The role of β-blockers in cardiac perioperative management

Association Between Intraoperative Landiolol Use and In-Hospital Mortality After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Nationwide Observational Study in Japan

BACKGROUND

Ischemic heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide, and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a major treatment. Landiolol is an ultra-short-acting beta-antagonist known to prevent postoperative atrial fibrillation. However, the effectiveness of intraoperative landiolol on mortality remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the association between intraoperative landiolol use and the in-hospital mortality in patients undergoing CABG.

METHODS

To conduct this retrospective cohort study, we used data from the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination inpatient database. All patients who underwent CABG during hospitalization between July 1, 2010, and March 31, 2020, were included. Patients who received intraoperative landiolol were defined as the landiolol group, whereas the other patients were defined as the control group. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Propensity score matching was used to compare the landiolol and control groups.

RESULTS

In total, 118,506 patients were eligible for this study, including 25,219 (21%) in the landiolol group and 93,287 (79%) in the control group. One-to-one propensity score matching created 24,893 pairs. After propensity score matching, the in-hospital mortality was significantly lower in the landiolol group than that in the control group (3.7% vs 4.3%; odds ratio 0.85; 95% confidence interval 0.78 to 0.94; P = .010).

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative landiolol use was associated with decreased in-hospital mortality in patients undergoing CABG. Further randomized controlled trials are required to confirm these findings.

Comparison of landiolol and amiodarone for the treatment of new-onset atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery (FAAC) trial: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (PoAF) after cardiac surgery has a high incidence of 30%, but its management is controversial. Two strategies are recommended without evidence of a superiority of one against the other: rate control with beta-blocker or rhythm control with amiodarone. Landiolol is a new-generation beta-blocker with fast onset and short half-life. One retrospective, single-center study compared landiolol to amiodarone for PoAF after cardiac surgery with a better hemodynamic stability and a higher rate of reduction to sinus rhythm with landiolol, justifying the need for a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Our aim is to compare landiolol to amiodarone in the setting of PoAF after cardiac surgery with the hypothesis of a higher rate of reduction to sinus rhythm with landiolol during the 48 h after the first episode of POAF.

METHODS

The FAAC trial is a multicenter single-blind two parallel-arm randomized study, which planned to include 350 patients with a first episode of PoAF following cardiac surgery. The duration of the study is 2 years. The patients are randomized in two arms: a landiolol group and an amiodarone group. Randomization (Ennov Clinical®) is performed by the anesthesiologist in charge of the patient if PoAF is persistent for at least 30 min after correction of hypovolemia, dyskalemia, and absence of pericardial effusion on a transthoracic echocardiography done at bedside. Our hypothesis is an increase of the percentage of patients in sinus rhythm from 70 to 85% with landiolol in less than 48 h after onset of PoAF (alpha risk = 5%, power = 90%, bilateral test).

DISCUSSION

The FAAC trial was approved by the Ethics Committee of EST III with approval number 19.05.08. The FAAC trial is the first randomized controlled trial comparing landiolol to amiodarone for PoAF after cardiac surgery. In case of higher rate of reduction with landiolol, this beta-blocker could be the drug of choice used in this context as to reduce the need for anticoagulant therapy and reduce the risk of complications of anticoagulant therapy for patients with a first episode of postoperative atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04223739. Registered on January 10, 2020.

Beta-Blocker Landiolol Hydrochloride in Preventing Atrial Fibrillation Following Cardiothoracic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this article was to assess the benefit of perioperative administration of the intravenous beta-blocker landiolol hydrochloride in preventing atrial fibrillation (AF) after cardiothoracic surgery.

METHODS

We performed a systematic search in PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and OVID to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohorts up to January 2021. Data regarding postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) and safety outcomes were extracted. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined using the Mantel-Haenszel method. Meanwhile, subgroup analyses were conducted according to surgery type including lung cancer surgery, esophageal cancer surgery, and cardiac surgery.

RESULTS

Seventeen eligible articles involving 1349 patients within 13 RCTs and four cohorts were included in our meta-analysis. Compared with control group, landiolol administration was associated with a significant reduction of the occurrence of AF after cardiothoracic surgery (OR = 0.32, 95% CI 0.23-0.43, P <0.00001). In addition, the results demonstrated that perioperative administration of landiolol hydrochloride minimized the occurrence of postoperative complications (OR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.33-0.70, P = 0.0002). Funnel plots indicated no obvious publication bias.

CONCLUSIONS

Considering this analysis, landiolol was effective in the prevention of AF after cardiothoracic surgery and did not increase the risk of major postoperative complications.

