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Introduction: transfusion leads to complications and mortality in cardiac surgery, with an incidence of 40-90%. There are scales that predict transfusion risk, however, they differ in the number and type of variables; furthermore, few have been compared in Mexican population. Objective: to evaluate the Transfusion Risk Understanding Scoring Tool (TRUST) and Transfusion Risk and Clinical Knowledge (TRACK) scales for risk of transfusion in cardiovascular surgery in the Mexican population. Material and methods: observational, retrospective, comparative study. It included 300 patients older than 18 years who underwent elective cardiovascular surgery. The area under the curve (AUC) of the TRACK and TRUST scores and their relationship with the transfusion variable were evaluated using the ROC curve. The inferential statistics implemented were Student's t and χ2. Results: there were 83 women (27.7%) and 217 men (72.3%). 227 Patients (75.7%) were transfused; the majority with hematocrit > 35% (82.2%). Sensitivity, specificity, and AUC to identify high and very high risk patients of the TRACK scale were: 76%, 50% and 0.702, respectively; for the TRUST scale were: 68%, 57% and 0.69, respectively. Conclusions: the TRACK and TRUST scales are useful for transfusion risk stratification in elective cardiac surgery in our population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: recent demographic changes have meant that more and more frail patients undergo surgery. The relationship between frailty, measured by dynamometry, and morbidity and mortality in cardiac surgery has not been fully studied. Objective: determine the usefulness of frailty, as measured by dynamometry, as a predictor of morbidity and mortality in geriatric patients with low surgical risk undergoing cardiac surgery. Material and methods: a prospective cohort study including 65 geriatric patients with moderate surgical risk undergoing elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The patients underwent preoperative dynamometry to determine their frailty, whose relationship with postoperative morbidity and mortality was evaluated. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, positive and negative probability coefficients, Cronbach's alpha coefficient and area under the ROC curve were calculated. The data were processed with SPSS v-24.0. Results: the evaluation of the calibration component showed that it fitted our sample (Cronbach's alpha coefficient 0.79). The evaluation of the discrimination component showed that it was able to distinguish between risk of morbidity (0.625) and risk of mortality (0.597). Conclusion: frailty, measured by dynamometry, is a useful predictor of morbidity and mortality in elderly patients with low surgical risk undergoing cardiac surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Inducing hypocapnia is a common practice during pediatric general anesthesia, even though it has not shown clear benefits. Objective: To compare the impact of carbon dioxide values after aortic impingement (< 32.7 vs ≥ 32.7 mmHg) on postoperative morbimortality among pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Material and methods: A case-control study included 90 pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The study cases consisted of 45 patients who died within 30 days of the postoperative period. Cases and controls were individually matched (1:1 ratio). Descriptive and inferential statistics (Mann-Whitney’s U, Student’s t and χ² tests) were used to analyze the results. A p < 0.05 was considered significant. A univariate analysis was also carried out. The strength of association between morbimortality and carbon dioxide values after aortic impingement was determined using the odds ratio. The data were processed using SPSS v-24.0. Results: The group with carbon dioxide values of < 32.7 mmHg after aortic impingement was associated with greater morbidity (OR 24.75; 95% CI 4.92-124.32) and mortality (OR 22.47; 95% CI 4.85- 10.17) at 30 days. Conclusion: Pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery with carbon dioxide values of < 32.7 mmHg after aortic impingement showed higher postoperative morbimortality than those with carbon dioxide values of ≥ 32.7 mmHg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The impact on the immune system of normovolemic hemodilution as a perioperative bloodsaving technique raises a possible increase in immunoglobulin M, and a possible increase in infections, especially those associated with catheters. Objective: To compare the role of acute normovolemic hemodilution in postoperative infections in groups of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Material and methods: A controlled clinical trial in 99 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery who were randomized into two groups: group I (non-hemodiluted) and group II (hemodiluted). The presence or absence of infection was determined during the postoperative period. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics χ2. A p < 0.05 was considered significant. The data were processed using SPSS v.25.0. Results: The overall incidence of infection was 3.03%. Hemodiluted patients became infected more frequently than non-hemodiluted patients. The isolated organisms were Escherichia coli and Enterobacter aerogenes. Conclusion: Patients undergoing cardiac surgery who undergo acute normovolemic hemodilution suffer more frequently from postoperative infections than those who do not undergo acute normovolemic hemodilution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Several methods have been proposed to control inflammation and to preserve the myocardium during cardiopulmonary bypass (CABG), including the administration of electrolytes such as magnesium (Mg2+). Objective: To compare the effect of using magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) or a placebo before aortic clamping (AoC) on the serum levels of lactate in the coronary sinus in patients undergoing myocardial multivessel revascularization (MRV) with CABG. Material and methods: A clinical assay was conducted with 52 patients undergoing MRV multivessel with CEC; the patients were randomized to receive a placebo (group I) or MgSO4 (group II) before AoC, and blood samples were taken from the coronary sinus to quantify serum lactate at two different times: T0: pre-AoC and T1: before closing the chest. Statistical analysis was performed on Student's t-test and X2. