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OBJECTIVE: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and length of hospital stay. The objective of this study was to assess the utility of left atrial strain (LAS) to predict POAF in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG). DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: Tertiary care hospital. PARTICIPANTS: 103 patients undergoing OPCABG. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: In addition to comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography, LAS was measured for reservoir (R), conduction (CD), and contraction (CT) components. POAF was defined as new electrocardiographic evidence of AF requiring treatment. Logistic regression was done to assess factors associated with POAF. The diagnostic accuracy of variables in predicting POAF was assessed by receiver operating characteristic analysis. POAF was documented in 24 (23.3%) patients. There was no difference in ejection fraction, average global longitudinal strain, or proportion of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction grades between patients with POAF and patients without POAF. All three components of LAS: LAS R (19.2 ± 4.7 v 23.5 ± 4.8, p < 0.001), LAS CD (8.9 ± 3.7 v 12.3 ± 4.8, p = 0.1), and LAS CT (10.3 ± 3.9 v 12.1 ± 4.1, p = 0.04), were significantly lower among patients with POAF compared with patients without POAF, respectively. According to univariate analysis, all components of LAS were statistically significant predictors of POAF. In multivariate analysis, only age (odds ratio = 1.08, p = 0.025) and LAS R (odds ratio = 0.84, p = 0.004) were independently associated with POAF. LAS R was a better predictor of POAF, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.758, than LAS CD (AUC = 0.67) and LAS CT (AUC = 0.62). LAS R had an optimal cutoff of 23% with sensitivity of 95.8% (confidence interval: 78.9-99.9%) and specificity of 49.4% (37.9-60.9%) to predict POAF. CONCLUSIONS: LAS R is a significant predictor of POAF, and its use can be recommended for screening of OPCABG patients at high risk of POAF.

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OBJECTIVE: Many previous surveys have demonstrated a high incidence of burnout among anesthesiologists. The current survey was designed to estimate the incidence and understand the factors associated with burnout among cardiac anesthesiologists in India. DESIGN: Members of the Indian Association of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Anaesthesiologists (IACTA) were invited to participate. The survey consisted of two sections: the initial section collected demographic data, work patterns, and factors associated with burnout perception. The second part assessed emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and low personal accomplishment (LPA) using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS). SETTING: Web-based survey. PARTICIPANTS: Members of IACTA. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENT AND RESULTS: A high score on EE (≥27 and/or DP ≥10) identified those at high risk for burnout. A high risk of burnout in addition to LPA ≤33 was defined as burnout syndrome. Of the 2,262 IACTA members surveyed, 325 (14.35%) responded. Among them, 162 (49.8%) were classified as at high risk of burnout, and 91 (28%) met the criteria for burnout syndrome. Logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with a high risk of burnout, including <5 years of experience (odds ratio [OR] = 3.53), insufficient external support (OR = 2.87), limited personal time (OR = 1.96), and considering leaving cardiac anesthesia (OR = 3.61). Factors contributing to burnout syndrome were <5 years of experience (OR = 3.83), inadequate workplace colleague support (OR = 1.84), and considering leaving cardiac anesthesia (OR = 2.43). CONCLUSIONS: The burden of burnout syndrome is high among Indian anesthesiologists. Risk factors included younger age, inadequate workplace and external support, limited personal time, and contemplation of leaving cardiac anesthesia. There is a need for various stakeholders to be sensitized and institute necessary measures to reduce the burden and impact of burnout.

