Fábio Antônio Gaiotto

Effect of Perioperative Goal-Directed Hemodynamic Resuscitation Therapy on Outcomes Following Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial and Systematic Review.

Objectives:To evaluate the effects of goal-directed therapy on outcomes in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Design:A prospective randomized controlled trial and an updated metaanalysis of randomized trials published from inception up to May 1, 2015. Setting:Surgical ICU within a tertiary referral university-affiliated teaching hospital. Patients:One hundred twenty-six high-risk patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery or valve repair. Interventions:Patients were randomized to a cardiac output–guided hemodynamic therapy algorithm (goal-directed therapy group, n = 62) or to usual care (n = 64). In the goal-directed therapy arm, a cardiac index of greater than 3 L/min/m2 was targeted with IV fluids, inotropes, and RBC transfusion starting from cardiopulmonary bypass and ending 8 hours after arrival to the ICU. Measurements and Main Results:The primary outcome was a composite endpoint of 30-day mortality and major postoperative complications. Patients from the goal-directed therapy group received a greater median (interquartile range) volume of IV fluids than the usual care group (1,000 [625–1,500] vs 500 [500–1,000] mL; p < 0.001], with no differences in the administration of either inotropes or RBC transfusions. The primary outcome was reduced in the goal-directed therapy group (27.4% vs 45.3%; p = 0.037). The goal-directed therapy group had a lower occurrence rate of infection (12.9% vs 29.7%; p = 0.002) and low cardiac output syndrome (6.5% vs 26.6%; p = 0.002). We also observed lower ICU cumulative dosage of dobutamine (12 vs 19 mg/kg; p = 0.003) and a shorter ICU (3 [3–4] vs 5 [4–7] d; p < 0.001) and hospital length of stay (9 [8–16] vs 12 [9–22] d; p = 0.049) in the goal-directed therapy compared with the usual care group. There were no differences in 30-day mortality rates (4.8% vs 9.4%, respectively; p = 0.492). The metaanalysis identified six trials and showed that, when compared with standard treatment, goal-directed therapy reduced the overall rate of complications (goal-directed therapy, 47/410 [11%] vs usual care, 92/415 [22%]; odds ratio, 0.40 [95% CI, 0.26–0.63]; p < 0.0001) and decreased the hospital length of stay (mean difference, –5.44 d; 95% CI, –9.28 to –1.60; p = 0.006) with no difference in postoperative mortality: 9 of 410 (2.2%) versus 15 of 415 (3.6%), odds ratio, 0.61 (95% CI, 0.26–1.47), and p = 0.27. Conclusions:Goal-directed therapy using fluids, inotropes, and blood transfusion reduced 30-day major complications in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Vasopressin versus Norepinephrine in Patients with Vasoplegic Shock After Cardiac Surgery: The VANCS Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Vasoplegic syndrome is a common complication after cardiac surgery and impacts negatively on patient outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether vasopressin is superior to norepinephrine in reducing postoperative complications in patients with vasoplegic syndrome. Methods: This prospective, randomized, double-blind trial was conducted at the Heart Institute, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil, between January 2012 and March 2014. Patients with vasoplegic shock (defined as mean arterial pressure less than 65 mmHg resistant to fluid challenge and cardiac index greater than 2.2 l · min−1 · m−2) after cardiac surgery were randomized to receive vasopressin (0.01 to 0.06 U/min) or norepinephrine (10 to 60 &mgr;g/min) to maintain arterial pressure. The primary endpoint was a composite of mortality or severe complications (stroke, requirement for mechanical ventilation for longer than 48 h, deep sternal wound infection, reoperation, or acute renal failure) within 30 days. Results: A total of 330 patients were randomized, and 300 were infused with one of the study drugs (vasopressin, 149; norepinephrine, 151). The primary outcome occurred in 32% of the vasopressin patients and in 49% of the norepinephrine patients (unadjusted hazard ratio, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.38 to 0.80; P = 0.0014). Regarding adverse events, the authors found a lower occurrence of atrial fibrillation in the vasopressin group (63.8% vs. 82.1%; P = 0.0004) and no difference between groups in the rates of digital ischemia, mesenteric ischemia, hyponatremia, and myocardial infarction. Conclusions: The authors’ results suggest that vasopressin can be used as a first-line vasopressor agent in postcardiac surgery vasoplegic shock and improves clinical outcomes.

