Immediate Extubation After Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery in 1,196 Consecutive Patients: Feasibility, Safety and Predictors of When Not To Attempt It

Perioperative Care in Cardiac Surgery: A Joint Consensus Statement by the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Cardiac Society, ERAS International Society, and The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS)

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs have been shown to lessen surgical insult, promote recovery, and improve postoperative clinical outcomes across a number of specialty operations. A core tenet of ERAS involves the provision of protocolized evidence-based perioperative interventions. Given both the growing enthusiasm for applying ERAS principles to cardiac surgery and the broad scope of relevant interventions, an international, multidisciplinary expert panel was assembled to derive a list of potential program elements, review the literature, and provide a statement regarding clinical practice for each topic area. This article summarizes those consensus statements and their accompanying evidence. These results provide the foundation for best practice for the management of the adult patient undergoing cardiac surgery.

External validation of a predictive model for reintubation after cardiac surgery: A retrospective, observational study

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Explore validation of a model to predict patients' risk of failing extubation, to help providers make informed, data-driven decisions regarding the optimal timing of extubation.

DESIGN

We performed temporal, geographic, and domain validations of a model for the risk of reintubation after cardiac surgery by assessing its performance on data sets from three academic medical centers, with temporal validation using data from the institution where the model was developed.

SETTING

Three academic medical centers in the United States.

PATIENTS

Adult patients arriving in the cardiac intensive care unit with an endotracheal tube in place after cardiac surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and concordance statistics were used as measures of discriminative ability, and calibration curves and Brier scores were used to assess the model's predictive ability.

MEASUREMENTS

Temporal validation was performed in 1642 patients with a reintubation rate of 4.8%, with the model demonstrating strong discrimination (optimism-corrected c-statistic 0.77) and low predictive error (Brier score 0.044) but poor model precision and recall (Optimal F1 score 0.29). Combined domain and geographic validation were performed in 2041 patients with a reintubation rate of 1.5%. The model displayed solid discriminative ability (optimism-corrected c-statistic = 0.73) and low predictive error (Brier score = 0.0149) but low precision and recall (Optimal F1 score = 0.13). Geographic validation was performed in 2489 patients with a reintubation rate of 1.6%, with the model displaying good discrimination (optimism-corrected c-statistic = 0.71) and predictive error (Brier score = 0.0152) but poor precision and recall (Optimal F1 score = 0.13).

MAIN RESULTS

The reintubation model displayed strong discriminative ability and low predictive error within each validation cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Future work is needed to explore how to optimize models before local implementation.

Ultrafast track versus conventional fast track in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a propensity score-matched analysis

OBJECTIVES

We aimed at comparing the risk of major adverse events and length of stay between patients undergoing ultrafast track and conventional fast track.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study adjusted by propensity score matching, including patients operated on between March 2020 and December 2022 of any of the following: coronary, valve surgery or ascending aorta surgery. Patients were divided into 2 groups: ultrafast track: extubation in the operating room and fast track: extubation attempted in the first 6 postoperative hours. The primary objective was to compare the risk of the combined event death, lung respiratory outcomes (reintubation, mechanical ventilation longer than 24 h or pneumonia), or acute renal failure.

RESULTS

A total of 1126 patients were included. A total of 579 (51.4%) were extubated in the operating room. A total of 331 pairs were available after matching by propensity score. The risk of the primary outcome was 11.8% (n = 39) in the fast-track group and 6.3% (n = 21) in the ultrafast-track group (P = 0.013), mostly driven by lung adverse events (6.9% vs 2.4%, P = 0.011) while no significant differences were detected in the risk of death (2.4% vs 1.8%, P = 0.77) or acute renal failure (8% vs 6.3%, P = 0.56). The risk of myocardial infarction was higher in the fast-track group (2.7% vs 0%, P = 0.039). The median length of stay in the postoperative intensive care unit was longer in the fast-track group [24.7 h (interquartile range 21.5; 62.9) vs 23.5 h (interquartile range 22; 46), P = 0.015].

CONCLUSIONS

In patients undergoing cardiac surgery, extubation in the operating room is associated to a lower risk of postoperative complications (mostly driven by lung adverse events) and length of stay in intensive care unit as compared to fast track.

