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.     

Utility of B-type natriuretic peptide in predicting perioperative cardiac events in patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery

Background: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels predict cardiovascularrisk in several settings. We hypothesized that they would identifyindividuals at increased risk of early cardiac complicationsafter major non-cardiac surgery. The current study tests thishypothesis. Methods: Two hundred and four patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgerywere studied. The primary end-point was the development of acutemyocardial injury [defined as cardiac troponin I (cTnI) level> 0.32 ng ml^–1] or death in the 3 days after surgery. Results: Preoperative BNP levels were raised in patients who died orsuffered perioperative myocardial injury (median 52.2 vs 22.2pg ml^–1, P = 0.01) and BNP predicted this outcome withan area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of0.72 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59–0.86, P = 0.01].A preoperative BNP value > 40 pg ml^–1 was associatedwith an increased risk of death or perioperative myocardialinjury [odds ratio (OR) 6.8, 95% CI 1.8–25.9, P = 0.003],and remained independently predictive after correction for theRevised Cardiac Risk Index. Preoperative BNP levels were higherin patients who exhibited new onset atrial fibrillation or ST/T-wavechanges on their postoperative ECG (median 50.5 vs 22.5 pg litre^–1,P = 0.01). They were also higher in patients who had eitherelevation of cTnI > 0.32 ng ml^–1 or postoperative ECGabnormalities (median 50.4 vs 21.5 pg ml^–1, P < 0.001). Conclusions: In the setting of major non-cardiac surgery, preoperative BNPlevels are higher in patients who experience perioperative deathand myocardial injury. Larger studies are required to confirmthese data and to clarify what BNP levels may add to existingmethods of risk stratification.     

椎管内阻滞对心脏事件高危患者行非心脏手术后心肌梗死影响的Meta分析

目的采用Meta分析比较椎管内阻滞[包括硬膜外阻滞(epidural anesthesia,EA)和蛛网膜下腔阻滞(spinal anesthesia,SA)]复合全身麻醉(general anesthesia,GA)对非心脏手术后心肌梗死的影响。方法检索中文数据库(中国生物医学文献服务系统、中国知网、万方、维普)和英文数据库(Medline、PubMed、EBSCO、Springer、Ovid、Cochrane Library、Google scholar);收集椎管内阻滞对非心脏手术患者术后心肌梗死及死亡率影响的随机对照试验(RCT),并采用RevMan 5.3软件进行统计分析。结果共纳入10篇RCT(n=21 859)。Meta分析结果显示:EA复合GA与单纯GA非心脏手术术后7d内(OR=0.44,95%CI 0.13~1.46,P=0.18)和30d内(OR=1.49,95%CI 0.89~2.49,P=0.13)内心肌梗死发生率差异无统计学意义;EA复合GA与单纯GA术后30d内(OR=1.26,95%CI 0.84~1.88,P=0.26)全因死亡率差异无统计学意义。SA与GA术后7d内心肌梗死发生率(OR=1.14,95%CI 0.31~4.17,P=0.84)和术后30d内全因死亡率(OR=0.88,95%CI 0.43~1.79,P=0.73)差异无统计学意义。结论椎管内阻滞并未降低心脏事件高危患者行中高危非心脏手术后心肌梗死发生率及死亡率。     

Estado nutricional preoperatorio valorado mediante la herramienta CONUT y su relación con la aparición de complicaciones mayores postoperatorias

IntroductionMalnutrition is a risk factor for the appearance of major postoperative complications; therefore, early identification and perioperative optimization of surgical patients may improve postoperative outcomes. The objective of our study was to determine the prevalence of moderate or high under nutrition alerts in patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery, and their relationship with the appearance of major postoperative complications. Nutritional status was calculated using the CONUT tool.Material and methodsA retrospective observational study in 190 patients who underwent major non-cardiac surgery over two consecutive years. Preoperative nutritional status was calculated using CONUT, and the patients’ medical records were reviewed to determine their epidemiological characteristics and major complications.ResultsThe under nutrition alert was moderate in 17% of patients, and high in 10%. A high under nutrition alert was an independent risk factor for treatment with vasoactive drugs (OR 3.58; 95% CI 1.18-10.89; p = .025), respiratory support (OR 7.63; 95% CI 1.25-46.43; p = .027), renal support (OR 23.29; 95% CI 2.0-271.08; p = .012), prolonged hospital stay (coef. 20.16; 95% CI 2.10-38.22; p = .029) and higher in-hospital mortality (OR 7.15; 95% CI 1.31-39.02; p = .023).ConclusionsIn total, 10% of patients who underwent major non-cardiac surgery presented serious preoperative deterioration in their nutritional status. A high under nutrition alert was an independent risk factor for the appearance of major postoperative complications.     

