麻醉药物对成人患者心脏术后肺部并发症的影响

目的 评估术中麻醉维持药物(吸入麻醉药或静脉麻醉药)对体外循环下成人心脏手术患者术后肺部并发症(postoperative pulmonary complications,PPCs)的影响.方法 从四川大学华西医院电子病历信息管理系统及麻醉手术临床信息系统中回顾性筛选2018年9月至2019年2月194例行择期体外循环...     

Incidence and risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications in elective intracranial surgery

OBJECT: It has been shown that craniotomy may lead to a decrease in lung volumes and arterial blood gas tensions as well as a change in the respiratory pattern. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) and the mortality rate in patients who have undergone elective craniotomy and to evaluate the associations between preoperative and postoperative variables and PPCs in this population. METHODS: Two hundred thirty-six patients were followed up based on a protocol including a clinical questionnaire, physical examination and observation of clinical characteristics in the preoperative period, type of surgery performed, duration of surgery, time spent in the intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital, and the occurrence of any PPCs. RESULTS: Postoperative pulmonary complications occurred in 58 patients (24.6%) and 23 other patients (10%) died. Predicting factors for PPCs according to multivariate analyses were as follows: type of surgery performed (p < 0.0001), prolonged mechanical ventilation >or= 48 hours (p < 0.0001), time spent in the ICU > 3 days (p < 0.0001), decrease in level of consciousness (p < 0.002), duration of surgery >or= 300 minutes (p < 0.01), and previous chronic lung disease (p < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence from March 2003 to March 2005 of PPCs in patients who had undergone craniotomy was 25% and death occurred in 10%. Some risk factors for PPCs may be predicted such as the type of surgery performed, prolonged mechanical ventilation, a longer time in the ICU, a decreased level of consciousness, duration of surgery, and previous chronic lung disease.     

Mild and moderate renal dysfunction: impact on short-term outcome.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative renal dysfunction is an important risk factor in cardiac surgery. Thus, the association between creatinine clearance (ClCr) and mechanical ventilation time and ICU length of stay, independent of other established preoperative risk indicators, was analyzed. METHODS: In our study, 156 consecutive patients underwent open-heart surgery at the Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital St. Andrea, Rome, and were prospectively studied for the relation between the ClCr, using the formula develop by Cockroft and Gault, and ICU length of stay and mechanical ventilation time. The 156 patients were divided into two groups in relation of ClCr: group A (n=78) ClCr<70 ml/min; group B (n=78) ClCr>70 ml/min. RESULTS: In multivariate analysis, ICU length of stay was influenced by ClCr<70 ml/min, hypertension and COPD. ICU stay was median 48 h (range 24-72) in group A versus 24h (range 20.7-44) in group B (p=0.0001). In multivariate analysis, only ClCr<70 ml/min and EuroScore were associated with increasing VAM. VAM was median 8h (range 5.7-13.2) in group A versus 6h (range 4-10) in group B (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that after short-term outcome follow-up, preoperative mild renal dysfunction is an independent predictor of ICU length of stay and mechanical ventilation time.     

Determinants of duration of ICU stay after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Prediction of duration of a patient's stay in the ICU after cardiac surgery is difficult. In 652 consecutive adult patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, we analysed prospectively preoperative and immediate postoperative variables thought to influence duration of stay in the ICU. With univariate analysis, we found that age, preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction, bypass time, aortic cross-clamp time, blood transfusions and the number of inotropic agents administered in the immediate postoperative period (for at least 6 h) were significant correlates of duration of stay in the ICU. However, logistic regression analysis showed that the number of inotropes was the most important determinant of stay in the ICU, with an overall prediction accuracy of 94.8%. The main cause of prolonged stay in the ICU (more than 2 days) was low cardiac output syndrome. We conclude that analysis of perioperative variables enhanced our ability to accurately predict duration of stay in the ICU in cardiac surgery patients. The number of inotropic agents administered during the first 6 h after operation was the most important determinant of duration of stay in the ICU.      