Ultra-fast track extubation protocol following cardiovascular surgery: Predictors of failure and outcomes

OBJECTIVES

Identifying independent predictor factors of failure of ultra-fast track (UFT) extubation and to compare in-hospital outcomes with UFT extubation versus fast track (FT) extubation after cardiovascular surgery in adults.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 1498 consecutive patients aged over 18 years-old undergoing cardiovascular surgery at a single institution. Between December 2014 and December 2016, FT extubation was used (N = 713) while, between December 2016 and December 2018, all patients were preoperatively considered suitable for UFT extubation (N = 785). In this instance, a standardized anaesthetic protocol was applied in all cases. The decision to not extubate in the operating room (OR) was based on intraoperative haemodynamic and ventilation.

RESULTS

Extubation in the OR was possible in 699 (89%) patients. Significant independent predictors factors of UFT extubation failure were: preoperative NYHA class III-IV, myocardial infarction within two days prior to surgery, preoperative intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation, urgent/emergent surgery, intraoperative transfusion of platelets and intraoperative inotropic and vasopressor support. UFT extubation was associated with lower rates of cardiovascular complications such as congestive cardiac insufficiency (OR: 1,57; 95% CI: 1,13-2,19; p = 0,008) and new-onset postoperatory atrial fibrillation (OR: 1,40; 95% CI: 1,06-1,86; p = 0,020). Patient extubated in the OR presented lower risk of overall complications, shorter intensive care unit stay and higher short-term survival, although, no statistically significance was found when performing the multivariate adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS

A routine immediate extubation in the OR following adult cardiovascular surgery is a feasible and safe practice, associated with low cardiovascular morbidity.

Feasibility and safety of ultra-fast track anesthesia for totally thoracoscopic closure of ventricular septal defect: A randomized controlled trial

Objective

Ultra-fast channel anesthesia (UFTA) can reduce the dosage of opioid narcotic drugs, allow for a rapid postoperative extubation and reduce the harmful stress response during perioperative period. However, there has been limited information about the application of UFTA during thoracoscopic closure of ventricular septal defect (VSD). The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of UFTA technique in patients undergoing totally thoracoscopic closure of VSD.

Methods

Seventy-eight patients were randomly divided into study (UFTA) and control (standard general anesthesia) group. Totally thoracoscopic closure of VSD was performed in all patients. Extubation in the study and control group was attempted in the operating room and the intensive care unit, respectively.

Results

All patients in the study group were extubated in the operating room immediately after surgery, but 2 (6.1%) required reintubation. All the control group patients were extubated after a period of mechanical ventilation (3.0 ± 3.7 h vs 0 h in the study group, p = 0.001) in the intensive care unit. The intensive care and hospital stays in the study group were shorter than in the control group (4.3 ± 2.5 vs 13.4 ± 4.4 h, p = 0.003, and 5.8 ± 0.8 vs 6.5 ± 1.2 d, p = 0.047). The total costs for the treatment in the study group was lower than in the control group (5264 ± 514 vs 4662 ± 461 US dollars, p = 0.02).

Conclusions

UFTA and operating room extubation was feasible and safe in the majority of patients following totally thoracoscopic closure of VSD. This technique was associated with a shorter intensive care stay and lower overall costs for the surgical treatment.

Clinical Evaluation of on-Table Extubation in Patients Aged Over 60 Years Undergoing Minimally Invasive Mitral or Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery

Aims

To evaluate the clinical efficiency of on-table extubation (OTE) versus delayed extubation in patients aged over 60 years that underwent minimally invasive mitral or aortic valve replacement surgery and evaluate the factors associated with successful OTE implementation.

Materials

Patients over 60 years with mitral or aortic valve disease who received minimally invasive mitral or aortic valve replacement surgery from October 2020 to October 2021 were selected retrospectively. We divided patients into the on-table extubated (OTE) group (n = 71) and the delayed extubation (DE) group (n = 22). Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative clinical variables were compared between the two groups.

Results

Patients in the DE group underwent longer surgery time, longer aortic occlusion clamping time and longer cardiopulmonary bypass time than those in the OTE group(217.48 ± 27.83 vs 275.91 ± 77.22, p = 0.002; 76.49 ± 16.00 vs 126.55 ± 54.85, p = 0.001; 112.87 ± 18.91 vs 160.77 ± 52.17, p = 0.001). Patients in the OTE group had shorter postoperative mechanical ventilation time (min), shorter ICU time, shorter postoperative hospital length of stay and lower total cost and medication cost (p < 0.05). The AUC for aortic occlusion clamping time was 0.81 (p < 0.01), making it the most significant predictor of on-table extubation success.

