A surgical method to be reminded for the treatment of symptomatic ipsilateral central venous occlusions in patients with hemodialysis access: Axillo-axillary venous bypass case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: In this case report, we present two chronic hemodialysis patients with upper extremity swelling due to central venous occlusions together with their clinical presentation, surgical management and brief review of the literature. METHODS: The first patient who was a 63-year-old female patient with a history of multiple bilateral arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) was referred to our clinic. Physical examination demonstrated a functioning right brachio-cephalic AVF, with severe edema of the right arm, dilated venous collaterals, facial edema, and unilateral breast enlargement. In her history, multiple ipsilateral subclavian venous catheterizations were present for sustaining temporary hemodialysis access. The second patient was a 47-year-old male with a history of failed renal transplant, CABG surgery, multiple AV fistula procedures from both extremities, leg amputation caused by peripheral arterial disease, and decreased myocardial functions. He was receiving 3/7 hemodialysis and admitted to our clinic with right arm edema, accompanied by pain, stiffness, and skin hyperpigmentation symptoms ipsilateral to a functioning brachio-basilic AVF. He was not able to flex his arms, elbow, or wrist due to severe edema. RESULTS: Venography revealed right subclavian vein stenosis with patent contralateral central veins in the first patient. She underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) twice with subsequent re-occlusions. After failed attempts of PTA, the patient was scheduled for axillo-axillary venous bypass in order to preserve the AV access function. In second patient, venography revealed right subclavian vein occlusion caused secondary to the subclavian venous catheters. Previous attempts for percutaneously crossing the chronic subclavian lesion failed multiple times by different centers. Hence, the patient was scheduled for axillo-axillary venous bypass surgery. CONCLUSION: In case of chronic venous occlusions, endovascular procedures may be ineffective. Since preserving the vascular access function is crucial in this particular patient population, venous bypass procedures should be kept in mind as an alternative for central venous reconstruction, before deciding on ligation and relocation of the AVF.

Follow-up Results of Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Following Abdominal Visceral Debranching

ABSTRACT Introduction: The aim of this study is to present a series of six cases with thoracoabdominal aneurysm treated with hybrid technique in our center. Methods: Between May 2015 and December 2018, the data of six patients with thoracoabdominal aneurysms and various comorbidities who underwent visceral debranching followed by endovascular aortic aneurysm repair were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Patients' mean age was 65.3±19.6 years. All of them were male. Comorbidities were old age, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, previous surgical interventions, and/or esophageal hemangioma. Except for one patient who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (inflow was taken from ascending aorta), debranching was performed from the right iliac artery. Debranching of four visceral arteries (superior mesenteric artery, celiac trunk, and bilateral renal right arteries) was performed in three patients, of three visceral arteries (superior mesenteric artery, celiac trunk, right renal artery) was performed in one, and of two visceral arteries (superior mesenteric artery, celiac trunk) was performed in two patients. Great saphenous vein and 6-mm polytetrafluoroethylene grafts were used in one and five patients, respectively, for debranching. Endovascular aneurysm repair was performed following debranching procedures as soon as the patients were stabilized. In total, three patients died at the early, mid, and long-term follow-up due to multiorgan failure, pneumonia, and unknown reasons. Conclusion: Hybrid repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysms may be an alternative to fenestrated or branched endovascular stent grafts in patients with increased risk factors for open surgical thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair; however, the procedure requires experience and care.

Giant Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery Aneurysm in a Patient with Behçet's Disease.

Coronary artery involvement is quite rare in the course of Behçet's disease. Complications secondary to coronary artery aneurysms, including rupture, dissection, and myocardial ischemia, may be fatal. In young patients without cardiovascular risk factors, systemic inflammatory vasculitis syndromes should be investigated in case of acute coronary syndrome secondary to dilated coronary arteries. In this report, we present our management strategy in a 31-year-old male patient with Bechet's disease.

