Risk factors of atheromatous aorta in cardiovascular surgery

Objective

To determine the prevalence and profile of ascending aorta or aortic arch atheromatous disease in cardiovascular surgery patients, its risk factors and its prognostic implication early after surgery.

Methods

Between January 2007 and June 2011, 2042 consecutive adult patients were analyzed, with no exclusion criteria. Atheromatous aorta diagnosis was determined intraoperatively by surgeon palpation of the aorta. Determinants of atheromatous aorta, as well as its prognostic implication were studied by multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Prevalence of atheromatous aorta was 3.3% (68 patients). Determinants were age > 61 years (OR= 2.79; CI95%= 2.43 - 3.15; P<0.0001), coronary artery disease (OR=3.1; CI95%=2.8 - 3.44; P=0.002), hypertension (OR=2.26; CI95%=1.82 - 2.7; P=0.03) and peripheral vascular disease (OR=3.15; CI95%= 2.83 - 3.46; P=0.04). Atheromatous aorta was an independent predictor of postoperative cerebrovascular accident (OR=3.46; CI95%=3.18 - 3.76; P=0.01).

Conclusion

Although infrequent, the presence of atheromatous aorta is associated with advanced age, hypertension, coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease. In those patients, a more detailed preoperative and intraoperative assessment of the aorta is justified, due to greater risk of postoperative cerebrovascular accident.     

EuroSCORE II and the importance of a local model,InsCor and the future SP-SCORE

Introduction

The most widely used model for predicting mortality in cardiac surgery was recently remodeled, but the doubts regarding its methodology and development have been reported.

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the performance of the EuroSCORE II to predict mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafts or valve surgery at our institution.

Methods

One thousand consecutive patients operated on coronary artery bypass grafts or valve surgery, between October 2008 and July 2009, were analyzed. The outcome of interest was in-hospital mortality. Calibration was performed by correlation between observed and expected mortality by Hosmer Lemeshow. Discrimination was calculated by the area under the ROC curve. The performance of the EuroSCORE II was compared with the EuroSCORE and InsCor (local model).

Results

In calibration, the Hosmer Lemeshow test was inappropriate for the EuroSCORE II (P=0.0003) and good for the EuroSCORE (P=0.593) and InsCor (P=0.184). However, the discrimination, the area under the ROC curve for EuroSCORE II was 0.81 [95% CI (0.76 to 0.85), P<0.001], for the EuroSCORE was 0.81 [95% CI (0.77 to 0.86), P<0.001] and for InsCor was 0.79 [95% CI (0.74-0.83), P<0.001] showing up properly for all.

Conclusion

The EuroSCORE II became more complex and resemblance to the international literature poorly calibrated to predict mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafts or valve surgery at our institution. These data emphasize the importance of the local model.     

Predictors of mortality in cardiac surgery: brain natriuretic peptide type B

Objective

We evaluated whether the preoperative serum concentration of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients that underwent cardiac surgery.

Methods

We continuously evaluated 488 patients that underwent cardiac valve surgery or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) between January of 2009 and July of 2012. Follow up of these patients were done prospectively for 30 days postoperatively.

Results

Data analysis showed that the overall mortality rate was equal to 9.6%, Receiver Operating Charactheristic (ROC) curve analysis found the optimal cut-off value of BNP equal to 382 pg/mL for overall mortality (AUC=0.73, 95% CI=0.66 to 0.81, P<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the value of BNP higher than 382 pg/mL (P=0.033, HR=2.05, 95% CI=1.6 to 3.98) was an independent predictor of overall mortality at 30 days postoperatively.

Conclusion

We concluded that the preoperative serum concentration of BNP is an independent predictor of mortality in patients undergoing valve surgery or coronary artery bypass graft.     

