Combined pharmacomechanical thrombectomy with selective catheter-directed thrombolysis in patients with acute proximal deep vein thrombosis.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics and the outcomes of combined percutaneous pharmacomechanical thrombectomy with selective catheter-directed thrombolysis for acute iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis. Methods: Between March 2018 and February 2020, a total of 37 patients (21 males, 16 females; mean age: 55±13.8 years; range, 21 to 79 years) with symptomatic acute iliofemoral vein thrombosis who underwent combined percutaneous pharmacomechanical thrombectomy and catheter-directed thrombolysis were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received a three-step therapy: (i) insertion of a temporary inferior vena cava filter, (ii) percutaneous pharmacomechanical thrombectomy via rotational mechanical thrombectomy device with an adjuvant 0.15 mg/kg recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator alteplase, and (iii) catheter-directed thrombolysis with continuous 1 mg/h tissue-type plasminogen activator alteplase. Data including demographic characteristics of the patients, bleeding complications, technical success, and adjuvant angioplasty rates were analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate freedom from re-thrombosis at 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up was calculated. Results: The majority of the patients had left-sided (n=22, 59.4%) proximal deep vein thrombosis. Successful insertion of the inferior vena cava filter was achieved in 97.2% (n=36) of patients. The technical success rate was 89.1% (n=33). Adjuvant venous angioplasty was performed in four patients (10.8%) and no venous stents were used. No major bleeding was occurred, while minor bleeding was observed mostly in the form of hematuria (n=12, 32.4%). No mortality was observed. The 3, 6, and 12-month freedom from re-thrombosis rates were 96.3%, 92.6%, and 86.0%, respectively. Conclusion: Combined percutaneous pharmacomechanical thrombectomy and catheter-directed thrombolysis seems to be an effective and safe treatment of the iliofemoral acute deep vein thrombosis with acceptable minor bleeding complications post-interventionally.

Endovascular Treatment of Aortic Pathologies in Patients With Marfan Syndrome: Single-Center Experience.

OBJECTIVES: To study the outcome of endovascular treatment of aortic pathologies in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) at a single institution. METHODS: Consecutive MFS patients who underwent endovascular repair or hybrid procedures for aortic pathologies from January 2010 to May 2020 were identified. Several endovascular and hybrid strategies have been used. Technical success, short- and mid-term survival, complications, and re-interventions were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: During the study period, 24 patients with MFS (median age, 48 [13-78] years; 58% males) were treated. Indications for intervention were chronic aortic dissection with aneurysm degeneration in 16 patients (67%), acute type B aortic dissection in 4 patients (17%), aortic aneurysm without any dissection in 3 patients (13%), and aortic intramural hematoma in 1 patient (4%). Most patients were asymptomatic (83%), three (13%) were symptomatic and one (4%) had a contained rupture. The median aneurysm diameter was 56 (35-86) mm. Hybrid procedures were performed in 7 (29%) patients. Thoracic endovascular repair was performed in 12 (50%) patients, a fenestrated or branched endovascular aortic repair in 4 (17%) patients, and placement of an iliac artery stent-graft in 1 (4%) patient. Procedures were staged in 12 (50%) patients. Technical success was achieved in all patients. The median intensive care unit stay was 6 (range, 1-30) days, and the median hospital stay was 23 (range, 3-112) days. Early mortality was reported in 1 (4%) patient. Wound infection was seen in 7 (29%) patients and gastrointestinal complications in 3 (13%) patients. The median follow-up was 42 (range, 1-127) months. The cumulative survival rate was 87% at 24 months. The cumulative freedom from re-intervention was 77% at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular treatment of aortic pathologies in patients with MFS appears feasible with acceptable early and mid-term outcomes in terms of mortality and re-intervention rates. Endovascular therapy plays an increasing role in MFS patients with aortic pathology.

Balloon Angioplasty Versus Stenting in Patients With ST-Elevated Myocardial Infarction Before Subsequent Coronary Artery By-Pass Grafting.

Decision of ad hoc revascularization strategy in patients who require coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) following primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) is challenging due to the pros and cons of only-ballooning and stenting. In this study, we aimed to compare the outcomes of only-balloon-angioplasty to stenting in primary PCI in patients with ST elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) who required a subsequent CABG. We retrospectively analyzed 350 consecutive STEMI patients who needed CABG in addition to primary balloon angioplasty (n = 160) and stenting strategy (n = 190). In-hospital and 5-year outcomes of the patients were compared between the 2 groups. In-hospital mortality rates in the ballooning and stenting groups were not nonsignificantly different (11.2% vs 9.5%, respectively, P = .59); 5-year mortality rates were also similar between the 2 groups (9.2% vs 8.7%, P = .89). Additionally, major bleeding rates (3.8% vs 6.3%, P = .28) did not differ between the 2 groups. In conclusion, our study showed no significant difference in-hospital and long-term mortality rates in patients who require CABG after primary PCI irrespective of the ad hoc revascularization strategy.

Femoral vein wall thickness measurement: A new diagnostic tool for Behçet's disease.