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The data were processed with SPSS v-22.0. Results: Serum levels of lactate in the coronary sinus post-AoC were lower in group II (2.967 ± 0.86 vs 2.154 ± 1.14), with significant differences (p = 0.006). Conclusion: The use of MgSO4 before AoC reduces serum lactate levels in the coronary sinus in patients undergoing MRV multivessel with CABG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: One of the various instruments that can be used to evaluate the impact of risk factors on the survival of patients undergoing valve surgery is the VMCP score. This work evaluates the performance of this tool. Objective: To validate the surgical risk score for heart valve surgery (VMCP score) in our hospital unit. Material and method: A prospective cohort study was conducted on 239 patients undergoing heart valve surgery, estimating the risk with the VMCP score. The sample was divided into two groups at a cut-off point of 8. The discriminating power of the score was analyzed based on the area under the ROC curve. A value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. The data were processed using SPSS v.25.0. Results: The score stratified the samples as follows: 40.6% of patients were without risk and 59.4% were at risk. The evaluation of the calibration component showed that the score was not appropriate for our sample (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient: 0.59). The discrimination component of the score showed a poor capacity to distinguish between the population at risk of mortality (0.630) and/or morbidity (0.655). Conclusion: It is not valid to use the surgical risk score for heart valve surgery (VMCP score) in our hospital unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There is controversy about the use of early extubation in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement due to stenosis, given their tendency to develop postoperative hypertension, which could defeat the whole purpose of the surgical intervention. Objective: To compare the incidence of postoperative reintubation for hypertension in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement using the standard extubation technique and the ultra fast-track. Material and methods: A retrospective cohort study that included 73 cases of patients undergoing aortic valve replacement. The patients were divided into two according to the extubation technique used: standard (group I) and ultra fast-track (group II). The presence of hypertension and postoperative reintubation was evaluated. The analysis of variables was performed using the X2 test. A p < 0.05 was considered significant. The data were processed using SPSS v. 24.0. Results: 45 patients were in group I and 28 in group II. The incidence of hypertension and reintubation was higher in group II (p = 0.027). There were no differences in morbidity (p = 0.348), mortality (p = 0.202) and length of postoperative stay (p = 0.182). Conclusion: In our hospital unit, the incidence of postoperative reintubation for hypertension in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement with the ultra fast-track technique is higher than with standard extubation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: It has been suggested that the use of a cell saver reduces the content of proinflammatory cytokines after cardiac surgery, improving the balance of these cytokines in the systemic circulation, which in turn could minimize the inflammatory response that contributes to postoperative pulmonary dysfunction. Objective: To compare the postoperative gas exchange in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with the use of cell saver and without it. Material and methods: A prospective cohort study that included 253 patients undergoing cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass. The patients were assigned to two study groups depending on whether a cell saver was used: group I (without cell saver) and group II (with cell saver). The PaO2/FiO2 ratio and the postoperative respiratory morbidity were then estimated. The analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics by means of the Student t test and Mann-Whitney U test. A p < 0.05 was considered significant. The data were processed using SPSS v. 24.0. Results: 59.29% of patients underwent surgery with the use of a cell saver. The PaO2/FiO2 ratio was lower in group II (p = 0.018). There were no differences between groups in respiratory morbidity 30 days after surgery (p = 0.943). Conclusion: The postoperative gas exchange is lower in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with the use of a cell saver than without it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia after cardiac surgery. The peak of incidence occurs between the second and third postoperative day. Postoperative AF is a risk factor for stroke, congestive heart failure and hemodynamic instability that increases the morbidity and mortality particularly, in elderly patients with left ventricular dysfunction. AF has been associated with prolonged hospitalization and increased costs. The etiology of this arrhythmia are not yet fully understood. This article reviews what is currently known about the pathophysiological mechanisms that trigger AF after cardiac surgery. The risk factors for postoperative AF in cardiac surgery are also revised. Additionally, recommendations are made on the management of patients with AF which include: control of heart rate and cardiac rhythm, the combined use of antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy and use of antiarrhythmic drugs. Beta blockers can effectively prevent this arrhythmia so they are widely recommended if there is no contraindication. Sotalol may be the most effective of beta blockers. Amiodarone is useful when beta-blocker therapy is not possible or as additional prophylaxis in high risk patients. The use of other agents such as magnesium, calcium channels blockers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and statins are mentioned. Finally, we include a protocol for postoperative AF management based on the most recent guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Bleeding is a common complication in cardiovascular surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Conventional management is with blood products, antifibrinolitic drugs and surgical reintervention which is associated with high rates of morbility and mortality. Objective: To describe a case of intractable postoperative hemorrhage following coronary revascularization that was successfully managed with Recombinant Activated Factor VIIa (rFVIIa) and review the literature about the use, security and safety of rFVIIa in cardiac surgery. Case report: A 56 year old man who developed hemorrhage in the postoperatory of coronary revascularization, refractory to management with fresh frozen plasma, crioprecipitates, aprotinin, heparin reversion and rewarming, with successful response to two rFVIIa doses of 90 µg/kg each. There were no thromboembolic complications. Discussion: rFVIIa use in severe bleeding associated to cardiac surgery, controls and reduces hemorrhage, blood product requirements and reintervention needs. Dosis variants from 30-60 µg/ kg in pediatric patients and 90-100 µg/kg in adults in one or two applications. Its margin of safety is satisfactory with a low incidence of thromboembolic complications. Conclusion: rFVIIa is an effective therapeutic alternative for both pediatric and adult patients with intractable bleeding after cardiac surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]