Risk factors for perioperative ischemic stroke in cardiac surgery

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for ischemic stroke in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Methods

From January 2010 to December 2012, 519 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery were analyzed prospectively. The sample was divided into two groups: patients with stroke per and postoperative were allocated in Group GS (n=22) and the other patients in the group CCONTROL (n=497). The following variables were compared between the groups: gender, age, carotid stenosis ≥ 70%, diabetes on insulin, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peripheral arteriopathy, unstable angina, kidney function, left ventricular function, acute myocardial infarction, pulmonary arterial hypertension, use of cardiopulmonary bypass. Ischemic stroke was defined as symptoms lasting over 24 hours associated with changes in brain computed tomography scan. The variables were compared using Fisher’s exact test, Chi square, Student’s t-test and logistic regression.

Results

Stroke occurred in 4.2% of patients and the risk factors statistically significant were: carotid stenosis of 70% or more (P=0.03; OR 5.07; IC 95%: 1.35 to 19.02), diabetes on insulin (P=0.04; OR 2.61; IC 95%: 1.10 to 6.21) and peripheral arteriopathy (P=0.03; OR 2.61; 95% CI: 1.08 to 6.28).

Conclusion

Risk factors for ischemic stroke were carotid stenosis of 70% or more, diabetes on insulin and peripheral arteriopathy.     

Atrioventricular block in coronary artery bypass surgery: perioperative predictors and impact on mortality

Introduction

Disturbances of the cardiac conduction system are frequent in the postoperative period of coronary artery bypass surgery. They are mostly reversible and associated with some injury of the conduction tissue, caused by the ischemic heart disease itself or by perioperative factors.

Objective

Primary: investigate the association between perioperative factors and the emergence of atrioventricular block in the postoperative period of coronary artery bypass surgery. Secondary: determine the need for temporary pacing and of a permanent pacemaker in the postoperative period of coronary artery bypass surgery and the impact on hospital stay and hospital mortality.

Methods

Analysis of a retrospective cohort of patients submitted to coronary artery bypass surgery from the database of the Postoperative Heart Surgery Unit of the Sao Lucas Hospital of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, using the logistic regression method.

Results

In the period from January 1996 to December 2012, 3532 coronary artery bypass surgery were carried out. Two hundred and eighty-eight (8.15% of the total sample) patients had atrioventricular block during the postoperative period of coronary artery bypass surgery, requiring temporary pacing. Eight of those who had atrioventricular block progressed to implantation of a permanent pacemaker (0.23% of the total sample). Multivariate analysis revealed a significant association of atrioventricular block with age above 60 years (OR=2.34; CI 95% 1.75-3.12; P<0.0001), female gender (OR=1.37; CI 95% 1.06-1.77; P=0.015), chronic kidney disease (OR=2.05; CI 95% 1.49-2.81; P<0.0001), atrial fibrillation (OR=2.06; CI 95% 1.16-3.66; P=0.014), functional class III and IV of the New York Heart Association (OR=1.43; CI 95% 1.03-1.98; P=0.031), perioperative acute myocardial infarction (OR=1.70; CI 95% 1.26-2.29; P<0.0001) and with the use of the intra-aortic balloon in the postoperative period of coronary artery bypass surgery (OR=1.92; CI 95% 1.21-3.05; P=0.006). The presence of atrioventricular block resulted in a significant increase in mortality (17.9% vs. 7.3% in those who did not develop atrioventricular block) (OR=2.09; CI 95% 1.46-2.99; P<0.0001) and a longer hospital stay (12.75 days x 10.53 days for those who didn''t develop atrioventricular block) (OR=1.01; CI 95% 1.00-1.02; P=0.01).

Conclusions

In most cases, atrioventricular block in the postoperative period of coronary artery bypass surgery is transient and associated with several perioperative factors: age above 60 years, female sex, chronic kidney disease, atrial fibrillation, New York Heart Association functional class III or IV, perioperative acute myocardial infarction and use of an intra-aortic balloon. Its occurrence prolongs hospitalization and, above all, doubles the risk of mortality.     

