Relationship between processes of care and coronary bypass operative mortality and morbidity

BACKGROUND: Information is limited regarding the effects of processes of care on cardiac surgical outcomes. Correspondingly, many recommended cardiac surgical processes of care are derived from animal experiments or clinical judgment. This report from the VA Cooperative Study in Health Services, "Processes, Structures, and Outcomes of Cardiac Surgery," focuses on the relationships between 3 process groups (preoperative evaluation, intraoperative care, and supervision by senior physicians) and a composite outcome, perioperative mortality and morbidity. METHODS: Data on 734 risk, process, and structure variables were collected prospectively on 3,988 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting at 14 VA medical centers between 1992 and 1996. Data reduction was accomplished by examining data completeness and variation across sites and surgeon, using previously published data and clinical judgment. We then applied multivariable logistic regression to the 39 remaining processes of care to determine which were related to the composite outcome after adjusting for 17 patient-related risk factors and controlling for intraoperative complications. RESULTS: Our first analysis showed several measures of operative duration, the use of inotropic agents, transesophageal echo, lowest systemic temperature, and hemoconcentration/ultrafiltration, to be powerful predictors of the composite outcome. Because the use of inotropic agents and operative duration may be related to an intermediate outcome (eg, intraoperative complications), we performed a second analysis omitting these processes. The use of intraoperative transesophageal echo and hemoconcentration/ultrafiltration remained significantly associated with an increased risk of an event (odds ratios 1.60 and 1.36, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results viewed in the context of past studies suggest the possibility that inotropic use, TEE, and hemoconcentration/ultrafiltration may have adverse effects on operative outcome. Further evaluation of these processes of care using observational data, as well as randomized trials when feasible, would be of interest.     

Cement pressurization after provisional repair of femoral cortical defects

Cortical defects are common and problematic in cemented revision hip arthroplasty. Extruded cement can cause thermal injury, pain, and impingement. Decreased cement pressure limits bony interdigitation and leads to loosening. Historically, surgeons have used a finger to contain cement and improve pressure, and decrease porosity, but, with large or multiple defects, fingers are ineffective. Novel solutions--such as wrapping foil suture packaging or half a syringe barrel around the defects--have been previously published. In the study reported here, we used modern cementing techniques, continuous pressure monitoring, and porosity calculations to analyze the utility of the 3 provisional defect-fixation techniques. The foil and the hemisyringe worked as well as a finger (P > .05). All 3 techniques enhanced pressurization and maintained the porosity reduction. Although manually pressurizing cement and feeling resistance provide the surgeon with more tactile feedback, using the gun and a proximal adapter was more effective in improving pressure. Using these provisional defect-fixation techniques as well as a cement gun and proximal adapter can improve cement pressure and decrease porosity. These techniques are particularly useful with large or multiple cortical defects encountered in revision arthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty after open reduction.     

Incidence of red cell antibodies after multiple blood transfusion

A retrospective study was performed to estimate the frequency of alloimmunization against red cell (RBC) antigens in a multiply transfused group. Patients (n = 186) were studied who had received at least six blood transfusions during a period of at least 3 months. Some 6944 units of blood were transfused. One hundred forty patients had hematologic disorders. The patients' sera were investigated every 3 months with indirect antiglobulin tests and enzyme-treated RBCs. Twenty-two patients (11.8%) made 33 antibodies. Seven patients made more than one antibody. Eight of the 22 patients (36.4%) made their first antibody before or at the 10th transfusion. The risk of immunization increased with the number of transfusions. Influence of gender and age was not demonstrable. Nor was a relationship demonstrated between blood transfusion reactions and RBC antibody formation; no delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions occurred. Anti-E was demonstrated in 12 patients and anti-K in 15. When the gene frequencies were taken into account, it appeared that anti-E was made by 11.5 percent of E-negative patients, most of whom were immunized after an estimated three transfusions with E-positive blood. Anti-K was made by 8.7 percent of the K-negative patients, after an estimated 2.1 units of K-positive blood. It might be desirable to match red cell units for the E and K antigens in patients at relatively high risk. These are primarily patients who have already formed an antibody and are going to receive many transfusions and women of childbearing age who are to receive more than 4 units of blood.     

The determination of bone fracture properties by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and single-photon absorptiometry: A comparative study

Summary Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and single-photon absorptiometry (SPA) were used to quantitate the structural strength and local material properties of healing tibial osteotomies in 32 dogs. Dogs were divided into four equal groups, euthanatized at either 2, 4, 8, or 12 weeks, and imaged with DEXA and SPA. Invasive techniques were used to determine (1) the torsional properties of the bone, (2) the local stiffness properties and calcium content within the bone, and (3) new bone formation and porosity by histology. There were no differences between SPA and DEXA in their associations with the torsional properties of bone. SPA and DEXA had strong correlations with the ultimate torque (R²=0.76, 0.51) and the torsional stiffness (R²=0.68, 0.53) of bone. SPA and DEXA of periosteal callus, endosteal callus, and cortical bone had similar associations with indentation stiffness, calcium content, new bone formation, and porosity. SPA of gap tissue had significantly stronger associations with these four parameters than DEXA (P<0.05). Correlation coefficients (R²) with these local material properties ranged as high as 0.82 for SPA with new bone formation in the gap tissue and 0.73 for DEXA with indentation stiffness of periosteal callus.     

Behavior, adrenocortical activity, and brain monoamines in Norway rats selected for reduced aggressiveness towards man

Wild Norway rats were selected over 20 generations for reduced aggressiveness towards man. Selection for this characteristic was accompanied by many physiological changes. Although neophobia was significantly inhibited, and irritable aggression reduced by selection, no changes were revealed in mouse-killing behavior or in intermale aggression. The mean level of 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid in the hypothalamus as well as serotonin (5-HT) content in the hypothalamus, the midbrain and the cortices was higher in the 'domesticated' than in aggressive rats. Mean hypothalamic norepinephrine (NE) level also tended to be higher in the 'domesticated' animals. The resting corticosterone level and the response of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis to an emotional stressor or intracerebroventricularly administered 5-HT or NE were decreased in domesticated rats compared to their aggressive counterparts. It is suggested that the diminution of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical function as a result of selection for domesticated types of behavior depends, at least partly, on changes in brain monoaminergic systems.