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Biomedical subjects

Alberto Zangrillo

Publications and source records attributed to Alberto Zangrillo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Beneficial impact of fenoldopam in critically ill patients with or at risk for acute renal failure: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury is common in critically ill patients. Fenoldopam mesylate is a potent dopamine A-1 receptor agonist that increases blood flow to the renal cortex and outer medulla. Because there is uncertainty about the benefits of fenoldopam in such a setting, we performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials of intensive care unit patients or those undergoing major surgery. METHODS: BioMedCentral, CENTRAL, PubMed, and conference proceedings were searched (updated October 2005). Investigators and external experts were contacted. Two unblinded reviewers selected randomized controlled trials that used fenoldopam in the prevention or treatment of acute kidney injury in postoperative or intensive care patients. Studies involving the prevention of contrast nephropathy or containing duplicate data were excluded from analysis. Two reviewers independently abstracted patient data, treatment characteristics, and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 1,290 patients from 16 randomized studies were included in the analysis. Pooled estimates showed that fenoldopam consistently and significantly reduced the risk for acute kidney injury (odds ratio [OR], 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.32 to 0.59; P < 0.001), need for renal replacement therapy (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.84; P = 0.007), and in-hospital death (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.45 to 0.91; P = 0.01). These benefits were associated with shorter intensive care unit stay (weighted mean difference, -0.61 days; 95% CI, -0.99 to -0.23; P = 0.002). Sensitivity analyses, tests for small-study bias, and heterogeneity assessment further confirmed the main analysis. CONCLUSION: This analysis suggests that fenoldopam reduces the need for renal replacement and mortality in patients with acute kidney injury. A large, multicenter, appropriately powered trial will need to be performed to confirm these results.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed2006

Temperature management during off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a randomized clinical trial on the efficacy of a circulating water system versus a forced-air system.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a new temperature management system specifically designed for cardiac surgery (Allon ThermoWrapping Thermoregulation System; MTRE Advanced Technologies Ltd, Or Akiva, Israel) using a circulating-water garment and to compare it with a conventional forced-air cover system in order to determine whether it could reduce the incidence of perioperative hypothermia during off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OPCAB) surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized. SETTING: University, tertiary care hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-one patients undergoing primary OPCAB surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients undergoing OPCAB surgery were randomized into the new thermoregulation system, Allon (study group, n = 15), and the standard forced-air system, Bair Hugger (Sterile Cardiac Access blanket Model 645; Augustine SA, Berne, Switzerland) (control group, n = 16). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Rectal temperature was recorded each 30 minutes during surgery and at intensive care unit arrival. Patients in the study group had higher temperatures than the control group at all time points, and the difference reached statistical significance after 2 hours of surgery. Moreover, fewer patients in the study group suffered perioperative hypothermia (defined as rectal temperature <36 degrees C) than the control group (2/15 patients (13.3%) in the study group v 13/16 (81.3%) in the control group [p = 0.0006]). No difference in other outcomes was noted. None of the patients died in the hospital. There were no adverse events reported. CONCLUSIONS: The circulating-water garment, Allon ThermoWrapping Thermoregulation System, maintained normothermia during OPCAB surgery better than forced-air systems, especially after the first 2 hours of surgery, and it was not associated with surgical field disturbance.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Phosphorylcholine coating may limit thrombin formation during high-risk cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: During cardiopulmonary bypass, blood contact with the large nonendothelial surfaces of the extracorporeal circuit induces activation and consumption of platelets and plasma coagulation factors. Phosphorylcholine (Pc) coating of oxygenators has been designed to improve surface biocompatibility. We evaluated the effects of a Pc-coated oxygenator on blood coagulation in patients undergoing high-risk open heart surgery and receiving tranexamic acid. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients undergoing reoperative valvular or combined procedures were randomized to the use of an oxygenator treated with Pc coating (Pc group) or of a standard oxygenator (control group). Platelet count, soluble CD40 ligand, fibrinogen, antithrombin, D-Dimer, prothrombin fragment 1.2 (F1.2), and free plasma hemoglobin levels were measured at baseline, at aortic unclamping, and at arrival in the intensive care unit. RESULTS: Postoperative bleeding, need for blood products, and clinical outcomes were similar in the two groups. At unclamping, F1.2, a marker of in vivo thrombin formation, increased to a greater extent in control patients than in Pc patients (p = 0.02), and in the latter group of patients was positively correlated with aortic cross-clamp times (r = 0.70). Relative to baseline values, the percent decrease in platelet count, fibrinogen, and antithrombin levels was not significantly different in Pc patients and in control patients after adjustment for multiple comparisons, but the percent decrease in platelet counts was negatively correlated with F1.2 levels in the entire series of patients (r = -0.62, p < 0.0001). All the evaluated parameters were similar in the two groups of patients at arrival in the intensive care unit. CONCLUSIONS: For patients undergoing high-risk open heart surgery and receiving tranexamic acid, a phosphorylcholine-coated oxygenator may reduce intraoperative thrombin formation and the associated consumption of platelets, fibrinogen, and antithrombin.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Spinal cord stimulation for patients with refractory angina and previous coronary surgery.