High dose of N-acetylcystein prevents acute kidney injury in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing myocardial revascularization.

BACKGROUND The renoprotective effect of N-acetylcystein in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery is controversial. METHODS We assessed the renoprotective effect of the highest dose of N-acetylcystein sanctioned for clinical use in a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study including 70 chronic kidney disease patients, stage 3 or 4, who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery, on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and off CPB, and were randomly allocated to receive either N-acetylcystein 150 mg/kg followed by 50 mg/kg for 6 hours in 0.9% saline or only 0.9% saline. Acute kidney injury was defined by the Acute Kidney Injury Network classification. RESULTS The incidence of kidney injury was reduced in the N-acetylcystein group (57.1% versus 28.6%, p=0.016). Nonuse of N-acetylcystein (relative risk 3.58, 95% confidence interval: 1.04 to 12.33, p=0.04) and cardiopulmonary bypass (relative risk 4.55, 95% confidence interval: 1.28 to 16.15, p=0.02) were independent predictors of kidney injury. In patients treated with CPB, N-acetylcystein reduced the incidence of kidney injury from 63% to 46%. Oxidative stress was increased in control subjects (p=0.01) and abolished in patients receiving N-acetylcystein. CONCLUSIONS Maximum intravenous doses of N-acetylcystein reduce the incidence of acute kidney injury in patients with kidney disease undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery, abolish oxidative stress, and mitigate the negative effect of CPB on renal function.

Mitral Valve Replacement and Remodeling of the Left Ventricle in Dilated Cardiomyopathy with Mitral Regurgitation: Initial Results

OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the effects of a new method of mitral valve replacement on left ventricular (LV) remodeling and heart failure functional class. METHODS Eight patients (6 men) with severe mitral regurgitation from end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy underwent surgery. Five patients were in functional class (FC) IV, 2 were in FC III and 1 was in FC III/IV. Age ranged from 33 to 63 years. Both the anterior and posterior leaflets of the mitral valve were divided into hemileaflets. The resultant 4 pedicles were displaced under traction toward the left atrium and anchored between the mitral annulus and an implanted valvular prosthesis. The beating heart facilitated ideal chordae tendineae positioning. RESULTS All patients survived and were discharged from the hospital. After a mean follow-up period of 6.5 months (1-12 m), 5 patients were in FC I; 2 in FC I/II; and 1 in FC II. The preoperative ejection fraction ranged from 19% to 30% (mean: 25.7 +/- 3.4 %), and the postoperative ejection fraction ranged from 21% to 40% (mean: 31.1 +/- 5.8%). Doppler echocardiography showed evidence of LV remodeling in 4 patients, including lateral wall changes and a tendency of the LV cavity to return to its elliptical shape. CONCLUSION This technique of mitral valve replacement, involving new positioning of the chordae tendineae, allowed LV remodeling and improvement in FC during this brief follow-up period.

Myocardial Infarction–Associated Transcript, a Long Noncoding RNA, Is Overexpressed During Dilated Cardiomyopathy Due to Chronic Chagas Disease

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) modulate gene expression at the epigenetic, transcriptional, and posttranscriptional levels. Dysregulation of the lncRNA known as myocardial infarction-associated transcript (MIAT) has been associated with myocardial infarction. Chagas disease causes a severe inflammatory dilated chronic cardiomyopathy (CCC). We investigated the role of MIAT in CCC. A whole-transcriptome analysis of heart biopsy specimens and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples revealed that MIAT was overexpressed in patients with CCC, compared with subjects with noninflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy and controls. These results were confirmed in a mouse model. Results suggest that MIAT is a specific biomarker of CCC.

