Background Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) targets are empirically chosen during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We have previously shown that near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can be used clinically for monitoring cerebral blood flow autoregulation. The hypothesis of this study was that real-time autoregulation monitoring using NIRS-based methods is more accurate for delineating the MAP at the lower limit of autoregulation (LLA) during CPB than empiric determinations based on age, preoperative history, and preoperative blood pressure. Methods Two hundred thirty-two patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft and/or valve surgery with CPB underwent transcranial Doppler monitoring of the middle cerebral arteries and NIRS monitoring. A continuous, moving Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated between MAP and cerebral blood flow velocity, and between MAP and NIRS data to generate mean velocity index and cerebral oximeter index. When autoregulated, there is no correlation between cerebral blood flow and MAP (i.e., mean velocity and cerebral oximetry indices approach 0); when MAP is below the LLA, mean velocity and cerebral oximetry indices approach 1. The LLA was defined as the MAP where mean velocity index increased with declining MAP to ≥ 0.4. Linear regression was performed to assess the relation between preoperative systolic blood pressure, MAP, MAP in 10% decrements from baseline, and average cerebral oximetry index with MAP at the LLA. Results The MAP at the LLA was 66 mmHg (95% prediction interval, 43 to 90 mmHg) for the 225 patients in which this limit was observed. There was no relationship between preoperative MAP and the LLA (p = 0.829) after adjusting for age, gender, prior stroke, diabetes, and hypertension, but a cerebral oximetry index value of >0.5 was associated with the LLA (p=0.022). The LLA could be identified with cerebral oximetry index in 219 (94.4%) patients. The mean difference in the LLA for mean velocity index versus cerebral oximetry index was −0.2±10.2 mmHg (95%CI, −1.5 to 1.2 mmHg). Preoperative systolic blood pressure was associated with a higher LLA (p=0.046) but only for those with systolic blood pressure ≤160 mmHg. Conclusions There is a wide range of MAP at the LLA in patients during CPB making estimating this target difficult. Real-time monitoring of autoregulation with cerebral oximetry index may provide a more rational means for individualizing MAP during CPB.

Objectives To determine whether mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) excursions below the lower limit of cerebral blood flow (CBF) autoregulation during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) after surgery. Setting Tertiary care medical center. Patients Four hundred ten patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB. Design Prospective observational study. Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results Autoregulation was monitored during CPB by calculating a continuous, moving Pearson’s correlation coefficient between MAP and processed near-infrared spectroscopy signals to generate the variable cerebral oximetry index (COx). When MAP is below the lower limit of autoregulation, COx approaches 1, because CBF is pressure passive. An identifiable lower limit of autoregulation was ascertained in 348 patients. Based on the RIFLE criteria, AKI developed within 7 days of surgery in 121 (34.8%) of these patients. Although the average MAP during CPB did not differ, the MAP at the limit of autoregulation and the duration and degree to which MAP was below the autoregulation threshold (mmHg × min/hr of CPB) were both higher in patients with AKI than in those without AKI. Excursions of MAP below the lower limit of autoregulation (relative risk, 1.02, 95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 1.03, p<0.0001) and diabetes (relative risk, 1.78, 95% confidence interval, 1.27 to 2.50, p=0.001) were independently associated with for AKI. Conclusions Excursions of MAP below the limit of autoregulation and not absolute MAP are independently associated with for AKI. Monitoring COx may provide a novel method for precisely guiding MAP targets during CPB.

Objectives Optimizing blood pressure using near-infrared spectroscopy monitoring has been suggested to ensure organ perfusion during cardiac surgery. Near-infrared spectroscopy is a reliable surrogate for cerebral blood flow in clinical cerebral autoregulation monitoring and might provide an earlier warning of malperfusion than indicators of cerebral ischemia. We hypothesized that blood pressure below the limits of cerebral autoregulation during cardiopulmonary bypass would be associated with major morbidity and operative mortality after cardiac surgery. Methods Autoregulation was monitored during cardiopulmonary bypass in 450 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valve surgery. A continuous, moving Pearson’s correlation coefficient was calculated between the arterial pressure and low-frequency near-infrared spectroscopy signals and displayed continuously during surgery using a laptop computer. The area under the curve of the product of the duration and magnitude of blood pressure below the limits of autoregulation was compared between patients with and without major morbidity (eg, stroke, renal failure, mechanical lung ventilation >48 hours, inotrope use >24 hours, or intra-aortic balloon pump insertion) or operative mortality. Results Of the 450 patients, 83 experienced major morbidity or operative mortality. The area under the curve of the product of the duration and magnitude of blood pressure below the limits of autoregulation was independently associated with major morbidity or operative mortality after cardiac surgery (odds ratio, 1.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.08–1.71; P = .008). Conclusions Blood pressure management during cardiopulmonary bypass using physiologic endpoints such as cerebral autoregulation monitoring might provide a method of optimizing organ perfusion and improving patient outcomes from cardiac surgery.

