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Enhanced recovery protocols after surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials in cardiac surgery
Abstract
Background
Previous meta‐analyses combining randomized and observational evidence in cardiac surgery have shown positive impact of enhanced recovery protocols after surgery (ERAS) on postoperative outcomes. However, definitive data based on randomized studies are missing, and the entirety of the ERAS measures and pathway, as recently systematized in guidelines and consensus statements, have not been captured in the published studies. The available literature actually focuses on “ERAS‐like” protocols or only limited number of ERAS measures. This study aims at analyzing all randomized studies applying ERAS‐like protocols in cardiac surgery for perioperative outcomes.
Methods
A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ERAS‐like with standard protocols of perioperative care was performed (PROSPERO registration CRD42021283765). PRISMA guidelines were used for abstracting and assessing data.
Results
Thirteen single center RCTs ( N = 1704, 850 in ERAS‐like protocol and 854 in the standard care group) were selected. The most common procedures were surgical revascularization (66.3%) and valvular surgery (24.9%). No difference was found in the incidence of inhospital mortality between the ERAS and standard treatment group (risk ratio [RR] 0.61 [0.31; 1.20], p = 0.15). ERAS was associated with reduced intensive care unit (standardized mean difference [SMD] −0.57, p < 0.01) and hospital stay (SMD −0.23, p < 0.01) and reduced rates of overall complications when compared to the standard protocol (RR 0.60, p < 0.01) driven by the reduction in stroke (RR 0.29 [0.13; 0.62], p < 0.01). A significant heterogeneity in terms of the elements of the ERAS protocol included in the studies was observed.
Conclusions
ERAS‐like protocols have no impact on short‐term survival after cardiac surgery but allows for a faster hospital discharge while potentially reducing surgical complications. However, this study highlights a significant nonadherence and heterogeneity to the entirety of ERAS protocols warranting further RCTs in this field including a greater number of elements of the framework.
... Previous reviews and meta-analyses included experiences mainly in CABG and OP-CABG patients [33], reporting on both ERAS and fast-track pathways [34] or "ERAS-like" programmes that covered only some of the key actions of the perioperative management [35]. The purpose of our study was to provide an updated look at the current status of ERAS in heart valves surgery and to summarise the available evidence and results that could potentially support its wider implementation in daily clinical practice. ...
Background: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols aim to reduce postoperative complications and promote earlier recovery. Although it is well established in noncardiac surgery fields, the ERAS approach has only recently been adopted in cardiac surgery. The aim of this review is to evaluate the status and implementation of ERAS protocols in patients undergoing heart valve surgery and to summarise associated clinical results. Methods: A literature search for the period January 2015 and January 2024 was performed through online databases. Clinical studies (randomised controlled trials and cohort studies) on patients undergoing heart valve surgical procedures and comparing ERAS and conventional approaches were included. The data extracted covered studies and populations characteristics, early outcomes and the features of each ERAS protocol. Results: There were 14 studies that fulfilled the final search criteria and were ultimately included in the review. Overall, 5142 patients were identified in the 14 studies, with 2501 in ERAS groups and 2641 patients who were representative of control groups. Seven experiences exclusively included patients who underwent heart valve surgery. Twelve out of fourteen protocols involved multiple interventions from the preoperative to postoperative phase, while two studies reported actions limited to intraoperative and postoperative care. We found high heterogeneity among the included protocols regarding key actions targeted for improvement and measured outcomes. All the studies showed that ERAS pathways can be safely adopted in cardiac surgery and in most of the experiences were associated with shorter mechanical ventilation time, reduced postoperative opioid use and reduced ICU and hospital stays. Conclusions: As demonstrated in noncardiac surgery, the adoption of structured ERAS protocols has the potential to improve results in patients undergoing heart valve surgery. Further evidence based on larger populations is needed, including more homogenous pathways and reporting further outcomes in terms of patient satisfaction, recovery and quality of life after surgery.
Mini-invasive cardiac surgery is an attractive option for many patients, and ministernotomy (MS) has become one of the most popular minimally invasive cardiac surgery approach and is today routinely performed.
The term ministernotomy was coined in 1994 to describe a series of sternal incisions for cardiac surgery other than the complete median sternotomy.
An upper MS can be used for all the operations on the aortic and mitral valves, as well as on the aortic root and the ascending aorta and several variations have been proposed over the years.
The main principles of anesthesia for routine full sternotomy apply to an MS approach, but the limited nature of the incision presents some specific challenges of which the anesthesiologist must be aware, starting from the perioperative assessment and including intraoperative and postoperative management, as well as postoperative care and pain management.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Improved recovery protocols were
implemented in surgical specialties over the last decade,
which decreased anesthetic and surgical stress and the
incidence of perioperative complications. However, these
recovery protocols were introduced more slowly for cardiac
surgeries. The most frequent complications in cardiac surgery
are related to patient clinical status and the characteristics
of the surgical procedures involved, which are becoming
more varied and complex every day. The fi rst version of the
enhanced recovery program for cardiac surgery was published
in 2019, but its recommendations were based on only a few
studies, and scant research has evaluated its implementation.
