Early and late outcome of cardiac surgery in patients with liver cirrhosis

The effect of preoperative liver dysfunction on cardiac surgery outcomes

Background

To determine the impact of preoperative Liver Dysfunction (LD) on outcomes after elective Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) and Valvular surgery (VS).

Methods

The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2002–2010) was queried to identify patients with LD who had elective CABG or VS utilizing ICD-9-CM diagnosis and procedure codes. These patients were matched with the similar patients without LD (controls) by propensity score matching. Chi-square and Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used for analysis.

Results

We identified 1197 patients with LD (CABG = 755; VS = 442) who were matched to 2394 controls. LD significantly increased hospital mortality after both CABG (OR = 5.19; 95%CI = 2.93–9.20) and VS (OR = 7.49; 95%CI = 3.12–17.96). Overall rates of complications after CABG with LD were greater than in non-complicated cases (OR = 1.73; 95%CI = 1.46–2.05). Among them, there was an increase in bleeding (OR = 1.81;95%CI = 1.44–2.28), respiratory (OR = 2.33;95%CI = 1.86–2.93), renal (OR = 2.79;95%CI = 2.04–3.81), and infectious (OR = 2.93;95%CI = 2.14–4.01) complications. In general, the rates of complications after VS with LD were also greater than in non-complicated cases (OR = 2.77;95%CI = 2.13–3.60), specifically for bleeding (OR = 3.07;95%CI = 2.17–4.34), respiratory (OR = 3.57;95%CI = 2.51–5.07), renal (OR = 4.40;95%CI = 2.80–6.92), and infectious (OR = 4.63;95%CI = 2.85–7.51) complications. The development of LD significantly increased mean hospital length of stay (LOS) and total hospital charges after both CABG (from7.0 ± 4.0 to 9.2 ± 9.1 days and from $100,265 ± 87,107 to $117,756 ± 99,320, respectively; P < 0.0001 for both) and VS (from 7.9 ± 5.0 to 11.4 ± 9.9 days and from $134,306 ± 114,216 to $176,620 ± 147,049, respectively; P < 0.0001 for both).

Conclusions

LD worsened the outcomes after cardiac surgery. It increased rates of complications, hospital mortality, length of stay and total hospital charges after both procedures.

Impact of Cirrhosis in Patients Who Underwent Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement

Cirrhosis is known to adversely affect cardiac surgery outcomes. Our objective was to quantify the morbidity, mortality, and cost that cirrhosis adds to surgical aortic valve replacement. From 1998 to 2011, 423,789 patients in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample Healthcare Cost Utilization Project underwent isolated aortic valve replacement; 2,769 (0.7%) had cirrhosis. Multivariable linear regression and 1:1 propensity matching were used to determine the effect of cirrhosis on postsurgical outcomes. The number of patients with cirrhosis who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement per year more than tripled during the 13-year study period. Patients with cirrhosis were more likely to be younger (p <0.0001), insured by Medicaid (p <0.0001), and operated on at an academic or high-volume hospital (p <0.05). Risk-adjusted mortality for patients with cirrhosis was 16%, compared with 5% for patients without cirrhosis. Risk factors for death included congestive heart failure, fluid and electrolyte imbalances, pulmonary circulation disorders, and weight loss. Among propensity-matched pairs, patients with cirrhosis had a higher mortality (odds ratio [OR] 3.6), risk of any complication [OR 1.5], and acute renal failure (OR 2.2). There was no increased risk of stroke, wound infection, blood transfusion, or pneumonia. The risk-adjusted length of stay (15 vs 12 days) and cost ($68,000 vs 56,000) were higher in patients with cirrhosis. In conclusion, the presence of cirrhosis poses a significant risk of death in patients who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement. When performed, the cost and length of stay are increased compared with those without cirrhosis.

Long-Term Cardiac Morbidity and Mortality in Patients With Aortic Valve Disease Following Liver Transplantation: A Case Matching Study

INTRODUCTION

This retrospective study examined the role of aortic valve (AV) disease in patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) to determine the incidence of postoperative cardiac morbidity and mortality when compared with a matched control group without AV disease.

METHODS

Patients were included in the AV group if diagnosed with aortic stenosis (AS) or aortic regurgitation or had received AV replacement prior to OLT. The AV group (n = 53) was matched to a control group (n = 212) with the following preoperative variables: type of organ transplanted, age, gender, race, body mass index, MELD, redo-transplantation, preoperative renal replacement therapy, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, viral hepatitis, diabetes, and coronary artery disease. A 1:4 ratio was utilized to improve the efficiency and power of the analysis.

RESULTS

No significant difference in survival or posttransplant cardiac complications (acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, or dysrhythmia) was observed between groups. However, statistically significantly more patients-11% (6/53)-required coronary intervention following OLT in the AV group, whereas 3% (7/212) required coronary intervention (χ² = 5.8; P = .0156) in the control group. Following OLT, 9% (5/53) in the AV group required surgical or nonsurgical AV intervention, whereas no valvular events were observed in the control group. Event-free survival in the AV group, with an end point defined as AV intervention (n = 5) and death (n = 10), was 92% (49/53) at 1 year, 83% (44/53) at 3 years, and 72% (38/53) at 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with pretransplant AV replacement or AS have significant cardiac complications (myocardial infarction, AV replacement, or cardiac death) in 1 to 3 years post-OLT.