Background: The MOMENTUM 3 study (Multicenter Study of MagLev Technology in Patients Undergoing Mechanical Circulatory Support Therapy With HeartMate 3) has demonstrated that the HeartMate 3 (HM3) pump is associated with reduced strokes compared with the HeartMate II (HMII) device. We now perform a comprehensive analysis of stroke events to evaluate their longitudinal occurrence, clinical correlates, patterns, and impact on outcome across the 2-year duration of support. Methods: MOMENTUM 3 is a randomized controlled trial of the HM3 centrifugal-flow pump versus the HMII axial-flow pump in patients with advanced heart failure, regardless of the intended goal of support (bridge to transplantation or destination therapy). Baseline and postimplantation clinical correlates of stroke events were assessed with multivariable analyses. Longitudinal patterns, including device association, type of stroke (hemorrhagic versus ischemic), changing severity of impairment assessed with the modified Rankin Scale (disabling [modified Rankin Scale score >3] versus nondisabling [modified Rankin Scale score ≤3]) over time, and association with outcome, were determined. Results: In 361 patients with the intended implant (189 HM3 and 172 HMII), 65 strokes (40 ischemic strokes and 25 hemorrhagic strokes) occurred in 52 patients at a median of 131 (range, 1–733) days. No difference in stroke rate was noted between 0 and 180 days of follow-up between devices. However, stroke incidence in the long-term period (181–730 days after left ventricular assist device) was 3.3 times lower for the HM3 group (HM3: 0.04 versus HMII: 0.13 events per patient-year; odds ratio, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.08–0.63; P =0.01). Treatment with the HM3 pump was the only independent predictor of lower stroke events. We found no direct association of blood pressure or antithrombotic regimens with observed stroke rates. A stroke event significantly lowered 2-year postimplantation survival regardless of subtype or initial severity of neurological impairment compared with patients without a stroke (43±12% for hemorrhagic stroke, 57±9% for ischemic stroke, 51±11% for disabling, and 51±11% for nondisabling compared with 85±2% 2-year survival for patients without stroke). Conclusions: The HM3 pump is associated with a marked reduction in stroke rates compared with the HMII device, with benefits observed in the long-term period (>6 months). The occurrence of stroke of any type (hemorrhagic and ischemic) or of any functional severity (disabling and nondisabling) is predictive of a poor 2-year clinical outcome. Clinical Trial Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ . Unique identifier: NCT02224755.

Background Erythrocyte cell membranes undergo morphologic changes during storage, but it is unclear whether these changes are reversible. We assessed erythrocyte cell membrane deformability in patients before and after transfusion to determine the effects of storage duration and whether changes in deformability are reversible after transfusion. Methods Sixteen patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion surgery were studied. Erythrocyte deformability was compared between those who required moderate transfusion (≥5 units erythrocytes) and those who received minimal transfusion (0–4 units erythrocytes). Deformability was measured in samples drawn directly from the blood storage bags before transfusion, and in samples drawn from patients before and after transfusion (over 3 postoperative days). In samples taken from the blood storage bags, we compared deformability of erythrocytes stored for a long duration (≥21 days), those stored for a shorter duration (<21 days), and cell-salvaged erythrocytes. Deformability was assessed quantitatively using the elongation index (EI) measured by ektacytometry, a method which determines the ability for the cell to elongate when exposed to shear stress. Results Erythrocyte deformability was significantly decreased from the preoperative baseline in patients after moderate transfusion (EI decreased by 12±4 to 20±6 %) (P = 0.03) but not after minimal transfusion (EI decreased by 3±1 to 4±1 %) (P = 0.68). These changes did not reverse over 3 postoperative days. Deformability was significantly less in erythrocytes stored for ≥21 days (EI = 0.28±0.02) than in those stored for <21 days (EI = 0.33±0.02) (P = 0.001) or those drawn from patients preoperatively (EI = 0.33±0.02) (P = 0.001). Cell-salvaged erythrocytes had intermediate deformability (EI = 0.30±0.03) that was greater than that of erythrocytes stored ≥21 days (P = 0.047), but less than that of erythrocytes stored <21 days (P = 0.03). Conclusions The findings demonstrate that increased duration of erythrocyte storage is associated with decreased cell membrane deformability and that these changes are not readily reversible after transfusion.

Nocturnal exposure of the esophagus to acid occurs frequently in patients with LA grades C and D esophagitis. Thus, the existence of NAB with resulting nocturnal acid reflux should be considered when the patient with high-grade esophagitis shows resistance to PPI treatment.

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The surface properties of three different resin composite materials which influence Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation were evaluated using an artificial mouth system (AMS). Specimens were prepared from Clearfil AP-X, Grandio, and Reactmer Paste, and each material was divided into two groups: (1) surface was ground with 800-grit silicon paper (SiC＃800); or (2) surface was polished with up to 1-μm diamond paste (DP1μm). Biofilms were grown on the surface of each specimen for 20 hours, and then subjected to vortex agitation followed by measurement of retained biofilms. Surfaces with retained biofilms were also inspected by SEM. Significant differences were detected in surface roughness (Ra) between the two polishing conditions for all materials. The quantity of retained biofilm was significantly less (p<0.05) on Clearfil AP-X DP 1μm than on Clearfil AP-X SiC＃800. With Reactmer Paste, their surfaces registered the lowest amount of retained biofilm -but there were no significant differences between the two polishing conditions. In conclusion, polishing did not render all resin composites equally resistant to biofilm formation.