Prevention of post-operative delirium using an overnight infusion of dexmedetomidine in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a pragmatic, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

After cardiac surgery, post-operative delirium (PoD) is acknowledged to have a significant negative impact on patient outcome. To date, there is no valuable and specific treatment for PoD. Critically ill patients often suffer from poor sleep condition. There is an association between delirium and sleep quality after cardiac surgery. This study aimed to establish whether promoting sleep using an overnight infusion of dexmedetomidine reduces the incidence of delirium after cardiac surgery.

METHODS

Randomized, pragmatic, multicentre, double-blind, placebo controlled trial from January 2019 to July 2021. All adult patients aged 65 years or older requiring elective cardiac surgery were randomly assigned 1:1 either to the dexmedetomidine group or the placebo group on the day of surgery. Dexmedetomidine or matched placebo infusion was started the night after surgery from 8 pm to 8 am and administered every night while the patient remained in ICU, or for a maximum of 7 days. Primary outcome was the occurrence of postoperative delirium (PoD) within the 7 days after surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 348 patients provided informed consent, of whom 333 were randomized: 331 patients underwent surgery and were analysed (165 assigned to dexmedetomidine and 166 assigned to placebo). The incidence of PoD was not significantly different between the two groups (12.6% vs. 12.4%, p = 0.97). Patients treated with dexmedetomidine had significantly more hypotensive events (7.3% vs 0.6%; p < 0.01). At 3 months, functional outcomes (Short-form 36, Cognitive failure questionnaire, PCL-5) were comparable between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

In patients recovering from an elective cardiac surgery, an overnight infusion of dexmedetomidine did not decrease postoperative delirium. Trial registration This trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (number: NCT03477344; date: 26th March 2018).

Perioperative individualized hemodynamic optimization according to baseline mean arterial pressure in cardiac surgery patients: Rationale and design of the OPTIPAM randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Postoperative morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) remain high despite recent advances in both anesthesia and perioperative management. Among modifiable risk factors for postoperative complications, optimal arterial pressure during and after surgery has been under debate for years. Recent data suggest that optimizing arterial pressure to the baseline of the patient may improve outcomes. We hypothesize that optimizing the mean arterial pressure (MAP) to the baseline MAP of the patient during cardiac surgery with CPB and during the first 24 hours postoperatively may improve outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN

The OPTIPAM trial (NCT05403697) will be a multicenter, randomized, open-label controlled trial testing the superiority of optimized MAP management as compared with a MAP of 65 mm Hg or more during both the intraoperative and postoperative periods in 1,100 patients scheduled for cardiac surgery with CPB. The primary composite end point is the occurrence of acute kidney injury, neurological complications including stroke or postoperative delirium, and death. The secondary end points are hospital and intensive care unit lengths of stay, Day 7 and Day 90 mortality, postoperative cognitive dysfunction on Day 7 and Day 90, and quality of life at Day 7 and Day 90. Two interim analyses will assess the safety of the intervention.

CONCLUSION

The OPTIPAM trial will assess the effectiveness of an individualized target of mean arterial pressure in cardiac surgery with CPB in reducing postoperative morbidity.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT05403697.

Guidelines on enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass or off-pump

OBJECTIVE

To provide recommendations for enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery (ERACS) based on a multimodal perioperative medicine approach in adult cardiac surgery patients with the aim of improving patient satisfaction, reducing postoperative mortality and morbidity, and reducing the length of hospital stay.

DESIGN

A consensus committee of 20 experts from the French Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine (Société française d'anesthésie et de réanimation, SFAR) and the French Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (Société française de chirurgie thoracique et cardio-vasculaire, SFCTCV) was convened. A formal conflict-of-interest policy was developed at the onset of the process and enforced throughout. The entire guideline process was conducted independently of any industry funding. The authors were advised to follow the principles of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system to guide the assessment of the quality of evidence.

METHODS

Six fields were defined: (1) selection of the patient pathway and its information; (2) preoperative management and rehabilitation; (3) anaesthesia and analgesia for cardiac surgery; (4) surgical strategy for cardiac surgery and bypass management; (5) patient blood management; and (6) postoperative enhanced recovery. For each field, the objective of the recommendations was to answer questions formulated according to the PICO model (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome). Based on these questions, an extensive bibliographic search was carried out and analyses were performed using the GRADE approach. The recommendations were formulated according to the GRADE methodology and then voted on by all the experts according to the GRADE grid method.

RESULTS

The SFAR/SFCTCV guideline panel provided 33 recommendations on the management of patients undergoing cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass or off-pump. After three rounds of voting and several amendments, a strong agreement was reached for the 33 recommendations. Of these recommendations, 10 have a high level of evidence (7 GRADE 1+ and 3 GRADE 1-); 19 have a moderate level of evidence (15 GRADE 2+ and 4 GRADE 2-); and 4 are expert opinions. Finally, no recommendations were provided for 3 questions.

CONCLUSIONS

Strong agreement existed among the experts to provide recommendations to optimise the complete perioperative management of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Comparison of 8 versus 15 days of antibiotic therapy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa ventilator-associated pneumonia in adults: a randomized, controlled, open-label trial

PURPOSE

Compared to long duration of antibiotic therapy, a short duration has a comparable clinical efficacy for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), with the exception of documented VAP of non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli (NF-GNB), including Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA). We aimed to assess the non-inferiority of a short duration of antibiotics (8 days) vs. prolonged antibiotic therapy (15 days) in VAP due to PA (PA-VAP).

METHODS

We conducted a nationwide, randomized, open-labeled, multicenter, non-inferiority trial to evaluate optimal duration of antibiotic treatment in PA-VAP. Eligible patients were adults with diagnosis of PA-VAP and randomly assigned in 1:1 ratio to receive a short-duration treatment (8 days) or a long-duration treatment (15 days). A pre-specified analysis was used to assess a composite endpoint combining mortality and PA-VAP recurrence rate during hospitalization in the intensive care unit (ICU) within 90 days.

RESULTS

In intention-to-treat population (n = 186), the percentage of patients who reached the composite endpoint was 25.5% (N = 25/98) in the 15-day group versus 35.2% (N = 31/88) in the 8-day group (difference 9.7%, 90% confidence interval (CI) 0.0-21.2%). The percentage of recurrence of PA-VAP during the ICU stay was 9.2% in the 15-day group versus 17% in the 8-day group. The two groups had similar median days of mechanical ventilation, of ICU stay, number of extra pulmonary infections and acquisition of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens during ICU stay.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed no differences in the composite or separate outcomes (90-day mortality or VAP recurrence) between short- and long-duration treatments for PA-VAP. However, the lack of power limits the interpretation of this study.

