SARS-CoV-2 infection-associated thoraco-abdomino-iliac thrombosis in a patient without cardiac and systemic co-morbidity.

Acute pulmonary damage and vascular coagulopathy occur frequently in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in relation to coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The inflammatory process accompanying the infection and excessive coagulation state is one of the most important causes of patient death. The COVID-19 pandemic remains a major challenge for healthcare systems and millions of patients worldwide. In this report, we present a complicated case of COVID-19 associated with lung disease and aortic thrombosis.

Management of carotid body tumors and familial paragangliomas: review of 30 years' experience.

BACKGROUND: Carotid body tumors (CBTs), especially familial paragangliomas, are rare benign neoplasms, accounting for <0.5% of all tumors; and they are the most common extra-adrenal paraganglioma. METHODS: In this study, CBTs were clinically suspected in 31 patients but diagnosed by histopathology in 28 between 1977 and 2007 at our department. All but one was operated upon. The ages of the 30 surgically treated patients ranged 17-73 years. A mass in the neck was the common symptom in all patients. Two of the 28 patients with CBTs had a familial paraganglioma history of CBT. RESULTS: Twenty-eight of these 30 surgically treated patients had confirmed CBT by histopathology; the diagnoses of other two patients were neurofibroma in one and tuberculosis lymphadenitis in one. These two patients were excluded from the study. CBTs were resected without a shunt procedure. UltraCision was used in five patients for tumor resection; the surgical results of these patients were excellent (easy dissection, minimal hemorrhage and time operation). Twenty patients underwent total resection, six had resection and saphenous vein interposition, one had partial resection, and one had carotid artery ligation with no resultant neurological deficit. One case of hypoglossal paralysis and one benign recurrence were detected. No mortality or malignant course was observed. CONCLUSION: CBTs are infrequent neoplasms; their surgical treatment is highly dependent on the ability and experience of the surgeon. The diagnostic and therapeutic relevance reside in making a timely diagnosis to propose a surgical treatment aimed at preventing complications and neurological damage. Surgical resection is usually definitive therapy for these lesions.

A case with noncoronary sinus of valsalva aneurysm: multidetector computed tomography findings.

We report the case of a 23-year-old man with an unruptured noncoronary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm and Marfan syndrome, which were diagnosed by 16-row multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). MDCT has enabled imaging of the cross-sectional anatomy of the heart with excellent spatial and temporal resolution that reflects the anatomical and functional changes in cardiac pathologies. Thus, the knowledge of the CT anatomy of the heart has become increasingly important for radiologists. This report aimed to confirm the contribution of MDCT in establishing the diagnosis and to show the potential association of nodular septation in the noncoronary sinus of Valsalva with aneurysm.

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome leading to massive pulmonary embolism and sudden death.

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is associated with venous and arterial thromboembolism. Coexistence of pulmonary embolism and intracardiac thrombus is rarely encountered. A 33-year-old male patient presented with severe dyspnea three months after surgery for acute arterial embolism. On physical examination, blood pressure was 80/60 mmHg and breath sounds were weaker in the lower zone of the left lung. Severe lower limb edema was noted. On cardiac auscultation, the third heart sound was elicited. Electrocardiography showed only a sinusal tachycardia. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a huge thrombus in the right atrium and another thrombus in the main pulmonary artery. Hematological analysis showed a high titration of antiphospholipid antibodies. A diagnosis of massive pulmonary embolism was considered. During preparation for emergency operation, the patient developed cardiovascular collapse, which did not respond to cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Effect of Aortic Cross-Clamping Time on Development of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Isolated CABG: A Single-Center Prospective Clinical Study