Long-Term Outcome of Cardiac Surgery in 1,040 Liver Cirrhosis Patient - Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) have a higher risk for cardiac surgery, but population-based long-term follow-up studies are lacking. The aim of this study was therefore to validate the long-term outcome of cardiac surgery in patients with LC.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Data were obtained from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Database, 1997-2011. This study included 1,040 LC patients and 1,040 matched controls without LC. The actuarial survival rate at 1, 5 and 10 years in the LC cohort was 68%, 50% and 41%: significantly lower than that of the control cohort at 81%, 68% and 62% at 1, 5 and 10 years after cardiac surgery. Compared with the matched control cohort, the LC group had a higher risk of liver and heart failure readmission (P<0.001) during the follow-up period. In addition, the LC cohort had a higher risk of liver causes of death than did the control cohort (12.6% vs. 1.2%). In the LC cohort, 51% of deaths were due to hepatocellular carcinoma. And in the LC group, those with valve surgery and advanced cirrhosis had a lower survival rate (P=0.002, P=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Even after successful cardiac surgery, long-term outcome is unsatisfactory in LC patients because of the progressive deterioration of liver function.

Evaluation of coronary artery disease in potential liver transplant recipients

Improvements in the management of patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT) have resulted in a significant increase in survival in recent years. Cardiac disease is now the leading cause of early mortality, and the stress of major surgery, hemodynamic shifts, and the possibilities of hemorrhage or reperfusion syndrome require the recipient to have good baseline cardiac function. The prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) is increasing in LT candidates, especially in those with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In assessing LT recipients, we suggest a management paradigm of "quadruple assessment" to include (1) history, examination, and electrocardiogram; (2) transthoracic echocardiogram; (3) functional testing; and (4) where appropriate, direct assessment of CAD. The added value of functional testing, such as cardiopulmonary exercise testing, has been shown to be able to predict posttransplant complications independently of the presence of CV disease. This approach gives the assessment team the greatest chance of detecting and preventing complications related to CAD. Liver Transplantation 23 386-395 2017 AASLD.

Anesthesia Management of Liver Transplantation

Anesthesia for liver transplantation pertains to a continuum of critical care of patients with end-stage liver disease. Hence, anesthesiologists, armed with a comprehensive understanding of pathophysiology and physiologic effects of liver transplantation on recipients, are expected to maintain homeostasis of all organ function. Specifically, patients with fulminant hepatic failure develop significant changes in cerebral function, and cerebral perfusion is maintained by monitoring cerebral blood flow and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen, and intracranial pressure. Hyperdynamic circulation is challenged by the postreperfusion syndrome, which may lead to cardiovascular collapse. The goal of circulatory support is to maintain tissue perfusion via optimal preload, contractility, and heart rate using the guidance of right-heart catheterization and transesophageal echocardiography. Portopulmonary hypertension and hepatopulmonary syndrome have high morbidity and mortality, and they should be properly evaluated preoperatively. Major bleeding is a common occurrence, and euvolemia is maintained using a rapid infusion device. Pre-existing coagulopathy is compounded by dilution, fibrinolysis, heparin effect, and excessive activation. It is treated using selective component or pharmacologic therapy based on the viscoelastic properties of whole blood. Hypocalcemia and hyperkalemia from massive transfusion, lack of hepatic function, and the postreperfusion syndrome should be aggressively treated. Close communication between all parties involved in liver transplantation is also equally valuable in achieving a successful outcome.

Correlation between liver cirrhosis and risk of death from oral cancer: Taiwan cohort study

BACKGROUND

A nationwide population-based cohort was used to examine the severity of liver cirrhosis and risk of mortality from oral cancer.

METHODS

The cohort consisted of 3583 patients with oral cancer treated by surgery between 2008 and 2011 in Taiwan. They were grouped on the basis of normal liver function (n = 3471), cirrhosis without decompensation (n = 72) and cirrhosis with decompensation (n = 40). The primary endpoint was mortality. Hazard ratios of death were also determined.

RESULTS

The mortality rates in the respective groups were 14.8 per cent, 20.8 per cent and 37.5 per cent at one year (p < 0.001). The adjusted hazard ratios of death at one year for each group compared to the normal group were 2.01 (p = 0.021) for cirrhotic patients without decompensation, 4.84 (p < 0.001) for those with decompensation and 2.65 (p < 0.001) for those receiving chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Liver cirrhosis can be used to predict one-year mortality in oral cancer patients. Chemotherapy should be used with caution and underlying co-morbidities should be managed in cirrhotic patients to reduce mortality risk.

[Anesthesia with liver failure]

Liver failure can be categorized into acute liver failure, chronic liver failure and acute decompensation of chronic liver failure, the so-called acute-on-chronic liver failure, the incidence of which has increased over the last few years. Liver failure leads to a variety of pathophysiological changes where the extent is dependent on the nature and duration of the liver disease. This includes restriction of synthesis and metabolism, such as coagulation defects. Especially chronic liver failure is associated with malfunction of extrahepatic organs, such as the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system and the kidneys. In addition to these pathophysiological alterations the Child-Turcotte-Pugh classification (CTP) and the model of end stage liver disease (MELD) are used for perioperative risk stratification.