Randomized and controlled clinical trials for these protocols
are scarce, so research that summarizes the results of studies
with other methodological designs are useful in demonstrating
their benefi ts in cardiovascular surgery services in Cuba and
in other limited-resource settings.
OBJECTIVE Estimate the effectiveness of improved recovery
protocols in the perioperative evolution of patients undergoing
cardiac surgery.
METHODS We performed a systematic review and meta-
analysis according to the guidelines of manual 5.1.0 for reviews
of the Cochrane library. We included observational and quasi-
experimental studies published from January 2015 through
May 2020 that compared enhanced recovery protocols with
conventional treatments in patients older than 18 years, and used
a quality score to evaluate them. We used the following sources:
the Cochrane Library, PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, EBSCO,
Google Scholar, Web of Science, Clinical Key, ResearchGate
and HINARI. The following keywords were used for the
database searches in English: ERAS, protocols and cardiac
surgery, enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery, ERACS,
clinical pathway recovery and cardiac surgery, perioperative
care and cardiac surgery. We used the following search terms
for databases in Spanish: protocolos de recuperación precoz
and cirugía cardiaca, protocolos de recuperación mejorada and
cirugía cardiaca, cuidados perioperatorios and cirugía cardiaca,
programas de recuperación precoz and cirugía cardiovascular.
Methodological quality of included investigations was evaluated
using the surgical research methodology scale. Meta-analyses
were performed for perioperative complications, intensive care
unit and hospital stays, and hospital readmission within 30 days
of surgery. We calculated effect sizes of the interventions and
the corresponding 95% confi dence intervals. We used mean
differences and confi dence intervals for continuous variables,
and for qualitative variables we calculated relative risk (RR).
Random effects analysis was used. Heterogeneity of the
studies was assessed using the Q statistic and the I2
statistic.
RESULTS We selected 15 studies (a total of 5059 patients:
study group, n = 1706; control group, n = 3353). The average
quality score for the 15 articles included was 18.9 (out of a
maximum of 36 according to the scale) and 66.6% had a score
≥18. With improved recovery protocols in cardiac surgery, the
incidence of perioperative complications decreased (RR =
0.73; 95% CI 0.52–0.98) as did hospital readmission within
30 days after surgery (RR = 0.51; 95% CI 95% CI: 0.31–0.86).
Differences in extubation time, hospital stay and length of stay
in intensive care units were less marked, but always favored
the group in which the enhanced protocols were implemented.
CONCLUSIONS Improved recovery protocols in cardiac
surgery increase quality of care evidenced by reductions
in perioperative complications and decreased incidence of
hospital readmission in the month following surgery.
KEYWORDS Enhanced recovery after surgery, rehabilitation,
perioperative care, thoracic surgery, cardiac surgical
procedures, systematic review, meta-analysis, Cuba.
Background
ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) is a multidisciplinary and integrative approach with the goal of optimizing the postoperative recovery. We aimed to analyze the economic impact of a newly established ERAS protocol in minimally invasive heart valve surgery at our institution.
Methods
ERAS protocol was implemented in 61 consecutive patients who were referred for elective minimally-invasive aortic or mitral valve surgery, between February 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019 ( ERAS-group ). Another 69 patients who underwent elective minimally-invasive heart valve surgery during the same time period were managed according to the hospital standards ( Control-group ). A detailed cost comparison analysis was carried out from a hospital perspective using a micro-costing approach.
Results
The total in-hospital stay was significantly shorter in the ERAS-group compared to the Control-group (6.1 ± 2.6 vs 7.7 ± 3.8 days; p = 0.008) resulting in significant cost savings of €1087.2 per patient ( p = 0.003). Due to the intensified physiotherapy in the ERAS protocol, the costs for physiotherapy were €94.3 higher compared to the Control-group ( p < 0.001). The total costs in the ERAS cohort were €11,200.0 ± 3029.6/patient compared to € 13,109.8 ± 4527.5/patient in the Control-Group resulting in cost savings of €1909.8 patient due to the implementation of the ERAS protocol ( p = 0.006).
Conclusion
Implementation of an ERAS-protocol in minimally-invasive cardiac surgery can be carried out safely with a fast postoperative recovery of the patient. ERAS results in a financial benefit of up to €1909 per patient and therefore will play a key role in modern cardiac surgery in the near future.
Background
Despite the emergence of Enhanced Recovery Protocols (ERPs) in cardiac surgery, there is no consensus on the essential elements for data reporting for quality improvement efforts, as well as accountability and standardization of outcome reporting across institutions. The aim of this study was to establish a consensus on essential data elements for cardiac ERAS®.MethodsA 2-round modified Delphi technique was utilized based on existing recommendations from the recently published ERAS® cardiac surgery consensus guidelines. Round 1 included a steering committee of 10 experts who oversaw formulation of a focused list of data elements into 3 main areas: Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative. Round 2 consisted of a multidisciplinary, multinational, heterogenous group of 50 voting experts from across the United States and Europe. All participants evaluated their level of agreement with each data element using a 5-point Likert scale with consensus threshold of 70%.ResultsIn round 1, 17 data elements were considered essential (consensus > = 70%, either positive or negative) and 6 were considered marginal (consensus < = 70%, either positive or negative). In round 2, positive consensus was achieved for 15/17 (88.2%) data elements in the essential category, and all six data elements (100%) in the marginal category, indicating a high level of overall agreement.Conclusion
This initial study, which identified 21 key data elements for collection in an ERAS® cardiac program, will aid clinicians in establishing a framework for evaluating the quality of their contemporary ERP processes and will allow acquisition of data to help benchmark performance metrics between hospitals.