Impact of shorter-acting neuromuscular blocking agents on fast-track recovery of the cardiac surgical patient

BACKGROUND: Residual paralysis associated with the use of long-acting muscle relaxants can delay recovery from anesthesia and surgery. The authors tested the hypothesis that use of shorter-acting neuromuscular blocking agents is associated with reductions in tracheal extubation times and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: One hundred ten patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting or single valve surgery were randomized prospectively to receive either pancuronium or rocuronium intraoperatively. Anesthetic management and muscle relaxant maintenance dosing were standardized. In the ICU, the time required to wean ventilatory support, the duration of tracheal intubation, and length of stay were recorded. Subjects were asked to quantify generalized muscle weakness as they awakened in the ICU and again after tracheal extubation. RESULTS: Complete data were collected on 51 patients in the pancuronium group and 52 patients in the rocuronium group. No differences were found between the groups in anesthetic, surgical, or ICU management. Significant increases in the duration of weaning of ventilatory support were observed in patients who received pancuronium (median, 180 min; range, 50-780 min) compared with the rocuronium group (median, 110 min; range, 45-250 min). Tracheal extubation was significantly delayed in the pancuronium group (median, 500 min; range, 240-1,305 min) compared with the rocuronium group (median, 350 min; range, 210-1,140 min). Subjects in the pancuronium group experienced more mild to severe weakness in the ICU. However, the choice of muscle relaxant did not influence ICU length of stay. CONCLUSION: The use of shorter-acting neuromuscular blocking agents in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with reductions in tracheal extubation times and symptoms of residual paresis.     

Predicting outcomes for cardiac surgery patients after intensive care unit admission

Most performance assessments of cardiac surgery programs use models based on preoperative risk factors. Models that were primarily developed to assess performance in general intensive care unit (ICU) populations have also been used to evaluate the quality of surgical, anesthetic, and ICU management after cardiac surgery. Although there are currently 5 models for evaluating general ICU populations, only the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) system has been independently validated for cardiac surgery patients. This review describes the evolution, rationale, and accuracy of APACHE models that are specific for cardiac surgery patients as well as for patients who have had vascular and thoracic procedures. In addition to performance comparisons based on observed and predicted mortality, APACHE provides similar comparisons of ICU and hospital lengths of stay and duration of mechanical ventilation. However, the low mortality incidence of many cardiac outcomes means that very large numbers of patients must be obtained to get good predictive models. Thus, the equations are not designed for predicting individual patients' outcome but have proven useful in performance comparisons and for quality improvement initiatives.     

Impact of Shorter-acting Neuromuscular Blocking Agents on Fast-track Recovery of the Cardiac Surgical Patient

Background: Residual paralysis associated with the use of long-acting muscle relaxants can delay recovery from anesthesia and surgery. The authors tested the hypothesis that use of shorter-acting neuromuscular blocking agents is associated with reductions in tracheal extubation times and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Methods: One hundred ten patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting or single valve surgery were randomized prospectively to receive either pancuronium or rocuronium intraoperatively. Anesthetic management and muscle relaxant maintenance dosing were standardized. In the ICU, the time required to wean ventilatory support, the duration of tracheal intubation, and length of stay were recorded. Subjects were asked to quantify generalized muscle weakness as they awakened in the ICU and again after tracheal extubation.

Results: Complete data were collected on 51 patients in the pancuronium group and 52 patients in the rocuronium group. No differences were found between the groups in anesthetic, surgical, or ICU management. Significant increases in the duration of weaning of ventilatory support were observed in patients who received pancuronium (median, 180 min; range, 50-780 min) compared with the rocuronium group (median, 110 min; range, 45-250 min). Tracheal extubation was significantly delayed in the pancuronium group (median, 500 min; range, 240-1,305 min) compared with the rocuronium group (median, 350 min; range, 210-1,140 min). Subjects in the pancuronium group experienced more mild to severe weakness in the ICU. However, the choice of muscle relaxant did not influence ICU length of stay.     

Comparison of Two Preoperative Inspiratory Muscle Training Programs to Prevent Pulmonary Complications in Patients Undergoing Esophagectomy: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Background

Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are the most commonly reported complications after esophagectomy. The aim of this study was to examine the effect and feasibility of preoperative inspiratory muscle training-high intensity (IMT-HI), and IMT-endurance (IMT-E) on the incidence of PPCs in patients following esophagectomy for esophageal cancer (EC).

Method

A single-blind, randomized, clinical pilot study was conducted between 2009 and 2012. Forty-five participants were assigned to either IMT-HI or IMT-E. Effectiveness was assessed by analyzing PPCs, length of hospital stay (LOS), duration of mechanical ventilation, stay on the intensive care unit, and number of reintubations. Maximal inspiratory pressure and lung function changes were recorded pre- and post-training. Feasibility was assessed by IMT-related adverse events, training compliance, and patients’ satisfaction.

