Akshay Kumar Bisoi

Dose Comparison of Tranexamic Acid in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

To compare different doses of tranexamic acid, 150 consecutive children with congenital cyanotic heart disease were randomly assigned to one of 5 groups of 30 each. Group A served as a control. Group B received 50 mg·kg−1 of tranexamic acid at induction of anesthesia. Group C received 10 mg·kg−1 at induction followed by an infusion of 1 mg·kg−1·h−1. Group D had 10 mg·kg−1 at induction, 10 mg·kg−1 on bypass, and 10 mg·kg−1 after protamine. Group E had 20 mg·kg−1 at induction and again after protamine. The control group had the longest sternal closure time, the greatest blood loss in the first 24 hours, and the highest requirements for blood and blood products. Among the 4 groups given tranexamic acid, group D (triple dose) had the best results, followed by group E (double dose). Group B (single dose) had the worst results among the groups receiving tranexamic acid.

Specific issues after surgical repair of partial atrioventricular septal defect: Actuarial survival, freedom from reoperation, fate of the left atrioventricular valve, prevalence of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, and other events

OBJECTIVE Our aim was to define the prevalence of specific sequelae after repair of partial atrioventricular septal defect. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 132 consecutive patients undergoing repair of partial atrioventricular septal defect were studied for mortality, left atrioventricular valve function, reoperations, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, and supraventricular arrhythmias. Age was 2.5 months to 43 years (median, 54 months); 13 (9.8%) were more than 20 years old. Preoperatively, 26.5% patients were in New York Heart Association class III/IV, 15.9% had supraventricular arrhythmias, 25.7% had pulmonary artery hypertension, 16.6% had moderate-to-severe left valvular regurgitation, and 29.5% had additional left atrioventricular valvular malformations. Autologous pericardium (n = 127) and right atrial patch (n = 5) were used to patch the defect. Left atrioventricular valvuloplasty was performed in 91% of patients despite older age and additional malformations of the left atrioventricular valve. RESULTS Operative and late mortalities were 4.5% and 3.2%, respectively. Postoperative supraventricular arrhythmias were observed in 11.3% of patients. Reoperations were required in 5.8% patients because of a residual atrial septal defect (n = 1) and severe left atrioventricular valvular regurgitation (n = 6). At a mean follow-up of 106.82 +/-55.04 months, actuarial survival was 83.70% +/- 0.07%. The risk of death was 38.92 (95% confidence intervals: 7.8-195.1) and 6.88 (95% confidence intervals: 1.79-38.18) times higher in patients with grossly malformed left atrioventricular valve and preoperative pulmonary artery hypertension, respectively, by logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS Detailed assessment of the valve morphology and individualized valvuloplasty techniques improves the long-term survival after repair of partial atrioventricular septal defects. The presence of grossly malformed left valvular apparatus, pulmonary artery hypertension, and moderate-to-severe left atrioventricular valve regurgitation are independent predictors of death and defect-related morbidity after surgical repair.

Neurocognitive Function in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery With Cardiopulmonary Bypass: The Effect of Two Different Rewarming Strategies

OBJECTIVE Hypothermia followed by rewarming during cardiopulmonary bypass can lead to cerebral hyperthermia, which has been implicated as 1 of the causes for postoperative deterioration in neurocognitive function in patients undergoing coronary revascularization. Hence, the authors studied the effects of 2 different rewarming strategies on postoperative neurocognitive function in adult patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery with the aid of cardiopulmonary bypass. DESIGN This was a randomized clinical trial. SETTING A cardiothoracic center of a tertiary level referral, teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS A total of 80 adult patients aged 45 to 70 years undergoing elective primary isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass under moderate hypothermia at 30 degrees C were included in this study. INTERVENTIONS The patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups of 40 each. In group A, patients were rewarmed to a nasopharyngeal temperature of 37 degrees C; whereas, in group B, patients were rewarmed to a nasopharyngeal temperature of 33 degrees C before weaning off bypass. The anesthetic and bypass management were standardized for both groups. MEASUREMENTS All patients were assessed for neurocognitive function preoperatively and on the fifth postoperative day using the Post Graduate Institute Memory Scale. The amount of blood loss and need for blood and blood product transfusion postoperatively, the need for pacing, increased inotrope or vasodilator use, and time to extubation were also noted. Serum S100beta levels were measured after anesthetic induction and at 24 hours postoperatively. The jugular venous oxygen saturation and oxygen tension were noted at 30 degrees C and at the end of full rewarming (ie, at 37 degrees C or 33 degrees C, respectively, in the 2 groups). RESULTS There was a significant deterioration in neurocognitive function postoperatively as compared with preoperative function in patients of group A (37 degrees C). This was associated with higher S100beta levels 24 hours postoperatively in group A (37 degrees C) compared with group B (33 degrees C) patients. Also, there was a significant decrease in jugular venous oxygen saturation in group A (37 degrees C) as compared with group B (33 degrees C) at the end of rewarming. The time to extubation was longer in group B (33 degrees C). No significant differences were noted in the amount of postoperative blood loss, blood and blood product use, inotrope or vasodilator use, and the need for pacing. CONCLUSION Weaning from CPB at 33 degrees C may be a simple and useful strategy to lower the postoperative impairment of neurocognitive function and may be used as a tool to decrease morbidity after coronary revascularization.