BACKGROUND: Refractory angina pectoris is an exceptionally debilitating condition affecting patients who have typically failed multiple percutaneous and surgical revascularizations and optimal medical therapy and who are not amenable for further revascularization procedures. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been adopted in this context at our institution and midterm mortality, anginal status, and quality of life have been evaluated. METHODS: From 1998 to 2004, 51 patients with refractory class III-IV angina, who were not considered candidates for revascularization procedures, underwent SCS. All patients had already undergone previous surgical revascularization and a median of two percutaneous procedures. Transmyocardial laser revascularization had been previously performed in 8 cases (15.6%). Most of the patients (70.5%) had experienced a myocardial infarction. Mean ejection fraction was 0.42 +/- 0.121, Canadian Cardiovascular Society class 3.5 +/- 0.5, quality of life (Spitzer index) 4.5 +/- 1.2, and the median frequency of weekly angina episodes was 10. RESULTS: There were no SCS implantation-related complications. At follow-up (100% complete, mean 24 +/- 18 months), a significant improvement of anginal symptoms (>50% reduction of weekly anginal episodes) occurred in 45 patients (88.2%). In those patients (Responders), the quality of life improved significantly (6.8 +/- 1.5; p < 0.0001), CCS class decreased to 2 +/- 0.7 (p < 0.0001), and the median frequency of weekly angina episodes to 3 (p < 0.0001). At 3 years, Responders' survival was 91.8 +/- 4.6% and the freedom from cardiac events 72.6 +/- 8.42%. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal cord stimulation is a safe and effective procedure in truly no-option patients affected by refractory angina. A midterm sustained improvement of symptoms and quality of life have been documented with a satisfactory 3-year survival rate.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Myocardial damage prevented by volatile anesthetics: a multicenter randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of volatile anesthesia versus total intravenous anesthesia on cardiac troponin release in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). DESIGN: The authors performed a multicenter randomized controlled study to compare cardiac troponin release in patients receiving either volatile anesthetics or total intravenous anesthesia for cardiac surgery on the beating heart, which is an excellent model of human myocardial ischemia. SETTING: Three university hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: The authors randomly assigned 57 patients to desflurane (volatile anesthetic) and 55 patients to propofol (intravenous anesthetic) in addition to an opiate-based anesthesia for OPCAB. INTERVENTIONS: The 2 groups of patients received either desflurane (volatile anesthetic) or propofol in addition to an opiate-based anesthesia for OPCAB. Peak postoperative troponin I release was measured as a marker of myocardial necrosis. Prolonged hospitalization was considered as a secondary outcome. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patient mean age was 69 years, and 82% were men. There was a significant (p < 0.001) reduction in postoperative median (25th-75th percentiles) peak of troponin I in patients receiving volatile anesthetics, 1.2 (0.9-1.9) ng/dL, compared with patients receiving total intravenous anesthesia, 2.7 (2.1-4.0) ng/dL. This myocardial protection resulted in a reduced (p = 0.04) number (percentage) of patients requiring postoperative inotropes, 20 (35%) versus 31 (56%), and a reduced number (percentage) of patients submitted to prolonged hospitalization (> or =7 days), 7 (12%) versus 20 (36%) in the 2 groups (p = 0.005). One patient receiving total intravenous anesthesia died within 30 days of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial damage measured by cardiac troponin release could be reduced by volatile anesthetics during OPCAB. Because patients underwent cardiac surgery on the beating heart, these results could have implications for cardiac patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Anticoagulation management in patients undergoing open heart surgery by activated clotting time and whole blood heparin concentration.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in perioperative anticoagulation management using a heparin-concentration-based system (HMS), and its effect on postoperative outcome. METHODS: A total of 39 patients undergoing elective primary open heart surgery were randomly assigned to a heparin-concentration-based system approach (study group: 17 patients) or a standard ACT-based anticoagulation system (control group: 22 patients). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients in the study group received a statistically significant higher dose of heparin (median 29000 IU with IQR 22 500-33 500 IU versus median 19 000 IU with IQR 17 775-21 500 IU; p < 0.001) and a smaller dose of protamine (median 170 mg with IQR 145-190 mg versus median 200 mg with IQR 180-250 mg; p = 0.008) compared to the control group. Postoperative platelet count was significantly higher in the study group (164 +/- 45 x 10(9)/L versus 125 +/- 27 x 10(9)/L, p = 0.002). None of the study patients, but six patients in the control group required transfusion of blood products (p = 0.02). No differences were recorded in postoperative antithrombin activity, bleeding, and other clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: The HMS system, by facilitating maintenance of a stable heparin concentration, and by determining an appropriate dose of protamine, is associated with reduced platelet consumption and does not increase AT-III consumption and postoperative bleeding.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus species in a cardiac surgical intensive care unit: a 5-year experience.

