Abstract Background The short-term results after using arterial grafts still raise questions and doubts for medical society. Objective To compare the immediate outcomes of patients undergoing single arterial graft versus multiple arterial grafts coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Methods Cross-sectional cohort study in the São Paulo Registry of Cardiovascular Surgery II (REPLICCAR II). Perioperative data from 3122 patients were grouped by the number of arterial grafts used, and their outcomes were compared: reoperation, deep sternal wound infection (DSWI), stroke, acute kidney injury, prolonged intubation (>24 hours), short hospital stay (<6 days), prolonged hospital stay (>14 days), morbidity and mortality. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) matched 1062 patients, adjusted for the mortality risk. Results After PSM, the single arterial graft group showed patients with advanced age, more former smokers, hypertension, diabetes, stable angina, and previous myocardial infarction. In the multiple arterial grafts, there was a predominance of males, recent pneumonia, and urgent surgeries. After the procedure, there was a higher incidence of pleural effusion (p=0.042), pneumonia (p=0.01), reintubation (p=0.006), DSWI (p=0.007), and sternal debridement (p=0.015) in the multiple arterial grafts group, however, less need for blood transfusion (p=0.005), extremity infections (p=0.002) and shorter hospital stays (p=0.036). Bilateral use of the internal thoracic artery was not related to increased DSWI rate, but glycosylated hemoglobin >6.40% (p=0.048). Conclusion Patients undergoing the multiarterial technique had a higher incidence of pulmonary complications, and DSWI, where glycosylated hemoglobin ≥6.40%, had a greater influence on the infectious outcome than the choice of grafts.

