Atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveNew-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after cardiac surgery is common, with rates up to 60%. POAF has been associated with early and late stroke, but its association with other cardiovascular outcomes is less known. The objective was to perform a meta-analysis of the studies reporting the association of POAF with perioperative and long-term outcomes in patients with cardiac surgery.MethodsWe performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis of studies that presented outcomes for cardiac surgery on the basis of the presence or absence of POAF. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were assessed; 57 studies (246,340 patients) were selected. Perioperative mortality was the primary outcome. Inverse variance method and random model were performed. Leave-one-out analysis, subgroup analyses, and metaregression were conducted.ResultsPOAF was associated with perioperative mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.58-2.33), perioperative stroke (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.90-2.49), perioperative myocardial infarction (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.06-1.54), perioperative acute renal failure (OR, 2.74; 95% CI, 2.42-3.11), hospital (standardized mean difference, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.53-1.07) and intensive care unit stay (standardized mean difference, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.24-0.86), long-term mortality (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.54; 95% CI, 1.40-1.69), long-term stroke (IRR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.21-1.46), and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (IRR, 4.73; 95% CI, 3.36-6.66).ConclusionsThe results suggest that POAF after cardiac surgery is associated with an increased occurrence of most short- and long-term cardiovascular adverse events. However, the causality of this association remains to be established.     

Outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with heart failure with a midrange ejection fraction

BackgroundCoronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) improves survival in patients with heart failure and severely reduced left ventricular systolic function (LVEF). Limited data exist regarding adverse cardiovascular event rates after CABG in patients with heart failure with midrange ejection fraction (HFmrEF; LVEF > 40% and < 55%).MethodsWe analyzed data on isolated CABG patients from the Veterans Affairs national database (2010-2019). We stratified patients into control (normal LVEF and no heart failure), HFmrEF, and heart failure with reduced LVEF (HFrEF) groups. We compared all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization rates between groups with a Cox model and recurrent events analysis, respectively.ResultsIn 6533 veterans, HFmrEF and HFrEF was present in 1715 (26.3%) and 566 (8.6%) respectively; the control group had 4252 (65.1%) patients. HFrEF patients were more likely to have diabetes mellitus (59%), insulin therapy (36%), and previous myocardial infarction (31%). Anemia was more prevalent in patients with HFrEF (49%) as was a lower serum albumin (mean, 3.6 mg/dL). Compared with the control group, a higher risk of death was observed in the HFmrEF (hazard ratio [HR], 1.3 [1.2-1.5)] and HFrEF (HR, 1.5 [1.2-1.7]) groups. HFmrEF patients had the higher risk of myocardial infarction (subdistribution HR, 1.2 [1-1.6]; P = .04). Risk of heart failure hospitalization was higher in patients with HFmrEF (HR, 4.1 [3.5-4.7]) and patients with HFrEF (HR, 7.2 [6.2-8.5]).ConclusionsHeart failure with midrange ejection fraction negatively affects survival after CABG. These patients also experience higher rates myocardial infarction and heart failure hospitalization.     

A Reminder of Methylene Blue's Effectiveness in Treating Vasoplegic Syndrome after On-Pump Cardiac Surgery

The inflammatory response induced by cardiopulmonary bypass decreases vascular tone, which in turn can lead to vasoplegic syndrome. Indeed the hypotension consequent to on-pump cardiac surgery often necessitates vasopressor and intravenous fluid support. Methylene blue counteracts vasoplegic syndrome by inhibiting the formation of nitric oxide.We report the use of methylene blue in a 75-year-old man who developed vasoplegic syndrome after cardiac surgery. After the administration of methylene blue, his hypotension improved to the extent that he could be weaned from vasopressors. The use of methylene blue should be considered in patients who develop hypotension refractory to standard treatment after cardiac surgery.     

Clinical outcomes of bypass-first versus endovascular-first strategy in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia due to infrageniculate arterial disease

Background

Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), defined as ischemic rest pain or tissue loss secondary to arterial insufficiency, is caused by multilevel arterial disease with frequent, severe infrageniculate disease. The rise in CLTI is in part the result of increasing worldwide prevalence of diabetes, renal insufficiency, and advanced aging of the population. The aim of this study was to compare a bypass-first with an endovascular-first revascularization strategy in patients with CLTI due to infrageniculate arterial disease.

