Giant Right Atrial Myxoma with Symptoms of Right Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac myxoma is the most common benign tumor of the heart. It presents with a variety of clinical signs and symptomatology making diagnosis frequently quite a challenge. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to present a case report of giant right atrial myxoma with symptoms of right heart failure in adult patient. CASE REPORT: We present a case of large right atrial myxoma which is an uncommon location for this type of heart neoplasms, discovered incidentally in a female patient 77-year-old who came to our polyclinic for cardiological exam with hypertension last 11 years and obesity. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Various clinical signs and symptoms produced by cardiac myxomas have been reported in the literature. Depending on location and morphology, cardiac tumors can produce four types of clinical manifestations: systemic-constitutional, embolic, cardiac, and secondary metastatic manifestation. Echocardiography as non-invasive imaging method and Transesophageal echocardiography has superior role for precise evaluation of cardiac tumors. Transesophageal echocardiography has superior role for accurate diagnostic evaluation of cardiac mass. Surgical excision of cardiac myxoma carries a low-operative risk and gives excellent short- and long-term results. CONCLUSION: Myxoma is the most prevalent primary heart tumor. It is rare to find a myxoma in the right atrium, occurring only in 15-20% of myxoma cases. Clinical manifestations of myxomas consist in a triad: constitutional symptoms, embolization and intracardiac obstruction. Transesophageal echocardiography has superior role for precise evaluation of cardiac tumors. Currently, there is no effective medical treatment, and surgical excision of the tumor is necessary.

The Influence of Aortic Valve Replacement on Functional Moderate - To-Severe Mitral Regurgitation in Patients with Aortic Valve Stenosis.

GOAL: The aim of this study was to show whether the concomitant functional mitral regurgitation in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement improves after this surgical procedure and to identify preoperative echocardiographic parameters that may influence the lack of improvement in mitral regurgitation (MR) after aortic valve replacement (AVR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 45 patients with severe aortic stenosis and concomitant moderate to severe (+2/+3)mitral regurgitation. RESULTS: The results of our study indicated an improvement in the degree of mitral regurgitation in 24 patients. The most prominent parameters responsible for the lack of improvement of mitral regurgitation in our study were LVIDd, ERO, RVol, pulmonary artery systolic pressure and left atrial diameter. Identification of echocardiographic predictors may assist in selection of patients for whom more aggressive surgical treatment is advised. CONCLUSION: Concomitant moderate to severe functional MR indicates that MV should be repaired or replaced at the time of aortic valve surgery where at least two of indicated predicted preoperative echocardiographic parameters are present.

Mitral valve replacement in a patient with infective endocarditis and aneurysm of the cerebral artery: a case report.

OBJECTIVE: Endocarditis can have profound and devastating neurological consequences, with the vast majority of these complications in patients with left-sided valvular disease. The approach to the acute management of stroke in children with infective endocarditis is limited by the inadequacy of published data on their clinical course and outcome. CASE REPORT: This case report presents a 12 year old girl with diagnosed endocarditis, complicated with intracranial hemorrhage, due to the rupture of an aneurysm of the peripheral branch medial cerebral artery and gradient therapeutic approach, with an excellent final result. CONCLUSION: Congestive heart failure resulting from valvular insufficiency required mitral valve replacement, after cerebral aneurysm clipping.

Extensive Operation as One of the Solution for Patients with the Insufficient Proximal Landing Zone for TEVAR in Aortic Dissection - short term results.

OBJECTIVE: In our study we wanted to showed the safety, feasibility, efficacy and way how to solve the problems of endovascular repair for aortic dissection with insufficient proximal Landing Zone. METHODS: The clinical data of all the patients with insufficient proximal Landing Zone (PLZ) for endovascular repair for aortic aneurism and dissection Stanford type B for the period from October 2013 to June 2014 was prospectively reviewed. According to the classification proposed by Mitchell et al, aortic Zone 0 was involved in 3 cases, Zone 1 in 1 case, Zone 2 in 9 cases and Zone 3 in 6 cases (19 patients in total). A hybrid surgical procedure of supraortic debranching and revascularization, with direct anastomosed truncus brachiocephalicus and left common carotid artery, were performed to obtain an adequate aortic PLZ. Revascularization of the left subclavian artery was carried out on the patient with dissection Stanford type B and short PLZ 2. RESULTS: There was no significant difference of risk factors between Zone 0, Zone 1, and Zone 2 (Table 1.), but the length of the PLZ significantly differed between groups (p<0.01) and there is no significant difference in technical and clinical success rate among the groups. CONCLUSION: The procedure of extending insufficient PLZ for endovascular repair for aortic arch pathology is feasible and relatively safe. The TEVAR applicability in such aortic disorders could be extended.