Resumo Fundamento Os resultados a curto prazo após o uso de enxertos arteriais ainda suscitam questionamentos e dúvidas na sociedade médica. Objetivo Comparar os resultados imediatos de pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio com enxerto arterial único versus enxertos arteriais múltiplos. Métodos Estudo de coorte transversal no Registro Paulista de Cirurgia Cardiovascular II (REPLICCAR II). Os dados perioperatórios de 3122 pacientes foram agrupados pelo número de enxertos arteriais utilizados e seus desfechos foram comparados: reoperação, infecção profunda da ferida torácica (IPFT), acidente vascular cerebral, lesão renal aguda, intubação prolongada (>24 horas), tempo de internação curta (<6 dias), tempo de internação prolongada (>14 dias), morbidade e mortalidade. O Propensity Score Matching (PSM) correspondeu a 1062 pacientes, ajustado para o risco de mortalidade. Resultados Após PSM, o grupo enxerto arterial único apresentou pacientes com idade avançada, mais ex-fumantes, hipertensos, diabéticos, portadores de angina estável e infarto do miocárdio prévio. Nos enxertos arteriais múltiplos houve predomínio do sexo masculino, pneumonia recente e cirurgias de urgência. Após o procedimento, houve maior incidência de derrame pleural (p=0,042), pneumonia (p=0,01), reintubação (p=0,006), IPFT (p=0,007) e desbridamento esternal (p=0,015) no grupo de enxertos multiarteriais, porém, menor necessidade de hemotransfusão (p=0,005), infecções de extremidades (p=0,002) e menor tempo de internação (p=0,036). O uso bilateral da artéria torácica interna não foi relacionado ao aumento da taxa de IPFT, e sim a hemoglobina glicosilada >6,40% (p=0,048). Conclusão Pacientes submetidos a técnica multiarterial apresentaram maior incidência de complicações pulmonares e IPFT, sendo que a hemoglobina glicosilada ≥6,40% teve maior influência no resultado infeccioso do que a escolha dos enxertos.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Left internal thoracic artery to left anterior descending artery (LITA-LADA) grafting has become a fundamental part of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This grafting has led to an increased use of other arterial conduits, of which the radial artery (RA) is the most popular. Whether RA can have the same long-term patency as LITA is controversial. The objective of this study is to access the long-term clinical follow-up and, when available, the patency rate of RA grafts. Methods: Twenty-six patients from a previous study with critical stenosis in all target vessels underwent complete arterial CABG with LITA and RA grafts from 1996 to 2003. They all underwent midterm multidetector computed tomography after surgery with the association of at least one patent LITA and one patent RA graft. Results: Twelve patients (46%) are alive with no angina symptoms. Six patients underwent a second image exam 12 to 16 years (average of 14 years) after surgery, with a total of six LITA-LADA and 14 RA grafts with 100% patency rate. Clinical follow-up five to 23 years after surgery (average of 14 years) showed only one death 12 years after surgery related to coronary artery disease (CAD) (3,8%). Another 12 patients died of non-CAD. Conclusion: Patients with midterm associated LITA and RA patent grafts show similar optimal long-term patency rates of both types of grafts with excellent clinical outcome.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Left internal thoracic artery to left anterior descending artery (LITA-LADA) grafting has become a fundamental part of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This grafting has led to an increased use of other arterial conduits, of which the radial artery (RA) is the most popular. Whether RA can have the same long-term patency as LITA is controversial. The objective of this study is to access the long-term clinical follow-up and, when available, the patency rate of RA grafts. Methods: Twenty-six patients from a previous study with critical stenosis in all target vessels underwent complete arterial CABG with LITA and RA grafts from 1996 to 2003. They all underwent midterm multidetector computed tomography after surgery with the association of at least one patent LITA and one patent RA graft. Results: Twelve patients (46%) are alive with no angina symptoms. Six patients underwent a second image exam 12 to 16 years (average of 14 years) after surgery, with a total of six LITA-LADA and 14 RA grafts with 100% patency rate. Clinical follow-up five to 23 years after surgery (average of 14 years) showed only one death 12 years after surgery related to coronary artery disease (CAD) (3,8%). Another 12 patients died of non-CAD. Conclusion: Patients with midterm associated LITA and RA patent grafts show similar optimal long-term patency rates of both types of grafts with excellent clinical outcome.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Deep sternal wound infections (DSWI) are so serious and costly that hospital services continue to strive to control and prevent these outcomes. Microcosting is the more accurate approach in economic healthcare evaluation, but there are no studies in this field applying this method to compare DSWI after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This study aims to evaluate the incremental risk-adjusted costs of DSWI on isolated CABG. Methods: This is a retrospective, single-center observational cohort study with a propensity score matching for infected and non-infected patients to compare incremental risk-adjusted costs between groups. Data to homogeneity sample was obtained from a multicentric database, REPLICCAR II, and additional sources of information about costs were achieved with the electronic hospital system (Si3). Inflation variation and dollar quotation in the study period were corrected using the General Market Price Index. Groups were compared using analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression was performed to evaluate the cost drivers related to the event. Results: As expected, infections were costly; deep infection increased the costs by 152% and mediastinitis by 188%. Groups differed among hospital stay, exams, medications, and multidisciplinary labor, and hospital stay costs were the most critical cost driver. Conclusion: In summary, our results demonstrate the incremental costs of a detailed microcosting evaluation of infections on CABG patients in São Paulo, Brazil. Hospital stay was an important cost driver identified, demonstrating the importance of evaluating patients’ characteristics and managing risks for a faster, safer, and more effective discharge.