Dexmedetomidine after Cardiac Surgery for Prevention of Delirium (EXACTUM) trial protocol: a multicentre randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Incidence of delirium after cardiac surgery remains high and delirium has a significant burden on short-term and long-term outcomes. Multiple causes can trigger delirium occurence, and it has been hypothesised that sleep disturbances can be one of them. Preserving the circadian rhythm with overnight infusion of low-dose dexmedetomidine has been shown to lower the occurrence of delirium in older patients after non-cardiac surgery. However, these results remain controversial. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the usefulness of sleep induction by overnight infusion of dexmedetomidine to prevent delirium after cardiac surgery.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Dexmedetomidine after Cardiac Surgery for Prevention of Delirium is an investigator-initiated, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel, multicentre, double-blinded trial. Nine centres in France will participate in the study. Patients aged 65 years or older and undergoing cardiac surgery will be enrolled in the study. The intervention starts on day 0 (the day of surgery) until intensive care unit (ICU) discharge; the treatment is administered from 20:00 to 08:00 on the next day. Infusion rate is modified by the treating nurse or the clinician with an objective of Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale score from -1 to +1. The primary outcome is delirium occurrence evaluated with confusion assessment method for the ICU two times per day during 7 days following surgery. Secondary outcomes include incidence of agitation related events, self-evaluated quality of sleep, cognitive evaluation 3 months after surgery and quality of life 3 months after surgery. The sample size is 348.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study was approved for all participating centers by the French Central Ethics Committee (Comité de Protection des Personnes Ile de France VI, registration number 2018-000850-22). The results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03477344.

Effect of Moderate Hypothermia vs Normothermia on 30-Day Mortality in Patients With Cardiogenic Shock Receiving Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

The optimal approach to the use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) during cardiogenic shock is uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether early use of moderate hypothermia (33-34 °C) compared with strict normothermia (36-37 °C) improves mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock receiving venoarterial ECMO.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Randomized clinical trial of patients (who were eligible if they had been endotracheally intubated and were receiving venoarterial ECMO for cardiogenic shock for <6 hours) conducted in the intensive care units at 20 French cardiac shock care centers between October 2016 and July 2019. Of 786 eligible patients, 374 were randomized. Final follow-up occurred in November 2019.

INTERVENTIONS

Early moderate hypothermia (33-34 °C; n = 168) for 24 hours or strict normothermia (36-37 °C; n = 166).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was mortality at 30 days. There were 31 secondary outcomes including mortality at days 7, 60, and 180; a composite outcome of death, heart transplant, escalation to left ventricular assist device implantation, or stroke at days 30, 60, and 180; and days without requiring a ventilator or kidney replacement therapy at days 30, 60, and 180. Adverse events included rates of severe bleeding, sepsis, and number of units of packed red blood cells transfused during venoarterial ECMO.

RESULTS

Among the 374 patients who were randomized, 334 completed the trial (mean age, 58 [SD, 12] years; 24% women) and were included in the primary analysis. At 30 days, 71 patients (42%) in the moderate hypothermia group had died vs 84 patients (51%) in the normothermia group (adjusted odds ratio, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.45 to 1.13], P = .15; risk difference, -8.3% [95% CI, -16.3% to -0.3%]). For the composite outcome of death, heart transplant, escalation to left ventricular assist device implantation, or stroke at day 30, the adjusted odds ratio was 0.61 (95% CI, 0.39 to 0.96; P = .03) for the moderate hypothermia group compared with the normothermia group and the risk difference was -11.5% (95% CI, -23.2% to 0.2%). Of the 31 secondary outcomes, 30 were inconclusive. The incidence of moderate or severe bleeding was 41% in the moderate hypothermia group vs 42% in the normothermia group. The incidence of infections was 52% in both groups. The incidence of bacteremia was 20% in the moderate hypothermia group vs 30% in the normothermia group.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this randomized clinical trial involving patients with refractory cardiogenic shock treated with venoarterial ECMO, early application of moderate hypothermia for 24 hours did not significantly increase survival compared with normothermia. However, because the 95% CI was wide and included a potentially important effect size, these findings should be considered inconclusive.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02754193.

Intravenous immunoglobulins in patients with COVID-19-associated moderate-to-severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ICAR): multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial

Background

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a major complication of COVID-19 and is associated with high mortality and morbidity. We aimed to assess whether intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) could improve outcomes by reducing inflammation-mediated lung injury.

Methods

In this multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, done at 43 centres in France, we randomly assigned patients (1:1) receiving invasive mechanical ventilation for up to 72 h with PCR confirmed COVID-19 and associated moderate-to-severe ARDS to receive either IVIG (2 g/kg over 4 days) or placebo. Random assignment was done with a web-based system and was stratified according to the participating centre and the duration of invasive mechanical ventilation before inclusion in the trial (<12 h, 12–24 h, and >24–72 h), and treatment was administered within the first 96 h of invasive mechanical ventilation. To minimise the risk of adverse events, the IVIG administration was divided into four perfusions of 0·5 g/kg each administered over at least 8 hours. Patients in the placebo group received an equivalent volume of sodium chloride 0·9% (10 mL/kg) over the same period. The primary outcome was the number of ventilation-free days by day 28, assessed according to the intention-to-treat principle. This trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04350580.

Findings

Between April 3, and October 20, 2020, 146 patients (43 [29%] women) were eligible for inclusion and randomly assigned: 69 (47%) patients to the IVIG group and 77 (53%) to the placebo group. The intention-to-treat analysis showed no statistical difference in the median number of ventilation-free days at day 28 between the IVIG group (0·0 [IQR 0·0–8·0]) and the placebo group (0·0 [0·0–6·0]; difference estimate 0·0 [0·0–0·0]; p=0·21). Serious adverse events were more frequent in the IVIG group (78 events in 22 [32%] patients) than in the placebo group (47 events in 15 [20%] patients; p=0·089).

Interpretation

In patients with COVID-19 who received invasive mechanical ventilation for moderate-to-severe ARDS, IVIG did not improve clinical outcomes at day 28 and tended to be associated with an increased frequency of serious adverse events, although not significant. The effect of IVIGs on earlier disease stages of COVID-19 should be assessed in future trials.

Funding

Programme Hospitalier de Recherche Clinique.

Impact of Sex in the Efficacy of Perioperative Desensitization Procedures in Heart Transplantation: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background

Sensitized patients, i.e. recipients with preformed donor-specific HLA antibodies (pfDSA), are at high-risk of developing antibody-mediated rejections (AMR) and dying after heart transplantation (HTx). Perioperative desensitization procedures are associated with better outcomes but can cause sensitization, which may influence their efficacy.