Background and Aim
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols are a series of perioperative interventions well-established in improving the care and outcomes of patients. With recent emergence of studies on its implementation in cardiac surgery, this paper represents the first systematic review on current evidence of ERAS efficacy in this field.
Methods
Two reviewers independently searched through Pubmed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Embase and Scopus. Comparative studies with controls that described the implementation of ERAS in all types of cardiac operations from 2001 to 2020 were included. Data extracted included patient demographics, components of ERAS protocol described, types of cardiac surgery, and postoperative outcomes.
Results
In the final analysis, nine studies were included, of which there were one randomized controlled trial (RCT), one quasi-experiment and seven retrospective/prospective studies. Significant improvement in hospital and ICU length of stay, as well as reduction in postoperative opioid consumption were demonstrated. No increase in postoperative complications were reported.
Conclusion
ERAS in cardiac surgery has shown to be potentially safe and effective in improving certain postoperative outcomes. However, the evidence is limited by the lack of high-quality RCTs. We also found the lack of practice of class 1 recommended interventions set forth by the ERAS Cardiac Society. Furthermore, majority of studies only evaluated the immediate postoperative outcomes of patients, and not the long-term outcomes. RCTs that fully implement measures recommended by the ERAS Cardiac Society, with assessments on both immediate and long-term outcomes, are warranted.
Background
Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs are multimodal care pathways designed to minimize the physiological and psychological impact of surgery for patients. Increased compliance with ERAS guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes across surgical types. As ERAS programs have proliferated, an unintentional effect has been significant variation in how ERAS-related studies are reported in the literature.
Methods
To improve the quality of ERAS reporting, ERAS® USA and the ERAS® Society launched an effort to create an instrument to assist authors in manuscript preparation. Criteria to include were selected by a combination of literature review and expert opinion. The final checklist was refined by group consensus.
Results
The Societies present the Reporting on ERAS Compliance, Outcomes, and Elements Research (RECOvER) Checklist. The tool contains 20 items including best practices for reporting clinical pathways, compliance auditing, and formatting guidelines.
Conclusions
The RECOvER Checklist is intended to provide a standardized framework for the reporting of ERAS-related studies. The checklist can also assist reviewers in evaluating the quality of ERAS-related manuscripts. Authors are encouraged to include the RECOvER Checklist when submitting ERAS-related studies to peer-reviewed journals.
Objectives:
To evaluate the effects of goal-directed therapy on outcomes in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Design:
A prospective randomized controlled trial and an updated metaanalysis of randomized trials published from inception up to May 1, 2015.
Setting:
Surgical ICU within a tertiary referral university-affiliated teaching hospital.
Patients:
One hundred twenty-six high-risk patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery or valve repair.
Interventions:
Patients were randomized to a cardiac output-guided hemodynamic therapy algorithm (goal-directed therapy group, n = 62) or to usual care (n = 64). In the goal-directed therapy arm, a cardiac index of greater than 3 L/min/m was targeted with IV fluids, inotropes, and RBC transfusion starting from cardiopulmonary bypass and ending 8 hours after arrival to the ICU.
Measurements and main results:
The primary outcome was a composite endpoint of 30-day mortality and major postoperative complications. Patients from the goal-directed therapy group received a greater median (interquartile range) volume of IV fluids than the usual care group (1,000 [625-1,500] vs 500 [500-1,000] mL; p < 0.001], with no differences in the administration of either inotropes or RBC transfusions. The primary outcome was reduced in the goal-directed therapy group (27.4% vs 45.3%; p = 0.037). The goal-directed therapy group had a lower occurrence rate of infection (12.9% vs 29.7%; p = 0.002) and low cardiac output syndrome (6.5% vs 26.6%; p = 0.002). We also observed lower ICU cumulative dosage of dobutamine (12 vs 19 mg/kg; p = 0.003) and a shorter ICU (3 [3-4] vs 5 [4-7] d; p < 0.001) and hospital length of stay (9 [8-16] vs 12 [9-22] d; p = 0.049) in the goal-directed therapy compared with the usual care group. There were no differences in 30-day mortality rates (4.8% vs 9.4%, respectively; p = 0.492). The metaanalysis identified six trials and showed that, when compared with standard treatment, goal-directed therapy reduced the overall rate of complications (goal-directed therapy, 47/410 [11%] vs usual care, 92/415 [22%]; odds ratio, 0.40 [95% CI, 0.26-0.63]; p < 0.0001) and decreased the hospital length of stay (mean difference, -5.44 d; 95% CI, -9.28 to -1.60; p = 0.006) with no difference in postoperative mortality: 9 of 410 (2.2%) versus 15 of 415 (3.6%), odds ratio, 0.61 (95% CI, 0.26-1.47), and p = 0.27.