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Introduction: Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction is common on preoperative screening among patients undergoing surgery. There is no simple screening test at present to suspect LV diastolic dysfunction. This study was aimed to test the hypothesis, whether elastic recoil signal (ERS) on tissue Doppler imaging of mitral annulus (MA TDI) can be used as a qualitative test to differentiate patients from normal LV diastolic function versus patients with LV diastolic dysfunction. Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional observational study of patients admitted for elective surgeries. Normal diastolic function and categorization of LV diastolic dysfunction into severity grades I, II, or III were performed as per the American Society of Echocardiography/ European Associationof Cardio Vascular Imaging (ASE/EACVI) recommendations for LV diastolic dysfunction. Results: There were 41 (61%) patients with normal LV diastolic function and 26 (39%) patients with various grades of LV diastolic dysfunction. In 38 out of 41 patients with normal LV diastolic function, the characteristic ERS was identified. The ERS was absent in all the patients with any grade of LV diastolic dysfunction. Consistency of identification of ERS on echocardiography was tested with a good interobserver variability coefficient of 0.94 (P-value <0.001). The presence of ERS demonstrated an excellent differentiation to rule out any LV diastolic dysfunction with an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) of 0.96 (CI 0.88-0.99; P value <0.001). Conclusions: To conclude, in a mixed surgical population, the anesthetist could successfully assess LV diastolic dysfunction in the preoperative period and the characteristic ERS on MA TDI signal can be used as a qualitative test to differentiate patients from normal LV diastolic function versus patients with LV diastolic dysfunction using the transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).

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OBJECTIVE: The objective of this multicenter study was to test the hypothesis of whether the use of a video laryngoscope (VL) reduces complications related to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) probe insertion. DESIGN: A multicenter randomized control study. SETTING: At 5 tertiary care level hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred sixty-three adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: The patients were randomized into 2 groups-the conventional group (C group; n = 177) and the VL group (n = 186) for TEE probe insertion. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary endpoint of the study was the incidence of oropharyngeal injury, which was defined as blood at the tip of the TEE probe at the end of surgery and/or evidence of injury on VL examination at the end of surgery. The secondary endpoints of the study were the number of attempts required for successful TEE probe insertion and the relation between the esophageal inlet and the larynx. There was a higher incidence of injuries in the C group (n = 26; 14.7%) compared to the VL group (n = 14; 7.5%; p = 0.029). The number of attempts for probe insertion was significantly lower in the VL group (p = 0.0023). The most common relation between the esophageal inlet and the larynx was posterolateral (n = 88; 47%), followed by posterior (n = 77; 41%) and lateral (n = 21;12%). CONCLUSION: The use of VL was associated with a lesser incidence of injury compared to the conventional technique, and its use for this purpose is recommended. The use of VL for probe insertion resulted in fewer attempts compared with the conventional technique. Significant variations do exist in the relation between the esophageal inlet and the larynx, and direct visualization with VL may contribute to better safety.

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Background and Aims: Left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction is a common cause of hemodynamic disturbance perioperatively and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular systolic function (LVSF) has great clinical utility. This study was aimed to test the hypothesis that LVSF assessed by an anesthetist using mitral valve E Point Septal Separation (EPSS) has a significant correlation with that assessed using modified Simpson's method perioperatively. Methods: This prospective observational study included 100 patients scheduled for elective surgeries. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed preoperatively within 24 hours of surgery by an anesthetist as per American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) guidelines. EPSS measurements were obtained in parasternal long-axis view while volumetric assessment of LV ejection fraction (EF) used apical four-chamber view. Bivariate analysis of EPSS and LV EF was done by testing Pearson correlation coefficient. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve constructed to obtain area under curve (AUC) and Youden's Index. Results: The mean value of mitral valve EPSS was 7.18 ± 3.95 mm. The calculated mean LV EF value using volumetric analysis was 56.31 ± 11.92%. LV dysfunction as per ASE guidelines is present in 28% of patients. EPSS was statistically significantly related to LV EF negatively with a Pearson coefficient of -0.74 (P < 0.0001). AUC of ROC curve 0.950 (P < 0.0001) suggesting a statistically significant correlation between EPSS and LV EF. Youden's index of EPSS value 7 mm was obtained to predict LV systolic dysfunction. Conclusion: Mitral valve EPSS shows a significant negative correlation with gold standard LVEF measurement for LVSF estimation. It can very well be used to assess LVSF perioperatively by anesthetists with brief training.

