[Efficacy of arteriovenous argatroban versus heparin flush anticoagulation after cardiovascular surgery].

Objective: To compare the effects of arteriovenous argatroban and heparin flushes on platelet count and assess the occurrence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and other complications in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgeries. Methods: A single-center, prospective randomized control study was conducted. Patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery at Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from March to December 2019 were randomly divided into the argatroban group (250 ml normal saline plus 2.5 mg of argatroban) and the heparin group (250 ml normal saline plus 10 mg of heparin). Platelet count, hemorrhage, and thrombosis were assessed. The 4T scores of HIT, the incidences of HIT and other complications were also evaluated. Results: A total of 491 patients (307 males and 184 females) were included in the study, with a mean age of (52.3±13.7) years. There were 245 cases in the argatroban group and 246 cases in the heparin group, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the preoperative platelet count between the argatroban and heparin groups [198.0 (161.0, 248.0)×109/L vs 194.0 (157.2, 243.8)×109/L, P=0.498]. Likewise, there were no statistically significant differences in the platelet count between the argatroban and heparin groups at 12 h, 1 day, and 5 days after operation [127.0 (100.0, 154.0)×109/L vs 121.5 (90.2, 149.0)×109/L, 126.0 (97.0, 162.0)×109/L vs 123.5 (88.0, 151.0)×109/L, 168.0 (130.0, 215.0) ×109/L vs 161.0 (101.0, 210.5)×109/L] (repeated measures ANOVA between groups: F=3.327, P=0.069; time comparison: F=532.523, P<0.001; time interaction between groups: F=0.675, P=0.512). The proportion of 4T scores of medium and high scores (≥4)[9.8% (24/245) vs 10.6% (26/246), P=0.777] and incidence of HIT antibody positive [1.63% (4/245) vs 1.63% (4/246), P=0.726] were similar between argatroban group and the heparin group. Mechanical ventilation time was shorter in the argatroban group than that in the heparin group [13.0 (11.0, 21.0) vs 15.5 (12.0, 21.0) h, P=0.020]. Conclusion: Compared with heparin, routine management with argatroban for arteriovenous flush in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery does not affect the HIT incidence.

Patient Blood Management: Single Center Evidence and Practice at Fuwai Hospital.

Blood loss and blood transfusion requirement are important quality control indicators of cardiovascular surgery and cardiovascular anesthesia. Patient blood management (PBM) is an evidence-based, multidisciplinary approach to optimizing the care of patients who may need transfusion, which encompasses anemia management, hemodilution, cell salvage, hemostatic treatment, and other approaches to reducing bleeding and minimizing blood transfusion. PBM in cardiovascular surgery is a "team sport" that involves cardiac and vascular surgeons, anesthesiologists, perfusionist, intensivists, and other health care providers. The current work provides an overview of evidence and practice of PBM at Fuwai Hospital. Implementation of PBM should also take local resource availability and cost-effectiveness of different devices, drugs, technologies, and techniques into consideration.

[The application value of diaphragm ultrasound in the weaning of ventilator for patients undergoing heart valve replacement].

Objective: To explore the role of diaphragm ultrasound in guiding the successful weaning of ventilators in patients undergoing heart valve replacement. Methods: Prospectively selected 103 patients who received heart valve replacement in the Department of Cardiac Surgery, Fuwai Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from December 2019 to February 2021 were selected, who have received mechanical ventilation for ≥48 h and have entered the pre-weaning spontaneous breathing test. The patients were divided into a successful weaning group (n=83) and failed weaning group (n=20) according to the patient's weaning result. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the value of diaphragm thickening rate and diaphragmatic excursion to predict the result of ventilator weaning. Results: Among 83 patients in the successful weaning group, 52 were male patients and 31 were female patients, with an average age of (56.5±5.5) years; 20 patients in the failed weaning group included 12 male patients and 8 female patients, with an average The age is (57.3±6.2) years old.The left DTF, right DTF, left DE, and right DE of the patients in the successfully weaned group were (39.0±17.8)%, (57.7±1.2)%, (11.9±4.3) mm, (18.5±1.4) mm, respectively, which were higher than those in the weaning failure group (18.1±4.5)%, (19.9±2.3)%, (6.2±2.8) mm, (11.9±1.5) mm, respectively. And the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the best cut-off values, the sensitivity and the specificity for the thickening rate of the left diaphragms of patients with successful weaning were 61%, 90.46% and 87.83%, respectively; while the best cut-off values, the sensitivity and the specificity for the thickening rate of the right diaphragms of patients with successful weaning were 88%, 96.07% and 89.67%, respectively. The optimal cut-off values, the sensitivity and the specificity of mobility of the left right diaphragms of patients are 11.3 mm, 81.38% and 80.24%, respectively; while the optimal cut-off values, the sensitivity and the specificity of right diaphragms of patients were 12.7 mm, 87.23% and 85.56%, respectively. Conclusion: Diaphragm ultrasound can more accurately predict the outcome of ventilator weaning in patients undergoing heart valve replacement surgery, and it has good clinical application value.

