心脏外科术后深部胸骨切口感染的流行病学特点及病原体分层

目的:探讨心脏外科术后深部胸骨切口感染(Deep sternal wound infection,DSWI)患者的流行病学特点及病原体分层。方法:回顾性分析2012年1月至2014年12月中国医科大学航空总医院心胸外科84例接受肌瓣修复重建手术治疗的心脏手术后DSWI患者的临床资料。结果:(1)84例DSWI患者平均年龄54.6±14.8岁,其中女性患者34例(40.5%),初始手术类型中,冠状动脉旁路移植术CABG患者最常见,43例(51.2%);DSWI患者在ICU住院时间1.3±2.9天,总住院时间27.7±14.5天,医疗费用45025±29547元(人民币)。DSWI患者最常见的始发症状为发热和伤口裂开、分泌脓性分泌物。(2)84例DSWI患者中37例(44.0%)有明确病原学诊断,最常见的病原菌为革兰阴性杆菌(Gram-negative bacilli,GNB)(54.8%),GNB中最常见的是铜绿假单胞菌,其次是鲍曼不动杆菌。(3)主动脉手术患者(4/9,44.4%)与CABG患者(6/43,14.0%)、瓣膜置换术患者(2/15,13.3%)比较,更易并发革兰阳性球菌相关性DSWI;吸烟、CABG患者易感染革兰阴性杆菌。革兰阴性杆菌相关性DSWI患者ICU住院时间(2.3±4.3天vs.1.9±4.0天)、总住院时间(31.2±17.7天vs.30.3±19.4天)更长,医疗费用更高(55702±33822元vs.52389±40967元),尽管没有统计学意义。结论:革兰阴性杆菌是DSWI最常见的病原菌,由革兰阴性杆菌引起的DSWI进一步增加了患者的医疗负担,且某些DSWI危险因素可能与特定的病原学有关。     

First Evidence of Sternal Wound Biofilm following Cardiac Surgery

Management of deep sternal wound infection (SWI), a serious complication after cardiac surgery with high morbidity and mortality incidence, requires invasive procedures such as, debridement with primary closure or myocutaneous flap reconstruction along with use of broad spectrum antibiotics. The purpose of this clinical series is to investigate the presence of biofilm in patients with deep SWI. A biofilm is a complex microbial community in which bacteria attach to a biological or non-biological surface and are embedded in a self-produced extracellular polymeric substance. Biofilm related infections represent a major clinical challenge due to their resistance to both host immune defenses and standard antimicrobial therapies. Candidates for this clinical series were patients scheduled for a debridement procedure of an infected sternal wound after a cardiac surgery. Six patients with SWI were recruited in the study. All cases had marked dehiscence of all layers of the wound down to the sternum with no signs of healing after receiving broad spectrum antibiotics post-surgery. After consenting patients, tissue and/or extracted stainless steel wires were collected during the debridement procedure. Debrided tissues examined by Gram stain showed large aggregations of Gram positive cocci. Immuno-fluorescent staining of the debrided tissues using a specific antibody against staphylococci demonstrated the presence of thick clumps of staphylococci colonizing the wound bed. Evaluation of tissue samples with scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging showed three-dimensional aggregates of these cocci attached to the wound surface. More interestingly, SEM imaging of the extracted wires showed attachment of cocci aggregations to the wire metal surface. These observations along with the clinical presentation of the patients provide the first evidence that supports the presence of biofilm in such cases. Clinical introduction of the biofilm infection concept in deep SWI may advance the current management strategies from standard antimicrobial therapy to anti-biofilm strategy.     

心脏外科术后心房颤动的研究进展

心房颤动(Atrial Fibrillation,AF)是心脏术后较常见的并发症之一.它不但增加患者的住院天数和住院费用,而且还可以引起术后栓塞、脑血管以外和心功能衰竭的发生.研究发现术前高龄、左房增大、术后停用β受体阻滞剂等是心脏术后房颤发生的危险因素.现对其发生的危险因素、预防策略和药物治疗进行总结.     