Giant Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery Aneurysm in a Patient with Behçet's Disease

ABSTRACT Coronary artery involvement is quite rare in the course of Behçet's disease. Complications secondary to coronary artery aneurysms, including rupture, dissection, and myocardial ischemia, may be fatal. In young patients without cardiovascular risk factors, systemic inflammatory vasculitis syndromes should be investigated in case of acute coronary syndrome secondary to dilated coronary arteries. In this report, we present our management strategy in a 31-year-old male patient with Bechet's disease.

Follow-up Results of Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Following Abdominal Visceral Debranching.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to present a series of six cases with thoracoabdominal aneurysm treated with hybrid technique in our center. METHODS: Between May 2015 and December 2018, the data of six patients with thoracoabdominal aneurysms and various comorbidities who underwent visceral debranching followed by endovascular aortic aneurysm repair were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Patients' mean age was 65.3±19.6 years. All of them were male. Comorbidities were old age, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, previous surgical interventions, and/or esophageal hemangioma. Except for one patient who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (inflow was taken from ascending aorta), debranching was performed from the right iliac artery. Debranching of four visceral arteries (superior mesenteric artery, celiac trunk, and bilateral renal right arteries) was performed in three patients, of three visceral arteries (superior mesenteric artery, celiac trunk, right renal artery) was performed in one, and of two visceral arteries (superior mesenteric artery, celiac trunk) was performed in two patients. Great saphenous vein and 6-mm polytetrafluoroethylene grafts were used in one and five patients, respectively, for debranching. Endovascular aneurysm repair was performed following debranching procedures as soon as the patients were stabilized. In total, three patients died at the early, mid, and long-term follow-up due to multiorgan failure, pneumonia, and unknown reasons. CONCLUSION: Hybrid repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysms may be an alternative to fenestrated or branched endovascular stent grafts in patients with increased risk factors for open surgical thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair; however, the procedure requires experience and care.

Evaluation of chronic inflammation in the aetiology of venous insufficiency by investigating cytomegalovirus DNA.

INTRODUCTION: Lower extremity venous insufficiency is a significant health problem with economic and sociological consequences, lowering the quality of life, and sometimes leading to serious complications. The aim of this study is to evaluate the cytomegalovirus (CMV) effect on chronic inflammation in the aetiology of chronic venous insufficiency. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between November 2017 and August 2018, 468 patients who underwent radio-frequency ablation therapy and phlebectomy were included in the study. PCR analyses for CMV DNA were performed on the venous tissue samples. Patients with post-thrombotic syndrome were excluded from the study. After ethical approval, the relationship between the presence of CMV DNA, gender, body mass index, and bilaterality of chronic venous insufficiency were investigated. RESULTS: When the relationship between CMV DNA and gender or body mass index was examined, a significant relationship was not detected. But when the patients with bilateral chronic venous insufficiency and patients with unilateral chronic venous insufficiency were compared regarding CMV DNA positivity, the patients with bilateral chronic venous insufficiency had significantly higher CMV DNA positivity (p = 0.002). Also, the incidence of venous ulcers in the CMV DNA exposed group was significantly higher. CONCLUSIONS: In the literature there are many studies showing that CMV triggers atherosclerosis, but there is no study in which CMV directly produces chronic venous insufficiency. The high rates of positivity suggest that CMV, which is the basis of chronic inflammation, may be a significant factor in the aetiology of chronic venous insufficiency.

