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Background: The sutureless Perceval S bioprosthesis is associated with postoperative thrombocytopenia. Our objectives were to compare the incidence, severity, and clinical implications of thrombocytopenia after aortic valve replacement (AVR) using the Perceval S or the Trifecta bioprosthesis. Methods: Patients who underwent AVR between March 2016 and August 2019 using the Perceval or Trifecta were retrospectively included. The primary endpoint was the nadir in platelet counts within 15 days after surgery. Secondary endpoints included postoperative hemolysis and inflammatory parameters, as well as clinical and echocardiographic outcomes. Results: Overall, 156 patients were included (Perceval, n = 103; Trifecta, n = 53). Preoperatively, there was no difference in platelet counts between the two groups. Postoperatively, the Perceval S bioprosthesis was associated with a greater decrease in platelet counts. The nadir was reached at Day 3 for both groups, but thrombocytopenia was more severe for the Perceval S (Perceval S vs. Trifecta, 89.2 ± 37.7 × 109/L vs. 106.5 ± 34.1 × 109/L, p = 0.01). No difference regarding lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein, and white blood cells count was found. All-cause 30-day mortality rates (both valves, 2%, p = 0.98), hospital lengths of stay, and re-operation rates were similar. Conclusion: The Perceval S bioprosthesis was associated with more severe postoperative thrombocytopenia. This did not translate into higher short-term morbidity or mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a major source of morbidity after cardiac surgery, involving prolonged hospitalisation. Among the numerous techniques of skin closure and dressings available, the optimal method remains undetermined. The DERMABOND-PRINEO (PRINEO) (PRINEO, Ethicon, J&J) is the only skin closure system which combines a topical skin adhesive with a mesh. Other surgical disciplines have highlighted remarkable results with PRINEO. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of PRINEO, used as the final layer in sternotomy closure, in the incidence of postoperative SSIs. Method: This was a retrospective single-centre cohort study including adult patients who underwent cardiac surgery between January 2015 and December 2018. Patients who had undergone heart transplantation or ventricular assist surgery were excluded. Included patients were divided into two groups depending on the type of post-operative wound care technique used. Group 1 consisted of patients who had their sternotomy closed with a standard dressing and group 2 consisted of patients who were treated with PRINEO. The primary endpoint of our study was the occurrence of SSIs and secondary outcomes were the length of hospitalisation and mortality. Results: A total of 1603 patients were reviewed with the occurrence of 44 SSIs. Both groups were homogeneous in terms of risk factors. The incidence of SSIs was significantly lower in group 2 (PRINEO) than in group 1 (standard dressing) (n=29, 3.8% vs n=15, 1.8%, respectively; p=0.042). However, there was no significant difference in the duration of hospitalisation and mortality. Conclusion: In our practice, PRINEO has proven to be a safe wound closure system after sternotomy, with a reduced SSI rate compared to conventional wound care techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Right ventricular failure (RVF) is often caused by increased afterload and disrupted coupling between the right ventricle (RV) and the pulmonary arteries (PAs). After a phase of adaptive hypertrophy, pressure-overloaded RVs evolve towards maladaptive hypertrophy and finally ventricular dilatation, with reduced stroke volume and systemic congestion. In this article, we review the concept of RV-PA coupling, which depicts the interaction between RV contractility and afterload, as well as the invasive and non-invasive techniques for its assessment. The current principles of RVF management based on pathophysiology and underlying etiology are subsequently discussed. Treatment strategies remain a challenge and range from fluid management and afterload reduction in moderate RVF to vasopressor therapy, inotropic support and, occasionally, mechanical circulatory support in severe RVF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with left heart diseases (PH-LHD), also termed group 2 PH, represents the most common form of PH. It develops through the passive backward transmission of elevated left heart pressures in the setting of heart failure, either with preserved (HFpEF) or reduced (HFrEF) ejection fraction, which increases the pulsatile afterload of the right ventricle (RV) by reducing pulmonary artery (PA) compliance. In a subset of patients, progressive remodeling of the pulmonary circulation resulted in a pre-capillary phenotype of PH, with elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) further