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OBJECTIVES: Information on normative reference values for cardiac structures is critical for the accurate application of echocardiography for guiding clinical decision-making. Many studies using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) have shown that Indians have smaller diameters of various cardiac structures. There are no normative studies for transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The authors observed dimensions of various cardiac structures in healthy Indian patients under general anesthesia using TEE and compared them with existing guidelines from non-Indian data. DESIGN: The Indian Normative TEE Measurements study was a multicenter, prospective observational study conducted in India. SETTING: Operating rooms for noncardiac surgeries in tertiary care-level hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients undergoing noncardiac surgery who were free from any cardiac, respiratory, and renal diseases and had no contraindications for TEE. INTERVENTIONS: After inducing general anesthesia and achieving stable hemodynamic conditions, a comprehensive TEE examination was performed and various measurements were made. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: For each of the 83 patients undergoing noncardiac surgery, 39 various measurements for left ventricle, right ventricle, both atria, and all valves were made. This included diameters and functional parameters. They were analyzed in a vendor-neutral software off-line. The absolute values of many of the measurements were higher in men, but when indexed to body surface area (BSA) they were similar in both sexes. The values were lower than most of the Western data but matched previous Indian studies using TTE. CONCLUSIONS: The authors present normative values of various echocardiographic parameters using TEE. Because of its variations, it is recommended to use India-specific data to make decisions in Indian patients. It may be prudent to use BSA-indexed values during decision-making.

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BACKGROUND: Children with exposure to coronavirus disease 2019 in recent times (asymptomatic or symptomatic infection) approaching congenital heart surgery programme are in increasing numbers. Understanding outcomes of such children will help risk-stratify and guide optimisation prior to congenital heart surgery. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to determine whether convalescent coronavirus disease 2019 children undergoing congenital heart surgery have any worse mortality or post-operative outcomes. DESIGN: Consecutive children undergoing congenital heart surgery from Oct 2020 to May 2021 were enrolled after testing for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or rapid antigen test and immunoglobulin G antibody prior to surgery. Convalescent coronavirus disease 2019 was defined in any asymptomatic patient positive for immunoglobulin G antibodies and negative for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or rapid antigen test anytime 6 weeks prior to surgery. Control patients were negative for any of the three tests. Mortality and post-operative outcomes were compared among the groups. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred and twenty-nine consecutive congenital heart surgeries were stratified as convalescence and control. Coronavirus disease 2019 Convalescent (n = 349) and coronavirus disease 2019 control (n = 780) groups were comparable for all demographic and clinical factors except younger and smaller kids in control. Convalescent children had no higher mortality, ventilation duration, ICU and hospital stay, no higher support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, high flow nasal cannula, no higher need for re-intubations, re-admissions, and no higher infections as central line-associated bloodstream infection, sternal site infection, and ventilator-associated pneumonia on comparison with coronavirus disease 2019 control children. CONCLUSIONS: Convalescent coronavirus disease 2019 does not have any unfavourable outcomes as compared to coronavirus disease 2019 control children. Positive immunoglobulin G antibody screening prior to surgery is suggestive of convalescence and supports comparable outcomes on par with control peers.

