Consensus Defined Diastolic Dysfunction and Cardiac Postoperative Morbidity Score: A Prospective Observational Study.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Cardiac Surgery
• Echocardiography

Background:

• Diastolic dysfunction is a known risk factor for adverse outcomes in cardiac surgery.
• Assessing diastolic function is crucial for patient risk stratification and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between diastolic dysfunction and multisystem morbidity following cardiac surgery.
• To evaluate the utility of updated echocardiography guidelines in assessing diastolic dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• 142 patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were studied.
• Transesophageal echocardiography was used to assess diastolic function per 2016 ASE/EACVI guidelines.
• Postoperative morbidity, including CPOMS, ICU stay, intubation duration, and atrial fibrillation, were recorded.

Main Results:

• Diastolic dysfunction was prevalent, present in 70.9% pre-sternotomy and 75% post-sternotomy.
• Diastolic dysfunction correlated with higher CPOMS scores on postoperative days 5 and 8.
• Patients with diastolic dysfunction experienced longer intubation, longer ICU stays, and a higher incidence of new atrial fibrillation.

Conclusions:

• Any grade of diastolic dysfunction is associated with increased all-cause morbidity after cardiac surgery.
• The updated ASE/EACVI guidelines are applicable for grading diastolic dysfunction in this population.
• Identifying diastolic dysfunction can aid in predicting and managing postoperative complications.