Investigation of the effect of visceral adiposity index on venous clinical severity score in patients with chronic venous insufficiency.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a common disease affecting millions worldwide. Age, obesity, female gender, sedentary life, and long-standing at work causing orthostasis have been identified as predisposing factors. OBJECTIVE: The visceral adiposity index (VAI) is an important indicator of abdominal obesity. Various studies in the cardiovascular field have shown that it may be more predictive than body mass index (BMI). METHODS: A total of 171 consecutive patients diagnosed with low-grade (C0-C3) superficial primary CVI in our clinic, between November 2021 and December 2022, were included in this prospective study. Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) values were calculated. The patients were divided into two groups according to their VCSS values (Group 1: VCSS ≤6 and Group 2: VCSS >6). RESULTS: There were 110 patients in Group 1 with a median age of 42 (18-50) years. There was no difference between the groups in terms of gender, smoking, hypertension frequency, height, weight, body mass index, hemoglobin values, lymphocyte, neutrophil, mean platelet volume, urea, creatinine, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, and total cholesterol values (p > .05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to reveal the predictive factors of high VCSS values in patients. As a result of the analysis, VAI (Odds Ratio (OR): 1.775; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.389-2.269; p < .001) and CRP (OR: 2.641; 95% CI: 1.431-4.875; p = .002) values were identified as independent predictors in predicting high VCSS values. CONCLUSION: This current study showed that high VAI values affect clinical complaints in patients with low-grade CVI. In line with our results, clinical recommendations can be made to reduce VAI values in low-stage CVI patients.

Evaluation of the relationship between adjusted ischemia-modified albumin and the presence and severity of peripheral artery disease.

OBJECTIVES: Albumin undergoes structural changes under ischemia and oxidative stress, turning into ischemia-modified albumin (IMA). It has been proposed as an early biomarker for various diseases associated with ischemia. We aimed to investigate the relationship between serum IMA and peripheral artery disease (PAD) and whether it is a risk marker for the severity of PAD. METHODS: This prospective case-control study included 100 patients with lower extremity PAD and 50 volunteers without. Patients with resting pain, ulcer, and gangrene were excluded from the study. Patients with PAD included in the study were divided into two groups as mild claudication and moderate-severe claudication. Adjusted-IMA levels were calculated according to the median albumin values of the groups. The basic clinical features and laboratory findings of the participants were recorded and compared. Possible risk factors for presence and severity of PAD and IMA levels were examined by logistic regression and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. RESULTS: IMA and adjusted-IMA levels were significantly higher in the PAD group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). IMA and adjusted-IMA levels were significantly higher in PAD group 2, which had moderate-to-severe claudication and more pronounced ischemic symptoms (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). Advanced age, presence of hypertension, smoking, low albumin levels, and high adjusted-IMA levels were independent predictors of PAD. There was a negative high correlation between adjusted-IMA levels and ABI (r: -0.666, p < 0.001, Spearman's correlation). ROC curve analysis demonstrated that adjusted-IMA cut-off values of 0.802 or above could predict presence and severity of peripheral artery disease with 70% sensitivity and 78% specificity (AUC: 0.825, 95% CI: 0.758-0.893, log rank p: 0.000). CONCLUSION: We determinated that increased adjusted-IMA levels were a predictors of the presence and severity of PAD. In addition, adjusted-IMA values can be a valuable marker in the follow-up of clinical severity of PAD.

Investigation of the effect of acute to chronic glycemic ratio on major amputation development after surgical thromboembolectomy in patients with acute lower extremity ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Acute limb ischemia (ALI) is an emergency vascular pathology in which perfusion is disrupted in the lower extremity and threatens extremity viability. The admission blood glucose (ABG)/estimated average glucose (eAG) value has recently been shown as a prognostic marker in acute cardiovascular events. In this study, we aimed to investigate the predictive role of an ABG/eAG value in predicting development of early postoperative major amputation after emergency thromboembolectomy operations in patients presenting with ALI. METHOD: Patients who admitted to our hospital with ALI between November 01, 2016 and September 01, 2021 and underwent surgical thromboembolectomy were retrospectively included in the study. Patients who did not undergo postoperative limb amputation were recorded as Group 1, and patients who underwent major amputation in the early postoperative period (in-hospital), were recorded as Group 2. RESULTS: The median age of the 226 patients included in Group 1 and 72 patients in Group 2 were 58 (34-86) years and 69 (33-91) years, respectively (p<0.001). In univariate analysis, in-hospital amputation was found to significantly correlate with age>70 years (odds ratio [OR]: 1.914, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.351-2.319, p<0.001), PAD (OR: 1.698, 95% CI: 1.270-1.992, p = 0.002 re-embolectomy (OR: 2.184, 95% CI: 1.663-3.085, p < 0.001), admission Rutherford class (OR: 0.762, 95% CI: 0.591-0.859, p = 0.032), admission time>6 h (OR: 1.770, 95% CI: 1.480-1.152, p = 0.009), ABG (OR: 1.275, 95% CI: 1.050-1.790, p < 0.001), and ABG/eAG (OR: 1.669, 95% CI: 1.315-2.239, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: According to our study, we can predict patient groups with a high risk of major amputation with the ABG/eAG value calculated from the blood values of the patients at the time of admission.

