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BACKGROUND Clinicians use several measures to ascertain whether individual patients will tolerate liberation from mechanical ventilation, including the rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI). RESEARCH QUESTION Given varied use of different thresholds, patient populations, and measurement characteristics, how well does RSBI predict successful extubation? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS We searched six databases from inception through September 2019 and selected studies reporting the accuracy of RSBI in the prediction of successful extubation. We extracted study data and assessed quality independently and in duplicate. RESULTS We included 48 studies involving RSBI measurements of 10,946 patients. Pooled sensitivity for RSBI of < 105 in predicting extubation success was moderate (0.83 [95% CI, 0.78-0.87], moderate certainty), whereas specificity was poor (0.58 [95% CI, 0.49-0.66], moderate certainty) with diagnostic ORs (DORs) of 5.91 (95% CI, 4.09-8.52). RSBI thresholds of < 80 or 80 to 105 yielded similar sensitivity, specificity, and DOR. These findings were consistent across multiple subgroup analyses reflecting different patient characteristics and operational differences in RSBI measurement. INTERPRETATION As a stand-alone test, the RSBI has moderate sensitivity and poor specificity for predicting extubation success. Future research should evaluate its role as a permissive criterion to undergo a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) for patients who are at intermediate pretest probability of passing an SBT. TRIAL REGISTRY PROSPERO; No.: CRD42020149196.

We evaluated characteristics associated with neuromuscular blockade (NMB) use, center-level variation, and whether NMB mediated excess mortality among patients assigned to high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) in the OSCILLATE trial.NMB exposure was defined as receipt after randomization; the primary outcome was hospital mortality. Descriptive analyses compared NMB-exposed vs unexposed patients. Multivariable analyses included patients not on baseline NMB. Cox regression evaluated associations of patient- and center-level variables with NMB use. A log-normal frailty model evaluated center effects. Mediation analysis examined the effect of NMB in HFOV-assigned patients.376/548 patients (39 centers) received post-randomization NMB, of whom 165 received baseline NMB. Patients receiving post-randomization NMB (vs. not) had worse lung mechanics and gas exchange, received more sedation and vasopressors (p 0.05), and had higher hospital mortality (44% vs. 34%, p = 0.03). Mean airway pressure ≥ 24 cmHIn OSCILLATE, receipt of post-randomization NMB was associated with worse outcomes, but NMB use did not mediate HFOV-associated higher mortality.

Among atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, it is unclear whether the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) relative to warfarin is consistent across various levels of international normalized ratio (INR) control. To determine the efficacy and safety of DOAC agents compared with warfarin for patients with various levels of anticoagulation control as reflected by their time in therapeutic range (TTR), we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials of DOAC versus (vs) warfarin which reported outcomes stratified by TTR. Based on reported center-based TTR (cTTR) ranges, degrees of INR control were categorized into 3 cTTR strata: low (60%), intermediate (60% to 66%), and high (66%). Pooled hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were determined for stroke or systemic embolism (SSE), major bleeding, and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Across all cTTR strata, DOAC-treated patients had lower risk of SSE versus warfarin, with a HR of 0.73 (95% CI 0.61 to 0.88) for the low, 0.76 (95% CI 0.59 to 0.98) intermediate; and 0.78 (95% CI 0.63 to 0.96) high cTTR subgroups. Compared with warfarin, DOAC-treated patients had lower risk of major bleeding in the low and intermediate cTTR strata, and similar risk in the highest cTTR stratum (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.26). Patients treated with DOAC had lower risk of ICH compared with warfarin (HR 0.55, 95% CI; 0.40 to 0.74) which was observed across all cTTR strata. In conclusion, regardless of the degree of INR control, DOAC agents are preferable over warfarin as stroke prevention therapy for patients with AF.