Efficacy of Rotational Atherectomy Followed by Drug-coated Balloon Angioplasty for the Treatment of Femoropopliteal Lesions-Comparison with Sole Drug-coated Balloon Revascularization: Two-year Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the results of the combined use of rotational atherectomy (RA) followed by drug-coated balloon (DCB) treatment against DCB angioplasty alone in patients who had significantly calcified and symptomatic femoropopliteal peripheral arterial disease. METHODS: Patients presented to the clinic with symptoms of chronic limb ischemia of femoropopliteal segment such as moderate or severe claudication and rest pain, who received endovascular therapy between January 2016 and January 2018 in our hospital comprised the study cohort and investigated, retrospectively. Patients with minor or major tissue loss were excluded from the study. We evaluated the effect of RA system followed by DCB with DCB alone in 121 patients and a total of 226 significantly calcified and symptomatic femoropopliteal lesions. Fifty-eight patients and 112 (49.5%) lesions were treated with RA + DCB, whereas 63 patients and 114 (50.5%) lesions were treated with DCB only. The mean age was 61.2 ± 9.7 years. Primary patency is evaluated with duplex ultrasound/angiography at 6, 12, and 24 months and with angiography on 12 and 24 months. Patients were followed up for 24 months to assign clinically driven target lesion revascularization (TLR). Overall survival rates were 96.5% (56/58) in RA + DCB group and 93.6% (59/63) in DCB alone group both at one-year and two-year follow-up. Amputation-free survival rates of RA + DCB and DCB-only groups are 96.5% (56/58) to 87.3% (55/63) at one year, and 94.8% (55/58) to 82.5% (52/63) at two years, respectively. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of groups were similar. The lesions were longer in the RA + DCB group than the DCB alone group (14.4 ± 5.2 cm vs. 10.2 ± 3.1 cm; P = 0.05). The technical success rate in the RA + DCB group was superior to that of DCB-only group (95.4% vs. 84.8%, P = 0.006). The 12-month and 24-month patency rates with angiography in the RA-DCB group were similar to those in the DCB-only group (85.7% vs. 74.6% and 73.2% vs. 62.7%, respectively). The rates of bailout stenting were significantly lower among patients treated with RA + DCB (n = 3; 5.1% vs. n = 13; 20.6%, P < 0.001). The rates of flow-limiting dissections and vessel recoils after procedures were significantly in RA + DCB group (n = 2; 3.4% vs. n = 8; 12.6%, P < 0.001) than DCB only (n = 1; 1.7% vs. n = 4; 6.3%, P < 0.002). The freedom from TLR rate was significantly increased in the RA + DCB group at 12 months (95.2% vs. 76.3%, P = 0.002) and 24 months (93.4% vs. 63.7%, P = 0.002). The mean ankle brachial index at discharge in the RA-DCB group improved by 0.35 ± 0.24, and in the DCB-only group, it was 0.30 ± 0.23 (P = 0.683). CONCLUSIONS: Combined use of RA and DCB treatment is an effective, safe, and durable method for the treatment of the complex femoropopliteal lesions. Combination of RA and DCB angioplasty reveals increased technical success, fewer flow-limiting dissections, significantly reduced TLR, and bailout stenting rates compared with sole DCB angioplasty.

Off-pump ascending aorta or aortic arch to descending aorta bypass with a pericardial roll for the treatment of critically ill infants with interrupted aortic arch.

AIM: Standard surgical treatment of the interrupted aortic arch with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass is risky especially in critically ill babies. In this manuscript, we present the results of off-pump pericardial roll bypass for the treatment of aortic interruption. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The technique was applied in nine critically ill infants between July 2011 and December 2019. Data were reviewed retrospectively. There were four girls and five boys. The types of the interruption were type B in six cases and type A in three babies. Additional cardiovascular anomalies were ventricular septal defect in all, atrial septal defect or patent foramen ovale in all, single-ventricle pathologies in two and bicuspid aortic valve in three cases. All the patients were in critical situations such as intubated, having symptoms of infection, congestive heart failure or ischaemia and malperfusion leading visceral organ dysfunction. RESULTS: All patients underwent off-pump ascending aorta or aortic arch to descending aorta bypass with a pericardial roll. Post-operative early mortality occurred in one patient with severe mitral regurgitation due to cardio-septic shock. One patient who had single-ventricle pathology underwent bidirectional Glenn and was lost on the post-operative 26th day due to sepsis 2 years after operation. Two patients presented with dilatation of the pericardial tube 18 and 24 months after the operations and one underwent reconstruction of the neo-arch. The remaining patients are asymptomatic, active and within normal limits of body and mental growth. CONCLUSION: Treatment of interrupted aortic arch with a bypass with an autologous pericardial roll treated with gluteraldehyde without cardiopulmonary bypass seems a safe and reliable technique especially for the treatment of critically ill infants.