Aortic Center: specialized care improves outcomes and decreases mortality

Objective

To compare in-hospital outcomes in aortic surgery in our cardiac surgery unit, before and after foundation of our Center for Aortic Surgery (CTA).

Methods

Prospective cohort with non-concurrent control. Foundation of CTA required specialized training of surgical, anesthetic and intensive care unit teams, routine neurological monitoring, endovascular and hybrid facilities, training of the support personnel, improvement of the registry and adoption of specific protocols. We included 332 patients operated on between: January/2003 to December/2007 (before-CTA, n=157, 47.3%); and January/2008 to December/2010 (CTA, n=175, 52.7%). Baseline clinical and demographic data, operative variables, complications and in-hospital mortality were compared between both groups.

Results

Mean age was 58±14 years, with 65% male. Group CTA was older, had higher rate of diabetes, lower rates of COPD and HF, more non-urgent surgeries, endovascular procedures, and aneurysms. In the univariate analysis, CTA had lower mortality (9.7 vs. 23.0%, P=0.008), which occurred consistently across different diseases and procedures. Other outcomes which were reduced in CTA included lower rates of reinterventions (5.7 vs 11%, P=0.046), major complications (20.6 vs. 33.1%, P=0.007), stroke (4.6 vs. 10.9%, P=0.045) and sepsis (1.7 vs. 9.6%, P=0.001), as compared to before-CTA. Multivariable analysis adjusted for potential counfounders revealed that CTA was independently associated with mortality reduction (OR=0.23, IC 95% 0.08 – 0.67, P=0.007). CTA independent mortality reduction was consistent in the multivariable analysis stratified by disease (aneurysm, OR=0.18, CI 95% 0.03 – 0.98, P=0.048; dissection, OR=0.31, CI 95% 0.09 – 0.99, P=0.049) and by procedure (hybrid, OR=0.07, CI 95% 0.007 – 0.72, P=0.026; Bentall, OR=0.18, CI 95% 0.038 – 0.904, P=0.037). Additional multivariable predictors of in-hospital mortality included creatinine (OR=1.7 [1.1-2.6], P=0.008), urgent surgery (OR=5.0 [1.5-16.7], P=0.008) and thoracoabdominal aneurysm (OR=24.6 [3.1-194.1], P=0.002).

Conclusion

Thoracic aorta surgery in specialized center was associated with lower incidence of complications and all-cause mortality as compared to usual care.     

Impact of body mass index on outcome in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valve replacement surgery

Objective

This study aimed to analyze the impact of body mass index on outcomes of 101 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, valve replacement, or combined valve/ coronary artery bypass grafting surgery in a private hospital in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Methods

This was a prospective cross-sectional study of patients undergoing cardiac surgery from May 2009 to December 2012. All patients were followed up from the first day of admission until discharge or death. Patients were divided into three groups according to BMI: normal weight, overweight, and obese. The main outcome measure was the association between BMI and postoperative morbidities and mortality.

Results

Multivariate analysis identified obesity as an independent predictor of increased risk of surgical reintervention (odds ratio [OR] 13.6; 95%CI 1.1 - 162.9; P=0.046) and reduced risk of bleeding (OR 0.05; 95% CI 0.09 - 0.69; P=0.025). Univariate analysis showed that obesity was associated with increased frequency of wound dehiscence (P=0.021). There was no association between BMI and other complications or mortality in univariate analysis. There was also no association between body mass index and duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, aortic clamping, mechanical ventilation, and intensive care unit or hospital stay.

Conclusion

Obese individuals undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, valve replacement, or combined surgery have a higher postoperative risk of surgical reintervention and lower chances of bleeding.     

