Continuously assessed right ventricular end-diastolic volume as a marker of cardiac preload and fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated cardiac surgical patients

INTRODUCTION: Assessing cardiac preload and fluid responsiveness accurately is important when attempting to avoid unnecessary volume replacement in the critically ill patient, which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The present clinical trial was designed to compare the reliability of continuous right ventricular end-diastolic volume (CEDV) index assessment based on rapid response thermistor technique, cardiac filling pressures (central venous pressure [CVP] and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure [PCWP]), and transesophageal echocardiographically derived evaluation of left ventricular end-diastolic area (LVEDA) index in predicting the hemodynamic response to volume replacement. METHODS: We studied 21 patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting. After induction of anesthesia, hemodynamic parameters were measured simultaneously before (T1) and 12 min after volume replacement (T2) by infusion of 6% hydroxyethyl starch 200/0.5 (7 ml/kg) at a rate of 1 ml/kg per min. RESULTS: The volume-induced increase in thermodilution-derived stroke volume index (SVI(TD)) was 10% or greater in 19 patients and under 10% in two. There was a significant correlation between changes in CEDV index and changes in SVI(TD )(r(2 )= 0.55; P < 0.01), but there were no significant correlations between changes in CVP, PCWP and LVEDA index, and changes in SVI(TD). The only variable apparently indicating fluid responsiveness was LVEDA index, the baseline value of which was weakly correlated with percentage change in SVI(TD )(r(2 )= 0.38; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: An increased cardiac preload is more reliably reflected by CEDV index than by CVP, PCWP, or LVEDA index in this setting of preoperative cardiac surgery, but CEDV index did not reflect fluid responsiveness. The response of SVI(TD )following fluid administration was better predicted by LVEDA index than by CEDV index, CVP, or PCWP

Percutaneous Cannulation for Extracorporeal Life Support in Severely and Morbidly Obese Patients

Background: Extracorporeal life support systems are well-established devices for treating patients with acute cardiopulmonary failure. Severe or morbid obesity may result in complications such as limb ischemia, bleeding, unsuccessful cannulation, or infection at the cannulation sites. This article reports on our experience with cannulation and associated complications in severely and morbidly obese patients. Methods: Between January 2006 and September 2016, 153 severely or morbidly obese patients with a body mass index >35 kg/m(2)were cannulated percutaneously for extracorporeal life support at our center. Among those, 115 patients were treated with venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) for acute lung failure and 38 patients with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) for cardiogenic shock. Complications related to percutaneous access and long-term follow-up were analyzed retrospectively. Primary focus was on the success of cannulation, outcome, thrombosis, bleeding, limb ischemia, and infection at the cannulation site. Normal-weight patients receiving extracorporeal life support served as control. Results: Percutaneous cannulation was successfully performed in all patients. Eighty-five (74%) patients were weaned from VV ECMO and 20 (52%) patients were weaned from VA ECMO. Limb ischemia requiring surgical intervention occurred in 5 (3%) patients, bleeding in 7 (5%) patients, and wound infection in 3 (2%) patients. In all other patients, decannulation was uneventful. These data as well as the long-term survival rates were comparable to those of normal-weight patients (P> .05). Conclusion: Percutaneous vessel cannulation for extracorporeal life support systems is generally feasible. Therefore, percutaneous cannulation may well be performed in severely and morbidly obese patients. Patient outcome rather depends on appropriate support than on anatomy

Reduced 30-day mortality in men after elective coronary artery bypass surgery with minimized extracorporeal circulation-a propensity score analysis

Background Impact of minimized extracorporeal circulation (MECC) for coronary surgery on mortality remains controversial and gender significantly influence outcome. Methods We analyzed 3,139 male patients undergoing elective coronary surgery between 01/2004 and 05/2009. Using propensity score matching after binary logistic regression, 1,005 patients (from 1,119 patients) undergoing surgery with MECC could be matched with 1,005 patients (from 2,020 patients) undergoing surgery with conventional extracorporeal circulation (CECC). Primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Results Unadjusted 30-day mortality was 2.7% in patients with CECC and 0.8% in those with MECC (mean difference -1.9%; p < 0.001). The adjusted mean difference (average treatment effect of the treated) after matching was -1.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) -2.6 to -0.4; p = 0.006). Postoperative hospital stay was shorter in patients operated with minimized systems (adjusted mean difference -0.8 days; 95% CI -1.46 to -0.09; p = 0.03) and incidence of postoperative neurocognitive dysfunction was also lower (adjusted mean difference -1.3%; 95% CI -2.2 to -0.4; p = 0.001). Chest tube drainage (adjusted mean difference +22 mL; 95% CI -47 to 91; p = 0.5) and risk for acute kidney injury, kidney injury and failure according to RIFLE criteria (adjusted mean difference -1.0%; 95% CI -2.5 to 0.6; p = 0.24) proved to be insignificant between both groups. Apart from reduced 30-day mortality, however, average treatment effects for intensive care unit stay, postoperative hospital stay, chest tube drainage and kidney injury did not significantly differ. Conclusion Using propensity score analysis, we observed an association between MECC and reduced 30-day mortality in men, but our results call for further analysis