ABSTRACT Introduction: Many etiological factors affect the occurrence of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting. In this study, the relationship between cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamping times and the development of postoperative atrial fibrillation was examined. Methods: All patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting with the same surgical team in our clinic between September 2018 and December 2019 were prospectively included in the study, and their perioperative data were recorded. Results: One hundred and three patients who met the specified criteria were included in the study. The median age was 62 (interquartile range: 54-71) years, and 82 (79.6%) were male. The patients were divided into two groups: those who developed atrial fibrillation and those who did not. Atrial fibrillation developed in 25 of 103 patients (24.3%). All patients underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting under standard cardiopulmonary bypass. The median duration of cardiopulmonary bypass was 72 (interquartile range: 63-97) minutes in those with atrial fibrillation and 82 (61-98) minutes in those without it, and there was no statistical difference (P=0.717). The median cross-clamping time was 40 (32.5-48) minutes in those with atrial fibrillation and 39.5 (30-46) minutes in those without it. Statistically, the relationship between cross-clamping time and atrial fibrillation was not significant (P=0.625). Conclusion: Our study found no significant relationship between cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamping times and the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation. However, we believe that there is a need for large-scale and multicenter clinical studies on the subject.

The impact of intraoperative transit time flow measurement on the results of on-pump coronary surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of detection of graft dysfunction by intraoperative transit time flow measurement (TTFM) on the surgical results of on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: Two hundred patients undergoing on-pump isolate coronary artery bypass grafting via median sternotomy performed by the same surgical team were included into the study. TTFM was routinely performed for assessment of graft patency during operation after a transit time flow meter became available in our center in February 2006. The last 100 consecutive patients before this date formed the control group (Group A), and the first 100 consecutive patients after this date formed the study group (Group B). Interpretation of the values obtained using the TTFM in Group B patients has allowed us to reach a decision whether or not to revise a graft. Preoperative and postoperative variables of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The clinical features of control and study groups were comparable. We assessed patency of 303 grafts using TTFM. Revision was required for nine grafts in nine patients based on unsatisfactory TTFM findings. Incidences of overall mortality (p<0.05), peri- or postoperative myocardial infarction (p<0.05) and intraaortic balloon pump insertion (p<0.05) were significantly lower in Group B than Group A. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that TTFM seems to be a crucial tool for deciding if a graft is well-functioning or not, and it allows for improvement of graft failure during operation. Our results suggest that detection of graft dysfunction intraoperatively by TTFM improves the surgical outcome.

Pseudoaneurysm of the left coronary ostial anastomoses as a complication of the modified Bentall procedure diagnosed by echocardiography and multislice computed tomography.

We report the case of a patient with a pseudoaneurysm of the left coronary ostial anastomoses diagnosed 6 years after a Bentall procedure with coronary button anastomoses had been performed. Preoperatively, the pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta was diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography and multislice tomography, and the diagnosis was confirmed by surgery. Intraoperatively, the dehiscence of the button anastomosis of the left coronary artery was determined. The operative technique for the repair of the left coronary anastomosis dehiscence was direct closure through a sternotomy using extracorporeal circulation. The patient was discharged on the twelfth day without problems. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the patient with a pseudoaneurysm after a conduit operation of the ascending aorta can be prediagnosed by using echocardiography and multislice tomography.

The effect of surgical treatment for secundum atrial septal defect in patients more than 30 years old.

BACKGROUND: We prospectively examined whether surgical treatment of secundum atrial septal defects in patients 30 years old improves their early- and mid-term clinical outcomes. Our clinical experience is reviewed to assess the importance of surgical management in elderly patients with atrial septal defect. METHODS: We analyzed 41 patients older than 30 years of age who underwent surgical correction of a secundum atrial septal defect. To evaluate the effects of surgical treatment, we compared functional capacity, diuretic administration, rhythm status, and echocardiographic parameters of all patients before and after the operation. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 4.2 years (range, 6 months-7 years). There were no operative deaths. Functional class in most of the patients improved after operation. Two patients reverted to normal sinus rhythm after the operation. There was only one new atrial fibrilation among patients in the postoperative term. Right atrial and right ventricular dimensions and pulmonary artery pressures were significantly decreased, and ejection fractions were significantly increased after the operation. The need for diuretic treatment was decreased after surgical repair. No residual intracardiac shunts were identified during follow-up. There were no cerebrovascular thromboembolic accidents in the early postoperative period. CONCLUSION: Surgical closure of atrial septal defects in patients over 30 years old can improve their clinical status and prevent right ventricular dilatation and insufficiency. The operation must be performed as soon as possible, even if the symptoms or the hemodynamic impact seem to be minimal.

