Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of dexmedetomidine for postoperative sedation in cardiac patients. Methods Such databases as PubMed, EBSCO, Springer, Ovid, The Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were searched electronically from the date of their establishment to May 2012, and other relevant journals and references of the included literature were also searched manually. Two reviewers independently screened the studies in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data and assessed methodology quality. Then the meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.1software. Results A total of 8 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 1 157 patients were included. The Jadad scores of 7 RCTs were more than 3, and only 1 RCT scored 2. The results of meta-analysis showed that compared with the control group, dexmedetomidine significantly raised peripheral oxygen saturation (RR=0.90, 95%CI 0.31 to 0.49, P=0.003), decreased the incidence of average heart rate (RR=–5.86, 95%CI –7.31 to −4.40, Plt;0.000 01), ventricular tachycardia (RR=0.27, 95%CI 0.08 to 0.88, P=0.03), delirium (RR=0.28, 95%CI 0.16 to 0.48, Plt;0.000 01) and postoperative hyperglycemia (RR=0.57, 95%CI 0.38 to 0.85, P=0.006), and reduced the number of patients who needed vasoactive agents such as epinephrine (RR=0.53, 95%CI 0.29 to 0.96, P=0.04) and β-blocker (RR=0.60, 95%CI 0.38 to 0.94, P=0.03). However, it failed to shorten the time of both ICU stay (RR=−1.24, 95%CI −4.35 to 1.87, P=0.43) and mechanical ventilation (RR=−2.28, 95%CI −5.13 to 0.57, P=0.12), increase mean artery pressure (RR=−2.78, 95%CI −6.89 to 1.34, P=0.19), and well control postoperative nausea, vomiting and atrial-fibrillation. There were no significant differences between the two groups in myocardial infarction, acute cardiac failure, acute kidney failure, and mortality rate. Conclusion For postoperative sedation in cardiac patients, dexmedetomidine can effectively stabilize hemodynamic indexes, and reduce tachycardia, delirium, postoperative hyperglycemia and vasoactive agents. However, it has no marked influence on the prognosis. For the quantity and quality limitation of included studies, this conclusion needs to be proved by performing more high quality and large sample RCTs.
Objective To systematically review the effectiveness and safety of thoracic epidural analesis (TEA) for postoperative complications after cardiac surgery. Methods Such databases as PubMed, Science Citation Index, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI and CBM were electronically searched from inception to October 2012 for collecting the randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness and safety of thoracic epidural analgesisa for postoperative complications after cardiac surgery. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.1 software. Results Totally 14 studies were eligible, involving 1 942 patients. The results of meta-analysis showed that, TEA combined with general anesthesia (GA) was superior to GA alone in reducing the incidences of myocardial ischemia/infarction (RR=0.63, 95%CI 0.41 to 0.96, P=0.03), respiratory complications (RR=0.55, 95%CI 0.40 to 0.75, P=0.000 1), supraventricular arrhythmias (RR=0.64, 95%CI 0.47 to 0.88, P=0.005), and duration of mechanical ventilation (MD= –2.15, 95%CI –3.72 to –0.58, P=0.007), with significant differences. Conclusions Current evidence shows that, TEA after surgery is effective in reducing the incidences of myocardial ischemia/infarction, respiratory complications, supraventricular arrhythmias, and duration of mechanical ventilation. There is the lack of data on the adverse events of TEA (mainly referring to epidural hematoma). Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, patients’ conditions should be fully considered before applying TEA in clinical practice.