Methods

In sensitized patients (pfDSA>1000 mean immunofluorescence (MFI) units), we assessed the effect of perioperative desensitization by comparing treated patients to a historical control cohort. Multivariable survival analyses were performed on the time to main outcome, a composite of death and biopsy-proven AMR with 5-year follow-up.

Results

The study included 68 patients: 31 control and 37 treated patients. There was no difference in preoperative variables between the two groups, including cumulative pfDSA [4026 (1788;8725) vs 4560 (3162;13392) MFI units, p=0.28]. The cause of sensitization was pregnancy in 24/68, 35.3%, transfusion in 61/68, 89.7%, and previous HTx in 4/68, 5.9% patients. Multivariable analysis yielded significant protective association between desensitization and events (adjusted (adj.) hazard ratio (HR)=0.44 (95% confidence interval (95CI)=0.25-0.79), p=0.006) and deleterious association between cumulative pfDSA and events [per 1000-MFI increase, adj.HR=1.028 (1.002-1.053), p=0.031]. There was a sex-difference in the efficacy of desensitization: in men (n=35), the benefit was significant [unadj.HR=0.33 (95CI=0.14-0.78); p=0.01], but not in women (n=33) [unadj.HR=0.52 (0.23-1.17), p=0.11]. In terms of the number of patients treated, in men, 2.1 of patients that were treated prevented 1 event, while in women, 3.1 required treatment to prevent 1 event.

Conclusion

Perioperative desensitization was associated with fewer AMR and deaths after HTx, and efficacy was more pronounced in men than women.

An international survey on aminoglycoside practices in critically ill patients: the AMINO III study

BACKGROUND

While aminoglycosides (AG) have been used for decades, debate remains on their optimal dosing strategy. We investigated the international practices of AG usage specifically regarding dosing and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in critically ill patients. We conducted a prospective, multicentre, observational, cohort study in 59 intensive-care units (ICUs) in 5 countries enrolling all ICU patients receiving AG therapy for septic shock.

RESULTS

We enrolled 931 septic ICU patients [mean ± standard deviation, age 63 ± 15 years, female 364 (39%), median (IQR) SAPS II 51 (38-65)] receiving AG as part of empirical (761, 84%) or directed (147, 16%) therapy. The AG used was amikacin in 614 (66%), gentamicin in 303 (33%), and tobramycin in 14 (1%) patients. The median (IQR) duration of therapy was 2 (1-3) days, the number of doses was 2 (1-2), the median dose was 25 ± 6, 6 ± 2, and 6 ± 2 mg/kg for amikacin, gentamicin, and tobramycin respectively, and the median dosing interval was 26 (23.5-43.5) h. TDM of C_max and C_min was performed in 437 (47%) and 501 (57%) patients, respectively, after the first dose with 295 (68%) patients achieving a C_max/MIC > 8 and 353 (71%) having concentrations above C_min recommended thresholds. The ICU mortality rate was 27% with multivariable analysis showing no correlation between AG dosing or pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic target attainment and clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Short courses of high AG doses are mainly used in ICU patients with septic shock, although wide variability in AG usage is reported. We could show no correlation between PK/PD target attainment and clinical outcome. Efforts to optimize the first AG dose remain necessary. Trial registration Clinical Trials, NCT02850029, registered on 29th July 2016, retrospectively registered, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Risk Factors for Developing Severe Acute Kidney Injury in Adult Patients With Refractory Postcardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock Receiving Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

OBJECTIVES

Postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock occurs in 2-6% of patients undergoing cardiac surgery, and 1% of cardiac surgery patients will require mechanical circulatory support using venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Acute kidney injury is a frequent complication in this population and negatively impacts the survival. We aimed to determine whether the timing of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation implantation influences the renal prognosis of these patients.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational cohort study between January 2013 and December 2016.

SETTING

An 18-bed surgical ICU in a university hospital.

PATIENTS

A total of 4,796 consecutive adult patients who underwent cardiac surgery were included in the study, and 347 (7.2%) were assisted with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for refractory postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock. The patients who died during the first 48 hours after venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation implantation were excluded. The complete-case analysis included 257 patients.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The primary outcome was the occurrence, within 10 days following the venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation implantation, of a stage 3 acute kidney injury defined by the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes group. One hundred sixty-nine patients (65.7%) presented with a Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes stage 3 acute kidney injury; 14 patients (5.4%) died before the end of the follow-up period, without developing the primary outcome. Ninety-two percent of patients with Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes 3 acute kidney injury received renal replacement therapy, for a median duration of 7 days (3-16 d). Late implantation of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was independently associated with an increased risk of Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes stage 3 acute kidney injury (odds ratio, 2.81 [95% CI, 1.31-6.07]; p = 0.008). The other factors associated with Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes stage 3 acute kidney injury were preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (odds ratio, 1.03 [95% CI, 1.01-1.05]; p = 0.007), intraoperative plasma transfusion (odds ratio, 1.13 [95% CI, 1.02-1.26]; p = 0.022), increased bilirubinemia level (odds ratio, 1.013 [95% CI, 1.001-1.026]; p = 0.032), and increased creatinine levels (odds ratio, 1.012 [95% CI, 1.006-1.018]; p < 0.001) on the day of implantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant kidney dysfunction is particularly frequent in patients with refractory postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock assisted with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Early implantation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation may help prevent acute kidney injury.

Guidelines: Anaesthesia in the context of COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVES

The world is currently facing an unprecedented healthcare crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of these guidelines is to produce a framework to facilitate the partial and gradual resumption of intervention activity in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

The group has endeavoured to produce a minimum number of recommendations to highlight the strengths to be retained in the 7 predefined areas: (1) protection of staff and patients; (2) benefit/risk and patient information; (3) preoperative assessment and decision on intervention; (4) modalities of the preanaesthesia consultation; (5) specificity of anaesthesia and analgesia; (6) dedicated circuits and (7) containment exit type of interventions.

RESULTS

The SFAR Guideline panel provides 51 statements on anaesthesia management in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. After one round of discussion and various amendments, a strong agreement was reached for 100% of the recommendations and algorithms.

CONCLUSION

We present suggestions for how the risk of transmission by and to anaesthetists can be minimised and how personal protective equipment policies relate to COVID-19 pandemic context.

Timing of β-Blocker Reintroduction and the Occurrence of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation after Cardiac Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

For cardiac surgery patients under chronic β-blocker therapy, guidelines recommend their early postoperative reintroduction to decrease the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation. The authors hypothesized that the timing of β-blocker reintroduction affects their effectiveness on the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation.