A Comparative Prospective Observational Study on the Use of Direct Oral Anticoagulants after Cardiac Surgery for the Management of Atrial Fibrillation

PURPOSE

Recently, guidelines recommended the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for the management of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common post-surgical complication of cardiac surgery, but the efficacy and safety of DOAC for POAF have rarely been investigated. We conducted a prospective observational study to investigate the efficacy and safety of DOAC administered immediately after POAF.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In all, 135 patients that experienced POAF after cardiac surgery were treated with a DOAC. Primary endpoints were either bleeding or thromboembolic events. Secondary endpoints included changes in hemoglobin (Hb), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), serum creatinine (sCr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and pleural/pericardial effusion.

RESULTS

Patients were treated with apixaban (n = 31), edoxaban (n = 87), and rivaroxaban (n = 17). Major bleeding (p = 0.011) and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding (p = 0.047) were significantly more frequent in the rivaroxaban group. Stroke was observed in one rivaroxaban group patient and none in the other two groups.

CONCLUSION

DOAC as anticoagulation therapy for the early intervention of POAF following cardiac surgery is associated with a low incidence of major bleeding; a favorable safety profile and excellent efficacy were demonstrated for DOAC. Furthermore, our results indicate that the safety and efficacy of apixaban and edoxaban are better than rivaroxaban.

Does Epicardial Adipose Tissue Influence Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation?

Purpose: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is associated with atrial fibrillation. We investigated the effect of EAT on postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after cardiac surgery.

Methods: In all, 77 patients underwent scheduled cardiac surgery. Before the operation, we measured total epicardial adipose tissue (Total EAT) and left atrial (LA) EAT by three-dimensional computed tomography (CT). During surgery, we obtained samples of the right atrial appendage, aortic fat, and epicardial fat. The primary endpoint was occurrence of POAF within 1 week after surgery.

Results: POAF occurred in 21 patients (27%). Assessment of preoperative characteristics revealed significant differences of age and the use of aldosterone blockers and loop diuretics between the patients with and without POAF. In univariate analysis, the LA EAT/Total EAT ratio, age, use of aldosterone blockers and loop diuretics, P wave duration, cardioplegia volume, and central venous pressure (CVP) were all higher in POAF group. However, logistic regression analysis with propensity score matching found no significant differences of these factors although the LA EAT/Total EAT ratio was higher in POAF group.

Conclusion: The use of loop diuretics showed the strongest association with POAF. Logistic regression analysis suggested that a high LA EAT/Total EAT ratio had the second strongest association with POAF.

Glucose Variability Based on Continuous Glucose Monitoring Assessment Is Associated with Postoperative Complications after Cardiovascular Surgery

PURPOSE

This purpose of this prospective study was to use a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system to evaluate the suitability of our institution's glucose management protocol after cardiovascular surgery and to clarify the impact of glycemic variability on postoperative complications.

METHODS

In all, 76 patients who underwent elective cardiovascular surgery and were monitored perioperatively using a CGM system were evaluated. Postoperative glucose management consisted of continuous intravenous insulin infusion (CIII) in the intensive care unit, and subcutaneous insulin injections (SQII) after oral food intake started. CIII and subcutaneous injections were initiated when blood glucose level exceeded 150 mg/dL. CGM data were used to analyze perioperative glycemic variability and association with postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Target glucose levels (71-180 mg/dL) were achieved during 97.1 ± 5.5% and 86.4 ± 19.0% of the continuous insulin infusion and subcutaneous injection periods, respectively. Major postoperative complications were surgical site infections, found in 6.6% of total patients, and atrial fibrillation, found in 44% of patients with off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. High glycemic variability during SQII was associated with increased risk for both complications.

CONCLUSION

Data analysis revealed that our glucose management protocol during CIII was adequate. However, the management protocol during SQII required improvement.

The Comparison of the Effects of Nebivolol and Metoprolol on Erectile Dysfunction in the Cases with Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

PURPOSE

Beta-blocker use is common in the cases with coronary artery bypass surgery. According to the literature, beta-blockers have positive effects but may cause erectile dysfunction (ED). The most commonly used beta-blockers in ischemic cardiac disease are nebivolol and metoprolol. In our clinic, we aimed to compare the effects of nebivolol and metoprolol succinate on ED in the sexually active cases with coronary artery bypass surgery.

METHODS

In our clinic, a total of 119 patients with coronary artery bypass surgery were included in the study. International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) Test was used to evaluate whether the patients had ED and to grade the cases.

RESULTS

No significant difference was found in terms of anti-ischemic efficacy between metoprolol succinate and nebivolol in the postoperative period; however, the incidence of any grade ED was %85.96 in Group 1, %83.87 in Group 2. This difference was considered as statistically significant (p = 0.036).

