Validation of Renal Risk Score Models for Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in Diabetic Patients.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass grafting is applicable with very low mortality and morbidity rates around the world. However, exposure to even one of the risk factors increases mortality and morbidity significantly. There are three acute kidney injury definitions, and classification methods are applicable (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO); Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss of kidney function and End-stage kidney disease (RIFLE);" (for accuracy) and Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN)), for understanding and grading of renal impairment. With these definitions, it became possible to take measures at an early stage and start the management process. Methods for assessing renal impairment after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) specifically in patients with diabetes mellitus require further investigation. We compared these three acute kidney injury definitions for prediction of outcomes in diabetic patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting procedure. METHODS: Between January 2010 and December 2013, a total of 617 consecutive patients with diabetes mellitus undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass in our institution were included in the study. RESULTS: We considered 617 CABG operations on diabetes mellitus patients for this study from January 2010 to December 2013. The three scores provided good discriminative capacity in the global patient sample, with the area under the ROC curve (AUC) being higher, RIFLE (0.803, 95% CI: 0.724-0.882). The goodness of fit was good for all scales. CONCLUSIONS: Especially in on-pump CABG patients with diabetes mellitus, we can use AKIN, RIFLE, and KDIGO scoring systems to predict early diagnosis for acute kidney injury (AKI). In our analysis, the KDIGO criterion was superior to AKIN and RIFLE with regard its prognostic power.

Combined Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and Lung Resection in Patients with Lung Cancer Accompanied by Coronary Artery Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Optimal surgical approach for the treatment of resectable lung cancer accompanied by coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a contentious issue. In this study, we present our cases that were operated simultaneously for concurrent lung cancer and CAD. METHODS: Simultaneous off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCABG) and lung resection were performed on 10 patients in our clinic due to lung cancer accompanied by CAD. Demographic features of patients, operation data and postoperative results were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 63.3 years (range 55-74). All patients were male. Six cases of squamous cell carcinoma, three of adenocarcinoma and one case of large cell carcinoma were diagnosed. Six patients had single-vessel CAD and 4 had two-vessel CAD. Three patients underwent OPCABG at first and then lung resection. The types of resections were one right pneumonectomy, three right upper lobectomies, one right lower lobectomy, three left upper lobectomies, and two left lower lobectomies. Reoperation was performed in one patient due to hemorrhage. One patient developed intraoperative contralateral tension pneumothorax. One patient died due to acute respiratory distress syndrome at the early postoperative period. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous surgery is a safe and reliable option in the treatment of selected patients with concurrent CAD and operable lung cancer.

Combined off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting and lung resection in patients with lung cancer accompanied by coronary artery disease

Abstract Introduction: Optimal surgical approach for the treatment of resectable lung cancer accompanied by coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a contentious issue. In this study, we present our cases that were operated simultaneously for concurrent lung cancer and CAD. Methods: Simultaneous off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCABG) and lung resection were performed on 10 patients in our clinic due to lung cancer accompanied by CAD. Demographic features of patients, operation data and postoperative results were evaluated retrospectively. Results: Mean patient age was 63.3 years (range 55-74). All patients were male. Six cases of squamous cell carcinoma, three of adenocarcinoma and one case of large cell carcinoma were diagnosed. Six patients had single-vessel CAD and 4 had two-vessel CAD. Three patients underwent OPCABG at first and then lung resection. The types of resections were one right pneumonectomy, three right upper lobectomies, one right lower lobectomy, three left upper lobectomies, and two left lower lobectomies. Reoperation was performed in one patient due to hemorrhage. One patient developed intraoperative contralateral tension pneumothorax. One patient died due to acute respiratory distress syndrome at the early postoperative period. Conclusion: Simultaneous surgery is a safe and reliable option in the treatment of selected patients with concurrent CAD and operable lung cancer.

