Goal-directed fluid therapy vs. low central venous pressure during major open liver resections (GALILEO): a surgeon- and patient-blinded randomized controlled trial

Controlled low central venous pressure maintenance level during laparoscopic hepatectomy negatively associated with PHLF incidence: a retrospective propensity score matching study

BACKGROUND

Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF), the most serious complication after hepatectomy, may evoke multisystemic complications and even mortality. Despite numerous studies demonstrated the safety and efficacy of controlled low central venous pressure (CLCVP), the optimal central venous pressure (CVP) maintenance level during CLCVP and its relationship with PHLF remain controversial. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the association between the lowest CVP maintenance level during CLCVP and PHLF.

METHODS

755 patients who underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy at Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital between January 2017 and March 2021 were recruited. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the effect of the lowest CVP maintenance level on PHLF. After implementing propensity score matching (PSM) to equalize demographic confounders, univariate comparisons and subgroup analyses were conducted to investigate the impact of the lowest CVP maintenance level on PHLF in patients who underwent CLCVP.

RESULTS

Univariate and multivariate analyses identified intraoperative lowest CVP maintenance level < 2 mmHg as an independent risk factor for PHLF (P = 0.041; OR, 0.520; 95% CI 0.277 to 0.974). Following 1:1 PSM in individuals who received CLCVP, the lowest CVP maintenance level < 2 mmHg was associated with heightened PHLF incidence (P = 0.048) and elevated intraoperative lactate level (P = 0.011). Subgroup analyses revealed that the above effect of the lowest CVP maintenance level occurred mainly in elderly individuals or those with prolonged portal blockade.

CONCLUSION

During laparoscopic hepatectomy, excessively low CVP maintenance level should be avoided to decrease the risk of tissue malperfusion and PHLF, especially in elderly or prolonged portal blockade patients.

Forecasting intraoperative hypotension during hepatobiliary surgery

Prediction and avoidance of intraoperative hypotension (IOH) can lead to less postoperative morbidity. Machine learning (ML) is increasingly being applied to predict IOH. We hypothesize that incorporating demographic and physiological features in an ML model will improve the performance of IOH prediction. In addition, we added a "dial" feature to alter prediction performance. An ML prediction model was built based on a multivariate random forest (RF) trained algorithm using 13 physiologic time series and patient demographic data (age, sex, and BMI) for adult patients undergoing hepatobiliary surgery. A novel implementation was developed with an adjustable, multi-model voting (MMV) approach to improve performance in the challenging context of a dynamic, sliding window for which the propensity of data is normal (negative for IOH). The study cohort included 85% of subjects exhibiting at least one IOH event. Males constituted 70% of the cohort, median age was 55.8 years, and median BMI was 27.7. The multivariate model yielded average AUC = 0.97 in the static context of a single prediction made up to 8 min before a possible IOH event, and it outperformed a univariate model based on MAP-only (average AUC = 0.83). The MMV model demonstrated AUC = 0.96, PPV = 0.89, and NPV = 0.98 within the challenging context of a dynamic sliding window across 40 min prior to a possible IOH event. We present a novel ML model to predict IOH with a distinctive "dial" on sensitivity and specificity to predict first IOH episode during liver resection surgeries.

Intraoperative goal-directed hemodynamic therapy through fluid administration to optimize the stroke volume: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical impact of optimizing stroke volume (SV) through fluid administration as part of goal-directed hemodynamic therapy (GDHT) in adult patients undergoing elective major abdominal surgery.

METHODS

This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement and was registered in the PROSPERO database in January 2024. The intervention was defined as intraoperative GDHT based on the optimization or maximization of SV through fluid challenges, or by using dynamic indices of fluid responsiveness, including stroke volume variation, pulse pressure variation, and plethysmography variation index compared to usual fluid management. The primary outcome was postoperative complications. Secondary outcome variables included postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI), length of stay (LOS), intraoperative fluid administration, and 30-day mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 29 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) met the inclusion criteria. There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative complications (RR 0.89; 95% CI, 0.78-1.00), postoperative AKI (OR 0.97; (95% IC, 0.55-1.70), and mortality (OR 0.80; 95% CI, 0.50-1.29). GDHT was associated with a reduced LOS compared to usual care (SMD: -0.17 [-0.32; -0.03]). The subgroup in which hydroxyethyl starch was used for hemodynamic optimization was associated with fewer complications (RR 0.79; 95% CI, 0.65-0.94), whereas the subgroup of patients in whom crystalloids were used was associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications (RR 1.08; 95% CI, 1.04-1.12).