increasing the RV afterload, eventually leading to RV-PA uncoupling and RV failure. The primary therapeutic objective in PH-LHD is to reduce left-sided pressures through the appropriate use of diuretics and guideline-directed medical therapies for heart failure. When pulmonary vascular remodeling is established, targeted therapies aiming to reduce PVR are theoretically appealing. So far, such targeted therapies have mostly failed to show significant positive effects in patients with PH-LHD, in contrast to their proven efficacy in other forms of pre-capillary PH. Whether such therapies may benefit some specific subgroups of patients (HFrEF, HFpEF) with specific hemodynamic phenotypes (post- or pre-capillary PH) and various degrees of RV dysfunction still needs to be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses about the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a palliative bridge to death. It further discusses that keeping patients awake on ECMO include a reduced incidence of delirium, early mobilization, improved rehabilitation and the promotion of interactions with families and clinicians; awake patients may experience discomfort; and palliative care needs in the intensive care unit (ICU) reduces physical and psycho-socio-spiritual burden for patients.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a major issue in cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). HIT represents a severe adverse drug reaction after heparin administration. It consists of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia paradoxically leading to thrombotic events. Detection of antibodies against platelets factor 4/heparin (anti-PF4/H) and aggregation of platelets in the presence of heparin in functional in vitro tests confirm the diagnosis. Patients suffering from HIT and requiring cardiac surgery are at high risk of lethal complications and present specific challenges. Four distinct phases are described in the usual HIT timeline, and the anticoagulation strategy chosen for CPB depends on the phase in which the patient is categorized. In this sense, we developed an institutional protocol covering each phase. It consisted of the use of a non-heparin anticoagulant such as bivalirudin, or the association of unfractionated heparin (UFH) with a potent antiplatelet drug such as tirofiban or cangrelor. Temporary reduction of anti-PF4 with intravenous immunoglobulins (IvIg) has recently been described as a complementary strategy. In this article, we briefly described the pathophysiology of HIT and focused on the various strategies that can be applied to safely manage CPB in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High-risk Pulmonary Embolism (PE) has an ominous prognosis and requires emergent reperfusion therapy, primarily systemic thrombolysis (ST). In deteriorating patients or with contraindications to ST, Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VA-ECMO) may be life-saving, as supported by several retrospective studies. However, due to the heterogeneous clinical presentation (refractory shock, resuscitated cardiac arrest (CA) or refractory CA), the real impact of VA-ECMO in high-risk PE remains to be fully determined. In this study, we present our centre experience with VA-ECMO for high-risk PE. Method: From 2008 to 2020, we analyzed all consecutive patients treated with VA-ECMO for high-risk PE in our tertiary 35-bed intensive care unit (ICU). Demographic variables, types of reperfusion therapies, indications for VA-ECMO (refractory shock or refractory CA requiring extra-corporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, ECPR), hemodynamic variables, initial arterial blood lactate and ICU complications were recorded. The primary outcome was ICU survival, and secondary outcome was hospital survival. Results: Our cohort included 18 patients (9F/9M, median age 57 years old). VA-ECMO was indicated for refractory shock in 7 patients (2 primary and 5 following resuscitated CA) and for refractory CA in 11 patients. Eight patients received anticoagulation only, 9 received ST, and 4 underwent surgical embolectomy. ICU survival was 1/11 (9%) for ECPR vs 3/7 (42%) in patients with refractory shock (p = 0.03, log-rank test). Hospital survival was 0/11 (0%) for ECPR vs 3/7 for refractory shock (p = 0.01, log-rank test). Survivors and Non-survivors had comparable demographic and hemodynamic variables, pulmonary obstruction index, and amounts of administered vasoactive drugs. Pre-ECMO lactate was significantly higher in non-survivors. Massive bleeding was the most frequent complication in survivors and non-survivors, and was the direct cause of death in 3 patients, all treated with ST. Conclusions: VA-ECMO for high-risk PE has very different outcomes depending on the clinical context. Furthermore, VA-ECMO was associated with significant bleeding complications, with more severe consequences