Early postoperative rupture of Heartware outflow graft: A case report.

We know that new generation left ventricular assist devices (LVAD), significantly reduce the mortality of patients in the treatment of advanced heart failure disease, compared to optimal medical therapy. Day by day, we treat more heart failure patients with LVADs. Patients that can be cured are on the rise. But this also causes us to struggle with more complications. In this article, we present a case of cardiac tamponade due to rupture that occurred in the outflow graft of HeartWare left ventricular assist device (HVAD), a complication encountered for the first time as far as we know.

Endovenous laser with miniphlebectomy for treatment of varicose veins and effect of different levels of laser energy on recanalization. A single center experience.

Varicose veins, associated with great saphenous vein (GSV) incompetence, are traditionally treated with conventional surgery. In recent years, minimally invasive alternatives to surgical treatment such as the endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and radiofrequency (RF) ablation have been developed with promising results. Residual varicose veins following EVLA, regress untouched, or phlebectomy or foam sclerotherapy can be concomitantly performed. The aim of the present study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of EVLA with different levels of laser energy in patients with varicose veins secondary to saphenous vein reflux. From February 2006 to August 2011, 740 EVLA, usually with concomitant miniphlebectomies, were performed in 552 patients. A total of 665 GSV, 53 small saphenous veins (SSV), and 22 both GSV and SSV were treated with EVLA under duplex USG. At 84 patients, bilateral intervention is made. In addition, miniphlebectomy was performed in 540 patients. A duplex ultrasound (US) is performed to patients preoccupying chronic venous insufficiency (with visible varicose veins, ankle edema, skin changes, or ulcer). Saphenous vein incompetence was diagnosed with saphenofemoral, saphenopopliteal, or truncal vein reflux in response to manual compression and release with patient standing. The procedures were performed under local anesthesia with light sedation or spinal anesthesia. Endovenous 980-nm diode laser source was used at a continuous mode. The mean energy applied per length of GSV during the treatment was 77.5 ± 17.0 J (range 60-100 J/cm). An US evaluation was performed at first week of the procedure. Follow-up evaluation and duplex US scanning were performed at 1 and 6 months, and at 1 and 2 years to assess treatment efficacy and adverse reactions. Average follow-up period was 32 ± 4 months (3-55 months). There were one patient with infection and two patients with thrombus extension into the femoral vein after EVLA. Overall occlusion rate was 95%. No post-procedural deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism occurred. Laser energy, less than 80 J/cm, was significantly associated with increased recanalization of saphenous vein, among the other energy levels. EVLA seems a good alternative to surgery by the application of energy of not less than 80 J/cm. It is both safe and effective. It is a well-tolerated procedure with rare and relatively minor complications.

Primary intravascular synovial sarcoma: case report.

Synovial sarcoma (SS), a mesenchymal spindle cell tumor, displays variable epithelial differentiation, including glandular formation, and features a specific chromosomal translocation, t(X;18)(p11;q11). SS accounts for 5% to 10% of soft-tissue sarcomas. These tumors occur mostly in the joints, especially near the knee, but they also occur in other locations. Primary intravascular SS (IVSS) are extremely rare; only 6 well-documented cases have been reported in the English literature. We describe a new case of primary IVSS of the superior vena cava (SVC) in a 16-year-old boy. A transthoracic echocardiogram confirmed a large (4.8 × 4.6 cm) circumscribed mass filling the right atrium, as well as a moderate pericardial effusion. The mass extended from the SVC to the tricuspid valve but did not prevent valve coaptation. Surgery via a transatrial approach revealed a huge mass (8 to 12 cm) attached to the SVC via a 5-mm pedicle. The tumor was excised, and the patient experienced an uneventful postoperative course. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis revealed the presence of the SS-specific translocation.

Which proteinase-activated receptor-1 antagonist is better?: Evaluation of vorapaxar and parmodulin-2 effects on human left internal mammary artery endothelial function.

OBJECTIVE: Endothelial dysfunction occurs as an early event in cardiovascular disease. Previously, vorapaxar, a proteinase-activated receptor-1 antagonist, was shown to cause endothelial damage in a cell culture study. Therefore, our study aimed to compare the effects of vorapaxar and parmodulin-2, proteinase-activated receptor-1 biased agonist, on human left internal mammary artery endothelial function in vitro. METHOD: Isolated arteries were hung in the organ baths. Acetylcholine responses (10-11-10-6 M) were obtained in endothelium-intact tissues the following incubation with vorapaxar/parmodulin-2 (10-6 M) to determine the effects of these molecules on the endothelium-dependent relaxation. Subsequently, endothelium-dependent relaxation responses of tissues were investigated in the presence of L-NAME (10-4 M), L-arginine (10-5 M), indomethacin (10-5 M), and charybdotoxin-apamin (10-7 M) in addition to vorapaxar/parmodulin-2 incubation. Besides, the effect of these molecules on endothelium-independent relaxation response was evaluated with sodium nitroprusside (10-11-10-6 M). Finally, the sections of human arteries were imaged using a transmission electron microscope, and the integrity of the endothelial layer was evaluated. RESULTS: We found that vorapaxar caused significant endothelial dysfunction by disrupting nitric oxide and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor-dependent relaxation mechanisms. Parmodulin-2 did not cause endothelial damage. Neither vorapaxar nor parmodulin-2 disrupted endothelium-independent relaxation responses. The effect of vorapaxar on the endothelial layer was supported by the transmission electron microscope images. CONCLUSION: Parmodulin-2 may be a better option than vorapaxar in treating cardiovascular diseases since it can inhibit PAR-1 without caused endothelial dysfunction.

