Abstract: Objective To determine the incidence, course, potential risk factors and outcomes of postoperative noninfectious fever in aortic surgical patients. Methods We reviewed 549 patients who received operation for aortic aneurysm or dissection in Beijing FuWai Cardiovascular Disease Hospital from January 2006 to January 2008. After excluding patients with a known source of infection during hospitalization, patients who had preoperative oral temperature greater than or equal to 38.0℃, patients who underwent emergency surgery, patients who died of other reasons other than feverrelated factors, and patients with incomplete data, we finally enrolled a total of 463 patients for final analysis. Depending on whether the patients developed a noninfectious fever after operation, we classified them into the febrile group (n=345, highest oral temperature ranging from 38.0-39.3℃) and the afebrile group (n=118, without postoperative fever). Univariate analysis was performed between these two groups of patients, with respect to demographics, operative data and postoperative conditions. Risk factors for postoperative fever were considered for the multivariate logistic regression model if they had a P value≤0.001 in the univariate analysis. Results After operation, 74.5%(345/463) of the patients had noninfectious fever. The minimum temperature of febrile patients on the operation day and the first postoperative day were both higher than afebrile patients（P=0.000，0.000）. The maximum temperature of febrile patients on the operation day, the first, second，third and fourth postoperative days were also higher than afebrile patients（P=0.000，0.000, 0.047, 0.018）. Univariate analysis demonstrated that weight (P=0.000), surgical type (P=0.000), minimum intraoperative bladder temperature (P=0.000), temperature upon ICU admission (P=0.000) and blood transfusion (P=0.000) were all risk factors for noninfectious postoperative fever. The multivariate logistic regression showed that surgical sites of thoracic and thoracoabdominal aorta (odds ratio: 4861; 95% confidence interval: 3.029，5.801; P=0.004), lower minimum intraoperative bladder temperature (odds ratio: 1.117; 95% confidence interval:1.013，1.244;P=0.040) and higher temperature on admission to the ICU (odds ratio: 2.570; 95% confidence interval:1.280，5.182;P=0.008) were significant predictors for postoperative noninfectious fever. Conclusion Noninfectious postoperative fever following aortic surgery is very common. Predictors of noninfectious postoperative fever following aortic surgery include surgical sites (thoracic or thoracoabdominal aorta), low intraoperative core temperature and temperature elevation in the immediate postoperative period.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness and safety of the improved approach of intraoperative temporary epicardial pacing lead implantation in complete video-assisted cardiac surgery. Method We included 50 cardiac patients with video-assisted cardiac surgery indications in our hospital from September 2013 to November 2013. According to approach to placing intraoperative temporary epicardial pacing lead, the patients were divided into two groups including an improved group (30 patients with 17 males and 13 females at age of 45.6±15.7 years) and a traditional group (20 patients with 12 males and 8 females at age of 44.2±17.7 years). Time of temporary epicardial pacing lead implantation, potential perioperative complications, and clinical data of intraoperation and postoperation were compared between the two groups. Result All the patients survived during perioperative period. No intraoperative bleeding, no pericardial tamponade, no infection caused by pacing wires, as well as no relevant postoperative complications occurred. Implantation time in the improved group is shorter than that in the traditional group (P<0.001). No patient had been found situations like moderate pericardial effusion, as well as pacing leads shifting during the following-up period. ConclusionThe improved approach has shorten the implantation time, which is simpler and more effective. No patient suffers from postoperative complications during short-term following-up. But the effect in long-term following-up period is still contentious.