Perioperative outcome in adults undergoing elective deep hypothermic circulatory arrest with retrograde cerebral perfusion in proximal aortic arch repair: evaluation of protocol-based care

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe perioperative outcome in adults undergoing elective proximal aortic arch repair with protocol-based deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) with retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP). DESIGN: Retrospective and observational. SETTING: Cardiothoracic operating rooms and intensive care unit. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-nine consecutive adults undergoing elective proximal aortic arch repair with DHCA (1999-2001). INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN RESULTS: Average age of the patients was 64.9 years. Mean circulatory arrest time was 30.4 +/- 8.5 minutes. Perioperative mortality was 7.6%. Perioperative stroke incidence was 3.8%. Tracheal extubation was successful in 87.3% of patients within 24 hours of operation. Of the cohort, 80.8% were discharged from the intensive care unit within 72 hours of surgery. Median length of hospital stay was 7.4 days. Repeat mediastinal exploration because of bleeding occurred in 3.8% of patients. Although perioperative renal dysfunction (defined as >1.5-fold increase in plasma creatinine concentration) developed in 24.0% of patients, only 3.8% required dialysis. CONCLUSIONS: The above parameters establish a baseline incidence for major perioperative complications in adults undergoing elective DHCA with RCP for elective proximal aortic arch repair. In approaching the open aortic arch for short periods of circulatory arrest, deep hypothermia with adjunctive RCP is safe and effective.     

Temporary neurological dysfunction after surgery of the thoracic aorta: a predictor of poor outcome and impaired quality of life

BACKGROUND: Transient neurological dysfunction (TND) consists of postoperative confusion, delirium and agitation. It is underestimated after surgery on the thoracic aorta and its influence on long-term quality of life (QoL) has not yet been studied. This study aimed to assess the influence of TND on short- and long-term outcome following surgery of the ascending aorta and proximal arch. METHODS: Nine hundred and seven patients undergoing surgery of the ascending aorta and the proximal aortic arch at our institution were included. Two hundred and ninety patients (31.9%) underwent surgery because of acute aortic dissection type A (AADA) and 617 patients because of aortic aneurysm. In 547 patients (60.3%) the distal anastomosis was performed using deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA). TND was defined as a Glasgow coma scale (GCS) value <13. All surviving patients had a clinical follow up and QoL was assessed with an SF-36 questionnaire. RESULTS: Overall in-hospital mortality was 8.3%. TND occurred in 89 patients (9.8%). As compared to patients without TND, those who suffered from TND were older (66.4 vs 59.9 years, p<0.01) underwent more frequently emergent procedures (53% vs 32%, p<0.05) and surgery under DHCA (84.3% vs 57.7%, p<0.05). However, duration of DHCA and extent of surgery did not influence the incidence of TND. In-hospital mortality in the group of patients with TND compared to the group without TND was similar (12.0% vs 11.4%; p=ns). Patients with TND suffered more frequently from coronary artery disease (28% vs 20.8%, p=ns) and were more frequently admitted in a compromised haemodynamic condition (23.6% vs 9.9%, p<0.05). Postoperative course revealed more pulmonary complications such as prolonged mechanical ventilation. Additional to their transient neurological dysfunction, significantly more patients had strokes with permanent neurological loss of function (14.6% vs 4.8%, p<0.05) compared to the patients without TND. ICU and hospital stay were significantly prolonged in TND patients (18+/-13 days vs 12+/-7 days, p<0.05). Over a mean follow-up interval of 27+/-14 months, patients with TND showed a significantly impaired QoL. CONCLUSION: The neurological outcome following surgery of the ascending aorta and proximal aortic arch is of paramount importance. The impact of TND on short- and long-term outcome is underestimated and negatively affects the short- and long-term outcome.     

Similar Cerebral Protective Effectiveness of Antegrade and Retrograde Cerebral Perfusion During Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest in Aortic Surgery: A Meta‐Analysis of 7023 Patients

