2010 ACCF/AHA/AATS/ACR/ASA/SCA/SCAI/SIR/STS/SVM guidelines for the diagnosis and management of patients with thoracic aortic disease: Executive summary: A report of the american college of cardiology foundation/american heart association task force on practice guidelines, american association for thoracic surgery, american college of radiology, american stroke association

https://www.suscch.eu/e107_files/public/Aorta/Guidelines_for_the_Diagnosis_and_Management_of_Patients_with_Thoracic_Aortic_Disease,_2010.pdf

2010 ACCF/AHA/AATS/ACR/ASA/SCA/SCAI/SIR/STS/SVM Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Patients With Thoracic Aortic Disease

Institutional Affiliations Chair Costanzo MR: Midwest Heart Foundation, Lombard Illinois, USA Task Force 1 Dipchand A: Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto Ontario, Canada; Starling R: Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Anderson A: University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chan M: University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Desai S: Inova Fairfax Hospital, Fairfax, Virginia, USA; Fedson S: University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Fisher P: Ochsner Clinic, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Gonzales-Stawinski G: Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Martinelli L: Ospedale Niguarda, Milano, Italy; McGiffin D: University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA; Parisi F: Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesu, Rome, Italy; Smith J: Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Task Force 2 Taylor D: Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Meiser B: University of Munich/Grosshaden, Munich, Germany; Baran D: Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark, New Jersey, USA; Carboni M: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Dengler T: University of Hidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; Feldman D: Minneapolis Heart Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Frigerio M: Ospedale Niguarda, Milano, Italy; Kfoury A: Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, Utah, USA; Kim D: University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Kobashigawa J: Cedar-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, California, USA; Shullo M: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Stehlik J: University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Teuteberg J: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Uber P: University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Zuckermann A: University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. Task Force 3 Hunt S: Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Burch M: Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK; Bhat G: Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn, Illinois, USA; Canter C: St. Louis Children Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Chinnock R: Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, California, USA; Crespo-Leiro M: Hospital Universitario A Coruna, La Coruna, Spain; Delgado R: Texas Heart Institute, Houston, Texas, USA; Dobbels F: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Grady K: Northwestern University, Chicago, Illlinois, USA; Kao W: University of Wisconsin, Madison Wisconsin, USA; Lamour J: Montefiore Medical Center, New York, New York, USA; Parry G: Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Patel J: Cedar-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, California, USA; Pini D: Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano, Italy; Pinney S: Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York, USA; Towbin J: Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Wolfel G: University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado, USA Independent Reviewers Delgado D: University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Eisen H: Drexler University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Goldberg L: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Hosenpud J: Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Johnson M: University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Keogh A: St Vincent Hospital, Sidney, New South Wales, Australia; Lewis C: Papworth Hospital Cambridge, UK; O'Connell J: St. Joseph Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Rogers J: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Ross H: University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Russell S: Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Vanhaecke J: University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.

http://www.jsht.jp/uploads/ISHLT_GL_TaskForce2_110810.pdf

The International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation Guidelines for the care of heart transplant recipients

Data are accumulating that emphasize the important role of the intestinal barrier and intestinal permeability for health and disease. However, these terms are poorly defined, their assessment is a matter of debate, and their clinical significance is not clearly established. In the present review, current knowledge on mucosal barrier and its role in disease prevention and therapy is summarized. First, the relevant terms ‘intestinal barrier’ and ‘intestinal permeability’ are defined. Secondly, the key element of the intestinal barrier affecting permeability are described. This barrier represents a huge mucosal surface, where billions of bacteria face the largest immune system of our body. On the one hand, an intact intestinal barrier protects the human organism against invasion of microorganisms and toxins, on the other hand, this barrier must be open to absorb essential fluids and nutrients. Such opposing goals are achieved by a complex anatomical and functional structure the intestinal barrier consists of, the functional status of which is described by ‘intestinal permeability’. Third, the regulation of intestinal permeability by diet and bacteria is depicted. In particular, potential barrier disruptors such as hypoperfusion of the gut, infections and toxins, but also selected over-dosed nutrients, drugs, and other lifestyle factors have to be considered. In the fourth part, the means to assess intestinal permeability are presented and critically discussed. The means vary enormously and probably assess different functional components of the barrier. The barrier assessments are further hindered by the natural variability of this functional entity depending on species and genes as well as on diet and other environmental factors. In the final part, we discuss selected diseases associated with increased intestinal permeability such as critically illness, inflammatory bowel diseases, celiac disease, food allergy, irritable bowel syndrome, and – more recently recognized – obesity and metabolic diseases. All these diseases are characterized by inflammation that might be triggered by the translocation of luminal components into the host. In summary, intestinal permeability, which is a feature of intestinal barrier function, is increasingly recognized as being of relevance for health and disease, and therefore, this topic warrants more attention.

