A comparison of early clinical outcomes of off-pump and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: The reply of question of "which coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) technique is superior in elderly patients, off-pump or on-pump CABG surgery?" is controversial. We aimed to compare the early clinical outcomes in elderly patients undergoing off-pump and on-pump CABG. METHODS: From January 2009 to January 2015, 344 elderly patients (aged 70 or older) underwent off-pump (n = 137) or on-pump (n = 207) CABG. Patients' medical records were retrospectively reviewed, and their baseline preoperative characteristics, operative data and postoperative outcomes were analyzed, thereby a comparison of early outcomes between off-pump and on-pump patients was performed. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 74.4 ± 3.8 years. Both groups were statistically similar in terms of baseline preoperative characteristics. Number of distal bypass was significantly lower in off-pump group than in on-pump group. Postoperative length of intensive care unit and hospital stay were similar between two groups. Amounts of transfused blood products were significantly lower in off-pump CABG group. There were no significant differences in terms of postoperative complications and mortality between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results did not reveal a significant benefit of either surgical technique with respect to early-term clinical outcomes in elderly CABG patients. Further investigations are needed to determine whether off-pump CABG is superior than on-pump CABG in elderly patients.

Percutaneous Coil Embolization for the Treatment of a Giant Brachial Artery Pseudoaneurym in a Child.

Brachial artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare phenomenon. When a diagnosis of brachial artery pseudoaneurysm is established, early and appropriate treatment should be performed as soon as possible to prevent possible complications, such as hemorrhage, rupture, and upper limb and finger losses. Open surgical repair is usually the cornerstone of treatment; however, we here report a case of giant brachial pseudoaneurysm in a 2-year-old girl, which was successfully treated with percutaneous coil embolization.

Early-Term Outcomes for Treatment of Saphenous Vein Insufficiency with N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate: A Novel, Non-Thermal, and Non-Tumescent Percutaneous Embolization Technique.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to present early-term outcomes of VariClose® Vein Sealing System, which is a novel, non-thermal, and non-tumescent percutaneous embolization technique for treatment of saphenous vein insufficiency. METHODS: Between March 2014 and July 2015, 189 saphenous veins in 141 patients were treated with Variclose Vein Sealing System containing n-butyl cyanoacrylate. Pre-, intra-, post-procedural, and follow-up data of patients were collected and retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 42.5 ± 14.0 years, of which 53% were female. Technical success rate of intervention was 98.9%. Mean procedure time was 14.3 ± 7.5 minutes. Eighty-nine percent of patients (n = 126/141) were available at mean follow-up time of 6.7 months. Mean Venous Clinical Severity Score was significantly improved from 8.3 ± 2.2 at pre-procedure period to 3.3 ± 1.8 at follow-up. No complete recanalization was observed, but 2 patients were presented with partial recanalization during follow-up. The complete occlusion rate was 98.4%. No serious adverse event related to procedure was observed. CONCLUSION: Variclose Vein Sealing System appears to be safe and effective in treatment of saphenous vein insufficiency. Further randomized studies with long-term outcomes are required for determining optimal treatment modality in patients with saphenous vein insufficiency.

Effect of Body Mass Index on Mortality and Morbidity in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the effect of body mass index (BMI) on mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 403 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery in our center. The patients were divided into 5 groups according to their BMI values. Preoperative demographic characteristics, operative data, and postoperative complications during the six-month follow-up period were compared between the groups. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the groups except the coexistence of peripheral artery disease (P = .009), ejection fraction (P = .021) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P = .044). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of postoperative complications. No relationship was found between postoperative complications and the implemented surgical procedures. An overall 30-day mortality rate of 1.48% was observed, and the six-month mortality rate was 1.7%. CONCLUSION: According to this study, obesity does not lead to an increased risk of mortality and other adverse outcomes after CABG surgery. However, obesity may prolong hospital stay and increase the cost of CABG operation.