Glucosa-Insulin-Potassium (GIK) solution used with diabetic patients provides better recovery after coronary bypass operations.

INTRODUCTION: Tight blood glucose control has become a therapeutical goal for anesthetic management for patients scheduled for cardiac surgery, especially if they are diabetic patients. AIM: This study was created to confirm the benefits of intraoperative GIK solution usage during coronary bypass operation of diabetic patients. METHODS: Patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) referred for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were randomized to receive GIK solution (GIK--study group) in the first 24 hours intraoperatively or to receive official Clinical protocol without GIK solution (non GIK - control group). The primary clinical outcome was the cardiac index (CI) since it represents the most sensitive measure of cardiac work in the immediate postoperative period, and the secondary clinical outcomes were the glycemic control, insulin consumption, duration of mechanical ventilation (MV), potassium level and atrial fibrillation (AF) appearance. RESULTS: One hundred diabetic patients, divided into two groups, were included in the study. The cardiac index did not show a significant difference, although the study group had CI with only minor variations than those of the controlled group, hence the reason we considered the study group as the more stable. The atrial fibrillation showed a difference between two groups, with 14 (28%) patients with postoperative AF in the control group compared with 3 (6%) patients with postoperative AF in the study group. As potassium values were stable in study group, we concluded that it can be one of the reasons for less postoperative AF in this group. The duration of MV showed a significant difference (0,003) between the two groups as well. In the study group the average MV time was 534,38 minutes, compared with the control group with 749,20 minutes. The average value of glucose was 11.1 mmol/l in the control group vs. 9.8 mmol/l in the study group. The study group had less insulin consumption in order to maintain target glycemia (p = 0.001). In the non GIK group average insulin consumption was 44 IJ per patient vs. 28.5 IJ in the GIK group. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative GIK solution given to diabetic patients with CABG operation provides more stable CI, shorter time of MV, more stable values of potassium which provides normal rhythm and less AF onset, less insulin to maintain target glycemia. All the above mentioned provides more stable intraoperative hemodynamic and better recovery of diabetic

Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery through right lateral minithoracotomy--early experience of Clinical Centre of University of Sarajevo.

INTRODUCTION: In this article we would like to make an institutional report and our early experience in video-assisted right minithoracotomy approach for mitral valve surgery. CASE REPORT: Surgical technique include mitral valve repair or replacement through right lateral minithoracotomy, percutaneous cannulation for venous drainage and optional femoral or distal ascendant aortic cannulation for vacuum assisted CPB, direct cross clamping of the aorta with anterograde administration of the cardioplegic solution for inducing cardiac arrest. Mean CPB time was 128 min +/- 41 min, mean Cross clamping time was 70 min +/- 14 min. Mean ICU stay was 1.2 days, while mean blood transfusion was 0.8 package/patient, no complications has occurred and the patients were discharged between the 4th and 7th postoperative day. Echocardiographically follow-up (2-6 months) showed absence of mitral valve regurgitation in the mitral repair patients and good functioning of prosthetic valves. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive mitral valve procedures through right lateral minithoracotomy might be effective alternative to full sternotomy approach in mitral valve surgery.

V-type mini sternotomy in aortic valve replacement.

As patients and their physicians become more demanding, the desire to make the procedures "minimally invasive" is growing constantly. In short, "minimally invasive" is a code phrase for life saving procedures which in same time disrupt our quality of life the least. Its goals include reducing incision size, decreasing surgical trauma and pain, and improving cosmesits, patient satisfaction, and recovery times. However, the most important goal of minimally invasive aortic valve surgery must be to maintain or improve the efficacy and safety of conventional aortic valve surgery. In this report we would like to present operative technique of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (MIAVR) we use in our hospital.

