Sahin Senay

Efficiency of antibacterial suture material in cardiac surgery: a double-blind randomized prospective study.

OBJECTIVE Postoperative surgical site infections (SSI) still greatly affect mortality and morbidity in cardiovascular surgery. SSI may be related to the suture material. In this prospective, randomized, controlled, and double-blinded study, the effect of antibacterial suture material on SSI in cardiac surgical patients was investigated. METHODS We randomly allocated 510 patients into 2 groups. Antibacterial suture materials were used for wound closure in 170 patients (triclosan-coated suture group), and routine suture materials were used in 340 patients (noncoated suture group). All patients were evaluated for SSI on days 10, 20, and 30 following cardiac surgery. RESULTS Preoperative risk factors and laboratory findings were comparable for the 2 groups. Sternal infection occurred in 4 (2.4%) of the patients in the triclosan-coated suture group and in 3.5% of the noncoated suture group (P > .05). Leg wound infection occurred in 5 (3.5%) of the patients in the triclosan-coated suture group and in 3.8% of the noncoated suture group (P > .05). Only diabetes mellitus was an independent predictor of SSI. CONCLUSION Both noncoated and triclosan-coated suture materials are safe. Larger studies may be needed to show the benefit and cost-effectiveness, if any, of triclosan-coated materials over noncoated materials.

The impact of allogenic red cell transfusion and coated bypass circuit on the inflammatory response during cardiopulmonary bypass: a randomized study

OBJECTIVES This study is designed to determine and compare the effects of transfusion and coated circuits on the inflammatory response during cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS Forty patients were randomized into two groups according to the type of extracorporeal circuit used and later prospectively enrolled into two subgroups according to the need for red cell transfusion during CPB (leading to 4 groups--10 patients per group; group 1: with no transfusion and standard oxygenator, group 2: with transfusion and standard oxygenator, group 3: with no transfusion and coated oxygenator, group 4: with transfusion and coated oxygenator). Serum lactate, interleukin 6, human tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), D-dimer and CRP levels were measured at three time points (T1: start of CPB, T2: before removal of aortic cross-clamp, T3: 45 min after the completion of proximal anastomoses). Protein adsorption of oxygenator fibers was measured. Outcome parameters were recorded. RESULTS Interleukin 6, TNF-alpha, D-dimer and lactate levels increased at T2 and T3 in all groups (P<0.05 within groups). The increase in interleukin 6 was significant at T2 in group 2 when compared to group 1 (8.0+/-3.9 vs. 4.4+/-1.8, P=0.03). The increase in TNF-alpha was higher at T2 in group 1 when compared to group 3 (16.0+/-4.2 vs. 11.7+/-2.8, P=0.05) and in group 2 when compared to group 3 at T2 and T3 (15.3+/-4.6 vs. 11.7+/-2.8, P=0.06; 17.6+/-5.0 vs. 13.7+/-3.9, P=0.06). Protein adsorption was higher in group 1 and group 2 (group 1 vs. group 3, 2.2+/-0.8 vs. 1.4+/-0.3, P=0.01; group 2 vs. group 3, 2.4+/-0.7 vs. 1.4+/-0.3, P=0.02; group 2 vs. group 4, 2.4+/-0.7 vs. 1.8+/-0.3, P=0.04), it was also higher at group 4 when compared to group 3 (1.8+/-0.3 vs. 1.4+/-0.3, P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS Allogenic red cell transfusion enhances inflammatory response during CPB; coated circuit systems have a limiting effect on this inflammatory reaction.

Readmission to the intensive care unit after fast-track cardiac surgery: an analysis of risk factors and outcome according to the type of operation.

INTRODUCTION In the present study, we investigated risk factors for intensive care unit (ICU) readmission after fasttrack cardiac surgery and analyzed outcome data according to the type of surgical procedure. METHODS Between 1999 and 2008, we prospectively enrolled 4270 consecutive patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (CABG group, n = 3754), isolated valve surgery (valve group, n = 353), or combined CABG and valve surgery (CABG + valve group, n = 163) in the study. RESULTS Ninety-eight patients (2.2%) were readmitted to the ICU. Of these patients, 73 were in the CABG group (1.9% of this group), 16 were in the valve group (4.5%), and 9 were in the CABG + valve group (5.5%). The main reason for ICU readmission in all groups was respiratory distress. A multivariate analysis showed that the independent risk factors for ICU readmission in the CABG group were an age >65 years (odds ratio [OR], 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-5.4; P = .001), peripheral arterial disease (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.2-6.1; P = .016), and drainage >500 mL (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.2-5.1; P = .009). The independent risk factors for the valve group included only preoperative congestive heart failure (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.3-11.7; P = .01). No independent risk factor was defined for the CABG + valve group. Mortality was significantly higher among the readmitted patients in all groups. CONCLUSIONS The risk factors for readmission after cardiac surgery with fast-track recovery may differ according to the type of operation. A strict control of volume balance and blood transfusion may further help prevent the occurrence of the most frequent cause of readmission, respiratory failure.