In aortic arch surgery, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) combined with cerebral perfusion is employed worldwide as a routine practice. Even though antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) is more widely used than retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP), the difference in benefit and risk between ACP and RCP during DHCA is uncertain. The purpose of this meta‐analysis is to compare neurologic outcomes and early mortality between ACP and RCP in patients who underwent aortic surgery during DHCA. PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched using the key words “antegrade,” “retrograde,” “cerebral perfusion,” “cardiopulmonary bypass,” “extracorporeal circulation,” and “cardiac surgery” for studies reporting on clinical endpoints including early mortality, stroke, temporary neurologic dysfunction (TND), and permanent neurologic dysfunction (PND) in aortic surgery requiring DHCA with ACP or RCP. Heterogeneity was analyzed with the Cochrane Q statistic and I² statistic. Publication bias was tested with Begg's funnel plot and Egger's test. Thirty‐four studies were included in this meta‐analysis, with 4262 patients undergoing DHCA + ACP and 2761 undergoing DHCA + RCP. The overall pooled relative risk for TND was 0.722 (95% CI = [0.579, 0.900]), and the z‐score for overall effect was 2.9 (P = 0.004). There was low heterogeneity (I² = 18.7%). The analysis showed that patients undergoing DHCA + ACP had better outcomes than those undergoing DHCA + RCP in terms of TND, while there were no significant differences between groups in terms of PND, stroke, and early mortality. This meta‐analysis indicates that DHCA + ACP has an advantage over DHCA + RCP in terms of TND, while the two methods show similar results in terms of PND, early mortality, and stroke.     

Analyzing the outcome of early versus prolonged extubation following cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVES: This study considered the factors associated with prolonged ventilation and the effects of reduced extubation times on patient recovery, intensive care unit stay, and overall hospital stay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed, including 86 consecutive patients who underwent cardiac surgery from August 2006 to January 2007. The patients were divided into two groups following intensive care unit admission: Group A, duration of intubation <4 h (n=34); Group B, duration of intubation >4 h (n=52). RESULTS: Two deaths occurred in 86 patients, and overall hospital mortality was 2.32%. Patients in Group A were younger (33.2+/-12 versus 45.8+/-13 years; p=0.001) and had better preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (62.4+/-9.8 versus 44.6+/-9.4; p=0.003) than those in Group B. Moreover, Group A patients had a shorter intensive care unit length of stay (1.7+/-0.5 versus 2.2+/-0.8 days; p=0.006) and were discharged earlier than Group B patients (2.7+/-2.4 versus 4.01+/-3.96; p=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Early extubation offers a substantial advantage in terms of accelerated recovery, shorter intensive care unit, and hospital stay, suggesting that efforts to reduce extubation times are cost-effective.     

Clinical application of retrograde cerebral perfusion for brain protection during surgery of ascending aortic aneurysm--a report of 50 cases

This study was designed to discuss the effects on the brain by different protective methods in ascending aortic aneurysm surgery retrospectively. Two hundred seventy-one surgeries of ascending aortic aneurysm have been done in the past 15 years. There were 65 patients with a dissecting aneurysm of the aortic arch or right arch. To protect the brain, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) combined with retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) through superior vena cava (N = 50) and simple DHCA (N = 15) were used during the procedure. Blood samples for lactic acid level from the jugular vein were compared in both groups. Perfusion blood distribution and oxygen content difference between the perfused blood and returned blood were measured in 5 and 10 of RCP patients, respectively. The DHCA time was 35.86 +/- 18.81 min (10 approximately 63 min) and DHCA + RCP time was 45.5 +/- 17.21 min (16 approximately 81 min). The resuscitation time was 7.11 +/- 1.59 h (4.4 - 9.4 h) in DHCA versus 5.43 +/- 2.15 h (2 approximately 9 h) in RCP patients. The operation death rate was 3/15 in DHCA group and 1/50 in RCP patients. Central nervous complication occurred in 3/12 of DHCA patients and 1/49 of RCP patients (p < .01). The overall survival rate was 96% (RCP) versus 67% (DHCA); the central nervous system dysfunction was 20% in DHCA versus 2% in RCP (p < .001). The blood lactic acid level increased significantly after reperfusion in DHCA than that in RCP. The measurement of blood distribution indicated that approximately 2Q% of the perfused blood returned from arch vessels. The difference of oxygen content between perfused and returned blood showed that the oxygen uptake was adequate in RCP group. The application of RCP can prolong the safety duration of circulation arrest. Continuous cerebral perfusion may maintain the brain at a cooler temperature and flush out particulate and air emboli while open anastomosis of the aortic arch to the prosthesis can be safely performed. Therefore, RCP is a preferable method for brain protection in our clinical practices.     

Aortic arch replacement with proximal first technique.

