Perioperative management of post-COVID-19 surgical patients

Abstract

PREAMBLE The Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists (ISA) issues the following advisory and position statement pertaining to the perioperative management of post-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease (COVID-19) in surgical patients. With the second wave of COVID-19 receding, numerous patients who have recovered from the disease are reporting for elective/emergency surgery either for primary ailment or for a complication arising from COVID-19, such as mucormycosis. There is insufficient published literature, guidelines, or protocols regarding the perioperative management, morbidity and mortality of COVID-19-recovered patients. Many aspects of management are debatable and unclear. This position statement and advisory is aimed at guiding the anaesthesiologists in the safe perioperative management of the post-COVID-19 surgical patient population. As the understanding of COVID-19 is improving, the guidelines and recommendations are also being updated regularly; nevertheless, this ISA advisory and position statement is also subject to change and updation in the coming days. ISA POSITION STATEMENT SARS-CoV-2 infection primarily affects the pulmonary and cardiac systems but has the potential for involvement of multiple systems with both short-and long-term sequelae. Post-COVID syndrome can include symptoms related to residual inflammation, organ damage, impact on pre-existing health conditions, non-specific effects due to hospitalisation or prolonged ventilation (post-intensive care syndrome). The patients can be on polypharmacy, including steroids and anticoagulants. All these factors can have significant implications, which make the perioperative management of post-COVID-19 patients challenging. Physiological impairment and radiological features of pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial lung disease (ILD) with impaired diffusion and decreased functional capacity have been observed in cohorts of patients followed for 3–6 months after recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Elevated serum cardiac troponin levels, asymptomatic cardiac arrhythmias, or abnormalities in cardiac imaging may be the only cardiovascular post-COVID-19 manifestations. These patients are at an increased risk of left ventricular diastolic/systolic dysfunction, pulmonary arterial hypertension, heart failure, fresh myocardial infarction and arrhythmias, including premature ventricular complexes, ventricular tachyarrhythmias and atrial fibrillation due to healing myocarditis and myocardial fibrosis. Inappropriate sinus tachycardia or bradycardia can also be seen as a component of the post-COVID-19 syndrome. COVID-19 results in a hypercoagulable state and thrombotic events can occur during the acute illness or convalescence. The most common haemostatic abnormalities in COVID-19 include mild thrombocytopaenia, increased D-dimer levels, prolongation of the prothrombin time (PT), international normalised ratio (INR), thrombin time (TT) and shortened activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Moderate or severe SARS-CoV-2 infection is frequently associated with acute kidney injury (AKI). The duration of COVID-induced kidney injury is not clear, and renal consequences of COVID-19 may be found even six months after discharge. Hormonal and metabolic disturbances due to the involvement of the thyroid, pancreas and adrenal glands by the coronavirus have been reported. Direct viral damage to pancreatic islets due to coronavirus can lead to transient diabetes mellitus. Thyroid follicular damage, subacute thyroiditis leading to primary hypothyroidism, transient pituitary lesions and damage to hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis leading to hypocortisolism and secondary hypothyroidism have been reported in patients recovering from SARS-CoV-2. The most frequently reported long-term neurological sequelae of COVID-19 infection are anosmia, ageusia and cerebrovascular accidents. Fatigue and muscle weakness are the most common post-COVID-19 symptoms. Significant physical deconditioning, critical illness myopathy, residual neuromuscular weakness and increased frailty may be seen in patients recovering from severe COVID-19 and must be considered while assessing the perioperative risk. Psychiatric symptoms, including post-traumatic stress disorder, worsening of depression and anxiety, have been observed in COVID-19-recovered patients. Gastrointestinal and liver dysfunction with symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea, acid reflux, diarrhoea, abdominal distension, belching, abdominal pain and bloody stools can persist up to six months post-COVID-19. Abnormal aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels, low albumin and elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels are often observed. Cutaneous manifestations in COVID-19 patients may vary from urticarial, vesicular or maculopapular rash to various immune mediated inflammatory reactions. The full scope of thelong-term effects of COVID-19 and their clinical implications have not yet been fully understood. Similar to acute COVID-19, there is considerable variability in the presentation and severity of its sequelae. Knowledge of COVID-19-induced systemic effects is essential for an anaesthesiologist for better perioperative management of post-COVID-19 patients. INDIAN