Conclusions:
Goal-directed therapy using fluids, inotropes, and blood transfusion reduced 30-day major complications in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have become increasingly important in health care. Clinicians read them to keep up to date with their field [1],[2], and they are often used as a starting point for developing clinical practice guidelines. Granting agencies may require a systematic review to ensure there is justification for further research [3], and some health care journals are moving in this direction [4]. As with all research, the value of a systematic review depends on what was done, what was found, and the clarity of reporting. As with other publications, the reporting quality of systematic reviews varies, limiting readers' ability to assess the strengths and weaknesses of those reviews.
Several early studies evaluated the quality of review reports. In 1987, Mulrow examined 50 review articles published in four leading medical journals in 1985 and 1986 and found that none met all eight explicit scientific criteria, such as a quality assessment of included studies [5]. In 1987, Sacks and colleagues [6] evaluated the adequacy of reporting of 83 meta-analyses on 23 characteristics in six domains. Reporting was generally poor; between one and 14 characteristics were adequately reported (mean = 7.7; standard deviation = 2.7). A 1996 update of this study found little improvement [7].
In 1996, to address the suboptimal reporting of meta-analyses, an international group developed a guidance called the QUOROM Statement (QUality Of Reporting Of Meta-analyses), which focused on the reporting of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials [8]. In this article, we summarize a revision of these guidelines, renamed PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses), which have been updated to address several conceptual and practical advances in the science of systematic reviews (Box 1).
Box 1: Conceptual Issues in the Evolution from QUOROM to PRISMA
Completing a Systematic Review Is an Iterative Process
The conduct of a systematic review depends heavily on the scope and quality of included studies: thus systematic reviewers may need to modify their original review protocol during its conduct. Any systematic review reporting guideline should recommend that such changes can be reported and explained without suggesting that they are inappropriate. The PRISMA Statement (Items 5, 11, 16, and 23) acknowledges this iterative process. Aside from Cochrane reviews, all of which should have a protocol, only about 10% of systematic reviewers report working from a protocol [22]. Without a protocol that is publicly accessible, it is difficult to judge between appropriate and inappropriate modifications.
This book provides a comprehensive introduction to performing meta-analysis using the statistical software R (see also http://www.springer.com/gb/book/9783319214153). It is intended for quantitative researchers and students in the medical and social sciences who wish to learn how to perform meta-analysis with R. As such, the book introduces the key concepts and models used in meta-analysis. It also includes chapters on the following advanced topics: publication bias and small study effects; missing data; multivariate meta-analysis, network meta-analysis; and meta-analysis of diagnostic studies.
Additional web resources: http://meta-analysis-with-r.org/
IntroductionFast-track treatment in cardiac surgery has become the global standard of care. We compared the efficacy and safety of a specialised post-anaesthetic care unit (PACU) to a conventional intensive care unit (ICU) in achieving defined fast-track end-points in adult patients after elective cardiac surgery.Methods
In a prospective, single blinded, randomized study, 200 adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery (coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), valve surgery or combined CABG and valve surgery), were selected to receive their postoperative treatment either in the ICU (n¿=¿100), or in the PACU (n¿=¿100). Patients who, at the time of surgery, were in cardiogenic shock, required renal dialysis, or had an additive EuroSCORE of more than 10 were excluded from the study. The primary end points were: time to extubation (ET), and length of stay in the PACU or ICU (PACU/ICU LOS respectively). Secondary end points analysed were the incidences of: surgical re-exploration, development of haemothorax, new onset cardiac arrhythmia, low cardiac output syndrome, need for cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, stroke, acute renal failure, and death.ResultsMedian time to extubation was 90 [50; 140] min in the PACU vs. 478 [305; 643] min in the ICU group (P¿<¿0.001). Median length of stay in PACU was 3.3 [2.7; 4.0] hours vs. 17.9 [10.3; 24.9] hours in the ICU (P¿<¿0.001). Of the adverse events examined, only the incidence of new onset cardiac arrhythmia (25 in PACU vs. 41 in ICU, P¿=¿0.02) was statistically different between groups.Conclusions
Treatment in a specialised PACU rather than an ICU, after elective cardiac surgery leads to earlier extubation and quicker discharge to a step down unit, without compromising patient safety.Trial registration ISRCTN71768341. Registered 11 March 2014.
In systematic reviews and meta-analysis, researchers often pool the results of the sample mean and standard deviation from a set of similar clinical trials. A number of the trials, however, reported the study using the median, the minimum and maximum values, and/or the first and third quartiles. Hence, in order to combine results, one may have to estimate the sample mean and standard deviation for such trials.
In this paper, we propose to improve the existing literature in several directions. First, we show that the sample standard deviation estimation in Hozo et al.’s method (BMC Med Res Methodol 5:13, 2005) has some serious limitations and is always less satisfactory in practice. Inspired by this, we propose a new estimation method by incorporating the sample size. Second, we systematically study the sample mean and standard deviation estimation problem under several other interesting settings where the interquartile range is also available for the trials.