严格控制心率是否可以提高β受体阻滞剂的作用？非心脏手术患者随机研究最新分析

背景近期的荟萃分析评估了围手术期β受体阻滞剂的有效性,但并未发现其降低手术后患者并发症发生率和死亡率的作用。有人建议严格控制心率可能会改善预后,但荟萃分析中并未考虑严格的心率控制对围手术期β受体阻滞剂有效性的影响。方法应用已发表的检索策略,我们检录了所有非心脏手术术后使用β受体阻滞剂的随机研究,共包含10项研究,2176例患者。我们利用这些研究中的数据以发现控制心率与以手术后院内心肌梗死（MI）为主要转归指标之间的相关关系。计算比值比（OR）和95％可信区间（CI）,对心率控制和心肌梗死之间的相关关系进行荟萃回归分析。结果所有研究的合并结果并未显示β受体阻滞剂有明显的心肌保护作用,各研究之间存在异质性（OR=0．76;95％CI=0．4—1．4;P=0．38;异质性：I^2=34％）。然而根据最快心率分组后显示最快心率小于100bpm组,β受体阻滞剂具有心肌保护作用（OR=0．23;95％CI=0．08～0．65;P=0．005）,最快心率大于100bpm组则不具有心肌保护作用（OR=1．17;95％CI=0．79～1．80;P=0．43）,且无组内异质性。此外,8受体阻滞剂引起的心率变化和手术后心肌梗死的logOR进行荟萃回归分析表明β受体阻滞剂对于平均心率、最大心率、心率变异性的作用与心肌梗死的OR存在线性相关（r^2=0．63;P〈0．001）,β受体阻滞剂对心率的影响越大则手术后心肌梗死的发生率越低。所有研究中β受体阻滞剂可引起手术后心率的下降（加权平均差：8．6bpm;95％CI=-9．6～-7．6;I^2=85．3％）,同时存在很大的异质性。β受体阻滞剂引起心率变化的异质性部分是由于β受体阻滞剂类型不同所致,特别是美托洛尔,也与合用钙通道阻滞剂有关。钙通道阻滞剂与美托洛尔以外的其他β受体阻滞剂合用可以有效控制心率。心率对?     

Beta-blocker management in high-risk patients presenting for non-cardiac surgery: before and after the POISE Trial

The POISE Trial was a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of the effectiveness of perioperative beta-blockade in preventing cardiac events including death in 8351 patients. Our hypothesis was that knowledge of the results of the POISE Trial would either increase or decrease the use of effective perioperative beta-blockade, depending on the result. Patients presenting for non-cardiac surgery and at risk of perioperative cardiac events were recruited in two cohorts before and after the release of the POISE Trial results. Effective perioperative beta-blockade was defined as heart rate <65 beats per minute for at least 80% of the perioperative period in patients prescribed beta-blockers. Effective perioperative beta-blockade was achieved in 22 (11.5%) of 191 patients prescribed perioperative beta-blockade in the first cohort (n=392) and seven (6%) of 118 patients in the second cohort (n=241) (P=0.10). Effective heart rate control was achieved in 29 (9%) patients prescribed perioperative beta-blockers compared with 10 (3%) patients not prescribed perioperative beta-blockers (P=0.001). The rate of implementation of effective beta-blockade was low before POISE and this did not change significantly after publication. Our finding does not provide reliable evidence of a change in practice as a result of the POISE Trial.     