BACKGROUND: Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) without retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) has a strict time limit. We modified a surgical technique for anastomosis to shorten the period of DHCA and unilateral cerebral perfusion (UCP). METHODS: Between March 1993 and August 2001, retrospective analysis was done on 23 consecutive patients, who underwent aortic arch replacement with branches. The patients were divided into two groups: DHCA group and UCP group. The DHCA group, in which DHCA alone and without additional cerebral perfusion was performed, comprised of nine patients. Proximal aortic anastomosis was performed first during systemic cooling; then both the brachiocephalic artery and left carotid artery were reconstructed with the branches of the artificial graft during circulatory arrest; thereafter, cerebral and coronary perfusions were resumed. The UCP group, in which DHCA was not used but right hemisphere perfusion during deep hypothermia was performed when the origin of brachiocephalic artery was safely clamped, consisted of 14 patients. RESULTS: Mean time of DHCA was 18.8+/-4.2 minutes and that of right hemisphere perfusion time was 11.0+/-3.8 minutes, respectively. Twenty-one patients survived the surgery (91.3%), and two (8.7%) died during hospitalization. Transient cerebral complication occurred in four patients in the DHCA group and all recovered. Logistic regression analysis revealed that DHCA was the only parameter to significantly influence temporary neurological dysfunction. There was no other significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: With our modified and simple surgical technique for aortic arch repair, we were able to successfully shorten the DHCA time and right hemisphere perfusion time. However, because DHCA was the only parameter to significantly influence temporary neurological dysfunction, some form of continuous cerebral perfusion at deep hypothermia may be a safer method to preserve cerebral function.     

Major clinical outcomes in adults undergoing thoracic aortic surgery requiring deep hypothermic circulatory arrest: quantification of organ-based perioperative outcome and detection of opportunities for perioperative intervention

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe clinical outcome after adult thoracic aortic surgery requiring standardized deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA), to determine mortality and length of stay, neurologic outcome, cardiorespiratory outcome, and hemostatic and renal outcome after DHCA. DESIGN: Retrospective and observational. SETTING: Cardiothoracic operating rooms and intensive care unit (ICU). PARTICIPANTS: All adults requiring thoracic aortic repair with DHCA. INTERVENTIONS: None. The study was observational. MAIN RESULTS: The cohort size was 110. All patients received an antifibrinolytic. The mortality rate was 8.2%. The mean length of stay was 6.8 days (ICU) and 14.0 days (hospital). The incidence of stroke was 8.1% and postoperative delirium was 10.9%. The rate of postoperative atrial fibrillation was 43.6%; 19.1% required postoperative mechanical ventilation longer than 72 hours. Chest tube drainage was 931 mL for the first 24 hours. Postoperative dialysis was required in 1.8% of patients. Renal dysfunction occurred in 40% to 50% of patients, depending on the definition. CONCLUSIONS: The protocol for DHCA at the authors' institution is associated with superior or equivalent perioperative outcomes to those reported in the literature. This study identified the need for further quantification of the clinical outcomes after DHCA in order to prioritize outcome-based hypothesis-driven prospective intervention in DHCA.     

Clinical predictors for prolonged intensive care unit stay in adults undergoing thoracic aortic surgery requiring deep hypothermic circulatory arrest

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe clinical predictors for prolonged length of stay in the intensive care unit (PLOS-ICU) after adult thoracic aortic surgery requiring standardized deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA); and to determine the incidence of PLOS-ICU after DHCA, univariate predictors for PLOS-ICU, and multivariate predictors for PLOS-ICU. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective and observational study. PLOS-ICU was defined as longer than 5 days in the ICU. STUDY SETTING: Cardiothoracic operating rooms and the ICU. PARTICIPANTS: All adults requiring thoracic aortic repair with DHCA INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN RESULTS: The cohort size was 144. The incidence of PLOS-ICU was 27.8%. The mortality rate was 11.1%. Univariate predictors for PLOS-ICU were age, stroke, DHCA duration, vasopressor dependence >72 hours, mediastinal re-exploration for bleeding, and renal dysfunction. Multivariate predictors for PLOS-ICU were stroke, vasopressor dependence >72 hours, and renal dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: PLOS-ICU after DHCA is common. The identified multivariate predictors merit further hypothesis-driven research to enhance perioperative protection of the brain, kidney, and cardiovascular system.     

