Single lung transplantation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: pulmonary function and impact of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome

Transfusion associated in-hospital mortality and morbidity in isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Graft surgery

Transfusion after cardiac surgery is very common. This rate varies between institutions and has remained high despite established transfusion guidelines. We analyzed our database of patients who underwent isolated CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft) to determine the predictive factors of homologous transfusion and associated postoperative morbidity, mortality and resource utilization. All 14,152 patients who underwent first-time isolated CABG, with or without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) who had postoperative homologous transfusion between February 2002 and March 2008 in Tehran Heart Center, were evaluated retrospectively. Overall, 16.5% of patients received transfusion. Transfused patients demonstrated a significantly higher incidence of postoperative complications (cardiac, infectious, ischemic, reoperation) and mortality (p<0.001). Homologous blood transfusion effect on mortality, morbidity and resource utilization. By Multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounders: Homologous blood transfusion effect on Mortality (30-days) (OR=3.976, p<0.0001), Prolonged ventilation hours (OR=4.755, p<0.0001), Total ICU hours (β =14.599, p<0.0001), Hospital length of stay (β =1.141, p<0.0001), Post surgery length of stay (β =0.955, p<0.0001). We conclude that the isolated CABG patients receiving blood transfusion have significantly higher mortality, morbidity and resource utilization. Homologous blood transfusion is an independent factor of increased resource utilization, morbidity and mortality.

Indicators for steroid response in biopsy proven acute graft rejection after lung transplantation

OBJECTIVE

Acute rejection (AR) after lung transplantation (LTx) requires prompt intervention. Most episodes respond to steroid pulse therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical indicators for non-response to steroid treatment in biopsy proven AR after the early postoperative period.

METHODS

We prospectively analysed 85 patients more than 6 months after LTx with symptomatic biopsy proven AR (>or=grade A1) from Jan. 2005 until Nov. 2007 in a single centre. In 47 patients, AR was steroid-sensitive (group 1), 38 patients did not respond to steroid pulse therapy (group 2). All AR episodes were associated with clinical symptoms. Fifty-seven (67%) were low-grade rejections (ISHLT A1).

RESULTS

Independent clinical predictors for steroid response vs. non-steroid response in biopsy proven AR were "days after transplantation" (p=0.01, adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.2), "decline in home spirometry slope" (p=0.03, HR 0.97), "adherence to home spirometry" (p=0.05, HR 0.98) and "serum CRP" (p=0.02, HR 0.87). Eight patients (21%) of group 2 developed BOS during the following 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Early detection of deterioration in graft function seems to be crucial for effective treatment of AR. Home spirometry seems to be useful in detecting early changes in graft function and surveillance protocols could be potentially helpful in predicting patients likely to demonstrate a steroid response.

Bloodless Cardiac Surgery is Associated With Decreased Morbidity and Mortality

BACKGROUND

Blood transfusion with cardiac surgery accounts for 20% of transfusions in the United States. The effect of perioperative transfusion on cardiac surgery outcomes is unknown. We hypothesized that cardiac surgery with perioperative blood transfusion was associated with worse outcomes.

METHODS

A prospectively maintained (Society of Thoracic Surgeons) institutional database was analyzed from 2000 to 2005. All patients undergoing coronary artery bypass and/or valve operations were evaluated for the association of preoperative and intraoperative risk factors with blood transfusion. The association of transfusion with postoperative complications and mortality was evaluated.

RESULTS

During the study period, 2691 patients met inclusion criteria. Sixty-four percent received transfusions. Preoperative risk factors associated with transfusion (p < 0.05) were lung disease, elevated creatinine, peripheral vascular disease, and previous cardiac interventions. Patients requiring transfusion were older (mean 65.2 vs. 61.2 years, p < 0.001). Transfusion was associated with longer cross-clamp (median 78 vs. 88 minutes, p < 0.001) and perfusion times (median 114 vs. 128 minutes, p < 0.001). Perioperative blood transfusion was associated with increased postoperative complications (53.5% vs. 30.5%, p < 0.001). Significant transfusion-associated complications were renal failure, prolonged ventilation time, pneumonia, cardiac arrest, gastrointestinal complications, atrial fibrillation, stroke, myocardial infarction, and bleeding requiring reoperation. Blood transfusion was associated with an increased operative mortality (3.4% vs. 1.7%, p = 0.005) and length of stay after surgery (median 6 vs. 5 days p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Identification and management of risk factors associated with transfusion may reduce the transfusion requirement, minimize perioperative complications and improve outcomes. Bloodless cardiac surgery is associated with a decreased morbidity and mortality.