Relation of Neurological Findings after Cardiac Arrest to Outcome

Routine neurological examination of patients one hour after cardiac arrest seems to be of value in determining the prognosis for life and likelihood of intellectual impairment.In 48 patients 53 episodes of cardiac arrest were followed by serial neurological examinations. Patients were divided into two groups according to neurological findings one hour after cardiac arrest. Patients in group 1 were unresponsive or at most responded in a reflex fashion to painful stimuli at one hour; these patients died or survived with intellectual damage. Patients in group 2 responded purposefully at one hour and survived without neurological damage. These patients commonly showed transient confusional states and a variety of other non-focal abnormalities, and focal signs were seen occasionally.     

用降钙素原和白细胞联合能预测心脏手术病人的感染

为了探讨通过结合C反应蛋白(C-reactive protein, CRP)、白细胞(leukocyte, WBC)和降钙素原(procalcitonin, PCT)来预测大批心脏病手术患者术后感染的可行性,本研究病例对照研究涉及423例接受心肺心脏搭桥手术的心脏病患者。基于在术后期间是否有严重的败血症或化脓性休克,病人被分成两组。在重症监护病房的第1天,提取用于生物测量(PCT, CRP和WBC)的血液样本,然后每天早上提取1次,直到术后第10天。研究发现,两组群体的CRP中值类似。在10 d术后期间,感染病人群体中的WBC和PCT中值明显比未感染的群体高。高程截止≤3次(概率:4.058, 95%置信区间:2.206～7.463; p=0.001)和高程截止≥4次(概率:10.274, 95%置信区间:3.690～28.604; p<0.001),在术后第2天,随着感染的发展,PCT中值(1.7 ng/mL)和/或WBC中值(13 000个细胞/mm3)发生了明显的变化。本研究初步表明,在术后前3 d,PCT和WBC水平结合,能够预测接下来30 d心脏手术的术后感染情况,具有一定的临床应用价值。     

Contaminated Heparin and Outcomes after Cardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Propensity-Matched Cohort Study

Background

During 2007 and 2008 it is likely that millions of patients in the US received heparin contaminated (CH) with oversulfated chondroitin sulfate, which was associated with anaphylactoid reactions. We tested the hypothesis that CH was associated with serious morbidity, mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) stay and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia following adult cardiac surgery.

Methods and Findings

We conducted a single center, retrospective, propensity-matched cohort study during the period of CH and the equivalent time frame in the three preceding or the two following years. Perioperative data were obtained from the institutional record of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Database, for which the data collection is prospective, standardized and performed by independent investigators. After matching, logistic regression was performed to evaluate the independent effect of CH on the composite adverse outcome (myocardial infarction, stroke, pneumonia, dialysis, cardiac arrest) and on mortality. Cox regression was used to determine the association between CH and ICU length of stay. The 1∶5 matched groups included 220 patients potentially exposed to CH and 918 controls. There were more adverse outcomes in the exposed cohort (20.9% versus 12.0%; difference = 8.9%; 95% CI 3.6% to 15.1%, P<0.001) with an odds ratio for CH of 2.0 (95% CI, 1.4 to 3.0, P<0.001). In the exposed group there was a non-significant increase in mortality (5.9% versus 3.5%, difference = 2.4%; 95% CI, −0.4 to 3.5%, P = 0.1), the median ICU stay was longer by 14.1 hours (interquartile range −26.6 to 79.8, S = 3299, P = 0.0004) with an estimated hazard ratio for CH of 1.2 (95% CI, 1.0 to 1.4, P = 0.04). There was no difference in nadir platelet counts between cohorts.

Conclusions

The results from this single center study suggest the possibility that contaminated heparin might have contributed to serious morbidity following cardiac surgery.     

Pacemaker Dependency after Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review of Current Evidence

Background

Severe postoperative conduction disturbances requiring permanent pacemaker implantation frequently occur following cardiac surgery. Little is known about the long-term pacing requirements and risk factors for pacemaker dependency in this population.

Methods

We performed a systematic review of the literature addressing rates and predictors of pacemaker dependency in patients requiring permanent pacemaker implantation after cardiac surgery. Using a comprehensive search of the Medline, Web of Science and EMBASE databases, studies were selected for review based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results

A total of 8 studies addressing the endpoint of pacemaker-dependency were identified, while 3 studies were found that addressed the recovery of atrioventricular (AV) conduction endpoint. There were 10 unique studies with a total of 780 patients. Mean follow-up ranged from 6–72 months. Pacemaker dependency rates ranged from 32%-91% and recovery of AV conduction ranged from 16%-42%. There was significant heterogeneity with respect to the definition of pacemaker dependency. Several patient and procedure-specific variables were found to be independently associated with pacemaker dependency, but these were not consistent between studies.