[Diagnosis and treatment value of bedside pulmonary ultrasound for atelectasis in patients after cardiac surgery].

Objective: To investigate the value of bedside pulmonary ultrasound in the diagnosis and treatment of atelectasis in patients after cardiac surgery. Methods: A total of 45 patients developed respiratory failure within 1 week after cardiovascular surgery from April 2017 to April 2018 were enrolled in this study. Among them, 27 were male and 18 were female, mean age was (47±5) years. The postoperative pulmonary ultrasound and chest CT findings were collected, and the consistency, efficacy evaluation, timeliness and safety value of pulmonary ultrasound and chest CT diagnosis were compared. The consistency of the two diagnostic methods was checked based on the Kappa consistency test. Results: A total of 87 foci of atelectasis were diagnosed in 45 patients, including 29 foci of complete atelectasis and 58 foci of incomplete atelectasis. Thoracic CT examination confirmed 44 cases of atelectasis (positive rate 97.8%), and 42 cases (93.3%) were found with atelectasis with ultrasound test. The two methods were consistent in the diagnosis of atelectasis (Kappa value was 0.741, P<0.05). In the evaluation of the atelectasis, the results of the two examination methods were completely consistent, and the pulmonary ultrasound couldcheck the lung recruitment in real time. Ultrasound examination after lung recruitment showed that the total ventilation score of 42 patients decreased significantly when compared with that before treatment ((18.3±3.6) vs (26.6±3.8), t=10.229, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the safety between the two examination methods. The time the bedside pulmonary ultrasound used was significantly shorter than that in the chest CT. Conclusions: The accuracy of bedside pulmonary ultrasound in assessing atelectasis after cardiovascular surgery is consistent with chest CT, it brings dynamic monitoring of lung status and assessment of lung recruitment by changes in lung ventilation scores. The inspection takes a short time and is worth promoting.

[Risk factors of perioperative intra-aortic balloon pump complications in cardiac surgery: a 12-year single-institution analysis].

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the incidence and risk factors of the complications in perioperative intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) supported cardiac surgical patients.METHODS:The clinical data of adult cardiac surgery patients undergoing IABP in Fuwai Hospital from January 2005 to January 2017 were enrolled. The patients were divided into complications group and no complications group. Demographic characteristics, diagnosis, perioperative clinical parameters, IABP related data, and IABP complications (including ischemia, bleeding, vascular injury and mechanical problems) were collected. The incremental risk factors of complications related IABP were analyzed by logistic regression.RESULTS:During the 12-year period, 522 patients received IABP support, with 388 male and 134 female; the mean age was (61.79±9.35) years; the complications related to IABP occurred in 25 patients, and overall complication rate was 4.79%; 87 IABP patients were dead in-hospital, the overall mortality was 16.67%, no patient died due to complications. The complications rate was higher in the female patients (40.00% vs. 24.95%), and was more in patients with age≥65 years old (80.00% vs. 38.03%), more with higher body mass index [BMI (kg/m2): 25.45±13.71 vs. 22.95±3.45], diabetes mellitus (44.00% vs. 26.76%), combination treatment with extra-corporeal membranous oxygenation (ECMO: 20.00% vs. 5.03%) and prolonged IABP support time (hours: 134.4±90.3 vs. 109.8±89.1, all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications among preoperative IABP support, intra-operative IABP support and post-operative IABP support [3.30% (3/91), 5.46% (10/183), 4.84% (12/248), χ 2 = 0.629, P = 0.730]. Bleeding from puncture site occurred in 14 cases (2.68%) without severe bleeding. Limb ischemia occurred in 9 cases (1.72%). One patient (0.19%) was under another surgery because of retroperitoneal hemorrhage caused by vascular injury. One patient (0.19%) was unsuccessful due to a balloon leak. It was shown by logistic regression analysis that presence of age ≥ 65 years [odds ratio (OR) = 2.320, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.011-1.806, P = 0.047], diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.281, 95%CI = 1.016-5.120, P = 0.026) and combination treatment with ECMO (OR = 4.341, 95%CI = 1.240-15.196, P = 0.040) were found to be the risk factors of complications related to IABP.CONCLUSIONS:IABP complication rates are generally low. The frequent complications during IABP support is bleeding from site of catheterization and limb ischemia. When patients were treated with IABP, those with older age, diabetes mellitus and combination with ECMO should be monitored closely in order to reduce complications.

Reprint of: Continuous renal replacement therapy and mild hypothermia for acute left heart failure after cardiovascular surgery.

Continuous renal replacement therapy and mild hypothermia for acute left heart failure after cardiovascular surgery.