Impact of retrograde cerebral perfusion on aortic arch aneurysm repair

OBJECTIVE: Protection of the brain is a primary concern in aortic arch surgery. Retrograde cerebral perfusion is a relatively new technique used for cerebral protection during profound hypothermic circulatory arrest. This study was designed to compare, retrospectively, the outcome of 109 patients undergoing aortic arch operation with and without the use of retrograde cerebral perfusion. METHODS: Fifty-five patients had profound hypothermic circulatory arrest alone, and 54 patients had supplemental cerebral protection with retrograde cerebral perfusion. Mean age was 61 +/- 13 years and 58 +/- 14 years, respectively (mean +/- standard deviation). Twenty-two preoperative and intraoperative characteristics, including age, sex, acuity, presence of aortic dissection, and aneurysm rupture, were similar in the 2 groups (P >.05). RESULTS: Mean circulatory arrest times (in minutes) were 30 +/- 19 in the group without retrograde cerebral perfusion and 33 +/- 19 in the group with retrograde cerebral perfusion, respectively. chi(2) Analysis revealed that patients operated on with the use of retrograde cerebral perfusion had significantly lower hospital mortality (15% vs 31%; P =.04) and in-hospital permanent neurologic complications (9% vs 27%; P =.01). Retrograde cerebral perfusion failed to reduce the prevalence of temporary neurologic dysfunction (17% vs 18%; P =.9). Stepwise multiple logistic regression revealed that extracorporeal circulation time, age, and lack of retrograde cerebral perfusion were statistically significant independent risk factors for hospital mortality. The same analysis revealed that lack of retrograde cerebral perfusion was the only significant independent risk factor for permanent neurologic dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Retrograde cerebral perfusion decreased the prevalence of permanent neurologic complications and the hospital mortality in patients undergoing aortic arch operations.     

Direct visualization of minimal cerebral capillary flow during retrograde cerebral perfusion: an intravital fluorescence microscopy study in pigs

BACKGROUND: Retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) is used in some centers during aortic arch surgery for brain protection during hypothermic circulatory arrest. It is still unclear however whether RCP provides adequate microcirculatory blood flow at a capillary level. We used intravital microscopy to directly visualize the cerebral capillary blood flow in a piglet model of RCP. METHODS: Twelve pigs (weight 9.7 +/- 0.9 kg) were divided into two groups (n = 6 each): deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) and RCP. After the creation of a window over the parietal cerebral cortex, pigs underwent 10 minutes of normothermic bypass and 40 minutes of cooling to 15 degrees C on cardiopulmonary bypass ([CPB] pH-stat, hemocrit 30%, pump flow 100 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)). This was followed by 45 minutes of DHCA and rewarming on CPB to 37 degrees C. In the RCP group the brain was retrogradely perfused (pump flow 30 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) during DHCA through the superior vena cava after inferior vena cava occlusion. Plasma was labeled with fluorescein-isothiocyanate-dextran for assessing microvascular diameter and functional capillary density (FCD), defined as total length of erythrocyte-perfused capillaries per observation area. Cerebral tissue oxygenation was determined by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrogen (NADH) autofluorescence, which increases during tissue ischemia. RESULTS: During normothermic and hypothermic antegrade cerebral perfusion the FCD did not significantly change from base line (97% +/- 14% and 96% +/- 12%, respectively). During retrograde cerebral perfusion the FCD decreased highly significantly to 2% +/- 2% of base line values (p < 0.001). Thus there was no evidence of significant capillary blood flow during retrograde cerebral perfusion. The microvascular diameter of cerebral arterioles that were slowly perfused significantly decreased to 27% +/- 6% of base line levels during RCP. NADH fluorescence progressively and significantly increased during RCP, indicating poorer tissue oxygenation. At the end of retrograde cerebral perfusion there was macroscopic evidence of significant brain edema. CONCLUSIONS: RCP does not provide adequate cerebral capillary blood flow and does not prevent cerebral ischemia. Prolonged RCP induces brain edema. However, there might be a role for a short period of RCP to remove air and debris from the cerebral circulation after DHCA because retrograde flow could be detected in cerebral arterioles.     

Cerebral protection during surgery for aortic arch aneurysms.

Surgical repair of aneurysms or dissections involving the transverse aortic arch and the distal aortic arch carries a considerable risk of cerebral complications. Currently, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA), moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest or DHCA with selective cerebral perfusion (SCP) and DHCA with retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) are used as means to protect the central nervous system. DHCA alone is simple, but the safe time of DHCA is limited. RCP is an alternative technique for cerebral protection that can prolong the safe time of DHCA. SCP offers virtually unlimited time in isolating cerebral circulation. With the improvement of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) materials and myocardial preservation, DHCA with SCP is our current preference of an adjunct for cerebral protection, although possible increment of mortality and morbidity associated with a prolonged DHCA and CPB remains to be overcome.     