OBJECTIVES: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus is a growing problem in intensive care units (ICUs). The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus isolates in a cardiac surgical ICU over a 5-year period and to determine the risk factors and outcome of this condition. METHODS: During the period from January 1998 to July 2003, the clinical data of all adult patients who underwent cardiac surgery in a university hospital were prospectively recorded in a database; the perioperative clinical variables and microbiologic data were studied by means of univariate and multivariate analysis in order to identify risk factors for the development of methicillin resistance and in-hospital death. RESULTS: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus species strains were isolated in 118 of 6,423 patients operated on during the study period (7.6 cases per 1,000 days of ICU stay), with a constant prevalence rate throughout the years. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus species have been the most frequently isolated microorganisms in the authors' ICU; 75% of Staphylococcus aureus and 95% of coagulase-negative staphylococci were methicillin resistant. In-hospital mortality in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus-positive patients was 50.0% (59/118), whereas it was 1.7% (108/6305) in other patients (p < 0.0001). On multivariate analysis, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus species isolation was the single risk factor with the strongest association with in-hospital death (odds ratio, 8.5; 95% confidence interval 4.9-14.7). In the present series, there were no isolates of vancomycin-resistant species (Enterococcus species or Staphylococcus species). CONCLUSIONS: Staphylococcus species represent the most frequently isolated microorganisms in the authors' ICU. In-hospital mortality in cardiac surgical patients is strongly correlated to the isolation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Renoprotective action of fenoldopam in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a prospective, double-blind, randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute renal failure is a serious complication of cardiac surgery causing high morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of fenoldopam, a specific agonist of the dopamine-1 receptor, in patients at high risk of perioperative renal dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS: A prospective single-center, randomized, double-blind trial was performed after local ethical committee approval and after written consent was obtained from 80 patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Patients received either fenoldopam at 0.05 microg/kg per minute or dopamine at 2.5 microg/kg per minute after the induction of anesthesia for a 24-hour period. All these patients were at high risk of perioperative renal dysfunction as indicated by Continuous Improvement in Cardiac Surgery Program score >10. Primary end point was defined as 25% creatinine increase from baseline levels after cardiac surgery. The 2 groups (fenoldopam versus dopamine) were homogeneous cohorts, and no difference in outcome was observed. Acute renal failure was similar: 17 of 40 (42.5%) in the fenoldopam group and 16 of 40 (40%) in the dopamine group (P=0.9). Peak postoperative serum creatinine level, intensive care unit and hospital stay, and mortality were also similar in the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Despite an increasing number of reports of renal protective properties from fenoldopam, we observed no difference in the clinical outcome compared with dopamine in a high-risk population undergoing cardiac surgery.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting reduces postoperative neurologic complications.