Objective Tolerogenic DCs (Tol-DCs), a group of cells with imDC phenotype, can stably induce T cells low-reactivity and immune tolerance. We systematically reviewed the adoptive transfusion of Tol-DCs induced by different ways to prolong cardiac allograft survival and its possible mechanism. Method MEDLINE (1966 to March 2011), EMbase (1980 to March 2011), and ISI (inception to March 2011) were searched for identification of relevant studies. We used allogeneic heart graft survival time as endpoint outcome to analyze the effect of adoptive transfusion of Tol-DC on cardiac allograft. By integrating studies’ information, we summarized the mechanisms of Tol-DC in prolonging cardiac grafts. Results Four methods were used to induce Tol-DC in all of the 44 included studies including gene-modified, drug-intervened, cytokine-induced, and other-derived (liver-derived amp; spleen-derived) DCs. The results showed that all types of Tol-DC can effectively prolong graft survival, and the average extension of graft survival time for each group was as follows: 22.02 ± 21.9 days (3.2 folds to control group) in the gene modified group, 25.94 ± 16.9 days (4.3 folds) in the drug-intervened groups, 9.00 ± 8.13 days (1.9 folds) in the cytokine-induced group, and 10.69 ± 9.94 days (2.1 folds) in the other-derived group. The main mechanisms of Tol-DCs to prolong graft survival were as follows: a) induceT-cell hyporeactivity (detected by MLR); b) reduce the effect of cytotoxic lymphocyte (CTL); c) promote Th2 differentiation; d) induce Treg; e) induce chimerism. Conclusion For fully MHC mismatched allogeneic heart transplant recipients of inbred mouse, adoptive transfusion of Tol-DC, which can be gene-modified, drug-intervened, cytokine-induced, spleen-derived or liver-derived, can clearly prolong the survival of cardiac allograft or induce immune tolerance. Gene-modified and drug-induced Tol-DC can prolong graft survival most obviously. Having better reliability and stability than drug-induction, gene-modification is the best way to induce Tol-DCs at present. One-time intravenous infusion of 2 × 106 Tol-DC is a simple and feasible way to induce long-term graft survival. Multiple infusions will prolong it but increase the risk and cost. Adoptive transfusion of Tol-DC in conjunction with immunosuppressive agents may also prolong the graft survival time.
Objective To evaluate the effect of a nurse-supported patient self-managed home-based cardiac rehabilitation programme for promoting quality of life of patients with coronary heart disease. Methods 167 eligible patients were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=83) and a control group(n=84). Patients in the intervention group joined a 12-week nurse-supported patient self-managed cardiac rehabilitation programme that included medication management, angina management, physical exercise, smoking cessation, dietary management, and family support besides the conventional care. Chinese Version SF-36 was used to assess the quality of life. Data collection was conducted at programme entry, programme exit, and three months follow-up. Results On completion of the programme, patients in the intervention group demonstrated significantly better improvements in six SF-36 quality of life domains, including general health, physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, mental health, and vitality. The effect on physical functioning and role-physical maintained at three months follow-up.Conclusions A nurse-supported patient self-managed home-based cardiac rehabilitation intervention has a positive impact on the quality of life of patients with coronary heart disease.
ObjectiveTo explore the influence of norepinephrine on the prediction of fluid responsiveness by passive leg raising (PLR) during septic shock. MethodsForty-six septic shock patients in intensive care unit of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital were prospectively observed from September to November 2012. Among which 36 septic shock patients were enrolled with a positive PLR test (defined by an increase in stroke volume index ≥10%). A PLR test was performed at baseline (PLR1). A second PLR test (PLR2) was performed at returning to supine position for 10 min and the dose of norepinephrine was increased to maintain MAP ≥65 mmHg for 20 min. The changes of heart rate(HR),mean arterial pressure(MAP),central venous pressure(CVP),cardiac index(CI),stroke volume index(SVI),index of systemic vascular resistance(SVRI),global end-diastolic volume index(GEDVI),and cardiac function index(CFI) were monitored by transpulmonary thermodilution technique (PiCCO). ResultsPLR1 significantly increased SVI by (20.54±9.63)%,CI by (20.57±9.89)%,MAP by (7.64±5.77)%,and CVP by (25.83±23.39)%. As the dose of norepinephrine increased,SVI was increased by (16.97±9.06)%,CI by (16.78±8.39)%,GEDVI by (9.08±4.47)%,MAP by (28.07±12.48)%,and CVP by (7.86±8.52)%. PLR2 increased SVI by (13.74±8.79)%,CI by (13.79±9.08)%,MAP by (2.93±5.06)%,and CVP by (13.36±14.74)%. The PLR2 and the dose increase of norepinephrine augmented SVI to a significantly lesser extent than the PLR1 performed at baseline (both P<0.05). However,SVI increased by <10% in 6 patients while the baseline PLR was positive in these patients. ConclusionIn septic patients with a positive PLR at baseline,norepinephrine increases cardiac preload and cardiac output and influences the fluid responsiveness.
