A retrospective cohort analysis of percutaneous versus side-graft perfusion techniques for veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to compare vascular complications and the outcomes of ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous cannulation with distal perfusion catheter (PC-DP) and arterial side-graft perfusion (SGP) techniques in patients who require veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) support for refractory cardiogenic shock (RCS). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, observational cohort study of consequtive patients with RCS treated with VA-ECMO at a single transplant center from March 2010 until August 2015. Overall, 148 patients underwent VA-ECMO for RCS (99 men, aged 56.6 ± 12.0 years; BSA, 1.85 ± 0.19). Patients were categorized based on VA-ECMO perfusion technique into PC-DP via femoral artery and SGP via axillary/femoral artery groups. RESULTS: The median duration of VA-ECMO support was 5 days (range, 8 hours-80 days). Hospital mortality (PC-DP group, 54.7%; SGP group, 64.4%; p=0.23) and overall ECMO survival (PC-DP group, 36.9%; SGP group, 32.2%; p=0.47) was similar between the groups. There were no significant between-group differences in the rate of acute limb ischemia (PC-DP group, 4/75, 5.3%; SGP group, 2/73, 2.7%; p=0.68). However, the rate of surgical/cannulation site bleeding (PC-DP, 9/75 (12%) vs SGP, 18/73 (24.7%), p=0.05) and hyperperfusion syndrome (PC-DP, 2/75 (2.7%) vs SGP, 22/73 (30.1%),p=0.001) were higher in the SGP group than in the PC-DP group. CONCLUSIONS: We observed no significant difference in major vascular complications or survival between patients who underwent the PC-DP technique and those who underwent arterial SGP.

Magnetic resonance angiographic and three-dimensional computerized tomographic identification of scimitar syndrome in an 8-month-old infant.

Scimitar syndrome is a rare congenital abnormality. Clear anatomic definition is an important issue before operation. We report definition of both abnormal pulmonary venous drainage and anomalous systemic arterial supply by gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography and three-dimensional computerized tomography in an eight month-old infant with scimitar syndrome. The presented case study confirms that these noninvasive diagnostic tools can successfully be used to provide valuable information about vascular anatomy in infants with scimitar syndrome.

Coronary artery bypass surgery in a patient with a functional single lung.

Destroyed lung and pneumonectomy are associated with anatomic and physiologic changes that may interfere with the conduct of subsequent open heart surgery. Here we report a case of an autopneumonectomized patient who required open heart surgery. The preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative management of this patient was unique. Open heart procedures on patients with a single lung can be performed with acceptable operative mortality and morbidity.

Comparative study of microfibrillar collagen hemostat (Colgel) and oxidized cellulose (Surgicel) in high transfusion-risk cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The effects of microfibrillar collagen hemostat (Colgel) and oxidized cellulose (Surgicel) on bleeding and allogeneic transfusions were compared in cardiac operations with a predicted high risk of bleeding. METHODS: Between August 1999 and November 2001, 71 patients undergoing elective, high risk of bleeding operations were studied after giving informed consent. The procedures included repeat cardiac operations (aorta-coronary bypass operations or valvular operations), ascending aortic aneurysm repair necessitating deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, and ascending aortic grafting without deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Subjects were excluded if they had recent (<5 days) acetylsalicylic acid ingestion, thrombolytic therapy, or anticoagulant therapy (heparin <4 hours preoperatively or warfarin <3 days preoperatively). Consenting subjects were randomized to receive either Colgel or Surgicel. RESULTS: Chest tube drainage in the first 24 hours was 373 +/- 143 mL in the Colgel group and 571 +/- 144 mL in the Surgicel group (P =.01). Total postoperative chest tube drainage was 423 +/- 154 mL (range, 280-1100 mL) in the Colgel group and 677 +/- 128 mL (range, 285-1350 mL) in the Surgicel group (P =.01). In addition, chest tube drainage was compared between the 2 groups every 3 hours after operation. Blood loss in the first 3 postoperative hours was significantly less in the Colgel group (132 +/- 41 vs 228 +/- 57 mL, P <.001). In the following 3-hour interval, this significant difference persisted (67 +/- 24 vs 121 +/- 49 mL, P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the easy application, low cost, and significant blood-loss reduction effect of microfibrillar collagen powder renders this agent attractive for cardiac operations associated with high risk of bleeding.

