Surgical Treatment of Cardiac Myxomas: A 23-Case Experience.

OBJECTIVE: Although seen rarely compared to all tumors, cardiac tumors are tumors which may have a mortal course with possible complications. The most common cardiac tumor in adults is myxoma with its benign character. The results of cardiac tumors resected with open cardiac surgery in our center are reported in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three cardiac tumor patients electively operated on in our clinic between January 2010 and August 2017 were retrospectively included in the study. Information of the patients participating in the study were registered. The patients were between 25 and 67 years of age, and 18 were female (72.3%), and 5 were male (21.7%). The average age of the patients was 42.1 ± 8.9 years. Echocardiography was used for diagnosis in all patients. There was no common complaint for the patients, with the complaints changing according to tumor location. All patients were operated on by means of cardiopulmonary bypass with aortic cross-clamp and bicaval cannulation. Preoperative demographical characteristics and perioperative and postoperative data were registered for the patients and were evaluated statistically. RESULTS: Nineteen of the tumors (82.6%) were in the left atrium, and 4 were (17.4%) in the right atrium. Diameter of the tumors changed between 2.5 × 1.5 and 8.5 × 6.5 cm. The tumoral structure was resected together with the solid tissue located in its root in all patients operated on. Pericardial patch was used for 11 (47.8%), and primary closure was used for 12 (51.2%) of the defects. Early and late mortality was not observed in any patient. CONCLUSION: To prevent possible complications of cardiac myxomas, they need to be resected together with the surrounding healthy tissue as soon as possible after the diagnosis. Cardiac myxomas can be operated on with a tolerable operation risk. Echocardiography should be made annually for any possible relapse after operation.

Complications associated with carotid body tumor excision.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate associated complications of carotid tumor excisions and outcomes. METHODS: Between January 2013 and April 2016, a total of 29 patients (2 males, 27 females; mean age 55.2±4.4 years; range, 17 to 76 years) were operated with the preliminary diagnosis of a carotid body tumor. According to the Shamblin classification of carotid body tumors, 12 patients were type 1, 13 patients were type 2, and four patients were type 3. RESULTS: Main symptoms were dizziness, pain in the neck area, tinnitus, and headache. Headache was the most common symptom among them. Neurological and surgical complications developed in 10 patients (34.4%). Of operated patients, dysphagia developed in three (8.7%), facial hemiparesis in two (6.8%), hemorrhage in two (6.8%), hematoma-related respiratory distress in one (3.4%), left hemiparesis in one (3.4%), and transient bradycardia in one (3.4%). The patient who had respiratory distress associated with bleeding following extubation was reoperated. In the patients with facial and left hemiparesis, paresis was transient. Dysphagia also resolved in the subsequent follow-up outpatient visits. None of the patients experienced a permanent complication. CONCLUSION: Surgical excision is the most appropriate choice of treatment in carotid body tumors, and postoperative complications can be minimized through careful dissections and retractions. A special attention should be paid to nerve-preserving surgery.

Successful Retrieval of the Detached Porous Metallic Tip of a Mechanical Aspiration Catheter during Thrombectomy in a Case with May-Thurner Syndrome: A Case Report.

Modern, minimally invasive techniques used to treat deep venous thrombosis, such as percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) and catheter-directed thrombolysis, have gained worldwide acceptance. PMT has the advantage of speed and is also associated with improved outcomes, shortened hospital stays, and low complication rates. The main complications associated with PMT have been primarily due to iatrogenic vascular damage resulting in perforation, embolic occlusion, and arteriovenous fistula formation; to date, there has been no publication in the literature describing complications resulting from device failure. We present an unusual complication of PMT resulting from detachment of the catheter tip during thrombectomy and bailout technique employed.