Coronary artery stenting and non-cardiac surgery--a prospective outcome study

Background. A 45% complication rate and a mortality of 20% werereported previously in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgeryafter coronary artery stenting. Discontinuation of antiplateletdrugs appeared to be of major influence on outcome. Thereforewe undertook a prospective, observational multicentre studywith predefined heparin therapy and antiplatelet medicationin patients undergoing non-cardiac procedures after coronaryartery stenting. Methods. One hundred and three patients from three medical institutionswere enrolled prospectively. Patients received coronary arterystents within 1 yr before non-cardiac surgery (urgent, semi-urgentor elective). Antiplatelet drug therapy was not, or only briefly,interrupted. Heparin was administered to all patients. All patientswere on an intensive/intermediate care unit after surgery. Mainoutcome was the combined (cardiac, bleeding, surgical, sepsis)complication rate. Results. Of 103 patients, 44.7% (95% CI 34.9–54.8) sufferedcomplications after surgery; 4.9% (95% CI 1.6–11.0) ofthe patients died. All but two (bleeding only) adverse eventswere of cardiac nature. The majority of complications occurredearly after surgery. The risk of suffering an event was 2.11-foldgreater in patients with recent stents (<35 days before surgery)as compared with percutaneous cardiac intervention more than90 days before surgery. Conclusions. Despite heparin and despite having all patientson intensive/intermediate care units, cardiac events are themajor cause for new perioperative morbidity/mortality in patientsundergoing non-cardiac surgery after coronary artery stenting.The complication rate exceeds the re-occlusion rate of stentsin patients without surgery (usually <1% annually). Patientswith coronary artery stenting less than 35 days before surgeryare at the greatest risk.      

Beta-Blocker Landiolol Hydrochloride in Preventing Atrial Fibrillation Following Cardiothoracic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: The purpose of this article was to assess the benefit of perioperative administration of the intravenous beta-blocker landiolol hydrochloride in preventing atrial fibrillation (AF) after cardiothoracic surgery.Methods: We performed a systematic search in PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and OVID to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohorts up to January 2021. Data regarding postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) and safety outcomes were extracted. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined using the Mantel–Haenszel method. Meanwhile, subgroup analyses were conducted according to surgery type including lung cancer surgery, esophageal cancer surgery, and cardiac surgery.Results: Seventeen eligible articles involving 1349 patients within 13 RCTs and four cohorts were included in our meta-analysis. Compared with control group, landiolol administration was associated with a significant reduction of the occurrence of AF after cardiothoracic surgery (OR = 0.32, 95% CI 0.23–0.43, P <0.00001). In addition, the results demonstrated that perioperative administration of landiolol hydrochloride minimized the occurrence of postoperative complications (OR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.33–0.70, P = 0.0002). Funnel plots indicated no obvious publication bias.Conclusions: Considering this analysis, landiolol was effective in the prevention of AF after cardiothoracic surgery and did not increase the risk of major postoperative complications.     

Routine beta-blockade in vascular surgery

We have evaluated the safety and efficacy of routine beta-blockade for the prevention of cardiac complications in a comprehensive series of patients undergoing major vascular surgery and amputation for atherosclerotic arterial disease. From 1 December 2001 to 31 May 2002, patients received perioperative beta-blockade by atenolol. Outcomes in this period were compared to the immediately antecedent 6 months. The main outcome measure was the occurrence of cardiac complications. Fifty-three patients underwent surgery in the first period and 54 in the second. After introduction of routine beta-blockade, only one patient suffered cardiac complications compared to 10 in the first period (P=0.01). There were eight deaths in the first and two in the second period (P=0.052). On multivariate analysis, treatment with beta-blockers was the only variable significantly associated with a decrease in cardiac morbidity (OR=0.12; 95% CI=0.002-0.66; P=0.014). Two patients suffered bronchospasm leading to discontinuation of atenolol. Routine perioperative beta-blockade was safe and reduced the occurrence of cardiac complications after vascular surgery.     

Closed tracheal suction systems for prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia

We have assessed the evidence that closed tracheal suction systems (TSS) prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), using a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We searched PubMed and Cochrane databases to identify RCTs that compared closed with open TSS for the management of mechanically ventilated (MV) patients. Nine RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. There was no difference in the incidence of VAP between patients managed with closed and open TSS [odds ratio (OR)=0.96, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.72-1.28]. There was no heterogeneity among the eligible trials (I2=0, 95% CI 0-0.65). The compared groups did not differ with respect to mortality (OR=1.04, 95% CI 0.78-1.39) or intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay [two RCTs: 12.3 (sd 1.1) vs 11.5 (1.4) days and 15.6 (13.4) vs 19.9 (16.7) days]. Suctioning with closed systems was associated with longer MV duration (weighted mean differences: 0.65 days, 95% CI 0.28-1.03) and higher colonization of the respiratory tract (OR=2.88, 95% CI 1.50-5.52) than open TSS. The available evidence suggests that closed as opposed to open TSS usage did not provide any benefit on VAP incidence, mortality, or ICU stay of MV patients.     