Results

Thirty-nine patients could be analyzed, 20 patients in the IMT-HI arm and 19 patients in the IMT-E arm. The incidence of PPCs differed significantly between groups and was almost three times lower for the IMT-HI group (4 vs. 11 patients; p = 0.015). Other differences in favor of the IMT-HI group were LOS (13.5 vs. 18 days; p = 0.010) and number of reintubations (0 vs. 4 patients; p = 0.030). Both interventions proved to be equally feasible.

Conclusion

Preoperative IMT-HI showed to be a promising, effective, and feasible intervention to reduce PPCs in EC patients undergoing esophagectomy. Further research with a larger sample size is recommended.     

Mild or Moderate Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Risk in Elective Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery

A history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is considered a risk factor in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of history of mild or moderate COPD on outcome in patients undergoing elective CABG surgery. In this prospective, case-controlled study, we compared two groups of adult patients undergoing elective CABG surgery. In this prospective, case-controlled study, we compared two groups of adult patients undergoing elective CABG surgery. There were no statistically significant differences regarding early postoperative complications between the groups (p > 0.05). The median duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU length of stay were 0.4 and 1 days, respectively, in the two groups. The mean (± SD) hospital stay was 7.8 ± 1.6 days in the COPD group and 7.5 ± 1.3 days in the control group (p = 0.1). The mortality rate was found 1.4% in COPD patients and 0.7% in the control group (p = 0.5). We concluded that patients with a history of mild or moderate COPD undergoing elective CABG had morbidity and mortality rates comparable with those of controls (p > 0.05).     

The impact of the duration of mechanical ventilation on the respiratory outcome in smokers undergoing cardiac surgery

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of the duration of mechanical ventilation on the rate of pulmonary complications in smokers undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 2163 patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery between September 1993 and August 1999. Based on a 3-month preoperative smoking cessation, patients were classified as smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers. Their postoperative pulmonary complications were compared and related to the duration of mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: Postoperative pulmonary complications were twice as common in smokers (29.5%) as non-smokers (13.6%) and ex-smokers (14.7%). Although smokers required a longer duration of mechanical ventilation, this was not statistically significant. Smokers had a higher rate of increase in postoperative pulmonary complications beyond 6 h of mechanical ventilation (P<0.002). CONCLUSION: Prolonged mechanical ventilation in active smokers undergoing cardiac surgery is associated with a significant increase in the respiratory morbidity. Surgical strategies that allow early extubation may improve the respiratory outcome in smokers.     

Continuous infusion of remifentanil and target-controlled infusion of propofol for coronary surgery in elderly patients: comparison with continuous infusion of remifentanil and propofol

OBJECTIVES: Comparison of the length of mechanical ventilation and postoperative complications after coronary surgery in elderly patients anaesthetised with propofol associated with either alfentanil or remifentanil. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study with an historic control group. PATIENTS: Three hundred thirty-eight consecutive patients (75-year-old or more) undergoing isolated coronary surgery. One hundred and fifty seven patients operated between January 1998 and June 2000 received alfentanil (1 microg/kg/minute) with a manually control infusion of propofol, 181 operated between July 2000 and 2002, remifentanil 0.25 microg/kg/minute with target controlled infusion of propofol (target blood concentration: 1.5 to 2 microg/ml). METHODS: The two groups were compared for preoperative and surgical data. The length of mechanical ventilation, stay in ICU and the main postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Length of mechanical ventilation was significantly reduced in the remifentanil group (6 +/- 9 h vs. 13 +/- 63 h ; p <0.0001), 70% of the patients were extubated before the 6th postoperative hours against 53% in the alfentanil group (p =0.0023). This was not associated with a reduction of stay in ICU or postoperative complications. During surgery, an increased used of vasopressor was observed in the remifentanil group (40.2% vs 2.4% ; p <0.0001) with a postoperative elevation of blood concentration of CKMb (35.7 +/- 38.2 microg/l, vs. 27.7 +/- 31.9 microg/l, p =0.02). CONCLUSION: Elderly patients undergoing coronary surgery were extubated earlier with remifentanil. However, this had no effect on duration of ICU stay but was associated with an increased used of vasopressor.     