Conclusions

Pacemaker dependency following cardiac surgery occurs with variable frequency. While individual studies have identified various perioperative risk factors for pacemaker dependency and non-resolution of AV conduction disease, results have been inconsistent. Well-conducted studies using a uniform definition of pacemaker dependency might identify patients who will benefit most from early permanent pacemaker implantation after cardiac surgery.     

Carvedilol for Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation after Cardiac Surgery: A Meta-Analysis

Background

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) remains the most common complication after cardiac surgery. Current guidelines recommend β-blockers to prevent POAF. Carvedilol is a non-selective β-adrenergic blocker with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and multiple cationic channel blocking properties. These unique properties of carvedilol have generated interest in its use as a prophylaxis for POAF.

Objective

To investigate the efficacy of carvedilol in preventing POAF.

Methods

PubMed from the inception to September 2013 was searched for studies assessing the effect of carvedilol on POAF occurrence. Pooled relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using random- or fixed-effect models when appropriate. Six comparative trials (three randomized controlled trials and three nonrandomized controlled trials) including 765 participants met the inclusion criteria.

Results

Carvedilol was associated with a significant reduction in POAF (relative risk [RR] 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.37 to 0.64, p<0.001). Subgroup analyses yielded similar results. In a subgroup analysis, carvedilol appeared to be superior to metoprolol for the prevention of POAF (RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.70, p<0.001). No evidence of heterogeneity was observed.

Conclusions

In conclusion, carvedilol may effectively reduce the incidence of POAF in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. It appeared to be superior to metoprolol. A large-scale, well-designed randomized controlled trial is needed to conclusively answer the question regarding the utility of carvedilol in the prevention of POAF.     

IL-15 Superagonist Expands mCD8+ T,NK and NKT Cells after Burn Injury but Fails to Improve Outcome during Burn Wound Infection

Background

Severely burned patients are highly susceptible to opportunistic infections and sepsis, owing to the loss of the protective skin barrier and immunological dysfunction. Interleukin-15 (IL-15) belongs to the IL-2 family of common gamma chain cytokines and stimulates the proliferation and activation of T (specifically memory CD8), NK and NKT cells. It has been shown to preserve T cell function and improve survival during cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis in mice. However, the therapeutic efficacy of IL-15 or IL-15 superagonist (SA) during infection after burn injury has not been evaluated. Moreover, very few, if any, studies have examined, in detail, the effect of burn injury and infection on the adaptive immune system. Thus, we examined the effect of burn and sepsis on adaptive immune cell populations and the effect of IL-15 SA treatment on the host response to infection.

Methods

Mice were subjected to a 35% total body surface area burn, followed by wound infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In some experiments, IL-15 SA was administered after burn injury, but before infection. Leukocytes in spleen, liver and peritoneal cavity were characterized using flow cytometry. Bacterial clearance, organ injury and survival were also assessed.

Results

Burn wound infection led to a significant decline in total white blood cell and lymphocyte counts and induced organ injury and sepsis. Burn injury caused decline in CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells in the spleen, which was worsened by infection. IL-15 treatment inhibited this decline and significantly increased cell numbers and activation, as determined by CD69 expression, of CD4⁺, CD8⁺, B, NK and NKT cells in the spleen and liver after burn injury. However, IL-15 SA treatment failed to prevent burn wound sepsis-induced loss of CD4⁺, CD8⁺, B, NK and NKT cells and failed to improve bacterial clearance and survival.

Conclusion

Cutaneous burn injury and infection cause significant adaptive immune dysfunction. IL-15 SA does not augment host resistance to burn wound sepsis in mice despite inducing proliferation and activation of lymphocyte subsets.     

Surgery Issue: Tissue-Engineered Blood Vessels in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

Pediatric cardiovascular surgeons often encounter patients requiring surgical intervention utilizing foreign materials to repair complex lesions. However, the materials that are commonly used lack growth potential, and long-term results have revealed several material-related failures, such as stenosis, thromboembolization, calcium deposition, and risk of infection. To solve these problems, in particular for children who require the implantation of dynamic material with growth potential, we sought to develop optimal filling materials with biocompatibility and growth potential. Previously, we reported the advantages of tissue-engineered vascular autografts (TEVAs) in animal models and in human clinical applications utilizing autologous cells and biodegradable scaffolds. The key benefits from utilizing such scaffolds is that they degrade in vivo, thereby avoiding the long-term presence of foreign ma-terials, and the seeded cells proliferate and differentiate to construct new tissue.     