Infective endocarditis in patients with hepatic diseases

Few data have been published regarding the epidemiology and outcome of infective endocarditis (IE) in patients with chronic hepatic disease (CHD). A retrospective analysis of the Studio Endocarditi Italiano (SEI) database was performed to evaluate the epidemiology and outcome of CHD+ patients compared with CHD- patients. The diagnosis of IE was defined in accordance with the modified Duke criteria. Echocardiography, diagnosis, and treatment procedures were in accordance with current clinical practice. Among the 1722 observed episodes of IE, 300 (17.4 %) occurred in CHD+ patients. The cause of CHD mainly consisted of chronic viral infection. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common bacterial species in CHD+ patients; the frequency of other bacterial species (S. epidermidis, streptococci, and enterococci) were comparable among the two groups. The percentage of patients undergoing surgery for IE was 38.9 in CHD+ patients versus 43.7 in CHD- patients (p = 0.06). Complications were more common among CHD+ patients (77 % versus 65.3 %, p < 0.001); embolization (43.3 % versus 26.1 %, p < 0.001) and congestive heart failure (42 % versus 34.1 %, p = 0.01) were more frequent among CHD+ patients. Mortality was comparable (12.5 % in CHD- and 15 % in CHD+ patients). At multivariable analysis, factors associated with hospital-associated mortality were having an infection sustained by S. aureus, a prosthetic valve, diabetes and a neoplasia, and CHD. Being an intravenous drug user (IVDU) was a protective factor and was associated with a reduced death risk. CHD is a factor worsening the prognosis in patients with IE, in particular in patients for whom cardiac surgery was required.

Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Mixed Aortic Valve Disease in Child’s Class C Liver Disease Prior to Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases practice guidelines list severe cardiac disease as a contraindication to liver transplantation. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement has been shown to decrease all-cause mortality in patients with severe aortic stenosis who are not considered candidates for surgical aortic valve replacement. We report our experience of liver transplantation in a patient with severe aortic stenosis and moderate aortic insufficiency who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement with Child-Pugh Class C disease at a Model For End-Stage Liver Disease score of 29. The patient had a difficult post procedure course that was successfully medically managed. After liver transplantation the patient was discharged to home on postoperative day 11. The combination of cardiac disease and end stage liver disease is challenging but these patients can have a successful outcome despite very severe illness.

Understanding rare comorbidities in TAVR

There seems to be an early morbidity and mortality advantage to TAVR in patients with chronic liver disease. Patients with Childs A and B CLD can be treated with TAVR but we know little about TAVR for sicker patients. Technical issues associated with TAVR (the use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for example) have to be weighed in CLD patients with esophageal varices.

The liver in heart failure: a biopsy and explant series of the histopathologic and laboratory findings with a particular focus on pre-cardiac transplant evaluation

The pathologic liver changes in chronic heart failure have been characterized mostly based on autopsy series and include sinusoidal dilation and congestion progressing to pericellular fibrosis, bridging fibrosis, and ultimately to cardiac cirrhosis or sclerosis. Liver biopsies are commonly obtained as part of the work up before heart transplantation in patients with longstanding right heart failure, particularly if ascites, abnormal liver function tests or abnormal abdominal imaging are noted as part of the pre-transplant evaluation. In these cases, the liver biopsy findings may be used to further risk stratify patients for isolated heart or combined heart and liver transplantation. Thus, it is important to be able to correlate the histologic changes with post-transplant outcomes. We report the pathologic and clinical findings in liver explants from six patients who underwent combined heart-liver transplantation. We also report preoperative liver biopsy findings from 21 patients who underwent heart transplantation without simultaneous liver transplantation. We staged the changes related to chronic passive congestion as follows: stage 0-no fibrosis; stage I-pericellular fibrosis; stage II-bridging fibrosis; and stage III-regenerative nodules. Nineteen biopsies showed fibrosis with bridging fibrosis in 13 and regenerative nodules in 6. Fifteen patients were alive at 1 year post transplant. Only three patients had a post-operative course that was characterized by signs and symptoms of chronic liver disease. Pre-transplant liver biopsies from these patients all showed at least stage II fibrosis. These patients survived for 3, 6, and 10 months after cardiac transplant. The presence of bridging fibrosis was not significantly associated with post-operative survival (P=0.336) or post-operative liver failure (P=0.257). We conclude that patients with bridging fibrosis may still be considered viable candidates for isolated heart transplantation. Because the pattern of fibrosis due to passive congestion is highly variable throughout the liver, a diagnosis of cirrhosis, which implies fibrosis and regenerative nodules throughout the liver, should be made with great caution on biopsy.

Appraising cardiac dysfunction in liver transplantation: an ongoing challenge

End-stage liver disease (ESLD) is a multisystemic disease that adversely and mutually aggravates other organs such as the heart. Cardiac dysfunction in ESLD encompasses a spectrum of disease that could be aggravated, precipitated or be occurring hand-in-hand with coexisting aetiological factors precipitating cirrhosis. Additionally and more complexly, liver transplantation, the curative modality of ESLD, is responsible for additional intra- and postoperative short- and long-term cardiac morbidity. The phenotypic distinction of the different forms of cardiac dysfunction in ESLD albeit important prognostically and therapeutically is not allowed by the current societal recommendations, due to conceptual, and methodological limitations in the appraisal of cardiac function and structure in ESLD and in designing studies that are based on this appraisal. This review comprehensively discusses the spectrum of cardiac dysfunction in ESLD, discusses the limitations of the current appraisal of cardiac dysfunction in ESLD, and proposes a hypothetical approach for studying cardiac dysfunction in liver transplant candidates.