Primary arterial switch operation in children presenting late with d-transposition of great arteries and intact ventricular septum. When is it too late for a primary arterial switch operation?

OBJECTIVE The surgical management of infants older than 2 weeks with d-transposition of great arteries and intact ventricular septum (IVS) is a matter of debate. Some studies have presented good results of primary arterial switch operation (ASO) in these children. The aim of this study was to assess the surgical outcome of the primary ASO in children with d-transposition of great arteries and IVS presenting beyond 6 weeks of age. METHODS The clinical records of the children (more than 6 weeks age) with d-transposition of great arteries and IVS, who underwent primary ASO at our institute between January 2003 and June 2009 were reviewed. Left ventricular geometry and interventricular septal motion on the transthoracic cross-sectional echocardiogram were taken to assess the left ventricle preparedness. RESULTS Fifty-five children (age ranging from 42 days to 9 years) with d-transposition of great arteries and IVS underwent primary ASO. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 94.7±21.3 min, while mean aortic cross-clamp time was 53.2±8.1 min. Seven (13%) of these children died during their hospital stay. The children who had severely regressed left ventricle (banana-shaped left ventricular geometry) were operated with integrated extra corporeal membrane oxygenation-cardiopulmonary bypass (ECMO-CPB) circuit for left ventricular re-training. The children with regressed left ventricle required longer ventilatory time and inotropic support. Recovery of left ventricular geometry has taken 1-6 months depending on age at surgery. CONCLUSIONS The children older than 6 weeks with d-transposition of great arteries and IVS can benefit from primary ASO with acceptable results. However, the need for mechanical support in some of the older patients may limit the widespread adoption of such a strategy.

Comparison of 48 h and 72 h of prophylactic antibiotic therapy in adult cardiac surgery: a randomized double blind controlled trial

OBJECTIVES To determine whether the duration of antibiotic prophylaxis influences the rate of surgical site infection in patients undergoing coronary bypass grafting or valve replacement. PATIENTS AND METHODS Adult patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and valve surgery were included in this randomized double blind study. Between April 2007 and April 2008, 235 patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups using random number table and sealed envelope technique. The groups received prophylactic antibiotic therapy for either 48 h (the 48 h group) or 72 h (the 72 h group). These patients were monitored for surgical site infection. RESULTS The mean age was 52.94 +/- 16.30 and 55.27 +/- 16.63 years, respectively, in the two groups. The incidence of co-morbid conditions as well as operative conditions was similar between the groups. During the study period 20 patients developed surgical site infections and 7 patients other infections. In modified treatment analysis, the infection rates were 7.6% (9 patients, n = 119) in the group receiving 48 h of prophylactic antibiotic therapy and 10.2% (11 patients, n = 108) in the group receiving 72 h of prophylactic antibiotic therapy, and the difference was statistically non-significant (P > 0.05). In the per protocol analysis the infection rates were 5% (5 patients, n = 100) in the group receiving 48 h of prophylactic antibiotic therapy and 8% (8 patients, n = 100) in the group receiving 72 h of prophylactic antibiotic therapy, and the difference was again statistically non-significant (P > 0.05). The results of Fishers exact test revealed that the duration of surgery lasting for >5 h is an independent risk factor for surgical site infection. CONCLUSIONS Forty-eight hours of a prophylactic antibiotic combination using a third-generation cephalosporin and an aminoglycoside is as effective as a 72 h regimen for preventing surgical site infection in patients undergoing CABG and valve surgery.