METHODS

This multicenter prospective French cohort study included patients on β-blockers (more than 30 days before surgery) in sinus rhythm without a pacemaker. The primary outcome, time sequence of β-blocker reintroduction, was analyzed for 192 h after surgery. The secondary outcome, relationship between the occurrence of postoperative atrial fibrillation and timing of β-blocker reintroduction, was analyzed based on pre- and intraoperative predictors (full and selected sets) according to landmark times (patients in whom atrial fibrillation occurred before a given landmark time were not analyzed).

RESULTS

Of 663 patients, β-blockers were reintroduced for 532 (80%) but for only 261 (39%) patients in the first 48 h after surgery. Median duration before reintroduction was 49.5 h (95% CI, 48 to 51.5 h). Postoperative atrial fibrillation or death (N = 4) occurred in 290 (44%) patients. After performing a landmark analysis to take into account the timing of β-blocker reintroduction, the adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) for predictor full and selected (increased age, history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and duration of aortic cross clamping) sets for the occurrence of postoperative atrial fibrillation were: adjusted odds ratio (full) = 0.87 (0.58 to 1.32; P = 0.517) and adjusted odds ratio (selected) = 0.84 (0.58 to 1.21; P = 0.338) at 48 h; adjusted odds ratio (full) = 0.64 (0.39 to 1.05; P = 0.076) and adjusted odds ratio (selected) = 0.58 (0.38 to 0.89; P = 0.013) at 72 h; adjusted odds ratio (full) = 0.58 (0.31 to 1.07; P = 0.079) and adjusted odds ratio (selected) = 0.53 (0.31 to 0.91; P = 0.021) at 96 h.

CONCLUSIONS

β-Blockers were reintroduced early (after less than 48 h) in fewer than half of the cardiac surgery patients. Reintroduction decreased postoperative atrial fibrillation occurrence only at later time points and only in the predictor selected set model. These results are an incentive to optimize (timing, doses, or titration) β-blocker reintroduction after cardiac surgery.

Predictive risk factors for postoperative pneumonia after heart transplantation

Background

Pneumonia is a frequent complication in patients undergoing heart transplantation (HTx) that increases morbidity and mortality in this population. Nevertheless, the risk factors for postoperative pneumonia (POP) are still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive risk factors for POP in HTx recipients.

Methods

In this retrospective study, all patients undergoing HTx between January 2014 and December 2015 were included. All cases of POP occurring until hospital discharge were investigated. The study aimed to determine risk factors using univariate and multivariate Cox regression models. Data are expressed in Odds Ratio [95% CI]. P < 0.05 was necessary to reject the null hypothesis.

Results

A total of 175 patients were included without any patients being lost to follow-up, and 89 instances of POP were diagnosed in 59 (34%) patients. Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the most common pathogens. In the multivariate analysis, the risk factors were preoperative mechanical ventilation (OR 1.42 [1.12–1.80], P < 0.01) and perioperative blood transfusion (OR 1.42 [95% CI: 1.20–1.70], P < 0.01). POP significantly impacted mortality at 30 days (OR: 4 [1.3–12.4], P = 0.01) and 1 year (OR: 6.8 [2.5–8.4], P < 0.01) and was associated with a longer duration of mechanical ventilation, time to weaning from venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and stay in an intensive care unit. Plasma exchanges and intravenous administration of immunoglobulins did not increase the risk of POP.

Conclusion

After HTx, preoperative mechanical ventilation and blood transfusion were risk factors for POP and were associated with increased mortality. Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the most common pathogens of POP.

Levosimendan in the light of the results of the recent randomized controlled trials: an expert opinion paper

Despite interesting and unique pharmacological properties, levosimendan has not proven a clear superiority to placebo in the patient populations that have been enrolled in the various recent multicenter randomized controlled trials. However, the pharmacodynamic effects of levosimendan are still considered potentially very useful in a number of specific situations.

Patients with decompensated heart failure requiring inotropic support and receiving beta-blockers represent the most widely accepted indication. Repeated infusions of levosimendan are increasingly used to facilitate weaning from dobutamine and avoid prolonged hospitalizations in patients with end-stage heart failure, awaiting heart transplantation or left ventricular assist device implantation. New trials are under way to confirm or refute the potential usefulness of levosimendan to facilitate weaning from veno-arterial ECMO, to treat cardiogenic shock due to left or right ventricular failure because the current evidence is mostly retrospective and requires confirmation with better-designed studies. Takotsubo syndrome may represent an ideal target for this non-adrenergic inotrope, but this statement also relies on expert opinion. There is no benefit from levosimendan in patients with septic shock. The two large trials evaluating the prophylactic administration of levosimendan (pharmacological preconditioning) in cardiac surgical patients with poor left ventricular ejection fraction could not show a significant reduction in their composite endpoints reflecting low cardiac output syndrome with respect to placebo. However, the subgroup of those who underwent isolated CABG appeared to have a reduction in mortality. A new study will be required to confirm this exploratory finding.

Levosimendan remains a potentially useful inodilator agent in a number of specific situations due to its unique pharmacological properties. More studies are needed to provide a higher level of proof regarding these indications.

New Modalities for the Administration of Inhaled Nitric Oxide in Intensive Care Units After Cardiac Surgery or for Neonatal Indications: A Prospective Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Nitric oxide (NO) has a well-known efficacy in pulmonary hypertension (PH), with wide use for 20 years in many countries. The objective of this study was to describe the current use of NO in real life and the gap with the guidelines.

METHODS

This is a multicenter, prospective, observational study on inhaled NO administered through an integrated delivery and monitoring device and indicated for PH according to the market authorizations. The characteristics of NO therapy and ventilation modes were observed. Concomitant pulmonary vasodilator treatments, safety data, and outcome were also collected. Quantitative data are expressed as median (25th, 75th percentile).

RESULTS

Over 1 year, 236 patients were included from 14 equipped and trained centers: 117 adults and 81 children with PH associated with cardiac surgery and 38 neonates with persistent PH of the newborn. Inhaled NO was initiated before intensive care unit (ICU) admission in 57%, 12.7%, and 38.9% with an initial dose of 10 (10, 15) ppm, 20 (18, 20) ppm, and 17 (11, 20) ppm, and a median duration of administration of 3.9 (1.9, 6.1) days, 3.8 (1.8, 6.8) days, and 3.1 (1.0, 5.7) days, respectively, for the adult population, pediatric cardiac group, and newborns. The treatment was performed using administration synchronized to the mechanical ventilation. The dose was gradually decreased before withdrawal in 86% of the cases according to the usual procedure of each center. Adverse events included rebound effect for 3.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.9%-8.5%) of adults, 1.2% (95% CI, 0.0%-6.7%) of children, and 2.6% (95% CI, 0.1%-13.8%) of neonates and methemoglobinemia exceeded 2.5% for 5 of 62 monitored patients. Other pulmonary vasodilators were associated with NO in 23% of adults, 95% of children, and 23.7% of neonates. ICU stay was respectively 10 (6, 22) days, 7.5 (5.5, 15) days, and 9 (8, 15) days and ICU mortality was 22.2%, 6.2%, and 7.9% for adults, children, and neonates, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms the safety of NO therapy in the 3 populations with a low rate of rebound effect. Gradual withdrawal of NO combined with pulmonary vasodilators are current practices in this population. The use of last-generation NO devices allowed good compliance with recommendations.