Haemostatic management for aortic valve replacement in a patient with advanced liver disease

Redo-sternotomy and aortic valve replacement in patients with advanced liver disease is rare and associated with a prohibitive morbidity and mortality. Refractory coagulopathy is common and a consequence of intense activation of the coagulation system that can be triggered by contact of blood with the cardiopulmonary bypass circuitry, bypass-induced fibrinolysis, platelet activation and dysfunction, haemodilution, surgical trauma, hepatic decompensation and hypothermia. Management can be further complicated by right heart dysfunction, porto-pulmonary hypertension, poor myocardial protection, and hepato-renal syndrome. Complex interactions between coagulation/fibrinolysis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome reactions like “post-perfusion-syndrome” also compound haemostatic failure. Given the limited information available for the specific management and prevention of cardiopulmonary bypass-induced haemostatic failure, this report serves to guide the anaesthesia and medical management of future cases of a similar kind. We discuss our multimodal management of haemostatic failure using pharmacological strategies, thromboelastography, continuous cerebral and liver oximetry, and continuous cardiac output monitoring.

Cardiac surgery in patients with liver cirrhosis: Risk factors for predicting mortality

AIM: To evaluate the results of cardiac surgery in cirrhotic patients and to find the predictors of early and late mortality.

METHODS: We included 55 consecutive cirrhotic patients undergoing cardiac surgery between 1993 and 2012. Child-Turcotte-Pugh (Child) classification and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score were used to assess the severity of liver cirrhosis. The online EuroSCORE II calculator was used to calculate the logistic EuroSCORE in each patient. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for mortality at different times after surgery. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were applied to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) of predictors for mortality. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to generate survival curves, and the survival rates between groups were compared using the log-rank test.

RESULTS: There were 30 patients in Child class A, 20 in Child B, and five in Child C. The hospital mortality rate was 16.4%. The actuarial survival rates were 70%, 64%, 56%, and 44% at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years after surgery, respectively. There were no significant differences in major postoperative complications, and early and late mortality between patients with mild and advanced cirrhosis. Multivariate logistic regression showed preoperative serum bilirubin, the EuroSCORE and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were associated with early and late mortality; however, Child class and MELD score were not. Cox regression analysis identified male gender (HR = 0.319; P = 0.009), preoperative serum bilirubin (HR = 1.244; P = 0.044), the EuroSCORE (HR = 1.415; P = 0.001), and CABG (HR = 3.344; P = 0.01) as independent risk factors for overall mortality.

CONCLUSION: Advanced liver cirrhosis should not preclude patients from cardiac surgery. Preoperative serum bilirubin, the EuroSCORE, and CABG are major predictors of early and late mortality.

Surgery in patients with portal hypertension: a preoperative checklist and strategies for attenuating risk

Patients with liver disease and portal hypertension are at increased risk of complications from surgery. Recent advances have allowed better optimization of patients with cirrhosis before surgery and a reduction in postoperative complications. Despite this progress, the estimation of surgical risk in a patient with cirrhosis is challenging. The MELD score has shown promise in predicting postoperative mortality compared with the Child-Turcotte-Pugh score. This article addresses current concepts in the perioperative evaluation of patients with liver disease and portal tension, including a preoperative liver assessment (POLA) checklist that may be useful towards mitigating perioperative complications.

Minimal invasive aortic valve replacement surgery is associated with improved survival: a propensity-matched comparison

OBJECTIVES

To compare early and long-term outcomes of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) versus full sternotomy (FS) isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR).

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed all patients who underwent isolated bioprosthetic AVR between 2003 and March 2012 at our institution. Matching was performed based on a propensity score, which was obtained using the output of a logistic regression on relevant preoperative risk factors. Mean follow-up was 3.1±2.7 years (range 0-9.0 years) and was 99.8% complete.

RESULTS

A total of 2051 patients (FS, 1572; MIS, 479) underwent isolated bioprosthetic AVR during the study period. MIS patients were significantly younger (67.8±11.2 vs 70.4±9.4 years) and had a lower logistic EuroSCORE (6.6±6.4 vs 11.2±13.4%, both P<0.001). Propensity matching resulted in 477 matched patients from each group, with no significant differences in any of the preoperative variables. Aortic cross-clamp times were significantly longer in MIS patients (59.4±16.0 vs 56.9±14.6 min, P=0.008). Nonetheless, MIS AVR was associated with a significantly lower incidence of intra-aortic balloon pump usage (0.4 vs 2.1%, P=0.042) and in-hospital mortality (0.4 vs 2.3%, P=0.013), while FS patients had a lower rate of re-exploration for bleeding (1.5 vs 4.2%, P=0.019). Five- and 8-year survival post-AVR was significantly higher in MIS patients (89.3±2.4% and 77.7±4.7% vs 81.8±2.2% and 72.8±3.1%, respectively, P=0.034). Cox regression analysis revealed MIS (hazard ratio: 0.47, 95% confidence interval: 0.26-0.87) as an independent predictor of long-term survival.

