Frequently Asked Questions - 1st DRAFT

 

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

 

Frequently Asked Questions: Adult Cardiac Surgery Database

 

Version 2.52.1

 

 August, 2006

 

 

How to use the “interactive” FAQ Document:

 

1.  To review all clinical questions in an individual section, click on the section title below.

 

Section A:  seq# 40-80

Section F:  seq# 750-870

Section K:  seq# 1630-1880

Section P:  seq# 2710-3010

Section B:  seq# 100-210

Section G:  seq# 890-1040

Section L:  seq# 1920-2350

Section Q:  seq# 3020-3080

Section C:  seq# 220-340

Section H:  seq# 1050-1200

Section M:  seq# 2360-2560

Section R:  seq# 3090-3210

Section D:  seq# 350-550

Section I:  seq# 1210-1500

Section N:  seq# 2570-2600

Section S:  seq# 3220-3240

Section E:  seq# 560-670

Section J:  seq# 1520-1620

Section O:  seq# 2610-2700

 

 

2.      To review an individual Seq# clinical question, click on the Seq# title below.

 

310 ICUInHrs                                   2470 OCarAFib

340 TotHrICU                                  2560 OCarOthr

440 RenFail                                     2710 Complics                                                            

490 InfEndo                                     2750 COpReOth                                                         

850 ArrhyTyp                                   2780 CISternDeep

1050 NumDisV                                2830 CNStrokP

1260 EmergRsn                              2950 COtCoag

1280 OpCAB                                    3090-3180 Section R.

1310 OpOCard                                3220 Readm30

1380 PerfusTm                                3240 ReadmPro

1410 XClampTm

1640 OpMitral

1650 OpTricus

 

3.  CC/TM:  Corrections/Clarifications to Training Manual

 

NEW

Date

SeqNo

FieldName

Definition

 

 

890

Meds-Beta Blockers

Indicate whether the patient has received Beta Blockers within 24 hours preceding surgery.

 

12/04

Can combination drugs such as Ziac (Beta-blocker + diuretic) be included in these fields?

Yes, you may include combination drugs.

 

 

 

900

Meds-ACE Inhibitors

Indicate whether the patient has received ACE-inhibitors within 24 hours preceding surgery.

 

3/04

When coding ACE (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) Inhibitors, do not include ARB’s (Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers).

 

1/05

It has recently come to the attention of the STS that as of January 2005, JCAHO allows for ARB’s to be captures as ACE Inhibitors.  Based on this information, the STS has decided that, effective January 1, 2005, ARB’s should now be captured as ACE Inhibitors.  This change is only effective on and after January 1, 2005.  HISTORICAL DATA SHOULD NOT BE CHANGED.

 

1.  Prior to January 1, 2005:  ARB's not to be included as ACE.

 

2.  On or after January 1, 2005:  ARB's to be included as ACE.

CC/TM

4/05

 

 

Norvasc/Amlodipine is listed in the training manual as an ACE. Norvasc/Amlodipine is a Calcium Channel Blocker. Will remove from the ACE Inhibitor list in the Traning Manual.

Lotrel is a combination drug with both Calcium Channel Blocker and Ace Inhibitor properties. Please code all categories that apply. In the case of Lotrel, code Seq# 900 ACEI=Yes; Calcium Channel Blocker is not collected in the core elements.

 

 

910

Meds-Nitrates-I.V.

Indicate whether the patient received I.V. Nitrates within 24 hours preceding surgery.

 

 

930

Meds-Anticoagulants

Indicate whether the patient received IV and/or subQ Anticoagulants within 48 hours preceding surgery.  Do not capture Coumadin here.

CC/TM

8/04

The definition for seq# 930 “Meds-Anticoagulants” clearly states that Coumadin should not be captured under seq# 930.  Coumadin should only be captured under seq# 950, “Coumadin.”  Under seq# 930, the Training Manual correctly list Coumadin as an Anticoagulant.  Having Coumadin listed in the Training Manual under seq# 930 has confused some Data Managers.  Please only capture Coumadin under seq# 950.  Do not capture Coumadin under seq# 930. 

 

 

940

Meds-Anticoagulants-Medication Name

Indicate the name of the IV and/or subQ anticoagulant the patient received within 48 hours preceding surgery.

 

8/04

How should the medication Arixtra/ fondaparinux be coded?

 

Please code as a Thrombin Inhibitor:  The antithrombotic activity of fondaparinux sodium is the result of antithrombin III (ATIII)-mediated selective inhibition of factor Xa. By selectively binding to ATIII, fondaparinux sodium potentiates (about 300 times) the innate neutralization of factor Xa by ATIII. Neutralization of factor Xa interrupts the blood coagulation cascade and thus inhibits thrombin formation and thrombus development.

 

8/04

Please clarify the drugs that would be classified as Thrombin Inhibitors.

Below is a list of the Thrombin Inhibitors that are listed in the Training Manual and a few others.  Your pharmacist may be able to give you a more complete list.

 

Agratroban:  Agratroban

Refludan:  Lepirudin

Angiomax:  Bivalirudin

Arixtra:  Fondaparinux sodium

 

12/04

For patients that receive both Heparin-Unfractionated and Heparin-Low Molecular within 24 hours of surgery.  Which one should I code or should I code both?