Surgical treatment of post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm and arteriovenous fistula due to gunshot injury.

Posttraumatic pseudoaneurysm and arteriovenous fistula are rarely observed. Because of the imminent clinical course, early operation is usually indicated. In this study, we present a case of pseudoaneurysm in the left superficial femoral artery and arteriovenous fistula between the left superficial femoral artery and vein in the left thigh, as a result of a gunshot injury. Magnetic resonance angiography and color Doppler ultrasound were used for diagnosis. The patient underwent a successful aneurysmectomy, saphenous vein interposition and venous repair and was discharged on the eighth postoperative day.

Role of closed mitral commissurotomy for mitral stenosis: mid- and long-term surgical outcome of 36 patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term survival and valve-related complications as well as prognostic factors for mid- and long-term outcome after closed mitral commissurotomy, covering a follow-up period of 14 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1989 and 2003, 36 patients (28 women and 8 men, mean age 28.8 +/- 6.1 years) underwent closed mitral commissurotomy at our institution. The majority of patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class IIB, III, or IV. Indication for closed mitral commissurotomy was mitral stenosis. Closed mitral commissurotomy was undertaken with a Tubbs dilator in all cases. Median operating time was 2.5 hours +/- 30 minutes. RESULTS: After closed mitral commissurotomy, the mitral valve areas of these patients were increased substantially, from 0.9 to 2.11 cm(2). No further operation after initial closed mitral commissurotomy was required in 86% of the patients (n = 31), and NYHA functional classification was improved in 94% (n = 34). Postoperative complications and operative mortality were not seen. Follow-up revealed restenosis in 8.5% (n = 3) of the patients, minimal mitral regurgitation in 22.2% (n = 8), and grade >or=3 mitral regurgitation in 5.5% (n = 2) patients. No early mortality occurred in closed mitral commissurotomy patients. Reoperation was essential for 5 patients following closed mitral commissurotomy; 2 procedures were open mitral commissurotomies and 3 were mitral valve replacements. No mortality occurred in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: The mitral valve area was significantly increased and the mean mitral valve gradient was reduced in patients after closed mitral commissurotomy. Closed mitral commissurotomy is a safe alternative to open mitral commissurotomy and balloon mitral commissurotomy in selected patients.

Giant left atrial myxoma in a patient with mitral insufficiency: case report.

We describe a 57-year-old female patient with left atrial giant myxoma and peroperative defined mitral insufficiency who underwent surgery with a diagnosis of a left atrial myxoma without accompanying mitral insufficiency. Although no clinical findings of mitral insufficiency were noticed preoperatively, after myxoma resection moderate mitral insufficiency was observed during surgery. Mitral insufficiency was repaired with annuloplasty. The patient recovered without complication.

Effects of implantation of bone marrow cells on cytokine levels in the ischemic heart tissue. An experimental study.

BACKGROUND: In order to achieve a safe and persistent angiogenic effect, we investigated the potential of bone marrow cells implantation to enhance angiogenesis of ischemic hearts in a rat model, and also we have investigated growth factors accompanying and intermediating the angiogenesis, and the changes occurring in the levels of cytokines and their relations with angiogenesis. METHODS: 30 adult male Wistar albino rats from the same colony were used. After anterior myocardial infarction induced by occlusion of the left anterior descending artery, they were divided into two groups (Group I and Group II). 2 x 107 bone marrow cells suspended in 0.1 ml phosphate-buffered saline solution and 0.1 ml phosphate-buffered saline solution were injected at six points in the infarcted area in Group I and Group II respectively. Changes in the vascular density and, vascular endothelial growth factor, vascular cell adhesion molecule and cytokine levels in the infarcted myocardium after bone marrow cells implantation were examined. RESULTS: The implantation assay showed that bone marrow cells induced angiogenesis. Light microscopic analysis of the vascular density in the ischemic area showed that, angiogenesis had been induced to higher in Group I than Group II. Levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, vascular cell adhesion molecule and the inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in Group I were significantly elevated compared with those in Group II. CONCLUSION: Bone marrow cells implantation induced angiogenesis in a rat ischemic heart model as a result of increase of the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, vascular cell adhesion molecule, interleukin-1, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Cardiac echinococcosis: recurrent intramyocardial-extracardiac hydatid cysts with pericardial protrusion.