The Efficacy of Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty on the Limb Salvage and Recovery of Symptoms in Patients With Buerger's Disease With Critical Limb Ischemia.

INTRODUCTION: Buerger's disease, or thromboangiitis obliterans, is associated with limb-threatening chronic arterial lesions. In this study, we sought to investigate the efficacy of the percutaneous transluminal angioplasty method for the treatment of critical limb ischemia (CLI) in patients with Buerger's disease in our modest cohort. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with CLI secondary to Buerger's disease who underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty between May 2014 and June 2017 were retrospectively investigated. Patient demographics, presentations, procedural details, responses to percutaneous treatment, complications, limb salvage, wound healing, reinterventions, and early follow-up data were recorded. RESULTS: The cohort included 24 patients with Buerger's disease presenting with CLI observed in 46 limbs. Presentations were gangrene in 12 patients, ulcer formation in 7 patients, and rest pain in the remaining 5 patients. All patients received percutaneous balloon angioplasty, with limb salvage in 21 patients (87.5%). Revascularization was achieved in 87.5% of the destination arteries at the primary intervention and overall technical success rate including reinterventions reached 95.8%. Following the procedures, a total of 22 patients had clinical response with at least ≥1 Rutherford category and mean Rutherford category significantly improved from 5.2 ± 0.74 to 1.6 ± 0.7 (P<.001). Limb salvage rate was 87.5%. Complete wound healing was achieved in all patients with ischemic ulcers at 3.9 ± 2.6 months (range 1-13 months) post revascularization. Mean follow-up duration was 16.07 ± 3.4 months and 6 patients (who were especially subjected to cigarette smoke) required reinterventions. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous treatment of arterial occlusions in patients with Buerger's disease seems feasible in the current era of improving devices and angioplasty materials. Procedures may be safely performed with good technical and clinical success rates, and without mortality or complications as experience increases.

Congenital cardiac interventions during the peak phase of COVID-19 pandemics in the country in a pandemics hospital in Istanbul.

INTRODUCTION: In this report, we aim to present our algorithm and results of patients with congenital cardiac disorders who underwent surgical or interventional procedures during the peak phase of the pandemics in our country. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The first COVID-19 case was diagnosed in Turkey on 11 March, 2020, and the peak phase seemed to end by the end of April. All the patients whom were referred, treated, or previously operated but still at the hospital during the peak phase of COVID-19 pandemics in the country were included into this retrospective study. Patient's diagnosis, interventions, adverse events, and early post-procedural courses were studied. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients with various diagnoses of congenital cardiovascular disorders were retrospectively reviewed. Ages of the patients ranged between 2 days and 16 years. Seventeen cases were males and 14 cases were females. Elective cases were postponed. Priority was given to interventional procedures, and five cases were treated percutaneously. Palliative procedures were preferred in patients whom presumably would require long hospital stay. Corrective procedures were not hesitated in prioritised stable patients. Mortality occurred in one patient. Eight patients out of 151 ICU admissions were diagnosed with COVID-19, and they were transferred to COVID-19 ICU immediately. Three nurses whom also took care of the paediatric cases became infected with SARS-CoV-2; however, the children did not catch the disease. CONCLUSION: Mandatory and emergent congenital cardiac percutaneous and surgical procedures may be performed with similar postoperative risks as there are no pandemics with meticulous care and preventive measures.