Effect of recipient gender and donor-specific antibodies on antibody-mediated rejection after heart transplantation

Gender-difference regarding antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) after heart transplantation has been described. However, no study accounted for the presence of preformed donor-specific antibodies (pfDSA), a known risk factor of AMR, more common among women than men. In a single-institution 6-year cohort (2010-2015), time to AMR was assessed, comparing men with women by survival analysis with a 1-year death-censored follow-up. All AMRs were biopsy proven. Confounding variables that were accounted for included mean intensity fluorescence (MFI) of pfDSA, recipient age, HLA-, size- and sex-mismatch. 463 patients were included. Overall incidence of AMR was 10.3% at 1 year. After adjusting for confounding variables, independent risk factors of AMR were female recipient gender (adjusted hazard-ratio [adj. HR] = 1.78 [1.06-2.99]), P = .03) and the presence of pfDSA (adj. HR = 3.20 [1.80-5.70], P < .001). This association remained significant when considering pfDSA by their MFI; female recipient gender had an adj. HR = 2.2 (P = .026) and MFI of pfDSA (per 1 MFI-increase) adj. HR = 1.0002 (P < .0001). In this cohort, women were at higher risk of AMR than men and this risk increase was additive to that of pfDSA. These findings may suggest a gender-related difference in the severity of pfDSA.

PHARMECMO: Therapeutic drug monitoring and adequacy of current dosing regimens of antibiotics in patients on Extracorporeal Life Support

INTRODUCTION

Optimisation of antibiotic therapy for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients remains a pharmacological challenge. The objective of this study was to observe the plasma concentrations of commonly used antibiotics in intensive care for patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The PHARMECMO study was a pilot, prospective study, conducted in a cardiac surgery intensive care unit. Every adult patient under ECMO support, with known or suspected sepsis and receiving antibiotic therapy, was eligible for inclusion. Plasma concentrations of antibiotics were determined by a combination of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

Forty-four eligible patients were enrolled for 68 inclusions on a twelve-month period. For the association piperacillin-tazobactam (n=19), 68.7% of CT50 and 93.7% of Cmin reached the pharmacokinetic goals defined (64 mg.L-1 for CT50 and 16 mg.L-1 for Cmin). For cefotaxime (n=12), the pharmacokinetic goals (4 mg.L-1 for CT50 and 1 mg.L-1 for Cmin) were achieved in 100% of the cases for CT50 and in 81.8% of the cases for Cmin. Regarding imipenem (n=10), the pharmacokinetic goals were 16 mg.L-1 for CT50 and 4 mg.L-1 for Cmin. Only one CT50 was above 16 mg.L-1. For Cmin, 60% of the doses did not reach the target concentration. In our 10 patients, only one patient was considered as reaching the pharmacokinetic goals. Finally, for amikacin (n=6), four Cmax (66.7%) were infra-therapeutics for a target between 60 and 80 mg.L-1.

CONCLUSION

These preliminary results suggest that therapeutic drug monitoring could optimise the achievement of pharmacokinetic objectives associated with an effective antibiotic therapy. For most patients, the recommended doses of imipenem and amikacin did not achieve the pK targets.

Bilateral Internal Thoracic Artery Grafting in Women: A Word of Caution

Background: Despite the superior hemodynamic performance of internal thoracic arteries, total arterial revascularization with exclusive bilateral internal thoracic arteries (BITA) is less frequently used especially in specific subsets of patients, including females. We report our experience with total arterial revascularization with exclusive BITA regardless of sex and analyze the impact of female sex on the early and midterm outcomes. Methods: Total arterial revascularization with exclusive BITA was performed with equal frequency in females (79/99, 80%) and males (392/477, 82%; P = .68) undergoing isolated CABG for 3-vessel disease. Pre, intra and postoperative data were compared between these two groups. Results: Complete revascularization was achieved in 77% of females and 72% of males (P = .08). Early mortality did not differ between the groups (6.3% versus 4.6%, P = .7). The incidence of re-sternotomy for bleeding, postoperative stroke, myocardial infarction, new onset atrial fibrillation, and hemofiltration for renal failure did not differ between the two groups. However, there were significantly more wound revision for combined superficial and deep sternal wound infection in females (26.5% versus 5.1%, P = .0001). Nevertheless, midterm survival, freedom from repeat revascularization, myocardial infarction, stroke, and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events at five years were very good and compared favorably between females and males. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that total arterial myocardial revascularization with exclusive internal thoracic arteries in females carries the same midterm benefits as in males. Early outcomes are comparable except for a higher incidence of wound revision for combined superficial and deep sternal wound infections in females compared to males. Benefits of bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting in females should be weighed against increased risk of early wound revision.

Percutaneous versus surgical femoro-femoral veno-arterial ECMO: a propensity score matched study

PURPOSE

Femoral artery surgical cannulation is the reference for venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) in adults. However, the less invasive percutaneous approach has been associated with lower rates of complications. This retrospective study compared complication rates and overall survival in a large series of patients who received surgical or percutaneous peripheral VA-ECMO.

METHODS

All consecutive patients implanted with VA-ECMO between January 2015 and December 2017 in a high ECMO-volume university hospital were included. Surgical cannulation was the only approach until late 2016 after which the percutaneous approach became the first line strategy. Propensity score framework analyzes were used to compare outcomes of percutaneous and surgical groups while controlling for confounders.

RESULTS

Among the 814 patients who received VA-ECMO (485 surgical and 329 percutaneous), propensity-score matching selected 266 unique pairs of patients with similar characteristics. Percutaneous cannulation was associated with fewer local infections (16.5% versus 27.8%, p = 0.001), similar rates of limb ischemia (8.6% versus 12.4%, p = 0.347) and sensory-motor complications (2.6% versus 2.3%, p = 0.779) and improved 30-day survival (63.8% versus 56.3%, p = 0.034). However, more vascular complications following decannulation (14.7% versus 3.4%, p < 0.001), mainly persistent bleeding requiring surgical revision (9.4% vs. 1.5%, p < 0.001), occurred after percutaneous cannulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to the surgical approach, percutaneous cannulation for peripheral VA-ECMO was associated with fewer local infections, similar rates of ischemia and sensory-motor complications and improved 30-day survival. The higher rate of vascular complications following decannulation suggests that improvements in cannula removal techniques are needed to further improve patients' outcomes after percutaneous cannulation.