Background The optimal donor heart preservation and management strategy during heart transplantation remains controversial. We report the results of a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of supplemental cardioplegia administration during donor heart implant for transplantation. Methods We searched MEDLINE and Embase databases until February 2019 for studies comparing patients who received transplants with the donor heart given supplemental cardioplegia or not. Data were extracted by 2 independent investigators. The main outcomes were early morbidity and mortality. Results Included were 7 retrospective observational studies (4 comparing to historical controls) and 3 randomized controlled trials enrolling 1125 patients. Supplemental cardioplegia included crystalloid and blood cardioplegia given continuous retrograde or as terminal "hot shots." Supplemental cardioplegia was associated with improved early mortality (risk ratio [RR], 0.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.35-0.87; P Conclusions Administration of supplemental cardioplegia may be associated with a reduction in organ ischemic injury and shorter intensive care stay as well as improvement in early survival after transplantation. This strategy may be a simple and cost-effective adjunct to improve outcomes of heart transplantation, especially in an era of increasing use of marginal donor organs. Further investigation will be needed to confirm the findings of this hypothesis-generating study.

Aortic valve-sparing operations theoretically have fewer stroke and bleeding complications but may increase late reoperation risk versus composite valve grafts.We meta-analyzed all studies comparing aortic valve-sparing (reimplantation and remodelling) and composite valve-grafting (bioprosthetic and mechanical) procedures. Early outcomes were all-cause mortality, reoperation for bleeding, myocardial infarction, and thromboembolism/stroke. Long-term outcomes included all-cause mortality, reintervention, bleeding, and thromboembolism/stroke. Studies exclusively investigating dissection or pediatric populations were excluded.A total of 3794 patients who underwent composite valve grafting and 2424 who underwent aortic valve-sparing procedures were included from 9 adjusted and 17 unadjusted observational studies. Mean follow-up was 5.8 ± 3.0 years. Aortic valve sparing was not associated with any difference in early mortality, bleeding, myocardial infarction, or thromboembolic complications. Late mortality was significantly lower after valve sparing (incident risk ratio, 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54-0.87; P.01). Late thromboembolism/stroke (incident rate ratio, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.22-0.60; P.01) and bleeding (incident rate ratio, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.11-0.42; P .01) risks were lower after valve sparing. Procedure type did not affect late reintervention.Aortic valve sparing appears to be safe and associated with reduced late mortality, thromboembolism/stroke, and bleeding compared with composite valve grafting. Late durability is equivalent. Aortic valve sparing should be considered in patients with favorable aortic valve morphology.

Purpose Severe acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with a significant risk of mortality and persistent renal replacement therapy (RRT) dependence. The objective of this study was to develop prediction models for mortality at 90-day and 1-year following RRT initiation in critically ill patients with AKI. Methods All patients who commenced RRT in the intensive care unit for AKI at a tertiary care hospital between 2007 and 2014 constituted the development cohort. We evaluated the external validity of our mortality models using data from the multicentre OPTIMAL-AKI study. Results The development cohort consisted of 594 patients, of whom 320(54%) died and 40 (15% of surviving patients) remained RRT-dependent at 90-day Eleven variables were included in the model to predict 90-day mortality (AUC:0.79, 95%CI:0.76–0.82). The performance of the 90-day mortality model declined upon validation in the OPTIMAL-AKI cohort (AUC:0.61, 95%CI:0.54–0.69) and showed modest calibration. Similar results were obtained for mortality model at 1-year. Conclusions Routinely collected variables at the time of RRT initiation have limited ability to predict mortality in critically ill patients with AKI who commence RRT.