The frequency of complications of pseudoaneurysms after cardiac interventional diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

Pseudo aneurysms as complications are a major source of morbidity after cardiac catheterization. Their incidence varies in the literature due to different definitions, methods of interrogation and presence of certain complications. We found in the literature that post-catheterization lesions occur in approximately 0.05% of treated patients after diagnostic catheterization and up to 1.2% after more complex procedures. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the incidence of pseudo aneurysm after cardiac catheterization using the physical findings and color Doppler ultrasound. In the study, which encompasses the period of 2009-2010, there were 400 coronary angiography with trans femoral catheterization. After compression hemostasis was carried out, each patient was checked after 24 hours and again after 48 hours. Diagnostic coronary angiography was made in 400 patients (100%), out of which, 110 patients (27,5%) had a percutaneous coronary intervention with stent placement (PCI), Color Doppler ultrasound of femoral artery was normal in 384 (96.3%), local hematoma was found in 360 (90%), pseudo aneurysm in 14 (3.7%), AV fistula in 1 (0.25%) and dissection of the femoral artery in 1 (0.25%) patient. Complications in 16 patients were treated surgically, in 7 patients they were treated conservatively and in 1 case thrombin was applied within pseudo aneurism. Patients with complications were more often present with concomitant use of anticoagulant and anti platelet tablets than patients without complications (P = 0.003). Prevention of post catheterization pseudo aneurysm can be achieved by proper puncture technique, choosing the right place and right post interventional hemostatic compression with or without external devices. Special attention should be paid to the use of anti platelet drugs and anticoagulant and combinations thereof.

Assessment of the Initial and Modified Parsonnet score in mortality prediction of the patients operated in the Sarajevo Heart center.

This study has been conducted in an effort to establish more suitable and accurate scoring model we use in everyday practice. Among the specific outcome prediction models, in 1989 Parsonnet et al elaborated a method of uniform risk stratification for evaluation of the results of cardiac surgery procedures. We have tested two forms of the Parsonnet score, Initial and Modified Parsonnet score, in our patients. In the first half of the year 2007, 145 patients were operated in Sarajevo Heart center. All operated patients in that period, have participated in this study. The overall hospital mortality was 4,13 (6 deaths). This study shows that the initial and modified Parsonnet's scores are predictive for operative mortality in adult cardiac surgery patients.

Treatment of rare posttraumatic false aneurism and A-V fistula of the deep femoral artery and vein.

UNLABELLED: Article presents a rare case of posttraumatic pseudoaneurysm and A-V fistula between deep femoral artery and vein in 16 year old patient with stab wound in middle third of the lateral side of left femoral region. There were no signs of arterial injury on initial angiogram. During the observation we noticed subcutaneous bruise on the posterior side of the femoral region, and strong systolic murmur by ordinary auscultation over the involved region as a significant sign of the A-V fistula. At day 3, CT angiogram and Doppler analysis showed 4 cm sized false aneurysm combined with A-V fistula between distal portion of the deep femoral artery and vein. We made ipsilateral transfemoral catheterization and coiling of the feeding arterial branch with good immediate result, but at next Doppler checking, appearance of the same picture was disappointing. After we recognized retrograde filling through distal collateral artery, technically unsuitable for endovascular procedure, conventional surgery with posterolateral approach was indicated. An excision of the pseudoaneurysm, and ligation of the A-V fistula was done with good postoperative result. CONCLUSION: Obliterative endovascular procedure is a method of choice, but sometimes can not guarantee satisfactory result. In those cases conventional surgery is recommended.

Atrial fibrillation and coronary bypass surgery - what can be risk factors for its' appearance?

The main goal of our study was to evaluate possible perioperative risk factors for occurrence of atrial fibrillation in the postoperative period in patients after CABG operations. The study included 140 patients after CABG, divided into two groups - Group I - 64 patients with new onset of POAF and Group II - 76 patients without postoperative atrial fibrillation occurrence. In both groups possible risk factors for atrial fibrillation onset (preoperative and postoperative) were analyzed.Results showed that we can predict new onset of atrial fibrillation after CABG if the following preoperative factors are present - low ejection fraction (less than 40%), LAd > 40mm, higher body mass index (BMI over 30), presence of COPD and older age. Important perioperative factors for onset of atrial fibrillation in our study were longer extracorporeal circulation, increased dose/number of inotropic drugs, blood transfusion and elevated WBC count postoperatively.

Effects of aggressive approach to the multiple risk factors for diabetic nephro-pathy on proteinuria reduction in diabetes type 2 patients.