Off-pump surgery decreases postoperative complications and resource utilization in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: Bypass surgery in the elderly (age >70 years) has increased mortality and morbidity, which may be a consequence of cardiopulmonary bypass. We compare the outcomes of a cohort of elderly off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) patients with elderly conventional coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients. METHODS: Chart and provincial cardiac care registry data were reviewed for 30 consecutive elderly OPCAB patients (age 74.7 +/- 4.2 years) and 60 consecutive CABG patients (age 74.9 +/- 4.1 years, p = 0.82) with similar risk factor profiles: Parsonnet score 17.2 +/- 8.1 (OPCAB) versus 15.6 +/- 6.5 (CABG), p = 0.31; and Ontario provincial acuity index 4.5 +/- 1.9 (OPCAB) versus 4.3 +/- 2.0 (CABG), p = 0.65. RESULTS: Mean hospital stay was 6.3 +/- 1.8 days for OPCAB patients and 7.7 +/- 3.9 days for CABG patients (p < 0.05). Average intensive care unit stay was 24.0 +/- 10.9 h for OPCAB patients versus 36.6 +/- 33.5 h for CABG patients (p < 0.05). Atrial fibrillation occurred in 10.0% of OPCAB patients and 28.3% of CABG patients (p < 0.05). Low output syndrome was observed in 10% of OPCAB patients and 31.7% of CABG patients (p < 0.05). Cost was reduced by $1,082 (Canadian) per patient in the OPCAB group. Postoperative OPCAB graft analysis showed 100% patency. CONCLUSIONS: OPCAB is safe in the geriatric population and significantly reduces postoperative morbidity and cost.     

Pediatric physiologic pulsatile pump enhances cerebral and renal blood flow during and after cardiopulmonary bypass

Controversy over benefits of pulsatile flow after pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) continues. Our study objectives were to first, quantify pressure and flow waveforms in terms of hemodynamic energy, using the energy equivalent (EEP) formula, for direct comparisons, and second, investigate effects of pulsatile versus nonpulsatile flow on cerebral and renal blood flow, and cerebral vascular resistance during and after CPB with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) in a neonatal piglet model. Fourteen piglets underwent perfusion with either an hydraulically driven dual-chamber physiologic pulsatile pump (P, n = 7) or a conventional nonpulsatile roller pump (NP, n = 7). The radiolabeled microsphere technique was used to determine the cerebral and renal blood flow. P produced higher hemodynamic energy (from mean arterial pressure to EEP) compared to NP during normothermic CPB (13 +/- 3% versus 1 +/- 1%, p < 0.0001), hypothermic CPB (15 +/- 4% versus 1 +/- 1%, p < 0.0001) and after rewarming (16 +/- 5% versus 1 +/- 1%, p < 0.0001). Global cerebral blood flow was higher for P compared to NP during CPB (104 +/- 12 ml/100g/min versus 70 +/- 8 ml/100g/min, p < 0.05). In the right and left hemispheres, cerebellum, basal ganglia, and brainstem, blood flow resembled the global cerebral blood flow. Cerebral vascular resistance was lower (p < 0.007) and renal blood flow was improved fourfold (p < 0.05) for P versus NP, after CPB. Pulsatile flow generates higher hemodynamic energy, enhancing cerebral and renal blood flow during and after CPB with DHCA in this model.     

Hypothermic circulatory arrest does not increase the risk of ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm resection.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of a period of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) during elective replacement of the ascending thoracic aorta. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: DHCA has been implemented in ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm resection whenever the anatomy or pathology of the aorta or arch vessels prevents safe or adequate cross-clamping. Profound hypothermia and retrograde cerebral perfusion have been shown to be neurologically protective during ascending aortic replacement under circulatory arrest. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of 91 consecutive patients who underwent repair of chronic ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms from 1986 to present. The authors hypothesized that patients undergoing DHCA with or without retrograde cerebral perfusion during aneurysm repair were at no greater operative risk than patients who received aneurysm resection while on standard cardiopulmonary bypass. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in hospital mortality, stroke rate, or operative morbidity between patients repaired on DHCA when compared to those repaired on cardiopulmonary bypass. CONCLUSIONS: DHCA with or without retrograde cerebral perfusion does not result in increased morbidity or mortality during the resection of ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms. In fact, this technique may prevent damage to the arch vessels in select cases and avoid the possible complications associated with cross-clamping a friable or atherosclerotic aorta.     

