The Effect of Desmopressin on the Amount of Bleeding in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery with a Cardiopulmonary Bypass Pump After Taking Anti-Platelet Medicine

Potential clinical applications of current and future oral forms of desmopressin (Review)

Desmopressin is a synthetic analogue of vasopressin and a selective vasopressin receptor 2 agonist. It was first synthesised in 1967 and utilised for its antidiuretic properties. It is also used in bleeding disorders to enhance clotting. Other potential uses of the drug have been reported. The present review aims to provide a broad overview of the literature on potential further uses of oral forms of desmopressin. Key therapeutic areas of interest were identified based on known physiological activities/targets of desmopressin or reports of an effect of desmopressin in the literature. The feasibility of adequate dosing with oral forms of the drug was also considered. Systematic literature searches were carried out using the silvi.ai software for the identified areas, and summaries of available papers were included in tables and discussed. The results of the searches showed that desmopressin has been investigated for its efficacy in a number of areas, including bleeding control, renal colic, the central nervous system and oncology. Evidence suggests that oral desmopressin may have the potential to be of clinical benefit for renal colic and bleeding control in particular. However, further research is needed to clarify its effect in these areas, including randomised controlled studies and studies specifically of oral formulations (and doses). Further research may also yield findings for cancer, cognition and overactive bladder.

Evaluation of the effect of small single intravenous dose of amiodarone on the prevention of arrhythmias in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A randomized controlled trial

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent arrhythmia after cardiac surgery causing a range of clinical symptoms and treatments that develop in around one-third of coronary artery bypass surgery patients. We aimed to evaluate the effect of Amiodarone in preventing arrhythmia in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.

Method

In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 60 patients candidate for coronary artery bypass surgery above the age of 18 were included and randomly divided into two groups of intervention, receiving an infusion of Amiodarone (3 mg/kg) 10 min (in 100 cc Normal saline) before declamping of the aorta, and a control group, receiving 100 cc of saline 10 min before declamping of the aorta. The patient's demographic, clinical features, and hospital and clinical course were recorded.

Results

After undergoing operation, 22 (36.67%) of patients were developed arrhythmia. The Amiodarone group demonstrated significantly lower reperfusion ventricular fibrillation (RVF) rates (26.7% vs. 70%; p = .001) and AF occurrence (13.3% vs. 60%; p < .001) during the initial 24 h after surgery compared to the placebo group. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the need for D/C shock after removing the aortic clamp. (p = .117) Furthermore, the intensive care unit stay among the amiodaron group was significantly lower than the control group (2.43 vs. 3.07 days; p = .013).

Conclusion

The predictive properties in the administration of single intravenous low-dose Amiodarone 10 min before the declamping of the aorta can significantly lower the rates of RVF and AF after coronary artery bypass grafting, while also decreasing hospitalization duration.

Platelet function assessed by ROTEM® platelet in patients receiving antiplatelet therapy during cardiac and vascular surgery

Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery or carotid endarterectomy (CEA) continue antiplatelet therapy perioperatively, which may increase bleeding risk. We aimed to investigate whether Rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM^®) platelet, a newly marketed platelet function analysis, would detect antiplatelet therapy in CABG and CEA patients; whether detection of reduced platelet function was associated with increased bleeding; and whether ex vivo desmopressin increased platelet function. We included 20 CABG patients continuing aspirin and 20 CEA patients continuing clopidogrel (n = 1) or clopidogrel and aspirin (n = 19). Platelet function was analyzed with ROTEM^® platelet and light transmission aggregometry (LTA). According to the lower reference limit, ROTEM^® platelet managed to detect aspirin, but clopidogrel detection was inadequate compared to LTA. Using a previously published cut-off for bleeding risk, 6 (30%) patients receiving aspirin and 4 (21%) patients receiving both clopidogrel and aspirin demonstrated platelet function below this cut-off. One of the four CEA patients below the cut-off died from intracerebral hemorrhage postoperatively. CABG patients below (n = 6) and above (n = 14) the cut-off did not differ in chest tube output (median [range]: 373 ml [250-900] vs. 368 ml [195-820]). Ex vivo addition of desmopressin did not increase platelet function. In conclusion, ROTEM^® platelet does reveal aspirin treatment whereas clopidogrel treatment is most often overlooked. Due to low bleeding in the study population, it was not possible to conclude on the association with bleeding risk.