Midterm outcome of primary arterial switch operation beyond six weeks of life in children with transposition of great arteries and intact ventricular septum.

Background: We have previously reported our experience in primary arterial switch operation (ASO) in children more than six weeks with transposition of great arteries and intact ventricular septum (TGA/IVS). The upper age limit for performing an ASO in these children is not yet settled and reports regarding outcome of ASO in these children are few. In this prospective observational study, we report the midterm results of children with TGA-IVS older than six weeks undergoing primary ASO. Methods: A total of 109 children aged more than 6 weeks with median age of 60 days (range 42-3,000 days), with regressed left ventricle underwent primary ASO. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was used in 20% (22 of 109) of them; 90.8% (99 of 109) of children who survived were prospectively followed, with a mean follow-up of 28 months (range 18-84 months). Results: Two late deaths occurred, and survival in the remainder was estimated to be 98% at seven years. The incidence of aortic regurgitation (AR) was found to have a decreasing trend with freedom from AR approaching 100% by 34 months. The left ventricular shape and function returned to normal within one to three months following surgery. None of these children had any rhythm disturbances or evidence of myocardial ischemia. Conclusions: Primary ASO can be safely performed in children with regressed ventricle, irrespective of age with encouraging results. The midterm results of these children are comparable in terms of survival and freedom from complications associated with preserved ventricle.

An electron microscopic study of left ventricular regression in children with transposition of great arteries

Over the years the age limit for the arterial switch operation (ASO) is being redefined with increasing expertise and adoption of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO) in the surgical program. We conducted a study to see the differences in ultrastructural features in eight children with transposition of the great arteries, four with prepared and the remaining four with regressed left ventricle (LV) during the ASO. Children with prepared LV had prominent Z bands with uniform and round mitochondria, few fat vacuoles and minimal collagen in the background, whereas children with regressed LV had Z band disruption with non-uniform elliptical mitochondria and myofibrillary disarray and an abundance of fat vacuoles and collagen in the background. Children with regressed LV and abundance of collagen had a prolonged postoperative course. Collagen deposition in the LV may point to the situation where the postoperative course following ASO may be prolonged due to the increased time required for the regressed LV to increase its mass and to sustain the systemic circulation.

Surgical repair of multiple unruptured aneurysms of sinus of Valsalva

Unruptured aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva (ASV) is a rare congenital anomaly. We describe a case of multiple unruptured ASV involving right and left aortic sinuses causing congestive cardiac failure in a 16-year-old boy who underwent successful surgical repair.

Effect of Rectal Diclofenac in Reducing Postoperative Pain and Rescue Analgesia Requirement after Cardiac Surgery

Background:  Adequate analgesic medication is mandatory after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the analgesic efficacy, side effects, and need for rescue analgesia after CABG surgery comparing diclofenac and placebo rectal suppository.

Ductal recanalization and stenting for late presenters with TGA intact ventricular septum

Introduction: The ideal management strategy for patients presenting late with transposition of great arteries (TGA), intact ventricular septum (IVS), and regressed left ventricle (LV) is not clear. Primary switch, two-stage switch, and Senning operation are the options. Left ventricular retraining prior to arterial switch by ductal stenting may be effective, but the experience is very limited. Methods: Five of six children aged 3–6 months with TGA-IVS and regressed LV underwent recanalization and transcatheter stenting of ductus arteriosus. The ductal stent was removed during arterial switch surgery. Results: The procedure was successful in 5/6 patients. All the patients had totally occluded ductus and needed recanalization with coronary total occlusion hardware. The ductus was dilated and stented with coronary stents. In all the patients, there was significant luminal narrowing despite adequate stent placement and deployment. Two patients needed reintervention for abrupt closure of the stent. Ductal stenting resulted in left ventricular preparedness within 7–14 days. One patient died of progressive sepsis after 14 days of stenting, even though the LV was prepared. Four patients underwent successful uneventful arterial switch surgery. During surgery, it was observed that the mucosal folds of duct were protruding through the struts of the stent in one patient. Conclusions: Ductal stenting is a good alternative strategy for left ventricular retraining in TGA with regressed LV even in patients with occluded ducts.