Thermoreactive nitinol clips: Propensity score comparison with Robicsek technique.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the use of thermoreactive nitinol clips with the classic Robicsek technique for treatment of sternal dehiscence after cardiac surgery. METHODS: Eighty-two (2.3%) of 3564 open heart surgery patients underwent reoperation for sternal dehiscence between October 2011 and 2012. Prospectively collected data from 26 (31%) consecutive patients who underwent reoperation using thermoreactive nitinol clips were compared with those of a retrospective cohort of 42 (51.2%) who were treated with the classic Robicsek technique. To overcome baseline and operative variations, we constructed a propensity model using logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall mortality occurred in 3 (5%) patients and a second revision was performed in 2 (7.7%) in the nitinol clip group and 2 (6.3%) in the control group (p > 0.05). Postoperative results were similar except for the mean time of operation which was significantly shorter in the nitinol clip group, and patients in this group required substernal dissection slightly less frequently than those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Thermoreactive nitinol clips allow the surgeon to perform a rapid and less challenging technique for sternal reoperations, without additional complications. Using this technique in an identical group with a finite sample size, we accomplished similar early results to those of the classic Robicsek technique.

Pericardiectomy for treatment of neoplastic constrictive pericarditis.

OBJECTIVE: To share our results of a case series of 8 patients who underwent pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis that developed secondary to a known neoplastic disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The underlying neoplasia was lung cancer in 5 (62.5%) patients, malignant pleural mesothelioma in 2 (25%), and Hodgkin lymphoma in 1 (12.5%). A diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis was made primarily by echocardiography, and right heart catheterization was performed in 6 (75%) patients. Total pericardiectomy was defined as wide excision of the anterior pericardium. Follow-up information was obtained by telephone interview and the civil registry database. RESULTS: Time from initial diagnosis of the neoplastic disease ranged from 1 to 15 years. Total pericardiectomy was performed in 6 (75%) patients. Histopathological examination revealed atypical cells in evacuated fluid and pericardial material in 6 patients. Nonspecific inflammation and fibrosis were observed in the other 2 cases. Hospital death occurred in 1 (12.5%) patient. Postoperative low cardiac output syndrome occurred in 7 (87.5%) patients. Follow-up ranged from 2.92 to 26.78 months. Mean survival was 14.82 ± 4.4 months. CONCLUSION: Pericardial constriction may develop a long time after the initial presentation of certain neoplastic diseases, and the prognosis after pericardiectomy is poor.

Validation of EuroSCORE II risk model for coronary artery bypass surgery in high-risk patients.

INTRODUCTION: Determining operative mortality risk is mandatory for adult cardiac surgery. Patients should be informed about the operative risk before surgery. There are some risk scoring systems that compare and standardize the results of the operations. These scoring systems needed to be updated recently, which resulted in the development of EuroSCORE II. In this study, we aimed to validate EuroSCORE II by comparing it with the original EuroSCORE risk scoring system in a group of high-risk octogenarian patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study included only high-risk octogenarian patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting in our center between January 2000 and January 2010. Redo procedures and concomitant procedures were excluded. We compared observed mortality with expected mortality predicted by EuroSCORE (logistic) and EuroSCORE II scoring systems. RESULTS: We considered 105 CABG operations performed in octogenarian patients between January 2000 and January 2010. The mean age of the patients was 81.43 ± 2.21 years (80-89 years). Thirty-nine (37.1%) of them were female. The two scales showed good discriminative capacity in the global patient sample, with the AUC (area under the curve) being higher for EuroSCORE II (AUC 0.772, 95% CI: 0.673-0.872). The goodness of fit was good for both scales. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that EuroSCORE II has better AUC (area under the ROC curve) compared to the original EuroSCORE, but both scales showed good discriminative capacity and goodness of fit in octogenarian patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting.

Surgical management of effusive constrictive pericarditis.

OBJECTIVE: The surgical approach for effusive constrictive pericarditis (ECP) has not been extensively studied. We present our institution's early and long-term results of pericardiectomy in our cohort of patients with ECP. METHODS: Diagnosis was made primarily by echocardiography. Right heart catheterisation was performed in eight patients. Pre-operatively, 10 patients had undergone at least one previous attempt at therapeutic pericardiocentesis. Pericardiectomy was performed where appropriate (thickened or inflamed). RESULTS: Of our 12 patients (50% male, median age 48 years, range 17-72 years), the underlying aetiology included idiopathic in five (41.6%), tuberculosis in four (33%), and malignancy in three patients (25%). Elective surgery was performed in nine patients. Median values of both central venous pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure decreased markedly postoperatively (from 16.5 to 11.0 mmHg, p = 0.02; 20.0-15.0 mmHg, p = 0.01, respectively). There was no in-hospital mortality. Follow up ranged from three months to nine years (median three years). Five (41.6%) patients died during the follow-up period, and cumulative two-year survival was 55.6 ± 1.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Pericardiectomy for ECP was effective, in terms of our early results, in patients unresponsive to medical therapy. Long-term survival depends on the underlying disease.