Antiarrhythmic effect of magnesium sulfate after open heart surgery: effect of blood levels.

BACKGROUND: Arrhythmias following cardiac surgery is still a difficult complication to treat. Magnesium sulfate is an effective antiarrhythmic agent with negligible side effects. In this study, effects of magnesium sulfate as a first line antiarrhythmic agent was compared with results of two different well-accepted antiarrhythmic agents. METHODS: One hundred patients with arrhythmia were prospectively randomized to a study and a control group. Lidocaine and amiodarone were accepted as standard antiarrhythmic agents. Patients in study group were received magnesium sulfate routinely as a first line antiarrhythmic agent. Unresponsive arrhythmias were treated with standard antiarrhythmic agents. Control group patients received only standard antiarrhythmics. RESULTS: Magnesium sulfate alone was effective in 56% of the study group whereas 74% of the control group were responsive to standard antiarrhythmics (P=n.s.). In study group, a subgroup analysis according to blood levels of Mg2+ revealed that magnesium sulfate was more effective in patients with low Mg2+ levels (63% for low Mg2+ levels, 55% for normal Mg2+ levels, 36% for high Mg2+ levels) and ventricular arrhythmias (60% for ventricular and 40% for supraventricular arrhythmias), without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Magnesium sulfate is an effective and safe antiarrhythmic agent for arrhythmias developed after open-heart surgery. Its antiarrhythmic effect may relate to its pharmacological properties and unrelated to normalization of the circulating magnesium concentrations. We recommend its use as a first line antiarrhythmic agent without routine measurement of blood levels.

Conduction disturbances in coronary artery bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: Conduction disturbances are very common after coronary artery bypass grafting (18-45%). Long cross-clamp time, method of cardioplegia, depth of hypothermia, and patient age are some of the risk factors. We planned this study to ascertain the effect of crystalloid or tepid blood cardioplegia (CP) on conduction disturbances. METHODS: One hundred patients were randomly divided into two groups. The first group received tepid blood CP and the second received cold crystalloid CP. St. Thomas II CP was used as CCP and the same CP was mixed with blood with a ratio of 4:1 in the tepid CP group. In both groups as an initial bolus, a 10 to 15 ml/kg CP was infused with a pressure of 75 mmHg. Additionally, 400 ml of CP were given every 20 min during the cross clamping period in addition to infusion of 50-100 ml of CP after each distal anastomosis. Blood samples for CK, CK-MB, LDH and Troponin T measurements were obtained at induction, before bypass, after cross clamping, before de-clamping, after de-clamping and after bypass. Postoperative ECGs were analyzed by a cardiologist. RESULTS: There were no deaths in both groups but the mean hospitalization was 8.4 +/- 1.7 days in group I, and 14.4 +/- 3.1 days in group II (P=0.004). Although there were significant rises in CK, CK-MB, LDH and Troponin T levels in both groups after CPB or de-clamping, the difference in increment between the two groups was not significant. Twelve patients in group II (24%) developed new fascicular blocks, four of these caused hemodynamic instability and needed inotropic treatment but only one was discharged with LAHB. Four patients in group I (8%) also developed new conduction disturbances within the first hour, but all completely resolved. Incidence of conduction disturbances was significantly increased in the crystalloid CP group (P=0.019). CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in cardiac enzyme measurements between cold crystalloid and tepid blood CP, but crystalloid CP caused more fascicular blocks. We conclude that myocardial protection was equal in both cardioplegia methods whereas conduction disturbances have been assumed to be caused by cold injury to the conduction tissues.