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OBJECTIVE: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is very common among patients undergoing cardiac surgery and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. The present study tested the hypothesis of whether left atrial strain (LAS) can be used as a single parameter to predict LVDD (per 2016 LVDD evaluation guidelines) and elevated left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) (ie, LVDD grades II and III) in patients scheduled for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) surgery. DESIGN: A prospective observational study. SETTINGS: Tertiary-care level hospital. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 60 patients undergoing elective OPCABG. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Transthoracic echocardiography was performed within 24 hours of surgery by an anesthesiologist. LVDD was graded per American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging recommendations for 2016 LVDD guidelines. Left atrial (LA) function was evaluated using two-dimensional strain measurements obtained with the speckle-tracking echocardiography technique. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed, and the area under the curve was derived for the prediction of elevated LVFP by LAS. Fourteen (23.3%) patients had elevated LVFP. Global LA reservoir strain (LASr) reduced significantly as the LVDD grade worsened (28.9% ± 8.3%, 21.8% ± 7.2%, 15.6% ± 4.5% and 11.9% ± 1.3%, respectively, for normal LV diastolic function and grades I, II, and III LVDD; p < 0.0001). Similar trends were noted for other components of LAS; namely, global LA conduction, global LA contraction strain, and LAS rate. The ability to predict high LVFP with LASr was statistically significant, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.92 (confidence interval 0.82-0.97; p < 0.001), and a Youden's index for LASr of 19% was obtained with 85.71% sensitivity and 84.78% specificity. The ability of LAS and its components to predict increased LVFP in various subpopulations (normal v reduced ejection fraction) yielded statistically significant results. CONCLUSIONS: In patients scheduled for OPCABG, cardiac anesthesiologists successfully could measure LAS with speckle-tracking echocardiography in the preoperative period. LAS as a single parameter was significantly associated with the grade of LVDD. LASr decreased significantly with worsening grade of LVDD. Furthermore, an LASr value <19% significantly predicted a high LVFP, and LASr predicted high LVFP in both preserved and reduced ejection fraction equally well.

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OBJECTIVE: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is associated with poor outcomes after cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to assess RV systolic and diastolic function in the perioperative period after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTINGS: Tertiary care hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty adult patients undergoing OPCAB. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Transthoracic echocardiography was performed twice: first preoperatively and second postoperatively, when patients were moved to wards. The following five parameters of RV systolic function were used: tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), systolic tissue Doppler imaging of lateral tricuspid annulus (S'), fractional area change (FAC), RV myocardial performance index (RIMP), and isovolumic acceleration (IVA). Grading of RV diastolic function (RVDD) was done as per guidelines. Paired t test was used for comparing means and χ2 test was used for categorical and ordinal data. The parameters of RV longitudinal function (TAPSE and S') reduced significantly (preoperative 21.93 ± 2.80 mm and 13.24 ± 2.24 cm/s to postoperative 11.67 ± 1.91 mm and 10.31 ± 1.56 cm/s, respectively, p < 0.001), whereas parameters of RV global function (FAC, RIMP, and IVA) remained preserved (preoperative 46.75 ± 6.80%, 0.34 ± 0.06, and 4.66 ± 0.87 m/s2 to postoperative 46.21 ± 6.44%, 0.36 ± 0.06, and 4.37 ± 0.83 m/s2; p values of 0.76, 0.13, and 0.11, respectively). The median grade of RVDD worsened from normal in the preoperative period to pseudo-normal in the postoperative period (p < 0.001). The changes in both RV systolic and diastolic function were similar in patients with normal and reduced left ventricular systolic function. CONCLUSIONS: RV function can be assessed in perioperative settings with two-dimensional and tissue Doppler imaging. For systolic function assessment, exclusive measurement of longitudinal parameters might be inadequate; use of complementary global parameters like FAC, RIMP, and IVA is essential to complete the RV assessment after OPCAB. RVDD worsened significantly after OPCABG.