Prognostic significance of the absence of normal septal Q waves before aortic valve replacement.

PURPOSE: Aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of absence of septal Q waves in patients scheduled for aortic valve replacement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-one patients who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis were retrospectively evaluated. Septal Q waves were defined as Q waves of<2mm in amplitude and<40ms in width and absence of septal Q waves was defined as simultaneous loss of Q waves from at least three of the leads I, aVL, V5 and V6. Septal Q waves were absent in 17 patients (Group AQ, 27.8%) and were present in 44 patients (Group PQ, 72.1 %) preoperatively. Newly developed AV block>1st degree and newly developed left bundle branch block were primary endpoints. RESULTS: Preoperatively, absence of normal septal Q waves was significantly associated with increased risk of postoperative AV block (HR: 11.18, range 1.37-91.21, 95% CI, p=0.02) whereas it was not associated with increased risk for newly developed LBBB (HR: 3.15 0.62-15.83, 95% CI, p=0.16). CONCLUSION: Absence of normal septal Q waves in the preoperative ECG may predict further delay in conduction which might develop in the early postoperative course of aortic valve replacement.

Surgery for ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm: 25-year experience with 55 patients.

OBJECTIVES: Different surgical strategies have been evolved for the surgical treatment of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (RSVA) from simple primary closure to patching of the rupture site by a dual chamber approach. We reviewed our 25-year experience and current literature regarding the efficacy of different surgical approaches. METHODS: A retrospective review identified 55 patients who underwent RSVA repair between 1985 and 2011. The mean age was 30.9 ± 12.1 years. The RSVA originated from the right coronary sinus in 43 patients (78.2%), from the non-coronary sinus in 11 (20.0%) and from the left in 1. Rupture into the right ventricle was the most common result (n = 38). Dual-chamber exposure (the involved chamber and aorta) was used in 67.3% of the patients and isolated trans-aortic approach was used in 32.7%. RSVA was repaired with either a patch (n = 43) or direct sutures (n = 12), whereas the aortic valve was replaced in eight patients among the last group. RESULTS: The hospital mortality rate was 3.6%. The follow-up was available in 94.3% (50 patients) of survivors ranging from 1 month to 25 years (mean 15.3 ± 4.1 years). There were five late deaths. Recurrence of the fistula was seen in two primarily repaired (two of four patients) and none of the patched-closed patients. Actual survival was 93.4 ± 3.7% at 10 years and 87.1 ± 5.6% at 15 years. Freedom from reoperations was 81.6 ± 6.1% at 15 years. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment for RSVA carries an acceptably low operative risk and long-term freedom from death and reoperation. Surgical approach must be chosen according to the ruptured chamber and associated lesions. Patch repair of RSVA must be preferred.

The effects of reactive hyperemia on stimulation of endothelium-derived nitric oxide in on-pump and off-pump coronary artery bypass surgeries.

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on the endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) levels in on-pump and off-pump coronary artery bypass surgeries. Forty consecutive patients were divided randomly into two groups depending on use of CPB in coronary artery bypass graft surgery (group 1: n = 20, off-pump, and group 2: n = 20, on-pump). The plasma endothelium-derived NO levels were determined at baseline and after reactive hyperemia before and after surgery. Reactive hyperemia was induced by inflating a blood pressure cuff placed on the upper forearm, for 5 min at 250 mm Hg followed by a rapid deflation. Blood was collected at 1 min after cuff deflation from the radial artery on the same side. Preoperative use of all medications was recorded. The baseline plasma NO levels before operation were 17.10 ± 7.58 in group 1 and 15.49 ± 5.26 nmol/L in group 2. Before operation after reactive hyperemia, the plasma NO levels were 26.97 ± 11.49 in group 1 and 26.57 ± 12.87 nmol/L in group 2. Two hours after surgery, the plasma NO levels at baseline and after reactive hyperemia were not significantly different from each other (group 1: 18.03 ± 6.37 and group 2: 19.89 ± 9.83 nmol/L; group 1: 27.89 ± 18.36 and group 2: 39.13 ± 23.60 nmol/L, respectively; P > 0.05). A positive correlation was shown between preoperative nitroglycerine use and the postoperative plasma NO levels after reactive hyperemia (r = 0.51, P = 0.001). Linear regression analysis was performed (F = 4.10, R = 0.56, R(2) = 0.32, P = 0.008) and the only independent parameter that had an effect on postoperative plasma NO levels after reactive hyperemia was found to be preoperative nitroglycerine use (t = 3.68, P = 0.001). Coronary artery bypass surgery with CPB does not have significant effect on plasma endothelial derived NO levels. The postoperative plasma NO levels after reactive hyperemia significantly correlated with preoperative nitroglycerine use.