Assessment of Association Between Venous Occlusion and Infection of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices

The increasing number of patients treated with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) and indications for complex pacing requires system revisions. Currently, data on venous patency in repeat CIED surgery involving lead (re)placement or extraction are largely missing. This study aimed to assess venous patency and risk factors in patients referred for repeat CIED lead surgery, emphasizing CIED infection. All consecutive patients requiring extraction, exchange, or additional placement of ≥1 CIED leads during reoperative procedures from January 2015 to March 2020 were evaluated in this retrospective study. Venography was performed in 475 patients. Venous patency could be assessed in 387 patients (81.5%). CIED infection with venous occlusion was detected in 74 patients compared with venous occlusion without infection in 14 patients (P < .05). Concerning venous patency, novel oral anticoagulant medication appeared to be protective (P < .05; odds ratio [OR]: .35). Infection of the CIED appeared to be strongly associated with venous occlusion (OR: 16.0). The sensitivity was only 64.15%, but the specificity was 96.1%. Number of leads involved and previous CIED procedures were not associated with venous occlusion. In conclusion, in patients with CIED, venous occlusion was strongly associated with device infection, but not with the number of leads or previous CIED procedures

N-acetyl-b-D-glucosaminidase: A potential cardiorenal biomarker with a relevant impact on ICD shock therapies and mortality

Aims Chronic heart failure may lead to chronic kidney disease. Previous studies suggest tubular markers N-acetyl-b-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and Kidney-injury-molecule-1 (KIM-1) as potential markers for the cardiorenal syndrome (CRS). The prognostic value of NAG and KIM-1 regarding implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shock therapies is unknown. Methods We included 314 patients with an ICD and collected plasma and urine samples. Urine-values of NAG and KIM-1 got related to urinary creatinine. Outcomes of interest were sustained adequate shock therapies and a combined endpoint of all-cause mortality, rehospitalisation due to congestive heart failure and adequate shock therapies. Follow up time was 32 months (IQR 6-35 months). Results KIM-1 and NAG were positively correlated with NT-proBNP (KIM-1:r= .34,P < .001; NAG:r= .47,P < .001). NAG was significantly elevated in patients with primary prevention compared with secondary prevention ICD indication (P= .003). According to Kaplan Meier analysis, NAG as well as NT-proBNP were significant predictors for adequate ICD shock therapies and for the combined endpoint (eachP < .001). Elevated KIM-1 showed no significant differences (eachP= n.s.). In multivariate cox regression analysis, NAG as well as NT-proBNP were both independent predictors for adequate ICD shock therapies as well as the combined endpoint, beside ejection fraction <35% (eachP < .05). Diabetes, primary prevention ICD indication, coronary artery disease, eGFR and age were no significant predictors for both endpoints (eachP= n.s.). Conclusion Similar to NT-proBNP, NAG showed promising value for overall prognostication in ICD patients. Especially, NAG seems to incorporate an additional prognostic value regarding occurrence of ICD shock therapies

Ventricular arrhythmia burden in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator and remote patient monitoring during different time intervals of the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose The current study investigated whether the changes in patient care in times of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the reduction of in-person visits, would result in a deterioration of the arrhythmic and clinical condition of patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and remote patient monitoring. Methods Data were obtained from a local ICD registry. 140 patients who received ICD implantation at our department and had remote patient monitoring were included. The number of patients with ventricular arrhythmias, appropriate ICD therapy, the number of visits to our outpatient clinic and hospitalization due to acute coronary syndrome, stroke or heart failure were compared during three time intervals of the COVID-19 pandemic (first (LD1) and second (LD2) national lockdown in Germany and the time after the first lockdown (postLD1)) and a time interval 1 year before the pandemic began (preCOV). Each time interval was 49 days long. Results Patients had significantly fewer visits to our outpatient clinic during LD1 (n = 13), postLD1 (n = 22) and LD2 (n = 23) compared to the time interval before the pandemic (n = 43, each p ≤ 0.05). The number of patients with sustained ventricular arrhythmias, appropriate ICD therapy and clinical events showed no significant difference during the time intervals of the COVID-19 pandemic and the time interval 1 year prior. Conclusions The lockdown measures necessary to reduce the risk of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic, led to a reduction of in-person patient visits, but did not result in a deterioration of the arrhythmic and clinical condition of ICD patients with remote patient monitoring

Multi‐organ dysfunction syndrome in patients undergoing extracorporeal life support