Prophylactic effect of Amiodarone and in combination with vitamin C in reducing atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia following cardiac surgery, leading to hemodynamic impairment and increased mortality and morbidity after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and increases hospitalization. Due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin C as well as the antiarrhythmic effect of amiodarone in reducing the incidence of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting, we decided to compare and evaluate the prophylactic effect of amiodarone alone and in combination with vitamin C in controlling this complication. In this double-blind clinical trial, patients were divided into two equal groups of amiodarone (300 mg amiodarone bolus during 20-30 minutes) and amiodarone + vitamin C (150 mg amiodarone and 2g vitamin C combination). Each group included 42 patients. All data were analyzed by SPSS 19 software and statistical tests of ANOVA, Chi-square and Repeated Measure. There was a significant difference between the two groups of amiodarone and amiodarone+vitamin C (p-value = 0.01) and the mean incidence of AF in the amiodarone +vitamin C group was significantly lower than that of amiodarone alone. Other arrhythmias were also lower in the amiodarone +vitamin C group than in the amiodarone group alone. The use offibrillation after CABG compared with prophylactic amiodarone alone, but did not have a significant effect on decreasing ICU stay(discharge) and duration of hospitalization.

Preoperative Functional Platelet Number Is Inversely Associated With 30-Day Mortality After Cardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background. We hypothesize that preoperative functional platelet number (platelet count multiplied by platelet aggregation percentage) are associated with 30-day mortality after cardiac surgery. Methods. We linked our preoperative testing database with the STS (Society of Thoracic Surgeon) database to form a study cohort of 1390 patients who had cardiac surgeries between January 2008 and December 2013. Preoperative tests of platelet count and platelet aggregation were routinely performed on all cardiac surgical patients within 24 hours before entering the operating room. Multiple logistic regression models were used to determine whether functional platelet number are associated with 30-day mortality, modified composite major adverse cardiocerebral events, postoperative renal failure or requirement for new renal replacement therapy, and reoperation for bleeding. Log-linear models were used to examine whether functional platelet numbers are associated with hospital length of stay and intensive care unit length of stay. Results. Functional platelet number had an inverse association with 30-day mortality, and each 50 × 10⁹/L increase in functional platelet number resulted in decreased 30-day mortality (odds ratio of 0.767 with 95% confidence interval = 0.591-0.996). For secondary outcomes, functional platelet number was neither associated with major adverse cardiocerebral event nor length of stay. However, we found that each 50 × 10⁹/L increase in functional platelet number was associated with decreased reoperations for bleeding (odds ratio of 0.778 with 95% confidence interval = 0.636-0.951). Conclusions. The preoperative functional platelet number had significant associations with 30-day mortality after cardiac surgery. Functional platelet number could be used to guide timing of cardiac surgery, especially as more and more patients are receiving antiplatelet medications nowadays.

Postoperative complications associated with coronary artery bypass graft surgery and their therapeutic interventions

Coronary artery disease is one of the commonest surgery demanding cardiovascular diseases. Coronary artery bypass graft surgery is practiced all over the world for the treatment of coronary artery disease. Systemic trauma during the surgery is associated with a wide range of complications, some of which are fatal. Preoperative risk factors such as age, previous illness and obesity are common predictors of these adverse events. Advances in therapeutic medicine have allowed timely treatment of these adverse events and co-morbidities. This review summarizes some of the most occurring complications associated with coronary artery bypass graft and corresponding treatment options.

Desmopressin use for minimising perioperative blood transfusion

BACKGROUND

Blood transfusion is administered during many types of surgery, but its efficacy and safety are increasingly questioned. Evaluation of the efficacy of agents, such as desmopressin (DDAVP; 1-deamino-8-D-arginine-vasopressin), that may reduce perioperative blood loss is needed.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the evidence for the efficacy of DDAVP in reducing perioperative blood loss and the need for red cell transfusion in people who do not have inherited bleeding disorders.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (2017, issue 3) in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (from 1946), Embase (from 1974), the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) (from 1937), the Transfusion Evidence Library (from 1980), and ongoing trial databases (all searches to 3 April 2017).