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the impact of adherence to the cardiac surgical checklist on mortality at the teaching hospital. Methods A retrospective cohort study after the implementation of the cardiac surgical safety checklist in a reference hospital in Latin America. All patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery and/or heart valve surgery from 2013 to 2019 were analyzed. After the implementation of the project InCor-Checklist “Five steps to safe cardiac surgery” in 2015, the correlation between adherence and completeness of this instrument with surgical mortality was assessed. The EuroSCORE II was used as a reference to assess the risk of expected mortality for patients. Cross-sectional questionnaires were during the implementation of the InCor-Checklist. To perform the correlation, Pearson’s coefficient was calculated using R software. Results Since 2013, data from 8139 patients have been analyzed. The average annual mortality was 5.98%. In 2015, the instrument was used in only 58% of patients; in contrast, it was used in 100% of patients in 2019. There was a decrease in surgical mortality from 8.22% to 3.13% for the same group of procedures. The results indicate that the greater the checklist use, the lower the surgical mortality (r = 88.9%). In addition, the greater the InCor-Checklist completeness, the lower the surgical mortality (r = 94.1%). Conclusion In the formation of the surgical patient safety culture, the implementation and adherence to the InCor-Checklist “Five steps to safe cardiac surgery” was associated with decreased mortality after cardiac surgery. HIGHLIGHTS Checklists avoid human errors and are commonly used in high-reliability industries. The “InCor Checklist” was associated with decreased mortality over time. Adherence, completeness, and sustainability within public policies are necessary.

Abstract The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic brings numerous challenges to the health ecosystem, including the safe resumption of elective cardiac surgery. In the pre-pandemic period, rapid recovery protocols demonstrated, through strategies focused on the multidisciplinary approach, reduction of hospital length of stay, infection rates and, consequently, costs. Even with several studies proving the benefits of these protocols, their acceptance and implementation have been slow. It is believed that the resumption of surgeries in the current context requires the use of rapid recovery protocols combined with the use of a mobile application promoting greater engagement between patients, caregivers and care teams.

Resumo Fundamento Resultados prévios com o uso de circulação extracorpórea (CEC) geram dificuldades na escolha do melhor tratamento para cada paciente na cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica (CRM) no contexto atual. Objetivo Avaliar o impacto da CEC no cenário atual da CRM no estado de São Paulo. Métodos Foram analisados 2.905 pacientes submetidos à CRM de forma consecutiva em 11 centros do estado de São Paulo pertencentes ao Registro Paulista de Cirurgia Cardiovascular (REPLICCAR) I. Dados perioperatórios e de seguimento foram colocados via on-line por especialistas treinados e capacitados em cada hospital. Foram analisadas as associações das variáveis perioperatórias com o tipo de procedimento (com ou sem CEC) e com os desfechos. A mortalidade esperada foi calculada por meio do EuroSCORE II (ESII). Os valores de p menores de 5% foram considerados significativos. Resultados Não houve diferença significativa em relação à idade dos pacientes entre os grupos (p=0,081). Dentre os pacientes, 72,9% eram de sexo masculino; 542 pacientes foram operados sem CEC (18,7%). Das características pré-operatórias, pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) prévio (p=0,005) e disfunção ventricular (p=0,031) foram operados com CEC; no entanto, pacientes de emergência ou em classe funcional New York Heart Association (NYHA) IV foram operados sem CEC (p<0,001). O valor do ESII foi semelhante para ambos os grupos (p=0,427). Na CRM sem CEC, houve preferência pelo uso do enxerto radial (p<0,001) e com CEC pela artéria mamária direita (p<0,001). No pós-operatório, o uso de CEC esteve associado com reoperação por sangramento (p=0,012). Conclusão Atualmente, no REPLICCAR, reoperação por sangramento foi o único desfecho associado ao uso da CEC na CRM. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(4):595-601)

Abstract Background Previous results on the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) have generated difficulties in choosing the best treatment for each patient undergoing myocardial revascularization surgery (CABG) in the current context. Objective Evaluate the current impact of CPB in CABG in São Paulo State. Methods A total of 2905 patients who underwent CABG were consecutively analyzed in 11 São Paulo State centers belonging to the São Paulo Registry of Cardiovascular Surgery (REPLICCAR) I. Perioperative and follow-up data were included online by trained specialists in each hospital. Associations of the perioperative variables with the type of procedure and with the outcomes were analyzed. The study outcomes were morbidity and operative mortality. The expected mortality was calculated using EuroSCORE II (ESII). The values of p <5% were considered significant. Results There were no significant differences concerning the patients’ age between the groups (p=0.081). 72.9% of the patients were males. Of the patients, 542 underwent surgery without CPB (18.7%). Of the preoperative characteristics, patients with previous myocardial infarction (p=0.005) and ventricular dysfunction (p=0.031) underwent surgery with CPB. However, emergency or New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV patients underwent surgery without CPB (p<0.001). The ESII value was similar in both groups (p=0.427). In CABG without CPB, the radial graft was preferred (p<0.001), and in CABG with CPB the right mammary artery was the preferred one (p<0.001). In the postoperative period, CPB use was associated with reoperation for bleeding (p=0.012). Conclusion Currently in the REPLICCAR, reoperation for bleeding was the only outcome associated with the use of CPB in CABG. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(4):595-601)

