Alejandro Suarez-Pierre

A Novel Risk Score to Predict the Need for Nutrition Support After Cardiac Surgery

BACKGROUNDnIn specific patients, early postoperative nutrition mitigates malnutrition-related morbidity and mortality. The goal of this study was to develop and validate a prediction score designed to stratify patients immediately after cardiac surgery according to risk for nutrition support (NS).nnnMETHODSnWe identified adult cardiac surgery patients at our institution in 2012 requiring postoperative NS, enteral or parenteral. Using multivariable logistic regression modeling, we developed a Johns Hopkins Hospital Nutrition Support (JHH NS) score from relative odds ratios generated by variables that independently predicted the need for NS. The JHH NS score was then prospectively validated using all patients undergoing cardiac surgery inxa02015.nnnRESULTSnAmong 1,056 patients in the derivation cohort, 87 (8%) required postoperative NS. Seven variables were identified on multivariable analysis as independent predictors of NS need and were used to create the JHH NS score. Scores ranged from 0 to 36. Each 1-point increase in the JHH NS score was associated with a 20% increase in thexa0risk of requiring NS (odds ratio 1.20, pxa0<xa00.001). The c-statistic of the regression model for NS was 0.85. In all, 115 of 1,336 patients (8.6%) in the validation cohort required NS. Observed rates of NS in the validation group correlated positively with predicted rates (rxa0= 0.89).nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe JHH NS score reliably stratified patients at risk for the need for postoperative NS. This easily calculable and highly predictive screening tool may expedite timing of initiation of NS in patients at high risk for not being able to physically take in adequate nutrition.

Complications of CO2 insufflation during endoscopic vein harvesting

Over the past few decades, the use of endoscopic harvest of the saphenous vein has gained popularity due to a significant reduction in rates of wound infection and improved cosmesis. The widespread adoption of this technique has introduced a set of complications associated with the use CO2 insufflation which facilitates exposure during the vein harvest. We describe a case of pneumoperitoneum with systemic acidosis and subcutaneous air following endoscopic vein harvest for coronary artery bypass grafting and review the complications that may arise from CO2 insufflation during endoscopic vein harvesting.

Off-pump coronary artery bypass in octogenarians: results of a statewide, matched comparison

ObjectivesOff-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) may have advantages in the elderly. Although proven safe, it remains unclear whether OPCAB provides a short-term survival benefit in octogenarians. We sought to compare outcomes using propensity matching between OPCAB and conventional surgery in a statewide database.MethodsWe identified all octogenarians (≥u200980xa0years) who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CAB) at 10 different centers in the state of Maryland from July 2011 to June 2016. We separated patients into two groups: OPCAB and on-pump coronary artery bypass (ONCAB). Patients were assigned propensity scores with a semi-parsimonious logistic regression model and matched 1:1 by the nearest-neighbor principle. A revascularization ratio was determined between the number of distal grafts sewn and number of diseased coronaries (≥u200950% stenosis).ResultsIn total, 926 octogenarians underwent isolated CAB (8.2% of all CAB): 798 (86%) had ONCAB and 128 (14%) had OPCAB. Propensity matching yielded 128 well-matched pairs. Operative mortality was similar between groups (OPCAB 5.5% vs ONCAB 3.1%, pu2009=u20090.364). Rates of complications were similar between groups. OPCAB patients had a lower revascularization ratio (0.92 vs 1.15, pu2009<u20090.001), but more frequent use of left internal mammary artery (97 vs 89%, pu2009=u20090.017), and decreased intraoperative transfusion rates (33 vs 63%, pu2009<u20090.001).ConclusionsIn comparing outcomes among octogenarians across the state of Maryland, OPCAB and ONCAB had similar mortality and morbidity. However, OPCAB was associated with a lower revascularization ratio. Thus, our results demonstrate no short-term survival benefit of OPCAB over ONCAB in octogenarians.

Tricuspid Valve Detachment in Ventricular Septal Defect Closure Does Not Impact Valve Function

BACKGROUNDnAlthough tricuspid valve detachment (TVD) facilitates improved exposure during transatrial ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure, few have analyzed the impact of TVD on long-term valve durability.nnnMETHODSnPediatric patients undergoing VSD closure at our institution from 1997 to 2013 were identified, and charts were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were separated into groups based on utilization of TVD. Propensity score matching was then performed using a nonparsimonious logistic regression model involving 7 variables. Primary outcome was residual TV dysfunction at long-term follow-up, defined as mild (2+) and moderate (3+) TV regurgitation (TR) on follow-up echocardiography. Secondary outcomes included postoperative atrioventricular dissociation, residual VSD, and reinterventions.nnnRESULTSnA total of 247 patients underwent VSD closure; 164 (66.4%) without TVD and 83 (33.6%) with TVD. Median follow-up time was 2,343 days (interquartile range, 1,237 to 3,963.5 days) in the group without TVD versus 1,606 days (interquartile range, 826 to 3,017 days) in those with TVD. After successfully matching 83 patients, 29 of 83 (34.9%) patients in the non-TVD group had mild TR versus 28 of 83 (33.7%) patients in the TVD group (pxa0= 0.87). 2 patients in the non-TVD group had moderate TR versus 1 patient in the TVD group at long-term follow-up. One patient in each group suffered transient atrioventricular block, but neither required pacemaker insertion.nnnCONCLUSIONSnTVD did not compromise long-term valve durability and did not impose increased morbidity. Patients who underwent TVD had a similar prevalence of mild TR to patients without TVD. Moderate TR was exceptionally rare in both groups. When exposure is difficult, TVD is a safe and effective technical adjunct.

Single-Stage Total Arch Replacement Including Resection of Kommerell Diverticulum in a Patient With Loeys-Dietz Syndrome

Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is an autosomal dominant genetic connective tissue disorder associated with aortic aneurysmal disease. Kommerell diverticulum (KD) is a rare aortic diverticulum, for which the indication for surgery and the surgical techniques remain subjects of debate. We describe our experience with a successful total aortic arch replacement including KD resection through a median sternotomy for a pediatric patient with LDS.