OBJECTIVE: Complications occurring after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, particularly neurologic damage, have been mainly correlated with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The aim of this work was to compare postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing CABG surgery, with or without the use of CPB, focusing on neurologic events. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: University tertiary care hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Two thousand seven hundred and forty consecutive patients who underwent CABG surgery in the period January 1998 to January 2003. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: For 738 patients, the operation was performed off-pump (OP group), and for 2002 patients CPB was used (CPB group). OP and CPB groups were compared with regard to preoperative status, anesthetic management, and postoperative outcomes, by means of univariate and multivariate analyses. Surgeons' propensity to operate off-pump was based on patients' age, renal conditions, and hemodynamics. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that CPB was associated with a higher incidence of type I neurologic events compared with OP technique (2.1% versus 0.9%, odds ratio [OR]: 2.6, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-5.9). A history of previous stroke (OR: 2.7, 95% CI, 1.2-5.9) and advanced age (OR: 1.06 per year, 95% CI, 1.02-1.09) were additional independent predictors of postoperative type I neurologic events. CONCLUSIONS: In the authors' experience, off-pump CABG surgery offers some benefits compared with CPB in respect to major neurologic complications.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Perioperative magnesium supplementation to prevent atrial fibrillation after off-pump coronary artery surgery: a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: Atrial fibrillation is a common complication after cardiac surgery. Magnesium is an effective and safe antiarrhythmic agent for arrhythmias that develop after cardiac surgery. The authors performed a study to evaluate the role of perioperative magnesium for prophylaxis of atrial fibrillation after off-pump coronary artery surgery. DESIGN: Randomized controlled study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred sixty consecutive patients undergoing elective, isolated, off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting were prospectively randomized into 2 groups. INTERVENTIONS: Patients in the magnesium group (n = 80) received a 2.5-g (20 mEq) magnesium sulphate infusion intraoperatively over 30 minutes, and the placebo group (n = 80) received normal saline solution. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Postoperative atrial fibrillation occurred in 16 of 80 patients (20%) in the magnesium group and in 18 of 80 (22.5%) in the placebo group (p = 0.9). CONCLUSION: The use of 2.5 g of intraoperative magnesium showed no effect in preventing atrial fibrillation after off-pump coronary artery bypass.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

The effect of concomitant radiofrequency ablation and surgical technique (repair versus replacement) on release of cardiac biomarkers during mitral valve surgery.