/pdf/intestinal-permeability-a-new-target-for-disease-prevention-1k5hgcc958.pdf

Intestinal permeability – a new target for disease prevention and therapy

http://cardiacanaesthesia.in/assets/img/guidelines/Perioperative-Blood-Transfusion-and-Blood-Conservation-in-Cardiac-Surgery.pdf

Perioperative blood transfusion and blood conservation in cardiac surgery: the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and The Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists clinical practice guideline.

Transfusion therapy after cardiac surgery is empirically guided, partly due to a lack of specific point-of-care hemostasis monitors. In a randomized, blinded, prospective trial, we studied cardiac surgical patients at moderate to high risk of transfusion. Patients were randomly assigned to either a thromboelastography (TEG)-guided transfusion algorithm (n 5 53) or routine transfusion therapy (n 5 52) for intervention after cardiopulmonary bypass. Coagulation tests, TEG variables, mediastinal tube drainage, and transfusions were compared at multiple time points. There were no demographic or hemostatic test result differences between groups, and all patients were given prophylactic antifibrinolytic therapy. Intraoperative transfusion rates did not differ, but there were significantly fewer postoperative and total transfusions in the TEG group. The proportion of patients receiving freshfrozen plasma (FFP) was 4 of 53 in the TEG group compared with 16 of 52 in the control group (P , 0.002). Patients receiving platelets were 7 of 53 in the TEG group compared with 15 of 52 in the control group (P , 0.05). Patients in the TEG group also received less volume of FFP (36 6 142 vs 217 6 463 mL; P , 0.04). Mediastinal tube drainage was not statistically different 6, 12, or 24 h postoperatively. Point-of-care coagulation monitoring using TEG resulted in fewer transfusions in the postoperative period. We conclude that the reduction in transfusions may have been due to improved hemostasis in these patients who had earlier and specific identification of the hemostasis abnormality and thus received more appropriate intraoperative transfusion therapy. These data support the use of TEG in an algorithm to guide transfusion therapy in complex cardiac surgery. Implications: Transfusion of allogeneic blood products is common during complex cardiac surgical procedures. In a prospective, randomized trial, we compared a transfusion algorithm using point-of-care coagulation testing with routine laboratory testing, and found the algorithm to be effective in reducing transfusion requirements. (Anesth Analg 1999;88:312‐9)

Thromboelastography-guided transfusion algorithm reduces transfusions in complex cardiac surgery.

The administration of tranexamic acid (TA) prior to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has been associated with reduced bleeding during and after cardiac surgery. In a prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial, adult patients undergoing repeat open heart surgery received TA (n = 17) or an equal volume of saline placebo (n = 13). In the TA group, a 20-mg/kg intravenous (IV) initial dose of TA at skin incision was followed by an infusion of 2 mg * kg-’ * h-r, which continued for the duration of the surgical procedure. Identical transfusion guidelines were followed in both groups. Routine coagulation tests, D-dimer levels, mediastinal tube drainage, and transfusion requirements were compared. Cumulative postoperative mediastinal tube drainage measured at 24 h was 649 2 391 mL (mean 2 SD) in the TA group compared with 923 ? 496 mL in the placebo group (P < 0.01). Forty-eight- and 72-h mediastinal tube drainage were also significantly less in the TA group (P < 0.01). Seven of 17 TA patients received no transfusion of allogeneic blood products compared with 1 of 13 placebo patients (P = 0.047). The incidence and volumes of platelet and fresh frozen plasma transfusion in the TA group were not significantly different in comparison with the placebo group. The perioperative increase in D-dimer levels (post-CPB minus pre-CPB) in the placebo group (median difference = 675 ng/mL, range 125-1648) was significantly more than in the TA group (median difference = 182 ng/mL, range -426-1950; P = 0.003). Sternal closure occurred in 41 -C 21 min in the TA group and 61 ? 49 min in the placebo group (P = 0.14), and the subjective bleeding score was less in the TA group than in the placebo group (2.38 ? 0.78 vs 3.08 -C 1.04; P = 0.045). The data from the current study support the prophylactic use of TA in patients undergoing repeat cardiac surgery. TA administered prior to CPB reduced the incidence of allogeneic transfusions and postoperative mediastinal tube drainage, and improved the subjective assessment of post-CPB hemostasis in a group of patients at moderately high risk for perioperative bleeding. (Anesth Analg 1996;83:18-26)