SOCIETY OF ANAESTHESIOLOGISTS ADVISORY Perioperative management of post-COVID-19 patients scheduled for elective surgery Timing of elective surgery The optimal timingof elective surgery after recovery from COVID-19 must be decided after taking into account the magnitude and duration of COVID symptoms, the disease severity, the presence of post-COVID-19 multiorgan dysfunction and drugs used for COVID-19 management that can affect perioperative outcomes. The AmericanSociety ofAnesthesiologists (ASA) and the Anaesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF) have advised that COVID-19 patients wait a few weeks after recovery for non-urgent or elective surgeries; four weeks for those who recovered from mild, non-respiratory symptoms; six weeks for symptomatic (including cough and shortness of breath) patients who did not require hospitalisation; 8–10 weeks for symptomatic patients who are diabetic, immunocompromised or hospitalised with COVID-19; and a minimum 12 weeks for patients who were admitted in an intensive care unit (ICU) with COVID-19. Reverse transcription-polymerasechain reaction (RT-PCR) tests can remain positive even after recovery. As per the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), re-testing is not recommended within 90 days of onset of COVID symptoms. In case a patient presents for surgery after 90 days of onset of COVID symptoms, a nasopharyngeal RT-PCR test is recommended ≤3 days prior to the date of scheduled surgical procedure. Pre-anaesthetic evaluation In addition tothe usual goals, pre-anaesthetic evaluation in a post-COVID-19 patient should primarily be aimed at assessment of the functional status of the patient, the assessment of sequelae of SARS-CoV-2infection on various organ systems for optimisation and to find out if the patient is on any medications, which could influence peri-anaesthetic events. Evaluation should include proper history and physical examination, including functional assessment and mandated investigations, along with meticulous documentation. Estimation of effort tolerance, breath-holding time, an ambulatory oxygen saturation measurement and a6-min walk test (6MWT) should be performed in all patients before considering any further investigations. Objective tests that evaluate the cardio-pulmonary and nutritional status, renal and liver functions, coagulation system and inflammatory markers may be performed. The tests can be chosen based on the degree of index illness, ASA physical status of the patient and the nature of the planned surgical procedure [Table 1].Table 1: Tests for pre-operative evaluation in post-COVID-19 patientsAny of thesepre-operative tests may yield an abnormal value/values suggesting that the disease has not completely resolved, thereby signalling an increased risk of intra-or post-operative complications. Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis is not mandatory because arterial puncture is associated with the risk of haematoma, nerve/arterial injury. Haemoglobin estimation may confirm anaemia, predict and prevent intra-operative hypoxaemia and increased myocardial workload, and can aid estimation of maximum allowable blood loss.White blood cell counts provide evidence of underlying infection and help differentiate extended COVID-19 symptoms from acute infections. Liver function tests (LFTs) are not likely to alter anaesthetic management even in a post-COVID-19 patient. Routine LFTs before surgery should thus be offered to some select patients presenting for intermediate or major surgery. These include elderly patients, ASA physical status class III and IV patients, those with a history of severe COVID-19, pre-existing liver conditions and documented significant liver dysfunction. Evaluation of renal function tests (RFTs) among COVID-19 survivors is important. The RFTs may unearth residual renal insufficiency resulting in changes in drugs and their dosing schedules. RFTs are mandatory when drugs such as amphotericin B are being administered. Creatinine clearance measurement is the most accurate method for clinically assessing the overall renal function. Mandatory pre-operative blood glucose testing (fasting and post-prandial) may be considered in COVID-19 patients with a history of steroid use, all patients with a history of severe COVID-19 disease and known patients of diabetes mellitus.Routine HbA1c estimation may be offered for diabetic patients if blood glucose values of the last 3 months are not available. Chest radiograms (X-rays) may help to rule out an infective pathology when read in conjunction with other signs and symptoms. Most of the patients have persistent cough and diagnosis of active respiratory tract infection may cause delay or postponement of elective cases pending optimisation. Special care is warranted in elderly patients, those with a history of severe disease, a poor previous chest X-ray or poor computed tomography (CT) scan report. Clinical assessment, peripheral arterial oxygen saturation levels and chest X-ray provide useful information about the respiratory status of patients presenting for surgery. The previous ECG ofall patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 and treated in ICU should be evaluated. A low threshold can be kept for ordering an echocardiogram when drugs such as amphotericin B are being used. Clinical featuresof primary/secondary hypothyroidism and hypocortisolism, such as fatigue, lassitude, weakness, malaise, orthostatic dizziness, anorexia, anxiety, depression and apathy, postural hypotension and low blood pressure, should be looked for. Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone and free thyroxine (T4) levels can be estimated if hypothyroidism is suspected. Serum cortisol estimation in the morning and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test can be advised in cases of suspected hypocortisolism and supplemental corticosteroids administered depending on the test results.The dose of perioperative steroid supplementation will depend on the type of surgical procedure. Supplemental perioperative corticosteroids are not indicated in those who have taken corticosteroids for less than three weeks/taken less than the equivalent of 5 mg of prednisolone daily/those undergoing superficial surgical procedures. It is pertinent that during the pre-operative evaluation, the clinical assessment of COVID-19-recovered patients should be individualised, considering the severity of the disease, their post-COVID-19 functional status, associated co-morbidities, the surgical procedure and the benefit-risk ratio of postponement of surgery. Pre-operative optimisation Prehabilitationand multidisciplinary optimisation is desirable. Patients awaiting surgery are recommended to accept a vaccine unless contraindicated. If possible, the vaccination should be given several weeks before surgery to reduce the risk to patients and lessen the risk of nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection to other patients and staff. There is currently no evidence that either COVID-19 or the vaccine interferes with anaesthesia. However, surgery is stressful to the body and temporarily puts extra strain on the immune system; the patient can wait until he/she is fully immunised after vaccination before proceeding with elective surgery. The surgery should be preferably scheduled two weeks after the second dose of the vaccine. Cessation of smoking, chest physiotherapy, use of bronchodilators, correction of hydration status, improvement in nutrition, adjustment of the dose of corticosteroids and control of hyperglycemia, including adjustment of insulin doses, and treatment of ketoacidosis are important. Perioperative management of antithrombotic and anti-platelet agents COVID-19-recovered patients may be on anti-platelet agents (such as low-dose aspirin), clopidogrel/prasugrel/ticagrelor/ticlopidine, low molecular weight heparin (LMWH)/unfractionated heparin, Factor Xa inhibitors (such as fondaparinux) and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) such as betrixaban/rivaroxaban/apixaban/dabigatran. Of these, the use of low-dose aspirin (75–150 mg/day) is safe and no special precautions are to be taken unless the patient presents for eye, prostate or neurosurgery. For patients at high risk of cardiac events (except those with coronary stents), clopidogrel/prasugrel is discontinued 5 days preoperatively and is resumed 24 h post-operatively. For patients at low risk of cardiac events, dual anti-platelet therapy is stopped 7–10 days preoperatively and resumed 24 h post-operatively. For those with coronary stents, dual anti-platelet therapy, including aspirin and clopidogrel/prasugrel, is continued perioperatively if surgery cannot be postponed. For those taking a once-daily dose of LMWH (prophylactic), it is prudent to intervene at least 12 h after the last dose and restart 24 h after surgery. However, if the dose is twice daily (therapeutic), or if the patient is on Factor Xa inhibitors, one should wait for at least 24 h before any intervention. There is a need to check for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in patients on more than 4 days of unfractionated heparin therapy. DOACs shouldideally be discontinued 24–48 h prior to surgery depending on the risk of bleeding in the surgical procedure. They must be discontinued a minimum of 72 h prior to a neuraxial technique. The problem with the newer DOACs is that the antidotes, although present, are not easily available. In addition, the usual coagulation tests such as PT, INR and aPTT do not qualitatively or quantitatively assess the effects of DOACs. If the time interval is less than 72 h, the serum DOAC level/quantitative anti-Factor Xa assay is required. Whenever in doubt and if the facility exists, thromboelastograph or thromboelastometer can reliably provide the coagulation status of the patient in the perioperative period. Despite theseprecautions, if an increase in bleeding is observed, the most reasonable solution would be to administer fresh frozen plasma (FFP). Although other anti-fibrinolytics, such as tranexamic acid, aprotinin and epsilon aminocaproic acid, have been used in cardiac, orthopaedic, obstetric and gynaecologic surgeries and major trauma to reduce blood loss, their use in post-COVID-19 surgical patients may be counterproductive as the underlying mechanism of coagulation dysfunction in COVID-19 disease has been thrombosis leading to increased D-dimer levels. The use of such agents may further promote thrombosis by inhibiting fibrinolysis with disastrous results. Studies regarding their use in the post-COVID-19 scenario are currently lacking. Intra-operative management Pre-operative anxiolysisand reassurance are important keeping in mind that the patients are very often anxious and stressed. The patient should be premedicated depending on the lung status with a short-acting benzodiazepine