Incidence,characteristics and risk factors for perioperative cardiac arrest and 30-day-mortality in preterm infants requiring non-cardiac surgery

Study objectiveTo determine 30-day-mortality, incidence and characteristics of perioperative cardiac arrest as well as the respective independent risk factors in preterm infants undergoing non-cardiac surgery.DesignRetrospective observational Follow-up-study.SettingBielefeld University Hospital, a German tertiary care hospital.PatientsPopulation of 229 preterm infants (age < 37th gestational week at the time of surgery) who underwent non-cardiac surgery between 01/2008–12/2018.MeasurementsPrimary endpoint was overall 30-day-mortality. Secondary endpoints were the incidence of perioperative cardiac arrest and identification of independent risk factors. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses and calculated odds ratios (OR) for risk factors associated with these endpoints.Main results30-day-mortality was 10.9% and perioperative mortality 0.9%. Univariate risk factors for 30-day-mortality were perioperative cardiac arrest (OR,12.5;95%CI,3.1 to 50.3), comorbidities of lungs (OR,3.7;95%CI,1.2 to 11.3) and gastrointestinal tract (OR,3.5;95%CI,1.3 to 9.6); sepsis (OR,3.6;95%CI,1.4 to 9.5); surgery between 22:01–7:00 (OR,7.3;95%CI,2.4 to 21.7); emergency (OR,4.5;95%CI,1.6 to 12.4); pre-existing catecholamine therapy (OR,5.0;95%CI,2.1 to 11.9). Multivariate logistic regression indicated that perioperative cardiac arrest (OR,13.9;95%CI,2.7 to 71.3), low body weight (weight < 1000 g: OR,26.0;95%CI,3.2 to 212; 1000-1499 g: OR,10.3; 95%CI,1.1 to 94.9 compared to weight > 2000 g), and time of surgery (OR,5.9;95%CI,1.6 to 21.3) for 22:01–7:00 compared to 7:01–15:00) were the major independent risk factors of mortality. Incidence of perioperative cardiac arrests was 3.9% (9 of 229;95%CI,1.8 to 7.3). Univariate risk factors were congenital anomalies of the airways (OR,4.7;95%CI,1.2 to 20.3), lungs (OR,4.7;95%CI,1.2 to 20.3) and heart (OR,8.0;95%CI,2 to 32.2), pre-existing catecholamine therapy (OR,59.5;95%CI,3.4 to 1039), specifically, continuous infusions of epinephrine (OR,432;95%CI,43.2 to 4318).Conclusions30-day-mortality and the incidence of perioperative cardiac arrest of preterms undergoing non-cardiac surgery were higher than previously reported. The identified independent risk factors may improve interdisciplinary perioperative risk assessment, optimal preoperative stabilization and scheduling of optimal surgical timing.     

Predictive perioperative factors for developing severe sepsis after major surgery

Background. Early identification of high-risk patients undergoingmajor surgery can result in an aggressive management affectingthe outcome. Methods. We designed a prospective cohort study of 93 adultpatients undergoing major oncological surgery to identify thepredictive risk factors for developing postoperative severesepsis. Results. Nineteen of 93 patients developed a severe sepsis aftersurgery; seven of the septic patients died in intensive careunit. Multivariate analysis discriminated preoperative and postoperative(first and second day after surgery) predictive risk factors.The postoperative severe sepsis was independently associatedwith preoperative factors like male gender (OR 4.7, 95% CI between1.5 and 15.5, P<0.01) and Charlson co-morbidity index (OR1.3, 95% CI between 1.07 and 1.6, P<0.01). After the surgery,the presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (OR4.0, 95% CI between 1.02 and 15.7, P<0.05) and a logisticorgan dysfunction score on day 2 (OR 3.3, 95% CI between 1.9and 5.7, P<0.001) were found as independent predictive factors. Conclusion. We have shown that some of the markers that canbe easily collected in the preoperative or postoperative visitscan be used to screen the patients at high risk for developingsevere sepsis after major surgery.     