All patients undergoing heart surgery experience a certain amount of nonspecific myocardial injury documented by the release of cardiac biomarkers and associated with poor outcome. We investigated the role of unipolar radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation on the release of cardiac biomarkers in 71 patients undergoing mitral valve surgery and concomitant left atrial ablation case-matched with 71 patients undergoing isolated mitral surgery. The study was powered to detect a 3 ng/mL difference. There was no difference between the 2 groups in terms of cardiac troponin I (10 +/- 5.3 versus 12 + 10.4 ng/mL; P = 0.7) or creatine kinase-MB (50 +/- 21.8 versus 57 +/- 62.0 ng/mL; P = 0.5) release. Postoperative peak cardiac troponin I levels had univariate associations with the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (P = 0.002) and aortic cross-clamping (P = 0.001) and with the surgical technique (15 +/- 12 ng/mL for mitral valve replacement versus 9 +/- 4.8 for mitral valve repair; P = 0.0007) at univariate analysis. Mitral valve replacement was the only independent predictor of postoperative peak release of cardiac troponin I identified with multivariate analysis (P = 0.005). Radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation does not significantly increase cardiac biomarker release compared with isolated mitral surgery; mitral valve repair is associated with less release of cardiac biomarkers compared with mitral valve replacement.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

"Ultrasound comet-tail images": a marker of pulmonary edema: a comparative study with wedge pressure and extravascular lung water.

BACKGROUND: Echographic examination of the lung surface may reveal multiple "comet-tail images" originating from water-thickened interlobular septa. These images could be useful for noninvasive assessment of interstitial pulmonary edema. STUDY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of lung comet-tail images compared with chest radiography, wedge pressure, and extravascular lung water (EVLW) quantified by the indicator dilution method (PiCCO System, version 4.1; Pulsion Medical Systems; Munich, Germany). METHODS AND PATIENTS: We enrolled 20 patients (mean age, 62.6 +/- 11.5 years [+/- SD]). Patients were studied before, immediately after, and 24 h following cardiac surgery with chest ultrasound, chest radiography, pulmonary artery catheterization, and the PiCCO system. Performing echo scanning (right and left hemithorax, from second to fourth intercostal space, from parasternal to midaxillary line), an individual patient comet score was obtained by summing the number of comets in each scanned space. RESULTS: A total of 60 comparisons were obtained. Significant positive linear correlations were found between comet score and EVLW determined by the PiCCO System (r = 0.42, p = 0.001), between comet score and wedge pressure (r = 0.48, p = 0.01), and between comet score and radiologic lung water score (r = 0.60, p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The presence and the number of comet-tail images provide reliable information on interstitial pulmonary edema. Therefore, ultrasonography represent an attractive, easy-to-use, bedside diagnostic tool for assessing cardiac function and pulmonary congestion.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Prevention of iatrogenic atrial tachycardia after ablation of atrial fibrillation: a prospective randomized study comparing circumferential pulmonary vein ablation with a modified approach.

BACKGROUND: Circumferential pulmonary vein ablation (CPVA) is effective in curing atrial fibrillation (AF), but new-onset left atrial tachycardia (AT) is a potential complication. We evaluated whether a modified CPVA approach including additional ablation lines on posterior wall and the mitral isthmus would reduce the incidence of AT after PV ablation. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 560 patients (291 men, 52%; age, 56.5+/-7.3 years) entered the study; 280 were randomized to CPVA alone (group 1) and 280 to modified CPVA (group 2). The primary end point was freedom from AT after the procedure. In group 1, 28 patients (10%) experienced new-onset AT, and 41 (14.3%) experienced recurrent AF. In group 2, 11 patients (3.9%) experienced AT, and 36 (12.9%) had recurrent AF. Group 1 was more likely to experience AT than group 2 (P=0.005). Freedom from AF after ablation was similar in both groups (P=0.57). Among those in group 1, gap-related macroreentrant AT was documented in 23 of the 28 patients (82%), and focal AT was found in 5 (18%). In group 2, gap-related macroreentrant AT was found in 8 of the 11 patients (73%), and focal AT was seen in 3 (27%). Two patients in group 1 and 1 patient in group 2 had both AT and AF. The strongest predictor of AT was the presence of gaps (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Modified CPVA is as effective as CPVA in preventing AF but is associated with a lower risk of developing incessant AT.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Ten years experience of thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm surgical repair: lessons learned.

