Analysis of pericardial effusion from idiopathic pericarditis patients by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.

Pericardial fluid (PF) is often considered to be reflection of the serum by which information regarding the physiological status of the heart can be obtained. Some local and systemic disorders may perturb the balance between synthesis and discharge of PF and may cause its aberrant accumulation in the pericardial cavity as pericardial effusion (PE). PE may then lead to an increased intrapericardial pressure from which the heart function is undesirably affected. For some cases, the causes for the perturbance of fluid balance are well understood, but in some other cases, they are not apparent. It may, thus, be helpful to understand the molecular mechanisms behind this troublesome condition to elucidate a clinical approach for therapeutic uses. In this study, protein profiles of PEs from idiopathic pericarditis patients were analyzed. Control samples from patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery (ECS) were included for comparison. In addition to high abundant serum-originated proteins that may not hold significance for understanding the molecular mechanisms behind this disease, omentin-1 was identified and its level was higher for more than two-fold in PE of IP patients. Increased levels of omentin-1 in PE may open a way for understanding the molecular mechanisms behind idiopathic pericarditis (IP).

Evaluation of arteriovenous fistulas made with the diamond-shaped anastomosis technique.

BACKGROUND: Obtaining vascular access suitable for long-term use in hemodialysis patients is of utmost importance. In these patients, autogenous methods are generally used for access. There are various techniques for obtaining autogenous access in hemodialysis patients. MATERIAL/METHODS: Our objective was to evaluate the outcomes of the "diamond-shaped anastomosis" technique used as a surgical technique during the creation of arteriovenous fistulas in patients with chronic renal failure. We randomly selected and retrospectively examined 67 patients on whom the "diamond-shaped anastomosis" technique had been performed. RESULTS: We found an 89% patency rate in the 67 randomly selected patients on whom we applied this technique in the early stage (first 6 months). CONCLUSIONS: Maintaining fistula patency in the early postoperative period is important in fistula functioning. The diamond-shaped anastomosis is a simple technique with proven efficiency. This method can be applied in all situations and contributes to postoperative early stage latency.

Ischemia-modified albumin use as a prognostic factor in coronary bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: Various types of markers have been used so far in order to reveal myocardial perfusion defect. However, these markers usually appear in the necrosis phase or in the late stage. Having been the focus of various investigations recently, ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) is helpful in establishing diagnosis in the early stages of ischemia, before necrosis develops. METHODS AND RESULTS: 30 patients that underwent only coronary bypass surgery due to ischemic heart disease within a specific period of time have been included in the study. IMA levels were studied in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative periods. The albumin cobalt binding assay was used for IMA determination. Hemodynamic parameters (atrial fibrillation, the need for inotropic support, ventricular arrhythmia) of the patients in the postoperative stage were evaluated. Intraoperative measurement values (mean ± SD) of IMA (0.67677 ± 0.09985) were statistically significantly higher than those in the preoperative (0.81516 ± 0.08894) and postoperative (0.70477 ± 0.07523) measurements. Considering atrial fibrillation and need for inotropics, a parallelism was detected with the levels of IMA. CONCLUSIONS: IMA is an early-rising marker of cardiac ischemia and enables providing a direction for the treatment at early phases.

Aortoesophageal fistula secondary to thoracic endovascular aortic repair of a descending aortic aneurysm rupture.

PURPOSE: We present the case of a patient who developed an aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) 4 years after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) of a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm rupture. CASE REPORT: A 60-year-old female patient underwent emergency stent graft placement in December 2006 because of rupture of a distal descending aortic aneurysm. The patient was discharged uneventfully. Four years later, the patient was readmitted because of recurrent hematemesis, weight loss, and malaise. A computed tomography scan and an upper gastrointestinal system (GIS) endoscopy examination revealed an AEF located at the midportion of the esophagus and at the caudal end of the stent graft. An emergency stent graft was re-replaced into the previous graft. The patient died from hemorrhagic shock due to massive GIS bleeding while she was being prepared for secondary major esophageal surgery. CONCLUSION: AEF is a catastrophic complication of TEVAR. Conservative treatment is often associated with fatal results. If possible, these patients should be treated with secondary major surgical procedures.