A case of primary cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma with surgical removal and mitral valve repair.

Primary cardiac tumors are rare. Nearly 25% of primary cardiac tumors are malignant, with rhabdomyosarcoma being the second most common primary sarcoma. Symptoms are variable, and the clinical presentation depends on the location and propagation of the tumor. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography are preliminary tests in diagnosing the disease. Echocardiographic findings should be supported by other imaging methods. In appropriate cases, surgery combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy is suggested. We present a case of primary cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma with surgical removal and mitral valve repair.

Key-lock type mini-sternotomy: an alternative approach for adult cardiac operations.

An alternative technique for minimally invasive aortic valve replacement and atrial septal defect repair is described. After a 5-cm skin incision, a key-lock type sternotomy is made. Excellent exposure of the right atrium and aortic valve was achieved. The configuration of the mini-sternotomy (or the lock) limits the movement of the sternal surfaces (or the key) on the lateral and craniocaudal directions.

Ultrasound-accelerated catheter-directed thrombolysis for the management of postpartum deep venous thrombosis.

Pregnancy and the postpartum period are associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism, which remains an important cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Although oral or systemic anticoagulation therapy may minimize thrombus propagation, it remains ineffective in removing thrombus burden and consequently does not prevent post-thrombotic syndrome. A novel technique, ultrasound accelerated catheter directed thrombolysis (UACDT), has been developed to rapidly and completely resolve thrombus. While pregnancy and the postpartum period are generally considered as contraindications for thrombolysis, we demonstrate in this case study the safety and effectiveness of using UACDT to treat symptomatic, postpartum, iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis after only an overnight infusion.

Successful treatment of central venous catheter induced superior vena cava syndrome with ultrasound accelerated catheter-directed thrombolysis.

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome results from obstruction of flow through the vessel either by external compression or thrombosis. External compression by intrathoracic neoplasms is the most common etiology, especially lung cancer and lymphoma. Thrombosis is becoming increasingly common due to the use of indwelling catheters and implantable central venous access devices. Most patients are unresponsive to anticoagulation alone which appears to be effective only in the mildest cases. However, recent advances in catheter-based interventions have led to the development of a variety of minimally invasive endovascular strategies to remove venous thrombus and accepted as an important first-line treatment given its high overall success rate and low morbidity as compared with medical and surgical treatments. Ultrasound accelerated catheter-directed thrombolysis (UACDT) has been developed to rapidly and completely resolve the existing thrombus. This technique integrates high frequency, low intensity ultrasound (US) with standard CDT in order to accelerate clot dissolution, reducing treatment time and the incidence of thrombolysis-related complications. An US wave enhances drug permeation through thrombus by disaggregating the fibrin matrix, exposing additional plasminogen receptor sites to the thrombolytic agent. The US energy affects thrombus in the entire venous segment, increasing the probability of complete thrombus clearing. We report the case of a 56-year-old man who presented with a 5 days history of SVC syndrome symptoms who had been receiving chemotherapy for colon cancer through a right subclavian vein port catheter. The patient successfully treated with UACDT with EkoSonic(®) Mach4e Endovascular device with an overnight infusion. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

US-accelerated catheter-directed thrombolysis for the treatment of deep venous thrombosis.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of ultrasonography (US)-accelerated catheter-directed thrombolysis for the treatment of deep venous thrombosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 26 patients with deep venous thrombosis were prospectively selected for thrombolysis. Overall, 80.8% of the occlusions were in the lower extremities, and 19.2% were in the upper extremities. US-accelerated catheter-directed thrombolysis was performed using a recombinant human tissue plasminogen activator (alteplase), which was delivered using the EKOS EkoSonic® Endovascular System (EKOS Corporation, Bothell, Washington, USA). Postprocedure venography was repeated after the treatment, which included angioplasty and stenting if stenosis was present. RESULTS: Thrombolysis was successful in 92.3% (24/26) of the patients, with complete clot lysis in 14 patients and partial clot lysis in nine patients. The mean symptom duration was 54.9±51 days (range, 6-183 days), and the mean thrombolysis infusion time was 25.3±5.3 hours (range, 16-39 hours). Pulmonary embolism was not observed; however, there were three cases of bleeding at the catheter insertion site. In three patients, the underlying lesions were successfully treated with balloon angioplasty and stent insertion. Two patients developed early recurrent thrombosis due to residual venous obstruction. CONCLUSION: US-accelerated thrombolysis was demonstrated to be a safe and efficacious treatment for deep venous thrombosis in this study. The addition of US reduces the total infusion time and increases the incidence of complete lysis with a reduction in bleeding rates. Residual venous obstruction should be treated by angioplasty and stent insertion to prevent early rethrombosis.