Prevalence and outcome of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia diagnosed under veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a retrospective nationwide study

PURPOSE

Thrombocytopenia is a frequent and serious adverse event in patients treated with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) for refractory cardiogenic shock. Similarly to postcardiac surgery patients, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) could represent the causative underlying mechanism. However, the epidemiology as well as related mortality regarding HIT and VA-ECMO remains largely unknown. We aimed to define the prevalence and associated 90-day mortality of HIT diagnosed under VA-ECMO.

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients under VA-ECMO from 20 French centers between 2012 and 2016. Selected patients were hospitalized for more than 3 days with high clinical suspicion of HIT and positive anti-PF4/heparin antibodies. Patients were classified according to results of functional tests as having either Confirmed or Excluded HIT.

RESULTS

A total of 5797 patients under VA-ECMO were screened; 39/5797 met the inclusion criteria, with HIT confirmed in 21/5797 patients (0.36% [95% CI] [0.21-0.52]). Fourteen of 39 patients (35.9% [20.8-50.9]) with suspected HIT were ultimately excluded because of negative functional assays. Drug-induced thrombocytopenia tended to be more frequent in Excluded HIT at the time of HIT suspicion (p = 0.073). The platelet course was similar between Confirmed and Excluded HIT (p = 0.65). Mortality rate was 33.3% [13.2-53.5] in Confirmed and 50% [23.8-76.2] in Excluded HIT (p = 0.48).

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of HIT among patients under VA-ECMO is extremely low at 0.36% with an associated mortality rate of 33.3%, which appears to be in the same range as that observed in patients treated with VA-ECMO without HIT. In addition, HIT was ultimately ruled out in one-third of patients with clinical suspicion of HIT and positive anti-PF4/heparin antibodies.

Intravenous ivabradine versus placebo in patients with low cardiac output syndrome treated by dobutamine after elective coronary artery bypass surgery: a phase 2 exploratory randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) is a severe condition which can occur after cardiac surgery, especially among patients with pre-existing left ventricular dysfunction. Dobutamine, its first-line treatment, is associated with sinus tachycardia. This study aims to assess the ability of intravenous ivabradine to decrease sinus tachycardia associated with dobutamine infused for LCOS after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

METHODS

In a phase 2, multi-center, single-blind, randomized controlled trial, patients with left ventricular ejection fraction below 40% presenting sinus tachycardia of at least 100 beats per minute (bpm) following dobutamine infusion for LCOS after CABG surgery received either intravenous ivabradine or placebo (three ivabradine for one placebo). Treatment lasted until dobutamine weaning or up to 48 h. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving a heart rate (HR) in the 80- to 90-bpm range. Secondary endpoints were invasive and non-invasive hemodynamic parameters and arrhythmia events.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients were included. More patients reached the primary endpoint in the ivabradine than in the placebo group (13 (93%) versus 2 (40%); P = 0.04). Median times to reach target HR were 1.0 h in the ivabradine group and 5.7 h in the placebo group. Ivabradine decreased HR (112 to 86 bpm, P <0.001) while increasing cardiac index (P = 0.02), stroke volume (P <0.001), and systolic blood pressure (P = 0.03). In the placebo group, these parameters remained unchanged from baseline. In the ivabradine group, five patients (36%) developed atrial fibrillation (AF) and one (7%) was discontinued for sustained AF; two (14%) were discontinued for bradycardia.

CONCLUSION

Intravenous ivabradine achieved effective and rapid correction of sinus tachycardia in patients who received dobutamine for LCOS after CABG surgery. Simultaneously, stroke volume and systolic blood pressure increased, suggesting a beneficial effect of this treatment on tissue perfusion.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

European Clinical Trials Database: EudraCT 2009-018175-14 . Registered February 2, 2010.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients assisted by veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support: Epidemiology and risk factors of treatment failure

INTRODUCTION

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is frequent in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients. In the specific case of patients treated with Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support (VA-ECMO), VAP treatment failures (VAP-TF) have been incompletely investigated.

METHODS

To investigate the risk factors of treatment failure (VAP-TF) in a large cohort of ICU patients treated with VA-ECMO, we conducted a retrospective study in a Surgical ICU about patients assisted with VA-ECMO between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2014. Diagnosis of VAP was confirmed by a positive quantitative culture of a respiratory sample. VAP-TF was defined as composite of death attributable to pneumonia and relapse within 28 days of the first episode.

RESULTS

In total, 152 patients underwent ECMO support for > 48h. During the VA-ECMO support, 85 (55.9%) patients developed a VAP, for a rate of 60.6 per 1000 ECMO days. The main pathogens identified were Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacteriaceae. VAP-TF occurred in 37.2% of patients and was associated with an increased 28-day mortality (Hazard Ratio 3.05 [1.66; 5.63], P<0.001), and VA-ECMO assistance duration (HR 1.47 [1.05-2.05], P = 0.025). Risk factors for VAP-TF were renal replacement therapy (HR 13.05 [1.73; 98.56], P = 0.013) and documentation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (HR 2.36 [1.04; 5.35], P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

VAP in patients treated with VA-ECMO is associated with an increased morbidity and mortality. RRT and infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa appear as strong risks factors of treatment failure. Further studies seem necessary to precise the best antibiotic management in these patients.

Technique and Patient Selection Criteria of Right Anterior Mini-Thoracotomy for Minimal Access Aortic Valve Replacement

Aortic valve stenosis has become the most prevalent valvular heart disease in developed countries, and is due to the aging of these populations. The incidence of the pathology increases with growing age after 65 years. Conventional surgical aortic valve replacement through median sternotomy has been the gold standard of patient care for symptomatic aortic valve stenosis. However, as the risk profile of patients worsens, other therapeutic strategies have been introduced in an attempt to maintain the excellent results obtained by the established surgical treatment. One of these approaches is represented by transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Although the outcomes of high-risk patients undergoing treatment for symptomatic aortic valve stenosis have improved with transcatheter aortic valve replacement, many patients with this condition remain candidates for surgical aortic valve replacement. In order to reduce the surgical trauma in patients who are candidates for surgical aortic valve replacement, minimally invasive approaches have garnered interest during the past decade. Since the introduction of right anterior thoracotomy for aortic valve replacement in 1993, right anterior mini-thoracotomy and upper hemi-sternotomy have become the predominant incisional approaches among cardiac surgeons performing minimal access aortic valve replacement. Beside the location of the incision, the arterial cannulation site represents the second major landmark of minimal access techniques for aortic valve replacement. The two most frequently used arterial cannulation sites include central aortic and peripheral femoral approaches. With the purpose of reducing surgical trauma in these patients, we have opted for a right anterior mini-thoracotomy approach with a central aortic cannulation site. This protocol describes in detail a technique for minimally invasive aortic valve replacement and provides recommendations for patient selection criteria, including cardiac computer tomography measurements. The indications and limitations of this technique, as well as its alternatives, are discussed.