Is it the patient or the physician who cannot tolerate anemia? A prospective analysis in 1854 non-transfused coronary artery surgery patients.

Background and objective: Low hematocrit level and transfusion may coexist during cardiopulmonary bypass and the actual impact of one on the outcome parameters may be counfounded or masked by the other. This study aims to determine the impact of the lowest hematocrit level during cardiopulmonary bypass on outcome parameters in non-transfused patients. Methods: Two thousand six hundred and thirty-two consecutive patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were evaluated prospectively:1854 (70.4%) patients who did not receive any red blood cells during hospital stay were included in the study. Perioperative data and outcome parameters were recorded. Outcomes were evaluated in 2 groups according to the lowest level of hematocrit (>21%: high hematocrit group, n= 1680, (91.6%) and ≤21%: low hematocrit group, n=174, (9.4%)) during cardiopulmonary bypass. Results: Overall mean lowest hematocrit level of patients was 27.7±4.4% (19.7±1.9% in the low hematocrit group, 28.5±4.1% in the high hematocrit group). The comparison of outcome parameters regarding the time on ventilator, duration of intensive care unit stay, intensive care unit re-admission, hospital re-admission, reoperation for bleeding or tamponade, low cardiac output, postoperative atrial fibrillation, stroke, creatinine level at hospital discharge, new onset renal failure, mediastinitis, pulmonary complication and mortality rates were similar in both groups. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a lowest hematocrit level of ≤21% during cardiopulmonary bypass has no adverse impact on outcome after isolated coronary surgery in non-transfused patients.

Adjusting Oxygen Fraction to Avoid Hyperoxemia during Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Although an adverse influence of hyperoxemia during cardiopulmonary bypass is well documented, there is a wide range of oxygen settings during cardiopulmonary bypass, based mostly on trial and error. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal inspired oxygen fraction during cardiopulmonary bypass. Ninety patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass operations were randomly allocated to one of 3 groups of 30 each. In group 1, cardiopulmonary bypass was started with an inspired oxygen fraction of 0.40, increased to 0.60 during rewarming. These settings were 0.40 and 0.50 in group 2, and 0.35 and 0.45 in group 3. Samples for blood gas analysis were collected at defined time periods during the operation. PaO2 was significantly higher in groups 1 and 2 compared to group 3. All patients in group 1 and 88% of patients in group 2 suffered at least one episode of hyperoxemia during cardiopulmonary bypass, compared to 30% of patients in group 3. The differences were significant, and we concluded that to avoid hyperoxemia, inspired oxygen fraction should be kept at 0.35 during cardiopulmonary bypass and increased to 0.45 during rewarming.

Stroke after coronary bypass surgery is mainly related to diffuse atherosclerotic disease.

OBJECTIVE This study aims to investigate the risk factors for postoperative stroke and analysis of outcome after coronary bypass surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS Between 1999 and 2008, 3248 consecutive patients who underwent isolated coronary surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were prospectively enrolled in the study. Demographic and perioperative data were analyzed. Postoperative stroke was defined as severe adverse neurological events including permanent deficits or cerebral lesions with radiological demonstration of cerebral infarction within the first postoperative month. RESULTS In total, 32 patients (0.9%) were determined with stroke. Univariate risk factors for postoperative stroke were determined as preoperative unstable angina (P = .006), Canadian Class of Angina (CCA) ≥ 3 (P = .001), preoperative creatinin level >1.2 mg/dL (P = .001), left main coronary artery disease (P = .04), chronic obstructive lung disease (P = .04), peripheral arterial disease (P < .001), New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class ≥ 3 (P = .004), preoperative renal insufficiency (P = .001), age > 65 years (P = .04), preoperative hypothyroidism (P = .02), postoperative low cardiac output state (P < .001), severe coronary artery disease requiring distal anastomosis ≥ 4 (P = .05), non-elective operation (P = .02), and body mass index ≥ 25 (P = .02). Multivariate analysis revealed peripheral arterial disease (odds ratio [OR], 5.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9-14.0; P = .001), severe coronary artery disease (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.1-8.5; P = .02), and postoperative low cardiac output state (OR, 5.1; 95% CI, 1.4-18.2; P = .01) as the independent risk factors. CONCLUSIONS Stroke after coronary bypass surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass is mainly related to diffuse atherosclerotic disease.