Nitrous oxide does not change the incidence of postoperative delirium or cognitive decline in elderly surgical patients

Background. Postoperative delirium and cognitive decline arecommon in elderly surgical patients after non-cardiac surgery.Despite this prevalence and clinical importance, no specificaetiological factor has been identified for postoperative deliriumand cognitive decline. In experimental setting in a rat model,nitrous oxide (N₂O) produces neurotoxic effect at high concentrationsand in an age-dependent manner. Whether this neurotoxic responsemay be observed clinically has not been previously determined.We hypothesized that in the elderly patients undergoing non-cardiacsurgery, exposure to N₂O resulted in an increased incidenceof postoperative delirium than would be expected for patientsnot receiving N₂O. Methods. Patients who were 65 yr of age, undergoing non-cardiacsurgery and requiring general anaesthesia were randomized toreceive an inhalational agent and either N₂O with oxygen oroxygen alone. A structured interview was conducted before operationand for the first two postoperative days to determine the presenceof delirium using the Confusion Assessment Method. Results. A total of 228 patients were studied with a mean (range)age of 73.9 (65–95) yr. After operation, 43.8% of patientsdeveloped delirium. By multivariate logistic regression, age[odds ratio (OR) 1.07; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.26],dependence on performing one or more independent activitiesof daily living (OR 1.54; 95% CI 1.01–2.35), use of patient-controlledanalgesia for postoperative pain control (OR 3.75; 95% CI 1.27–11.01)and postoperative use of benzodiazepine (OR 2.29; 95% CI 1.21–4.36)were independently associated with an increased risk for postoperativedelirium. In contrast, the use of N₂O had no association withpostoperative delirium. Conclusions. Exposure to N₂O resulted in an equal incidenceof postoperative delirium when compared with no exposure toN₂O. ⁴Present address: Staff Statistician, University of Pittsburgh,PA 15213, USA     

Risk factors of postoperative atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs in up to 50% of cardiac surgery patients and represents the most common postoperative arrhythmic complication. The etiology of AF after open-heart surgery is incompletely understood and its prevention remains suboptimal. Identification of patients vulnerable for postoperative AF would allow targeting of those most likely to benefit from aggressive prophylactic intervention. The aim of the present study was to evaluate clinical predictors of postoperative AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery in the absence of significant left ventricular dysfunction (n = 253; average age 65 +/- 11 years) were recruited to the present prospective study. Ninety-nine patients (39.1%) of the total study population developed AF during the postoperative period. The median age for patients with postoperative AF was 69 years compared with 64 years for patients without (p < 0.001). In addition to advanced age, AF patients were more likely to have surgery for valvular heart disease and less likely to have preoperative beta-adrenergic blockers than patients without AF. Multivariate logistic regression analysis (odds ratio, +/-95% CI, p value) was used to identify the following independent clinical predictors of postoperative AF: increasing age (above vs. below median [OR = 2.6; CI, 1.2 to 3.9; p < 0.01]), and surgery for valvular heart disease (vs. coronary artery bypass grafting [OR 2.8; CI, 1.1 to 3.5; p < 0.01)]). Additionally, postoperative complications (stroke, infections, unstable hemodynamics [OR = 1.9; CI, 1.0 to 7.5; p < 0.05]), and preoperative nonuse of beta-adrenergic blockers (OR = 1.7; CI, 1.1 to 4.9; p < 0.05) were associated with increased risk for postoperative AF. Both, patients with and without AF had similar body mass index, preoperative heart rate, preoperative blood pressure, and duration of surgery. Male sex did not identify patients at high risk for development of AF after cardiac surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative AF remains the most common complication after cardiac surgery. A combination of advanced age and type of surgery identifies patients at high risk for development of AF after cardiac surgery.     

围手术期目标导向容量治疗用于预防腹部手术后胃肠道并发症的Meta分析

目的 评价围术期目标导向容量治疗对预防腹部手术后胃肠道并发症的有效性,为制定临床合理的个体化容量治疗方案提供理论依据.方法 计算机检索Cochrane图书馆(2010年第3期)、PubMed、EMbase、Highwire、CBM、CNKI等中外生物医学数据库.收集关于围手术期目标导向容量治疗对预防腹部手术后胃肠道并发症方面的临床随机对照试验,检索日期由2000年1月至2010年12月.按Cochrane系统评价方法,评价所纳入研究的文献质量,并提取有效数据后采用RevMan5.0软件进行Meta分析.结果 纳入10项研究,共计775例患者.Meta结果 显示:目标导向容量治疗可显著提高机体氧供(WMD=82.95,95%CI:17.43～148.46),降低胃肠道术后并发症的发生率(RR=0.39,95%CI:0.29～0.52),并缩短住院天数(WMD=-2.06,95%CI:-2.95～-1.17).结论 围手术期目标导向容量治疗可以有效预防术后胃肠道并发症的发生.