Background Moderate to severe depressive symptoms occur in up to one-third of patients at 1 year following ICU discharge, negatively affecting patient outcomes. This study evaluated patient and caregiver factors associated with the development of these symptoms. Methods This study used the Rehabilitation and Recovery in Patients after Critical Illness and Their Family Caregivers (RECOVER) Program (Phase 1) cohort of 391 patients from 10 medical/surgical university-affiliated ICUs across Canada. We determined the association between patient depressive symptoms (captured by using the Beck Depression Inventory II [BDI-II]), patient characteristics (age, sex, socioeconomic status, Charlson score, and ICU length of stay [LOS]), functional independence measure (FIM) motor subscale score, and caregiver characteristics (Caregiver Assistance Scale and Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale) by using linear mixed models at time points 3, 6, and 12 months. Results BDI-II data were available for 246 patients. Median age at ICU admission was 56 years (interquartile range, 45-65 years), 143 (58%) were male, and median ICU LOS was 19 days (interquartile range, 13-32 days). During the 12-month follow-up, 67 of 246 (27.2%) patients had a BDI-II score ≥ 20, indicating moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Mixed models showed worse depressive symptoms in patients with lower FIM motor subscale scores (1.1 BDI-II points per 10 FIM points), lower income status (by 3.7 BDI-II points; P = .007), and incomplete secondary education (by 3.8 BDI-II points; P = .009); a curvilinear relation with age (P = .001) was also reported, with highest BDI-II at ages 45 to 50 years. No associations were found between patient BDI-II and comorbidities (P = .92), sex (P = .25), ICU LOS (P = .51), or caregiver variables (Caregiver Assistance Scale [P = .28] and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale [P = .74]). Conclusions Increased functional dependence, lower income, and lower education are associated with increased severity of post-ICU depressive symptoms, whereas age has a curvilinear relation with symptom severity. Knowledge of risk factors may inform surveillance and targeted mental health follow-up. Early mobilization and rehabilitation aiming to improve function may serve to modify mood disorders.

Background Traditionally, wire cerclage has been used to reapproximate the sternum after sternotomy. Recent evidence suggests that rigid plate fixation for sternal closure may reduce the risk of sternal complications. Methods The Medline and Embase databases were searched from inception to February 2017 for studies that compared rigid plate fixation with wire cerclage for cardiac surgery patients undergoing sternotomy. Random effects meta-analysis compared rates of sternal complications (primary outcome, defined as deep or superficial sternal wound infection, or sternal instability), early mortality, and length of stay (secondary outcomes). Results Three randomized controlled trials (n = 427) and five unadjusted observational studies (n = 1,025) met inclusion criteria. There was no significant difference in sternal complications with rigid plate fixation at a median of 6 months' follow-up (incidence rate ratio 0.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.20 to 1.29, p = 0.15) overall, but a decrease when including only patients at high risk for sternal complications (incidence rate ratio 0.23, 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.89, p = 0.03; two observational studies). Perioperative mortality was reduced favoring rigid plate fixation (relative risk 0.40, 95% CI: 0.28 to 0.97, p = 0.04; four observational studies and one randomized controlled trial). Length of stay was similar overall (mean difference −0.77 days, 95% CI: −1.65 to +0.12, p = 0.09), but significantly reduced with rigid plate fixation in the observational studies (mean difference −1.34 days, 95% CI: −2.05 to −0.63, p = 0.0002). Conclusions This meta-analysis, driven by the results of unmatched observational studies, suggests that rigid plate fixation may lead to reduced sternal complications in patients at high risk for such events, improved perioperative survival, and decreased hospital length of stay. More randomized controlled trials are required to confirm the potential benefits of rigid plate fixation for primary sternotomy closure.

Background Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as the treatment of choice for patients with severe aortic stenosis at high surgical risk; the role of TAVR compared with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in the low-intermediate surgical risk population remains uncertain. Our primary objective was to determine differences in 30-day and late mortality in patients treated with TAVR compared with SAVR at low-intermediate risk (Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality Methods Medline and Embase were searched from 2010 to March 2017 for studies that compared TAVR with SAVR in the low-intermediate surgical risk population, restricted to randomized clinical trials and matched observational studies. Two investigators independently abstracted the data and a random effects meta-analysis was performed. Results Four randomized clinical trials (n = 4042) and 9 propensity score-matched observational studies (n = 4192) were included in the meta-analysis (n = 8234). There was no difference in 30-day mortality between TAVR and SAVR (3.2% vs 3.1%, pooled risk ratio: 1.02; 95% confidence interval, 0.80-1.30; P = 0.89; I 2 = 0%) or mortality at a median of 1.5-year follow-up (incident rate ratio: 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 0.90-1.15; P = 0.83; I 2 = 0%). There was a higher risk of pacemaker implantation and greater than trace aortic insufficiency in the TAVR group whereas the risk of early stroke, atrial fibrillation, acute kidney injury, cardiogenic shock, and major bleeding was higher in the SAVR group. Conclusions Although there was no difference in 30-day and late mortality, the rate of complications differed between TAVR and SAVR in the low-intermediate surgical risk population.