Substituição da valva mitral com tração dos músculos papilares em pacientes com miocardiopatia dilatada

OBJECTIVE This study aimed at evaluating results of mitral valve replacement using a new technique of complete chordae tendineae adjustment for left ventricular remodeling. METHODS Twenty end-stage idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy patients with severe functional mitral valve regurgitation underwent mitral valve replacement. Seventeen (85%) were in functional class IV. Both anterior and posterior leaflets of the mitral valve were divided to obtain 4 pillars of chordae tendineae. These were displaced with traction toward the left atrium and anchored between the mitral annulus and a valvular prosthesis. To evaluate the left ventricular remodeling, Doppler echocardiography was performed. For statistical analysis, variance analysis and the Friedmans test were employed. RESULTS Two (10%) early deaths occurred. Kaplan-Meyer showed survival at one year post-operative was 85%, 2 years it was 44%, at 3 years 44%, at 4 years 44% and at 5 years it was 44%. In the 48- and 54-month follow-ups, the McNemar test showed improvement in the functional class (p<0.001). In the third month of follow-up, variance analysis showed improvement in the ejection fraction (p=0.008) and reductions of the end diastolic diameter (p=0.038), end systolic diameter (p=0.008), end systolic volume (p=0.029) and end diastolic volume (p=0.009). No statistical differences were noted in the systolic volume. Comparing pre-operative and third- and six-month follow-ups, the Friedman test showed no statistical differences for all studied variables. Variance analyses between pre, three-month and final evaluations showed no significant differences. CONCLUSION This technique of mitral valve replacement improved the left ventricle ejection fraction and decreased the end diastolic and systolic diameters and the end systolic diastolic volumes up to the third month of follow-up. From then on the variables stabilized.

Cardiac metastatic endometrial stromal sarcoma 17 years after hysterectomy

We report a 60‐year‐old female who underwent resection of an endometrial stromal sarcoma of the right ventricle 17 years following a hysterectomy and radiation therapy for the same tumor.

Comparação entre BNP e NT-proBNP quanto à concordância e quanto à influência das variáveis clínicas e laboratoriais

OBJETIVO: Correlacionar os niveis sericos do peptideo natriuretico tipo B e da fracao N-terminal do pro-peptideo natriuretico tipo B, alem de analisar a influencia de idade, obesidade, insuficiencia renal, fracao da ejecao do ventriculo esquerdo, disfuncao diastolica e anemia nos niveis sericos de ambos os marcadores. METODOS: Estudo observacional, no qual se comparou a concordância entre esses marcadores em amostras consecutivas de 138 pacientes. Para a correlacao, utilizou-se o teste de Pearson e foi considerado estatisticamente significante p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Observou-se associacao linear entre peptideo natriuretico tipo B e fracao N-terminal do pro-peptideo natriuretico tipo B (r=0,907; p<0,001). Ao se avaliarem as medidas categorizadas como normais e alteradas, encontrou-se boa concordância, com 90,6% de classificacoes concordantes (p<0,001), sendo que valores alterados da fracao N-terminal do pro-peptideo natriuretico tipo B e normais de peptideo natriuretico tipo B representaram 8,7% do total, e o contrario representou 1% do total. A avaliacao da influencia dos fatores clinicos e laboratoriais nos niveis dos peptideos natriureticos mostrou que eles se elevam de acordo com a idade, mas que diminuem conforme aumenta a fracao de ejecao. Pacientes com anemia (p<0,001) ou com insuficiencia renal (p=0,007) apresentaram valores maiores de ambos os marcadores. Nao houve associacao entre obesidade e peptideo natriuretico tipo B. CONCLUSAO: Houve concordância satisfatoria entre peptideo natriuretico tipo B e a fracao N-terminal do pro-peptideo natriuretico tipo B. Idade, niveis de creatinina e hemoglobina, assim como funcao ventricular, influenciam os niveis sericos de ambos os peptideos natriureticos.ABSTRACT Objective: To correlate the serum levels of B type natriuretic peptide and the N-terminal fraction of the pro-B type natriuretic peptide, as well as to analyze the influence of age, obesity, renal failure, left ventricle ejection fraction, diastolic dysfunction, and anemia on serum levels of both markers. Methods: An observational study in which the agreement was compared between these markers in consecutive samples of 138 patients. For the correlation, Pearsons test was used, and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A linear association was observed between the B type natriuretic peptide and N-terminal fraction of the pro-B type natriuretic peptide (r = 0.907; p<0.001). When evaluating the categorized measurements as normal and altered, there was good agreement, with 90.6% of agreement classifications (p<0.001) in which altered values of the N-terminal fraction of the pro-B type natriuretic peptide and normal values of the B type natriuretic peptide represented 8.7% of the total; the opposite situation represented 1% of the total. Assessment of the influence of the clinical and laboratorial factors on the levels of natriuretic peptides showed that they rise according to age, but that they fall as the ejection fraction increases. Patients with anemia (p<0.001) or with renal failure (p=0.007) had higher values of both markers. There was no association between obesity and the B type natriuretic peptide. Conclusion: There was satisfactory agreement between the B type natriuretic peptide and the N-terminal fraction of the pro-B type natriuretic peptide. Age, creatinine levels, and hemoglobin, as well as ventricular function, influence the serum levels of both natriuretic peptides.