In the last few years, advances in surgical techniques and in organ protection adjuncts have improved outcomes in thoracic (TAA) and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) surgical repair, although mortality and morbidity are still noteworthy. The aim of the current retrospective study is to determine whether the use of adjuncts influenced mortality and morbidity rates. From 1993 to 2003 we performed 353 procedures for TAA (175 cases) and TAAA (178 cases). This series has been divided into two consecutive groups: in group I (from 1993 to 1997), distal aortic perfusion with left atriofemoral bypass and cerebrospinal fluid drainage were used selectively, and in group II (from 1998 to 2003), the adjuncts were used routinely (together with surgical techniques of less invasive approach in selected cases). Total in-hospital mortality rates were significantly different ( p < 0.05): 15.9% in group I and 8.6% in group II. The overall incidence of paraplegia or paraparesis in group I was 8.3% and in Group II it was 5.1%. Renal failure occurred in 9.6% of group I and in 4.1% of group II. The incidence of respiratory failure in group I was 28%, and was 17.9% in group II. Respiratory failure was significantly lower ( p < 0.05) in group II. The reduction in the incidence of renal failure and paraplegia in the two groups was nonsignificant. In conclusion, the use of adjuncts and our improved experience allowed us to achieve a significant improvement in mortality and major morbidity rates in the group of patients operated on after 1998.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Pulmonary vein denervation enhances long-term benefit after circumferential ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: There are no data to evaluate the relationship between autonomic nerve function modification and recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) after circumferential pulmonary vein ablation (CPVA). This study assesses the incremental benefit of vagal denervation by radiofrequency in preventing recurrent AF in a large series of patients undergoing CPVA for paroxysmal AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data were collected on 297 patients undergoing CPVA for paroxysmal AF. Abolition of all evoked vagal reflexes around all pulmonary vein ostia was defined as complete vagal denervation (CVD) and was obtained in 34.3% of patients. Follow-up ended at 12 months. Heart rate variability attenuation, consistent with vagal withdrawal, was detectable for up to 3 months after CPVA, particularly in patients with reflexes and CVD, who were less likely to have recurrent AF than those without reflexes (P=0.0002, log-rank test). Only the percentage area of left atrial isolation and CVD were predictors of AF recurrence after CPVA (P<0.001 and P=0.025, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that adjunctive CVD during CPVA significantly reduces recurrence of AF at 12 months.

Atrial Fibrillation↗
PubMed2004

Long-term outcome and quality of life of patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation after cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To study the long-term survival and quality of life of patients with a complicated post-operative course after cardiac surgery requiring prolonged (>or=7 days) mechanical ventilation (MV), since they represent a heavy burden on hospital resources and their outcome has never been adequately evaluated. METHODS: Out of 4827 consecutive cardiac surgical patients, 148 (3%) required prolonged post-operative MV: their hospital course was analysed and factors affecting prolonged MV and mortality were identified using multivariate analysis. Long-term survival was assessed using Cox proportional hazard method. Long-term (36+/-12 months) follow-up information was collected and quality of life was assessed by an ad hoc questionnaire. RESULTS: Overall mortality in the study group was 45.3 versus 2% in the control population (P<0.0001). Predictors of death in the prolonged MV group were age (odds ratio, OR 1.049) and diabetes (OR 3.459). Long-term survival was significantly worse in those patients who were extubated after 21 days: 88.9 versus 70.9% at 1 year (P=0.03) and 80.9 versus 64.5% at 5 years (P=0.05). Mild or no limitation in daily living was referred by 69% of the survivors. CONCLUSIONS: The hospital mortality of patients requiring prolonged MV is high. The long-term survival of patients who are weaned from MV after 21 days is significantly lower. The great majority of the survivors can enjoy a good quality of life.

Activities of Daily Living↗