We demonstrate the performance of the proposed methods through simulation studies for the three frequently encountered scenarios, respectively. For the first two scenarios, our method greatly improves existing methods and provides a nearly unbiased estimate of the true sample standard deviation for normal data and a slightly biased estimate for skewed data. For the third scenario, our method still performs very well for both normal data and skewed data. Furthermore, we compare the estimators of the sample mean and standard deviation under all three scenarios and present some suggestions on which scenario is preferred in real-world applications.
In this paper, we discuss different approximation methods in the estimation of the sample mean and standard deviation and propose some new estimation methods to improve the existing literature. We conclude our work with a summary table (an Excel spread sheet including all formulas) that serves as a comprehensive guidance for performing meta-analysis in different situations.
Introduction:
Fast-track is a method proposed to decrease medical costs through the reduction of patients' length of stay in the hospital. This study was carried out to assess the risks and benefits of conducting the fast-track method in cardiac anaesthesia and to evaluate the role of continuous infusion of short-acting anaesthetics in a successful fast-track protocol.
Methods:
100 cases were divided into two groups. In the fast-track group, fentanyl and propofol infusions were started at induction time and atracurium one hour later. No bolus drug was administered during the operation. Fentanyl infusion was continued up to 12 hours after surgery. The conventional extubation group received fentanyl and pancuronium as bolus doses. The two groups were evaluated for time of alertness and extubation in the intensive care unit, total analgesic dosage administered during the 24 hours after operation, arterial blood gas and peripheral saturation of oxygen before and after extubation.
Results:
Time period between intensive care unit admission and alertness was significantly different in the fast-track (1.3 hours) and control (3.3 hours) groups (p-value is less than 0.001) as well as total time of intubation in the intensive care unit (4.3 hours vs. 7 hours) (p-value is less than 0.001). No patient of the fast-track group experienced low pressure of arterial oxygen, low saturation of arterial oxygen, high pressure of arterial carbon dioxide or need for reintubation in the first 24 hours after surgery.
Conclusion:
Continuous infusion of drugs in the fast-track method facilitates earlier extubation. It maintains continuous sedation and analgesia without increasing respiratory complications.
To assess whether a nurse led, flow monitored protocol for optimising circulatory status in patients after cardiac surgery reduces complications and shortens stay in intensive care and hospital.
Randomised controlled trial.
Intensive care unit and cardiothoracic unit of a university teaching hospital.
174 patients who underwent cardiac surgery between April 2000 and January 2003.
Patients were allocated to conventional haemodynamic management or to an algorithm guided by oesophageal Doppler flowmetry to maintain a stroke index above 35 ml/m2.
26 control patients had postoperative complications (two deaths) compared with 17 (four deaths) protocol patients (P = 0.08). Duration of hospital stay in the protocol group was significantly reduced from a median of nine (interquartile range 7-12) days to seven (7-10) days (P = 0.02). The mean duration of hospital stay was reduced from 13.9 to 11.4 days, a saving in hospital bed days of 18% (95% confidence interval -12% to 47%). Usage of intensive care beds was reduced by 23% (-8% to 59%).
A nurse delivered protocol for optimising circulatory status in the early postoperative period after cardiac surgery may significantly shorten hospital stay.
Early goal-directed therapy is a term used to describe the guidance of intravenous fluid and vasopressor/inotropic therapy by using cardiac output or similar parameters in the immediate post-cardiopulmonary bypass in cardiac surgery patients. Early recognition and therapy during this period may result in better outcome. In keeping with this aim in the cardiac surgery patients, we conducted the present study. The study included 30 patients of both sexes, with EuroSCORE >or=3 undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass. The patients were randomly divided into two groups, namely, control and early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) groups. All the subjects received standardized care; arterial pressure was monitored through radial artery, central venous pressure through a triple lumen in the right internal jugular vein, electrocardiogram, oxygen saturation, temperature, urine output per hour and frequent arterial blood gas analysis. In addition, cardiac index monitoring using FloTrac and continuous central venous oxygen saturation using PreSep was used in patients in the EGTD group. Our aim was to maintain the cardiac index at 2.5-4.2 l/min/m2 , stroke volume index 30-65 ml/beat/m2 , systemic vascular resistance index 1500-2500 dynes/s/cm5/m2 , oxygen delivery index 450-600 ml/min/m2 , continuous central venous oximetry more than 70%, stroke volume variation less than 10%; in addition to the control group parameters such as central venous pressure 6-8 mmHg, mean arterial pressure 90-105 mmHg, normal arterial blood gas analysis values, pulse oximetry, hematocrit value above 30% and urine output more than 1 ml/kg/h. The aims were achieved by altering the administration of intravenous fluids and doses of inotropic or vasodilator agents. Three patients were excluded from the study and the data of 27 patients analyzed. The extra volume used (330+/-160 v/s 80+/-80 ml, P=0.043) number of adjustments of inotropic agents (3.4+/-1.5 v/s 0.4+/-0.7, P=0.026) in the EGDT group were significant. The average duration of ventilation (13.8+/-3.2 v/s 20.7+/-7.1 h), days of use of inotropic agents (1.6+/-0.9 v/s 3.8+/-1.6 d), ICU stay (2.6+/-0.9 v/s 4.9+/-1.8 d) and hospital stay (5.6+/-1.2 v/s 8.9+/-2.1 d) were less in the EGDT group, compared to those in the control group. This study is inconclusive with regard to the beneficial aspects of the early goal-directed therapy in cardiac surgery patients, although a few benefits were observed.