[Efficacy of arteriovenous argatroban versus heparin flush anticoagulation after cardiovascular surgery].

Objective: To compare the effects of arteriovenous argatroban and heparin flushes on platelet count and assess the occurrence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and other complications in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgeries. Methods: A single-center, prospective randomized control study was conducted. Patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery at Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from March to December 2019 were randomly divided into the argatroban group (250 ml normal saline plus 2.5 mg of argatroban) and the heparin group (250 ml normal saline plus 10 mg of heparin). Platelet count, hemorrhage, and thrombosis were assessed. The 4T scores of HIT, the incidences of HIT and other complications were also evaluated. Results: A total of 491 patients (307 males and 184 females) were included in the study, with a mean age of (52.3±13.7) years. There were 245 cases in the argatroban group and 246 cases in the heparin group, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the preoperative platelet count between the argatroban and heparin groups [198.0 (161.0, 248.0)×109/L vs 194.0 (157.2, 243.8)×109/L, P=0.498]. Likewise, there were no statistically significant differences in the platelet count between the argatroban and heparin groups at 12 h, 1 day, and 5 days after operation [127.0 (100.0, 154.0)×109/L vs 121.5 (90.2, 149.0)×109/L, 126.0 (97.0, 162.0)×109/L vs 123.5 (88.0, 151.0)×109/L, 168.0 (130.0, 215.0) ×109/L vs 161.0 (101.0, 210.5)×109/L] (repeated measures ANOVA between groups: F=3.327, P=0.069; time comparison: F=532.523, P<0.001; time interaction between groups: F=0.675, P=0.512). The proportion of 4T scores of medium and high scores (≥4)[9.8% (24/245) vs 10.6% (26/246), P=0.777] and incidence of HIT antibody positive [1.63% (4/245) vs 1.63% (4/246), P=0.726] were similar between argatroban group and the heparin group. Mechanical ventilation time was shorter in the argatroban group than that in the heparin group [13.0 (11.0, 21.0) vs 15.5 (12.0, 21.0) h, P=0.020]. Conclusion: Compared with heparin, routine management with argatroban for arteriovenous flush in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery does not affect the HIT incidence.

Patient Blood Management: Single Center Evidence and Practice at Fuwai Hospital.

Blood loss and blood transfusion requirement are important quality control indicators of cardiovascular surgery and cardiovascular anesthesia. Patient blood management (PBM) is an evidence-based, multidisciplinary approach to optimizing the care of patients who may need transfusion, which encompasses anemia management, hemodilution, cell salvage, hemostatic treatment, and other approaches to reducing bleeding and minimizing blood transfusion. PBM in cardiovascular surgery is a "team sport" that involves cardiac and vascular surgeons, anesthesiologists, perfusionist, intensivists, and other health care providers. The current work provides an overview of evidence and practice of PBM at Fuwai Hospital. Implementation of PBM should also take local resource availability and cost-effectiveness of different devices, drugs, technologies, and techniques into consideration.

[The application value of diaphragm ultrasound in the weaning of ventilator for patients undergoing heart valve replacement].

Objective: To explore the role of diaphragm ultrasound in guiding the successful weaning of ventilators in patients undergoing heart valve replacement. Methods: Prospectively selected 103 patients who received heart valve replacement in the Department of Cardiac Surgery, Fuwai Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from December 2019 to February 2021 were selected, who have received mechanical ventilation for ≥48 h and have entered the pre-weaning spontaneous breathing test. The patients were divided into a successful weaning group (n=83) and failed weaning group (n=20) according to the patient's weaning result. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the value of diaphragm thickening rate and diaphragmatic excursion to predict the result of ventilator weaning. Results: Among 83 patients in the successful weaning group, 52 were male patients and 31 were female patients, with an average age of (56.5±5.5) years; 20 patients in the failed weaning group included 12 male patients and 8 female patients, with an average The age is (57.3±6.2) years old.The left DTF, right DTF, left DE, and right DE of the patients in the successfully weaned group were (39.0±17.8)%, (57.7±1.2)%, (11.9±4.3) mm, (18.5±1.4) mm, respectively, which were higher than those in the weaning failure group (18.1±4.5)%, (19.9±2.3)%, (6.2±2.8) mm, (11.9±1.5) mm, respectively. And the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the best cut-off values, the sensitivity and the specificity for the thickening rate of the left diaphragms of patients with successful weaning were 61%, 90.46% and 87.83%, respectively; while the best cut-off values, the sensitivity and the specificity for the thickening rate of the right diaphragms of patients with successful weaning were 88%, 96.07% and 89.67%, respectively. The optimal cut-off values, the sensitivity and the specificity of mobility of the left right diaphragms of patients are 11.3 mm, 81.38% and 80.24%, respectively; while the optimal cut-off values, the sensitivity and the specificity of right diaphragms of patients were 12.7 mm, 87.23% and 85.56%, respectively. Conclusion: Diaphragm ultrasound can more accurately predict the outcome of ventilator weaning in patients undergoing heart valve replacement surgery, and it has good clinical application value.