Protective role of intracoronary shunt in off-pump coronary bypass operations.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate if there are any advantages in using intracoronary shunts compared to shuntless operations, in the context of whether it has a protective role for the myocardia. METHODS: This prospective study, included 100 patients who underwent off-pump coronary bypass surgery at 2 different cardiovascular surgery departments, namely, the Social Security Ankara Ihtisas Hospital, and Hacettepe University Hospital, Turkey, between September 2002 and July 2006. Patients were divided into 2 groups. In group 1 n=50 off-pump coronary bypass operations were performed with intracoronary shunts. In group 2 n=50 shunts were not used during off-pump. Serum creatine kinase, myoglobin, and troponin were studied. RESULTS: There were significant increases in serum creatine kinase levels in group 2 at postoperative 6th, 12th, and 24th hours. In group 2, the increase of myoglobin was statistically significant at only the postoperative 24th hour. Troponin levels were significantly higher in group 2 at postoperative 6th, 12th, and 24th hours. CONCLUSION: There are some questions regarding myocardial protection while maintaining a bloodless secure surgical field in off-pump coronary surgery. However, use of intracoronary shunts provides distal coronary flow, and reduces the risk of myocardial ischemia, while maintaining a comfortable blood free anastomosis area.

Asymptomatic balanced-type double aortic arch in an elderly patient: a case report.

Double aortic arch is a congenital abnormality and sporadic cases have been reported in adult patients, who are usually diagnosed after complaining of asthma-like symptoms or swallowing difficulties because of the compression of the trachea or esophagus by the abnormal aortic arches. We present the case of a 67-year-old male patient with double aortic arch, found coincidentally during coronary angiographic examination.

Intrathoracic xanthoma mimicking lung cancer in a patient with familial hypercholesterolemia type II: a case report.

Xanthomas are benign soft-tissue lesions commonly occurring on the skin, subcutis, or tendon sheaths of patients. The lung and thoracic cavity is a rare location for xanthomas. We present a 39-year-old woman who was admitted to our hospital with complaints of dyspnea, cough, and chest pain. She had a prior diagnosis of type II familial hypercholesterolemia. Chest x-ray film and computed tomography scans revealed a large tumor-like mass in the right hemithorax. Thoracal mass and narrowed tracheal segments were removed using cardiopulmonary bypass. Histopathologic findings were consistent with xanthoma.

Giant right atrial myxoma mimicking hepatic cirrhosis: a case report.

Cardiac myxomas are rare benign tumors of the heart. The growth rate of these tumors remains unknown. Right atrial myxoma can simulate nonspecific constitutional symptoms, such as remittent or lasting fever, weight loss, and chronic anemia, and may escape timely diagnosis until the development of severe complications such as pulmonary hypertension due to embolism from fragments originating from the tumor mass or blockage of the right atrioventricular ostium or Budd-Chiari syndrome with acute abdominal pain. We present a case of a giant right atrial myxoma mimicking hepatic cirrhosis in a 52-year-old man.

Predictive significance of plasma levels of interleukin-6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) plays a major role in the determination of hemodynamic deterioration and can be associated with cardiovascular events after coronary artery surgery. Elevated interleukin (IL)-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with AF suggest a role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of AF. We conducted a study to investigate the correlation between postoperative AF and IL-6 and high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-nine patients with a mean age of 60.3 +/- 10.7 years were enrolled in this study. Preoperative and postoperative first day blood samples were collected to assess the IL-6 and hsCRP levels. IL-6 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and hsCRP was measured by rate turbidimetry method. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (28.5%) developed AF postoperatively. Patients who developed AF showed elevated serum concentrations of postoperative first day IL-6 (P < .001), preoperative hsCRP (P < .005), and postoperative first day hsCRP (P < 0.001). Preoperative hsCRP levels (P < .002) and postoperative first day IL-6 (P < .001) and hsCRP (P < 0.001) levels were associated with prolonged endotracheal intubation time. Prolonged intensive care unit stay showed significant correlations with elevated levels of preoperative hsCRP (P < 0.002) and postoperative first day IL-6 (P < 0.001) and hsCRP (P < 0.001). There was also statistical significance between the AF+ and AF- groups regarding intensive care unit stay and endotracheal intubation times (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively). Cut-off points for postoperative first day IL-6, preoperative hsCRP, and postoperative first day hsCRP were 46.4 pg/mL (sensitivity = 92.9% and specificity = 80%), 0.46 mg/L (sensitivity = 71% and specificity = 75%), and 17.9 mg/L (sensitivity = 92.9% and specificity = 78%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated IL-6 and hsCRP levels in patients with postoperative AF suggest inflammatory components have a role of in the pathogenesis of AF.