Background and Aim of the Study
: Minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) has been increasingly used in the last years. However, to exert its maximal effect on patient outcome, MICS needs to be coupled with improved perioperative management including Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) and fast-track protocols. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of ERAS and fast-track in this context.
Materials and Methods
: We performed a narrative review including patients treated with MICS and treated with ERAS/fast-track protocols. MEDLINE/PubMed database was used. The keywords “ERAS”, “fast-track” were combined with the keywords: minimally invasive cardiac surgery OR robotic cardiac surgery OR minimally invasive mitral surgery OR minimally invasive aortic surgery.
Results
: Overall, six studies were selected in which either ERAS or fast-track protocols were applied. The reported adherence to ERAS protocols was high and neither protocol related complications nor in-hospital mortality occurred. Patients managed with ERAS had significantly lower postoperative pain scores, fewer rates of blood transfusions as well as shorter hospital and intensive unit stay as compared to those who received standard management. All ERAS patients were safely managed with early extubation. Similarly, fast- track cardiac surgery with immediate post-procedure extubation and early transfer to the ward showed to be safe with no increased morbidity or mortality.
Conclusion
: Use of standardized ERAS and fast-track protocols seem to be feasible and safe in the context of minimally-invasive cardiac surgery with improved outcome. Both ERAS and fast-track allow for a faster return to full functional status while minimizing the perioperative complications.
Assessment of risk of bias is regarded as an essential component of a systematic review on the effects of an intervention. The most commonly used tool for randomised trials is the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. We updated the tool to respond to developments in understanding how bias arises in randomised trials, and to address user feedback on and limitations of the original tool.
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) evidence-based protocols for perioperative care can lead to improvements in clinical outcomes and cost savings. This article aims to present consensus recommendations for the optimal perioperative management of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. A review of meta-analyses, randomized clinical trials, large nonrandomized studies, and reviews was conducted for each protocol element. The quality of the evidence was graded and used to form consensus recommendations for each topic. Development of these recommendations was endorsed by the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Society.
Objectives:
Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways have not been reported in cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety profile of ERAS pathways compared with routine care for patients undergoing cardiac valvular surgery.
Methods:
A randomized clinical trial was conducted between July 2015 and November 2016. A total of 226 patients who underwent elective valvular surgery were randomly assigned to the ERAS pathway or routine care (control) group. The ERAS protocol consisted of an evidence-based systematic optimization approach for managing perioperative patients. The control group received routine care. The primary end-point was readiness for hospital discharge. The secondary outcomes were duration of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, length of postoperative vasoactive drug support, duration of mechanical ventilation, time to first bowel movement, removal of surgical drain, overall medical costs and complication rate.
Results:
Postoperative time to readiness for discharge was significantly shorter in the ERAS group (6.0 (2.0∼14.0) days) than the control group (7.0 (4.0∼16.0) days, P = 0.01), and the duration of ICU stay and duration of mechanical ventilation were significantly shorter in the ERAS group (20.9 (13.5∼69.3) h, 7.2 (0.0∼22.3) h, respectively) than the control group (22.0 (13.4∼212.3) h, P = 0.001; 8.8 (3.7∼44.9) h, respectively; P < 0.0001). The overall treatment cost of the ERAS group (69202 (52089∼123823) CNY) was significantly lower than that of the control group (77058 (51390∼144290) CNY, P = 0.002).
Conclusions:
ERAS pathways reduce the length of ICU and hospital stay, postoperative complications and cost for patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Clinical trial registration:
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02479581.
Background:
The authors hypothesized that goal-directed hemodynamic therapy, based on the combination of functional and volumetric hemodynamic parameters, improves outcome in patients with cardiac surgery. Therefore, a therapy guided by stroke volume variation, individually optimized global end-diastolic volume index, cardiac index, and mean arterial pressure was compared with an algorithm based on mean arterial pressure and central venous pressure.
Methods:
This prospective, controlled, parallel-arm, open-label trial randomized 100 coronary artery bypass grafting and/or aortic valve replacement patients to a study group (SG; n = 50) or a control group (CG; n = 50). In the SG, hemodynamic therapy was guided by stroke volume variation, optimized global end-diastolic volume index, mean arterial pressure, and cardiac index. Optimized global end-diastolic volume index was defined before and after weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass and at intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Mean arterial pressure and central venous pressure served as hemodynamic goals in the CG. Therapy was started immediately after induction of anesthesia and continued until ICU discharge criteria, serving as primary outcome parameter, were fulfilled.
