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Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent and severe complication in cardiac surgery. Normal renal function is dependent on adequate renal perfusion, which may be altered in the perioperative period. Renal perfusion can be assessed with Doppler measurement. We aimed to determine the association between Doppler measurements of renal perfusion and the development of AKI. This was a prospective, observational study of 100 patients with ≥ one risk factor for postoperative AKI undergoing open-heart surgery. Doppler ultrasound examinations were performed before surgery and on the first and fourth postoperative day. AKI was defined according to the KDIGO criteria and subdivided into mild (KDIGO stage 1) and severe AKI (KDIGO stage 2 + 3). Thirty-three patients developed AKI, 25 developed mild and eight developed severe AKI. Abnormal renal venous flow pattern on the first postoperative day was significantly associated with the development of severe AKI (OR 8.54 (95% CI 1.01; 72.2), P = 0.046), as were portal pulsatility fraction (OR 1.07 (95% CI 1.02; 1.13), P = 0.005). Point-of-care Doppler ultrasound measurements of renal perfusion are associated with the development of AKI after cardiac surgery. Renal and portal Doppler ultrasonography can be used to identify patients at high risk or very low risk of AKI after cardiac surgery.

Background The perioperative complications in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery have been reported predominantly from developed countries, with a paucity of data from sub-Saharan Africa. We aim to report on the clinical characteristics and perioperative complications in patients with obstructive coronary artery disease, managed with CABG surgery at a tertiary academic hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. Methods We retrospectively reviewed data from adult patients who underwent CABG surgery during a 17-year period (January 2000 – December 2017). Data was collected from the cardiothoracic surgery department’s pre- and postoperative reports, the cardiology department’s medical records, and anaesthesiology’s intra-operative reports. We collected demographic, biochemical, clinical, surgical, echocardiographic, and angiographic data. Outcomes data collected included perioperative complications and mortality. Results We analysed 1218 consecutive patient records. The study cohort consisted of 951 (78.1%) males, and the mean age was 60.1 ± 10.1 years. During the study period, 137 (11.2%) patients demised with cardiac and sepsis-related causes of death accounting for 49.6 and 37.2%, respectively. Other perioperative complications included excessive bleeding in 222 (18.2%), prolonged ventilation (exceeding 48 h) in 139 (11.4%), and sternal sepsis in 125 (10.3%). On univariate logistic regression analysis, advanced age, a lower left ventricular ejection fraction, smoking, increased cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, and a higher European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) II were all significantly associated with mortality. The EuroSCORE II [OR: 0.15 95%CI: 0.09–0.22; p = 0.000], and prolonged CPB time [OR: 0.01 CI: 0.00–0.02; p = 0.000] were independent predictors of in-hospital all-cause mortality. Conclusions In our study, the crude perioperative mortality rate was 11.2%. Our mortality rate was significantly higher than the mortality rates reported in other developed and developing countries. To better understand the factors driving this high mortality rate, a prospective outcomes registry has been initiated, and this promises to inform on our contemporary mortality and morbidity outcomes.

Background: Transfusion of blood products is increasingly recognised as an independent predictor of poor outcome after cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to audit blood transfusion usage in a cardiothoracic unit at a tertiary academic centre, as part of a plan to establish a blood-conservation protocol. Methods: A descriptive, retrospective audit. A consecutive convenience sampling method was used. One hundred and twenty-two adult patients who underwent their first elective cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were enrolled. Results: The mean age of the population studied was 46.7 (16.2) years. Patients were predominantly male (60.7%). The mean (standard deviation) body mass index was 21.4 (5.6) kg/m 2. Preoperative haemoglobin (Hb) and platelet counts were 12.8 (2.3) g/dl and 274.4 (121.9) 10 9 /l, respectively. Following a clear fluid prime CPB technique, with a median [interquartile range (IQR)] priming volume of 1500 (1000-2000) ml, the first Hb measured on CPB was 8.9 (1.6) g/dl. Overall, 110 (90.2%) patients received donor blood products. Eighty-five (77.3%) patients received red blood cells (RBCs), 103 (93.6%) fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and 35 (31.8%) platelet transfusion. A total of 255 RBC, 225 FFP and 37 platelet units were transfused. Cell salvage technique was used in 94 (77.0%) patients. The median (IQR) volume of salvaged blood was 535 (250-754) ml. Conclusion: A high rate of homologous blood product transfusion was found in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Lack of institution-specific guidelines, point-of-care devices and use of higher Hb thresholds before initiating blood product transfusions contributed to high rate of transfusions.

Background Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are the commonest congenital anomalies of the head and neck. Their aetiology is multifactorial, and prevalence has a geographical variation. This study sought to describe OFC cases that presented for surgery. Objectives The study aimed to describe the preoperative characteristics, concomitant congenital anomalies and perioperative outcomes of children presenting for cleft repair surgery over a 5-year period at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH). Methods A retrospective descriptive record review for children under the age of 14 years who presented for cleft repair surgery at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) during a 5-year period, from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2018. Descriptive and comparative statistics were used to report the results. Results A total of 175 records were included in the study. The median (IQR) age was 11 (6—27) months, with a predominance of males 98 (56%). Most of the children had cleft lip and palate (CLP) 71(41%). The prevalence of concomitant congenital anomalies was 22%, emanating mostly from head and neck congenital anomalies. Nine syndromes were identified in 15 children with syndromic clefts. Twenty-nine percent of children were underweight for age. There were 25 anaesthetic related complications, commonly airway related. Six children with complex multiple congenital anomalies were admitted in the intensive care unit postoperatively. No mortalities were recorded. Conclusion Majority of children with orofacial clefts underwent cleft repair surgery without serious complications and intensive care unit admission. Only six children were diagnosed with significant anomalies needing intensive care management.

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