Abraham Sonny

Predictors of poor outcome among older liver transplant recipients

With the increasing age of recipients undergoing orthotopic liver transplant (OLT), there is need for better risk stratification among them. Our study aims to identify predictors of poor outcome among OLT recipients ≥60 yr of age. All patients who underwent OLT at Cleveland Clinic from January 2004 to April 2010 were included. Baseline patient characteristics and post‐OLT outcomes (mortality, graft failure, length of stay, and major post‐OLT cardiovascular events) were obtained from prospectively collected institutional registry. Among patients ≥60 yr of age, multivariate regression modeling was performed to identify independent predictors of poor outcome. Of the 738 patients included, 223 (30.2%) were ≥60 yr. Hepatic encephalopathy, platelet counts <45 000/μL, total serum bilirubin >3.5 mg/dL, and serum albumin <2.65 mg/dL independently predicted poor short‐term outcomes. The presence of pre‐OLT coronary artery disease and arrhythmia were independent predictors of poor long‐term outcomes. Cardiac causes represented the second most common cause of mortality among the elderly cohort. Despite that, this carefully selected cohort of older OLT recipients had outcomes that were comparable with the younger recipients. Thus, our results show the need for better pre‐OLT evaluation and optimization, and for closer post‐OLT surveillance, of cardiovascular disease among the elderly.

Early left and right ventricular response to aortic valve replacement

BACKGROUND: The immediate effect of aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic stenosis on perioperative myocardial function is unclear. Left ventricular (LV) function may be impaired by cardioplegia-induced myocardial arrest and ischemia-reperfusion injury, especially in patients with LV hypertrophy. Alternatively, LV function may improve when afterload is reduced after AVR. The right ventricle (RV), however, experiences cardioplegic arrest without benefiting from improved loading conditions. Which of these effects on myocardial function dominate in patients undergoing AVR for aortic stenosis has not been thoroughly explored. Our primary objective is thus to characterize the effect of intraoperative events on LV function during AVR using echocardiographic measures of myocardial deformation. Second, we evaluated RV function. METHODS: In this supplementary analysis of 100 patients enrolled in a clinical trial (NCT01187329), 97 patients underwent AVR for aortic stenosis. Of these patients, 95 had a standardized intraoperative transesophageal echocardiographic examination of systolic and diastolic function performed before surgical incision and repeated after chest closure. Echocardiographic images were analyzed off-line for global longitudinal myocardial strain and strain rate using 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography. Myocardial deformation assessed at the beginning of surgery was compared with the end of surgery using paired t tests corrected for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: LV volumes and arterial blood pressure decreased, and heart rate increased at the end of surgery. Echocardiographic images were acceptable for analysis in 72 patients for LV strain, 67 for LV strain rate, and 54 for RV strain and strain rate. In 72 patients with LV strain images, 9 patients required epinephrine, 22 required norepinephrine, and 2 required both at the end of surgery. LV strain did not change at the end of surgery compared with the beginning of surgery (difference: 0.7 [97.6% confidence interval, −0.2 to 1.5]%; P = 0.07), whereas LV systolic strain rate improved (became more negative) (−0.3 [−0.4 to −0.2] s−1; P < 0.001). In contrast, RV systolic strain worsened (became less negative) at the end of surgery (difference: 4.6 [3.1 to 6.0]%; P < 0.001) although RV systolic strain rate was unchanged (0.0 [97.6% confidence interval, −0.1 to 0.1]; P = 0.83). CONCLUSIONS: LV function improved after replacement of a stenotic aortic valve demonstrated by improved longitudinal strain rate. In contrast, RV function, assessed by longitudinal strain, was reduced.

Impact and persistence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy after liver transplantation.