表达谱基因芯片筛选体外循环前后心肌细胞因子的变化

Objestive Systemic inflarmmation may be triggered by injury, hypothermia, ischemia-reperfusion and the contact of the blood with foreign body during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). To determine the application values of gene chip technique in the clinical practice and the study of cardiovascular stagery, as well as to provide clues to the study of inflammatory responess during CPB, microarry for gene expression profiles was used to identify the differences in the gene expression of myocardium between pre-and post- CPB. Methods Six adult patients who underwent CPB from March to May in 2003 were involved. Samples of right atrium were col- lected before and at immediate end of CPB. BD AtlasTM cDNA Expression Arrays was used to identify the differences in the gene ex- pression of cytokines. The results were compared with that of semi-quantative RT-PCR. Resellts The mean age of 6 patients (5 males and 1 female) was (32.67± 11.72) years. The baseline heart function was gradeⅡin 3 cases and grade Ⅲ in 3 other cases. The baseline left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)was (58.17±7.91)%. The mere duration was (91.67±43.88) minutes for CPB and was (58.67±43.46) minutes for aorta blocking. The minimum nasopharynx/rectal temperture was (29.37±1.90)℃/ (32.15±1.52)℃. Gene expression profiles of cytokines in the myocardium pre- and post-CPB were analysed successfully. The ex- pression of IL-6, IFN-γ,Wnt5a, TNFRSF1B, a member of tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, PIGF and MFNG in the myo- cardium were unpregulated after CPB. Conclusion Microarray technique is applicable in the study of cytokines changes dying CPB. cDNA microarray identified pleliminarily the differences in the gene expression between pre- and post-CPB. These genes may be in- valved in inflammation and other psthophysiological responses incuced by CPB. The myocardiym is probably one of the major sources of cytokines during CPB. Further study may be helpful in understanding the llngthe development of inflammation during CPB, and eventually, reducing the post-operative complications.     

Prostaglandin el attenuates impairment of cellular immunity after cardiopulmonary bypass

OBJECTIVE: It is well documented that cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) severely impairs cellular immunity. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on cellular immunity after CPB. METHODS: Patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery were randomly divided into the PGE1 group (n=12) and the control group (n=12). In the PGE1 group, PGE1 was administered at 20 ng/kg/min from just after the induction of anesthesia to the end of surgery. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were taken before anesthesia and on postoperative days 1, 3 and 7 (POD 1, POD 3 and POD 7). Proliferation responses of T cells to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and pure protein derivative (PPD) antigen were measured as indicators of cellular immunity. RESULTS: PGE1 significantly attenuated the impairment of both PHA and PPD response after cardiac surgery on POD 1 (PHA response, 30 +/- 21% vs. 53 +/- 32%, control vs. PGE, p=0.048; PPD response, 18 +/- 21% vs. 39 +/- 27%, control vs. PGE, p=0.046). The reduced glutathione content of PBMCs in the control group was significantly decreased on POD 1. CONCLUSION: PGE1 attenuated the impairment of cellular immunity after cardiac surgery with CPB by reducing oxidative stress on PBMCs.     

异丙酚和异氟醚对非体外循环搭桥术患者围术期细胞因子的影响

目的:研究异丙酚和异氟醚对非体外循环搭桥术患者围术期炎性与抗炎性细胞因子平衡的影响。方法:择期非体外循环搭桥患者50例,随机分为2组。异丙酚组微量泵输入剂量为4～6mg·kg-·1h-1,异氟醚组吸入浓度为1%～1.5%。检测诱导前、打开心包、旁路血管开放30min,术后2h、24h血清白细胞介素6(IL-6)、白细胞介素10(IL-10)和肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)的浓度。结果:2组患者旁路血管开放后IL-6浓度较术前升高(P<0.01),术后2h达高峰;术后2h异氟醚组高于异丙酚组(P<0.05)。IL-10浓度变化趋势与IL-6相似,旁路血管开放后、术后2h和24h异丙酚组高于异氟醚组(P<0.05)。2组患者TNF-α水平均无显著变化。结论:异丙酚麻醉促进IL-10的产生,抑制IL-6的产生,控制术中应激反应异丙酚优于异氟醚。     

Intimate Saboteurs

Background: The bariatric patient exists in dynamic relationship with family members and friends who have considerable influence upon the patient and his or her surgical outcome. When family members and friends behave as intimate saboteurs, they attempt to hamper, hurt, or subvert the bariatric patient's goal of achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight. Successful or not, intimate saboteurs provide significant treatment challenges for the patient and the treatment team. Methods and Patients: Patient profiles provide examples of intimate sabotage. The psychological construct of Family Systems Theory is used as a plausible explanation for the sabotage of friends and family. Conclusions: Multidisciplinary professionals treating the bariatric patient must be aware of the critical influence of intimate saboteurs and the tactics they use to sabotage. Treatment guidelines recommended by Family Systems Theory are presented as strategies to mitigate the influence of intimate saboteurs.     

体外循环对TXB2／6—keto—PGF1α的影响

对１３例体外循环病人进行了观察，发现体外循环后ＴＸＢ２／６－ｋｅｔｏ－ＰＧＦ１α显著增高，表明体外循环使血小板受损，而血小板受损是体外循环后失血的主要原因之一。