CONCLUSION

MIS AVR is associated with very good early and long-term survival, despite longer myocardial ischaemic times. MIS AVR can be performed safely with results that are at least equivalent to those achieved through an FS.

Monitoring and managing hepatic disease in anaesthesia

Patients with liver disease have multisystem organ dysfunction that leads to physiological perturbations ranging from hyperbilirubinaemia of no clinical consequence to severe coagulopathy and metabolic disarray. Patient-specific risk factors, clinical scoring systems, and surgical procedures stratify perioperative risk for these patients. The anaesthetic management of patients with hepatic dysfunction involves consideration of impaired drug metabolism, hyperdynamic circulation, perioperative hypoxaemia, bleeding, thrombosis, and hepatic encephalopathy.

Patient selection and preoperative evaluation for transplant surgery

Candidates for abdominal transplant undergo a pretransplant evaluation to identify associated conditions that may require intervention or that may influence a patient's candidacy for transplant. Coronary artery disease is prevalent in candidates for abdominal organ transplantation. The optimal approach to identify and manage coronary artery disease in the peri-transplant period is currently unclear. In liver transplant candidates portopulmonary hypertension and hepatopulmonary syndrome should be screened for. Identification of the patient who is too sick to benefit from transplant is problematic; with no good evidence available decisions should be individualized and made after multidisciplinary discussion.

The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) predicts early and late outcomes of cardiovascular operations in patients with liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

We aimed to evaluate the severity of cirrhosis as a predictor of early and late outcomes after cardiovascular operations.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent cardiovascular operations in our institute between October 1999 and April 2009. The severity of liver cirrhosis was assessed using the Child-Pugh classification and the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score.

RESULTS

Liver cirrhosis was identified in 32 consecutive patients. Averages of Child-Pugh and MELD scores were 7.2 ± 1.9 and 11.5 ± 5.1, respectively: 14 patients were classified as Child-Pugh class A, 14 as class B, and 4 as class C. The MELD score was less than 10 (category 1) in 10 patients, between 10 and 14.9 (category 2) in 14, and 15 or higher (category 3) in 8. The hospital mortality rate was 16% (5 of 32). Hospital mortality increased significantly as the MELD score category increased: category 1, 0%; category 2, 7%; and category 3, 50% (p = 0.005). There was no significant association between hospital mortality and Child-Pugh classification: class A, 7%; class B, 21%; and class C, 0% (p = 0.60). Overall survival was 72% ± 8% at 5 years and 47% ± 13% at 10 years. The survival rate decreased significantly as the MELD score category increased (p = 0.004). No relationship was found between the Child-Pugh classification and long-term survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the MELD score is useful to predict hospital death and long-term survival after cardiac operations for patients with liver cirrhosis.

Model for End-stage Liver Disease

Model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, initially developed to predict survival following transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was subsequently found to be accurate predictor of mortality amongst patents with end-stage liver disease. Since 2002, MELD score using 3 objective variables (serum bilirubin, serum creatinine, and institutional normalized ratio) has been used worldwide for listing and transplanting patients with end-stage liver disease allowing transplanting sicker patients first irrespective of the wait time on the list. MELD score has also been shown to be accurate predictor of survival amongst patients with alcoholic hepatitis, following variceal hemorrhage, infections in cirrhosis, after surgery in patients with cirrhosis including liver resection, trauma, and hepatorenal syndrome (HRS). Although, MELD score is closest to the ideal score, there are some limitations including its inaccuracy in predicting survival in 15-20% cases. Over the last decade, many efforts have been made to further improve and refine MELD score. Until, a better score is developed, liver allocation would continue based on the currently used MELD score.

Recognizing risk: bowel resection in the chronic renal failure population

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of quality data on the effects of chronic kidney disease in abdominal surgery. The aim of this study was to define the risk and outcome predictors of bowel resection in stage 5 chronic kidney disease using a large national clinical database.

METHODS

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried from years 2005-2010 for major bowel resection in dialysis-dependent patients. Patient demographics, preoperative risk factors, and intraoperative variables were evaluated. Primary endpoints were mortality and morbidity after 30 days. Predictors of outcome were assessed by multivariate regression.

RESULTS

The study included 1,685 patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing bowel resection. Overall mortality and morbidity were 27.5 and 58.3 %, respectively. Acute presentation was the strongest predictor of mortality (OR 2.39, CI 1.54-3.72, p < 0.001). Other predictors of mortality included hypoalbuminemia (OR 2.12, CI 1.39-3.24, p < 0.001), pulmonary comorbidity (OR 2.25, CI 1.67-3.03, p < 0.001), and cardiac comorbidity (OR 1.54, CI 1.16-2.05, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that bowel resection in patients with chronic kidney disease confers a high mortality risk. Preoperative optimization of comorbid conditions may reduce mortality after bowel resection in dialysis-dependent patients. In addition, laparoscopy was associated with a reduction in postoperative morbidity suggesting that it should be used preferentially.