The impact of preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction on short and mid-term outcomes in ischaemic mitral valve repair.

BACKGROUND: It has been well established that reduced left ventriclular ejection fraction (LVEF) has adverse impact on the outcome of patients undergoing ischaemic mitral valve repair. However, the exact value of LVEF which should be used for risk stratification, has not been well established. AIM: To asses which preoperative LVEF (pLVEF) value has the best predictive value in patients undergoing ischaemic mitral valve repair. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 105 patients with ischaemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) treated between January 2003 and June 2009 was conducted. Patients were divided into two groups according to their pLVEF value. The primary endpoints were early in-hospital and late follow-up deaths. RESULTS: The pLVEF cut-off value was determined based on univariate analysis of parameters for primary end-points. The investigated parameters were: age, pLVEF, postoperative NYHA, postoperative mitral regurgitation and postoperative LVEF. The Cox proportional hazard regression analysis identified pLVEF (HR 1.5; 95% CI 1.4-5.0; p < 0.008) as the only independent predictor of the primary end-point. The pLVEF cut-off value of 40% was found to have the highest sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 70% in predicting death. Patients were divided into two groups using the cut-off value of pLVEF of 40%. The compromised group (pLVEF < 40%) of 34 patients and the uncompromised group (pLVEF > 40%) of 71 patients had inhospital death rates of three (9%) vs two (3%) (NS) and five year mortality of 18 (54%), eight (11%) (p < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In IMR surgery, a pLVEF value of 40% is an important prognostic marker for mid-term survival.

The effect of statin therapy on stimulation of endothelium-derived nitric oxide before and after coronary artery bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of statins on endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) levels during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. METHODS: In a prospective study, 130 patients with coronary artery disease were randomized according to preoperative atorvastatin treatment. The patients in group 1 took 40 mg atorvastatin daily for at least 1 month preoperatively, and those in group 2 took no atorvastatin preoperatively. Plasma nitrite and nitrate were measured at baseline and after inducing reactive hyperemia, both before and after surgery. Reactive hyperemia was induced by placing a blood pressure cuff on the upper forearm, inflating it for 5 minutes at 250 mm Hg, and then rapidly deflating the cuff. Blood was collected from the radial artery on the same side 2 minutes after cuff deflation. Plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and high- and low-density lipoproteins were measured and analyzed for correlations with NO. RESULTS: The mean (+/-SD) baseline plasma NO levels before operation were as follows: group 1, 33.97 +/- 18.27 nmol/L; group 2, 24.24 +/- 8.53 nmol/L (P < .001). A significant difference between the 2 groups in plasma NO levels was observed after preoperative reactive hyperemia induction: group 1, 56.43 +/- 15.03 nmol/L; group 2, 43.12 +/- 10.67 nmol/L (P < .001). Two hours after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), we observed no significant differences in plasma NO levels, either at baseline (group 1, 11 +/- 3.41 nmol/L; group 2, 9 +/- 5.51 nmol/L) or after reactive hyperemia (group 1, 17.98 +/- 6.77 nmol/L; group 2, 18.00 +/- 6.47 nmol/L). A correlation with preoperative nitroglycerine use was observed (P = .007; r = 0.23). Linear regression analysis (F = 1.463; R = 0.314; R2 = 0.099; P = .16) indicated that the only significant correlation was with preoperative nitroglycerine use (P = .007; t = 2.746). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative atorvastatin treatment in patients with coronary artery disease increases plasma NO levels before and after reactive hyperemia prior to surgery. CABG surgery with CPB significantly impairs endothelial-derived NO levels, with or without preoperative atorvastatin treatment. Preoperative nitroglycerine use is correlated with higher NO levels after CABG.