Use of EuroSCORE as a predictor of morbidity after cardiac surgery

Objective

To evaluate the use of the EuroSCORE as a predictor of postoperative morbidity after cardiac surgery.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the charts of 900 patients operated on and admitted to the intensive care unit postoperatively at the Royal Portuguese Hospital of Recife. We included all patients with complete medical records, excluding those who died during surgery, underwent transplantation or correction of congenital heart disease. We evaluated the development of respiratory infection, cerebrovascular accident, and dialysis-dependent renal failure, and the EuroSCORE was compared in terms of the three complications using the Mann-Whitney test. The calibration model for predicting the morbidities being studied was evaluated using the test set of Homer-Lemeshow goodness. The accuracy of the model was assessed using the area under the ROC curve (AUROC).

Results

The model showed good calibration in predicting respiratory infection, acute renal failure and stroke (P=0.285, P=0.789, P=0.45, respectively), with good accuracy for respiratory infection (AUROC=0.710 and P<0.001) and dialysis-dependent renal failure (AUROC=0.834 and P<0.001), but no accuracy to predict stroke (AUROC=0.519). The high-risk patients were more likely to develop respiratory infection (OR=9.05, P<0.001) and dialysis-dependent renal failure (OR=39.6, P<0.001). The probability of developing respiratory infection and dialysis-dependent renal failure was less than 10% with EuroSCORE up to 7 and more than 70% with EuroSCORE greater than 15.

Conclusion

EuroSCORE proved to be a good predictor of major postoperative morbidity in cardiac surgery: respiratory and dialysis-dependent renal failure.     

Risk factors for mortality of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Introduction

Coronary artery bypass grafting is a safe procedure performed worldwide with low rates of mortality and morbidity in general population.

Objective

To investigate risk factors for mortality of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Methods

A total of 1,628 consecutive patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting were retrospectively studied from December 1999 to February 2012. Data analysis involved paired Student t test, Mann-Whitney test and Fisher’s exact test for the categorical data. Logistic regression, Odds Ratio and 95%CI were used for definition of risk factors for mortality.

Results

Of a total of 1,628 patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, 141 (8.7%) died. The following risk factors for mortality were identified after logistic regression: dialysis (OR=7.61; 95%CI 3.58-16.20), neurologic dysfunction type I (OR=4.42; 95%CI 2.48-7.81), use of IABP (OR=3.38; 95%CI 1.98-5.79), cardiopulmonary bypass time (OR=3.09; 95%CI 2.04-4.68), serum creatinine on admission and peak values > 0.4mg/dL (OR=2.67; 95%CI 1.79-4.00), age > 65 years (OR=2.31; 95%CI 1.55-3.44), and time between hospital admission and and surgical procedure (OR=1.53; 95%CI 1.03-2.27).

Conclusion

Dialysis, type I neurologic dysfunction, use of IABP, cardiopulmonary bypass time (> 115 minutes), serum creatinine on admission and peak values>0.4mg/dL, age > 65 years and time between hospital admission and surgical procedure were considered as risk factors for mortality in patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.     

Impact of perioperative acute ischemic stroke on the outcomes of noncardiac and nonvascular surgery: a single centre prospective study

Background

Although ischemic stroke is a well-known complication of cardiovascular surgery it has not been extensively studied in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the predictors and outcomes of perioperative acute ischemic stroke (PAIS) in patients undergoing noncardiothoracic, nonvascular surgery (NCS).

Methods

We prospectively evaluated patients undergoing NCS and enrolled patients older than 18 years who underwent an elective, non-daytime, open surgical procedure. Electrocardiography and cardiac biomarkers were obtained 1 day before surgery, and on postoperative days 1, 3 and 7.

Results

Of the 1340 patients undergoing NCS, 31 (2.3%) experienced PAIS. Only age (odds ratio [OR] 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–3.2, p < 0.001) and preoperative history of stroke (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.2–4.8, p < 0.001) were independent predictors of PAIS according to multivariate analysis. Patients with PAIS had more cardiovascular (51.6% v. 10.6%, p < 0.001) and noncardiovascular complications (67.7% v. 28.3%, p < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was 19.3% for the PAIS group and 1% for those without PAIS (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Age and preoperative history of stroke were strong risk factors for PAIS in patients undergoing NCS. Patients with PAIS carry an elevated risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality.     

