Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of vasopressors on gastrointestinal (GI) anastomotic leaks. Vasopressors are commonly used in surgical patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and their effects on GI anastomotic integrity are unknown. Patients and Methods: Surgical patients admitted to the ICU in our tertiary university hospital following the creation of a GI anastomosis were studied by a retrospective chart analysis for anastomotic leaks and complications Results: A total of 223 patients with 259 GI anastomoses, mostly for cancer, were admitted to the ICU immediately after surgery. Twenty-two patients developed anastomotic leaks (9.9%). The two groups (leak versus no-leak) had similar demographics, surgery type and indication, type of anastomosis, co-morbidities, cancer, steroid use, blood transfusion, drains, and epidural catheters. Vasopressor use was associated with increased anastomotic leakage (p = 0.02, OR 3.25). Multiple vasopressors and prolonged exposure caused even higher leaking rates. This effect was independent of the medical status and operative morbidity (APACHE II, POSSUM). Blood pressure preceding vasopressor use was similar in both groups. Vasopressors might have been occasionally used to treat hypovolemia. Patients with leaks had higher reoperation rates (41% versus 1%, p < 0.0001) and mortality (21% versus 4%, p = 0.002). Conclusions: Vasopressors appear to increase anastomotic leaks threefold, independent of clinical/surgical status or hypotension. Evidence-based guidelines are warranted for the optimal use of vasopressors in postoperative patients admitted to the ICU.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1627-1634 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | World Journal of Surgery |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Aug 1 2007 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery
Cite this
Perioperative vasopressors are associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal anastomotic leakage. / Zakrison, Tanya; Nascimento, Bartolomeu A.; Tremblay, Lorraine N.; Kiss, Alex; Rizoli, Sandro B.
In: World Journal of Surgery, Vol. 31, No. 8, 01.08.2007, p. 1627-1634.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Perioperative vasopressors are associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal anastomotic leakage
AU - Zakrison, Tanya
AU - Nascimento, Bartolomeu A.
AU - Tremblay, Lorraine N.
AU - Kiss, Alex
AU - Rizoli, Sandro B.
PY - 2007/8/1
Y1 - 2007/8/1
N2 - Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of vasopressors on gastrointestinal (GI) anastomotic leaks. Vasopressors are commonly used in surgical patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and their effects on GI anastomotic integrity are unknown. Patients and Methods: Surgical patients admitted to the ICU in our tertiary university hospital following the creation of a GI anastomosis were studied by a retrospective chart analysis for anastomotic leaks and complications Results: A total of 223 patients with 259 GI anastomoses, mostly for cancer, were admitted to the ICU immediately after surgery. Twenty-two patients developed anastomotic leaks (9.9%). The two groups (leak versus no-leak) had similar demographics, surgery type and indication, type of anastomosis, co-morbidities, cancer, steroid use, blood transfusion, drains, and epidural catheters. Vasopressor use was associated with increased anastomotic leakage (p = 0.02, OR 3.25). Multiple vasopressors and prolonged exposure caused even higher leaking rates. This effect was independent of the medical status and operative morbidity (APACHE II, POSSUM). Blood pressure preceding vasopressor use was similar in both groups. Vasopressors might have been occasionally used to treat hypovolemia. Patients with leaks had higher reoperation rates (41% versus 1%, p < 0.0001) and mortality (21% versus 4%, p = 0.002). Conclusions: Vasopressors appear to increase anastomotic leaks threefold, independent of clinical/surgical status or hypotension. Evidence-based guidelines are warranted for the optimal use of vasopressors in postoperative patients admitted to the ICU.
AB - Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of vasopressors on gastrointestinal (GI) anastomotic leaks. Vasopressors are commonly used in surgical patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and their effects on GI anastomotic integrity are unknown. Patients and Methods: Surgical patients admitted to the ICU in our tertiary university hospital following the creation of a GI anastomosis were studied by a retrospective chart analysis for anastomotic leaks and complications Results: A total of 223 patients with 259 GI anastomoses, mostly for cancer, were admitted to the ICU immediately after surgery. Twenty-two patients developed anastomotic leaks (9.9%). The two groups (leak versus no-leak) had similar demographics, surgery type and indication, type of anastomosis, co-morbidities, cancer, steroid use, blood transfusion, drains, and epidural catheters. Vasopressor use was associated with increased anastomotic leakage (p = 0.02, OR 3.25). Multiple vasopressors and prolonged exposure caused even higher leaking rates. This effect was independent of the medical status and operative morbidity (APACHE II, POSSUM). Blood pressure preceding vasopressor use was similar in both groups. Vasopressors might have been occasionally used to treat hypovolemia. Patients with leaks had higher reoperation rates (41% versus 1%, p < 0.0001) and mortality (21% versus 4%, p = 0.002). Conclusions: Vasopressors appear to increase anastomotic leaks threefold, independent of clinical/surgical status or hypotension. Evidence-based guidelines are warranted for the optimal use of vasopressors in postoperative patients admitted to the ICU.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34447302875&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=34447302875&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s00268-007-9113-4
DO - 10.1007/s00268-007-9113-4
M3 - Article
C2 - 17551781
AN - SCOPUS:34447302875
VL - 31
SP - 1627
EP - 1634
JO - World Journal of Surgery
JF - World Journal of Surgery
SN - 0364-2313
IS - 8
ER -