Cardioprotective effects of erythropoietin in diabetic rats determined by CD34 and vascular endothelial growth factor levels.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, the effects of diabetes mellitus on the cardiovascular system were investigated by assessing the stem cell levels in serum and heart and compared with the normal population. Additionally, efficacy of erythropoietin, which is known to increase stem cells, was studied in diabetic rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-five male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups as a control group (group 1), diabetic group (group 2) and erythropoietin induced diabetic group (group 3). A diabetes model was created with streptozocin. In group 3 rats received 3000 U/kg of erythropoietin. At the end of 1 month blood reticulocyte levels, degree of tissue fibrosis and immunohistochemical assessment of reliable stem cell markers, CD34 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), were analyzed. RESULTS: The increase in the blood glucose levels resulted in a significant decrease in reticulocyte levels in group 2. The increase in blood glucose levels resulted in a statistically significant increase in tissue level of fibrosis, CD34 and VEGF. When the rats in groups 1 and 2 were compared, the fibrosis, CD34 and VEGF levels were found to increase significantly. When group 2 and group 3 were compared, the amount of fibrosis was lower and the levels of CD34 and VEGF were significantly higher in group 3 than group 2. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study indicated that the amount of CD34 and VEGF which function in cellular protection and tissue regeneration may be enhanced with safely applicable erythropoietin leading to increase in reticulocyte levels in serum, and CD34 and VEGF levels in right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, and left ventricle as a protective mechanism in diabetic rats.

A Rare and Subtle Etiology of Chronic Oropharyngeal Pain: Isolated Internal Carotid Artery Kinking without Stenosis.

Carotid artery kinking is a frequent finding in duplex ultrasonography. However, isolated morphological changes without significant carotid stenosis are rarely symptomatic. Neck pain is a rare symptom in patients with carotid artery kinks. The vascular etiology in patients with persistent neck pain is usually overlooked. A 58-year-old female patient with chronic neck pain presented to our clinic. Following multidisciplinary team review, the symptoms were found due to the kinking of the internal carotid artery. In this report, we present the clinical presentation of the patient with the kinking of the internal carotid artery without stenosis, surgical management of the pathology, and a brief literature review.

Coronary Arteries Arising from Single Coronary Ostium: A Case Report.

Advanced diagnostic systems and healthcare screening programs enabled increased diagnosis of congenital cardiovascular anomalies, including variations in coronary arteries. Single coronary artery is a rare congenital cardiovascular malformation in which all three main coronary arteries originate from a single coronary trunk. In this report, we present a patient with single coronary ostium giving rise to the left and right coronary artery systems, which was diagnosed incidentally with coronary computerized tomography and confirmed with conventional angiography. INTRODUCTION.

Evaluation of the relationship between plaque formation leading to symptomatic carotid artery stenosis and cytomegalovirus by investigating the virus DNA.

INTRODUCTION: The most common etiologic factor of coronary artery disease (CAD), carotid artery disease, and peripheral artery disease is atherosclerosis. In our study, we aimed to show the effect of cytomegalovirus (CMV), which can occur almost everywhere in the human body, on triggering the chronic inflammatory process in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, and its presence and impact in the plaques leading to carotid artery stenosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients, who underwent carotid endarterectomy at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Istanbul University Istanbul Medical Faculty between April 2017 and April 2018, were included in this study upon their consent. Patients with additional immunosuppressive conditions were not included in the study. Unilateral atheromatous plaque was preferred for patients undergoing bilateral carotid endarterectomy and all risk factors (DM, HT, hyperlipidemia, etc.) were evaluated together for all patients. RESULTS: When the relationship between CMV (DNA) presence in samples taken from patients' plaques and sex, age and comorbidities was examined, CMV (DNA) positivity (45.8%) was significantly higher in DM patients than non-DM patients (8.3%) (p = 0.024). Likewise, CMV(DNA) positivity (40%) was significantly higher in HT patients than in non-HT patients (25%) (p = 0.008). CMV(DNA) positivity (63%) was significantly higher in patients with bilateral carotid artery stenosis than patients without bilateral carotid artery stenosis (0%) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: It has not yet been clarified whether CMV is a primary trigger for atherosclerosis on the vascular wall, or whether it presents incidentally due to its affinity. When CMV (DNA) positivity was examined according to the presence of bilateral carotid artery stenosis in our study, CMV (DNA) positivity was found to be significantly higher in patients with bilateral carotid artery stenosis (63.16%).