七氟醚和异丙酚对冠状动脉旁路移植术患者心肌保护作用比较的Meta分析

目的 采用Meta分析法比较七氟醚和异丙酚对冠状动脉旁路移植术患者心肌的保护作用.方法 通过电子数据库检索比较冠状动脉旁路移植术患者七氟醚和异丙酚心肌保护作用的临床随机对照研究,文献检索至2008年9月.由两位作者分别对研究质量进行评估,并提取有关资料,主要包括患者术前情况、术中情况、体外循环后心脏指数、术后心肌肌钙蛋白Ⅰ水平、机械通气时间、正性肌力药物使用情况、ICU停留时间、住院时间、术后死亡、心肌梗死、心肌缺血和房颤的发生情况,采用RevMan 5.0软件进行Meta分析.结果 共纳入13项前瞻性临床随机对照研究,包括696例患者,其中七氟醚组402例,异丙酚组294例.两组患者术后机械通气时间、正性肌力药物使用率、术后病死率、心肌梗死和房颤的发生率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).与异丙酚组相比,七氟醚组患者体外循环后心脏指数升高,术后心肌肌钙蛋白Ⅰ水平和心肌缺血发生率降低,ICU停留时间和住院时间缩短(P<0.05).结论 冠状动脉旁路移植术患者七氟醚的心肌保护作用优于异丙酚.     

The association of complication type with mortality and prolonged stay after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass

Outcome after cardiac surgery varies depending on complication type. We therefore sought to determine the association between complication type, mortality, and length of stay in a large series of patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Multivariate logistic regression was used to test for differences between complication types in mortality and prolonged length of stay (>10 days) while controlling for preoperative and intraoperative risk factors. In 2609 consecutive cardiac surgical patients requiring CPB, the mortality rate was 3.6%; 36.5% had one or more complications, and 15.7% experienced an adverse outcome (death or prolonged length of stay). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that complication type was significantly associated with adverse outcome (P < 0.001) independent of Parsonnet score and CPB time (c-index = 0.80). The development of noncardiac complications only (Group NC) and cardiac complications with other organ involvement (Group B) significantly increased mortality and hospital and intensive care unit length of stay (P < 0.001) when compared with cardiac complications only (Group C). The incidences of adverse outcome in Groups C, NC, and B were 15%, 43%, and 67%, respectively; the mortality rates were 3%, 7%, and 20%, respectively. All these intergroup comparisons were significantly different (adjusted P < 0.05). Complications involving organs other than the heart appear to be more deleterious than cardiac complications alone, underscoring the need for strategies to reduce noncardiac complications. IMPLICATIONS: Complications, particularly when they involve organs other than just the heart, increase mortality and prolong the length of hospital stay after heart surgery, independent of a patient's preoperative risk factors and the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass. Strategies aimed at preventing damage to other organs during cardiac surgery need to be improved.     

全腔静脉肺动脉连接术术后急性肾损伤对预后影响的回顾性队列研究

目的研究全腔静脉肺动脉连接术(TCPC)后急性肾损伤(AKI)的患病率、严重程度及其对于住院期间短期预后的影响。方法回顾性分析我院2010年1月1日至2014年12月31日TCPC患者的术前、术中及术后临床资料,剔除术前接受肾脏替代治疗、肌酐值记录缺失、合并瓣膜手术的病例。通过单因素和多因素分析确定AKI是否与术后住院时间、重症监护时间、机械通气时间、医院获得性感染和早期死亡率相关。结果总共163例患者纳入本研究,AKI患病率为57.1%(n=93),轻度AKI 26.4%(n=43),中度AKI 12.3%(n=20),重度AKI 18.4%(n=30)。AKI组院内感染率较高(15.1%vs.0.0%,P<0.001)。多变量回归分析显示,两组机械通气时间差异无统计学意义(中位数,8 h vs.7 h,P=0.529)。多变量回归分析显示,AKI延长术后住院时间(中位数,10 d,95%CI 3.9~16.0,P=0.001)和重症监护时间(103.9 h,95%CI 48.6~159.2,P<0.001)。结论TCPC术后发生AKI常见。AKI与较高的院内感染率有关。AKI延长了患者术后住院时间和重症监护时间,但未延长术后机械通气时间。     

A Prospective Randomized Trial Comparing Traditional and Fast-Track Patient Care in Elective Open Infrarenal Aneurysm Repair