CONCLUSIONS

In adults undergoing major surgery, goal-directed hemodynamic therapy focused on fluid-based stroke volume optimization did not reduce postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Restrictive versus Decision Support Guided Fluid Therapy during Major Hepatic Resection Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Fluid therapy during major hepatic resection aims at minimizing fluids during the dissection phase to reduce central venous pressure, retrograde liver blood flow, and venous bleeding. This strategy, however, may lead to hyperlactatemia. The Acumen assisted fluid management system uses novel decision support software, the algorithm of which helps clinicians optimize fluid therapy. The study tested the hypothesis that using this decision support system could decrease arterial lactate at the end of major hepatic resection when compared to a more restrictive fluid strategy.

METHODS

This two-arm, prospective, randomized controlled, assessor- and patient-blinded superiority study included consecutive patients undergoing major liver surgery equipped with an arterial catheter linked to an uncalibrated stroke volume monitor. In the decision support group, fluid therapy was guided throughout the entire procedure using the assisted fluid management software. In the restrictive fluid group, clinicians were recommended to restrict fluid infusion to 1 to 2 ml · kg-1 · h-1 until the completion of hepatectomy. They then administered fluids based on advanced hemodynamic variables. Noradrenaline was titrated in all patients to maintain a mean arterial pressure greater than 65 mmHg. The primary outcome was arterial lactate level upon completion of surgery (i.e., skin closure).

RESULTS

A total of 90 patients were enrolled over a 7-month period. The primary outcome was lower in the decision support group than in the restrictive group (median [quartile 1 to quartile 3], 2.5 [1.9 to 3.7] mmol · l-1vs. 4.6 [3.1 to 5.4] mmol · l-1; median difference, -2.1; 95% CI, -2.7 to -1.2; P < 0.001). Among secondary exploratory outcomes, there was no difference in blood loss (median [quartile 1 to quartile 3], 450 [300 to 600] ml vs. 500 [300 to 800] ml; P = 0.727), although central venous pressure was higher in the decision support group (mean ± SD of 7.7 ± 2.0 mmHg vs. 6.6 ± 1.1 mmHg; P < 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients managed using a clinical decision support system to guide fluid administration during major hepatic resection had a lower arterial lactate concentration at the end of surgery when compared to a more restrictive fluid strategy. Future trials are necessary to make conclusive recommendations that will change clinical practice.

EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE

The effect of liver surgery and fluid strategy on renin activity and aldosterone and anti-diuretic hormone levels: a secondary analysis of the GALILEO trial

BACKGROUND

It is unknown whether liver surgery leads to increased RAAS activity and anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) levels and subsequent fluid accumulation. Furthermore, it is unknown whether the peri-operative fluid strategy changes this effect.

METHODS

This is a pre-planned post hoc analysis of a randomised controlled trial which compared restrictive (n = 20) versus liberal fluid strategy (n = 20) in patients undergoing liver surgery. Primary outcomes for the current study were the difference in hormone levels after anaesthesia induction and after liver resection. Fluid overload was defined as a ≥10% increase in weight.

RESULTS

Renin activity (6 [2.1-15.5] vs. 12 [4.6-33.5]) and ADH levels (6.0 [1.7-16.3] vs. 3.8 [1.6-14.7]) did not differ significantly before and after resection. However, aldosterone levels were significantly higher after resection (0.30 [0.17-0.49] vs. 0.69 [0.31-1.21] ). Renin activity and aldosterone levels did not differ between the groups. ADH was significantly higher in the restrictive strategy group (1.6 [1.1-2.1] vs 5.9 [3.8-16.0]). No differences in hormone levels were found in patients with and without fluid overload.

DISCUSSION

Aldosterone levels increased after liver surgery but renin activity and ADH levels did not. ADH levels were higher in the restrictive group. Development of post-operative fluid overload was not associated with RAAS activity or ADH levels.

Assisted Fluid Management and Sublingual Microvascular Flow During High-Risk Abdominal Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Implementation of goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) protocols remains low. Protocol compliance among anesthesiologists tends to be suboptimal owing to the high workload and the attention required for implementation. The assisted fluid management (AFM) system is a novel decision support tool designed to help clinicians apply GDFT protocols. This system predicts fluid responsiveness better than anesthesia practitioners do and achieves higher stroke volume (SV) and cardiac index values during surgery. We tested the hypothesis that an AFM-guided GDFT strategy would also be associated with better sublingual microvascular flow compared to a standard GDFT strategy.

METHODS

This bicenter, parallel, 2-arm, prospective, randomized controlled, patient and assessor-blinded, superiority study considered for inclusion all consecutive patients undergoing high-risk abdominal surgery who required an arterial catheter and uncalibrated SV monitoring. Patients having standard GDFT received manual titration of fluid challenges to optimize SV while patients having an AFM-guided GDFT strategy received fluid challenges based on recommendations from the AFM software. In all patients, fluid challenges were standardized and titrated per 250 mL and vasopressors were administered to maintain a mean arterial pressure >70 mm Hg. The primary outcome (average of each patient's intraoperative microvascular flow index (MFI) across 4 intraoperative time points) was analyzed using a Mann-Whitney U test and the treatment effect was estimated with a median difference between groups with a 95% confidence interval estimated using the bootstrap percentile method (with 1000 replications). Secondary outcomes included SV, cardiac index, total amount of fluid, other microcirculatory variables, and postoperative lactate.