The Mobilization and Recruitment of C-Kit+ Cells Contribute to Wound Healing after Surgery

Delayed wound healing is a serious clinical problem in patients after surgery. A recent study has demonstrated that bone marrow-derived c-kit-positive (c-kit⁺) cells play important roles in repairing and regenerating various tissues and organs. To examine the hypothesis that surgical injury induces the mobilization and recruitment of c-kit+ cells to accelerate wound healing. Mice were subjected to a left pneumonectomy. The mobilization of c-kit+ cells was monitored after surgery. Using green fluorescent protein (GFP⁺) bone marrow-transplanted chimera mice, we investigated further whether the mobilized c-kit+ cells were recruited to effect wound healing in a skin puncture model. The group with left pneumonectomies increased the c-kit⁺ and CD34⁺ stem cells in peripheral blood 24 h after surgery. At 3 days after surgery, the skin wound size was observed to be significantly smaller, and the number of bone marrow-derived GFP⁺ cells and GFP⁺/c-kit+ cells in the wound tissue was significantly greater in mice that had received pneumonectomies, as compared with those that had received a sham operation. Furthermore, some of these GFP⁺ cells were positively expressed specific markers of macrophages (F4/80), endothelial cells (CD31), and myofibroblasts (αSMA). The administration of AMD3100, an antagonist of a stromal-cell derived factor (SDF)-1/CXCR4 signaling pathway, reduced the number of GFP⁺ cells in wound tissue and completely negated the accelerated wound healing. Surgical injury induces the mobilization and recruitment of c-kit+ cells to contribute to wound healing. Regulating c-kit+ cells may provide a new approach that accelerates wound healing after surgery.     

Control of Surface Wound Infection: Skin Versus Synthetic Grafts

Auto-, iso-, or xenografts of skin and synthetics placed on surface wounds freshly contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa stabilizes the wound bacterial population in rats over a 24-h period. When these wounds contained a bacterial contamination established for 24 h prior to grafting, only skin and the synthetic polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate were effective in lowering the initial bacterial concentration. Polyurethane foam and nylon velour were not effective in the established infection model. Skin placed on a contaminated wound for 2 h or longer appeared to equilibrate with the underlying muscle so that the bacterial count per milligram of skin was similar to that of the muscle. It was suggested that this preparation would be useful to obtain an estimate of surface contamination without biopsy of the infected muscle. Skin grafts in place for 2 h significantly lowered the bacterial count in a wound with an established infection. A second decrease occurred between 4 and 24 h after grafting. Histological studies of contaminated and exposed panniculus muscle showed that leukocytes tend to migrate from the muscle surface to its base. Skin grafts and polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate appear to reverse the white cell migration so that the cells move toward the surface of the muscle with preservation of normal staining characteristics in the muscle. It is suggested that this alteration in cell movement after graft application might modify the white cell function and result in a greater bactericidal activity. Apparently, grafts lower bacterial levels in an established infection by modifying the host response to the surface contamination.     

有无心脏外科支持的经皮冠状动脉介入术病例特点及转归的比较分析

目的:分析有无心脏外科支持的经皮冠状动脉介入术(PCI)病例的特点及转归差异。方法:回顾性分析2308例行PCI术患者的病例资料,根据心脏外科支持情况分为支持组(2031例)、无支持组(277例),比较两组患者的基线资料、PCI术相关指标及主要不良心血管事件(MACE)的发生情况。结果:与支持组比较,无支持组患者的医疗费用明显增加,急诊PCI、危险因素中AMI病史、PCI史、疾病诊断中STEMI的比例明显降低,LVEF明显升高,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。支持组以三支及以上冠脉病变以及B、C型复杂病变形态多见,支架置入数、左主干病变比例明显增多,靶血管IVUS比例检查比例、术中总并发症发生率明显降低,与无支持组比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。两组PCI术后MACE的发生率比较差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:有无心脏外科支持的PCI患者的临床特点存在较大差异,无心脏外科支持的PCI患者以急诊手术为主,且靶血管病变相对较轻。对于低风险病例实施PCI手术是安全可行的,具有较高成功率,预后尚可。