Incidência de coronariopatia após o transplante cardíaco ortotópico

O presente estudo tem por finalidade analisar tardiamente o padrao anatomico evolutivo das arterias coronarias do coracao transplantado. Para cumprir tal proposicao foram selecionados 22 pacientes submetidos ao transplante cardiaco ortotopico, com seguimento pos-operatorio superior a 36 meses. As variaveis eleitas para este fim foram aferidas anualmente ate o quinto ano de pos-operatorio. A analise da ventriculografia mostrou a estabilidade da fracao de ejecao (p=0,99) em valores normais. A cineangiocoronariografia sequencial evidenciou incidencia crescente de lesoes arteriais com comprometimento da funcao contratil. As lesoes obstrutivas acometeram as arterias coronarias difusamente, com predominio no territorio distai. Os episodios de rejeicao aguda e a etiologia da cardiomiopatia nao modificaram a evolucao natural da aterosclerose coronaria.

Myocardial Inactivation of Thyroid Hormones in Patients with Aortic Stenosis

OBJECTIVE The human heart expresses the type 2 deiodinase (D2) that activates thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3). At the same time, the inactivating type 3 deiodinase (D3) has been found in a rat model of right ventricular hypertrophy. It is not known whether the human myocardium metabolizes thyroid hormone. This study examined myocardial thyroid hormone metabolism in patients with aortic valve stenosis (AS) undergoing aortic valve replacement and in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. METHODS Myocardial thyroid hormone metabolism was assessed by analyzing the difference in serum thyroid hormone levels between the aortic root (incoming blood) and the coronary sinus (outgoing blood) of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. A total of 23 patients with AS and 35 patients with CAD were included. Patients received a pre-surgical echocardiogram, and pre-, during and post-surgical thyroid hormone serum levels were collected in the myocardial and peripheral circulations. RESULTS Patients with AS exhibited the expected left ventricle (LV) hypertrophy (i.e., 20-30% increase in LV posterior wall and interventricular septum thickness and ∼10% increase in AS in LV diastolic diameter). Immediately before cardiopulmonary bypass, blood flowing through the AS myocardium exhibited a 4.6% reduction in T3 and 6.9% increase in rT3 levels, decreasing the serum T3/rT3 ratio by 9.6%. T4 and thyrotropin serum levels remained similar between the aortic root and coronary sinus. In contrast, no myocardial thyroid hormone metabolism was observed in CAD patients. Notably, the AS myocardium lost the ability to inactivate thyroid hormone after cardiopulmonary bypass, possibly due to myocardial stunning. CONCLUSIONS There is accelerated thyroid hormone inactivation in the AS myocardium, which is likely the result of D3 expression. No evidence to suggest thyroid hormone activation in the myocardium was obtained in the present study.