[Diagnosis and treatment value of bedside pulmonary ultrasound for atelectasis in patients after cardiac surgery].

Objective: To investigate the value of bedside pulmonary ultrasound in the diagnosis and treatment of atelectasis in patients after cardiac surgery. Methods: A total of 45 patients developed respiratory failure within 1 week after cardiovascular surgery from April 2017 to April 2018 were enrolled in this study. Among them, 27 were male and 18 were female, mean age was (47±5) years. The postoperative pulmonary ultrasound and chest CT findings were collected, and the consistency, efficacy evaluation, timeliness and safety value of pulmonary ultrasound and chest CT diagnosis were compared. The consistency of the two diagnostic methods was checked based on the Kappa consistency test. Results: A total of 87 foci of atelectasis were diagnosed in 45 patients, including 29 foci of complete atelectasis and 58 foci of incomplete atelectasis. Thoracic CT examination confirmed 44 cases of atelectasis (positive rate 97.8%), and 42 cases (93.3%) were found with atelectasis with ultrasound test. The two methods were consistent in the diagnosis of atelectasis (Kappa value was 0.741, P<0.05). In the evaluation of the atelectasis, the results of the two examination methods were completely consistent, and the pulmonary ultrasound couldcheck the lung recruitment in real time. Ultrasound examination after lung recruitment showed that the total ventilation score of 42 patients decreased significantly when compared with that before treatment ((18.3±3.6) vs (26.6±3.8), t=10.229, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the safety between the two examination methods. The time the bedside pulmonary ultrasound used was significantly shorter than that in the chest CT. Conclusions: The accuracy of bedside pulmonary ultrasound in assessing atelectasis after cardiovascular surgery is consistent with chest CT, it brings dynamic monitoring of lung status and assessment of lung recruitment by changes in lung ventilation scores. The inspection takes a short time and is worth promoting.

[Risk factors of perioperative intra-aortic balloon pump complications in cardiac surgery: a 12-year single-institution analysis].

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the incidence and risk factors of the complications in perioperative intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) supported cardiac surgical patients.METHODS:The clinical data of adult cardiac surgery patients undergoing IABP in Fuwai Hospital from January 2005 to January 2017 were enrolled. The patients were divided into complications group and no complications group. Demographic characteristics, diagnosis, perioperative clinical parameters, IABP related data, and IABP complications (including ischemia, bleeding, vascular injury and mechanical problems) were collected. The incremental risk factors of complications related IABP were analyzed by logistic regression.RESULTS:During the 12-year period, 522 patients received IABP support, with 388 male and 134 female; the mean age was (61.79±9.35) years; the complications related to IABP occurred in 25 patients, and overall complication rate was 4.79%; 87 IABP patients were dead in-hospital, the overall mortality was 16.67%, no patient died due to complications. The complications rate was higher in the female patients (40.00% vs. 24.95%), and was more in patients with age≥65 years old (80.00% vs. 38.03%), more with higher body mass index [BMI (kg/m2): 25.45±13.71 vs. 22.95±3.45], diabetes mellitus (44.00% vs. 26.76%), combination treatment with extra-corporeal membranous oxygenation (ECMO: 20.00% vs. 5.03%) and prolonged IABP support time (hours: 134.4±90.3 vs. 109.8±89.1, all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications among preoperative IABP support, intra-operative IABP support and post-operative IABP support [3.30% (3/91), 5.46% (10/183), 4.84% (12/248), χ 2 = 0.629, P = 0.730]. Bleeding from puncture site occurred in 14 cases (2.68%) without severe bleeding. Limb ischemia occurred in 9 cases (1.72%). One patient (0.19%) was under another surgery because of retroperitoneal hemorrhage caused by vascular injury. One patient (0.19%) was unsuccessful due to a balloon leak. It was shown by logistic regression analysis that presence of age ≥ 65 years [odds ratio (OR) = 2.320, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.011-1.806, P = 0.047], diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.281, 95%CI = 1.016-5.120, P = 0.026) and combination treatment with ECMO (OR = 4.341, 95%CI = 1.240-15.196, P = 0.040) were found to be the risk factors of complications related to IABP.CONCLUSIONS:IABP complication rates are generally low. The frequent complications during IABP support is bleeding from site of catheterization and limb ischemia. When patients were treated with IABP, those with older age, diabetes mellitus and combination with ECMO should be monitored closely in order to reduce complications.

Reprint of: Continuous renal replacement therapy and mild hypothermia for acute left heart failure after cardiovascular surgery.

Continuous renal replacement therapy and mild hypothermia for acute left heart failure after cardiovascular surgery.