Predictive Roles of Right Coronary Artery Disease Severity and Systemic Immune Inflammation Index in Predicting Atrial Fibrillation After Coronary Bypass Operations in Patients with Right Coronary Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (PoAF) is observed at a rate of 25-40% in the postoperative period after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and can increase mortality, morbidity, and treatment costs. Inflammation and coronary artery disease (CAD) severity are important parameters to predict PoAF. METHODS: Patients with right coronary artery (RCA) disease who underwent isolated CABG operation between January 1, 2017 and April 15, 2020, were included in the study retrospectively. Demographic features, preoperative total Gensini score (TGS), right coronary Gensini score (RCGS), systemic immune inflammation index (SII), and postoperative characteristics were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 283 patients were included in the study. Those who did not develop PoAF were included in Group 1 (N = 211, median age=60 (33-82) years), and those who did were included in Group 2 (N = 72, median age=68 (42-85) years). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups, in terms of gender, hypercholesterolemia, cerebrovascular event/trans-ischemic attack history, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, smoking, beta blocker/angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker use, ejection fraction and left atrium diameters. As a result of multivariate analysis, advanced age (OR: 2.816 CI 95%: 1.687-3.498 P < .001), hypertension (OR:0.896, CI 95%: 0.578-0.965, P = .022), SII (OR: 1.548 CI 95%: 1.265-2.896, P = .003), TGS (OR: 1.235, CI 95%: 1.096-2.424, P = .012), and RCGS (OR: 2.112, CI 95%: 1.665-4.156, P < .001) values were determined as independent predictors for predicting postoperative atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSION: In this study, we showed that RCGS and SII values were independent predictors of PoAF after CABG operations in patients with right coronary artery disease.

Comparison of paracetamol and diclofenac prescribing preferences for adults in primary care.

INTRODUCTION: The most frequently prescribed analgesic drugs in primary care centers in Turkey are diclofenac and paracetamol, respectively. In this study, we aimed to compare paracetamol-included prescriptions (PIP) and diclofenac-included prescriptions (DIP) generated for adult patients in primary care. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, PIPs (n = 280 488) and DIPs (n = 337 935) created for adults by systematic sampling among primary care physicians working in Istanbul in 2016 (n = 1431) were examined. The demographic characteristics, diagnoses, and additional drugs in PIPs and DIPs were compared. RESULTS: Women constituted the majority in both groups (69.8% and 67.9%, respectively; P < 0.05), and mean age at PIP (52.6 ± 18.8 years) was lower compared to DIP (56.3 ± 16.1 years), (P < 0.05). In single-diagnosis prescriptions, 11 of the 15 most common diagnoses in PIP were respiratory tract infections (47.9%); three pain-related diagnoses formed 4.6% of all these prescriptions. In DIP, the number of pain-related diagnoses, mostly of musculoskeletal origin, was eight (28.5%); four diagnoses (7.8%) were upper respiratory tract infections. While hypertension was the third most common diagnosis in PIP (6.1%), it was ranked first in DIP (8.0%). The percentage of prescriptions with additional analgesic (14.0% versus 18.3%, P < 0.001), proton-pump inhibitor (13.8% versus 18.4%; P < 0.001), and antihypertensive (22.0% versus 24.8%, P < 0.001) was lower in PIP compared to DIP. However, the percentage of prescriptions with antibiotics (31.3% versus 14.7%, P < 0.001) was higher in PIP. CONCLUSION: Paracetamol appears to be preferred mostly in upper respiratory tract infections compared to the preference of diclofenac rather in painful/inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions. The presence of hypertension among the most commonly encountered diagnoses for these analgesic drugs points to challenges in establishing the diagnosing-treatment match and indicates potential irrational prescribing practice, especially for interactions.

The effect of the relationship between post-cardiotomy neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and platelet counts on early major adverse events after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of postcardiotomy neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet counts in predicting major adverse events after coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: A total of 373 patients (257 males, 116 females; median age 63, range 33 to 85 years) who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting under cardiopulmonary bypass between January 2015 and January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients who did not develop any postoperative major adverse event were included in Group 1, while those who did constituted Group 2. Preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, postcardiotomy neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, postoperative Day 1 neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte x platelet ratio were calculated. RESULTS: Preoperative neutrophil counts, C-reactive protein values, neutrophilto- lymphocyte ratio, total perfusion time, and length of intensive care unit and hospital stay were significantly higher in Group 2 (p=0.019, p=0.028, p<0.001, p=0.027, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). Post-cardiotomy neutrophil, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte x platelet ratio, along with the postoperative first day white blood cell count, neutrophil, C-reactive protein, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte x platelet ratio were significantly higher in Group 2 (p=0.004, p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.019, p=0.003, p=0.001, p<0.001, and p=0.041, respectively). The post-cardiotomy platelet and lymphocyte counts and postoperative first day lymphocyte counts were significantly lower in Group 2 (p<0.001, p=0.007, and p=0.009, respectively). CONCLUSION: Post-cardiotomy neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and neutrophilto- lymphocyte x platelet ratio can be easily accessible, inexpensive complete blood count parameters and may be more valuable in predicting major adverse events in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

Can Peroperative Neutrophil To Lymphocyte Ratio Change (Deltanlr) Be Used as a Parameter in Predicting Acute Renal Failure Following Coronary Bypass Operations With Cardiopulmonary Bypass?