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials comparing DDAVP to placebo or an active comparator (e.g. tranexamic acid, aprotinin) before, during, or immediately after surgery or after invasive procedures in adults or children.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used the standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified 65 completed trials (3874 participants) and four ongoing trials. Of the 65 completed trials, 39 focused on adult cardiac surgery, three on paediatric cardiac surgery, 12 on orthopaedic surgery, two on plastic surgery, and two on vascular surgery; seven studies were conducted in surgery for other conditions. These trials were conducted between 1986 and 2016, and 11 were funded by pharmaceutical companies or by a party with a commercial interest in the outcome of the trial.The GRADE quality of evidence was very low to moderate across all outcomes. No trial reported quality of life. DDAVP versus placebo or no treatmentTrial results showed considerable heterogeneity between surgical settings for total volume of red cells transfused (low-quality evidence) and for total blood loss (very low-quality evidence) due to large differences in baseline blood loss. Consequently, these outcomes were not pooled and were reported in subgroups.Compared with placebo, DDAVP may slightly decrease the total volume of red cells transfused in adult cardiac surgery (mean difference (MD) -0.52 units, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.96 to -0.08 units; 14 trials, 957 participants), but may lead to little or no difference in orthopaedic surgery (MD -0.02, 95% CI -0.67 to 0.64 units; 6 trials, 303 participants), vascular surgery (MD 0.06, 95% CI -0.60 to 0.73 units; 2 trials, 135 participants), or hepatic surgery (MD -0.47, 95% CI -1.27 to 0.33 units; 1 trial, 59 participants).DDAVP probably leads to little or no difference in the total number of participants transfused with blood (risk ratio (RR) 0.96, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.06; 25 trials; 1806 participants) (moderate-quality evidence).Whether DDAVP decreases total blood loss in adult cardiac surgery (MD -135.24 mL, 95% CI -210.80 mL to -59.68 mL; 22 trials, 1358 participants), orthopaedic surgery (MD -285.76 mL, 95% CI -514.99 mL to -56.53 mL; 5 trials, 241 participants), or vascular surgery (MD -582.00 mL, 95% CI -1264.07 mL to 100.07 mL; 1 trial, 44 participants) is uncertain because the quality of evidence is very low.DDAVP probably leads to little or no difference in all-cause mortality (Peto odds ratio (pOR) 1.09, 95% CI 0.51 to 2.34; 22 trials, 1631 participants) or in thrombotic events (pOR 1.36, 95% CI, 0.85 to 2.16; 29 trials, 1984 participants) (both low-quality evidence). DDAVP versus placebo or no treatment for people with platelet dysfunctionCompared with placebo, DDAVP may lead to a reduction in the total volume of red cells transfused (MD -0.65 units, 95% CI -1.16 to -0.13 units; 6 trials, 388 participants) (low-quality evidence) and in total blood loss (MD -253.93 mL, 95% CI -408.01 mL to -99.85 mL; 7 trials, 422 participants) (low-quality evidence).DDAVP probably leads to little or no difference in the total number of participants receiving a red cell transfusion (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.04; 5 trials, 258 participants) (moderate-quality evidence).Whether DDAVP leads to a difference in all-cause mortality (pOR 0.72, 95% CI 0.12 to 4.22; 7 trials; 422 participants) or in thrombotic events (pOR 1.58, 95% CI 0.60 to 4.17; 7 trials, 422 participants) is uncertain because the quality of evidence is very low. DDAVP versus tranexamic acidCompared with tranexamic acid, DDAVP may increase the volume of blood transfused (MD 0.6 units, 95% CI 0.09 to 1.11 units; 1 trial, 40 participants) and total blood loss (MD 142.81 mL, 95% CI 79.78 mL to 205.84 mL; 2 trials, 115 participants) (both low-quality evidence).Whether DDAVP increases or decreases the total number of participants transfused with blood is uncertain because the quality of evidence is very low (RR 2.42, 95% CI 1.04 to 5.64; 3 trials, 135 participants).No trial reported all-cause mortality.Whether DDAVP leads to a difference in thrombotic events is uncertain because the quality of evidence is very low (pOR 2.92, 95% CI 0.32 to 26.83; 2 trials, 115 participants). DDAVP versus aprotininCompared with aprotinin, DDAVP probably increases the total number of participants transfused with blood (RR 2.41, 95% CI 1.45 to 4.02; 1 trial, 99 participants) (moderate-quality evidence).No trials reported volume of blood transfused or total blood loss and the single trial that included mortality as an outcome reported no deaths.Whether DDAVP leads to a difference in thrombotic events is uncertain because the quality of evidence is very low (pOR 0.98, 95% CI 0.06 to 15.89; 2 trials, 152 participants).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Most of the evidence derived by comparing DDAVP versus placebo was obtained in cardiac surgery, where DDAVP was administered after cardiopulmonary bypass. In adults undergoing cardiac surgery, the reduction in volume of red cells transfused and total blood loss was small and was unlikely to be clinically important. It is less clear whether DDAVP may be of benefit for children and for those undergoing non-cardiac surgery. A key area for researchers is examining the effects of DDAVP for people with platelet dysfunction. Few trials have compared DDAVP versus tranexamic acid or aprotinin; consequently, we are uncertain of the relative efficacy of these interventions.