Background Multiple organ failure is a common complication in patients undergoing ECLS significantly affecting patient outcomes. Gaining knowledge about the mechanisms of onset, clinical course, risk factors, and potential therapeutic targets is highly desirable. Methods Data of 354 patients undergoing ECLS with one-, two, three-, and four organ failures were retrospectively analyzed. Incidence of multiple organ dysfunction (MODS), its impact on survival, risk factors for its occurrence, and the impact of proinflammatory mediators on the occurrence of MODS in patients undergoing ECLS were investigated. Results The median follow-up was 66 (IQR 6; 820) days. 245 (69.2%) patients could be weaned from ECLS, 30-day survival and 1-year survival were 194 (54.1%) and 157 (44.4%), respectively. The duration of mechanical support was 4 (IQR 2; 7) days in the median. Increasing severity of MODS resulted in significant prolongation of mechanical circulatory support and worsening of the outcome. Liver dysfunction had the strongest impact on patient mortality (OR = 2.5) and survival time (19 vs 367 days). The serum concentration of analyzed interleukins rose significantly with each, additional organ affected by dysfunction (p < 0.001). All analyzed proinflammatory cytokines showed significant predictivity relative to the occurrence of MODS with interleukin 8 serum level prior to ECLS showing the strongest predictive potential for the occurrence of MODS (AUC 0.78). Conclusion MODS represents a frequent complication in patients undergoing ECLS with a significant impact on survival. Proinflammatory cytokines show prognostic capacity regarding the occurrence and severity of multi-organ dysfunction

Cardiac MRI Based Left Ventricular Global Function Index: Association with Disease Severity in Patients with ICD for Secondary Prevention

Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) is the most widely used prognostic marker in cardiovascular diseases. LV global function index (LVGFI) is a novel marker which incorporates the total LV structure in the assessment of LV cardiac performance. We evaluated the prognostic significance of LVGFI, measured by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), in predicting mortality and ICD therapies in a real-world (ICD) population with secondary ICD prevention indication, to detect a high-risk group among these patients. In total, 105 patients with cardiac MRI prior to the ICD implantation were included (mean age 56 ± 16 years old; 76% male). Using the MRI data for each patient LVGFI was determined and a cut-off for the LVGFI value was calculated. Patients were followed up every four to six months in our or clinics in proximity. Data on the occurrence of heart failure symptoms and or mortality, as well as device therapies and other vital parameters, were collected. Follow up duration was 37 months in median. The mean LVGFI was 24.5%, the cut off value for LVGFI 13.5%. According to the LVGFI Index patient were divided into 2 groups, 86 patients in the group with the higher LVGFI und 19 patients in the lower group. The LVGFI correlates significantly with the LVEF (r = 0.642, p I, the initial device or a medication (each p = n.s.). Further, in Kaplan–Meier analysis no association was evident between the LVGFI and adequate ICD therapy (p = n.s.). In secondary prevention ICD patients reduced LVGFI was shown as an independent predictor for mortality and rehospitalization, but not for ICD therapies. We were able to identify a high-risk collective among these patients, but further investigation is needed to evaluate LVGFI compared to ejection fraction, especially in patients with an elevated risk for adverse cardiac events

Ablation of atrial fibrillation with the Epicor system: a prospective observational trial to evaluate safety and efficacy and predictors of success

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) energy has evolved as a new surgical tool to treat atrial fibrillation (AF). We evaluated safety and efficacy of AF ablation with HIFU and analyzed predictors of success in a prospective clinical study.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>From January 2007 to June 2008, 110 patients with AF and concomitant open heart surgery were enrolled into the study. Main underlying heart diseases were aortic valve disease (50%), ischemic heart disease (48%), and mitral valve disease (18%). AF was paroxysmal in 29%, persistent in 31%, and long standing persistent in 40% of patients, lasting for 1 to 240 months (mean 24 months). Mean left atrial diameter was 50 ± 7 mm. Each patient underwent left atrial ablation with the Epicor system prior to open heart surgery. After surgery, the patients were treated with amiodarone and coumadin for 6 months. Follow-up studies including resting ECG, 24 h Holter ECG, and echocardiography were obtained at 6 and 12 months.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All patients had successful application of the system on the beating heart prior to initiation of extracorporeal circulation. On average, 11 ± 1 ultrasound transducer elements were used to create the box lesion. The hand-held probe for additional linear lesions was employed in 83 cases. No device-related deaths occurred. Postoperative pacemaker insertion was necessary in 4 patients. At 6 months, 62% of patients presented with sinus rhythm. No significant changes were noted at 12 months. Type of AF and a left atrial diameter > 50 mm were predictors for failure of AF ablation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>AF ablation with the Epicor system as a concomitant procedure during open heart surgery is safe and acceptably effective. Our overall conversion rate was lower than in previously published reports, which may be related to the lower proportion of isolated mitral valve disease in our study population. Left atrial size may be useful to determine patients who are most likely to benefit from the procedure.</p