The effect of low-sodium dialysate on ambulatory blood pressure measurement parameters in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: End stage renal disease is related to increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disorder among hemodialysis (HD) patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low-sodium dialysate on the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels detected by ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) and interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) in patients undergoing sustained HD treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 46 patients who had creatinine clearance levels less than 10 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and had been on chronic HD treatment for at least 1 year. After the enrollment stage, the patients were allocated low-sodium dialysate or standard sodium dialysate for 6 months via computer-generated randomization. RESULTS: Twenty-four hour SBP, daytime SBP, nighttime SBP, and nighttime DBP were significantly decreased in the low-sodium dialysate group (P<0.05). No significant reduction was observed in both groups in terms of 24-hour DBP and daytime DBP (P=NS). No difference was found in the standard sodium dialysate group in terms of ABPM. Furthermore, IDWG was found to be significantly decreased in the low-sodium dialysate group after 6 months (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The study revealed that low-sodium dialysate leads to a decrease in ABPM parameters including 24-hour SBP, daytime SBP, nighttime SBP, and nighttime DBP and it also reduces the number of antihypertensive drugs used and IDWG.

Impact of elevated serum estradiol/free testosterone ratio on male varicose veins in a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Although some studies indicate an association between increased levels of estradiol and varicose veins in women, the role of sex hormones on varicose veins have a question mark in men. METHODS: We investigated estradiol-2/free testosterone (E2/fT) ratio relationship on varicosity in 100 male patients dividing them into two groups. Group A (n = 46) had varicose veins with endocrinological problems, especially infertility, whereas group B (n = 54) also had varicose veins but no endocrinological problems. Venous blood samples were drawn from both groups in the morning to detect the levels of serum estradiol (E2), androstenedione, dehydroepiandrostenedione sulphate and free testosterone (fT). Patient history, physical examination, colour duplex ultrasound of both limbs and classification of CEAP were performed in both groups. Serum E2/fT ratio was calculated in correspondence with CEAP classification. CEAP classification is the varicosity classification, and it is concerned about the clinical class (C), etiology (E), anatomical distribution (A) and underlying pathophysiology (P). RESULTS: E2/fT ratio was significantly higher in group A (4.18 ± 0.54) compared with group B (2.98 ± 0.36). Moreover, there is a high correlation between serum E2/fT ratio and CEAP clinical classification in group A (4) compared with group B (2). CONCLUSION: Serum E2/fT ratio is associated with varicose veins in male patients.

Isolated tricuspid valve repair for Libman-Sacks endocarditis.

Cardiac involvement is a well-known complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which can involve most cardiac components, including pericardium, conduction system, myocardium, heart valves, and coronary arteries. Libman-Sacks (verrucous) endocarditis is the characteristic cardiac valvular manifestation. Although isolated tricuspid valve involvement is quite rare, we report a patient with SLE who had tricuspid stenosis caused by Libman-Sacks endocarditis. The patient underwent successful commisurotomy and Kay annuloplasty on the tricuspid valve under cardiopulmonary bypass.

Comparison of one- and two-stage basilic vein transposition for arterio-venous fistula formation in haemodialysis patients: preliminary results.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the results of one-and two-stage basilic vein transposition (BVT) in haemodialysis patients. METHODS: This was a non-randomised, retrospective study between January 2007 and January 2012 on 96 patients who were diagnosed with end-stage renal failure (ESRF) (54 males, 42 females; mean age 43.6 ± 14 years) and underwent one- or two-stage BVT in our clinic. All patients who were not eligible for a native radio-cephalic or brachio-cephalic arterio-venous fistula (AVF) were scheduled for one- or two-stage BVT after arterial (brachial, radial and ulnar) and venous (basilic and cephalic) Doppler ultrasonography. Patients were retrospectively divided into two groups: group 1, basilic vein diameter > 3 mm and patients who underwent one-stage BVT; and group 2, basilic vein diameter < 3 mm and patients who underwent two-stage BVT. In group 1, the basilic vein with a single incision was anastomosed to the brachial artery, followed by superficialisation. In group 2, the basilic vein was anastomosed to the brachial artery and they underwent the superficialisation procedure one month postoperatively. Fistula maturation and postoperative complications were assessed. RESULTS: The mean diameter of the basilic vein was statistically significantly higher in group 1 (3.46 ± 0.2 mm) than in group 2 (2.79 ± 0.1 mm) (p < 0.05). In terms of postoperative complications, thrombosis, haemorrhage and haematoma were significantly higher in group 1 (34, 36 and 17%, respectively) than in group 2 (23, 14 and 6%, respectively) (p < 0.05). The rate of fistula maturation was significantly lower in group 1 (66%), compared to group 2 (77%) (p < 0.05).Time to fistula maturation was significantly shorter in group 1 (mean 41 ± 14 days), compared to group 2 (mean 64 ± 28 days) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Two-stage BVT was superior to one-stage BVT due to its lower rate of postoperative complications and higher fistula maturation, despite its disadvantage of late fistula use. Although the diameter of the basilic vein was larger in patients who underwent one-stage BVT, we observed that one-stage BVT was disadvantageous in terms of postoperative complications and fistula maturation.