Results:
Intraoperative need for norepinephrine was decreased in the SG with a mean (±SD) of 9.0 ± 7.6 versus 14.9 ± 11.1 µg/kg (P = 0.002). Postoperative complications (SG, 40 vs. CG, 63; P = 0.004), time to reach ICU discharge criteria (SG, 15 ± 6 h; CG, 24 ± 29 h; P < 0.001), and length of ICU stay (SG, 42 ± 19 h; CG, 62 ± 58 h; P = 0.018) were reduced in the SG.
Conclusion:
Early goal-directed hemodynamic therapy based on cardiac index, stroke volume variation, and optimized global end-diastolic volume index reduces complications and length of ICU stay after cardiac surgery.
Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) requires thorough monitoring of hemodynamics and oxygen transport. Our aim was to find out whether therapeutic guidance during and after OPCAB, using an algorithm based on advanced monitoring, influences perioperative hemodynamic and fluid management as well as the length of post-operative ICU and hospital stay.
Patients were randomized into two groups of hemodynamic monitoring: the conventional monitoring (CM) group (n=20) and the advanced monitoring (AM) group (n=20). In the CM group, therapy was guided by central venous pressure, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR), and in the AM group by the intrathoracic blood volume index, MAP, HR, central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO(2)) and cardiac index (CI). The measurements were performed before and during surgery, and at 2, 4 and 6 h post-operatively.
In the AM group, colloids and dobutamine were given more frequently and were accompanied by increments in ScvO(2), CI and oxygen delivery compared with baseline. The percentage of ephedrine administration was higher in the CM group. The algorithm guided by AM decreased time until achieving the status of 'fit for ICU discharge' and post-operative hospital stay by 15% and 25%, respectively.
A goal-directed algorithm based on advanced hemodynamic monitoring and continuous measurement of ScvO(2) facilitates early detection and correction of hemodynamic changes and influences the strategy for fluid therapy that can improve the course of post-operative period after coronary artery bypass grafting on the beating heart.
To assess pain intensity and quality of postoperative recovery in patients given fast-track anesthesia and spinal analgesia versus patients treated with standard anesthesia.
A prospective, randomized, controlled study.
A private institution.
Eighty-three patients who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were analyzed.
General anesthesia consisted of remifentanil and spinal analgesia (low-dose morphine and clonidine) for the fast-track group (FTG) and sufentanil without spinal analgesia for the control group (CG). During the postoperative period, paracetamol and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCA) with morphine were given.
Postoperative pain intensity was evaluated during 48 hours with visual analog scale scores and intravenous morphine consumption. Pain impact on quality of life was assessed with the brief pain inventory (BPI) score (days 1-8), and recovery was evaluated with the quality of recovery score (QoR-40, day 4). Compared with the CG, FTG pain intensity was significantly lower 0 to 4 (p < 0.01) and 6 to 12 hours (p < 0.05) after surgery, as was their cumulative intravenous PCA morphine consumption (p = 0.01). BPI scores supported that FTG patients had significantly (p < 0.01) less "pain at its worst" on days 1 and 2, their BPI-assessed pain interfered significantly less with daily life on day 1 (p < 0.001), and their global QoR-40 score (day 4) was significantly higher (p < 0.05).
Fast-track anesthesia combined with morphine-clonidine spinal analgesia controlled postoperative pain better and obtained a better QoR than conventional analgesia.
To test the hypothesis that perioperative plasma volume expansion would preserve gut mucosal perfusion during elective cardiac surgery.
Prospective randomized open study.
Teaching hospital.
Sixty American Society of Anesthesiology grade III patients with a preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction of 50% or greater undergoing elective cardiac surgery.
Patients were allocated randomly to a control or protocol group. The control group was treated according to standard practices. After induction of general anesthesia, the protocol group received, in addition, 200-mL boluses of a 6% hydroxyethyl starch solution to obtain a maximum stroke volume. This procedure was repeated every 15 minutes until the end of surgery, except when the patient underwent cardiopulmonary bypass.
Cardiac stroke volume was estimated by an esophageal Doppler system, and gastric mucosal perfusion was measured by tonometric assessment of gastric intramucosal pH in all patients. Patients were followed up postoperatively until discharge from the hospital or death. The incidence of gut mucosal hypoperfusion (gastric intramucosal pH < 7.32) at the end of surgery was reduced in the protocol group (7% vs 56%) (P < .001), as were the number of patients in whom major complications developed (0 vs 6) (P = .01), mean number of days spent in the hospital (6.4 [range, 5 to 9] vs 10.1 [range, 5 to 48]) (P = .011), and mean number of days spent in the intensive care unit (1 [range, 1 to 1] vs 1.7 [range 1 to 11] days) (P = .023).
Perioperative plasma volume expansion with colloid during cardiac surgery, guided by esophageal Doppler measurement of cardiac stroke volume, reduced the incidence of gut mucosal hypoperfusion. This group of patients also had an improved outcome when compared with controls.