Results of mitral valve repair in rheumatic mitral lesions.

BACKGROUND: We compared results for repairs of rheumatic pure mitral regurgitation (MR) and mixed mitral stenosis (MS) and MR during early and midterm time intervals. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 173 patients (mean age 47.6 +/- 15.1 years; 64 males) who underwent surgery for rheumatic heart disease during the period from January 1998 to June 2008. According to transvalvular mitral gradient, 91 patients had pure MR (group MR) and 82 (47%) had mixed MS-MR (group MS/MR). Preoperative and operative characteristics, postoperative MR severity, operative mortality, and early and midterm survival were examined for each surgical group. RESULTS: Preoperativley 153 patients (90.7%) were in New York Heart Association class III or IV. The most frequent pathology was leaflet prolapse (147 patients, 85.0%) and the most commonly performed procedure was annuloplasty (162 patients, 93.6%). Early mortality was similar for both groups (3.2% versus 1.2%; P = .621). The average duration of follow-up was 4.0 +/- 2.4 years (a total of 679.1 patient years). Logistic regression analysis results indicated that subvalvular repairs were related to mortality. There were no significant differences in early mortality rate, valve-related morbidity, or reoperations. CONCLUSION: Group MS/MR had more postoperative MR severity, and higher New York Heart Association class, but both groups had similar mortality and morbidity at the midterm survival point. Our results suggest that combined MS and MR repair can be performed as safely as pure MR.

Treatment of Brucella endocarditis: 15 years of clinical and surgical experience.

BACKGROUND: Brucella endocarditis is a life-threatening complication of human brucellosis. In this study, our aim was to evaluate the effects of combined medical and surgical treatment in the midterm to long term. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 13 patients (mean age 44 +/- 18 years; 8 males) who were operated on from January 1993 to June 2009. Duke criteria were used for the diagnosis of endocarditis. The primary endpoint was defined as the overall mortality and readmission to the hospital during early and late follow-up periods. The other collected data included baseline and follow-up clinical findings, along with echocardiographic and laboratory measurements. RESULTS: No patients died in the early period (up to 1 month) and 2 patients (15.3%) died during the late follow-up period. Aortic valve disease was observed in 11 of 13 patients (85%). The most commonly performed procedure was aortic valve replacement (10 of 13 patients; 77%) during a mean follow-up period of 95 +/- 60 months (range, 10 to 184; median, 74). CONCLUSIONS: For Brucella endocarditis, perioperative antibiotic therapy combined with surgical treatment (prosthetic valve replacement) has satisfactory results and increases the quality of life in the long-term follow-up.

Increasing numbers of penetrating cardiac trauma in a new center.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to express the importance of emergency diagnosis and surgical approach in penetrating cardiac trauma patients. METHODS: Kosuyolu Heart and Research Hospital moved to its new location in Cevizli Kartal in June 2005. Due to its close proximity to the main roads of the city, the number of trauma cases has increased tremendously. We have retrospectively examined our penetrating cardiac trauma cases treated between June 2005 and September 2008. RESULTS: Twenty-six trauma cases were admitted to our clinic with penetrating cardiac trauma. Twenty of them were operated on an emergency basis. One (5%) had a gunshot wound while the other 19 (95%) had stab wounds. Four were female (20%) and 16 were male (80%). Average age of the patients was 24.9+/-10.1 (12-49) years. Telecardiography and transthoracic echocardiography were used for diagnosis. Surgical approaches were median sternotomy in 14 and left anterolateral thoracotomy in 6 cases. The right ventricle was damaged in 12, left ventricle in 7 and pulmonary artery in 1. Additionally, 5 patients had lung injury, 1 had brachiocephalic vein injury and 1 had coronary artery injury. One patient was re-explored for bleeding. There were two mortalities (10%) postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Rapid transfer to the emergency department, accurate and quick diagnosis and aggressive surgical approach will increase survival in penetrating cardiac trauma.