Dietary interventions with protein and salt restriction, good glucose control, smoking cessation, aggressive blood pressure control, good control of cholesterol and triglycerides, use of ACE inhibitors and ARBs can delay the progression of diabetic nephropathy. The aim of this study was to present the effects of aggressive treatment of the multiple risk factors for diabetic nephropathy on proteinuria in patients with type 2 diabetes. In this study we included 15 patients with diabetes type 2 and insufficient regulation of glycaemia. The patients were followed for three months period. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides and proteinuria were followed prior and after the study. Prior the study patients were treated with premix insulin divided in two daily doses + metformin after the lunch and they had insufficient regulation of glycaemia. During the study patients were treated with one daily dose of basal insulin, three doses of metformin (2550 mg), one daily dose of atorvastatin (20 mg) and one daily dose of ramipril (5 to 10 mg). Doses of insulin were titrated separately for each patients (0,7-1,0 IU/kg). Patients were advised to start with lifestyle modification, increased physical activity and dietary interventions with protein and salt restriction, energy restricted diet and smoking cessation. A total of 20 patients (male 12 and female 8) with diabetes type 2 were studied. The mean age of the subjects was 53+/-5,25 years. The mean diabetes duration was 4,05+/-1,96 years. The mean body mass index decreased from 28,1+/-1,67 kg/m2 to 25,9 +/-1,22 kg/m2 after the study. Mean HbA1c decreased from 8,82 +/- 0,53 % to 7,15 +/- 0,23 % (p<0,05). Mean fasting glycemia decreased from 8,79+/-0,58 mmol/dm3 to 7,03+/-0,18 mmol/dm3 (p < 0,05). Mean postmeal glycemia decreased from 9,93 +/- 0,77 mmol/dm3 to 7,62 +/- 0,42 mmol/dm3 (p<0,05). The mean cholesterol level decreased from 7,99 +/-0,64 mmol/dm3 to 5,93 +/- 0,65 mmol/dm3 (p<0,05). The mean triglicerides level decreased from 4,05 +/- 0,97 mmol/dm3 to 1,96 +/- 0,24 mmol/dm3 (p<0,05). The significant decrease of proteinuria was recorded, prior the study the mean albuminuria was 1,05 +/- 0,31 g/dm3 and after the study was 0,07 +/- 0,145 g/dm3 (p<0,05). Mean blood pressure prior the study was 153+/-8,69/91,5 +/- 3,78 mm Hg (p<0,05), after the study was 125 +/- 6,32/ 79,25+/-3,26 mmHg. Effective control of glycaemia, blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides, use of ACE inhibitors, dietary interventions with protein and salt restriction, smoking cessation, can delay the progression of nephropathy in type 2 diabetes.

Postoperative glycaemia in patients following the CABG surgery.

In this study we analyzed patients glucose levels taken before and after coronary artery bypass surgery. The data are taken from University of Sarajevo Clinics Centre- medical documentation of Heart Center from January 1st, 2007 to October 31st, 2007. Therefore, the entire study is done retrospectively. The patients considered in this analysis were divided into three groups. The patients in the first group were treated with peroral antidiabetics. The second group included patients treated with insulin while the third group consisted of patients without diabetes and acted as control group. All the patients had increased BMI. In the first two groups glucose levels were elevated before the surgery. Data analysis showed that three patients from the first group changed from peroral antidiabetics to insulin during postoperative period, and they were dismissed from hospital with this therapy. In the control group, peroral antidiabetis were introduced in four patients. The study results show that all the three groups have had high glycaemia on the first postoperative day. This may be caused by a number of reasons: inadequate pre-operative antidiabetic therapy, the impact of stress during surgery, inadequate pre-operative treatment of glycaemia or avoidance of the proscribed therapy by patients themselves. Stress during operation and administration of several medications after operation may also cause increased insulin resistance and distort glycaemia control.

Effects of basal insulin analog and metformin on glycaemia control and weight as risk factors for endothelial dysfunction.