Oral thyroid hormone pretreatment in left ventricular dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine whether pretreatment with oral thyroid hormone had beneficial effects in cardiac function and morbidity and mortality after cardiac operations. METHODS: Eighty patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with a preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than 30% scheduled for elective coronary bypass grafting agreed to participate in this prospective, randomized trial. The triiodothyronine (T(3)) (Group I) and control groups (Group II) were equally divided. Patients randomized to the T(3) group received T(3) 125 microg/day orally for 7 days preoperatively and from the first postoperative day till the discharge. Outcome variables included perioperative hemodynamic data, inotropic requirements, morbidity and mortality. Hemodynamic data were collected before induction of anesthesia and following every 4 h. The thyroid profile was determined upon admission, after the induction of anesthesia, 5 min after the start of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and after hourly intervals and after 24th hour, at 24h intervals till the 120th hour. RESULTS: There were 6 deaths, three in each group. Patients in the T(3) group demonstrated a higher cardiac index than patients in the placebo group in the entire post-CPB periods (P<0.01). Mean inotropic requirements remained lower in the T(3) group than in the placebo group (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although our study stresses the benefits of oral T(3) administration on the hemodynamic and prognostic parameters in patients with impaired left ventricular function and undergoing CABG weakly, it may warrant further much larger scaled studies that can reach statistical significance.

The effect of preoperative digitalis and atenolol combination on postoperative atrial fibrillation incidence.

PURPOSE: The most frequent arrhythmia after coronary artery bypass surgery is atrial fibrillation (AF). The prevention and treatment of this type of arrhythmia is subobtimal. Digitalis, beta-blockers, diltiazem and amiodarone are the preferred drugs for the treatment. This study was designed to compare the effects of preoperatively started digitalis and atenolol in combination and separately, on the incidence of AF that occurs within 7 days following the operation. MATERIALS AND METHOD: One-hundred and sixty patients who had similar demographic properties were randomly grouped as group I, that preoperatively received combined drug therapy (n=40), group II preoperatively used digitalis (n=40), group III atenolol (n=40), and group IV was the control group (n=40). RESULTS: Postoperative AF incidence was 25, 15,4, and 17,9% in groups IV, III, and II, respectively, whereas it was 5% in group I which was lower than all other groups, but the difference was only significant between groups I and IV (P=0.012). CONCLUSION: The combined use of atenolol and digitalis preoperatively was considered as an efficient treatment for lowering the incidence of AF following coronary artery bypass surgery.

Native valve Brucella endocarditis.

OBJECTIVE: Brucellosis is frequently seen in Mediterranean and Middle East countries, including Turkey. We report the medical and surgical management of 31 cases of native endocarditis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty-one patients were admitted to our clinic with suspected Brucella Endocarditis. The diagnosis was established by either isolation of Brucella species, or the presence of antibodies. Following preoperative antibiotic therapy patients underwent valve replacement with excessive tissue debridement. Patients were followed up with Brucella titers, blood cultures, and echocardiography. RESULTS: On admission all patients were febrile and mostly dyspneic (NYHA Class 3 or 4). The blood tests were normal except for elevated ESR, CRP and serological tests. The aortic valve was involved in 19 patients, mitral valve in 7 patients, and both valves in 5. After serological confirmation of BE, antibiotic therapy was maintained. Twenty-five of the patients received rifampicine, doxycycline, and cotrimaxozole; 2 of them received a combination of rifampicine, streptomycin, and doxycycline; and 4 of them received rifampicine, tetracycline, and cotrimaxozole. Tissue loss in most of the affected leaflets and vegetations were presenting all patients. Valve replacements were performed with mechanical and biologic prostheses. All the patients were afebrile at discharge but received the antibiotics for 101, 2+/-16, 9 days. The follow-up was 37, 1+/-9, 2 months. DISCUSSION: In our retrospective study, combination of adequate medical and surgical therapy resulted in declined morbidity and mortality rate. The valve replacement with aggressive debridement is the most important part of the treatment, which should be supported with efficient preoperative and long term postoperative medical treatment.