Performance of InsCor and three international scores in cardiac surgery at Santa Casa de Marília

Objective

To apply and to compare the Society of Thoracic Surgery score (STS), EuroSCORE (Eurosc1), EuroSCORE II (Eurosc2) and InsCor (IS) for predicting mortality in patients undergoing to coronary artery bypass graft and/or valve surgery at the Santa Casa Marilia.

Methods

The present study is a cohort. It is a prospective, observational, analytical and unicentric. We analyzed 562 consecutive patients coronary artery bypass graft and/or valve surgery, between April 2011 and June 2013 at the Santa Casa Marilia. Mortality was calculated for each patient through the scores STS, Eurosc1, Eurosc2 and IS. The calibration was calculated using the Hosmer Lemeshow test and discrimination by ROC curve.

Results

The hospital mortality was 4,6%. The calibration is generally adequate group P =0.345, P =0.765, P =0.272 and P =0.062 for STS, Eurosc1, Eurosc2, and IS respectively. The discriminatory power of STS score 0.649 (95% CI 0.529 to 0.770, P =0.012), Eurosc1 0.706 (95% CI 0.589 to 0.823, P ≤0.001), Eurosc2 was 0.704 (95% CI 0.590-0.818 P =0.001) and InsCor 0.739 (95% CI 0.638 to 0.839, P ≤0.001).

Conclusion

We can say that overall, the InsCor was the best model, mainly in the discrimination of the sample. The InsCor showed good accuracy, in addition to being effective and easy to apply, especially by using a smaller number of variables compared to the other models.     

Is Laparoscopy a Risk Factor for Bile Duct Injury During Cholecystectomy?

Background and Objectives:

Previously, risk factors for bile duct injury have been identified as acute cholecystitis, male gender, older age, aberrant biliary anatomy, and laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1998 to 2006 was performed with an inclusion criterion of cholecystectomy performed on hospital day 0 or 1. Patient- and hospital-level factors potentially associated with bile duct injury were examined by logistic regression.

Results:

A total of 377,424 cholecystectomy patients were identified. There were 1124 bile duct injuries (0.30%), with 177 (0.06%) in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group and 947 (1.46%) in the open cholecystectomy group (P < .001). On multivariate analysis, significant risk factors for bile duct injury were male gender (odds ratio [OR], 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–1.38; P = .006), age >60 years (OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.61–3.09; P < .001), and academic hospital status (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.05–1.79; P = .02). Acute cholecystitis was associated with a lower risk of bile duct injury (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.46–0.99; P = .044).

Conclusion:

Independent risk factors for bile duct injury included male gender, age >60 years, and academic hospital status. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, obesity, insurance status, or hospital volume was not associated with an increased risk of bile duct injury.     

Factors Associated With the Development of Chronic Post-Sternotomy Pain: a Case-Control Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to investigate the factors associated with chronic post-sternotomy pain in heart surgery patients.

METHODS

Between January 2013 and February 2014, we evaluated 453 patients with >6 months post-sternotomy for cardiac surgery at a surgical outpatient clinic. The patients were allocated into a group with chronic post-sternotomy pain (n=178) and a control group without pain (n=275). The groups were compared for potential predictors of chronic post-sternotomy pain. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to determine which independent variables were associated with the development of chronic post-sternotomy pain.