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Context: The cuff pressure (CP) of the endotracheal tube (ETT) exceeding 30 cm of H2O results in reduced perfusion of lateral mucosa of trachea leading to complications. As the posterior tracheal wall is in contact with the esophagus, there is a possibility that the insertion of transesophageal echo (TEE) probe may compress the tracheal wall and increase CP. Aims: This study was aimed to assess the impact of TEE probe insertion on CP in adults undergoing cardiac surgery. Settings and Design: Prospective observational study of 65 patients at tertiary care level hospital. Subjects and Methods: After balanced general anesthesia, patients were intubated with high volume low-pressure ET.TEE probe was then inserted with gentle jaw thrust. CP was measured by standard invasive pressure monitoring device at four points: T1 at baseline before TEE probe insertion; T2 maximum CP noted at TEE probe insertion; T3 at 5 min post TEE probe insertion; and T4 at post-TEE exam. Statistical Analysis Used: CP was compared between pairs of time points (T1 vs. T2; T1 vs. T3; and T1 vs. T4) using Mann-Whitney U test. Factors predicting CP >30 cm of H2O at T4 were assessed by backward stepwise regression. Results: CP (mean ± S.D.) at T1, T2, T3, and T4 was 22 ± 3, 38 ± 10, 30 ± 6, and 30 ± 7, respectively. CP increased significantly from T1 to T2 (P < 0.001), T1 to T3 (P < 0.001), and T1 to T4 (P < 0.001). There were 26 patients (40%) with CP >30 cm of H2O at end of TEE exam (T4). On multivariate analysis baseline, CP (T1) >20 cm of H2O was significantly associated with CP >30 cm of H2O at end of TEE exam with Odd's Ratio (OR) of 8.5 (1.76-41.06, P = 0.008). Conclusions: To conclude, the CP increases significantly with TEE probe insertion in 40% of patients exceeding a safe limit of 30 cm of H2O. The monitoring and optimization of CP is advisable.

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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cardiac surgery associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) is serious complication after cardiac surgery. The time interval between coronary angiography (CAG) to coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) is proposed as modifiable risk factor for reduction of CSA-AKI. The aim of this study was to assess influence of time interval between CAG to off-pump CABG (OPCABG) on incidence of CSA-AKI. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of 900 consecutive OPCABG patients who were classified into 2 groups based on time interval between CAG and OPCABG: ≤7 days or longer. RESULTS: The incidence of CSA-AKI was 24% (214/900) by Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) definition. The incidence of CSA-AKI was not significantly different in two groups (22% in >7 days groupvs. 28% in ≤7 days group, P = 0.31). The factors independently associated with CSA-AKI were: Age (OR 1.04; P = 0.002), baseline creatinine (OR 1.99,; P = 0.03), moderate LV dysfunction (OR 1.64,; P = 0.007) and blood transfusion (OR 3.3,; P < 0.001), but not the time interval between CAG and OPCABG. The incidence of CSA-AKI was highest in patients with creatinine clearance (CC) <50 mL/min when OPCABG was performed ≤7 days of CAG (16/38; 42%, OR 2.7, 1.4-5.4; P = 0.005) compared to lowest incidence of CSA-AKI in patients with CC >50 mL/min and OPCABG performed >7 days of CAG (114/543; 21%). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that there is no increased incidence of CSA-AKI if OPCABG is performed ≤7 days of CAG; but we recommend to postpone OPCABG for seven days if CC is <50 mL/min and there is no urgent indication for OPCABG in order to reduce incidence of CSA-AKI.

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Context: Cardiac anesthesiologists play a key role during the conduct of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). There are variations in the practice of CPB among extracorporeal technologists in India. Aims: The aim of this survey is to gather information on variations during the conduct of CPB in India. Settings and Design: This was an online conducted survey by Indian College of Cardiac Anaesthesia, which is the research and academic wing of the Indian Association of Cardiovascular Thoracic Anaesthesiologists. Subjects and Methods: Senior consultants heading cardiac anesthesia departments in both teaching and nonteaching centers (performing at least 15 cases a month) were contacted using an online questionnaire fielded using SurveyMonkey™ software. There were 33 questions focusing on institute information, perfusion practices, blood conservation on CPB; monitoring and anesthesia practices. Results: The response rate was 74.2% (187/252). Fifty-one (26%) centers were teaching centers; 18% centers performed more than 1000 cases annually. Crystalloid solution was the most common priming solution used. Twenty-three percent centers used corticosteroids routinely; methylprednisone was the most commonly used agent. The cardioplegia solution used by most responders was the one available commercially containing high potassium St. Thomas solution (55%), followed by Del Nido cardioplegia (33%). Majority of the responders used nasopharyngeal site to monitor intraoperative patient temperature. Antifibrinolytics were commonly used only in patients who were at high risk for bleeding by 51% of responders, while yet, another 39% used them routinely, and 11% never did. About 59% of the centers insist on only fresh blood (<7 days old) when blood transfusion was indicated. The facility to use vaporizer on CPB was available in 62% of the centers. All the teaching centers or high volume centers in India had access to transesophageal echocardiography probe and echo machine, with 51% using them routinely and 38% using them at least sometimes. Conclusions: There is a wide heterogeneity in CPB management protocols among various Indian cardiac surgery centers. The survey suggests that adherence to evidence-based and internationally accepted practices appears to be more prevalent in centers that have ongoing teaching programs and/or have high volumes, strengthening the need to devise guidelines by appropriate body to help bring in uniformity in CPB management to ensure patient safety and high quality of clinical care for best outcomes.