Vitamin D supplementation and postoperative atrial fibrillation.

Vitamin D is an important vitamin that has hormone-like effects in the human body. 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D (1,25(OH)2 D) is known as the active form of vitamin D. Activated vitamin D can affect cellular proliferation, apoptosis, cellular membrane transport, immune system, and aging through genes. Postoperative atrial fibrillation (PoAF) is an important problem that increases mortality and morbidity rates after cardiac surgery operations. Various studies have been conducted on the relationship between vitamin D and PoAF. Although there are studies in the literature showing that vitamin D supplementation reduces cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in different study types (randomized vs. observational), there are also studies showing that it has no effect on clinical outcomes. Since the subject is atrial fibrillation, the conditions of the study groups such as age, the prevalence of coronary artery disease, degree of hypertension, and lung disease should be analyzed well. On the other hand, vitamin D supplementation should be carefully determined for which patient, for how long, and at what dose.

Intraoperative nadir hematocrit as a poor outcome predictor after acute type A aortic dissection surgey.

Acute type A aortic dissection is a life-threatening disease associated with high morbidity and mortality that requires urgent surgical intervention. Hemodilution is inevitable in cardiac operations performed with cardiopulmonary bypass, which leads to nadir hematocrit levels. Studies have shown that nadir hematocrit levels are associated with poor postoperative outcomes. The management strategy of intraoperative anemia in these operations is still controversial. Should we follow the patients with intraoperative low hematocrit values or should we transfuse them? In addition to intraoperative nadir hematocrit, cannulation strategies play an important role in early postoperative outcomes after aortic dissection surgery.

Investigation of the effects of diabetes mellitus on left internal thoracic artery flow patterns in patients scheduled to undergo coronary bypass graft surgery.

PURPOSE: Diabetes mellitus (DM) plays a key role in the formation and prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of DM and glycemic control on left internal thoracic artery (LITA) Doppler flow in patients scheduled to undergo coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. METHODS: Patients who were hospitalized with a planned isolated CABG operation to our clinic between October 1, 2019 and March 1, 2020 were consecutively included in this prospective study. The patients were divided into three groups as those without DM (Group 1), those with DM and HbA1c values of below 7.5 (Group 2), and those with DM and HbA1c values of 7.5 and above (Group 3). The differences between the LITA Doppler flow patterns of the patients were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean ages of Group 1 (n = 103), Group 2 (n = 42), and Group 3 (n = 47) were 59.8 ± 9.6 years, 60.5 ± 9.3 years, and 61.9 ± 8.1 years, respectively. The groups differed in terms of diameter, volume, Vmax, pulsality index (PI), and resistive index (RI) values, both when the groups were compared among themselves (P < .001, for all), and when they were compared between those with (Groups 2 and 3) and without DM (Group 1) (P < .001, for all). Volume (R = -0.627, P < .001) and Vmax (R = -.450, P < .001) were moderately negatively correlated, while PI (R = .523, P < .001) and RI (R = 0.598, P < 0.001) were moderately positively correlated with HbA1c levels. CONCLUSION: In this study, we showed that increased HbA1c levels may be associated with significant functional and structural changes of LITA.

Prognostic nutritional index as a marker of mortality: an observational cohort study of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Nutritional problem of the patient is a valuable stiuation in patients undergoing surgery. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and postoperative in-mortality in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. 1003 patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery in our hospital between January 2016-January 2020 were included in this study retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups based on in-hospital mortality, as survivors (Group I, n = 934) and non-survivors (Group II, n = 69). Their preoperative nutritional status was determined using the PNI. Compared to survivors, non-survivors were found to have a significantly higher mean age (62.5 ± 10.8 vs. 67.45 ± 10.1, P < 0.001) and significantly lower mean preoperative ejection fraction (51.6 ± 0.3 vs. 44.5 ± 1.2, P < 0.001). And combined cardiac surgery rate was significantly higher in non-survivors (P = 0.009). Also non-survivors had a significantly lower mean PNI compared to survivors (44.76 ± 7.63 vs. 48.34 ± 6.71, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis Model 1 revealed that age (Odds ratio (OR): 1.756; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.250-3.790, P = 0.029), intra-aortic balloon pump usage (OR: 2.252, 95% CI: 1.885-6.194, P < 0.001), combined cardiac surgery (OR: 0.542, 95% CI: 0.428-0.690, P = 0.041) and the PNI (OR: 0.639, 95% CI: 0.552-0.874, P = 0.021) were independent predictors of mortality. In Model 2, age >70 (OR: 2.437, 95% CI: 1.983-5.390, P = 0.005), LVEF <35% (OR: 1.945, 95% CI: 1.586-3.492, P = 0.012), IABP usage (OR: 1.365, 95% CI: 1.109-2.196, P = 0.001) and PNI (OR: 0.538, 95% CI: 0.492-0.791, P = 0.033) were determined as independent predictors for mortality. In on-pump cardiac surgery, postoperative mortality is significantly associated with preoperative low PNI, and PNI can be a useful and suitable parameter for preoperative risk evaluation.

The Effects of Aortic Clamping Strategy on Myocardial Protection and Early Postoperative Outcomes During Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Operations.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of two different clamping strategies for the construction of the proximal aortocoronary anastomoses on myocardial protection and postoperative outcomes during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) operations. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we examined prospectively collected data of patients who underwent CABG for a 3-year period. Two hundred consecutive patients, who were diagnosed with triple vessel coronary artery disease (CAD), were selected and divided into two groups. In Group 1 (single clamp) (N = 100), venoaortic proximal anastomoses were performed using a single aortic cross-clamp, while in Group 2 (double clamp) (N = 100), proximal anastomoses were performed by using an aortic side clamp. Operative and postoperative outcomes of the patients were compared between the two groups. The serum levels of myocardial damage biomarkers, creatine phosphokinase-MB (CPK-MB), and high sensitive Troponin (hsTnI) results were measured preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively (6, 12, 24, and 48 hours). RESULTS: Patient demographics and characteristics were similar between the two groups. In Group 1, cross-clamp duration time (65 min versus 49 min; P = .0001) was longer. However, perfusion time (91 min versus 85 min; P = .61) was similar between the two groups. In Group 2, postoperative CK-MB levels were significantly higher intraoperatively (P = .18), 6 hours (P = .22), 24 hours (P = .001), and 48 hours (P = .001) than in Group 1. HsTnI was only significantly higher in Group 2 versus Group 1 at 24 hours (P = .001) and 48 hours (P = .01) postoperatively. Time of intensive care unit stay, duration of extubation, and length of hospital stay were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: The technique used for proximal anastomosis has a significant effect on perioperative results, especially on myocardial protection.

Early Postoperative Results of On-Pump Coronary Endarterectomy: Is Gender a Risk Factor?

BACKGROUND: Coronary endarterectomy (CE) combined with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is an effective but still controversial surgical strategy for the treatment of diffuse coronary artery disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of gender differences on operative and early postoperative results of patients who underwent CABG with CE. METHODS: This retrospective study included 141 patients who had undergone CE combined with CABG from January 2015 to December 2020, as well as 141 patients without CE as the control group. First, patients with and without CE were compared. Next, patients undergoing CE were divided into 2 groups according to gender (group 1, male patients; group 2, female patients). RESULTS: Of the 141 patients who underwent CE combined with on-pump CABG, 95 (67.3%) were male, and median age was 66 years (range 58 to 71.2). Of the 141 patients who underwent isolated on-pump CABG, 99 (70.2%) were males, and median age was 63 years (range 41 to 80.4). The data for these 2 groups (with and without CE) were compared. Previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), presence of diabetes mellitus, and perfusion time were significantly more common in the CE group. There were 95 patients in group 1, with a median age of 65 years (range 58 to 69), and 46 patients in group 2, with a median age of 66 (64 to 71.2). There were no difference between the groups in terms of age, body mass index, hyperlipidemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peripheral artery disease, or previous coronary intervention. The need for positive inotropic support and postoperative atrial fibrillation were found to be significantly more common in group 2 (P = .022 and .039, respectively). Defibrillation after releasing the aortic cross clamp was also significantly more common in group 2 (P = .025). CONCLUSION: In our study, the need for defibrillation after aortic cross-clamp releasing in the perioperative period, the need for inotropic support and the incidence of atrial fibrillation in the post-operative period, increased significantly in the female gender. CE can be performed safely in both genders with acceptable mortality and morbidity rates.