Abstract：

Objective To assess whether goal-directed fluid management can prevent gastrointestinal complications in major surgery. Methods Electronic databases including Cochrane library (Issue 3,2010), Pubmed, EMbase, Highwire, CBM, and CNKI were searched. The date of search was between January 2000 and December 2010. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were indentified studying association of goal-directed therapy (GDT) with gastrointestinal complications. Study selection and meta-analysis were conducted according to the Cochrane Handbook for systematic reviews. Data were extracted from these trials by 3 reviewers independently and analyzed by RevMan5.0 software. Results Ten trials involving 775 patients were included. GDT significantly improved oxygen supply (WMD=82.95, 95% CI: 17.43-148.46). GDT reduced postoperative hospital stay (WMD=-2.06, 95% CI:-2.95——1.17) and decreased postoperative complication rate after major surgery(RR=0.39, 95% CI: 0.29-0.52). Conclusion Goal-directed fluid management can stabilize cardiac output, augment oxygen supply, and therefore reduce postoperative complications.     

A meta-analysis of the utility of pre-operative brain natriuretic peptide in predicting early and intermediate-term mortality and major adverse cardiac events in vascular surgical patients

We conducted a meta-analysis of the utility of pre-operative B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal-pro B-type natriuretic peptide in predicting early (< 30 days) and intermediate (< 180 days) term mortality and major adverse cardiac events (cardiac death and nonfatal myocardial infarction) in patients following vascular surgery. A Pubmed Central and EMBASE search was conducted up to January 2008. Of 81 studies identified, seven prospective observational studies were included in the meta-analysis representing five patient cohorts: early outcomes (504 patients) and intermediate-term outcomes (623 patients). A B-type natriuretic peptide or N-terminal-pro B-type natriuretic peptide above the optimal discriminatory threshold determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was associated with 30-day cardiac death (OR 7.6, 95% CI 1.33-43.4, p = 0.02), nonfatal myocardial infarction (OR 6.24, 95% CI 1.82-21.4, p = 0.004) and major adverse cardiac events (OR 17.37, 95% CI 3.31-91.15, p = 0.0007), and intermediate-term, all-cause mortality (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.85-5.2, p < 0.0001), nonfatal myocardial infarction (OR 2.95, 95% CI 1.17-7.46, p = 0.02) and major adverse cardiac events (OR 3.31, 95% CI 2.1-5.24, p < 0.00001). B-type natriuretic peptide and N-terminal-pro B-type natriuretic peptide are potentially useful pre-operative prognostic tests in vascular surgical patients.     

Protecting the heart with cardiac medication in patients with left ventricular dysfunction undergoing major noncardiac vascular surgery

Patients with left ventricular dysfunction who are undergoing major noncardiac vascular surgery are at increased risk of adverse postoperative events. We sought to evaluate whether perioperative medication use, including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta-blockers, statins, and aspirin, was associated with a reduced incidence of postoperative in-hospital mortality in these high-risk patients. The study enrolled 511 patients with left ventricular dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction <30%) who were undergoing major noncardiac vascular surgery. Cardiac risk factors and medication use were noted before surgery. Preoperative dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) was performed to identify patients with stress-induced myocardial ischemia. The end point was postoperative in-hospital mortality. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relation between perioperative medication use and mortality. The mean age of the study population was 64 +/- 11 years, and 75% were men. Perioperative use of ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, statins, and aspirin was recorded in 215 (48%), 139 (27%), 107 (21%), and 125 patients (24%), respectively. Stress-induced myocardial ischemia occurred in 82 patients (16%). Sixty-four patients (13%) died. Perioperative use of ACE inhibitors (odds ratio [OR], 0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.12-0.91), beta-blockers (OR, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.01-0.26), statins (OR, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.01-0.53), and aspirin (OR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.03-0.55), was significantly associated with a reduced incidence of mortality, after adjusting for cardiac risk factors and DSE results. In conclusion, the present study showed that the perioperative use of ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, statins, and aspirin is independently associated with a reduced incidence of in-hospital mortality in patients with left ventricular dysfunction who are undergoing major noncardiac vascular surgery.     

Hiperlactatemia en la ablación quirúrgica de la fibrilación auricular y cirugía cardiaca. ¿Es un factor predictivo de morbimortalidad posoperatoria?