Objectives This meta-analysis compares total arterial revascularization (TAR) versus conventional coronary artery bypass and additionally to two arterial grafts. Methods We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE Databases from 1996-to-2016 for studies comparing TAR versus non-TAR for multi-vessel surgical revascularization. Data were extracted by 2 independent investigators. Meta-analysis used random effects, which incorporates heterogeneity. Results There were 4 smaller shorter follow-up randomized controlled trials (RCTs), plus 15 matched/adjusted and 6 unmatched/unadjusted larger longer follow-up observational studies that met inclusion criteria ( N =130.305 patients; mean follow-up range: 1–15years). There were no differences in perioperative stroke, myocardial infarction or mortality. However, TAR was associated with lower long term all-cause mortality in observational studies matched/adjusted for confounders (incident rate ratio 0.85, 95% CI: 0.81–0.89, p I 2 =0%) and unmatched/unadjusted (incident rate ratio 0.67, 95% CI: 0.59–0.76, p I 2 =67%) for TAR. Decreases in major cardiovascular outcomes and revascularization did not achieve statistical significance. There were greater sternal complications with TAR in the matched/adjusted studies (pooled risk ratio 1.21, 95% CI: 1.03–1.42, p =0.02; I 2 =0%). When compared to patients with two arterial grafts, TAR was still associated with reduced long-term all-cause mortality (incident rate ratio 0.85, 95% CI: 0.73–0.99, p =0.04) with minimal heterogeneity ( I 2 =5%). Conclusions Data from primarily observational studies suggest that TAR may improve long-term survival compared with conventional coronary bypass by 15–20% even when compared with two arterial grafts. Prospective randomized trials of TAR with long term follow-up are needed.

Purpose Minimally invasive (MI) approaches for left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation has the potential to offer similar benefits to of other well-established cardiac surgery procedures. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the potential benefits of MI LVAD implantation compared to sternotomy. Methods We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for studies comparing MI continuous-flow LVAD implantation with sternotomy. Data was extracted by two independent investigators. The main outcomes were perioperative mortality and complications. Results 19 observational studies (1619 patients) with mean follow-up of 9 months were included. HeartWare was the most commonly implanted device (80%), followed by HeartMate II (6%). Serum bilirubin was lower (MD: -5.4 uM; 95%CI: ‒8.1 to -2.7; p Conclusion MI LVAD implantation led to an improved perioperative complication profile and enhanced patient recovery, potentially decreasing mid-term mortality. These are consistent with findings from other well-established MI cardiac surgical procedures. A future randomized trial could further clarify these benefits and establish this technique as a standard practice.

BACKGROUND Mechanical ventilation is a cornerstone in the management of acute respiratory failure. Both volume-targeted and pressure-targeted ventilations are used, the latter modes being increasingly used. We provide a narrative review of the physiologic principles of these two types of breath delivery, performed a literature search, and analyzed published comparisons between modes. METHODS We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine whether pressure control-continuous mandatory ventilation (PC-CMV) or pressure control-inverse ratio ventilation (PC-IRV) has demonstrated advantages over volume control-continuous mandatory ventilation (VC-CMV). The Cochrane tool for risk of bias was used for methodologic quality. We also introduced physiologic criteria as quality indicators for selecting the studies. Outcomes included compliance, gas exchange, hemodynamics, work of breathing, and clinical outcomes. Analyses were completed with RevMan5 using random effects models. RESULTS Thirty-four studies met inclusion criteria, many being at high risk of bias. Comparisons of PC-CMV/PC-IRV and VC-CMV did not show any difference for compliance or gas exchange, even when looking at PC-IRV. Calculating the oxygenation index suggested a poorer effect for PC-IRV. There was no difference between modes in terms of hemodynamics, work of breathing, or clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS The two modes have different working principles but clinical available data do not suggest any difference in the outcomes. We included all identified trials, enhancing generalizability, and attempted to include only sufficient quality physiologic studies. However, included trials were small and varied considerably in quality. These data should help to open the choice of ventilation of patients with acute respiratory failure.