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy causes variable degree of systolic and diastolic dysfunction (DD) and conduction abnormalities. The primary aim of our study was to determine whether pre‐transplant DD and prolonged corrected QT (QTc) predict a composite of mortality, graft failure, and major cardiovascular events after liver transplantation. We also evaluated the reversibility of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy after transplantation. Adult patients who underwent liver transplantation at our institution from January 2007 to March 2009 were included. Data were obtained from institutional registry, medical record review, and evaluation of echocardiographic images. Among 243 patients, 113 (46.5%) had grade 1 DD, 16 (6.6%) had grade 2 DD, and none had grade 3 DD. The mean pre‐transplant QTc was 453 milliseconds. After a mean post‐transplant follow‐up of 5.2 years, 75 (31%) patients satisfied the primary composite outcome. Cox regression analysis did not show any significant association between DD and the composite outcome (P=.17). However, longer QTc was independently associated with the composite outcome (HR: 1.01, 95% confidence interval: 1.00–1.02, P=.05). DD (P<.001) and left ventricular mass index (P=.001) worsened after transplantation. In conclusion, QTc prolongation appears to be associated with worse outcomes. Although DD did not impact outcomes, it significantly worsened after transplantation.

Lack of association between carotid artery stenosis and stroke or myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery in high-risk patients.

Background:Whether carotid artery stenosis predicts stroke after noncardiac surgery remains unknown. We therefore tested the primary hypothesis that degree of carotid artery stenosis is associated with in-hospital stroke or 30-day all-cause mortality after noncardiac surgery. As carotid artery stenosis is also a marker for cardiovascular disease, our secondary hypothesis was that degree of carotid artery stenosis is associated with postoperative myocardial injury. Methods:We included adults who had noncardiac, noncarotid surgery at Cleveland Clinic from 2007 to 2011 and had carotid duplex ultrasound performed either within 6 months before or 1 month after surgery. Internal carotid artery peak systolic velocity (ICA PSV) was used as a measure of carotid artery stenosis severity. A multivariate (i.e., multiple outcomes per patient) generalized estimating equation model was used to assess the association between highest ICA PSV and the composite of stroke and 30-day mortality after adjusting for predefined potentially confounding variables. Results:Of 2,110 patients included, 112 (5.3%) died within 30 days and 54 (2.6%) suffered postoperative in-hospital stroke. ICA PSV was not associated with this composite outcome (odds ratio of 1.0 [95% confidence interval: 0.99, 1.02] for a 10-unit increase, P = 0.55). ICA PSV was also not associated with postoperative myocardial injury (odds ratio 1.00 [0.99, 1.02], P = 0.49). Conclusions:This cohort represents a high-risk population, as carotid duplex examinations were likely prompted by neurological symptoms. There was nonetheless no association between carotid artery stenosis and perioperative stroke or 30-day mortality after noncardiac surgery.

Localization of epidural space: A review of available technologies

Although epidural analgesia is widely used for pain relief, it is associated with a significant failure rate. Loss of resistance technique, tactile feedback from the needle, and surface landmarks are traditionally used to guide the epidural needle tip into the epidural space (EDS). The aim of this narrative review is to critically appraise new and emerging technologies for identification of EDS and their potential role in the future. The PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Studies, and Web of Science databases were searched using predecided search strategies, yielding 1048 results. After careful review of abstracts and full texts, 42 articles were selected to be included. Newer techniques for localization of EDS can be broadly classified into techniques that (1) guide the needle to the EDS, (2) identify needle entry into the EDS, and (3) confirm catheter location in EDS. An ideal method should be easy to learn and perform, easily reproducible with high sensitivity and specificity, identifies inadvertent intrathecal and intravascular catheter placements with ease, feasible in perioperative setting and have a cost-benefit advantage. Though none of them in their current stages of development qualify as an ideal method, many show tremendous potential. Some techniques are useful in patients with difficult spinal anatomy and infants, and thus are complementary to traditional methods. In addition to improving the existing technology, future research should aim at proving the superiority of these techniques over traditional methods, specifically regarding successful EDS localization, better safety profile, and a favorable cost-benefit ratio.

Systolic heart failure after liver transplantation: Incidence, predictors, and outcome

Although most patients presenting for liver transplantation have normal left ventricular function, some develop left ventricular failure after transplantation. The primary objective of our study was to determine the predictors of systolic heart failure (HF) occurring immediately after liver transplantation. Its etiology, prospects of recovery, and factors associated with nonrecovery were also studied. Liver transplantations performed at our institution from January 2006 to February 2015 were evaluated using prospectively collected institutional registries. Patients with echocardiographically documented decline in ejection fraction to <45% within 6 months after liver transplantation were identified. Four controls were chosen per case: matched for age, gender, transplant year, and model for end‐stage liver disease score. Conditional multivariable logistic regression was used for primary analysis and nonparametric tests for comparison between groups. In a cohort of 1284 adult patients, 45 cases and 180 controls were identified. Diastolic dysfunction (DD) was an independent predictor (OR 5.26, 95% CI 1.03‐28.57, P = .04) of systolic HF in multivariable analysis. Stress‐induced cardiomyopathy was the most common etiology. Left ventricular function recovered in 21 patients. Pretransplant DD decreased the chances of recovery (P = .05). In conclusion, patients with pretransplant DD need close post‐transplant follow‐up for timely identification of HF.