RESULTS

In total, 39.29% of the patients had chronic poststernotomy pain. The following factors were significantly associated with chronic post-sternotomy pain: (a) use of the internal thoracic artery in coronary bypass grafting (P=0.009; HR=1.39; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.80); (b) a history of antidepressant use (P=0.0001; HR=2.40; 95% CI, 1.74 to 3.32); (c) hypothyroidism (P=0.01; HR=1.27; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.56); (d) surgical wound complication (P=0.01; HR=1.69; 95% CI, 1.08 to 2.63), and (e) patients on disability benefits or scheduled for a consultative medical examination for retirement (P=0.0002; HR=2.05; 95% CI, 1.40 to 3.02).

CONCLUSION

The factors associated with chronic poststernotomy pain were: use of the internal thoracic artery; use of antidepressants; hypothyroidism; surgical wound complication, and patients on disability benefits or scheduled for a consultative examination.     

Emergency Oesophagectomy for Oesophageal Perforation after Chemoradiotherapy for Oesophageal Cancer

Introduction

Oesophageal perforation following chemoradiotherapy for oesophageal cancer is a devastating condition but there have been no studies investigating the role of emergency oesophagectomy for this life threatening situation.

Methods

This retrospective study comprised all cases of emergency oesophagectomy for oesophageal perforation after chemoradiotherapy for oesophageal carcinoma at a major centre for oesophageal surgery in Germany between 2004 and 2013.

Results

A total of 13 patients (mean age: 58.9 years) were identified. During the same time period, 356 elective oesophagectomies were performed. Tumour entities were squamous cell carcinoma (n=12) and adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus (n=1). Alcoholism (odds ratio [OR]: 25.79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.70–121.70, p<0.0001) and chronic pulmonary disease (OR: 3.76, 95% CI: 1.06–14.96, p=0.027) were more common among the emergency cases.Oesophageal rupture was caused by perforation of an oesophageal stent (10 cases) or perforation during implantation of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube (3 cases). Emergency oesophagectomy was carried out either as discontinuity resection (10/13) or oesophagectomy with immediate reconstruction (3/13).Compared with the elective cases, patients undergoing emergency oesophagectomy had significantly higher odds for sustaining perioperative sepsis (OR: 4.42, 95% CI: 1.23–16.45, p=0.01), acute renal failure (OR: 6.49, 95% CI: 1.57–24.15, p=0.005) and pneumonia (OR: 24.33, 95% CI: 3.52–1,046.65, p<0.0001). Furthermore, slow respiratory weaning was more common and there was a significantly higher tracheostomy rate (OR: 4.64, 95% CI: 1.14–16.98, p=0.02). Oesophageal discontinuity was eventually reversed in eight patients.Emergency oesophagectomy patients had odds that were three times higher for fatal outcome (OR: 3.59, 95% CI: 0.77–13.64, p=0.05). The overall mortality was 4/13. The remaining nine patients had a mean survival of 25.1 months (range: 5–46 months). The two-year-survival-rate was 38.5% (5/13).

Conclusions

Despite the most unfavourable preconditions, the results of emergency oesophagectomy for oesophageal perforation after chemoradiotherapy are not desperate. The procedure is not only justified but life saving.     

Advanced age and incidence of atrial fibrillation in the postoperative period of aortic valve replacement

Objective

This study aims to describe the correlation between age and occurrence of atrial fibrillation after aortic stenosis surgery in the elderly as well as evaluate the influence of atrial fibrillation on the incidence of strokes, hospital length of stay, and hospital mortality.

Methods

Cross-sectional retrospective study of > 70 year-old patients who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement.

Results

348 patients were included in the study (mean age 76.8±4.6 years). Overall, post-operative atrial fibrillation was 32.8% (n=114), but it was higher in patients aged 80 years and older (42.9% versus 28.8% in patients aged 70-79 years, P=0.017). There was borderline significance for linear correlation between age and atrial fibrillation (P=0.055). Intensive Care Unit and hospital lengths of stay were significantly increased in atrial fibrillation (P<0.001), but there was no increase in mortality or stroke associated with atrial fibrillation.