following systemic thrombolysis. Future studies on VA-ECMO for high-risk PE should therefore take into account the distinct clinical presentations and should determine the best strategy for reperfusion in such circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vasoplegic syndrome (VS) is a common complication following cardiovascular surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and its incidence varies from 5 to 44%. It is defined as a distributive form of shock due to a significant drop in vascular resistance after CPB. Risk factors of VS include heart failure with low ejection fraction, renal failure, pre-operative use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, prolonged aortic cross-clamp and left ventricular assist device surgery. The pathophysiology of VS after CPB is multi-factorial. Surgical trauma, exposure to the elements of the CPB circuit and ischemia-reperfusion promote a systemic inflammatory response with the release of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) with vasodilating properties, both direct and indirect through the expression of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase. The resulting increase in NO production fosters a decrease in vascular resistance and a reduced responsiveness to vasopressor agents. Further mechanisms of vasodilation include the lowering of plasma vasopressin, the desensitization of adrenergic receptors, and the activation of ATP-dependent potassium (KATP) channels. Patients developing VS experience more complications and have increased mortality. Management includes primarily fluid resuscitation and conventional vasopressors (catecholamines and vasopressin), while alternative vasopressors (angiotensin 2, methylene blue, hydroxocobalamin) and anti-inflammatory strategies (corticosteroids) may be used as a rescue therapy in deteriorating patients, albeit with insufficient evidence to provide any strong recommendation. In this review, we present an update of the pathophysiological mechanisms of vasoplegic syndrome complicating CPB and discuss available therapeutic options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few patients with coronavirus disease 2019–associated severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) require veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO). Prolonged VV-ECMO support necessitates repeated oxygenator replacement, increasing the risk for complications. Transient hypoxemia, induced by VV-ECMO stop needed for this procedure, may induce transient myocardial ischemia and acutely declining cardiac output in critically ill patients without residual pulmonary function. This is amplified by additional activation of the sympathetic nervous system (tachycardia, pulmonary vasoconstriction, and increased systemic vascular resistance). Immediate reinjection of the priming solution of the new circuit and induced acute iatrogenic anemia are other potentially reinforcing factors. The case of a critically ill patient presented here provides an instructive illustration of the hemodynamic relationships occurring during VV-ECMO support membrane oxygenator exchange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is one of ten reviews selected from the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2021. Other selected articles can be found online at https://www.biomedcentral.com/collections/annualupdate2021 . Further information about the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine is available from https://link.springer.com/bookseries/8901 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:The use of automated (oscillometric) blood pressure (BP) devices is not validated in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Objectives:To assess the reliability of three oscillometric BP devices, and the agreement with invasive arterial blood pressure(IBP) in AF patients. Methods:48 AF patients with randomized sequences of 10 consecutive BP measurements with two pairs of devices: (1) OmronR7™(wrist) and OmronHEM907™(arm); (2) OmronR7™ and Microlife WatchBPhome(arm). Reliability and agreement of each device were assessed by the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) for the continuous BP measurements and Bland & Altman methodology, respectively. In 10 additional AF patients, 10 consecutive measurements with IBP and OmronHEM907™, and IBP and Microlife WatchBPhome were performed. Results:The OmronR7™ was not able to obtain any BP Readings. Arm devices presented better ICC for systolicBP(SBP) than for diastolicBP(DBP) (Omron HEM907™:0.94 [0.90; 0.97] vs. 0.77 [0.67; 0.89]; Microlife WatchBPhome:0.92 [0.88; 0.96] vs.0.79 [0.69; 0.89]).The correlation coefficient between Microlife WatchBPhome and IBP computed using the average of repeated measurements from two to ten measurements improved up to the third and remained stable afterwards. The agreement between IBP and SBP, and IBP and DBP, was moderate as illustrated by a wide limit of agreement [−24; 26](SBP) and [−15;17](DBP) for Microlife WatchBPHome, respectively and [−30; 13](SBP) and [−7; 15](DBP) for OmronHEM907. Conclusions:BP measurement using the two arm oscillometric devices achieved a high reliability for SBP. The agreement between IBP and arm devices was low but using the average of three consecutive measurements improved the results substantially. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Infection with the novel severe acute respiratory coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2) results in COVID-19, a disease primarily affecting the respiratory system to provoke a spectrum of clinical manifestations, the most severe being acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). A significant proportion of COVID-19 patients also develop various cardiac complications, among which dysfunction of the right ventricle (RV) appears particularly common, especially in severe forms of the disease, and which is associated with a dismal prognosis. Echocardiographic studies indeed reveal right ventricular dysfunction in up to 40% of patients, a proportion even greater when the RV is explored with strain imaging echocardiography. The pathophysiological mechanisms of RV dysfunction in COVID-19 include processes increasing the pulmonary vascular hydraulic load and others reducing RV contractility, which precipitate the acute uncoupling of the RV with the pulmonary circulation. Understanding these mechanisms provides the fundamental basis for the adequate therapeutic management of RV dysfunction, which incorporates protective mechanical ventilation, the prevention and treatment of pulmonary vasoconstriction and thrombotic complications, as well as the appropriate management of RV preload and contractility. This comprehensive review provides a detailed update of the evidence of RV dysfunction in COVID-19, its pathophysiological mechanisms, and its therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About 15 years ago, Patient Blood Management (PBM) emerged as a new paradigm in perioperative medicine and rapidly found support of all major medical societies and government bodies. Blood products are precious, scarce and expensive and their use is frequently associated with adverse short- and long-term outcomes. Recommendations and guidelines on the topic are published in an increasing rate. The concept aims at using an evidence-based approach to rationalize transfusion practices by optimizing the patient's red blood cell mass in the pre-, intra- and postoperative periods. However, elegant as a concept, the implementation of a PBM program on an institutional level or even in a single surgical discipline like cardiac surgery, can be easier said than done. Many barriers, such as dogmatic ideas, logistics and lack of support from the medical and administrative departments need to be overcome and each center must find solutions to their specific problems. In this paper we present a narrative overview of the challenges and updated recommendations for the implementation of a PBM program in cardiac surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Real-world outcomes with the HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device (LVAD) depending on whether it's a bridge to transplantation (BTT) or destination therapy (DT) are poorly studied. We aimed to compare the profile and clinical outcomes of patients supported with HeartMate 3 according to a BTT or a DT pre-implantation strategy., Methods: All patients consecutively implanted with HeartMate 3 at our centre (University Hospital of Lausanne, Switzerland) in 2015-2022 were analysed in a retrospective observational study. Indications for HeartMate 3 implantation were advanced heart failure despite optimal medical treatment. Patients were treated with a vitamin K antagonist anticoagulant combined with antiplatelet therapy after HeartMate 3 implantation and were followed up monthly at our institution., Results: Among 71 patients implanted with HeartMate 3 between 2015 and 2022, 51 (71.8%) were implanted as a BTT and 20 (28.2%) as DT. Their median age was 58 (IQR: 52-69) years and 84% of patients were classified as INTERMACS profiles 2-4. The median follow-up duration was 18.3 (IQR: 7.5-33.9) months. Patients in the DT group were older than those in the BTT group (p <0.001) and had more chronic renal failure (p <0.001). They also had a lower 5-year survival rate (mean ± standard error: 87.3 ± 5.6% vs 49.4 ± 15.1%) and more adverse events such as renal dysfunction requiring temporary perioperative dialysis (p = 0.08) or bleeding (p = 0.06)., Conclusion: Although patients supported with HeartMate 3 have favourable survival, those with LVAD-DT have poorer outcomes. There is a need to better select patients eligible for LVAD-DT in order to limit the burden of adverse events and improve their prognosis.