A 26-year-old male patient was diagnosed with an isolated recurrent intramyocardial-extracardiac hydatid cyst with pericardial protrusion after being admitted with chest pain and palpitation. He had undergone surgical resection of an intramyocardial pericardial hydatid cyst without cardiopulmonary bypass 10 years earlier. In the current admission, the results from transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography and multislice computed tomography were confirmed by serological and histopathological tests. The cyst was excised under cardiopulmonary bypass, and the patient was treated postoperatively with albendazole for 9 months. His clinical status improved postoperatively and he was asymptomatic without signs of recurrence as determined by echocardiography.

Brachial plexus injury following median sternotomy.

OBJECTIVES: Brachial plexus injury is a rare complication after median sternotomy. We investigated that injury to the brachial plexus was retrospectively assessed in the results of three patients who underwent median sternotomy for open heart surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients were placed in the hands-up position after right internal jugular vein cannulation, and the internal mammary artery was prepared for all of those. Nerve conduction measurements and electromyography were performed besides neurological examination. RESULTS: Brachial plexus injury was detected in three cases (0.5%) of 575 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting with median sternotomy. The main symptoms were continuous pain, and motor and sensory disturbances at the affected upper extremity (left arm in all cases). The common feature was that in all cases the left internal mammary artery was harvested. While the symptoms were relieved in two patients about six months after the operation, the other one had intractable pain and paresthesia. CONCLUSION: The most important measure is careful sternal retraction and use of the hands-up position for the low incidence and benign course of brachial plexus problems. Inappropriate sternal retraction during preparation of internal mammary artery should be avoided.

Influence of indomethacin in the rat aneurysm model.

The objective of this study was to trigger the formation of rat abdominal aortic aneurysm by applying calcium chloride periarterially and then to detect the degree of prevention of aneurysm occurrence by oral introduction of indomethacin in some of the rats. Thirty-one rats were divided into three groups. The infrarenal aorta above the iliac bifurcation of rats was treated with sodium chloride in group 1 (control, n = 7), calcium chloride in group 2 (n = 12), and calcium chloride-indomethacin in group 3 (n = 12) periarterially. The rats of each group were randomly selected at the end of the first, second, and third weeks postoperatively; and vessel diameters of abdominal aortas were measured by digital photography using a micrometer. Aneurysmal development was not observed in any of the rats in the control group. None of the comparisons was statistically significant (p > 0.05). Aneurysmal development was observed in all of the rats in the calcium chloride group. Results from the first, second, and third weeks postoperatively were statistically significant (p < 0.05). A middle aneurysmal development was observed in all rats in the calcium chloride-indomethacin group. Only results from the second and third weeks postoperatively were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Measurements in groups 2 and 3 were statistically significant when compared to group 1 (p < 0.001). However, the mean increase in the indomethacin-treated group (group 3) was only 26.1%. The macroscopic appearance of the control group and an aneurysm induced by calcium-chloride application are shown.

Comparison of levels of inflammatory markers and hemostatic factors in the patients with and without peripheral arterial disease.