Post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) still occurs commonly after cardiac surgery and is associated with stroke, congestive heart failure, acute kidney injury, and death [(1)][1]. A comprehensive framework for management of POAF should include: 1) modification of potential triggers and

Summary Background The choice between coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for revascularisation in patients with diabetes and multivessel coronary artery disease, who account for 25% of revascularisation procedures, is much debated. We aimed to assess whether all-cause mortality differed between patients with diabetes who had CABG or PCI by doing a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing CABG with PCI in the modern stent era. Methods We searched Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from Jan 1, 1980, to March 12, 2013, for studies reported in English. Eligible studies were those in which investigators enrolled adult patients with diabetes and multivessel coronary artery disease, randomised them to CABG (with arterial conduits in at least 80% of participants) or PCI (with stents in at least 80% of participants), and reported outcomes separately in patients with diabetes, with a minimum of 12 months of follow-up. We used random-effects models to calculate risk ratios (RR) and 95% CIs for pooled data. We assessed heterogeneity using I 2 . The primary outcome was all-cause mortality in patients with diabetes who had CABG compared with those who had PCI at 5-year (or longest) follow-up. Findings The initial search strategy identified 3414 citations, of which eight trials were eligible. These eight trials included 7468 participants, of whom 3612 had diabetes. Four of the RCTs used bare metal stents (BMS; ERACI II, ARTS, SoS, MASS II) and four used drug-eluting stents (DES; FREEDOM, SYNTAX, VA CARDS, CARDia). At mean or median 5-year (or longest) follow-up, individuals with diabetes allocated to CABG had lower all-cause mortality than did those allocated to PCI (RR 0·67, 95% CI 0·52–0·86; p=0·002; I 2 =25%; 3131 patients, eight trials). Treatment effects in individuals without diabetes showed no mortality benefit (1·03, 0·77–1·37; p=0·78; I 2 =46%; 3790 patients, five trials; p interaction =0.03). We identified no differences in outcome whether PCI was done with BMS or DES. When present, we identified no clear causes of heterogeneity. Interpretation In the modern era of stenting and optimum medical therapy, revascularisation of patients with diabetes and multivessel disease by CABG decreases long-term mortality by about a third compared with PCI using either BMS or DES. CABG should be strongly considered for these patients. Funding Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, and Canada Research Chairs programme.

Background Thrombocytopenia is the most common hemostatic disorder in critically ill patients. The objective of this study was to describe the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of thrombocytopenia in patients admitted to medical-surgical ICUs. Methods Three thousand seven hundred forty-six patients in 67 centers were enrolled in a randomized trial in which unfractionated heparin was compared with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for thromboprophylaxis. Patients who had baseline platelet counts 9 /L or severe coagulopathy at screening were excluded. We analyzed the risk of developing mild (100-149 × 10 9 /L), moderate (50-99 × 10 9 /L), and severe ( 9 /L) thrombocytopenia during an ICU stay. We also assessed independent and time-varying predictors of thrombocytopenia and the effect of thrombocytopenia on major bleeding, transfusions, and death. Results The incidences of mild, moderate, and severe thrombocytopenia were 15.3%, 5.1%, and 1.6%, respectively. The predictors of each category of thrombocytopenia were APACHE (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation) II score, use of inotropes or vasopressors, and renal replacement therapy. The risk of moderate thrombocytopenia was lower in patients who received LMWH thromboprophylaxis but higher in surgical patients and in patients who had liver disease. Each category of thrombocytopenia was associated with subsequent bleeding and transfusions. Moderate and severe thrombocytopenia were associated with increased ICU and hospital mortality. Conclusion A high severity of illness, prior surgery, use of inotropes or vasopressors, renal replacement therapy, and liver dysfunction are associated with a higher risk of thrombocytopenia developing in the ICU, whereas LMWH thromboprophylaxis is associated with a lower risk. Patients who develop thrombocytopenia in the ICU are more likely to bleed, receive transfusions, and die. Trial registry ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT00182143; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov

Background Acute kidney injury frequently arises within an acute care hospitalization. Outcomes among acute kidney injury survivors following hospital discharge are poorly documented. Methods We conducted a population-based cohort study between 1996 and 2006 of all adult patients in Ontario with acute kidney injury who did not require in-hospital dialysis, and who survived free of dialysis ≥30 days after discharge. Those with acute kidney injury (n=41,327) were matched 1:1 to patients without acute kidney injury during their index hospitalization. Matching was by age (±1 year), sex, history of chronic kidney disease, receipt of mechanical ventilation during the index hospitalization, and a propensity score for developing acute kidney injury. The primary outcome was subsequent need for chronic dialysis. The secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality and rehospitalization. Results Mean age was 70 years, and median follow-up was 2 years (maximum 10 years). The incidence of chronic dialysis was 1.78 per 100 person-years among those with acute kidney injury and 0.74 per 100 person-years among unaffected controls (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]; 2.70, 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.42-3.00). Rates also were higher for all-cause mortality (15.34 vs 14.51 per-100 person-years; adjusted HR 1.10; 95% CI, 1.07-1.13) and rehospitalization (44.93 vs 37.18 per 100 person-years; adjusted HR 1.21; 95% CI, 1.18-1.24). Conclusion Even when acute dialysis is not required, survivors of acute kidney injury remain at higher risk of receipt of chronic dialysis thereafter. The absolute risk of death was more than 8 times the rate of chronic dialysis.

Objective Surgical management of aortic valve infective endocarditis (IE) with cryopreserved homograft has been associated with lower risk of recurrent IE, but there is equipoise with regard to the optimal prosthesis. This systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to compare outcomes between homograft and conventional prosthesis for aortic valve IE. Methods We searched MEDLINE database to September 2017 for studies comparing homograft versus conventional prosthesis. The main outcomes were all-cause mortality, recurrent IE, and reoperation. Results There were 18 included comparative observational studies with 2232 patients (median follow up = 5 [interquartile range: 2–7] years, 30% prosthetic valve endocarditis); four studies were adjusted for baseline differences. There were no differences in perioperative mortality or stroke despite a greater proportion of staphylococcal endocarditis, abscess, and root replacements but less multivalve involvement in the homograft group. Long-term outcomes of all-cause mortality [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.81–1.31, P = 0.83, for unmatched, and IRR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.36–1.84, P = 0.63, for matched studies], recurrent endocarditis (IRR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.53–1.93, P = 0.96, for unmatched, and IRR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.49–2.19, P = 0.92, for matched studies), and reoperation (IRR = 1.60, 95% CI = 0.80–3.21, P = 0.18, for unmatched, and IRR = 3.17, 95% CI = 0.52–19.44, P = 0.21, for matched studies) were not different comparing homograft versus conventional prosthesis. There was a significantly increased need for reoperation with homograft versus mechanical prosthetic valves, but this comparison was based on limited data. Conclusions Homografts and conventional prostheses offer similar survival and freedom from recurrent endocarditis and reoperation for aortic valve IE. Homografts may be associated with greater risk of reoperation compared with mechanical valves.