A simple method for occlusion of both venae cavae in total cardiopulmonary bypass for robotic surgery.

We describe a novel surgical technique for occlusion of the superior and inferior venae cavae which allows opening of the right atrium safely during robotic cardiac surgery.

Endovascular treatment of occlusive abdominal aortic thrombosis

We report the case of a 53-year-old woman with claudication in both legs. Her angiographic examination revealed thrombosis with a critical stenosis of distal abdominal aorta. The patient was treated successfully with endovascular stenting.

Efficiency of Preoperative Tranexamic Acid in Coronary Bypass Surgery: An Analysis Correlated with Preoperative Clopidogrel Use

OBJECTIVE This study evaluates the efficiency of prophylactic tranexamic acid in coronary bypass surgery with respect to preoperative clopidogrel use. METHODS We analyzed data for 3754 consecutive patients who underwent isolated coronary bypass surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass between January 1999 and August 2008. The patients were placed into 4 groups according to the perioperative use of clopidogrel and tranexamic acid. Group 1 included patients administered neither of these medications (n = 3160, 84.2%); group 2 included patients who received tranexamic acid only (n = 444, 11.8%); group 3 included patients who received clopidogrel only (n = 113, 3.0%); and group 4 included patients who received both medications (n = 37, 1.0%). RESULTS In patients who received tranexamic acid, we noted significant decreases in postoperative drainage (615 +/- 336 mL versus 458 +/- 289 mL, group 1 versus group 2 [P = .0001]; 740 +/- 399 mL versus 570 +/- 408 mL, group 3 versus group 4 [P = .03]) and the use of fresh frozen plasma (1.4 +/- 1.4 units/patient versus 0.2 +/- 0.7 units/patient, group 1 versus group 2 [P = .0001]; 2.2 +/- 1.7 units/patient versus 0.5 +/- 1.3 units/patient, group 3 versus group 4 [P = .0001]), irrespective of the use of clopidogrel. We found significant decreases in postoperative blood transfusion (0.59 +/- 1.1 units/patient versus 0.39 +/- 1.1 units/patient, group 1 versus group 2 [P = .0001]; 1.2 +/- 1.8 units/patient versus 0.7 +/- 1.1 units/patient, group 3 versus group 4 [P > .05]) and in the percentage of patients who received transfusions (31.3% versus 19.3%, group 1 versus group 2 [P = .0001]; 54.5% versus 37.8%, group 3 versus group 4 [P > .05]) only in the patients who did not receive clopidogrel. CONCLUSION Prophylactic tranexamic acid reduces bleeding and the need for transfusion. This effect exists in patients using clopidogrel but is less prominent. Preoperative use may be beneficial in patients using clopidogrel without any need for delaying the surgical procedure.

Use of bone wax is related to increased postoperative sternal dehiscence

Aim To investigate the relation between use of bone wax and postoperative sternal dehiscence after cardiac surgery. Material and methods Five thousnad three hundred and eighteen consecutive patients who underwent cardiac surgery between 1999 and 2009 were evaluated prospectively. Perioperative use of bone wax, perioperative data and outcome parameters were recorded. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to define independent risk factors for postoperative sternal dehiscence. Results Bone wax was used in a total of 1151 (21%) patients. Postoperative sternal dehiscence was detected in 88 (1.6%) patients. The postoperative sternal dehiscence rate was 1.4% in patients without bone wax and 2.5% in patients with bone wax (p = 0.001). The rate of bone wax use was 36.4% in patients with sternal dehiscence and 21.4% in patients without sternal dehiscence (p < 0.001). Independent risk factors for postoperative sternal dehiscence were defined as: age > 70 (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2-3.1, p = 0.005), chronic obstructive lung disease (OR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.5-3.9, p < 0.001), use of bone wax (OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.03-2.5, p = 0.03), nonelective operation (OR = 2, 95% CI: 1.1-3.4, p = 0.009), and body mass index > 30 (OR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.4-3.5, p < 0.001). Conclusions Our findings suggest that use of bone wax may be associated with increased postoperative sternal dehiscence after cardiac surgery. Thus liberal use of bone wax should be restricted.