Objective To analyze the risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia( VAP) in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass ( CPB) . Methods A total of 127 consecutive adult patients who received postoperative ventilation for more than 48 hours between January 2002 and June 2008 in the cardiac surgical intensive care unit( CSICU) were included in this study. The patients were assigned into a VAPgroup( n =64) and a control group( n = 63) . Pre-, intra-, and postoperative factors were collected and analyzed between two groups, and the multivariate analysis( logistic regression)were used to identify the risk factors of VAP. Results The overall incidence of VAP was 5.1%. The mortality of VAP was 28. 1% . Compared to the control group, the patients in the VAP group had longer duration of cardiopulmonary bypass time, ventilation time, more blood products usage and the duration of stay in CSICU( P lt; 0. 001) , higher morbidity of low cardiac output syndrome and tracheotomy( P lt; 0. 01) and higher rate of aortic surgery and mortality( P lt; 0. 05) . The preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction ( LVEF) and postoperative oxygenation index( PaO2 /FiO2 ) were lower in the VAP group than those of the control group( P lt; 0. 001) . Five variables were found to be significantly related to the development of VAP by multivariate analysis: CPB time gt; 120 min( OR = 6. 352, P = 0. 000) ; PaO2 /FiO2 lt; 300 mm Hg( OR =3. 642, P = 0. 017) , transfusion of blood products ≥1500 mL( OR = 5. 083, P = 0. 039) , ventilation time≥5 days( OR = 9. 074, P = 0. 047) and tracheotomy( OR = 19. 899, P = 0. 021) . A total of 102 pathogens were obtained by sputum culture in 64 VAP patients. There were 62( 60. 8% ) cases of gram negative bacilli, 19 cases( 18. 6% ) of gram positive cocci and 21( 20. 6% ) cases of eumycetes. Conclusion This study shows that the cardiopulmonary bypass time, ventilation time, hypoxemia, blood products transfusion and tracheotomy are risk factors most likely associated with VAP development.
Objective To assess the value of pulmonary ventilation test in evaluating the prognosis of cardiac surgery patients. Methods Data were collected retrospectively from consecutive patients with coronary heart disease or valvular disease, who were prepared for cardiac surgery in Zhongshan Hospital from January 2007 to December 2008. The main outcome indices were mortality of surgery, the prolonging time of using artificial airway ( ≥3 days) , and the prolonging time in intensive care units ( ICU) ( ≥5 days) . Then the relationship between the poor outcome and ventilation disorder was analyzed. Results In the 422 cases,the incidence of ventilation disorder was 55% , included 27. 5% restrictive ventilation disorder, 15. 6% obstructive ventilation disorder, and 11. 8% mixed ventilation disorder. And the severity of pulmonaryventilation disorder was mild of 34. 6% , moderate of 15. 2% , and severe of 5. 2% . Among the 42 patients who gave up surgery,50% were due to ventilation dysfunction, and the patients were prone to give up surgery with the deterioration of pulmonary function( P lt; 0. 001) . But comparing with the patients with normal pulmonary function, the risk of poor outcome after surgery did not significantly increase in the patients with ventilation disorder ( P gt; 0. 05 ) . The logistic regression analysis indicated that cardiopulmonary bypass ( CPB) was an absolute risk factor ( P lt; 0. 05) . Conclusions The incidence of ventilation disorder in patients with cardiac disease is quite high. Severe pulmonary ventilation disorder is the significant cause of giving up surgery, but may be not the absolute contraindication of cardiac surgery.