Background  Fast-track recovery programs have led to reduced patient morbidity and mortality after major surgery. In terms of elective open infrarenal aneurysm repair, no evidence is available about such programs. To address this issue, we have conducted a randomized prospective pilot study. Methods  The study involved prospective randomization of 101 patients with the indication for elective open aneurysm repair in a traditional and a fast-track treatment arm. The basic fast-track elements were no bowel preparation, reduced preoperative fasting, patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA), enhanced postoperative feeding, and postoperative mobilization. Morbidity and mortality, need for postoperative mechanical ventilation, length of stay (LOS) in the intensive care unit (ICU) and total length of postoperative hospital stay were analyzed in terms of an intention to treat. Results  Demographic data for the two groups were similar. In the fast-track group the need for postoperative ventilation was significantly lower (6.1% versus 32%; p = 0.002), the median LOS on ICU did not significantly differ (20 h versus 32 h; p = 0.183), full enteral feeding was achieved significantly earlier (5 versus 7 days; p < 0.0001), and the rate of postoperative medical complications—gastrointestinal, cardiac, pulmonary, renal, and infective—was significantly lower (16% versus 36%; p = 0.039). The postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in the fast-track group (10 days versus 11 days; p = 0.016); the mortality rate in both groups was 0%. Conclusions  An optimized patient care program in open infrarenal aortic aneurysm repair shows favorable results concerning need for postoperative assisted mechanical ventilation, time to full enteral feeding, and incidence of medical complications. Further ranomized multicentric trials are necessary to justify broad implementation (clinical trials. gov identifier NCT 00615888). This work was presented in part at the annual meeting of the German Society of Surgery, Surgical Forum 2008, Berlin, and was published as Best of Abstracts in Langenbeck’s Archives of Surgery (Langenbecks Arch Surg (2008) 393:281–287).     

Porcine-derived surfactant treatment of severe bronchiolitis

Background : It is hypothesized that surfactant treatment helps to improve severe bronchiolitis by restoring surfactant system activity. This study aims to assess the effect of surfactant on gas exchange, peak inspiratory pressure and duration of mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit (ICU) stay in children with severe bronchiolitis.
Methods : Twenty children with bronchiolitis requiring mechanical ventilation were randomly assigned to one of two groups (10 patients each). Group A was treated with continuous positive pressure ventilation (CPPV) plus surfactant. Group B was treated with CPPV only. Porcine-derived surfactant, 50 mg/kg body weight, was instilled into the trachea. Arterial tension of oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO₂/FiO₂) ratio, arterial tension of carbon dioxide (PaCO₂), and peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) were assessed. Heart rate and non-invasive arterial blood pressure were monitored. The duration of CPPV and the length of ICU stay were also recorded. Finally, the incidence of complications and the survival rate were assessed.
Results : In group A, the PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio significantly improved from 1 h and a reduction in PaCO₂ was noted from 12 h. A reduction of PIP was observed from 3 h. The duration of CPPV and the length of ICU stay were reduced in group A. No complications were reported in either group and all children survived.
Conclusions : Surfactant treatment of severe bronchiolitis appeared to improve gas exchange, reduce PIP and shorten CPPV and ICU stay. However, these initial results must be confirmed by a larger and more rigorously controlled study.     

The interpretation of perioperative lactate abnormalities in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Hyperlactataemia and lactic acidosis are commonly encountered during and after cardiac surgery. Perioperative lactate production increases in the myocardium, skeletal muscle, lungs and in the splanchnic circulation during cardiopulmonary bypass. Hyperlactataemia has a bimodal distribution in the perioperative period. An early increase in lactate levels, arising intraoperatively or soon after intensive care unit admission, is a familiar and concerning finding for most clinicians. It is highly suggestive of tissue ischaemia and is associated with a prolonged intensive care unit stay, a prolonged requirement for respiratory and cardiovascular support and increased postoperative mortality. Its presence should prompt a thorough search for potential causes of tissue hypoxia. In contrast, late-onset hyperlactataemia, a less well recognised complication, occurs 4 to 24 hours after completion of surgery and is typically associated with preserved cardiac output and oxygen delivery. Risk factors for late-onset hyperlactataemia include hyperglycaemia, long cardiopulmonary bypass time and elevated endogenous catecholamines. Although patients with this complication may have a longer duration of ventilation and intensive care unit length of stay than those with normolactataemia, an association with increased mortality has not been demonstrated. The discovery of late-onset hyperlactataemia should not delay the postoperative progress of an otherwise stable patient following cardiac surgery.     