Effect of gender on fast-track recovery after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of gender on time to extubation after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and intensive care unit and hospital length of stay. DESIGN: Retrospective study comparing outcomes as related to gender. SETTING: Tertiary care university teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive patients (n = 561; 376 men, 185 women) undergoing CABG surgery between January 1995 and December 1997. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Early extubation was possible in 74% of men versus 64% of women (p = 0.03); length of stay was < or =5 days in 60% of men versus 48% of women (p = 0.008); overall postoperative length of stay was 5.7 days for men versus 6.5 days for women (p = 0.003); morbidity and mortality were not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSION: Women undergoing CABG surgery with a standardized fast-track protocol have longer intubation times, intensive care unit length of stay, and hospital length of stay than their male counterparts.     

Right ventricular dysfunction and organ failure in left ventricular assist device recipients: a continuing problem

BACKGROUND: Although right ventricular assist device (RVAD) use has declined with the introduction of inhaled nitric oxide and phosphodiesterase inhibitors (type III), right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) is still a serious problem in patients receiving left ventricular assist devices (LVAD). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed Thoratec Vented Electrical LVAD recipients between June 1996 and September 1999. RVD was defined as inotropic requirement 14 days or more or need for RVAD postoperatively, or both. RESULTS: Sixty-nine LVAD recipients were analyzed. Twenty-one patients (30.4%) had RVD, with 1 patient requiring RVAD insertion, and there were 48 non-RVD patients. There were no significant differences between both groups for age, sex, etiology of congestive heart failure, days of support, and preoperative hemodynamics. Preoperative right ventricle stroke work index (mm Hg x m(-2) x L(-1)) had a trend toward being lower in the RVD group (4.1+/-3.2 versus 6.1+/-3.7, p = 0.06). A higher preoperative total bilirubin (mg/dL) was noticed in the RVD group (4.0+/-5.2 versus 2.1+/-1.7). The RVD group had a higher postoperative creatinine (2.2+/-1.4 mg/dL versus 1.5+/-0.8 mg/dL), incidence of continuous venovenous hemofiltration dialysis (73% versus 26%), transfusion of packed red blood cells (43.2+/-28.6 units versus 24.7+/-18.9 units), platelets (58.6+/-46.1 units versus 30.2+/-20.4 units), with longer intensive care unit length of stay (33.6+/-34.7 days versus 9.1+/-6.9) and higher mortality (42.8% versus 14.5%). When deaths were excluded, both intensive care unit and postoperative length of stay were significantly longer in the RVD group. CONCLUSIONS: RVD in LVAD recipients remains poorly identified and is associated with a high transfusion rate and end organ failure that results in increased intensive care unit and hospital length of stay, and a high mortality rate. Preoperative identification of risk factors for RVD may select patients who would benefit from a biventricular assist device and prevent the subsequent end organ failure.     

Atrial fibrillation after aortic arch repair requiring deep hypothermic circulatory arrest: incidence, clinical outcome, and clinical predictors

OBJECTIVE: To delineate the incidence, outcome impact, and clinical predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF) after adult aortic arch repair requiring deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (AAR-DHCA) AIMS: To determine the incidence of AF after AAR-DHCA, to determine whether AF after AAR-DHCA affects mortality or stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), to determine multivariate predictors for AF after AAR-DHCA, and to determine whether aprotinin protects against AF after AAR-DHCA. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective and observational. STUDY SETTING: Single large university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: All adults undergoing AAR-DHCA in 2000 and 2001. MAIN RESULTS: The cohort size was 144. Antifibrinolytic exposure was 100%, aprotinin 66% and aminocaproic acid 34%. The incidence of AF was 34.0%. AF was not significantly associated with increased mortality or prolonged ICU stay. Advanced age was a multivariate risk factor for AF. Lower temperature nadir during DHCA was protective against postoperative AF. Aprotinin had no demonstrable effect on AF after AAR-DHCA. CONCLUSIONS: AF after AAR-DHCA is common but does not independently increase mortality or ICU stay. The risk of AF after AAR-DHCA increases with age but decreases with the degree of hypothermia during DHCA. Aprotinin does not appear to affect the risk of AF after AAR-DHCA.     