Objective To analyze the influence of COPD on the structure and function of left ventricular. Methods Sixty-nine COPD patients ( mean age: 69. 0 ±7. 8 yrs) and forty healthy controls ( mean age: 67. 8 ±7. 6 yrs) were enrolled in this study. Both groups underwent Doppler echocardiography.Heart rate ( HR) were recorded. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume ( LVEDV) , left ventricular enddiastolic diameter ( LVEDD) , interventricular septum( IVS) , stroke volume ( SV) , and cardiac output ( CO)were measured. The changes of left ventricular were compared between the COPD patients and the healthy controls, and also between the COPD patients with or without chronic cor pulmonale. Results Compared with the healthy controls, movement range of IVS, LVEDD, LVEDV, and SV reduced significantly ( P lt;0. 05) , and HR raised significantly in the COPD patients ( P lt; 0. 05) . CO had no significant difference between two groups ( P gt;0. 05) . Sub-group analysis indicated that the thickness and movement range of IVSwere greater in the patients with cor pulmonale secondary to COPD than those without cor pulmonale ( P lt;0. 05) . Conclusions In COPD patients, left ventricular chamber size decreases, and left ventricular systolic function is impaired. Left ventricular function is impaired more severe in cor pulmonale secondary to COPD than COPD without cor pulmonale.
Objective To investigate surgical treatment strategies and analyze clinical outcomes of cardiac tumors. Methods Clinical data of 181 patients with cardiac tumors who underwent surgical treatment in Xinqiao Hospital of Third Military Medical University from January 1980 to December 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 79 malepatients and 102 female patients with their age of 10 months-76 years （45.22±18.21 years） . A total of 179 patients underwent180 tumor resection surgeries under cardiopulmonary bypass （CPB）. Two patients with malignant tumors did notreceive surgical resection but exploratory thoracotomy. All the tumor specimens were examined by pathologists. ResultsThere were 169 patients （93.4%） with primary cardiac tumors, including 144 patients （79. 6%） with myxoma, 20 patients （11.0%） with other types of primary benign cardiac tumors, and 5 patients （2.8%） with primary malignant cardiac tumors. There were 12 patients （6.6%） with secondary cardiac tumors. There were 2 perioperative deaths （1.1%） in patients with primary cardiac tumors，including 1 patient with low cardiac output syndrome and another patient with postoperative multipleorgan dysfunction syndrome. All the 5 patients with primary malignant tumors died in postoperative 12 months. Patients with benign cardiac tumors were followed up for 6 months-15 years （2.41±1.08 years） without tumor recurrence. Among patients with secondary cardiac tumors，there was 1 perioperative death because of postoperative multiple organ dysfunction syndrome，2 patients died within postoperative 1 year, and 3 patients died in the 3rd postoperative year during follow-up. Conclusion Myxoma is the most common cardiac tumor. Complete surgical resection is the best treatment strategy forpatients with cardiac tumors. Clinical outcomes of patients with benign cardiac tumors are significantly better than those with malignant cardiac tumors. Prognosis of patients with primary malignant cardiac tumors is poor.
Objective To investigate the effects of different levels of intra-abdominal pressure ( IAP) on respiration and hemodynamics in a porcine model of acute lung injury( ALI) .Methods A total of 8 domestic swine received mechanical ventilation. Following baseline observations, oleic acid 0. 1mL/kg in 20mL of normal saline was infused via internal jugular vein. Using a nitrogen gas pneumoperitongum, the IAP increased from0 to 15 and 25mmHg, and the groups were named IAP0 , IAP15 and IAP25 , respectively. During the experimental period, hemodynamic parameters including heart rate ( HR) , cardiac output ( CO) , mean arterial pressure( MAP) , central venous pressure( CVP) , intrathoracic blood volume index( ITBVI) and so on were obtained by using thermodilution technique of pulse induced continuous cardiac output( PiCCO) . The esophageal pressure( Pes) was dynamicly monitored by the esophageal catheter. Results Pes and peak airway pressure( Ppeak) increased and static lung compliance( Cstat) decreased significantly in IAP15 and IAP25 groups compared with IAP0 group( all P lt;0. 01) . Transpulmonary pressure( Ptp) showed a downward trend( P gt;0. 05) . PO2 and oxygenation index showed a downward trend while PCO2 showed a upward trend ( P gt;0. 05) . HR and CVP increased significantly, cardiac index( CI) and ITBV index decreased significantly ( all P lt;0. 05) ,MAP didn′t change significantly( P gt;0. 05) . The changes in Pes were negatively correlated with the changes in CI( r = - 0. 648, P = 0. 01) . Conclusion In the porcine model of ALI, Pes increases because of a rise in IAP which decreased pulmonary compliance and CI.