The role of magnetic resonance imaging and the expression of MMP-9 protein in the analysis of carotid atherosclerotic plaques in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy: a prospective pilot study.

Components of carotid atherosclerotic plaque can be analysed preoperatively by non-invasive advanced imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 protein (MMP-9), which has a potential role in remodelling of atherosclerotic plaques, can be analysed immunohistochemically. The aim of the present prospective pilot study is to analyse histological characteristics and expression of MMP-9 in carotid plaques of patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and to investigate the correlation with preoperative clinical symptoms and MRI features. Preoperative clinical assessment, MRI imaging, postoperative histological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed. Fifteen patients with symptomatic (7/15; 47%) and asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis undergoing CEA were included. Among symptomatic patients, 5 (71%) had recent stroke and 2 (29%) had recent transient ischaemic attack with a median timing of 6 weeks (IQR: 1, 18) before the surgery. Both groups did not significantly differ in respect to preoperative characteristics. Prevalence of unstable plaque was higher in symptomatic than asymptomatic patients, although it was not significant (63% vs. 37%, p = 0.077). The expression of MMP-9 in CD68 cells within the plaque by semiquantitative analysis was found to be significantly higher in symptomatic as compared to asymptomatic patients (86% vs. 25% with the highest expression, p = 0.014). The average microvascular density was found to be higher and lipid core area larger among both symptomatic patients and unstable carotid plaque specimens, although this did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.064 and p = 0.132, p = 0.360 and p = 0.569, respectively). Our results demonstrate that MRI is reliable in classifying carotid lesions and differentiating unstable from stable plaques. We have also shown that the expression of MMP-9 is significantly higher among symptomatic patients undergoing CEA.

Successful treatment of fulminant Lyme myocarditis with mechanical circulatory support in a young male adult: a case report.

We describe the case of fulminant myocarditis due to Lyme disease and use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) for the treatment of the Lyme carditis associated with refractory cardiogenic shock. Fulminant Lyme myocarditis in young adult male patient led to a sudden onset of acute, severe biventricular heart failure with progressive cardiogenic shock, and multiorgan failure immediately after admission.

Is mitral valve repair safe procedure in elderly patients?

The aim of this randomized, prospective, study was to evaluate postoperative hospital mortality and morbidity after mitral valve repair by comparing two surgical techniques for resolving mitral valve insufficiency in elderly patients. In comparison were: mitral valve repair vs. mitral valve replacement in patients older than 70 years. In period from January 1st 2006 until August 30th 2009. Eighty patients with mitral valve disease, isolated or associated with other comorbidities, were scheduled for mitral valve repair or mitral valve replacement in our institution. Patients were randomized in two groups, one scheduled for mitral valve repair and another one for mitral valve replacement using the envelope method with random numbers. Results show no difference in hospital mortality and morbidity postoperatively in both groups. In group undergoing valve replacement we had one significant complication of ventricle rupture in emphatically calcified posterior part of mitral valve annulus. In conclusion we found no distinction in postoperative hospital mortality and morbidity after using one of two surgical techniques.

Hip fractures in elderly--ten years analysis.

Geriatric hip fractures (GHP) are the major problem in the geriatric traumatology and it is estimated that treatment of GHF will spend a large amount of health care resources. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare differences in incidence of operatively treated patients with GHF, type of treatment depending of the type of fracture, early postoperative mortality, length of stay and costs of used implants within a 10 years period. Surgically treated 2478 patients, older than 65 years with hip fractures were included in the study. Patients were grouped according to the type of fracture (femoral neck fracture or intertrochanteric femoral fracture) and used implant. Results showed increasing trend in GHF in our County in the last 10 years. There was a shifting trend in used implants, and new surgical techniques were used more commonly in the last few years. In observed period there were no significant changes in revision surgery and length of hospital stay. The mortality decreased, especially in males, but generally it was not in correlation with used implant. At the 10-years period increase in patients with GHF of 179% was followed with 4 time higher increase in implant prices. Present reimbursement in health care system does not calculate the difference of implant costs in hospital expenses, therefore proper usage of modern implants and careful planning in the treatment of GHF is necessary.

Off-pump versus on-pump--intermittent aortic cross clamping--myocardial revascularisation: single center expirience.

The aim of this randomised, prospective study was to evaluate hospital mortality and morbidity after myocardial revascularisation, comparing on-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) myocardial revascularisation versus off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OPCAB) myocardial revascularisation in population with multivessels coronary artery disease. Sixty patients with multivessels coronary artery diseases were scheduled to undergo coronary artery bypass grafting from January 15, 2006 to June 30, 2007 in our institution. Patients were randomized to off-pump or on-pump surgery with intermittent cross-clamping of aorta and ventricular fibrillation, using the envelope method with random numbers. In the results only difference we did find postoperatively was in Creatine Kinase-MB (CK-MB) release, the amount of bleeding and intensive care unit (ICU) stay (p<0.05). There was no diference between the two groups of patients regarding incidence of main morbidity and hospital moratlity. In summary, we didn't find no superiority in any of the two techniques regarding on hospital mortality and morbidity.