rate after liver surgery was 3.8% (82/2,159). The overall failure to rescue rate was 11% (82/ 722) ranging from 5 to 35% among the higher and lower HDI groups, respectively. Conclusions: This is the first to our knowledge global surgery study specifically designed and conducted for specialized liver surgery. The authors identified failure to rescue as a significant potentially modifiable factor for mortality after liver surgery, mostly related to lower Human Development Index countries. Members of the LiverGroup.org network could now work together to develop quality improvement collaboratives

Fellows perspective of HPB training in Latin America

Background: Currently, no standards for HPB training exist in Latin America. The aim of this work is to evaluate fellows' experience of HPB training and the areas of opportunity to improve. Methods: A 35 points survey was developed and distributed among fellows from dedicated HPB training programs in Latin America. The survey was applied by direct phone call (37%) or web based (63%), to fellows graduated between 2010 and 2014, from 7 different programs. Results: Thirty-nine fellows from Argentina, Brazil, Chile and México were considered with a response rate of 82% (32/39). Most fellows (90%) shared cases with more than one co-fellow. Scrubbing with chief residents ocurred to 60% of fellows; only 14% of fellows noted having a primary surgeon role in more than 70% of cases. Median number of major hepatectomies during training was 15 (1–100), Whipple procedures 6 (1–40), and major bile duct repair 20 (1–80). Limited funding was the main reason to avoid HPB programs outside the country of origin. Conclusion: HPB training in Latin America requires more operative volume and autonomy. Financial burden is the main limitation to pursue training overseas. A multinational fellowship that takes advantage of each center may overcome differences in volume and type of cases.Fil: Domínguez Rosado, Ismael. Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición Salvador Zubiran; MéxicoFil: Espinoza, Johana L.. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Fernando A.. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Vintimilla, Agustin. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Quintero, Marco. Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición Salvador Zubiran; MéxicoFil: Barzallo, David. Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición Salvador Zubiran; MéxicoFil: Pekolj, Juan. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Gondolesi, Gabriel Eduardo. Fundación Favaloro; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Schelotto, Pablo B.. Fundación Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Herman, Paulo. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Carneiro D'Albuquerque, Luiz A.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Andraus, Wellington. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Padilla, Jorge. Beneficenca Portuguesa Hospital ; BrasilFil: Jarufe, Nicolas. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Chapa, Oscar. Hospital General de Mexico; MéxicoFil: Mercado, Miguel. Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición Salvador Zubiran; MéxicoFil: Chan, Carlos. Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición Salvador Zubiran; MéxicoFil: Alseidi, Adnan. Virginia Mason Medical Center; Estados Unido