Conclusions

On-table extubation following mitral or aortic valve cardiac surgery was associated with a superior clinical outcome and high cost-effectiveness.

A Predictive Model of Reintubation after Cardiac Surgery Using the Electronic Health Record

BACKGROUND

Reintubation and prolonged intubation after cardiac surgery are associated with significant complications. Despite these competing risks, providers frequently extubate patients with limited insight into the risk of reintubation at the time of extubation. Achieving timely, successful extubation remains a significant clinical challenge.

METHODS

Based on an analysis of 2835 patients undergoing cardiac surgery at our institution between November 2017 and July 2020, we developed a model for an individual's risk of reintubation at the time of extubation. Predictors were screened for inclusion in the model based on clinical plausibility and availability at the time of extubation. Rigorous data reduction methods were used to create a model that could be easily integrated into clinical workflow at the time of extubation.

RESULTS

In total, 90 patients (3.2%) were reintubated within 48 hours of initial extubation. Number of inotropes [1 (adjusted odds ratio (OR), 15.4; 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.5-47.6; p <.001), ≥2 (OR, 62.7; 95% CI 14.3-279.5; p<.001)]; dexmedetomidine dose (OR, 3.0 [per mcg/kg/h]; 95% CI 1.9-4.7; p <.001), time to extubation (OR, 1.04 [per six hour increase]; 95% CI 1.02-1.05; p <.001), and respiratory rate (OR, 1.04 [per breath/min.]; 95% CI 1.01-1.07; p <.001) were the best predictors for the model, which displayed excellent discriminative capacity (the area under the receiver operating characteristic, 0.86; 95% CI 0.84-0.89).

CONCLUSIONS

An improved understanding of reintubation risk may lead to improved decision-making at extubation and targeted interventions to decrease reintubation in high-risk patients. Future studies are needed to optimize timing of extubation.

Comparison of immediate extubation versus ultrafast tracking strategy in the management of off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery

Introduction:

Ultrafast tracking of anesthesia (UFTA) is practiced routinely, whereas immediate on-table extubation after off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) grafting surgery has many concerns. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of immediate extubation (IE) versus UFTA.

Methods:

Sixty patients were enrolled who underwent OPCAB surgery. The two groups IE and UFTA had thirty patients each. Inclusion criteria were patients for OPCAB surgery including left main stenosis. Exclusion criteria were patients with Ejection Fraction(EF) <30%, with unstable hemodynamics, on intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), with renal dysfunction, with associated valvular heart diseases, on inotropes, on temporary pacemaker, with intraoperative conversion to on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), who are chronic smokers, and with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Statistical analysis was done with Minitab 15 software. Descriptive statistics were summarized as mean, standard deviation, and percentage. Student's t-test was used to determine the significance of normally distributed parametric values. Z-test was used for proportion. Statistical significance was accepted at P < 0.05.

Results:

OT extubation was found to be safe as no patient had reintubation or respiratory insufficiency. None of the patients in either group had postoperative myocardial infarction, stroke, low cardiac output, mediastinitis, and renal failure. Hypothermia, blood transfusion, atrial fibrillation, and re-exploration did not occur. Intensive Care Unit length of stay was similar in the two groups. Discharge day is statistically significant (P = 0.001), with 5.66 days in the IE group and 6.36 days in the UFTA group. Time spent in the operating room at the end of surgery is statistically significant, with 14.03 min in UFTA group and 33.9 min in IE group.

Conclusion:

IE appears to be safe and effective in OPCAB patients without any major complications. It can be achieved after fulfilling traditional extubation criteria but is confined to highly selective group of patients.

Routine operation theatre extubation after cardiac surgery in the elderly

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to analyse in-hospital outcomes of patients over 70 years of age undergoing routine immediate operation theatre (OT) extubation after on-pump or off-pump cardiac surgery.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed of prospectively collected data over a 4-year period (2011-14) from elderly patients undergoing early extubation after cardiac surgery at a single institution. All patients over 70 years were considered eligible for immediate OT or intensive care unit (ICU) early extubation after meeting specific criteria. All types of non-emergency cardiac surgery were included. Cardiac surgical risk stratification was assessed with EuroSCORE II and age, creatinine level and left ventricular ejection fraction (ACEF) score.