Perioperative risk factors in patients with liver disease undergoing non-hepatic surgery

The patients with liver disease present for various surgical interventions. Surgery may lead to complications in a significant proportion of these patients. These complications may result in considerable morbidity and mortality. Preoperative assessment can predict survival to some extent in patients with liver disease undergoing surgical procedures. A review of literature suggests nature and the type of surgery in these patients determines the peri-operative morbidity and mortality. Optimization of premorbid factors may help to reduce perioperative mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this review is to discuss the effect of liver disease on perioperative outcome; to understand various risk scoring systems and their prognostic significance; to delineate different preoperative variables implicated in postoperative complications and morbidity; to establish the effect of nature and type of surgery on postoperative outcome in patients with liver disease and to discuss optimal anaesthesia strategy in patients with liver disease.

Short-term independent mortality risk factors in patients with cirrhosis undergoing cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVES

Cirrhosis represents a serious risk in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Several preoperative factors identify cirrhotic patients as high risk for cardiac surgery; however, a patient's preoperative status may be modified by surgical intervention and, as yet, no independent postoperative mortality risk factors have been identified in this setting. The objective of this study was to identify preoperative and postoperative mortality risk factors and the scores that are the best predictors of short-term risk.

METHODS

Fifty-eight consecutive cirrhotic patients requiring cardiac surgery between January 2004 and January 2009 were prospectively studied at our institution. Forty-two (72%) patients were operated on for valve replacement, 9 (16%) for a CABG and 7 (12%) for both (CABG and valve replacement). Thirty-four (58%) patients were classified as Child-Turcotte-Pugh class A, 21 (36%) as class B and 3 (5%) as class C. We evaluated the variables that are usually measured on admission and during the first 24 h of the postoperative period together with potential operative predictors of outcome, such as cardiac surgery scores (Parsonnet, EuroSCORE), liver scores (Child-Turcotte-Pugh, model for end-stage liver disease, United Kingdom end-stage liver disease score) and ICU scores (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II and III, simplified acute physiology score II and III, sequential organ failure assessment).

RESULTS

Seven patients (12%) died in-hospital, of whom 5 were Child-Turcotte-Pugh class B and 2 class C. Comparing survivors vs non-survivors, univariate analysis revealed that variables associated with short-term outcome were international normalized ratio (1.5 ± 0.24 vs 2.2 ± 0.11, P < 0.0001), presurgery platelet count (171 ± 87 vs 113 ± 52 l nl(-1), P = 0.031), presurgery haemoglobin count (11.8 ± 1.8 vs 10.2 ± 1.4 g dl(-1), P = 0.021), total need for erythrocyte concentrates (2 ± 3.4 vs 8.5 ± 8 units, P < 0.0001), PaO(2)/FiO(2) at 12 h after ICU admission (327 ± 84 vs 257 ± 78, P = 0.04), initial central venous pressure (11 ± 3 vs 16 ± 4 mmHg, P = 0.02) and arterial blood lactate concentration 24 h after admission (1.8 ± 0.5 vs 2.5 ± 1.3 mmol l(-1), P = 0.019). Multivariate analysis identified initial central venous pressure as the only independent factor associated with short-term outcome (P = 0.027). The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the model for end-stage Liver disease score had a better predictive value for short-term outcome than other scores (AUC: 90.5 ± 4.4%; sensitivity: 85.7%; specificity: 83.7%), although simplified acute physiology score III was acceptable.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that central venous pressure could be a valuable predictor of short-term outcome in patients with cirrhosis undergoing cardiac surgery. The model for end-stage liver disease score is the best predictor of cirrhotic patients who are at high risk for cardiac surgery. Sequential organ failure assessment and simplified acute physiology score III are also valuable predictors.

Predictive risk factors for patients with cirrhosis undergoing heart surgery

BACKGROUND

Empiric experiences suggest higher mortality and complication risk for patients with cirrhosis of the liver after cardiac surgery. However, cirrhosis is not considered a risk factor in either the EuroSCORE or The Society of Thoracic Surgeons score. We report a large single-center experience of patients with cirrhosis undergoing cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation and aimed to evaluate the severity of cirrhosis as a predictor of outcome.

METHODS

During 2001 and 2011, we operated on 109 consecutive patients (average age, 64 years; 82 male) diagnosed for cirrhosis with cardiopulmonary bypass for different indications. Thirty-day mortality and long-term mortality were set as primary study end points.

RESULTS

Thirty-day mortality was 26%, and 5-year survival was 19%. Patients categorized as Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CHILD) C (n=6; 67% 30-day survival; 0% 5-year survival) and B (n=30; 60%; 5%) had worse 30-day and 5-year survival compared with patients categorized as CHILD A (n=73; 80%; 25%). For 30-day mortality, preoperative EuroSCORE (p=0.015), model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score (p=0.006), albumin (p=0.023), total protein (p=0.01), and myocardial infarction (p=0.049) revealed significant differences between survivors and nonsurvivors. Multivariate logistic regression identified only MELD score (odds ratio [OR], 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03 to 1.23; p=0.011) and total protein (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95 to 1; p=0.049) were connected with increased 30-day mortality. Cox regression analysis revealed EuroSCORE (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.03; p<0.0001) and MELD (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.12; p=0.016) predicting the overall mortality. Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated significant predictive power of MELD (p=0.001) and EuroSCORE (p=0.027) for 30-day mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with cirrhosis undergoing heart surgery with extracorporeal circulation have a poor prognosis. Several preoperative factors are related to outcome. EuroSCORE and MELD score may help to evaluate operation risk and indication.