Obese patients with type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance are at increased risk of development of cardiovascular diseases. Endothelial dysfunction may be a reason for development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Lifestyle modification, increased physical activity, weight reduction, energy restricted diet and good glycaemia control can be useful for the endothelial function improvement and may decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of basal insulin analog and metformin on glycaemia control and weight as risk factors of endothelial dysfunction. Total of 15 patients (9 male and 6 female) with type 2 diabetes were studied. The patients were monitored over six months period. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), and body mass index (BMI) were observed. Mean age of the subjects was 53,4 +/- 6,27 years. Mean diabetes duration was 3,71 +/- 1,89 years. At the end of the study mean body mass index decreased from 27,5 +/- 1,45 kg/m2 to 25,7 +/-1,22 kg/m2. In this study we included diabetic patients with fasting glycaemia over 7 mmol/dm3, postmeal glycaemia over 7,8 mmol/dm3 and glycated hemoglobin over 7%. Prior to the study, the patients were treated with premix insulin divided in two daily doses and metformin after the lunch, which did not result in sufficient regulation of glycaemia. We started treatment with one daily insulin basal analog and three daily doses of metformin and monitored the above mentioned parameters. We advised patients to change their lifestyle, to practice energy restricted diet and to increase their daily physical activity. Insulin doses were titrated separately for each patient (0,7-1 IU/kg). Weight reduction was recorded after the study. Mean fasting glycaemia decreased from 8,6+/-0,49 mmol/dm3 to 7,04+/-0,19 mmol/dm3 (p < 0,05). Mean postmeal glycaemia decreased from 9,74 +/- 0,79 mmol/dm3 to 7,6 +/- 0,43 mmol/dm3 (p<0,05). Mean HbA1c decreased from 8,80 +/- 0,59 % to 7,11 +/- 0,22 % (p<0,05). Treatment with one daily doses of basal insulin analog and three daily doses of metformin with lifestyle modification and weight reduction, in obese patients with type 2 diabetes can be useful for the endothelial function improvement and may decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

[Additive and logistic EuroSCORE in assessment of operative mortality in cardiac surgery]. / Aditivni i logisticni EuroSCORE kod procjene operativne smrtnosti u kardiohirurgiji.

INTRODUCTION: Patients benefit, reduction of treatment costs, as well as providing data needed for the science progress, are only some of the items that implicate the importance of preoperative evaluation of operative risk and mortality. In order to determine the risk profile of adult cardiac patients and identify the mortality in different procedures, a set of multicentric clinical studies has been carried out in the past decade. A study involving 19030 patients in 128 centers from 8 European countries was conducted at the end of 1995. Product of that study is EuroSCORE (European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this survey we will point out the results of two different EuroSCORE forms (Additive and Logistic) which we applied in 145 cases of patients operated in Sarajevo Heart Center in the first half-year of 2007. RESULTS: From 145 procedures 124 (85%) was bypass procedures, 18 (12.4%) valvular and 3 (2,6%) other procedures (dissection of AA, mixoma LA). CONCLUSION: Aditive EuroSCORE model is use friendly and simple for bedside use. In mortality prediction Logistic EuroSCORE is more sensitive (exclude mortality in larger patient groups), and is also more precise in mortality prediction in all groups of patients.

[Cardiovascular treatment of patients with Marfan's syndrome]. / Kardiovaskularni tretman pacijenata sa Marfanovim sindromom.

Patients with Sy. Marfan, in their great number, find the problem with pathological findings on the heart, but the most dealing complications of this illness are rupture and dissection of aneurismatic aorta. Carefully approach, adequate intervention and what kind of treatment decision, may upgrade quality of the lifestyle and prolong lifespan in this patients. However, the most common death cause in those patients is still rupture of aorta. Treatment of the patients with this problem should go in direction that solves dissection, aortic insufficiency and malperfusion Sy. The most dissection cases are solved by implantation of the valve conduit and reimplantation of the coronary orifices. Some surgeons prefer preservation of the aortic valve, therefore others establish complication prevention pattern with applying surgical treatment before appearance of the complications. In this study we would like to present experience of the Sarajevo Heart Center and our results in the 6 Marfan Sy. cases, within the last two years. We were in position to witnes strong hereditary connection among father and his two daughters who have the same illness. Complications caused by Marfan were successfully removed by surgical treatment. Surgical treatment consists of replacing ascending aorta and in same time replacing coronary ostia using Shelhigh-stentless valve conduit. The same surgical procedure we have performed on two sisters resulted with repair of dissection in first sister's case, and acted complication preventive to the other sister. All this facts indicate necessity for the closeness of the center that is, with experience of employees and their medical and surgical capability, versatile to treat and improve lifestyle to people with Marfan.

Treatment of left anterior descending artery aneurysm.

Coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) are rare and their management is controversial. Their incidence varies from 1,5% to 5% of the coronary angiographies, with predilection of the right coronary artery. Unruptured coronary aneurysms are often silent and may remain undiagnosed. The etiology can be either congenital or acquired. We describe a case of a left anterior descending artery (LAD) aneurysm treated with an off-pump surgical revascularization with a LIMA to LAD without exclusion or ligature of the aneurysm.