RESULTS

Among the 415 patients operated on during the period, 275 (66.3%) were ≥70 years old. One hundred and forty patients (50.9%) of the elderly group were extubated successfully in the OT. Excluding off-pump coronary surgery, OT extubation was achieved in 51.5% of cases. The rate of risk of reintubation within 24 h of surgery after OT extubation was 2.1%. The in-hospital mortality rate was 4.7%, and the complication rate was 11.6%, independently of extubation timing. Elderly patients extubated in the OT had a significantly lower median EuroSCORE II risk level and ACEF score, more isolated valve surgeries, reduced cardiopulmonary bypass time, less complications and shorter length of stay than ICU-extubated patients. In the multivariate analysis, only the ACEF score remained as an independent variable associated with OT extubation in the elderly (odds ratio 25.0, 95% CI 2.74-228.8, P = 0.004), and had good discriminating power [receiver operating characteristics (ROC) area 0.713]. On the other hand, the EuroSCORE ROC area used to predict OT extubation was 0.694, and the cut-off analysis showed that a risk value under 2.11 was associated with 72.1% OT extubation versus 37.3% when the risk value was over 2.11 (P = 0.0002).

CONCLUSIONS

OT extubation in the elderly can be safely performed in nearly 50% of patients, without apparently worsening their outcomes. A key point of this success was the use of a short-acting volatile agent to maintain anaesthesia throughout the procedure. Low- or moderate-risk cardiac surgery assessed with a preoperative EuroSCORE II <2.11 will help to better predict successful OT extubation in the elderly.

Myocardial Revascularization Exclusively With Bilateral Internal Thoracic Arteries in T-Graft Configuration: Effects on Late Survival

BACKGROUND

We studied long-term survival using bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafting in a T-configuration exclusively versus using single internal thoracic artery (SITA) grafting in patients with multivessel disease.

METHODS

Consecutive coronary operations performed at a single center between 1996 and 2014 were reviewed. Long-term survival among patients receiving coronary revascularization exclusively with BITA grafting in a T-configuration (n = 2,098) versus SITA grafts plus other types of conduits (saphenous vein graft [SVG] and radial artery [RA]) grafts (n = 1,659). In patients who underwent BITA grafting, the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) was grafted mainly to the left anterior descending artery, whereas the right internal thoracic artery (RITA) was used more commonly to graft the circumflex (Cx) artery and the right coronary system as T-grafts. A total of 485 pairs of patients were matched using propensity scores. Cox proportional hazard models were generated to examine the association of arterial BITA grafting with mortality.

RESULTS

Patients in the BITA group were more likely to be younger (BITA, 63.7 ± 9.1 versus SITA, 65.0 ± 9.9; p < 0.0001). At 30 days, patients who underwent BITA grafting experienced reduced unadjusted mortality (BITA, 1.2% versus SITA, 4.4%; p < 0.0001). At 10 years, patients who underwent BITA grafting experienced superior unadjusted survival (BITA, 82.6% ± 1.8% versus SITA, 76.1% ± 1.3%; p = 0.001). Cox regression analysis in the entire study cohort showed that BITA grafting was associated with improved survival (hazard ratio [HR], 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.58-0.87; p < 0.001). In the propensity-score-adjusted analysis, patients who underwent BITA grafting had similar in-hospital mortality (BITA, 1.6% versus SITA, 2.9%; p = 0.196). Patients who underwent BITA grafting still showed improved survival at 10 years (BITA, 81.0% ± 4.1% versus SITA, 71.8% ± 2.5%; p = 0.039).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that coronary artery operations exclusively with BITA grafting in a T-configuration may be associated with better long-term survival than grafting with SITA plus other types of conduits.

Risk of reintubation in neurosurgical patients

BACKGROUND

Reintubation among neurosurgical patients is poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to delineate the rate of reintubation among neurosurgical patients. In addition, we seek to characterize the patient demographic features, comorbidities, and surgical characteristics that may be associated with reintubation among neurosurgical patients.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study conducted in the setting of hospitals participating in the American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program between 2005 and 2010. All adult patients undergoing neurosurgery under general anesthesia were included. Exclusion criteria were preoperative mechanical ventilation or pneumonia prior to surgery. Reintubation was defined as placement of an endotracheal tube or mechanical ventilation within 48 h after surgery.

