Cited 13 times since 2017 (1.8 per year) source: EuropePMC European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery, Volume 51, Issue 3, 1 1 2017, Pages 532-538 Incidence and predictors of vasoplegia after heart failure surgery. van Vessem ME, Palmen M, Couperus LE, Mertens B, Berendsen RR, Tops LF, Verwey HF, de Jonge E, Klautz RJ, Schalij MJ, Beeres SL

Objectives

Vasoplegia has been described as a complication after cardiac surgery, particularly in patients with a poor left ventricular ejection fraction. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence, survival and predictors of vasoplegia in patients undergoing heart failure surgery and to propose a risk model.

Methods

A retrospective study including heart failure patients who underwent surgical left ventricular restoration, CorCap implantation or left ventricular assist device implantation between 2006 and 2015. Patients were classified by the presence or absence of vasoplegia.

Results

Two hundred and twenty-five patients were included. The incidence of vasoplegia was 29%. The 90-day survival rate in vasoplegic patients was lower compared with non-vasoplegic patients (71% vs 91%, P  <   0.001). After adjusting for age, sex and surgical procedure, anaemia (OR 2.195; 95% CI 1.146, 4.204; P  =   0.018) and a higher thyroxine level (OR 1.140; 95% CI 1.033, 1.259; P  =   0.009) increased the risk of vasoplegia; a higher creatinine clearance (OR 0.980; 95% CI 0.965, 0.994; P  =   0.006) and beta-blocker use (OR 0.257; 95% CI 0.112, 0.589; P  =   0.001) decreased the risk. The risk model consisted of the same variables and could adequately identify patients at risk for vasoplegia.

Conclusions

Vasoplegia after heart failure surgery is common and results in a lower survival rate. Anaemia and a higher thyroxine level are associated with an increased risk on vasoplegia. In contrast, a higher creatinine clearance and beta-blocker use decrease the risk on vasoplegia. These factors are used in the risk model that may guide treatment strategy.

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2017 3;51(3):532-538