 

Unfortunately, for seq# 940 you will only be able to code one; Heparin (Unfractionated), Heparin (Low Molecular) or Thrombin Inhibitors as the Adult Cardiac Surgery Database is a flat file database.  In the next version of the Database, we will consider changing seq# 940 into three separate fields to capture patients that are taking one or more of these drugs at the same time.  Feel free to customize fields to capture patients that are taking more than one of these drugs at the same time.

 

 

950

Meds-Coumadin

Indicate whether the patient received Coumadin within 24 hours preceding surgery.

 

4/04

Preoperative Coumadin, given within 24 hours of surgery, is to be captured under seq# 950, Meds-Coumadin.  Preoperative Coumadin is never to be captured under seq# 930, Meds-Anticoagulants.

 

 

970

Meds-Inotropes

Indicate whether the patient received IV Inotropic Agents within 48 hours preceding surgery?

 

4/05

One of our surgeons was at the recent Western Thoracic Society Mtg and reported that Natrecor is being coded as a preop inotrope at some hospitals since it resembles Milrinone. Is it correct to code Natrecor as a preop inotrope? Perhaps should put in FAQ as this is "new" drug and it seems there is probable inconsistency in it's coding.

Milrinone is an inotrope. It's primary mechanism of action is to improve hemodynamics and biventricular function in patients with ventricular dysfuntion by increaseing stroke volume index, increasing left ventricular contractility. It produces both positive inotropic effects and vasodilation independent of ß1-adrenergic receptor stimulation in the cardiovascular system. Milrinone also produces vasodilation in arteriolar and venous vascular smooth muscle.

Yes, please capture Milrinone as Seq# 970 MedInotr=Yes. The Section Intent for Section G in the Training Manual states, "...This list includes the more common cateogry drugs, but is not meant to be an all inclusive list." The list was as complete as possible at the time of the Training Manual development back in 2003. Will add Milrinone to the list for the next data specification upgrade and to the FAQ.

Natrecor is a vasodilator. Vasodilitation of arteries and veins to decrease the workload of the heart. Although it has similar vasodilitory actions to Milrinone, it is not categorized as an Inotrope.

 

 

980

Meds-Steroids

Indicate whether the patient was taking steroids within 24 hours of surgery.  This does not include a one time dose related to prophylaxis therapy (i.e. IV dye exposure for cath procedure or surgery pre-induction period).  Non-systemic medications are not included in this category (i.e. nasal sprays, topical creams).

CC/TM

2/04

In the training manual for seq# 980, the drug Norvir/Ritonavir is listed as a steroid.  This drug is actually a protease inhibitor and should not be included in the steroid list..

 

 

990

Meds-Aspirin

Indicate whether the patient received Aspirin or Ecotrin within 5 days preceding surgery?

 

 

1000

Meds-Lipid Lowering

Indicate whether the patient received Lipid Lowering medication within 24 hours preceding surgery. 

 

1/05

Would herbal supplements, such as flaxseed oil, qualify as a lipid lowering medication?  Documentation states that the use of flaxseed oil resulted in the lowering of patient’s cholesterol.

No.  Please do not to capture flaxseed oil as a lipid lowering medication.

 

 

 

1010

Meds-Lipid Lowering-Medication Name

Indicate the type of Lipid Lowering mediation the patient received within 24 hours preceding surgery.

 

6/04

Some patients simultaneously take statins and non-statins.  When coding this field does one choice take precedence over the other? 

No, one does not take precedence over the other.  Unfortunately, you will only be able to code either statin or non-statin.  The option of choosing “both” will be considered in the next specification upgrade.

 

 

1020

Meds-ADP Inhibitors

Indicate whether the patient has received ADP Inhibitors within 24 hours preceding surgery.

 

11/04

ADP stands for Adenosine Diphosphate.  See Training Manual for additional information on ADP Inhibitors. 

The following drugs should be captured as ADP Inhibitors: 

Plavix or Clorpidogrel

Ticlid or Ticlodipine

Pletal or Cilostazol

The following drugs should not be captured as ADP Inhibitors:

Persantine or Dipyridimole

Aggrenox (aspirin + extended release Dipyridimole)

 

4/05

Can you explain why plavix is only coded as yes if it is within 24 hours? Plavix's half life is much longer and has significant effect on perioperative bleeding and blood utilization? Even STS recommendations are to stop 5 days preop. ASA is coded yes for a 5 day time frame and is not nearly as disruptive to periop coagulation. Should aggrenox be coded as ASA? Combo drugs are not listed in that section.

At the time Plavix was added to the data set as a preoperative medication, the 24 hour window was applicable with the dosing and administration at that time. Because of the evolution in usage of Plavix, the 24 hour window does not make sense. Will change for the next spec upgrade.

 

 

1030

Meds-Glycoprotein IIbIIIa Inhibitor

Indicate whether the patient received Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors within 24 hours preceding surgery.

 

 

1040

Meds-Glycoprotein IIbIIIa Inhibitor-Medication Name

Indicate the name of the Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitor the patient received within 24 hours preceding surgery.

From version 2.41

5/03

 

Section “H”

Hemodynamics and Cath

In the past, the STS has stated that using intra-op TEE results to code fields in Section “H”, Hemodynamics and Cath, was appropriate.   After reviewing this statement the STS has decided that intra-op TEE results should not be used to code this section.  Only procedure results obtained pre-op should be used to code this section.

 

Please note that it is not necessary to go back and change data that has been affected by this definition clarification.  However, moving forward please obtain data based on the clarification information given above.