Preliminary results of supra-hepatic intraaortic perfusion with nitroglycerin for patients with significant hepatic dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Preoperative hepatic dysfunction is a risk factor for postoperative fulminant hepatic failure and death. We noted persistent hepatic artery vasospasm in patients dying of postoperative hepatic failure. We hypothesized that an intra-aortic vasodilator such as nitroglycerin could attenuate vasospasm and prevent hepatic failure.

METHODS

Nineteen consecutive patients with significant preoperative hepatic dysfunction underwent cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass with continuous infusion of intra-aortic nitroglycerin via a catheter placed above the celiac axis. Serial hepatic artery Doppler studies were done perioperatively with and without the nitroglycerin infusion on. Hepatic artery Doppler, hepatic artery size, alterations in liver function and serum creatinine, and outcomes were noted. Survival was compared to the Euroscore and a hepatic risk score that was based on a historical cohort and reported literature.

RESULTS

One patient could not be weaned off cardiopulmonary bypass. In the remaining 18 patients, reversible hepatic arterial vasospasm was noted, and this persisted at 24 hours in 12 patients and 48 hours in 7 patients. All patients had resolution of vasospasm at 72 hours. Serial paired hepatic artery diameter measurements showed a significant difference (P < .001). There was a significant reduction in mortality (5.2 %) compared to historical control and predicted mortality (logistic Euroscore 37.4%, P = .023). None of the survivors had a significant alteration in hepato-renal function.

CONCLUSION

Intra-aortic nitroglycerin can attenuate hepatic arterial vasospasm induced by cardiopulmonary bypass and preserve hepatic function. This may reduce the risk associated with cardiopulmonary bypass and surgery in patients with liver dysfunction.

Safety of cardiac surgery for patients with cirrhosis and Child-Pugh scores less than 8

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Advanced liver disease is a significant risk factor for perioperative complications after cardiac surgery. However, no published studies have adjusted the observed outcomes for other well-known, non-liver-related factors that affect mortality. We evaluated the effects of cirrhosis on operative mortality and morbidity after cardiac surgery, after adjusting for nonrelated risk factors associated with liver disease.

METHODS

We analyzed data from patients with cirrhosis who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass from 1992 to 2009 (n = 54). Patients who underwent cardiac surgery at the same institution were identified during the same time period and matched 1:4 by using propensity score matching (controls, n = 216). Child-Pugh (CP) class and score were calculated for the patients with cirrhosis. Mortality and morbidity were determined after 30 and 90 days.

RESULTS

Within 90 days, 4.6% of patients with CP score <8 and 70% of patients with CP score ≥ 8 died (P < .017). Mortality of patients with CP score <8 was comparable to that of matched controls. Patients with CP scores <8 had significantly shorter average length of hospital stay (15.6 vs 26 days; P < .017) and were less likely to develop renal failure (P < .017) and require dialysis (P < .017) than patients with CP scores ≥ 8; these values were similar between patients with CP scores <8 and their matched controls.

CONCLUSIONS

After adjusting for non-liver-related risk factors, patients with compensated cirrhosis (defined by CP score <8) can undergo cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass with no significant increases in postoperative mortality and morbidity. For this group of patients, comorbidities, rather than liver failure, appear to account for the occasional death.

Surgical clearance for the patient with chronic liver disease

Patients with chronic liver disease face greater risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality, with the greatest risk among patients with cirrhosis. Both the Child-Pugh score and the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease have been evaluated as predictors of postoperative mortality. Other comorbidities, age, and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification are also important predictors of these outcomes. In patients with liver disease, elective surgeries should be delayed to allow complete evaluation of the severity of liver disease, including the role of transplantation in the event of hepatic decompensation postoperatively.

Hérnias abdominais e inguinais em pacientes cirróticos: qual é a melhor conduta?

INTRODUÇÃO: Tradicionalmente os procedimentos abdominais eletivos em pacientes cirróticos têm sido amplamente desencorajados graças à elevada morbi-mortalidade consequente às complicações da cirrose, descritas por diversos autores. Outros serviços, em contrapartida, obtiveram resultados distintos, advogando a favor de cirurgia eletiva. MÉTODOS: Uma revisão de artigos utilizando-se a palavras "abdominal wall hernia" e "cirrhotic patients" foi realizada na base de dados PubMed. Dos resultados obtidos, 28 artigos foram considerados para elaboração desta revisão. RESULTADOS: Pôde-se observar que a incidência de hérnias em parede abdominal é relativamente elevada em pacientes cirróticos, sendo que muitas delas têm evolução desfavorável e requerem tratamento cirúrgico específico. Com o advento do sistema de alocação de órgãos baseados no escore de MELD, muitos centros estão repensando suas condutas em situações como esta, dado que muitos dos pacientes em questão encontram-se em lista de espera para transplante hepático. Dessa forma a cirurgia eletiva tem conquistado maior papel no manejo desta condição com intuito de diminuir morbi-mortalidade nesses pacientes. Além disso, a qualidade de vida mostrou-se um importante fator a ser considerado, estando muito prejudicada nesta condição. CONCLUSÃO: Poucos estudos com grandes amostragens foram conduzidos até o momento e não há consenso sobre qual conduta é a mais indicada levando em consideração taxas de morbi-mortalidade.