INTRODUÇÃO: A esternotomia mediana longitudinal é a via de acesso mais utilizada no tratamento das doenças cardíacas. As infecções profundas da ferida operatória no pós-operatório das cirurgias cardiovasculares são uma complicação séria, com alto custo durante o tratamento. Diferentes estudos têm encontrado fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de mediastinite e as variáveis pré-operatórias têm tido especial destaque. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo é identificar fatores de risco pré-operatórios para o desenvolvimento de mediastinite em pacientes submetidos a revascularização do miocárdio e a substituição valvar. MÉTODOS: Este estudo observacional representa uma coorte de 2768 pacientes operados consecutivamente. O período considerado para análise foi de maio de 2007 a maio de 2009 e não houve critérios de exclusão. Foi realizada análise univariada e multivariada pelo modelo de regressão logística das 38 variáveis pré-operatórias eleitas. RESULTADOS: Nesta série, 35 (1,3%) pacientes evoluíram com mediastinite e 19 (0,7%) com osteomielite associada. A idade média dos pacientes foi de 59,9 ± 13,5 anos e o EuroSCORE de 4,5 ± 3,6. A mortalidade hospitalar foi de 42,8%. Na análise multivariada, foram identificadas três variáveis como preditoras independentes de mediastinite: balão intra-aórtico (OR 5,41, 95% IC [1,83 -16,01], P=0,002), hemodiálise (OR 4,87, 95% IC [1,41 - 16,86], P=0,012) e intervenção vascular extracardíaca (OR 4,39, 95% IC [1,64 - 11,76], P=0,003). CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo demonstrou que necessidade do suporte hemodinâmico pré-operatório com balão intra-aórtico, hemodiálise e intervenção vascular extracardíaca são fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de mediastinite após cirurgia cardíaca.

BACKGROUND: Longitudinal median sternotomy is the most common surgical approach for access to heart disease treatment. The deep wound infections in postoperative period of cardiovascular surgery are a serious complication requiring high costs during treatment. Different studies have indicated some risk factors for the development of mediastinitis and preoperative variables are currently under investigation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to identify the preoperative risk factors for postoperative development of mediastinitis in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and valve replacement. METHODS: This observational study represents a cohort of 2768 consecutive operated patients. The period considered for analysis was from May 2007 to May 2009 and there were no exclusion criteria. Analysis was performed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression model of 38 preoperative variables. RESULTS: Thirty-five (1.3%) patients developed mediastinitis and 19 (0.7%) associated with osteomyelitis. The patient age average was 59.9 ± 13.5 years and the EuroSCORE of 4.5 ± 3.6. Hospital mortality was 42.8%. The multivariate analysis identified three variables as independent predictors of postoperative mediastinitis: intra-aortic balloon pump (OR 5.41, 95% CI [1.83 -16.01], P = 0.002), hemodialysis (OR 4.87, 95% CI [1.41 to 16.86], P = 0.012) and extracardiac vascular intervention (OR 4.39, 95% CI [1.64 to 11.76], P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: This study showed that necessity of preoperative hemodynamic support with intra-aortic balloon, hemodialysis, and extracardiac vascular intervention were risk factors for development of mediastinitis after cardiac surgery.