Background This meta-analysis compares the early and late outcomes of valve repair versus replacement, the primary surgical strategies for tricuspid valve infective endocarditis (IE). Methods We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE databases until 2016 for studies comparing tricuspid valve repair and replacement. Results The main outcomes were mortality, recurrent IE, and need for reoperation. There were 12 unmatched retrospective observational studies with 1,165 patients (median follow-up 3.8 years, interquartile range: 2.1 to 5.0). The most common indications for surgery were septic pulmonary embolism, left-sided IE, right-side heart failure, and persistent bacteremia. Median repair proportion was 59% and replacement was 41% among studies. The primary repair strategies are vegetectomy, De Vega procedure, annuloplasty ring, bicuspidization, and leaflet patch augmentation. Of valve replacements, 83% were bioprosthetic and 17% mechanical prostheses. There were no differences in perioperative mortality between tricuspid valve repair versus replacement (relative risk [RR] 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26 to 1.46, p = 0.3). Long-term all-cause mortality was not different (RR 0.61, 95% CI: 0.22 to 1.72, p = 0.4). Valve repair was associated with lower recurrent IE (RR 0.17, 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.57, p = 0.004) and need for reoperation (RR 0.26, 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.92, p = 0.04) but a trend toward greater risk of moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation (RR 4.14, 95% CI: 0.80 to 21.34, p = 0.09). Furthermore, tricuspid valve repair is associated with lower need for permanent pacemaker (RR 0.20, 95% CI: 0.11 to 0.35, p Conclusions Tricuspid valve repair and replacement offer similar long-term survival. Valve repair may offer greater freedom from recurrent IE and reoperation as well as freedom from pacemaker and should be the preferred approach for patients with tricuspid valve IE.

Purpose Gram stains of endotracheal aspirates (EA) and bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) may guide empiric antibiotic therapy in critically ill patients with suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Previous studies differ regarding the ability of the Gram stain to predict final culture results. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between EA or BAL Gram stains and final culture results in intensive care unit patients with a suspected VAP. Material and Methods We retrospectively analyzed data from the Canadian multicenter VAP study to correlate EA or BAL Gram stain and final culture results. We categorized Gram stains as Gram positive (GP) and Gram negative (GN) if any GP or GN organisms respectively were seen on staining. Cultures were considered "positive" if they yielded pathogenic organisms on final results. Results Seven hundred forty patients were enrolled in the study; 35 did not have a Gram stain done leaving 350 BALs and 355 EAs from 705 patients. Pooling BAL and EA results, we found the overall agreement between Gram stain class and pathogenic bacteria culture results to be poor ( κ = 0.36; 95% CI, 0.31-0.40). Among specimens with Gram stains showing no organisms, 99 (30%) of 331 grew pathogenic organisms. Among specimens with Gram stains showing no GN organisms, 113 (25%) of 452 grew pathogenic GN organisms. Among specimens with Gram stains showing no GP organisms, 45 (11%) of 428 grew pathogenic GP organisms. Conclusions Gram stains performed for clinically suspected VAP poorly predict the final culture result and thus have a limited role in guiding initial empiric antibiotic therapy in such patients.

Purpose To examine the predictive validity of prior cultures at predicting the microorganism isolated at the time of suspicion of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Materials and Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of a randomized controlled trial of different diagnostic and antibiotic strategies. In a subset of patients with pre-enrollment cultures, we examined agreement between cultures 1 to 3 days before suspicion of VAP and enrollment cultures performed on the day of suspicion of VAP and potential antibiotic error rates (estimated using the equation 1 − crude agreement). Results Two hundred eighty-one (39%) of 739 patients had pre-enrollment culture. One hundred thirty (46%) of 281 yielded a pathogenic microorganism. In patients with positive pre-enrollment cultures, crude agreement was 0.63 (95% confidence interval, 0.55-0.71) for organism, 0.84 (0.77-0.89) for Gram class, and 0.61 (0.52-0.69) for species with sensitivity. Potential antibiotic error rates ranged from 16% (11%-33%) to 39% (31%-48%). Better agreement ( P = .033) occurred in isolates from patients receiving new antibiotics during the surveillance period (0.78 [0.64-0.87]) compared to those not on antibiotics (0.58 [0.45-0.69]), or on no new antibiotics (0.50 [0.32-0.68]). Conclusions There is poor agreement between prior cultures and cultures performed at time of suspicion of VAP. Prior cultures should not be used to narrow the spectrum of empiric antibiotics.

Editorial Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Should Be Considered in Octogenarians With Multivessel Coronary Disease Bobby Yanagawa, MD, PhD, John D. Puskas, MD, Subodh Verma, MD PhD, and Jan O. Friedrich, MD, MSc, D Phil Division of Cardiac Surgery, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, New York, New York, USA Departments of Critical Care and Medicine, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Characterization of a new clinically more interpretable techniques to pool continuous outcomes in meta-analysis.