Cardiac surgery in cirrhotic patients: results and evaluation of risk factors

OBJECTIVES

Liver cirrhosis increases mortality and morbidity following cardiac surgery. This study evaluated the results of cardiac surgery in cirrhotic patients and the relevance of EuroSCORE, Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) class and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score in terms of prediction of surgical mortality and survival.

METHODS

The study involved 34 patients with hepatic cirrhosis who underwent cardiac surgery between January 1996 and January 2010.

RESULTS

The in-hospital mortality was 26%. Postoperative mortality of patients with CTP class A, B or C was 18, 40 and 100%, respectively. In univariate analysis, a history of cerebrovascular disease and hypoalbuminaemia was predictive of operative mortality. Multivariate exact logistic regression revealed that hypoalbuminaemia was an independent factor. Long-term survival was 63 ± 0.08% at 1 year and 40.2 ± 0.12% at 5 years. The 1-year survival for CTP A, B and C was 76.7 ± 0.09, 60 ± 15.4 and 0%, respectively, and the 5-year survival was 60 ± 15.4, 25 ± 0.19 and 0%, respectively. The EuroSCORE was not a discriminant [area under the curve (AUC): 0.57 ± 0.15]. The performance of CTP class and MELD score was better, but neither provided optimal discrimination: AUC was 0.691 ± 0.110 for MELD and 0.658 ± 0.10 for CTP class.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac surgery can be performed safely in CTP class A patients. In CTP C patients, surgery is hazardous, and an alternative treatment must be considered. In CTP B, the MELD score could be helpful in deciding whether surgical intervention is a reasonable option.

Implantation of the liver during reperfusion of the heart in combined heart-liver transplantation: own experience and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

There are only a few reports about combined heart-liver transplantations. The surgical techniques differ widely, ranging from sequential implantation of the organs to simultaneous transplantations. We report our experience with simultaneous, combined heart-liver transplantations without using a veno-venous bypass demonstrating that this is a feasible surgical technique.

METHODS

Since 2005, we performed 4 combined heart-liver transplantations by implanting the liver during the reperfusion period of the newly implanted heart. We retrospectively reviewed patient clinical data and outcomes.

RESULTS

The mean operative time was 534 ± 247 minutes and the ischemia times for heart and liver were 190 ± 72 minutes (cold ischemia time for the heart), 98 ± 96 minutes (warm ischemia time for the heart), 349 ± 101 minutes (cold ischemia time for the liver), and 36.25 ± 3.5 minutes (warm ischemia time for the liver). Three patients were discharged from the hospital after an uneventful clinical course. One patient died due to multi-organ failure during the intensive care unit stay on the 23rd postoperative day.

CONCLUSION

We suggest that combined, simultaneous heart-liver transplantation without veno-venous bypass is a feasible surgical technique.

Feasibility and safety of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with end-stage liver disease referred for liver transplantation

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has traditionally not been an option for patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) and coronary artery disease (CAD). This retrospective study was designed to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of PCI in liver transplant candidates. Patients with ESLD and hemodynamically significant CAD who were otherwise deemed to be acceptable candidates for liver transplantation underwent PCI. The procedural success rates, mortality and myocardial infarction rates, and bleeding outcomes were examined. Sixteen patients with ESLD underwent PCI: 15 with bare-metal stents (1.3 stents per patient on average) and 1 with balloon angioplasty alone. The median diameter stenosis per lesion was 80%, the median platelet count was 68 × 10(9) /L, the median international normalized ratio was 1.3, and the median Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score was 13. PCI was successful in 94% of the patients. One patient had a suboptimal residual stenosis of 50% after stenting. There were no in-hospital or 30-day deaths or myocardial infarctions, and no patients developed hematomas. One patient required a 1-U platelet transfusion, and another required 1 U of packed red blood cells. All patients remained clinically stable 1 month after PCI. Nine of the 16 patients were listed for liver transplantation, and 3 patients underwent liver transplantation. In conclusion, we have demonstrated the safety and feasibility of PCI in a small cohort of patients with ESLD and hemodynamically significant CAD, the majority of whom had significant thrombocytopenia. Larger studies are required to determine whether PCI is an effective treatment strategy for patients with ESLD and hemodynamically significant CAD who otherwise would not be candidates for liver transplantation.

The heart in liver transplantation

The heart and liver are organs that are closely related in both health and disease. Patients who undergo liver transplantation may suffer from heart disease that is: (a) related to the original cause of the liver disease such as hemochromatosis, (b) related to the liver disease itself, or (c) related to other associated conditions. Furthermore, liver transplantation is one of the most cardiovascular stressful events that a patient with cirrhosis may undergo. After liver transplantation, the progression of pre-existing or the development of new-onset cardiac disease may occur. This article reviews the relationship between the heart and liver transplantation in the pre-transplant, intra-operative, and post-transplant periods.