RESULTS

A total of 86 patients were enrolled over a 7-month period. The primary outcome was significantly higher in patients with AFM (median [Q1-Q3]: 2.89 [2.84-2.94]) versus those having standard GDFT (2.59 [2.38-2.78] points, median difference 0.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.19-0.49; P < .001). Cardiac index and SVI were higher (3.2 ± 0.5 vs 2.7 ± 0.7 l.min-1.m-2; P = .001 and 42 [35-47] vs 36 [32-43] mL.m-2; P = .018) and arterial lactate concentration was lower at the end of the surgery in patients having AFM-guided GDFT (2.1 [1.5-3.1] vs 2.9 [2.1-3.9] mmol.L-1; P = .026) than patients having standard GDFT strategy. Patients having AFM received a higher fluid volume but 3 times less norepinephrine than those receiving standard GDFT (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of an AFM-guided GDFT strategy resulted in higher sublingual microvascular flow during surgery compared to use of a standard GDFT strategy. Future trials are necessary to make conclusive recommendations that will change clinical practice.

A Review of Resection and Surgical Ablation for Primary and Secondary Liver Cancers

The surgical management of primary and secondary liver tumors is constantly evolving. Patient selection, particularly with regard to determining resectability, is vital to the success of programs directed toward invasive treatments of liver tumors. Particular attention should be paid toward determining whether patients are best served with surgical resection or ablative therapies. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary to provide optimal care to patients with liver malignancy.

The influence of the Pringle maneuver in laparoscopic hepatectomy: continuous monitor of hemodynamic change can predict the perioperatively physiological reservation

Importance

This is the first study to investigate the correlation between intra-operative hemodynamic changes and postoperative physiological status.

Objective

Design settings and participants

Patients receiving laparoscopic hepatectomy were routinely monitored using FloTract for goal-directed fluid management. The Pringle maneuver was routinely performed during parenchymal dissection and the hemodynamic changes were prospectively recorded. We retrospectively analyzed the continuous hemodynamic data from FloTrac to compare with postoperative physiological outcomes.

Exposure

The Pringle maneuver during laparoscopic hepatectomy.

Main outcomes and measures

Results

Stroke volume variation that did not recover from the relief of the Pringle maneuver during the last application of Pringle maneuver predicted elevated postoperative MELD-Na scores.

Conclusions and relevance

The complexity of the hemodynamic data recorded by the FloTrac system during the Pringle Maneuver in laparoscopic hepatectomy can be effectively analyzed using the growth mixture modeling (GMM) method. The results can potentially predict the risk of short-term liver function deterioration.

2022 KLCA-NCC Korea practice guidelines for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the fourth most common cancer among men in South Korea, where the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection is high in middle and old age. The current practice guidelines will provide useful and sensible advice for the clinical management of patients with HCC. A total of 49 experts in the fields of hepatology, oncology, surgery, radiology, and radiation oncology from the Korean Liver Cancer Association-National Cancer Center Korea Practice Guideline Revision Committee revised the 2018 Korean guidelines and developed new recommendations that integrate the most up-to-date research findings and expert opinions. These guidelines provide useful information and direction for all clinicians, trainees, and researchers in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.

2022 KLCA-NCC Korea Practice Guidelines for the Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the fourth most common cancer among men in South Korea, where the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection is high in middle and old age. The current practice guidelines will provide useful and sensible advice for the clinical management of patients with HCC. A total of 49 experts in the fields of hepatology, oncology, surgery, radiology, and radiation oncology from the Korean Liver Cancer Association-National Cancer Center Korea Practice Guideline Revision Committee revised the 2018 Korean guidelines and developed new recommendations that integrate the most up-to-date research findings and expert opinions. These guidelines provide useful information and direction for all clinicians, trainees, and researchers in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.

2022 KLCA-NCC Korea practice guidelines for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the fourth most common cancer among men in South Korea, where the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection is high in middle and old age. The current practice guidelines will provide useful and sensible advice for the clinical management of patients with HCC. A total of 49 experts in the fields of hepatology, oncology, surgery, radiology, and radiation oncology from the Korean Liver Cancer Association-National Cancer Center Korea Practice Guideline Revision Committee revised the 2018 Korean guidelines and developed new recommendations that integrate the most up-to-date research findings and expert opinions. These guidelines provide useful information and direction for all clinicians, trainees, and researchers in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.