Use of cardiopulmonary bypass in cardiac surgery triggers systemic inflammation by neutrophil activation leading to neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) release. Hence, nuclear DNA released by necrotic and apoptotic cells might contribute to an increase in circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA). cfDNA/NETs might induce endothelial damage and organ dysfunction. This study focuses on the accuracy of cfDNA to predict acute kidney injury (AKI) after on-pump surgery. 58 cardiac patients undergoing on-pump surgery were prospectively enrolled. Blood samples were taken preoperatively, immediately after surgery, at day 1, 2, 3 and 5 from patients with (n = 21) or without (n = 37) postoperative AKI development. Levels of cfDNA, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and creatinine in patients’ plasma were quantified. ROC curves were used to assess the predictive value of the biomarkers for AKI. Further baseline characteristics and perioperative variables were analyzed.cfDNA and NGAL levels highly increased in AKI patients and significant intergroup differences (vs. non-AKI) were found until day 3 and day 5 after surgery, respectively. cfDNA levels were significantly elevated in patients who developed late AKI (>24 hours), but not in those with AKI development during the first 24 hours (early AKI). NGAL and creatinine, which were highest in patients with early AKI, accurately predicted during the first 24 postoperative hours (early AKI). At day 3, at a threshold of 260.53 ng/ml cfDNA was the best predictor for AKI (AUC = 0.804) compared to NGAL (AUC = 0.699) and creatinine (AUC = 0.688). NGAL, but not cfDNA, was strongly associated with AKI stages and mortality. Monitoring of cfDNA levels from the first postoperative day might represent a valuable tool to predict late AKI after on-pump surgery.

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OBJECTIVES The German Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection Type A (GERAADA) score to predict 30-day mortality in patients suffering from acute aortic dissection type A (AADA) was recently introduced. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the GERAADA score’s prediction corresponds with the authors’ institutional results. METHODS All consecutive AADA patients between 2010 and 2020 were included. Retrospective data collection comprised 11 preoperative parameters: age, sex, previous cardiac surgery, inotropic support at referral, resuscitation before surgery, aortic regurgitation, preoperative hemiparesis, intubation/ventilation at referral, preoperative organ malperfusion, extension of aortic dissection and location of primary entry site. Calculations of the GERAADA score were individually performed by a cardiac surgeon blinded to the study for all patients via a web-based application (https://www.dgthg.de/de/GERAADA_Score). RESULTS A total of 371 AADA patients were operated at the authors’ institution. The mean age was 62.7 ± 13.5 years and 233 (63%) were males. Prediction of 30-day mortality was accurate for the entire study cohort (actual vs predicted 30-day mortality: 15.1% vs 15.7%; P = 0.776) as well as for all 26 subgroups. In addition, preoperative resuscitation (P < 0.001), advanced age (P = 0.042) and other/unknown malperfusion (P = 0.032) were identified as independent risk factors. CONCLUSIONS The GERAADA score prediction of 30-day mortality after surgery is accurate, easily accessible due to its web-based platform and can be calculated with very basic preoperative clinical parameters. A prospective clinical trial is required to further evaluate the new GERAADA score as a useful tool to allow for improved decision-making in the emergency setting of AADA.