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OBJECTIVES: This study's objective was to test the hypothesis that transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-based mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) measurement is useful in perioperative settings to detect left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: Tertiary-care level hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 116 patients undergoing OPCAB to obtain cutoffs of MAPSE to detect LV dysfunction. These cutoffs were validated in another 105 patients from 2 other institutions. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In 116 patients who had undergone OPCAB during the study period with TEE monitoring, MAPSE was measured post hoc at the lateral and septal mitral (and average) annulus using the software tool M.mode.ify (http://www.ultrasoundoftheweek.com/M.mode.ify). Receiver operating curves were constructed to obtain cutoff values of MAPSE at the lateral and septal (and average) annulus of the mitral valve to predict LV systolic dysfunction, which was defined by an ejection fraction <52% for men and <54% for women as measured using the biplane method of disks. These cutoff values then were validated in another 105 patients. LV systolic dysfunction was present in 43% patients. Youden's index values of 9mm for lateral MPASE (area under the receiver operating curve [AUC] 0.93 [confidence interval {CI} 0.87-0.97]; p < 0.0001); 7mm for septal MAPSE (AUC 0.87 [CI 0.79-0.92]; p < 0.0001); and 9mm for average MAPSE (AUC 0.92 [CI 0.86-0.96]; p < 0.0001) were obtained. These cutoffs were statistically significant in the validation cohort (p < 0.0001) with an AUC of 0.84 (CI 0.75-0.90), sensitivity of 86.2%, specificity of 80.8%, positive predictive value of 84.8%, and negative predictive value of 82.6%. CONCLUSIONS: MAPSE is a simple, rapid, and reliable method to detect LV dysfunction using TEE in patients undergoing OPCAB. Its use as screening tool for LV dysfunction is recommended.

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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There is conflicting evidence on adverse effect of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) on outcomes after cardiac surgery for rheumatic heart disease (RHD). The authors studied Indian patients with RHD and preoperative PAH, who undergo cardiac surgery with a hypothesis that they have poor short and long-term outcomes. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of 407 patients. The patients were divided in three groups based on PAH estimated on echocardiograph as; no or mild PAH (pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) <30 mm of Hg); moderate PAH (PASP 31-55 mm of Hg) and severe PAH (PASP >55 mm of Hg). The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality and major morbidities; while secondary endpoint was long-term survival. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was 24 (5.9%); and was not different in patients with severe, (9.1%), moderate (4.5%) or mild PAH (2.8%) (P = 0.09). Patients with severe PAH had higher incidence of prolonged ventilation (P = 0.007). Factors independently associated with mortality were; >2-packed cell transfusion, prolonged ventilation and acute kidney injury but not moderate and severe PAH. Patients with mitral stenosis (MS) and severe PAH had significantly higher mortality as compared to no or mild PAH (P = 0.03) on long-term follow-up [81.37% (mean duration 19.40 ± 14.10 months)], mortality was 8% and not statistically different (P = 0.25) across PAH categories. CONCLUSION: Moderate and severe PAH does not affect short and long term outcomes of patients undergoing valve surgery for RHD. Patients with MS with severe PAH had higher mortality compared to those with no PAH.