Abnormalities of Mitral Subvalvular Apparatus in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Role of Intraoperative 3D Transesophageal Echocardiography.

1094 www.anesthesia-analgesia.org November 2016 • Volume 123 • Number 5 Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this report. A 59-year-old man with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) was referred to our institution for myectomy. His symptoms included nonradiating midsternal pain and shortness of breath occurring after mild to moderate physical activity. A preoperative transthoracic echocardiogram revealed systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the anterior mitral leaflet, which increased markedly with exercise resulting in a peak systolic left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient of 129 mm Hg. A peak systolic left ventricular midcavity gradient of 73 mm Hg was also noted. The basal septum was moderately hypertrophic with a thickness of 1.5 cm. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging was also performed to evaluate papillary muscle (PM) morphology. Apart from a mild hypertrophy of the anterolateral PM, CMR was unremarkable. Since medical management did not improve symptoms, surgical myectomy was advised. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) confirmed SAM, systolic flow acceleration in LVOT, and mitral regurgitation of 2+ severity (Figure 1). A hypertrophic anterolateral PM (Figure 2) with abnormal movement toward the interventricular septum during systole was also observed (Supplemental Digital Content 1, Video 1, http:// links.lww.com/AA/B498). Further evaluation using 3D TEE revealed a muscle bridge originating from the anterolateral PM and attaching itself to the interventricular septum (Supplemental Digital Content 2, Video 2, http://links. lww.com/AA/B499). This abnormal subvalvular anatomy resulted in abnormal displacement of anterolateral PM toward the septum during systole, causing LVOT obstruction. The details of the abnormal PM anatomy were communicated with the surgical team, aided by 3D images. Routine echocardiographic measurement of the septum was also obtained to determine the extent of myectomy. The anatomy seen on 3D echocardiography was confirmed surgically. In addition to standard septal myectomy, the vertically oriented bridging segment of the anterolateral PM was excised. After separation from cardiopulmonary bypass, TEE confirmed absence of SAM (Supplemental Digital Content 3, Video 3, http://links.lww.com/AA/B500), and showed trivial mitral regurgitation and absent LVOT gradients (Figure 3), on provocation with isoproterenol at 20 μg/min). Rest of the surgery and postoperative stay was unremarkable.

Angioedema in the neurointerventional suite

A 68-year-old woman with acute ischemic stroke presented for mechanical thrombectomy, after failed thrombolysis with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. The procedure was completed successfully with dexmedetomidine infusion. However, she developed acute angioedema toward the end of the procedure requiring emergent fiberoptic-guided endotracheal intubation. Angioedema has been reported to occur after administering intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator with an incidence of 1.3%-5.1% in patients with acute stroke.

Retrograde Type A Aortic Dissection After Thoracoabdominal Aneurysm Repair: Early Diagnosis with Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography

Retrograde type A aortic dissection that arises immediately after open replacement of the thoracoabdominal aorta is a rare and potentially lethal complication that has only been reported twice previously. A 74-year-old man with a history of expanding Crawford type I thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm presented for open surgical repair. The intraoperative course was unremarkable. However, intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography after the repair revealed type A aortic dissection extending up to the sinotubular junction. Subsequently, emergent aortic arch repair was performed under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Early diagnosis with transesophageal echocardiography and optimal cerebral protection were instrumental in the successful outcome of this repair.

Postoperative adverse effects after recent or remote lithium therapy.

Patients receiving preoperative lithium therapy for bipolar disorder may present unique challenges in the perioperative period and during critical illness. Two cases of critically ill patients who developed lithium-induced adverse reactions in the perioperative period due to the low therapeutic index are reported.