Antegrade versus retrograde cerebral perfusion in relation to postoperative complications following aortic arch surgery for acute aortic dissection type A

Abstract   Background: Aortic arch surgery is impossible without the temporary interruption of brain perfusion and therefore is associated with high incidence of neurologic injury. The deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA), in combination with antegrade or retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP), is a well-established method of brain protection in aortic arch surgery. In this retrospective study, we compare the two methods of brain perfusion. Materials and Methods: From 1998 to 2006, 48 consecutive patients were urgently operated for acute type A aortic dissection and underwent arch replacement under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA). All distal anastomoses were performed with open aorta, and the arch was replaced totally in 15 cases and partially in the remaining 33 cases. Our patient cohort is divided into those protected with antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) (group A, n = 23) and those protected with RCP (group B, n = 25). Results: No significant difference was found between groups A and B with respect to cardiopulmonary bypass-time, brain-ischemia time, cerebral-perfusion time, permanent neurologic dysfunction, and mortality. The incidence of temporary neurologic dysfunction was 16.0% for group A and 43.50% for group B (p = 0.04). The mean extubation time was 3.39 ± 1.40 days for group A and 4.96 ± 1.83 days for group B (p = 0.0018). The mean ICU-stay was 4.4 ± 2.3 days for group A and 6.9 ± 2.84 days for group B (p = 0.0017). The hospital-stay was 14.38 ± 4.06 days for group A and 19.65 ± 6.91 days for group B (p = 0.0026). Conclusion: The antegrade perfusion seems to be related with significantly lower incidence of temporary neurological complications, earlier extubation, shorter ICU-stay, and hospitalization, and hence lower total cost.     

Long-term survival and quality of life in cardiac surgical patients with prolonged intensive care unit length of stay

BACKGROUND: Patients with prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stays after cardiac operations are labor intensive and expensive. We sought to determine whether exhaustive ICU efforts result in survival or quality-of-life benefits and whether outcome could be predicted. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all adult cardiac surgical patients in 1998 for ICU stays more than 14 days. Data were analyzed to create multiple organ dysfunction scores (MODS, range 0 to 24) and hospital charges. Follow-up was conducted 1 and 2 years apart for survival and quality-of-life evaluation. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients remained in the ICU more than 14 days, comprising 3.8% of our patients but 28% of total ICU bed time. This population had a 28.5% hospital mortality, which was greater than those in the ICU less than 14 days (5.3%, p < 0.05). By 2 years, 22 of the 35 discharged patients were alive, 16 of whom had a normal quality of life. Patients alive at 2 years had lower MODS at day 14 than those who died (2.6 +/- 1.4 versus 5.5 +/- 3.8; p < 0.005) as well as lower hospital costs ($223,000 +/- $128,000 versus $306,000 +/- $128,000; p < 0.05). No patient with an MODS of at least 6 at day 14 survived. CONCLUSIONS: Patients remaining in the ICU for more than 14 days suffer a higher mortality at greater expense. A MODS at day 14 may help predict those who will not enjoy long-term survival and thus aid in the decision to terminate care.     

不同深低温停循环方法对脑组织S-100蛋白表达的影响

目的观察不同深低温停循环方法对脑组织S—100蛋白表达及组织结构的影响。方法将18只实验犬随机分为3组，深低温停循环（deep hypothermic circulatory arrest，DHCA组）组，深低温停循环结合逆行脑灌注（retrograde cerebral perfusion，RCP，DHCA＋RCP组）组，深低温停循环结合顺行性间断脑灌注（intermittent antegrade cerebral perfusion，IACP，DHCA＋IACP组）组。3组犬体外循环开始后将鼻咽温降至18℃，随后停循环90min，开放循环后复温至36℃，随后停机。在停循环前、停循环后45min、90min及开放循环后15min和30min由颈静脉插管留取血液标本进行S-100蛋白含量测定。手术结束时取脑海马组织作透射电子显微镜检查，观察脑组织及神经细胞超微结构的变化。结果3组犬在停循环前颈静脉血S-100蛋白含量差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05），停循环后DHCA组和DHCA＋RCP组S-100蛋白含量较停循环前显著升高（P〈0．01），DHCA＋IACP组S-100蛋白含量停循环前后无显著变化。结论DHCA时间较长时，脑组织会发生缺血缺氧性损伤；RCP对脑组织有一定的保护作用，但易发生脑组织及神经细胞水肿；IACP的脑保护效果较为理想。