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OBJECTIVES: Use of pregabalin is increasing in cardiac surgical patients. However, studies using comprehensive scoring systems are lacking on the drug's impact on postoperative recovery. The authors tested the hypothesis that perioperative oral pregabalin improves the postoperative quality of recovery as assessed using the Quality of Recovery (QoR-40) questionnaire in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG). DESIGN: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. SETTINGS: Tertiary-care hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients undergoing OPCABG. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were assigned randomly to the following 2 groups: the pregabalin group (those who received pregabalin, 150 mg capsule orally, 1 hour before surgery and 2 days postoperatively [75 mg twice a day] starting after extubation; n = 37); and the control group (those who received 2 similar-looking multivitamin capsules at similar times; n = 34). The QoR-40 scores were noted preoperatively and 24 hours after extubation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Both groups were comparable in terms of preoperative patient characteristics and baseline QoR-40 scores. Global scores were significantly improved in the pregabalin group compared with the control group in the postoperative period (177±9 v 170±9; p = 0.002). QoR-40 values in the dimensions of emotional state (p = 0.005), physical comfort (p = 0.04), and pain (p = 0.02) were improved in the pregabalin group. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative pregabalin improved postoperative quality of recovery as assessed using the QoR-40 questionnaire in patients undergoing OPCABG. Perioperative pregabalin offered advantages beyond better pain control, such as improved physical comfort and better emotional state; therefore, the drug's use in the perioperative period is recommended.

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CONTEXT: Use of perioperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has expanded in India. Despite attempts to standardize the practice of TEE in cardiac surgical procedures, variation in practice and application exists. This is the first online survey by Indian College of Cardiac Anaesthesia, research and academic wing of the Indian Association of Cardiovascular Thoracic Anaesthesiologists (IACTA). AIMS: We hypothesized that variations in practice of intraoperative TEE exist among centers and this survey aimed at analyzing them. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This is an online survey conducted among members of the IACTA. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: All members of IACTA were contacted using online questionnaire fielded using SurveyMonkey™ software. There were 21 questions over four pages evaluating infrastructure, documentation of TEE, experience and accreditation of anesthesiologist performing TEE, and finally impact of TEE on clinical practice. Questions were also asked about national TEE workshop conducted by the IACTA, and suggestions were invited by members on overseas training. RESULTS: Response rate was 29.7% (382/1222). 53.9% were from high-volume centers (>500 cases annually). TEE machine/probe was available to 75.9% of the respondents and those in high-volume centers had easier (86.9%) access. There was poor documentation of preoperative consent (23.3%) as well as TEE findings (66%). Only 18.2% of responders were board qualified. Almost 90% of the responders felt surgeons respected their TEE diagnosis. Around half of the responders felt that new intraoperative findings by TEE were considered in decision-making in most of the cases and 70% of the responders reported that surgical plan was altered based on TEE finding more than 10 times in the last year. Despite this, only 5% of the responders in this survey were monetarily awarded for performing impactful skill of TEE. Majority (57%) felt that there is no need for overseas training for Indian cardiac anesthesiologists. CONCLUSIONS: In this survey of members of the IACTA, use of TEE has increased substantially, but still a lot of variations in practice patterns exist in India. There is urgent need for improving TEE certification and upgrade documentation standards, motivate use of TTE across all centers, promote awareness and usefulness of TEE use among surgical fraternity, monitor impact of TEE, and support separate remuneration policy in India.

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A fistula between the right pulmonary artery and the left atrium is a very rare cause of central cyanosis. A clinical diagnosis is often made by first excluding other common causes and then performing diagnostic catheterization. Surgical closure offers a definitive cure for this rare congenital anomaly.

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