Preoperative fibrinogen levels as a predictor of postoperative bleeding after open heart surgery.

BACKGROUND: Open heart surgery still involving major bleeding continues to be a major challenge after cardiac surgery and is also a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Most hemostatic factors are intercorrelated with postoperative bleeding, and fibrinogen seems the most fundamental hemostatic risk factor for open heart surgery. METHODS: The study included 97 patients who underwent elective coronary artery surgery (78 men and 19 women; mean age, 60.9 +/- 10.3). Preoperative blood samples were obtained and preoprative quantitative determination of plasma fibrinogen levels were measured by the clotting method of Clauss using the fibrinogen kit. Patients were operated on by the same team and the same technique. The total amount of drainage blood from chest tubes was recorded after termination of operation. RESULTS: There were statistical significance between the fibrinogen levels and the drainage (r = -0.897, P < .001). Chest drainage was a mean of 972 mL (range, 240-2445 mL) in the first 48 hours after sternotomy closure. Fibrinogen level and relation to age was statistically significant (P = .015). There was no statistical significance between fibrinogen levels and gender (male gender = 400.7 +/- 123.0 versus female gender = 395.6 +/- 148.1; P = .877) and between drainage and gender (male gender = 968.2 +/- 538.5 versus female gender = 990.0 +/- 554.7; P = .876). Two patients (2%) died early after the surgery. There were no significant differences between the postoperative bleeding and cardiopulmonary bypass time (P = .648) or cross-clamp time (P = .974). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggested that low preoperative fibrinogen level appears to be a useful diagnostic marker to assess the activity of the coagulation system, and that its preoperative level may serve as a potential risk factor for postoperative bleeding after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Are the Early Postoperative Outcomes of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery in Elderly Women Worse Compared to Men's?

OBJECTIVE:: To investigate the impact of gender difference in early postoperative outcomes in elderly patients (aged 70 or older) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. METHODS:: Between October 2009 and December 2013, a total of 223 elderly patients (aged 70 or older) undergoing isolated primary coronary artery bypass grafting surgery were included in this retrospective observational cohort study. Patients were divided into two groups according to their gender. The patients' medical records were collected, their baseline preoperative characteristics, operative data, and postoperative outcomes were retrospectively reviewed, and the effect of gender difference in the early postoperative outcomes was analyzed. RESULTS:: Group 1 (female patients) and Group 2 (male patients) consisted of 71 and 152 patients, respectively. Mean age of patients was 74.4±3.6 years (range: 70-84 years). The level of EuroSCORE I, the incidence of hypertension and hyperlipidemia were significantly higher in Group 1, while the rate of smoking was significantly higher in Group 2. Mean postoperative intubation time, length of intensive care unit and hospital stay were longer in female patients than in male patients, but these differences were not statistically significant. No statistically significant difference between two groups in terms of the transfusion of blood products was observed. The rates of in-hospital mortality and major postoperative complications were statistically similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION:: In conclusion, the female gender was not associated with worse early postoperative outcomes in elderly patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Long-term outcomes of pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis.

BACKGROUND: Constrictive pericarditis is a rare and disabling disease that can result in chronic fibrous thickening of the pericardium. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes following treatment of constrictive pericarditis by pericardiectomy. METHODS: Between September 1992 and May 2014, 47 patients who underwent pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis were retrospectively examined. Demographic, pre-, intra- and postoperative data and long-term outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty of the patients were male, the mean age was 45.8 ± 16.7. Aetiology of constrictive pericarditis was tuberculosis in 22 (46.8 %) patients, idiopathic in 15 (31.9 %), malignancy in 3 (6.4 %), prior cardiac surgery in 2 (4.3 %), non-tuberculosis bacterial infections in 2 (4.3 %), radiotherapy in 1 (2.1 %), uraemia in 1 (2.1 %) and post-traumatic in 1 (2.1 %). The surgical approach was achieved via a median sternotomy in all patients except only 1 patient. The mean operative time was 156.4 ± 45.7 min. Improvement in functional status in 80 % of patients' at least one New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class was observed. In-hospital mortality rate was 2.1 % (1 of 47 patients). The cause of death was pneumonia leading to progressive respiratory failure. The late mortality rate was 23.4 % (11 of 47 patients). The mean follow-up time was 61.2 ± 66 months. The actuarial survival rates were 91 %, 85 % and 81 % at 1, 5 and 10 years, respectively. Recurrence requiring a repeat pericardiectomy was developed in no patient during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Pericardiectomy is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Cases with neoplastic diseases, diminished cardiac output, cases in need of reoperation are expected to have high mortality rates and less chance of functional recovery.

A clinical decision support system for femoral peripheral arterial disease treatment.

One of the major challenges of providing reliable healthcare services is to diagnose and treat diseases in an accurate and timely manner. Recently, many researchers have successfully used artificial neural networks as a diagnostic assessment tool. In this study, the validation of such an assessment tool has been developed for treatment of the femoral peripheral arterial disease using a radial basis function neural network (RBFNN). A data set for training the RBFNN has been prepared by analyzing records of patients who had been treated by the thoracic and cardiovascular surgery clinic of a university hospital. The data set includes 186 patient records having 16 characteristic features associated with a binary treatment decision, namely, being a medical or a surgical one. K-means clustering algorithm has been used to determine the parameters of radial basis functions and the number of hidden nodes of the RBFNN is determined experimentally. For performance evaluation, the proposed RBFNN was compared to three different multilayer perceptron models having Pareto optimal hidden layer combinations using various performance indicators. Results of comparison indicate that the RBFNN can be used as an effective assessment tool for femoral peripheral arterial disease treatment.

Are the early postoperative outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting surgery in elderly women worse compared to men's?

Abstract Objective: To investigate the impact of gender difference in early postoperative outcomes in elderly patients (aged 70 or older) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Methods: Between October 2009 and December 2013, a total of 223 elderly patients (aged 70 or older) undergoing isolated primary coronary artery bypass grafting surgery were included in this retrospective observational cohort study. Patients were divided into two groups according to their gender. The patients' medical records were collected, their baseline preoperative characteristics, operative data, and postoperative outcomes were retrospectively reviewed, and the effect of gender difference in the early postoperative outcomes was analyzed. Results: Group 1 (female patients) and Group 2 (male patients) consisted of 71 and 152 patients, respectively. Mean age of patients was 74.4±3.6 years (range: 70-84 years). The level of EuroSCORE I, the incidence of hypertension and hyperlipidemia were significantly higher in Group 1, while the rate of smoking was significantly higher in Group 2. Mean postoperative intubation time, length of intensive care unit and hospital stay were longer in female patients than in male patients, but these differences were not statistically significant. No statistically significant difference between two groups in terms of the transfusion of blood products was observed. The rates of in-hospital mortality and major postoperative complications were statistically similar between the two groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, the female gender was not associated with worse early postoperative outcomes in elderly patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Autoimmune myasthenia gravis after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Myasthenia gravis is the most common disorder of neuromuscular transmission and is a heterogeneous disorder that is generally autoimmune, which is caused by an auto-antibody to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. We present a rare case of myasthenia gravis that occurred 8 weeks after a coronary artery bypass grafting operation. A 64-year-old man with multivessel coronary artery disease underwent myocardial revascularization. Severe myasthenic symptoms began 8 weeks after the operation and emergent mechanical ventilation was needed because of myasthenic crises. The serum anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody level was high. The details of this unusual patient are discussed.