The Importance of Prognostic Nutritional Index in Predicting Acute Renal Failure After On-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Operations in Patients with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: After coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) operations, acute kidney injury (AKI) appears at 5-30% rates, and this rate increases even more in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Prognostic nutritional index (PNI) is known as a valuable parameter that affects cardiovascular surgery outcomes. In this current study, we aimed to investigate the importance of PNI value in predicting AKI after on-pump CABG operations in insulin-dependent diabetic patients. METHODS: A total of 254 consecutive patients with insulin- dependent diabetes who underwent on-pump CABG in our clinic between January 2016 and January 2020 retrospectively were included in this study. In the postoperative period, patients were registered as the renal failure group (Group 1), and those who did not develop renal failure were registered as Group 2. RESULTS: A total of 255 patients with DM were included in the study. There were 82 patients in Group 1 and 173 patients in Group 2. There was no difference between the groups, in terms of age, gender, smoking, and hyperlipidemia rates. Hypertension rate significantly was higher in Group 2 (P = .001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, hypertension (OR: 1.226, 95% CI: 1.114-2.459, P = .026), need for inotropic support (OR: 1.128, 95% CI: 1.070-1.784, P = .033), increased blood product use (OR: 1.291, 95% CI: 1.112-2.156, P = .021) preoperative high creatinine (OR: 3.563, 95% CI: 2.497-5.559, P < .001), and PNI (OR: 1.327, 95% CI: 1.118-2.785, P = .012) were independent predictors of AKI. CONCLUSION: In our study, we determined PNI value as an independent predictor in predicting acute renal injury occurring after on-pump CABG operations in patients with insulin-dependent DM.

Investigation of the Effect of HATCH Score and Coronary Artery Disease Complexity on Atrial Fibrillation after On-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (PoAF) is the most frequently encountered rhythm problem after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. This situation decreases the capacity of the patients with respect to functional exercise and creates a risk for stroke. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of coronary artery disease extensiveness and HATCH score on PoAF in patients undergoing CABG surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent CABG between December 2014 and December 2018 were included retrospectively. Preoperative demographic characteristics, laboratory parameters, and operative parameters of the patients were recorded retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the 352 patients, 274 had HATCH scores ≤2 (71.1% male, mean age: 61.7 ± 12.4 years), and 78 had HATCH scores >2 (69.2% male, mean age: 65.9 ± 11.7 years). Significant differences were found between the 2 groups in terms of the age (p = 0.014), presence of hypertension (p = 0.012), PoAF (p < 0.001), and SYNTAX (synergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with taxus and cardiac surgery) score I (p = 0.001). A HATCH score >2 and SYNTAX score I were identified as independent predictors of PoAF (OR: 1.022, 95% CI: 1.004-1.128, p = 0.032, and OR 1.098, 95% CI 1.035-1.164, p = 0.002, respectively). For predicting PoAF, the cutoff level in the ROC curve analysis was 19.7 for SYNTAX score (AUC 0.647, 95% CI 0.581-0.714, p < 0.001, 72.2% sensitivity and 66.4% specificity), and the cutoff level for HATCH score was 2 (AUC 0.656, 95% CI 0.595-0.722, p < 0.001, 69.4% sensitivity and 56.8% specificity) Conclusions: HATCH and SYNTAX scores are predictors of PoAF.

Spontaneous regression of the abdominal aortic aneurysm in a middle age female patient.