Tranexamic Acid Reduces Transfusions and Mediastinal Drainage in Repeat Cardiac Surgery

UNLABELLED Patients receiving heparin infusions have an attenuated activated clotting time (ACT) response to heparin given for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We compared patients receiving preoperative heparin (Group H) to those not receiving heparin (REF group) with respect to ACT, high-dose thrombin time (HiTT), and markers of thrombin generation during CPB. Sixty-five consecutive patients (33 Group H, 32 REF group) undergoing elective CPB were evaluated. ACT and HiTT were measured at multiple time points. Plasma levels of thrombin-antithrombin III complex and fibrin monomer were determined at baseline, during CPB, and after protamine administration. Transfusion requirements and postoperative blood loss were measured and compared. ACT values after heparinization increased less in Group H and were significantly lower than those in the REF group (P < 0.01). HiTT values did not differ significantly between the two groups. Blood loss and transfusion requirements were not significantly different between the two groups. Plasma levels of thrombin-antithrombin III complexes and fibrin monomer also did not differ between groups at any time, despite a lower ACT in Group H after heparinization and during CPB. Our data suggest that thrombin formation and activity are not enhanced in patients receiving heparin therapy, despite a diminished ACT response to heparin. The utility of ACT and the threshold values indicative of adequate anticoagulation for CPB are relatively undefined in patients receiving preoperative heparin. HiTT should be investigated as a safe and accurate monitor of anticoagulation for CPB in patients receiving preoperative heparin therapy. IMPLICATIONS The diminished activated clotting time response to heparin, in patients receiving preoperative heparin therapy, poses difficulties when attempting to provide adequate anticoagulation for cardiopulmonary bypass. Current data suggest that heparin resistance is not observed when high-dose thrombin time is used to monitor anticoagulation and that a lower activated clotting time value in these patients may be safe.

Anticoagulation for cardiac surgery in patients receiving preoperative heparin: use of the high-dose thrombin time.

Cardiopulmonary bypass for adult patients: A survey of equipment and techniques

Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation in coronary artery bypass graft surgery occurs in 10-40% of patients. It is associated with a significant degree of morbidity and results in prolonged lengths of stay in both the intensive care unit and hospital. Methods: The authors prospectively evaluated patients undergoing coronary artery bypass with detailed transesophageal echocardiography examinations conducted before and after cardiopulmonary bypass to study whether risk factors for atrial fibrillation could be identified. Demographic and surgical parameters were also included in the analysis. Selected variables were subjected to univariate and subsequent multivariate analyses to test for their independent or joint influence on atrial fibrillation. Results: Seventy-nine patients had assessable transesophageal echocardiography examinations. Significant univariate predictors of atrial fibrillation included advanced age (P = 0.002), pre-cardiopulmonary bypass left atrial appendage area (P = 0.04), and post-cardiopulmonary bypass left upper pulmonary vein systole/diastole velocity ratio (P = 0.03). When these three factors were considered together in a multiple logistic regression analysis, left upper pulmonary vein systole/diastole velocity ratio was a significant predictor (P < 0.05), as was the joint effect of age plus pre-cardiopulmonary bypass left atrial appendage area (P = 0.005). The probability of developing atrial fibrillation for the combination of age = 75 yr, post-cardiopulmonary bypass left upper pulmonary vein systole/diastole velocity ratio = 0.5, and left atrial appendage area = 4.0 cm was 0.83 (95% confidence interval, 0.51-0.96). Conclusions: Early identification of patients at risk for postoperative atrial fibrillation may be feasible using the parameters identified in this study.

Frances Vela-Cantos

Papers

Thromboelastography-guided transfusion algorithm reduces transfusions in complex cardiac surgery.

Tranexamic Acid Reduces Transfusions and Mediastinal Drainage in Repeat Cardiac Surgery

Anticoagulation for cardiac surgery in patients receiving preoperative heparin: use of the high-dose thrombin time.

Cardiopulmonary bypass for adult patients: A survey of equipment and techniques

Use of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography to predict atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting.