Combination anticoagulation strategy in pregnancy with mechanical valves: The KYBELE study.

BACKGROUND: Optimal first-trimester anticoagulation is still challenging in pregnant women with mechanical heart valves (MHVs) requiring high-dose warfarin. This multicenter prospective study aims to determine the optimal anticoagulation regimens for pregnant patients with MHVs. METHODS: All women were allocated to one of three treatment options during first trimester including lone low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), combination of LMWH + 2.5 mg warfarin, and LMWH+4 mg warfarin. Primary maternal outcome included a combination of death, thromboembolism, severe bleeding, and need for treatment of mechanical valve thrombosis (MVT). Any fetal loss was determined as primary fetal outcome. RESULTS: The study included 78 pregnancies in 65 women with MHVs. Primary maternal outcome rate was 44%, 12.5%, 3.5%, respectively. The rates of primary maternal outcome (44 vs 3.5%, P < .001), obstructive MVT (16 vs 0%, P = .04), MVT requiring treatment (28 vs 0%, P = .003), and cerebral embolism (24 vs 3.4%, P = .041) were found to be significantly higher in lone LMWH group compared to LMWH + 4 mg warfarin group. Moreover, the rates of primary maternal outcome (12.5 vs 44%, P = .015) and treatment for MHV thrombus (4.2 vs 28%, P = .049) were significantly lower in LMWH + 2.5 mg warfarin group compared to lone LMWH group. The incidences of fetal loss were 8 (32%) in the lone LMWH group, 8 (33.3%) in LMWH + 2.5 mg warfarin group, and 11 (37.9%) in LMWH + 4 mg warfarin group (P = .890 for 3-group).Warfarin related-embryopathy was not observed in any case. CONCLUSIONS: The combined anticoagulation strategy of LMWH plus low-dose warfarin during the first trimester of pregnancy may result in less maternal complications with comparable fetal outcomes in patients with MHVs. CONDENSED ABSTRACT: Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is thought to be safer for the fetus, however it is suspected to be less protective for the mother. To solve this dilemma, the authors suggested a novel anticoagulation strategy in pregnant women with prosthetic valves. Seventy-eight pregnancies of 65 women (median age 32 [27-35] years) were included in the study. A combination of LMWH and a reduced dose warfarin were associated with low rates of thrombus-related complications in pregnant patients with mechanical heart valves.

Development of acute severe right heart failure after transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patient with left ventricle assist device-acquired aortic regurgitation.

A 58-year-old man with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), which had been implanted 1 year earlier, presented with rest dyspnea. Moderate to severe aortic regurgitation (AR), pre-postcapillary pulmonary hypertension, modarete right ventricular (RV) failure, and low cardiac output were observed at presentation. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) was performed to treat the AR and a self-expandable aortic valve was implanted. Within minutes, hypotension, RV and inferior vena cava dilatation, and left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) collapse occurred and persisted despite LVAD speed reduction. It was observed that severe RV failure had developed and venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) was applied. Following VA-ECMO treatment, the RV dimensions decreased, and the LA and LV dimensions began to increase, as well as the LVAD flow. Weaning from VA-ECMO was unsuccessful and exitus occurred on the fifth day after TAVI secondary to RV failure. It was surmised that the decrease in blood circulation from the aorta to the LV after treatment of severe AR with TAVI caused an acute increase in the cardiac output and the RV preload. The acute increase in the RV preload led to acute severe right heart failure. It is necessary to prepare the RV to compete with an acute increase in preload before TAVI even when there is only modarete RV failure.

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.

Perioperative management of massive pulmonary hemorrhage after pulmonary endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate our approaches and outcomes in patients who developed hemoptysis following pulmonary endarterectomy. METHODS: Pulmonary endarterectomy was performed in 460 patients at Kartal Kosuyolu Training and Research Hospital between March 2011 and September 2017. Clinical characteristics, perioperative management and postoperative outcomes of 10 patients (2.1%) (4 males, 6 females; mean age 48.3±16.5 years; range 21 to 76 years) with massive pulmonary hemorrhage following pulmonary endarterectomy were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean period of diagnosis for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension was 17±13.6 months. All patients were New York Heart Association functional class II (n=2), III (n=5) or IV (n=3). For the treatment of massive pulmonary hemorrhage, intraoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was used in six patients (60%), while conservative treatments were used in four patients (40%). In-hospital mortality rate was 50% (n=5); the causes for mortality were septic shock in two patients, multiple organ failure in two patients and intracranial hemorrhage in one patient. Survival was achieved in two patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and three patients receiving conservative treatment. Functional and hemodynamic improvement was observed in all surviving patients. CONCLUSION: Despite the relatively low incidence of massive pulmonary hemorrhage after pulmonary endarterectomy, it is a potentially fatal complication. Our approach focuses on early diagnosis with a multidisciplinary team and management with bronchoscopy, bronchial blockers and use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The choice of treatment depends on the site and origin of the hemorrhage, the availability of equipment and expertise, and the potential short- and long-term advantages and disadvantages.

N-acetylcysteine versus Dopamine to Prevent Acute Kidney Injury after Cardiac Surgery in Patients with Preexisting Moderate Renal Insufficiency.

Objective: Acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery is associated with mortality and morbidity. Therefore, strategies to prevent acute kidney injury are very important. The aim of this placebo-controlled randomized double-blind study was to compare the prophylactic efficacy of N-Acetylcysteine and dopamine administration in patients with pre-existing moderate renal insufficiency who were undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods: This study included 135 patients with pre-existing moderate renal insufficiency who were scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Serum creatinine and GFR were recorded preoperatively and on the first and second postoperative days. Results: On the first and second postoperative days, the drugs used showed statistically significant differences among the creatinine groups (P<0.001). According to Tukey's HSD, on the first and second PO, the creatinine of Group N, D and P were significantly different (P<0.001). On the first and second PO, the used drugs showed statistically significant differences among the effects of eGFR (P<0.001). According to Tukey's HSD on the first postoperative day, the average eGFR score of Group N compared to D and P were significantly difference (P<0.001). On the second postoperative day, the eGFR of Group N and D showed no difference (P=0.37), but P showed a difference (P<0.001). Conclusion: We found that the prophylactic use of intravenous N-Acetylcysteine had a protective effect on renal function, whereas the application of renal dose dopamine did not have a protective effect in patients with pre-existing moderate renal failure.

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.

N-acetylcysteine versus dopamine to prevent acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery in patients with preexisting moderate renal insufficiency

Abstract Objective: Acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery is associated with mortality and morbidity. Therefore, strategies to prevent acute kidney injury are very important. The aim of this placebo-controlled randomized double-blind study was to compare the prophylactic efficacy of N-Acetylcysteine and dopamine administration in patients with pre-existing moderate renal insufficiency who were undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods: This study included 135 patients with pre-existing moderate renal insufficiency who were scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Serum creatinine and GFR were recorded preoperatively and on the first and second postoperative days. Results: On the first and second postoperative days, the drugs used showed statistically significant differences among the creatinine groups (P<0.001). According to Tukey’s HSD, on the first and second PO, the creatinine of Group N, D and P were significantly different (P<0.001). On the first and second PO, the used drugs showed statistically significant differences among the effects of eGFR (P<0.001). According to Tukey’s HSD on the first postoperative day, the average eGFR score of Group N compared to D and P were significantly difference (P<0.001). On the second postoperative day, the eGFR of Group N and D showed no difference (P=0.37), but P showed a difference (P<0.001). Conclusion: We found that the prophylactic use of intravenous N-Acetylcysteine had a protective effect on renal function, whereas the application of renal dose dopamine did not have a protective effect in patients with pre-existing moderate renal failure.