INTRODUCTION: Abdominal aortic aneurysm is an important cardiovascular disease affecting especially the elderly. Early diagnosis of this disease is particularly important for treatment success. Spontaneous regression of aneurysms has rarely been reported in the literature. METHODS: A 63-year-old female patient was admitted to the internal medicine outpatient clinic with abdominal pain three years ago. A urinary ultrasonography was requested, which revealed no urinary pathology, but an abdominal aortic aneurysm of 5 cm. There were no pathological findings in routine blood tests and physical examination of the patient. Contrast-enhanced computed tomographic angiography showed an infrarenal Abdominal aortic aneurysm of approximately 4.30 × 3.24 cm. Three years later, the patient had come to the hospital for check-up with no complaints. In control computed tomographic angiography, the aneurysm was found to have regressed almost completely (2 × 2.15 cm). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In this case report, to the best of our knowledge, we aimed to share the first spontaneous regression of an abdominal aortic aneurysm in a patient without any systemic disease or use of immunosuppressive medication.

Investigation of the Predictive Values of Triglyceride/HDL Cholesterol Ratio and Whole Blood Viscosity with Regard to Severe Peripheral or Carotid Artery Disease in Patients Scheduled for Coronary Bypass.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, which constitute an important disease group, is expected to rise with increasing life expectancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive values of triglyceride/HDL cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio and whole blood viscosity on possible severe carotid or peripheral arterial disease in patients who were admitted to our clinic and scheduled for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. METHODS: This study retrospectively examined 299 patients who were admitted to our clinic and scheduled for CABG between August 1, 2015, and August 1, 2019. Patients with severe carotid or peripheral arterial disease were included in group 2; those in whom peripheral arterial disease and stenosis were not detected were included in group 1. RESULTS: Group 1 consisted of 255 patients, mean (± standard deviation) age 58.1 ± 8.9 years; the 44 patients in group 2 had a mean age of 64.1 ± 10.6 years (P = .018). The incidence of diabetes mellitus and tobacco use were significantly higher in group 2 (P < .001 and P = .034, respectively). Triglyceride values, TG/HDL-C, and whole blood viscosity at high and low shear rates were significantly higher in group 2 (P = .017, P < .001, P < .001, and P < .001, respectively). Receiver operator characteristic analysis revealed that the cutoff value of TG/HDL-C was 3.2 with 77% sensitivity and 72% specificity; that of high-shear-rate viscosity was 16.1 with 73% sensitivity and 69% specificity; and that of low-shear-rate viscosity was 59.2 with 70% sensitivity and 63% specificity. CONCLUSION: It is possible to predict severe additional arterial diseases in patients scheduled for CABG with whole blood viscosity and TG/HDL-C ratios, both of which can be obtained with simple blood tests.

The Relationship between the HATCH Score, Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio and Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.

Backround: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (PoAF), the most common arrythmia observed in 18-40% of patients following coronary artery bypass surgery, may cause hemodynamic disturbances and increase embolism risk. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of HATCH score with PoAF in patients who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) and evaluate the effect of preoperatively calculated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on PoAF. METHODS: Patients who underwent OPCABG between January 2014 and January 2019 were included in the study. Preoperative and postoperative data retrospectively were obtained. Patients who did not develop PoAF during the postoperative hospitalization period constituted Group 1; those who did were classified as Group 2. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients (69 males and 28 females) with a mean age of 54.4 ± 11.1 years constituted Group 1, and 26 patients (17 males and 9 females) with a mean age of 61±12.6 years constituted Group 2. Significant differences were observed between the 2 groups, in terms of age and HATCH scores (P = .025 and P < .001, respectively). NLR, number of distal anastomoses, intensive care unit (ICU) stay times, and total hospitalization times were significantly higher in Group 2 (P = .021, P = .021, P < .001, P < .001, respectively). HATCH score was identified as an independent predictor of AF development following OPCABG surgery (OR: 2.125, 95 % CI: 1.296-3.482, P = .003). CONCLUSION: In light of our study, HATCH scores of all patients preoperatively may be calculated so that preventive precautions are taken for high-risk patients.

Tricuspid regurgitation due to blood cyst.

Cardiac blood cysts are confirmed by autopsies in stillbirths but rarely detected in adults. Although cardiac blood cysts are common in newborns, they disappear within a few months after birth. These cysts are blood-filled diverticula surrounded by endothelium. Their possible etiology is invaginations of atrial endothelium into the stroma of atrioventricular valves. Most blood cysts originate from the left side of the heart and are located on the atrioventricular valves. Complication is followed in very little cases, such as embolic stroke, valvular dysfunction, and ventricular outflow system obstruction. The blood cysts leading to complications should be removed surgically.