Endovenous laser ablation of incompetent perforating veins with 1470 nm, 400 µm radial fiber.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of incompetent perforating veins (IPVs) with 1470 nm laser with 400 µm radial fiber. BACKGROUND DATA: EVLA for perforating veins can be performed with insignificant postprocedural morbidity. This allows treatment to be offered to elderly patients with comorbidities that would preclude anesthesia for surgical treatment or subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS). METHODS: A total of 24 perforating veins in 16 limbs of 13 patients were treated between July 2010 and December 2011 in our clinic. Follow-up duplex scans were performed at 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the procedure, to determine the treatment outcome. RESULTS: Of the 23 treated IPVs, 20 (86.9%) were occluded on the duplex examination at 12 months. The average energy administrated per perforating vein treated was 174 J (range 105-236 J). Four of five ulcers had healed after 8 weeks in clinical-etiology-anatomy-pathophysiology (CEAP) C6 group. Two patients reported localized paresthesia, which subsided spontaneously, but no deep venous thrombosis or skin burn was observed. All components of the Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) demonstrated significant improvements at each postprocedural visit (p<0.001 for all), except for pigmentation and compression, which exhibited variation throughout the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Especially in the case of liposclerotic or ulcerated skin in the affected region, EVLA of IPVs with 1470 nm diode laser is highly effective and safe, and appears to be feasible. Additionally, repeat treatment can easily be performed should recurrence of IPVs arise.

Comparison between local and general anesthesia for carotid endarterectomy: early and late results.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the results between general and local anesthesia (LA) for carotid endarterectomy (CEA). METHODS: Three hundred and twenty-nine patients in whom 365 CEA procedures were performed between January 1990 and September 2001, were included in this study. RESULTS: Operation time, shunt usage rates, hospitalization time (P < .0001), and permanent stroke rates (P < .05) were significantly lower in group with LA. For long-term period (121.3 ± 37.45 vs 98.6 ± 28.98 months), no significant difference was observed in these 2 group with respect to restenosis rates, neurological events, and deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the lack of significant difference between LA and general anesthesia in terms of restenosis, neurological events, and death in the long-term period; LA is more preferable due its associated advantages including availability of testing the consciousness of the patients by direct contact, reduced use of shunts, shorter hospitalization periods, and less prevalence of permanent stroke in the short-term period.

Comparison of ultrasonically activated scalpel and traditional technique in radial artery harvesting; an electron microscopic evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: Use of the radial artery (RA) as a conduit in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has become increasingly popular in recent years. The aim of this prospective randomized study is to determine how the endothelial wall and blood flow of RA are differently affected with the usages of ultrasonic scalpel and conventional electrocautery in addition to effects of hypothermia and storage solutions. Histopathologic study was achieved by electron microscope to evaluate endothelium of the grafts. METHODS: Between 2008 and 2009, 182 patients with coronary artery diseases were operated for coronary artery revascularization. The radial arteries were harvested for 40 of these patients and divided into two groups depending on the use of the ultrasonic cautery (UC) (n=20) and the high-frequency electrocautery (EC) (n=20). Patients were divided into two subgroups according to the storage media of the graft. RA was preserved in situ at room temperature (Group 1) and normothermic organ bath (NOB) (Group 2). Harvesting time, use of hemostatic clips, frequency of spasm, in situ free flow, temperature and endothelial damage were compared between the two groups. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA, Friedman and unpaired t tests. RESULTS: In all groups, blood flows were significantly decreased as parallel to the local temperatures. Second and third phase flows were similar in group EC1 and UC1 (p>0.05). Free flow was increased in group UC+NOB when comparing with only EC group (60.4±9.83 ml/min and 40.8±7.50 ml/min, p<0.001), whereas the graft preparing time "t2" was shorter in group EC than UC (10.9±2.42 min and 15.2±1.31 min, p<0.01). Nonetheless scoring of the groups in terms of endothelial cell structure and mitochondrial morphological changes did not show any significant difference. CONCLUSION: If endothelial integrity of the RA can be preserved along with the application of systemic temperature (NOB), regardless of harvesting technique, it provides better flow rates.

Dexmedetomidine in cardiac surgery patients who fail extubation and present with a delirium state.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the use of dexmedetomidine to facilitate the weaning of delirious postoperative patients from mechanical ventilation. METHODS: We included 72 consecutive patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery in this prospective observational study. Each patient had failed at least 1 trial of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and had agitation. Patients were assessed with the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) and the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAMICU) 12 to 18 hours after their admission to the ICU. Midazolam and fentanyl were then given to all patients according to the sedation protocol. At 36 hours in the ICU, patients who had agitation and an inability to wean were randomly divided into 2 groups: group M, 34 patients who continued to follow the routine sedative protocol; and group D, 38 patients who were given dexmedetomidine. Arterial blood gas measurements, hemodynamic parameters, and time to extubation were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed with GraphPad InStat (version 2.02 for DOS). RESULTS: All patients tested positive in the CAM-ICU assessment, and all had a delirium diagnosis. The 38 patients in group D tolerated a spontaneous breathing trial with CPAP and were extubated after a mean (±SD) of 49.619 ± 6.96 hours. The 2 groups had significantly different extubation times (58.389 ± 3.958 hours versus 49.619 ± 6.96 hours). The 2 groups had significantly different RASS scores at 48 and 60 hours and significantly different heart rates and PO2 values at 12 and 24 hours. The 2 groups showed no significant differences with regard to hemodynamic parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine may help to eliminate the emergence of agitation and can be a good treatment choice for the delirium state after cardiac surgery.

Resection of a right coronary artery aneurysm with fistula to the coronary sinus.

We are reporting the successful surgical management of a challenging right coronary artery aneurysm with a giant fistula into the coronary sinus. We performed fistula division, coronary sinus size reduction, and complete resection of the right coronary artery aneurysm with bypass to the posterior descending artery.

Effects of normothermic organ bath and verapamil-nitroglycerin solution alone or in combination on the blood flow of radial artery.

OBJECTIVE: Radial artery pedicle tissue cooling during harvesting is one of the major causes of vasospasm. We aimed to compare the effects of the pedicle rewarming method, normothermic organ bath, and one of the most preferred topical antispasmodic agents, verapamil-nitroglycerin solution alone or in combination on the blood flow of radial artery. METHODS: Consecutively randomized patients (n=80) undergoing coronary bypass were organized as four equal-sized groups. Effects of normothermic organ bath and topically performed verapamil-nitroglycerin solution alone or in combination on the blood flow of radial artery were investigated. In the control group no antispasmodic treatment was performed. Free flows were measured at three stages: as initial flow after minimal distal harvesting, post-harvesting flow after total harvesting, and post-treatment flow following a waiting period after the application of the antispasmodic protocol. At each stage, pedicle and esophageal temperatures were also recorded. RESULTS: Radial artery pedicle temperatures decreased significantly during harvesting in all groups (p<0.001). Normothermic organ bath, topical verapamil-nitroglycerin solution treatment, and their combination increased flow significantly (p<0.001, from 40.3+/-10.48 ml/min to 64.3+/-18.8 ml/min, from 38.9+/-13.91 ml/min to 62.75+/-15.23 ml/min, from 41.4+/-11.19 ml/min to 75.4+/-15.32 ml/min, respectively). The differences between the initial and post-treatment flows were not significant in the combined procedure group (p>0.05), whereas the initial levels were not reached in the post-treatment flows (p<0.05) in the normothermic organ bath and verapamil-nitroglycerin groups. CONCLUSIONS: Hypothermia plays an important role in radial artery vasospasm. Normothermic organ bath and verapamil-nitroglycerin solution alone or in combination relieve spasm of radial artery.