Tracheotomy in the intensive care unit: Guidelines from a French expert panel: The French Intensive Care Society and the French Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine

Tracheotomy is widely used in intensive care units, albeit with great disparities between medical teams in terms of frequency and modality. Indications and techniques are, however, associated with variable levels of evidence based on inhomogeneous or even contradictory literature. Our aim was to conduct a systematic analysis of the published data in order to provide guidelines. We present herein recommendations for the use of tracheotomy in adult critically ill patients developed using the grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE) method. These guidelines were conducted by a group of experts from the French Intensive Care Society (Société de réanimation de langue française) and the French Society of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine (Société francaise d'anesthésie réanimation) with the participation of the French Emergency Medicine Association (Société française de médecine d'urgence), the French Society of Otorhinolaryngology. Sixteen experts and two coordinators agreed to consider questions concerning tracheotomy and its practical implementation. Five topics were defined: indications and contraindications for tracheotomy in intensive care, tracheotomy techniques in intensive care, modalities of tracheotomy in intensive care, management of patients undergoing tracheotomy in intensive care, and decannulation in intensive care. The summary made by the experts and the application of GRADE methodology led to the drawing up of 8 formal guidelines, 10 recommendations, and 3 treatment protocols. Among the 8 formal guidelines, 2 have a high level of proof (Grade 1±) and 6 a low level of proof (Grade 2±). For the 10 recommendations, GRADE methodology was not applicable and instead 10 expert opinions were produced.

Tracheotomy in the intensive care unit: guidelines from a French expert panel

Tracheotomy is widely used in intensive care units, albeit with great disparities between medical teams in terms of frequency and modality. Indications and techniques are, however, associated with variable levels of evidence based on inhomogeneous or even contradictory literature. Our aim was to conduct a systematic analysis of the published data in order to provide guidelines. We present herein recommendations for the use of tracheotomy in adult critically ill patients developed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) method. These guidelines were conducted by a group of experts from the French Intensive Care Society (Société de Réanimation de Langue Française) and the French Society of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine (Société Francaise d'Anesthésie Réanimation) with the participation of the French Emergency Medicine Association (Société Française de Médecine d'Urgence), the French Society of Otorhinolaryngology. Sixteen experts and two coordinators agreed to consider questions concerning tracheotomy and its practical implementation. Five topics were defined: indications and contraindications for tracheotomy in intensive care, tracheotomy techniques in intensive care, modalities of tracheotomy in intensive care, management of patients undergoing tracheotomy in intensive care, and decannulation in intensive care. The summary made by the experts and the application of GRADE methodology led to the drawing up of 8 formal guidelines, 10 recommendations, and 3 treatment protocols. Among the 8 formal guidelines, 2 have a high level of proof (Grade 1+/-) and 6 a low level of proof (Grade 2+/-). For the 10 recommendations, GRADE methodology was not applicable and instead 10 expert opinions were produced.

Postoperative serum levels of Endocan are associated with the duration of norepinephrine support after coronary artery bypass surgery

BACKGROUND

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with a systemic inflammatory response and an endothelial dysfunction, whose qualitative assessment appears to be a major issue. Endocan (ESM-1, endothelial cell specific molecule-1) is a protein preferentially expressed by the endothelium and previously associated with prognosis of septic shock or acute respiratory distress syndrome. In this pilot study, we investigated the kinetic of Endocan in planned coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery with CPB.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted an observational, prospective, mono centre study. All adult patients with left systolic ejection fraction>50%, undergoing planned on-pump CABG, were screened for inclusion. A written informed consent was obtained. Measurements and main results Serum Endocan concentrations were respectively 2.4 [2.1-3.0] ng. mL^-1, 10.4 [7.4-13.9] ng.mL^-1, 5.7 [4.4-8.2] ng.mL^-1, and 5.4 [4.1-7.5] ng.mL^-1 at day 0, day 1, day 3 and day 5. Endocan concentrations increased at day 1, day 3, and day 5 in comparison with preoperative concentration (P<0.001). In the multivariate analysis, age (P=0.002), history of acute coronary syndrome (P=0.024) and the catecholamine-free days at day 28 (P=0.007) were associated to the increase of perioperative Endocan concentrations.

CONCLUSION

Serum Endocan concentration increases after CABG surgery with CPB until day 1. The norepinephrine support increases the risk of Endocan release, suggesting a relationship between the kinetic of Endocan and the vasoplegic syndrome. At day 3, Endocan concentration decreases slowly but is not normalised at day 5. Further studies should investigate the prognostic value of the magnitude of postoperative Endocan concentration after cardiac surgery.

Assessment of potential heart donors: A statement from the French heart transplant community

Assessment of potential donors is an essential part of heart transplantation. Despite the shortage of donor hearts, donor heart procurement from brain-dead organ donors remains low in France, which may be explained by the increasing proportion of high-risk donors, as well as the mismatch between donor assessment and the transplant team's expectations. Improving donor and donor heart assessment is essential to improve the low utilization rate of available donor hearts without increasing post-transplant recipient mortality. This document provides information to practitioners involved in brain-dead donor management, evaluation and selection, concerning the place of medical history, electrocardiography, cardiac imaging, biomarkers and haemodynamic and arrhythmia assessment in the characterization of potential heart donors.

Effect of Levosimendan on Low Cardiac Output Syndrome in Patients With Low Ejection Fraction Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting With Cardiopulmonary Bypass: The LICORN Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Low cardiac output syndrome after cardiac surgery is associated with high morbidity and mortality in patients with impaired left ventricular function.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the ability of preoperative levosimendan to prevent postoperative low cardiac output syndrome.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in 13 French cardiac surgical centers. Patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction less than or equal to 40% and scheduled for isolated or combined coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass were enrolled from June 2013 until May 2015 and followed during 6 months (last follow-up, November 30, 2015).