Background: Worldwide, almost half of all heart transplantation candidates arrive today at their transplant operation with durable continuous-flow mechanical circulatory support (CF-MCS). This evolution is due to a progressive increase of waiting list time and hence an increased risk of haemodynamic worsening. Longer duration of CF-MCS is associated with a higher risk of device-related complications with potential adverse impact on post-transplant outcome as suggested by recent results from the United Network of Organ Sharing of the United States., Methods: A 2-centre Swiss heart transplantation programme conducted a retrospective observational study of consecutive patients of theirs who underwent a transplant in the period 2008-2020. The primary aim was to determine whether post-transplant all-cause mortality is different between heart transplant recipients without or with pre-transplant CF-MCS. The secondary outcome was the acute cellular rejection score within the first year post-transplant., Results: The study participants had a median age of 54 years; 38/158 (24%) were females. 53/158 study participants (34%) had pre-transplant CF-MCS with a median treatment duration of 280 days. In heart transplant recipients with pre-transplant CF-MCS, the prevalence of ischaemic cardiomyopathy was higher (51 vs 32%; p = 0.013), the left ventricular ejection fraction was lower (20 vs 25; p = 0.047) and pulmonary vascular resistance was higher (2.3 vs 2.1 Wood Units; p = 0.047). Over the study period, the proportion of heart transplant recipients with pre-transplant CF-MCS and the duration of pre-transplant CF-MCS treatment increased (2008-2014 vs 2015-2020: 22% vs 45%, p = 0.009; increase of treatment days per year: 34.4 ± 11.2 days, p = 0.003; respectively). The primary and secondary outcomes were not different between heart transplant recipients with pre-transplant CF-MCS or direct heart transplantation (log-rank p = 0.515; 0.16 vs 0.14, respectively; p = 0.81)., Conclusion: This data indicates that the strategy of pre-transplant CF-MCS with subsequent orthotopic heart transplantation provides post-transplant outcomes not different to direct heart transplantation despite the fact that the duration of pre-transplant assist device treatment has progressively increased.

Aims of the Study: Awake prone positioning (aPP) in non-intubated patients with severe SARS-CoV-2-related pneumonia improves oxygenation and reduces the intubation rate, but no early predictors for success or failure of the strategy have been described. The main objective of this study was to assess whether response to the first aPP in terms of PaO2/FiO2, alveolar-arterial gradient (Aa-O2), respiratory rate and PaCO2 could predict the need for intubation. As secondary objective, we assessed the effects of aPP on the same parameters for all the sessions considered together., Methods: Retrospective analysis of consecutive SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia patients suffering from acute respiratory failure with moderate to severe hypoxaemia for whom aPP was performed for at least 45 minutes based on the prescription of the clinician in charge according to predefined criteria. Respiratory rate, blood gases and oxygenation parameters (PaO2/FiO2 and Aa-O2), before and after the first aPP were compared between patients who were subsequently intubated or not. Effects of all the aPP sessions together were also analysed., Results: One hundred and sixty-six patients were admitted for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia during the study period. Among them, 50 received aPP lasting at least 45 minutes. Because 17 denied consent for data analysis and 2 were excluded because of a "do not intubate order", 31 patients (for a total of 116 aPP sessions without any severe adverse events reported) were included. Among them, 10 (32.3%) were intubated. Mean age ± standard deviation (SD) was 60 ± 12 years. At ICU admission, respiratory rate was 26 ± 7/minute, median PaO2/FiO2 94 (interquartile range [IQR] 74-116) mm Hg and median Aa-O2 412 (IQR 286-427) mm Hg (markedly increased). Baseline characteristics did not statistically differ between patients who subsequently needed intubation or not. During the first aPP, PaO2/FiO2 increased and Aa-O2 decreased. When comparing patients who later where intubated or not, we observed, in the non intubated group only, a clinically significant decrease in median Aa-O2, from 294 (280-414) to 204 (107-281) mm Hg, corresponding to a 40% (26-56%) reduction, and a PaO2/FiO2 increase, from 103 (84-116) to 162 (138-195), corresponding to an increase of 48% (11-93%). The p value is <0.005 for both. When all the aPP sessions (n = 80) were considered together, aPP was associated with a significant increase in PaO2/FiO2 from 112 (80-132) to 156 (86-183) mm Hg (p <0.001) and Aa-O2 decrease from 304 (244-418) to 224 (148-361) mm Hg (p = 0.001)., Conclusions: Awake pronation in spontaneously breathing patients is feasible, and improves PaO2/FiO2 and Aa-O2. Response to the first session seems to be associated with lower intubation rate.