BACKGROUND: Inflammation plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of many diseases as well as postoperative acute renal failure (ARF). Preoperative neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) values have a prognostic value for postoperative ARF after cardiovascular surgeries. METHODS: Patients who underwent elective coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass in our clinic between December 15, 2015 and December 15, 2019, retrospectively were included in this study. Patients who did not develop ARF after the operation were categorized as Group 1, and patients who did were included in Group 2. NLR was calculated from the hemograms during three periods (Preoperative (Pre), Postcardiotomy (Pc), Postoperative Day 1 (Po1). DeltaNLR1 (PcNLR- PreNLR) and DeltaNLR2 (Po1NLR-PreNLR) values were obtained from these calculated values. RESULTS: The mean ages of patients in Group 1 (N = 274) and Group 2 (N = 61) were 60 ± 9.1 years and 67.7 ± 9.8 years, respectively (P < .001). In the multivariate analysis, being over 65 years of age (Odds ratio [OR]: 1.074, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.012-1.194, P = .030), postoperative inotropic need (OR: 0.678, CI 95%: 0.395-0.819, P = .021), increased blood product use (OR: 0.916, CI 95%: 0.779-0.986, P = .034), preoperative creatinine increase (OR: 1.974, CI 95%: 1.389-4.224, P = .007), PcNLR (OR : 1.988, CI 95%: 1.765-3.774, P <.001), Po1NLR (OR: 1.090, CI 95%: 1.007-2.116, P = .028), DeltaNLR1 (OR: 3.090, CI 95%: 1.698-6.430, P < .001) and DeltaNLR2 (OR: 1.676, CI 95%: 1.322-2.764, P = .003) were identified as independent predictors for predicting postoperative ARF. CONCLUSION: In this study, we have shown that peroperative NLR changes can be used as an effective parameter to predict ARF developing following CABG operations.

A case of thrombocytopenia associated with the use of hydroxychloroquine following open heart surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Thrombocytopenia is a common problem occurring in patients and drug-induced thrombocytopenia is a significant cause of thrombocytopenia. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present an unusual case of thrombocytopenia that was considered to be associated with the use of hydroxychloroquine in the late term following open heart surgery. DISCUSSION: The drug-induced thrombocytopenia, mechanical destruction of the platelets, and hemodilution are common causes of low platelet count. Although drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia has a mild clinical course in most cases (in this case it has severe clinical course), some patients may experience life-threatening hemorrhages. The decision to discontinue the drug that is deemed to be responsible from the drug-induced thrombocytopenia (DITP) relies on the clinical condition of the patient. The diagnosis is mostly established by discontinuation, exclusion, and correlation because the tests performed to detect drug-dependent antibodies (DDAbs) for the diagnosis of DITP are time-consuming, and these tests are also not commonly available. The authors of the current study diagnosed DITP by discontinuation of the drug. We suggest that the use of hydroxychloroquine could be severe thrombocytopenia occurring after open heart surgery. CONCLUSION: The medication history must be carefully reviewed in patients presenting with thrombocytopenia, and if the medications could cause thrombocytopenia must be discontinued.

Incidence of postoperative acute renal failure among violence-related cardiovascular trauma patients: a review of our experience in 117 cases.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the incidence of renal failure and hemodialysis (HD) in postoperative period after cardiovascular surgery associated with trauma. METHODS: One hundred and seventeen cases of violence-related cardiovascular trauma patients had emergent surgery between 1996 and 2009. Cases were reviewed in three main groups: Cardiac trauma in 11 patients (Group A), vascular trauma in 78 patients (Group B), and cardiovascular trauma in 28 patients (Group C). Postoperative incidence of HD requirements with acute renal failure (ARF) was investigated in these groups of patients postoperatively. RESULTS: Multiorgan deficiency developed in 10 patients from Group A, in 45 patients from Group B, and in 26 patients from Group C. Overall mortality was 81 cases in 117 patients. Total hospitalization periods were 21 +/- 2, 17 +/- 3, and 27 +/- 1 days for Group A, Group B, and Group C, respectively. HD administrations were indicated in 3 patients in Group A, 41 patients in Group B, and 9 patients in Group C. No statistically significant difference presented in any study parameter between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiovascular trauma is a common reason for emergent cardiovascular surgery. Postoperative renal failure occurs among these patients in a wide percentage. We strongly advocate a close and detailed follow-up of renal functions in these patients during the hospitalization period and immediate HD at indication.

Arterial embolectomy: a retrospective evaluation of 730 cases over 20 years.

PURPOSE: We reviewed our experience of treating acute peripheral arterial occlusion to determine whether early diagnosis and treatment prevents loss of function of the vital organs caused by ischemia threatening the extremities. METHODS: We retrospectively examined the records of 730 patients who underwent a collective total of 794 operations for peripheral arterial occlusion of the upper or lower extremities at Erzurum Numune Hospital between January 1984 and April 2004. RESULTS: The patients ranged in age from 11 to 86 years old, with a mean age of 58.7 years for men and 64.3 years for women. The underlying cause of arterial embolism was atrial fibrillation in most (433; 59.3%) patients. Two hundred and eleven (28.9%) patients were admitted less than 6 h preoperatively, 104 (14.2%) were admitted 6-12 h preoperatively, 194 (26.5%) were admitted 12-24 h preoperatively, and 221 (30.2%) were admitted more than 24 h preoperatively. All of the patients underwent embolectomy and 64 revisions were done. The overall mortality rate was 3.69%. CONCLUSIONS: The extremity preservation rate was related to the time delay between the onset of symptoms and surgical intervention.