Repair of rheumatic tricuspid valve stenosis with autologous pericardium.

The aim of the present study was to describe a successful method for treating rheumatic tricuspid valve stenosis with autologous pericardium, commissurotomy, and a Kalangos ring without replacing the tricuspid valve.

Subepicardial left ventricular aneurysm with an intraventricular narrow neck on the avascular apical area: report of a case.

A 48-year-old hiatus hernia patient with a history of an occasional epigastric burning sensation for the last 10 years presented with a new onset of chest pain in addition to the persistence of his other symptoms. An apical left ventricular aneurism was found on 64-slice computed tomographic angiography. Coronary angiography confirmed the diagnosis. No coronary lesion was found and the apical region of the left ventricle was avascular. He was operated on under the suspected preoperative possible diagnoses of left ventricular apical aneurysm, a pseudoaneurysm, or a diverticulum. Macroscopically, a subepicardial whitish aneurysmal region with a weakened wall was seen at the apical part of the left ventricle. The size of the lesion was 3 x 3 cm. The aneurysm did not have an extracardiac neck. When the aneurysm site was opened, a sclerotic aneurysm wall and a narrow neck below the incised sac was found; and the neck was communicating with the left ventricular cavity. The aneurysm site was resected and closed with a linear closure technique by using pledget-supported sutures. The termination of cardiopulmonary bypass was uneventful. The patient left the intensive care unit on the first postoperative day and was discharged from hospital on the 4th postoperative day. A subepicardial left ventricular aneurysm should therefore also be considered in the differential diagnosis of atypical chest pain.

Right atrial angiosarcoma: a case report.

A 32-year-old female patient presented with dyspnea and palpitation, and transthoracic echocardiography revealed the presence of pericardial effusion. Pericardiosynthesis was performed for drainage. Because of the rapid accumulation of effusion and the presence of a right atrial mass on follow-up echocardiography, a computed tomography scan was done that revealed a right atrial defect and the presence of advanced pericardial effusion. The patient was prepared for an emergency operation. The mass on the right atrial wall was approached via a midsternal incision with cardiopulmonary bypass. The tumor filled the right atrial cavity, compressed vital structures, extended to the right ventricle, and had local metastases. As the tumor did not appear to be curable with surgery, a palliative approach was adopted. The right atrial free wall and tissues causing cardiac obstruction were totally removed, the tumor itself was partially excised, and local metastases were sampled. The resulting right atrial wall defect was closed with a Dacron patch. The operation ended uneventfully, and the clinical status and vital and hemodynamic findings of the patient returned to normal. The pathological diagnosis based on the samples obtained during the operation was angiosarcoma. The patient had an uneventful postoperative period and was then referred to an oncology center for clinical recovery. No findings of local recurrence or metastases were observed during the postoperative follow-up. The patient completed her combination therapy and currently is free of any clinical problems at her 13th postoperative month. We believe that advancements in radiotherapy and chemotherapy regimes combined with surgery (radical, if possible) for the treatment of cardiac angiosarcomas may provide better survival and quality-of-life results.