Conclusion

Post-operative atrial fibrillation incidence in aortic valve replacement is high and correlates with age in patients aged 70 years and older and significantly more pronounced in patients aged 80 years. There was increased length of stay at Intensive Care Unit and hospital, but there was no increase in mortality or stroke. These data are important for planning prophylaxis and early treatment for this subgroup.     

Impact of hospital infections on patients outcomes undergoing cardiac surgery at Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Marília

Objective

this study aimed to determine the incidence of nosocomial infections, the risk factors and the impact of these infections on mortality among patients undergoing to cardiac surgery.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of 2060 consecutive patients from 2006 to 2012 at the Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Marília.

Results

351 nosocomial infections were diagnosed (17%), 227 non-surgical infections and 124 surgical wound infections. Major infections were mediastinitis (2.0%), urinary tract infection (2.8%), pneumonia (2.3%), and bloodstream infection (1.7%). The in-hospital mortality was 6.4%. Independent variables associated with non-surgical infections were age > 60 years (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.31), ICU stay > 2 days (OR 5, 49, 95% CI 2.98 to 10, 09), mechanical ventilation > 2 days (OR11, 93, 95% CI 6.1 to 23.08), use of urinary catheter > 3 days (OR 4.85 95% CI 2.95 -7.99). Non-surgical nosocomial infections were more frequent in patients with surgical wound infection (32.3% versus 7.2%, OR 6.1, 95% CI 4.03 to 9.24). Independent variables associated with mortality were age greater than 60 years (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.4 to3.0), use of vasoactive drugs (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.9 to 6, 0), insulin use (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.2 to 2.8), surgical reintervention (OR 4.4; 95% CI 2.1 to 9.0) pneumonia (OR 4.3; 95% CI 2.1 to 8.9) and bloodstream infection (OR = 4.7, 95% CI 2.0 to 11.2).

Conclusion

Non-surgical hospital infections are common in patients undergoing cardiac surgery; they increase the chance of surgical wound infection and mortality.     

Evaluation of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons score system for isolated coronary bypass graft surgery in a Brazilian population

Objective

Report the experience with the Society of Thoracic Surgeons scoring system in a Brazilian population submitted to isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Methods

Data were collected from January-2010 to December-2011, and analyzed to determine the performance of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons scoring system on the determination of postoperative mortality and morbidity, using the method of the receiver operating characteristic curve as well as the Hosmer-Lemeshow and the Chi-square goodness of fit tests. From the 1083 cardiac surgeries performed during the study period 659 represented coronary artery bypass graft procedures which are included in the present analysis. Mean age was 61.4 years and 77% were men.

Results

Goodness of fit tests have shown good calibration indexes both for mortality (X²=6.78, P=0.56) and general morbidity (X²=6.69, P=0.57). Analysis of area under the ROC-curve (AUC) demonstrated a good performance to detect the risk of death (AUC 0.76; P<0.001), renal failure (AUC 0.79; P<0.001), prolonged ventilation (AUC 0.80; P<0.001), reoperation (AUC 0.76; P<0.001) and major morbidity (AUC 0.75; P<0.001) which represents the combination of the assessed postoperative complications. STS scoring system did not present comparable results for short term hospital stay, prolonged length of hospital stay and could not be properly tested for stroke and wound infection.

Conclusion

Society of Thoracic Surgeons scoring system presented a good calibration and discrimination in our population to predict postoperative mortality and the majority of the harmful events following coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Analysis of larger samples might be needed to further validate the use of the score system in Brazilian populations.     

Effect of using pump on postoperative pleural effusion in the patients that underwent CABG

Objective

The present study investigated effect of using pump on postoperative pleural effusion in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods

A total of 256 patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting surgery in the Cardiovascular Surgery clinic were enrolled in the study. Jostra-Cobe (Model 043213 105, VLC 865, Sweden) heart-lung machine was used in on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting was performed using Octopus and Starfish. Proximal anastomoses to the aorta in both on-pump and off-pump techniques were performed by side clamps. The patients were discharged from the hospital between postoperative day 6 and day 11.