RESULTS

Among 17,483 eligible patients, 74 (0.42 %; 95 % CI 0.33-0.52 %) required reintubation within 48 h of surgery. In multiple logistic regression, the following were associated with increased risk of reintubation: age >65 years (OR 2.1; 95 % CI 1.3-3.4), preoperative renal failure (OR 2.9; 95 % CI 1.0-8.5), quadriplegia (OR 8.2; 95 % CI 3.3-20.3), COPD (OR 2.1; 95 % CI 1.0-4.3), operative time >3 h (OR 2.9; 95 % CI 1.8-4.8), and higher ASA class (OR per point, 2.1; 95 % CI 1.4-3.1). Spinal surgery was found to be protective relative to cranial neurosurgery or endarterectomy (OR 0.3; 95 % CI 0.2-0.5).

CONCLUSIONS

Reintubation after neurosurgery is associated with older patients with a greater number of comorbidities. In particular, renal, pulmonary, and severe neurologic comorbidities; longer operative duration; and cranial, rather than spinal, pathology were associated with increased risk for reintubation. These findings may be helpful in triage decisions regarding postoperative intensity of care and monitoring.

Factors associated with extubation time in coronary artery bypass grafting patients

Background and Objectives. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, with coronary artery disease being the most common. With increasing numbers of patients, Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) has become the most common operation in the world. Respiratory disorder is one of the most prevalent complications of CABG. Thus, weaning off the mechanical ventilation and extubation are of great clinical importance for these patients. Some post-operative problems also relate to the tracheal tube and mechanical ventilation. Therefore, an increase in this leads to an increase in the number of complications, length of hospital stay, and treatment costs. Since a large number of factors affect the post-operative period, the present study aims to identify the predictors of extubation time in CABG patients using casualty network analysis.

Method. This longitudinal study was conducted on 800 over 18 year old patients who had undergone CABG surgery in three treatment centers affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The patients’ information, including pre-operative, peri-operative, and post-operative variables, was retrospectively extracted from their medical records. Then, the data was comprehensively analyzed through path analysis using MPLUS-7.1 software.

Results. The mean of extubation time was 10.27 + 4.39 h. Moreover, extubation time was significantly affected by packed cells during the Cardiopulmonary Bypass (CPB), packed cells after CPB, inotrope use on arrival at ICU, mean arterial pressure 1st ICU, packed cells 1st ICU, platelets 1st ICU, Blood Urea Nitrogen 1st ICU, and hematocrit 1st ICU.

Conclusion. Considering all of the factors under investigation, some peri-operative and post-operative factors had significant effects. Therefore, considering the post-operative factors is important for designing a treatment plan and evaluating patients’ prognosis.

Does Paravertebral Blockade Facilitate Immediate Extubation after Totally Endoscopic Robotic Mitral Valve Repair Surgery?

Objective

Immediate extubation of select patients in the operating room after cardiac surgery has been shown to be safe and may result in improved hemodynamics and decreased cost perioperatively. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the addition of paravertebral blockade (PVB) to general anesthesia facilitates extubation in the operating room in patients undergoing totally endoscopic robotic mitral valve repair (TERMR).

Methods

A review of 65 consecutive patients who underwent TERMR between January 2012 and June 2013 at a single institution was conducted. Patients were divided into two groups, one group that received PVB and general anesthesia and a second group that received general anesthesia alone. The data analyzed included quantities of anesthetic administered during surgery and the location of extubation after surgery.

Results

A total of 34 patients received PVB and general anesthesia, whereas 31 received general anesthesia alone. The two groups had similar demographic and surgical data. Patients in the PVB and general anesthesia group were more likely to be extubated in the operating room (67.6%, n = 23 vs 41.9%, n = 13, P = 0.048) and required less intraoperative fentanyl (3.41 μg/kg vs 4.90 μg/kg, P = 0.006). There were no adverse perioperative events in either group related to PVB or extubation.

Conclusions

The addition of PVB to general anesthesia for perioperative pain control facilitated extubation in the operating room in patients undergoing TERMR. Paravertebral blockade allowed for lower intraoperative fentanyl dosing, which may account for the increased incidence of immediate extubation. A detailed prospective study is warranted.

Pro: early extubation in the operating room following cardiac surgery in adults

There is growing evidence that the general current approach in many centers of continued mechanical ventilation following cardiac surgery has evolved through historical experience rather than having a strong physiological basis in current practice. There is evidence going back several decades supporting very early (in the operating room [OR]) extubation in pediatric cardiac anesthesia. The authors provide evidence from numerous sources showing that extubation in the OR or shortly after arrival in the ICU is safe and cost-effective and is not prevented by the type of cardiac surgery or the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. They query if the paradigm should not be reversed and very early extubation be the routine unless contraindicated. Like any anesthetic technique, appropriate patient selection is called for, but this technique is widely appropriate.