IntroductionIncreased serum lactate in postoperative cardiac surgery is very common and its pathogenesis is due to multiple factors. The elevation of serum lactate is associated with tissue hypoxia (hyperlactatemia type A) and non-hypoxic (hyperlactatemia type B) metabolic disorders. The aim of the study was to assess the evolution of postoperative lactate in surgical atrial fibrillation ablation during cardiac surgery, and to determine whether lactate levels could be predictors of morbimortality.Material and methodsA case-control study was conducted on 32 patients undergoing surgical atrial fibrillation ablation and cardiac surgery (Maze group) and 32 matched patients (Control group), operated on between 2011 and 2012. An analysis was made of the levels of postoperative lactate, perioperative morbimortality and hospital length of stay. A univariate and multivariate study was performed for a composite endpoint of morbimortality, and prolonged length of stay.ResultsLactate levels were significantly higher at 6, 12 and 24 h in the Maze group. The univariate analysis showed that being in the Maze group (OR 3.88; 95% CI 1.3-11.1; P = .01) and an elevated lactate at 12 h (OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.01-1.7; P = .04) were significant predictors of major complications, mortality, and longer hospital stays. In the multivariate analysis, surgical atrial fibrillation ablation (Maze group) was an independent predictor of major complications (OR 4.13; 95% CI 1.312.9; P = .015) for the morbimortality composite endpoint (OR 3.9; 95% CI 1.3-11.6; P = .01), and prolonged length of stay in the Intensive Care Unit (OR 5.7; 95% CI 2.01-15.7; P = .01).ConclusionsThe atrial fibrillation surgical ablation may be a not-yet-described cause of type B hyperlactatemia, with serum peak values being reached between 4-24 h after cardiac surgery. The predictive value of this elevation, its correlation with morbimortality, its sensitivity and specificity to discriminate the significant thresholds needs to be defined.     

Predictors of long-term mortality and cardiac events in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease who survive major non-cardiac surgery

The aim of this prospective study was to assess predictors of long-term outcome in patients with documented or suspected coronary artery disease who survive major non-cardiac surgery. The impact of patients' comorbidities, pre-operative heart rate variability and postoperative increase in cardiac troponin I on all-cause mortality and major cardiac events within 2 years was explored using multivariable logistic regression. Six of 173 patients died within the first month after surgery and were excluded from the study. Thirty-four of 167 patients (20%) died 1-24 months after surgery. Independent predictors of all-cause mortality were history of congestive heart failure (odds ratio 6.4 [95%, confidence interval 1.7-24]), pre-operatively depressed heart rate variability (odds ratio 6.4 [95%, confidence interval 1.9-21]), and age > 70 years (odds ratio 4.5 [95%, confidence interval 1.2-16]). In contrast, postoperative elevation of cardiac troponin I did not independently predict all-cause mortality or major cardiac events.     

Troponin T-values provide long-term prognosis in elderly patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of elevated postoperative Troponin T (TnT) levels in an elderly population undergoing non-cardiac surgery. METHODS: Five hundred and forty-six consecutive patients aged 70 years or older undergoing non-cardiac surgery of >30-min duration were enrolled in this prospective, observational study. A postoperative TnT measurement was obtained on the 5th to 7th postoperative day. Troponin T values greater than 0.02 ng ml(-1) were considered positive. Patients were followed over a 1-year period, and mortality and non-fatal cardiac events (acute myocardial infarction and coronary interventions) were recorded. RESULTS: Troponin T concentrations greater than 0.02 ng ml(-1) were detected in 53 of the study subjects (9.7%). Eleven per cent of the patients with elevated TnT had electrocardiographic or clinical signs of myocardial ischemia. One year after surgery, 17 (32%) of the patients with abnormal TnT concentrations had died. In a multivariate Cox regression analysis adjusting for baseline and perioperative data, a TnT value >0.02 ng ml(-1) was an independent correlate of the mortality adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 14.9 (95% CI 3.7-60.3). Other independent predictors of death were tachycardia (HR, 14.9 95% CI 3.45-64.8), ASA 4 (HR, 8.1 95% CI 1.3-50.0), reoperation (HR, 6.4 95% CI 1.1-36.9), and use of diuretics (HR, 4.2 95% CI 1.3-13.8). CONCLUSION: We conclude that elevated TnT levels in the postoperative period confer a 15-fold increase in mortality during the first year after surgery. Our findings also provide evidence that silent myocardial ischemia is common in an elderly population. Routine perioperative surveillance for TnT might therefore be of use in detecting patients at an increased risk of mortality during the first postoperative year.