CONCLUSION

Beta-blocker use increases the risk of ED in cases with ischemic cardiac disease. We suggest that the complaints of ED could be less frequent with nebivolol use in sexually active cases with ischemic cardiac disease.

Safety of The Direct Oral Anticoagulant Edoxaban for Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery: Pilot Study

Direct oral anticoagulants have recently been recommended for non-valvular atrial fibrillation, but have rarely been studied in the field of cardiac surgery. We prospectively investigated the safety of edoxaban, a novel oral anticoagulant, for use in cardiac surgery patients with postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF), which is the most common complication of cardiac surgery and can lead to stroke. The subjects were adult cardiac surgery patients with POAF who received oral edoxaban for 2 months in an open-label pilot study. The primary endpoint was cerebrovascular/bleeding events up to 2 months, while the secondary endpoints were hemoglobin, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time. There were no cerebrovascular or bleeding events during edoxaban treatment and the test drug was not discontinued by any patient. There was no macroscopic hematuria and hemoglobin did not decrease, being significantly higher than the baseline level after 2 months. The prothrombin time was significantly prolonged from 1 week to 2 months and the activated partial thromboplastin time was significantly prolonged from 1 day to 2 months. Echocardiography detected pericardial effusion in 1 patient, but hemoglobin did not decrease and the effusion improved with diuretic therapy. In conclusion, despite the limited sample size of this pilot study, it was demonstrated that edoxaban does not induce bleeding in patients with POAF after cardiac surgery, suggesting that it is safe to perform a large-scale efficacy study of edoxaban as anticoagulant therapy for POAF.

Safety and efficacy of landiolol hydrochloride for prevention of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery in patients with left ventricular dysfunction: Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery With Landiolol Hydrochloride for Left Ventricular Dysfunction (PLATON) trial

OBJECTIVES

We previously conducted a prospective study of landiolol hydrochloride (INN landiolol), an ultrashort-acting β-blocker, and reported that it could prevent atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery. This trial was performed to investigate the safety and efficacy of landiolol hydrochloride in patients with left ventricular dysfunction undergoing cardiac surgery.

METHODS

Sixty patients with a preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 35% were randomly assigned to 2 groups before cardiac surgery and then received intravenous infusion with landiolol hydrochloride (landiolol group) or without landiolol (control group). The primary end point was occurrence of atrial fibrillation as much as 1 week postoperatively. The secondary end points were blood pressure, heart rate, intensive care unit and hospital stays, ventilation time, ejection fraction, biomarkers of ischemia, and brain natriuretic peptide.

RESULTS

Atrial fibrillation occurred in 3 patients (10%) in the landiolol group versus 12 (40%) in the control group, and its frequency was significantly lower in the landiolol group (P = .002). During the early postoperative period, levels of brain natriuretic peptide and ischemic biomarkers were significantly lower in the landiolol group than the control group. The landiolol group also had a significantly shorter hospital stay (P = .019). Intravenous infusion was not discontinued for hypotension or bradycardia in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

Low-dose infusion of landiolol hydrochloride prevented atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery in patients with cardiac dysfunction and was safe, with no effect on blood pressure. This intravenous β-blocker seems useful for perioperative management of cardiac surgical patients with left ventricular dysfunction.

Early and Long-Term Outcomes in Japanese Patients Aged 80 Years or Older Undergoing Conventional Aortic Valve Replacement

In this study, we investigated the early and long-term results of conventional aortic valve replacement (AVR) in very old patients.

METHODS

Seventy-five patients with aortic stenosis underwent conventional AVR for patients aged 80 years.We examined early death and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event (MACCE).

RESULTS

The operative mortality was 0% for isolated AVR and 19.2% for concomitant surgery. The postoperative survival rate and MACCE free-rate were no significant differences between the isolated AVR and the concomitant surgery. Univariate analysis confirmed that cardiac dysfunction, severe chronic kidney disease (CKD), hemodialysis, + coronary artery bypass grafting, and norepinephrine use were risk factor of early death. Univariate analysis confirmed that severe CKD, BNP &gt;1000 pg/ml, aortic cross clamping time (ACCT) &gt;180 min, and non-use carperitide and multivariate analysis confirmed that ACCT &gt;180 min, and non-use carperitide were risk factor of MACCE.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that the results of conventional AVR in very old patients were not satisfactory. However, the results obtained with isolated AVR were favorable with no operative deaths. The present study demonstrated that preoperative cardiac function, preoperative renal function, and operative factors have an important impact on early mortality and MACCE.