Results

The incidence of postoperative right pleural effusion and bilateral pleural effusion was found to be higher as a count in Group 1 (on-pump) as compared to Group 2 (off-pump). But the difference was not statistically significant [P>0.05 for right pleural effusion (P=0.893), P>0.05 for bilateral pleural effusion (P=0.780)]. Left pleural effusion was encountered to be lower in Group 2 (off-pump). The difference was found to be statistically significant (P<0.05, P=0.006).

Conclusion

Under the light of these results, it can be said that left pleural effusion is less prevalent in the patients that underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting when compared to the patients that underwent on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.     

Efficacy of anti–tumor necrosis factor therapy for extra-articular manifestations in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a meta–analysis

Background

We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of anti–tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy on the frequency of extra–articular manifestations (EAMs) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods

We searched with the terms ‘ankylosing spondylitis’, ‘infliximab’, ‘etanercept’, ‘adalimumab’, ‘golimumab’, ‘certolizumab’, ‘TNF inhibitor/blocker/antagonists’ or ‘anti-TNF’ on MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of ≥12 weeks with parallel or crossover design of TNF inhibitor versus placebo to treat uveitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and/or psoriasis of AS, published before February 2014.

Results

We found 8 RCTs that fit our criteria. Anti–TNF therapy was associated with less uveitis than placebo in patients with AS (OR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.15–0.81, P = 0.01). Subgroup analysis showed receptor fusion proteins were more efficacious for uveitis than placebo (OR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.09–0.94, P = 0.04), but monoclonal antibodies were not (OR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.12–1.49, P = 0.18). Anti–TNF therapy and placebo group did not significantly differ in treating IBD in AS patients (OR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.25–2.29, P = 0.61). In subgroup analysis, neither monoclonal antibodies (OR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.10–1.92, P = 0.28) nor receptor fusion proteins (OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 0.25–9.25, P = 0.65) significantly differed from placebo in treating IBD. We found no suitable reports on psoriasis.

Conclusions

Anti–TNF therapy was preventive for flares or new onset of uveitis in AS patients, and might be an alternative for these patients. However, monoclonal anti–TNF antibodies and TNF receptor fusion proteins were not efficacious for IBD in AS patients.     

Impact of type of procedure and surgeon on EuroSCORE operative risk validation

Objective

EuroSCORE has been used in cardiac surgery operative risk assessment, despite important variables were not included. The objective of this study was to validate EuroSCORE on mortality prediction in a Brazilian cardiovascular surgery center, defining the influence of type of procedure and surgical team.

Methods

Between January 2006 and June 2011, 2320 consecutive adult patients were studied. According to additive EuroSCORE, patients were divided into low risk (score<2), medium risk (3 - 5), high risk (6 - 11) and very high risk (>12). The relation between observed mortality (O) and expected mortality (E) according to logistic EuroSCORE was calculated for each of the groups, types of procedures and surgeons with > 150 operations, and analyzed by logistic regression.

Results

EuroSCORE correlated to the observed mortality (O/E=0.94; P<0.0001; area under the curve 0.78). However, it overestimated the mortality in very high risk patients (O/E=0.74; P=0.001). EuroSCORE tended to overestimate isolated myocardial revascularization mortality (O/E=0.81; P=0.0001) and valve surgery mortality (O/E=0.89; P=0.007) and it tended to underestimate combined procedures mortality (O/E=1.09; P<0.0001). EuroSCORE overestimated surgeon A mortality (O/E=0.46; P<0.0001) and underestimated surgeon B mortality (O/E=1.3; P<0.0001), in every risk category.

Conclusion

In the present population, EuroSCORE overestimates mortality in very high risk patients, being influenced by type of procedure and surgical team. The most appropriate surgical team may minimize risks imposed by preoperative profiles.