Association between postoperative hypothermia and adverse outcome after coronary artery bypass surgery

BACKGROUND: We examined the effect on outcome of mild hypothermia (< 36 degrees C) upon intensive care unit (ICU) admission on patient outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). METHODS: We performed a retrospective database analysis of 5,701 isolated CABG patients requiring CPB, operated upon from January 1995 to June 1997. Patients were classified as either hypo- (< 36 degrees C) or normothermic (> or = 36 degrees C) upon ICU admission. ICU admission bladder core temperature (BCT) versus outcome was evaluated. Outcome measures included mortality, resource utilization (mechanical ventilation time, ICU and hospital length of stay, and postoperative packed red blood cell transfusion), and major morbidity (cardiac, renal, neurologic, or major infection). RESULTS: Overall, patients admitted to the ICU with BCT < 36 degrees C had a significantly greater mortality (p = 0.02), prolonged mechanical ventilation (p = 0.007), packed red blood cell transfusion (p = 0.001), ICU (p = 0.01), and hospital (p = 0.005) length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: BCT of less than 36 degrees C, upon ICU admission, has a significant association with adverse outcome after CABG with CPB. M An __ Tl QA_7_t-0     

Independent risk factors for ICU mortality after left ventricular assist device implantation

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are used as an alternative therapy for heart transplantation in patients with advanced heart failure. However, the mortality rate of these patients remains relatively high. A large proportion of deaths after LVAD implantation occur during intensive care unit (ICU) stay. We conducted a retrospective study to identify the risk factors for all-cause ICU mortality in patients with an implanted LVAD. Between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2016, 70 consecutive patients who had received an LVAD were analyzed. The median ICU length of stay was 14 days (IQR: 8-31) and 16 patients (22.9% [95%CI: 13.1-32.7]) died in the ICU. The 90-day mortality rate was 25.7% (95%CI: 15.5-35.9). The main causes of ICU mortality were: multiple organ failure, stroke, and hemorrhagic events. The univariate analysis identified the following perioperative risk factors for all-cause ICU mortality: hypertension, preoperative platelet count, preoperative white cell count, inotropic support before LVAD implantation, mechanical ventilation before LVAD implantation, renal replacement therapy before LVAD implantation, short-term mechanical support before LVAD implantation, INTERMACS class 1 to 2, low intraoperative platelet count, low early postoperative hemoglobin level, low early postoperative platelet count, low early postoperative pH, and massive perioperative blood transfusion. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, only mechanical ventilation before LVAD implantation was retained as an independent risk factor for ICU mortality (OR = 11.96 [95%CI: 2.67-53.45], P < .01). These findings confirm that most deaths after LVAD implantation occur in the ICU. Patients that receive mechanical ventilation preoperatively have the highest risk of death. This confirms the need to actively treat respiratory failure and to wean patients from respiratory support before LVAD implantation. Such a strategy offers the best opportunity to initiate active rehabilitation.     

A case-control analysis of readmissions to the cardiac surgical intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors of requirement for readmission to the intensive care unit (ICU) for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: The setting was a 17-bedded ICU in a tertiary level institute for specialist adult cardiorespiratory disease. The case notes and ICU charts of 65 ICU readmissions and 65 controls, matched for day of initial ICU discharge, were analysed. Patient variables assessed included preoperative risk stratification, ICU admission APACHE III score and intensive therapy interventions, complications and indication for readmission if readmitted. RESULTS: Twenty of 65 patients (31%) readmitted to the cardiac ICU died, compared with no mortality among the control group. Significant univariate determinants of ICU readmission (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval) included worse angina (1.38, 0.99-1.91) and dyspnoea (1.70, 1.10-2.61) classes and corresponding non-elective surgery (2.04, 1.31-3.19), higher Parsonnet score (1.06, 1.01-1.11) or EuroSCORE (1.14, 1.01-1.28), APACHE III score (1.03, 1.00-1.05), body mass index>27 (4.25, 1.43-12.63), non-usage of beta-blockers (1.53, 1.03-2.26), emergency resternotomy (5.00, 1.10-22.79), and lower haemoglobin (0.75, 0.58-0.96), higher required inspiratory oxygen (1.05, 1.02-1.08), and higher respiratory rate upon ICU discharge (1.09, 1.01-1.18). Renal failure, respiratory failure and cardiac arrest were the most common indications for ICU readmission. Thirty-five of 65 patients readmitted to the ICU required ventilation for a mean of 7.1 days. The mean ICU readmission duration for all 65 cases was 5.7 days. CONCLUSIONS: Readmission of cardiac surgical patients to the ICU is associated with high morbidity and mortality, and substantial resource consumption. Parsonnet or EuroSCORE risk stratification models in combination with obesity, operative urgency, resternotomy and respiratory indices at time of intended ICU discharge are strongly associated with readmission to ICU.