such as midazolam. As far as possible, regional anaesthesia (RA) is an important option. Optimal oxygenation by providing adequate inspired oxygen concentration should be ensured when administering general anaesthesia (GA). Heat and moisture exchange filters should be used to maintain mucociliary function. Propofol or etomidate can be used as induction agents. Vecuronium, cis-atracurium and atracurium can be used as agents for neuromuscular blockade. Suxamethonium or rocuronium can be used for rapid sequence tracheal intubation. The anaesthesia is maintained preferably with an air-oxygen mixture and inhalational agents such as sevoflurane/isoflurane/desflurane along with intra-operative analgesics, fentanyl. Adequate reversal of the neuromuscular block is important. In patients with renal dysfunction, drugs that are normally excreted by the kidney, such as meperidine, are avoided because of altered drug pharmacokinetics. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and renally excreted antibiotics and muscle relaxants can be detrimental. Succinylcholine can be administered keeping in mind the possibility of hyperkalaemia due to renal critical illness and secondary to the risk of pulmonary of renal therapy, management to prevent heart failure, of use of and of including ventilation to and should be considered in those with Intra-operative management in post-COVID-19 patients with cardiovascular manifestations It is important to with arterial for blood measurement and to the of or cardiac to cardiac and because perioperative can myocardial injury. In is this is also a and can as a to evaluate the left and ventricular The of anaesthetic can be decided taking into the of anaesthetic management, which include optimisation of of of of myocardial drugs and of such as and of heart care including of to the followed by oxygen supplementation and depending on the post-operative presence of and degree of of surgery is of and adequate for those with cardiovascular are important to prevent any cardiovascular events. can be and should be avoided in those with renal dysfunction. Perioperative management of surgery in post-COVID-19 patients This can be because of the time evaluation and optimisation. A history and clinical will regarding the post-COVID-19 functional A respiratory and cardiac is warranted in all The oxygen saturation on and the respiratory at should be should include a blood liver and kidney and a full coagulation In addition, and serum levels can be Elevated can a persistent need for and a low index of for pulmonary levels are a of heart failure, in time A chest X-ray and an ECG should be for all these patients. A analysis on and a breath-holding test can provide of the cardio-pulmonary It may not be to do the because of patient conditions in an it may be performed blood glucose should be and in case of ketoacidosis should be looked for and evaluated. A evaluation and are the of anaesthesia in the of prior COVID-19 illness is Patients with poor pulmonary status should be regarding the possibility of post-operative elective including neuraxial and should be in patients with evidence of decreased to neuraxial and should be time optimisation of patient should be with along with optimisation of status and can be can be a major for surgery. For the of LMWH can be by of of high dose corticosteroids may adrenal and steroid for the to the of adequate blood and blood With pulmonary and cardiac it may be prudent to a in these patients, to maintain a not than For be extended to neuromuscular and index to anaesthetic agents and muscle relaxants and as to residual effects at the of surgery. to for should be in all oxygenation during tracheal is in all these agents should be to in cases with suspected myocardial dysfunction. should be in the of in patients with a history of prolonged and neuromuscular may be in of in pulmonary may be for of anaesthesia considering and rapid In patients with ventilation with or ventilation may be positive should be in to potential A inspired concentration of oxygen may be to maintain adequate and are the most likely which will be should be in all should be planned in and to post-operative and assessment and should be to reversal of neuromuscular should be should be to at the time of should be performed the patient not have any significant cardiac positive or oxygen can be administered Patients should be for respiratory or can be considered for all patients. For in COVID-19 recovered all the is the should be in patients with decreased cardio-pulmonary sequence induction is A may be maintained to adequate oxygenation considering the poor pulmonary post-operative should be A block may be and should be considered while in patients on If the procedure the patients should not of is increased in these cases when is The and the of the last dose of antithrombotic are for recommended minimum time interval antithrombotic and neuraxial and after is as unfractionated h, 12 h, 4 24 h, 4 h, h, 5 h with and neuraxial anaesthesia is The recommended time interval of anti-platelet agents and neuraxial puncture is as 7–10 3 They can be resumed h after All these drugs are with the in The is an advisory and position statement based on literature, and It is pertinent to state that evidence is and guidelines are being and of There are no of to of Indian Society of ISA on COVID-19 Clinical COVID-19 for their and

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