Economics has caused the trend of early tracheal extubation after cardiac surgery, yet no prospective randomized study has directly validated that early tracheal extubation anesthetic management decreases costs when compared with late extubation after cardiac surgery.
This prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial was designed to evaluate the cost savings of early (1-6 h) versus late tracheal extubation (12-22 h) in patients after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. The total cost for the services provided for each patient was determined for both the early and late groups from hospital admission to discharge home. All costs applicable to each of the services were classified into direct variables, direct fixed costs, and overhead (an indirect cost). Physician fees and heart catheterization costs were included. The total service cost was the sum of unit workload and overhead costs.
One hundred patients having elective CABG who were younger than 75 yr were studied. Including all complications, early extubation (n = 50) significantly reduced cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) costs by 53% (P < 0.026) and the total CABG surgery cost by 25% (P < 0.019) when compared with late extubation (n = 50). Forty-one patients (82%) in each group were tracheally extubated within the defined period. In the early extubation group, the actual departmental cost savings in CVICU nursing and supplies was 23% (P < 0.005), in ward nursing and supplies was 11% (P < 0.05), and in respiratory therapy was 12% (P < 0.05). The total cost savings per patient having CABG was 9% (P < 0.001). Further cost savings using discharge criteria were 51% for CVICU nursing and supplies (P < 0.001), 9% for ward nursing and supplies (P < 0.05), and 29% for respiratory therapy (P < 0.001), for a total cost savings per patient of 13% (P < 0.001). Early extubation also reduced elective case cancellations (P < 0.002) without any increase in the number of postoperative complications and readmissions.
Early tracheal extubation anesthetic management reduces total costs per CABG surgery by 25%, predominantly in nursing and in CVICU costs. Early extubation reduces CVICU and hospital length of stay but does not increase the rate or costs of complications when compared with patients in the late extubation group. It shifts the high CVICU costs to the lower ward costs. Early extubation also improves resource use after cardiac surgery when compared with late extubation.
To determine the safety of early extubation (EE) after coronary artery surgery.
Prospective randomized controlled trial.
The cardiac surgery operating room and ICU of a university-affiliated teaching hospital.
One hundred eligible patients presenting for elective coronary artery surgery.
Patients randomized to the EE group were administered a reduced dose of fentanyl (15 microg/kg) and an anesthetic compatible with EE, while patients randomized to the conventional extubation (CE) group were given fentanyl (50 microg/kg).
The time to extubation in the EE group (median, 240 min; range, 30 to 930 min) was significantly less than the CE group (median, 420 min; range, 125 to 1,140 min) (p<0.01). Twenty patients were withdrawn from the study according to protocol guidelines. There were no cases of reintubation or complications attributable to EE.
By using an appropriate anesthetic technique and postoperative management, EE can be achieved following coronary artery bypass surgery without major complications.
Unlabelled:
Organ dysfunction and multiple organ failure are the main causes of prolonged hospital stay after cardiac surgery, which increases resource use and health care costs. Increased levels of oxygen delivery and consumption are associated with improved outcome in different groups of postoperative patients. Cardiac surgical patients are at risk of inadequate perioperative oxygen delivery caused by extracorporeal circulation and limited cardiovascular reserves. The purpose of our study was to test whether increasing oxygen delivery immediately after cardiac surgery would shorten hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Four hundred three elective cardiac surgical patients were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to either the control or the protocol group. Goals of the protocol group were to maintain SvO(2) >70% and lactate concentration < or =2.0 mmol/L from admission to the ICU and up to 8 h thereafter. Hemodynamics, oxygen transport data, and organ dysfunctions were recorded. The median hospital stay was shorter in the protocol group (6 vs 7 days, P < 0.05), and patients were discharged faster from the hospital than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Discharge from the ICU was similar between groups (P = 0. 8). Morbidity was less frequent at the time of hospital discharge in the protocol group (1.1% vs 6.1%, P < 0.01). Increasing oxygen delivery to achieve normal SvO(2) values and lactate concentration during the immediate postoperative period after cardiac surgery can shorten the length of hospital stay.
Implications:
Health care economics has challenged clinicians to reduce costs and improve resource use in cardiac surgery and anesthesia in a patient population increasing in age and in severity of disease. Optimizing cardiovascular function to maintain adequate oxygen delivery during the immediate postoperative period after cardiac surgery can decrease morbidity and reduce length of hospital stay.
Guidelines for Perioperative Care in Cardiac Surgery: Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Society Recommendations
- D T Engelman
- W Ben Ali
- J B Williams
- L P Perrault
- V S Reddy
- R C Arora
- E E Roselli
Engelman, D. T., W. Ben Ali, J. B. Williams, L. P. Perrault, V. S.
Reddy, R. C. Arora, E. E. Roselli, et al. 2019. "Guidelines for
Perioperative Care in Cardiac Surgery: Enhanced Recovery after
Surgery Society Recommendations." JAMA Surgery 154(8):
755-66. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamasurg.2019.1153.
- G Schwarzer
- J R Carpenter
- G Rücker
Schwarzer, G., J. R. Carpenter, and G. Rücker. 2015. Meta-Analysis with R. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing.