Efficacy of human prothrombin complex concentrate in the treatment of warfarin overdose in patients receiving warfarin for mechanical heart valve replacement.

Warfarin, a widely utilized anticoagulant, is paramount for preventing thromboembolic events in patients with mechanical heart valve replacements. However, its narrow therapeutic index can lead to over-anticoagulation and overdose, resulting in serious health risks. This study examines the efficacy of human prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) in managing warfarin overdose, in comparison with traditional treatments. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 162 adults who presented with warfarin overdose (INR > 5.0) at a tertiary care hospital between 2016 and 2020. Participants were divided into 2 groups-those treated with PCC (n = 57) and those treated with conventional methods (n = 105), including vitamin K and fresh frozen plasma. The primary outcome was the rate of reaching the target (International Normalized Ratio) INR within 24 hours. Secondary outcomes included transfusion requirements, thromboembolic events, adverse reactions, 30-day mortality, and length of hospital stay. PCC demonstrated significant efficacy, with 89.5% of patients achieving the target INR within 24 hours, compared to 64.8% in the control group (P < .05). The PCC group also had reduced transfusion requirements and a shorter average hospital stay. There was no significant difference in thromboembolic events or adverse reactions between the 2 groups, and the reduced 30-day mortality in the PCC group was not statistically significant. Human prothrombin complex concentrate is associated with rapid reaching the target INR, decreased transfusion needs, and shortened hospitalization, making it a promising option for warfarin overdose management. While the results are encouraging, larger, multicenter, randomized controlled trials are necessary to further validate these findings and optimize PCC administration protocols.

The impact of the apelinergic system in coronary collateral formation.

Background: This study aims to examine the relationship between the development of coronary collateral circulation and serum elabela levels. Methods: Between January 2020 and December 2021, a total of 50 control individuals (29 males, 21 females; mean age: 63.2±10.0 years; range, 52 to 73 years) with no significant coronary artery disease as confirmed by angiography (Group 1) and 100 patients (55 males, 45 females; mean age: 66.6±9.6 years; range, 56 to 75 years) with coronary artery disease were included. The patients were further divided into two equal groups according to the Rentrop classification as poor (Group 2) and good coronary collateral circulation (Group 3). All groups were compared in terms of several parameters, particularly serum elabela levels. Results: Serum elabela levels were found to be statistically higher in the group with good collateral than the other groups (p<0.05). Low serum elabela levels increased the risk of developing weak collaterals by 2.43 times. Conclusion: The elabela protein is directly related to good collateral development and can be considered a potential agent for treatment.

Incidental diagnosis of ochronosis by aortic valve replacement.

Alkaptonuria is a rare inherited metabolic disease caused by homogentisic acid oxidase enzyme deficiency. Homogentisic acid formed during phenylalanine and tyrosine metabolism cannot be further metabolized and accumulates due to this enzyme deficiency. Some of the homogentisic acid that cannot be removed by metabolism is excreted with urine, some of it causes this accumulation known as ochronosis, which is characterized by dark pigmented color change in tissues. The classic clinical triad of the disease is darkening of the urine color, degenerative arthritis in the joints and dark colored pigmentation in the connective tissue. Herein, we present a case of ochronosis detected incidentally during aortic valve replacement with the diagnosis of aortic insufficiency.

Single-dose del nido cardioplegia vs. blood cardioplegia in aortic valve replacement surgery

Abstract Introduction: In this study, we aimed to compare Del Nido cardioplegia (DNC) with blood cardioplegia (BC) in aortic valve replacement. Methods: A two-year single-institute retrospective cohort study was accomplished. Subjects who underwent aortic valve replacement surgery were divided into two groups (DNC and BC) and outcomes were compared. Results: Preoperative demographics and clinical data of the patients in both groups were similar. The time until cardiac arrest following administration of the first dose of cardioplegia was statistically significantly shorter in the BC group (47.0 sec. 25-103) than in the DNC group (63.0 sec. 48-140) (P=0.012). Cross-clamping time was longer in the BC group (48.7±12.3 min. vs. 41.5±11.8 min.) (P=0.041). Cardiopulmonary bypass time was statistically significantly shorter in the DNC group (BC 60.8±18.5 min., DNC 53.7±15.2 min.) (P=0.046). The rate of postoperative use of intravenous positive inotropic support drugs (dopamine, dobutamine, norepinephrine, etc.) for more than two hours was significantly higher in the BC group (20 [23.5%] in the BC group and nine [17.3%] in the DNC group) (P=0.035). Creatine kinase myocardial band and troponin I levels were slightly lower in patients receiving DNC, but no statistically significant difference was detected. Conclusion: Del Nido cardioplegia is safe and can be used efficiently as an alternative to blood cardioplegia in isolated aortic valve replacement surgery.

Single-Dose Del Nido Cardioplegia vs. Blood Cardioplegia in Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we aimed to compare Del Nido cardioplegia (DNC) with blood cardioplegia (BC) in aortic valve replacement. METHODS: A two-year single-institute retrospective cohort study was accomplished. Subjects who underwent aortic valve replacement surgery were divided into two groups (DNC and BC) and outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Preoperative demographics and clinical data of the patients in both groups were similar. The time until cardiac arrest following administration of the first dose of cardioplegia was statistically significantly shorter in the BC group (47.0 sec. 25-103) than in the DNC group (63.0 sec. 48-140) (P=0.012). Cross-clamping time was longer in the BC group (48.7±12.3 min. vs. 41.5±11.8 min.) (P=0.041). Cardiopulmonary bypass time was statistically significantly shorter in the DNC group (BC 60.8±18.5 min., DNC 53.7±15.2 min.) (P=0.046). The rate of postoperative use of intravenous positive inotropic support drugs (dopamine, dobutamine, norepinephrine, etc.) for more than two hours was significantly higher in the BC group (20 [23.5%] in the BC group and nine [17.3%] in the DNC group) (P=0.035). Creatine kinase myocardial band and troponin I levels were slightly lower in patients receiving DNC, but no statistically significant difference was detected. CONCLUSION: Del Nido cardioplegia is safe and can be used efficiently as an alternative to blood cardioplegia in isolated aortic valve replacement surgery.

The relationship between epicardial fat tissue thickness and transit time flow measurement values of coronary artery bypass grafts.

Introduction: Epicardial fat tissue, the true visceral adipose depot of the heart, has been associated with changes in both cardiac function and morphology. This study aimed to show the relationship between epicardial fat tissue (EFT) thickness and graft flow dynamics in arterial and venous grafts in coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Methods: Patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography before surgery and epicardial fat thickness were evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups as EFT value <5.5 (group 1) mm and ≥5.5 (group 2) mm. One hundred eighty-one patients with a total of 434 grafts (162 arterial and272 venous) underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. All grafts were examined by transit time flow meter intraoperatively. Results: The mean epicardial fat tissue thickness values were 4.9±0.8 mm and 6.1±1.3 mm, respectively.Mean graft flow values of left internal mammary artery was 44.21±23.2 mL/min in group 1 and39.65 ± 19.2 mL/min in group 2 (P = 0.041). Similarly, mean graft flow values were higher in group1 in all venous grafts regardless of which vessel bypass was performed. There is a significant negative correlation between epicardial fat thickness and mean graft flow. Conclusion: Epicardial fat thickness measurement preoperatively might provide additional data for the faith of the graft.

Impact of Coronary Collateral Circulation of Perioperative Myocardial Damage in High-Risk Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Coronary collateral circulation (CCC) is a small vascular formation that allows the connection between the different parts of an epicardial vessel or other vessels. The presence of collateral circulation contributes positively to the course of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of collateral circulation on myocardial injury and clinical outcomes during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in a high-risk patient group. METHODS: 386 patients who underwent isolated CABG under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the Rentrop scores (n = 225 poor CCC group; and n = 161 good CCC group). Myocardial injury and postoperative clinical results were evaluated as endpoints. RESULTS: The mean age was 62.9 ± 7.5 years, and 61.6% of all patients were male. Postoperative 30-day mortality rate was significantly higher in poor CCC group (4 [1.7%] and 1 [0.6%], P < .001). The frequency of postoperative intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) use (5 [2.2%] and 1 [0.6%], P < .001), low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) (28 [12.4%] and 10 [6.2%], P < .001) and postoperative atrial fibrillation (35 [15.6%] and 16 [9.9%], P = .038) were significantly higher in poor CCC group. 12th and 24th hour CK-MB and cTn-I values were found to be significantly lower in the good CCC group. CONCLUSION: It is inevitable that the CPB circuit and operation have devastating effects on myocardium in CABG operations. The presence of CCC reduces postoperative myocardial injury, low cardiac output syndrome, and mortality rates.

Comparison of Del Nido and Intermittent Warm Blood Cardioplegia in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery.

PURPOSE: In this study, we aim to investigate the efficacy and clinical results of using Del Nido solution (DNS) in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery by comparing with intermittent warm blood cardioplegia (IWBC). METHODS: Between March 2017 and February 2018, 297 adult patients who underwent primary isolated CABG surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were included in the study. We used DNS in 112 patients and IWBC was used in 185 patients. We compared both the clinical and the laboratory results. RESULTS: Aortic cross-clamp time, CPB time, and peak glucose level are lower with DNS. But we did not observe any meaningful difference of clinical results between two methods including postoperative myocardial enzyme release. CONCLUSION: Del Nido cardioplegia was developed for immature heart and pediatric surgery. But in our opinion, it is a good and useful alternative to CABG surgery with similar results to IWBC.

Automated functional imaging in atrioventricular delay time optimisation in patients with dual chamber pacemakers.

BACKGROUND: Optimisation of atrioventricular (AV) delay time has positive effects on left ventricular (LV) functions in patients with a DDD pacemaker. However, the method used for optimisation is still debated. AIM: To evaluate the effect of different AV delay times on various LV systolic performances by using automated functional imaging (AFI) in patients with a DDD pacemaker and preserved LV systolic function. METHODS: The study population consisted of 40 patients with a DDD pacemaker implanted for third degree AV block and preserved LV systolic function (19 men; mean age 64.3 ± 10.9 years). During each pacing period, blood samples were taken for the measurement of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, and telemetric and echocardiographic evaluations were performed to all patients. Also peak systolic global longitudinal strain (PSGLS) was calculated using the AFI method. RESULTS: No significant differences except for LV outflow tract-velocity time integral (LVOT-VTI) were observed in pulse wave Doppler parameters with different AV delay times. PSGLS were better at 150 and 200 ms AV delay times compared to 100 ms (p < 0.001 for 100-150 ms and 100-200 ms). Similarly, LVOT-VTI values were significantly higher at 150 and 200 ms AV delay times compared to 100 ms (for 100-150 ms, p = 0.017 and for 100-200 ms, p = 0.013). Also there was a significant reduction in BNP levels at 150 ms and 200 ms compared to 100 ms AV delay time (for 100-150 ms, p = 0.001, and for 100-200 ms, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with an implanted DDD pacemaker and preserved LV systolic function, increasing AV delay time has beneficial effects on LV systolic performance in the acute phase, as shown by the AFI method in our study.