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were assigned to a 24-hour infusion of levosimendan 0.1 µg/kg/min (n = 167) or placebo (n = 168) initiated after anesthetic induction.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Composite end point reflecting low cardiac output syndrome with need for a catecholamine infusion 48 hours after study drug initiation, need for a left ventricular mechanical assist device or failure to wean from it at 96 hours after study drug initiation when the device was inserted preoperatively, or need for renal replacement therapy at any time postoperatively. It was hypothesized that levosimendan would reduce the incidence of this composite end point by 15% in comparison with placebo.

RESULTS

Among 336 randomized patients (mean age, 68 years; 16% women), 333 completed the trial. The primary end point occurred in 87 patients (52%) in the levosimendan group and 101 patients (61%) in the placebo group (absolute risk difference taking into account center effect, -7% [95% CI, -17% to 3%]; P = .15). Predefined subgroup analyses found no interaction with ejection fraction less than 30%, type of surgery, and preoperative use of β-blockers, intra-aortic balloon pump, or catecholamines. The prevalence of hypotension (57% vs 48%), atrial fibrillation (50% vs 40%), and other adverse events did not significantly differ between levosimendan and placebo.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among patients with low ejection fraction who were undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass, levosimendan compared with placebo did not result in a significant difference in the composite end point of prolonged catecholamine infusion, use of left ventricular mechanical assist device, or renal replacement therapy. These findings do not support the use of levosimendan for this indication.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

EudraCT Number: 2012-000232-25; clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02184819.

Atorvastatin reduces β-Adrenergic dysfunction in rats with diabetic cardiomyopathy

Background

In the diabetic heart the β-adrenergic response is altered partly by down-regulation of the β1-adrenoceptor, reducing its positive inotropic effect and up-regulation of the β3-adrenoceptor, increasing its negative inotropic effect. Statins have clinical benefits on morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients which are attributed to their “pleiotropic” effects. The objective of our study was to investigate the role of statin treatment on β-adrenergic dysfunction in diabetic rat cardiomyocytes.

Methods

β-adrenergic responses were investigated in vivo (echocardiography) and ex vivo (left ventricular papillary muscles) in healthy and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, who were pre-treated or not by oral atorvastatin over 15 days (50 mg.kg^-1.day^-1). Micro-array analysis and immunoblotting were performed in left ventricular homogenates. Data are presented as mean percentage of baseline ± SD.

Results

Atorvastatin restored the impaired positive inotropic effect of β-adrenergic stimulation in diabetic hearts compared with healthy hearts both in vivo and ex vivo but did not suppress the diastolic dysfunction of diabetes. Atorvastatin changed the RNA expression of 9 genes in the β-adrenergic pathway and corrected the protein expression of β1-adrenoceptor and β1/β3-adrenoceptor ratio, and multidrug resistance protein 4 (MRP4). Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition abolished the beneficial effects of atorvastatin on the β-adrenoceptor response.

Conclusions

Atorvastatin restored the positive inotropic effect of the β-adrenoceptor stimulation in diabetic cardiomyopathy. This effect is mediated by multiple modifications in expression of proteins in the β-adrenergic signaling pathway, particularly through the NOS pathway.

Impact of the duration of antibiotics on clinical events in patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa ventilator-associated pneumonia: study protocol for a randomized controlled study

Background

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) accounts for 25% of infections in intensive care units. Compared to a long duration (LD) of antibiotic therapy, a short duration (SD) has a comparable clinical efficacy with less antibiotic use and less multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogen emergence, with the exception of documented VAP of non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli (NF-GNB), including Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA). These results have led the American Thoracic Society to recommend SD therapy for VAP, except for PA-VAP. Thus the beneficial effect of SD therapy in PA-VAP is still a matter of debate. We aimed to assess the non-inferiority of a short duration of antibiotics (8 days) versus prolonged antibiotic therapy (15 days) in PA-VAP.

Methods/design

The impact of the duration of antibiotics on clinical events in patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa ventilator-associated pneumonia (iDIAPASON) trial is a randomized, open-labeled non-inferiority controlled trial, conducted in 34 French intensive care units (ICUs), comparing two groups of patients with PA-VAP according to the duration (8 days or 15 days) of effective antibiotic therapy against PA. The primary outcome is a composite endpoint combining day 90 mortality and PA-VAP recurrence rate during hospitalization in the ICU. Furthermore, durations of mechanical ventilation and hospitalization, as well as number and types of extrapulmonary infections or acquisition of MDR pathogens during the hospitalization in the ICU will be recorded. Recurrence with predefined criteria (clinical suspicion of VAP associated with a positive quantitative culture of a respiratory sample) will be evaluated by two independent experts.

Discussion

Demonstrating that an SD (8 days) versus LD (15 days) therapy strategy in PA-VAP treatment is safe and not associated with an increased mortality or recurrence rate could lead to a change in practices and guidelines in the management of antibiotic therapy of this frequent ICU complication. This strategy could lead to decreased antibiotic exposure during hospitalization in the ICU and in turn reduce the acquisition and the spread of MDR pathogens.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02634411. Registered on 19 November 2015.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-017-1780-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Active Bleeding after Cardiac Surgery: A Prospective Observational Multicenter Study

MAIN OBJECTIVES

To estimate the incidence of active bleeding after cardiac surgery (AB) based on a definition directly related on blood flow from chest drainage; to describe the AB characteristics and its management; to identify factors of postoperative complications.

METHODS

AB was defined as a blood loss > 1.5 ml/kg/h for 6 consecutive hours within the first 24 hours or in case of reoperation for hemostasis during the first 12 postoperative hours. The definition was applied in a prospective longitudinal observational study involving 29 French centers; all adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were included over a 3-month period. Perioperative data (including blood product administration) were collected. To study possible variation in clinical practice among centers, patients were classified into two groups according to the AB incidence of the center compared to the overall incidence: "Low incidence" if incidence is lower and "High incidence" if incidence is equal or greater than overall incidence. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors of postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Among 4,904 patients, 129 experienced AB (2.6%), among them 52 reoperation. Postoperative bleeding loss was 1,000 [820;1,375] ml and 1,680 [1,280;2,300] ml at 6 and 24 hours respectively. Incidence of AB varied between centers (0 to 16%) but was independent of in-centre cardiac surgical experience. Comparisons between groups according to AB incidence showed differences in postoperative management. Body surface area, preoperative creatinine, emergency surgery, postoperative acidosis and red blood cell transfusion were risk factors of postoperative complication.

CONCLUSIONS

A blood loss > 1.5 ml/kg/h for 6 consecutive hours within the first 24 hours or early reoperation for hemostasis seems a relevant definition of AB. This definition, independent of transfusion, adjusted to body weight, may assess real time bleeding occurring early after surgery.