Effect of Preoperative Skin Preparation Methods on Sternotomy Surgical Site Infection Rates: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

BACKGROUND: A surgical site infection (SSI) reduces patient quality of life, increases morbidity and mortality rates, and increases health care costs. Results of studies comparing the effects of preoperative skin preparations are contradictory. PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the effect of different preoperative skin preparation methods on the rate of SSIs in patients undergoing sternotomy. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 96 male patients undergoing sternotomy. The control group (CG) (n = 34) received routine care consisting of shaving body hair with a razor blade followed by instructions to take a bath or shower. In the intervention groups, patients received education about SSI prevention and body hair was removed with an electric clipper, followed by bathing with daphne soap containing olive oil (IG-1) (n = 31) or 2% chlorhexidine solution (IG-2) (n = 31). Patient demographic, medical history, surgical, and wound assessment variables were obtained. Potential SSI signs and symptoms were assessed for up to 90 days following surgery. RESULTS: Patient demographic, medical history, and surgical variables did not differ among the 3 groups. Sternal SSI occurred in 10.4% of all study patients; 8.8% of the CG patients, 12.9% of the IG-1 patients, and 9.7% of the IG-2 patients developed an SSI (P > .05). CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in the rate of sternotomy SSI among the 3 groups. Randomized controlled trials with large samples are needed to compare these methods to determine optimal and affordable preoperative skin preparation methods.

Exceptional ventricular septal rupture associated with intramyocardial dissection throughout the right ventricle.

Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is an uncommon but a devastating complication of acute myocardial infarction. Wide implementation of thrombolytic therapy in practice has limited the incidence of this complication and changed its time pattern by accelerating the occurrence. In the era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention, this beneficial effect is more pronounced. This paper describes a case with a complex VSR with intramyocardial dissection tract extending throughout the right ventricle and yielding a left to right shunt; where the potential role of ischemia was suspected, but the precise etiology of septal rupture remained ambiguous.

Surgical treatment of left ventricular aneurysms: a comparison of long-term follow-up of left ventricular function for classic aneurysmectomy and endoaneurysmorrhaphy techniques.

OBJECTIVE: Myocardial infarction may be complicated by the formation of a left ventricular (LV) aneurysm that distorts the normal elliptical geometry of the ventricle to produce a dilated spherical ventricle with limited contractile and filling capacities. One of the consequences is congestive heart failure, which may be refractory to medical therapy and require surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate LV function in the late term following repair of LV aneurysm. METHODS: Ninety-seven patients underwent repair of postinfarctional LV aneurysms. Sixty-one patients (62.9%) underwent classic aneurysmectomy, and 36 patients (37.1%) had endoaneurysmorrhaphy. The mean age (+/-SD) of the 87 men (89.7%) and 10 women was 55.98 +/- 8.59 years. Coronary surgery was performed in 82 patients (84.5%), with a mean of 1.34 +/- 0.77 grafts/patient. The mean preoperative ejection fraction (EF) was 39.74% +/- 8.79% (classic, 39.92% +/- 8.90%; endoaneurysmorrhaphy, 39.43% +/- 8.61%; difference not statistically significant [NS]). Fifty-five patients (56.7%) had angina of Canadian Cardiovascular Society class III to IV (classic, 55.7%; endoaneurysmorrhaphy, 58.3%; NS), 31 patients (31.9%) were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III to IV (classic, 31.1%; endoaneurysmorrhaphy, 33.3%; NS), and the mean preoperative NYHA functional class was 2.88 +/- 0.74 (classic, 2.83 +/- 0.77; endoaneurysmorrhaphy, 2.97 +/- 0.71; NS). RESULTS: The mortality rate at <30 days was 9.8% (n = 6) in the classic aneurysmectomy group and 2.7% (n = 1) in the endoaneurysmorrhaphy group. Long-term follow-up was available for 80 of these patients. During a mean follow-up of 79.3 +/- 37.6 months (range, 6-156 months), 14 patients (17.5%) died of a cardiac-related cause (classic, 8 patients [16.6%]; endoaneurysmorrhaphy, 6 patients [18.7%]; NS). The cardiac-related survival rate was 82.5%. In the first year, at 5 years, and at 10 years, the survival rates of the patients who underwent classical aneurysmectomy were 98.8%, 93.5%, and 76.1%, respectively, and the rates for patients who underwent endoaneurysmorrhaphy were 100%, 93.0%, 71.2%, respectively (P = .2). In the follow-up patient population, the mean preoperative EF was 40.21% +/- 9.44% in the classic aneurysmectomy group and 39.34% +/- 8.61% in the endoaneurysmorrhaphy group. Postoperatively, mean EFs increased to 44.24% +/- 9.50% and 43.80% +/- 8.81%, respectively, at the last follow-up. NYHA functional class changed from 2.79 +/- 0.77 preoperatively to 1.60 +/- 0.73 postoperatively in the classic aneurysmectomy group and from 2.97 +/- 0.71 preoperatively to 1.34 +/- 0.54 postoperatively in the endoaneurysmorrhaphy group. There was no significant difference in hospital readmissions for cardiac causes (classic, 27.1%; endoaneurysmorrhaphy, 31.2%). CONCLUSION: LV aneurysm can be repaired with acceptable surgical risk. Surgical treatment of LV aneurysm is associated with an improvement in long-term survival and symptoms.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Therapy-Assisted Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Successful Bridging to Cardiac Retransplant for Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy is being used increasingly in different areas. It has become an indispensable assistant to clinicians for hypoxic pulmonary disorders, cardiogenic shock, resuscitation, and during cardiac surgery. In this case report, we describe a patient who is bridged to successful cardiac retransplant under extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy support after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Cardiac Tamponade Due to Pneumopericardium After Liver Transplant.

Pneumopericardium is a rare cause of cardiac tamponade, and it is an extremely rare complication of liver transplant. Here, we present a patient with cryptogenic liver cirrhosis who experienced cardiac tamponade secondary to a tension pneumopericardium during the postoperative course after liver transplant.

Right atrial thrombus associated with subclavian catheter developed due to total parenteral nutrition application.

Central venous catheterization as a frequent routine clinical procedure may have significant complications. Mechanical complications may occur during catheter placement, whereas thromboembolic and infectious complications can be seen during follow-up. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) associated central venous catheterizations may result in early mechanical complications and thrombotic and infectious complications in the long term. This paper describes a patient diagnosed as mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy requiring long-term central venous catheterization for TPN implementation, who had an infected thrombus on the catheter tip resected by cardiac surgery.

An unusual clinical state: true ulnar artery aneurysm in a five-year old girl.

We report the case of a 5-year old girl, who presented with a true ulnar artery aneurysm, and the aetiology, clinical presentation and treatment of the disease.

Endovenous ablation with a 940 nm laser for the treatment of great saphenous vein insufficiency: short- to mid-term results.

PURPOSE: We aimed to present the short- to mid-term results of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) procedures that were used to treat great saphenous vein (GSV) insufficiency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted between December 2009 and January 2011. A total of 112 incompetent GSVs were treated using EVLA with a 940 nm wavelength laser. Ninety patients were treated for varicose veins with saphenous reflux, including 36 females (40%) and 54 males (60%). These patients' ages ranged from 17 to 79 years (median, 48 years). After the EVLA, the patients were monitored using duplex ultrasonography and were assessed clinically at 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the surgery. The patients were scheduled for a three-day examination after the EVLA to assess the level of pain that each patient was experiencing in each limb. RESULTS: At the end of a one-year follow-up period, the postprocedural duplex scans revealed a total occlusion of the treated GSVs in 88 (97%) patients and a sub-total occlusion in two (2%) patients. The average modified clinical, etiological, anatomical, and pathological score was significantly decreased at 12 months. The following complications were observed in the present study: hypoesthesia (11%), swelling and induration (5%), skin pigmentation (5%), deep vein thrombosis (1%), erythema (1%), and bleeding (1%). The mean visual analog pain score for the entire procedure was 3.14±1.06. CONCLUSION: Our short- and mid-term results of the EVLA procedure were satisfactory, and the results of this study reaffirmed the safety and effectiveness of an EVLA using a 940 nm wavelength for the treatment of GSV insufficiency.

Heart transplantation.

End-stage heart failure is still associated with a decrease in both quality and prognosis of life and one- year survival of these patients is below 50%. Heart transplantation remains the final therapeutic option for the treatment of irreversible end-stage heart failure in all age groups with adequate success rates. Survival of patients who underwent heart transplantation has improved incrementally in recent years, with 86% survival in the first year and over 50% survival at 10 years. Approximately 50% of patients live for more than 10 years after heart transplantation and 25% of patients live for more than 18 years. Improvement of the quality of life is an other benefit, while the patients were in NYHA class III-IV preoperatively, nearly all of them have an improved functional status with NYHA class I-II after transplantation. However, discrepancy between the number of candidates and number of available donors is still the major problem for the applicability of heart transplantation.