Combined coronary and lower extremity revascularization with thoracotomy: a case report.

Patients with the combination of coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease have multiple risk factors and manifest widespread vascular disease. Although indications of combined coronary and femoral revascularization are rare, a combined procedure is useful in selected patients. We report a patient who underwent a successful combined coronary and lower extremity revascularization with anterolateral limited thoracotomy.

Right coronary artery with high takeoff.

Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery is an extremely rare anomaly. We describe the case of a patient whose right coronary artery was arising from the ascending aorta with high takeoff. We diagnosed the anomaly incidentally during the operation. After transverse aortotomy for aortic valve replacement, we recognized the transection of the right coronary artery. The right coronary artery ostium was located approximately 5 cm above the right sinus of Valsalva. It was showing a complete transmural course. We repaired the right coronary artery by bypassing it with a saphenous vein graft.

Normothermia is the key for the treatment of internal thoracic artery spasm.

BACKGROUND: Free flow of the internal thoracic artery decreases commonly after harvesting because of spasm. Tissue heat loss is inevitable during surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the internal thoracic artery pedicle rewarming method with topical papaverine applications in different thermal conditions. METHODS: Patients (n = 120) were organized in to 6 equally sized groups. The effects of topical papaverine application at room temperature, topical heated papaverine (at 37 degrees C) application, internal thoracic artery pedicle storage in normothermic conditions, pedicle storage in normothermic conditions combined with topical papaverine application, and pedicle storage in normothermic conditions combined with topical heated papaverine application were investigated. In the control group, no treatment was applied and the pedicle was stored in room temperature conditions. We measured internal thoracic artery free flows at 3 stages: at the initiation of harvesting, after total harvesting, and after antispasmodic treatment. Durations of the stages were recorded. At each stage hemodynamic parameters, tissue and core temperatures were also monitored. RESULTS: Internal thoracic artery pedicle temperature significantly decreased simultaneously with the free flow after the harvesting procedure. Recovery of the physiologic temperature state, provided by storing the internal thoracic artery pedicle in normothermic conditions, improved the flow and increased the efficiency of topically applied papaverine on the vasospasm of the internal thoracic artery. CONCLUSION: Topical application of heated papaverine itself does not warm pedicle tissue, but papaverine efficiency increases when the pedicle is stored in normothermic conditions. Preserving internal thoracic artery pedicles in normothermic conditions can be the preferred treatment for spasms.

Surgical therapy of pulmonary artery aneurysms: a report of 2 cases.

Pulmonary artery aneurysm is a rare condition that may be acquired rather than congenital. The natural history of pulmonary artery aneurysms is not defined yet, and management is still controversial. We present 2 cases of adult patients with pulmonary artery aneurysms who were treated surgically. We suggest replacement as the surgical strategy.

A case of prosthetic mitral valve Brucella endocarditis complicated with torsades de pointes.

Brucella endocarditis is a zoonosis transmitted by contaminated dairy products. Endocarditis is a rare complication of brucellosis and mainly the aortic valve is infected. We present the case of a female patient with prosthetic mitral valve endocarditis associated with QT prolongation and torsades de pointes. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed vegetation on both anterior and posterior mitral annulus. She was seropositive with Brucella agglutination titers of up to 1/320. The QT interval was markedly prolonged upon admission (QTc 530 ms). She experienced torsades de pointes several times. She underwent reoperation under an appropriate antibiotic regimen. She continued on triple antibiotic therapy for 12 months. She is now well and free of symptoms.

Role of physiological state 'normothermia' in internal thoracic artery spasm after harvesting.

OBJECTIVE: Vasospasm is often faced after the operative preparation of internal thoracic artery. Different vasodilating pharmacological agents are being used to eliminate this problem. During the preparation of internal thoracic artery, normal, local, and systemic temperatures are lost. We aimed to find out the effect of this decrease in temperature on the free flow of internal thoracic artery. METHODS: We investigated the effects of normal saline solution at 20 degrees C (group I), papaverine at 20 degrees C (group II) and normal saline solution at 37 degrees C (group III). Each group contained 20 patients undergoing coronary bypass. Free flow of the left internal thoracic artery was measured after mobilization. After approximately 18 min the graft had been sprayed with one of the agents, and the second free flow was measured (t-interval was 18.2+/-2.1 for group I, 18.3+/-1.8 for group II, and 17.5+/-1.9 for group III). RESULTS: Normal saline solution at 20 degrees C did not cause a significant change. Topical papaverine at 20 degrees C increased the flow from 42.1+/-10.7 ml/min to 77.5+/-17.9 ml/min (p < 0.0001). A significant increase also occurred with normal saline solution at 37 degrees C from 41+/-11.9 ml/min to 75.3+/-18.9 ml/min (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: After harvesting the graft, regaining physiological normothermic state is enough for vasodilatation. Even using one of the most potent vasodilating agent papaverine at 20 degrees C is not superior to normothermia.

Continuous positive airway pressure does not improve lung function after cardiac surgery.

PURPOSE: Despite the well-documented impairment of pulmonary function after cardiopulmonary bypass, effective precautions and ideal management strategies for this problem are still under debate. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) applied during cardiopulmonary bypass on respiratory and hemodynamic variables. METHODS: In this randomized, prospective, controlled trial, 120 male patients, aged 45 to 70 yr undergoing first-time elective bypass surgery, were randomly assigned to receive either 10 cm H2O of CPAP (Group I; n = 60) during cardiopulmonary bypass, or serve as control (Group II; n = 60), where the patient's lungs were vented to atmosphere during the bypass period. RESULTS: Alveolar-arterial oxygen partial pressure difference and shunt fraction were significantly higher in the control group compared with the CPAP group after cardiopulmonary bypass (T2) and after closure of sternum (T3), (P < 0.05). No differences between groups with respect to hemodynamic variables were observed at any time. Postoperative pulmonary function variables were lower in both groups compared to baseline values. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous positive airway pressure administered during cardiopulmonary bypass decreased shunt fraction and alveolar-arterial oxygen partial pressure difference during surgery, but had no sustained effect on either variable postoperatively. We conclude that, in patients with normal preoperative pulmonary function, application of 10 cm H2O CPAP does not improve lung function after cardiac surgery.

Efficacy of physiologic temperature on the spasm of harvested radial artery.

BACKGROUND: The potential disadvantage of using the radial artery for coronary artery bypass grafting is its increased tendency to vasospasm. Therefore, different antispastic agents are being used in the perioperative and postoperative period. During the preparation of the radial artery, normal local and systemic temperatures are lost. METHODS: We investigated the effects of topical normal saline solution at 20 degrees C (group SI), normal saline solution at 36 degrees C (group SII), diltiazem at 20 degrees C (group DI), and diltiazem at 36 degrees C (group DII) on radial artery free flow. Each group contained 10 patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery. Free flow and local temperature were measured at 3 stages: after the exploration and preparation of the distal 3 cm of the radial artery, after total preparation of the radial artery, and a median of 12 minutes after the pedicle had been sprayed with one of the agents. RESULTS: Parallel to the significant decrease of the second local temperatures (P < .001), the second flow of the 4 groups decreased significantly (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Hypothermia plays an important role in radial artery vasospasm, and normothermia may be the best perioperative vasodilating agent since the normal radial artery flows were reached with normothermia.