INTRODUCTION: Peripheral arterial disease is one aspect of atherosclerosis, a disease associated with both inflammation and hypercoagulability. Many recent studies have focused on the diversity of mechanisms by which inflammation can promote blood clotting. However, the relationship between plasma concentrations of inflammatory and hemostatic markers and the severity of atherosclerosis is not yet well studied. We want to determine the relations among selected D-dimer, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, prothrombin time and serum amyloid A, and the ankle brachial index in patients with and without peripheral arterial disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, 45 consecutive patients with peripheral arterial disease of ankle brachial index<0.90, and 44 patients without peripheral arterial disease of ankle brachial index 0.90 to 1.50 were included. D-dimer, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, and prothrombin time were measured at the recruitment. RESULTS: Median values of serum amyloid A, D-dimer, and C-reactive protein were significantly higher in the peripheral arterial disease group than in those without peripheral arterial disease group (p<0.001). The patients with PAD had moderately higher fibrinogen levels than without PAD (p<0.01). Prothrombin time levels were normal in both groups. In multivariable regression analyses adjusting for all blood factors as well as potential confounders, patients with peripheral arterial disease, levels of serum amyloid A, and C-reactive protein showed a highly significant, inverse association with the ankle brachial index. D-dimer and fibrinogen level increase were also found to be related to lower ankle brachial index, while no association was observed between prothrombin time levels. CONCLUSIONS: Higher C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, and D-dimer levels are showing positive association with the presence of peripheral arterial disease. C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A levels are direct relations between the ankle brachial index and the extent of vascular inflammation.

Primary cardiac osteosarcoma in a pregnant woman.

Primary cardiac osteosarcomas are uncommon tumors. Their growth pattern is aggressive and the prognosis is poor. A 34-year-old, 7-month pregnant woman with a primary cardiac osteosarcoma associated with the anterior mitral leaflet and connected to the interatrial septum, causing nearly subtotal obstruction of the mitral valve, presented with a clinical picture of heart failure. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated an abnormal mass located in the mitral anterior leaflet, prolapsing into the left ventricle. Radical resection of the mass and replacement of the mitral valve were performed under cardiopulmonary bypass. Histopathology showed a low-grade osteosarcoma. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the 16th day after surgery. She gave birth after 2 months to a healthy baby after the successful operation. She and her baby did not have any problem during 3 months of follow-up.

Primary arteriovenous fistulas in the forearm for hemodialysis: effect of miscellaneous factors in fistula patency.

BACKGROUND: The provision and maintenance of vascular access remains a major cost to end-stage renal failure programs. In addition, vascular access occlusion, results in significant morbidity in hemodialysis patients. Age, gender, diabetes mellitus, malignancy, smoking habits, administration of heparin per hemodialysis session, previous dialysis catheter insertion, number of hemodialysis sessions and location of the fistula may be associated with survival of the primary arteriovenous fistula. We examined the effects of various factors on fistulas in 412 chronic renal insufficiency patients. METHODS: From 1995 to 2004, 412 arteriovenous fistulas were created by the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at the Medical Faculty of Atatürk University for hemodialysis. The mean age of the patients was 45 years (range 6 to 62 years). We evaluated the effects of various factors for patency rates in the patients who had primary arteriovenous fistulas. Primary patency was defined as the duration of fistula patency without revision. Twenty-eight patients (6.7%) with ischemic cardiac disease did not require surgical interference. Analyzed data were age, gender, smoking habits, diabetes mellitus, malignant neoplasm, previous dialysis catheter insertion, number of hemodialysis sessions, and fistula location. RESULTS: In 298 patients, where lower-arm radiocephalic fistulas were created, the fistula patency was 74.1%, 64.2%, 49.8%, 33.7%, and 4.1% after 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years, respectively, in the other 114 patients, where upper-arm fistulas were created, these rates were 84.0%, 72.2%, 53.3%, 39.8%, and 12.3%, respectively. There was no significantly difference between the upper-arm fistulas and the lower-arm fistulas statistically (p = 0.069). Factors affecting the primary patency of arteriovenous fistulas were diabetes mellitus (p = 0.0001), hemodialysis counts > or =3 per week (p < 0.0005), presence of malignancy (p < 0.0005), previous catheter insertion (p < 0.0007), and administration of heparin per hemodialysis session (p = 0.0008). CONCLUSION: While primary arteriovenous fistula patency was shortened in chronic renal insufficiency patients with diabetes mellitus, presence of malignancy, and previous catheter insertion, patency was longer in patients with heparin used for hemodialysis and hemodialysis count per week (> or =3).