OBJECTIVES: Diagnosing Behçet's disease (BD) is a challenge, especially in countries with a low prevalence. Recently, venous wall thickness (VWT) in lower extremities has been shown to be increased in BD patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance of common femoral vein (CFV) thickness measurement in BD and whether it can be used as a diagnostic tool. METHODS: . Patients with BD (n = 152), ankylosing spondylitis (n = 27), systemic vasculitides (n = 23), venous insufficiency (n = 29), antiphospholipid syndrome (APS; n = 43), deep vein thrombosis due to non-inflammatory causes (n = 25) and healthy controls (n = 51) were included in the study. Bilateral CFV thickness was measured with ultrasonography by a radiologist blinded to cases. RESULTS: Bilateral CFV thickness was significantly increased in BD compared with all control groups (P < 0.001 for all). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for bilateral CFV thicknesses in all comparator groups was >0.95 for the cut-off value (0.5 mm). This cut-off value also performed well against all control groups with sensitivity rates >90%. The specificity rate was also >80% in all comparator groups except APS (positive predictive value: 79.2-76.5%, negative predictive value: 92-91.8% for right and left CFV, respectively). CONCLUSION: Increased CFV thickness is a distinctive feature of BD and is rarely present in healthy and diseased controls, except APS. Our results suggest that CFV thickness measurement with ultrasonography, a non-invasive radiological modality, can be a diagnostic tool for BD with sensitivity and the specificity rates higher than 80% for the cut-off value ≥0.5 mm.

Single-center retrospective review of early outcomes of radiofrequency ablation versus cyanoacrylate ablation of isolated great saphenous vein insufficiency.

OBJECTIVE: Data comparing radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with cyanoacrylate closure (CAC) treatment of isolated great saphenous vein (GSV) insufficiency are limited. In this study, we present our early outcomes of RFA vs CAC for the treatment of GSV insufficiency. METHODS: Between March 2015 and February 2017, a total of 159 patients underwent CAC (n = 75) or RFA (n = 84) for treatment of GSV insufficiency by a single surgeon. Medical data of the patients were retrieved from the institutional database and retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent lower extremity venous color duplex ultrasound examination. The Venous Clinical Severity Score and Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire were used. Total closure rates of the GSV with RFA or CAC were recorded at 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months. Procedure-related adverse events and quality of life of the patients were also evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age was 46.33 ± 14.40 years in the CAC group and 48.09 ± 13.25 years in the RFA group (P = .4). The mean treated saphenous vein diameter was 7 mm in the CAC group and 7.25 mm in the RFA group (P = .07). The length of treated venous segment was 30 cm in both the CAC and RFA groups (P = .66). The mean duration of operation was 25 minutes in the CAC group and 35 minutes in the RFA group (P < .001). The incidence of adverse events was higher in the RFA group (P < .05). At 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months of follow-up, there was no statistically significant difference in the total closure rates between the CAC and RFA groups. There was no significant difference in the Venous Clinical Severity Score and Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire score between the groups (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study results suggest that both RFA and CAC are effective in closure of the target GSV. Although the incidence of tumescent anesthesia-related and procedure-related complications is higher with the RFA technique, both techniques can be used safely with similar success rate and patient satisfaction.

Transaortic repair of concomitant mitral insufficiency in patients with critical aortic stenosis undergoing aortic valvular replacement.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we present operation technique and outcomes of transaortic mitral valve repair in high-risk patients undergoing aortic valve replacement due to severe aortic stenosis. METHODS: Between January 2005 and March 2016, a total of 11 patients (7 females, 4 males; mean age 71.2±4.1 years; range, 65 to 77 years) with severe aortic valve stenosis (aortic valve area <1 cm2 or aortic valve area index <0.6 cm2/m2) and concomitant moderate or severe mitral regurgitation (non-ischemic, regurgitant jet origin between A2-P2 portions) secondary to left ventricular dysfunction (EuroSCORE logistic score >5%, left ventricular ejection fraction <30%) who were operated were retrospectively analyzed. Aortic valve replacement and transaortic mitral edge-to-edge repair was applied to all patients. Operations were performed through sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass, and bicaval venous return. Transesophageal echocardiography was used to evaluate mitral valve before surgery and valve functions after surgery. Postoperative course of all patients was monitored, and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: The mean preoperative ejection fraction was 24.5±4.1% and the mean transaortic pressure gradient was 35.8±4.8 mmHg. The mean aortic cross-clamp time was 62.09±10.1 (range, 43 to 76) min and the median cardiopulmonary bypass time was 90.1±11.9 (range, 66 to 114) min. No hospital mortality was observed. In the postoperative period, two patients experienced renal insufficiency. Hemofiltration was initiated in these patients and no dialysis was required at two weeks. One patient had postoperative atrial fibrillation and one patient had pericardial effusion leading to cardiac tamponade and this patient underwent reoperation. The patients were followed up for a mean of four years and control echocardiography didn"t detect increase in mitral regurgitation degree. CONCLUSION: Transaortic edge-to-edge mitral valve repair can be used in high-risk patients undergoing aortic valve replacement. This technique is feasible with shorter cross-clamp time and can reduce mortality and morbidity in selected high-risk patients.

Consequence of Ischemic Stroke after Coronary Surgery with Cardiopulmonary Bypass According to Stroke Subtypes.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the outcomes of patients developing ischemic stroke after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: From March 2012 to January 2017, 5380 consecutive patients undergoing elective coronary surgery were analyzed. Ninety-five patients who developed ischemic strokes after on-pump coronary surgery were included in the study, retrospectively. The cohort was divided into four subgroups [total anterior circulation infarction (TACI), partial anterior circulation infarction (PACI), posterior circulation infarction (POCI), and lacunar infarction (LACI)] according to the Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project (OCSP) classification. The primary endpoints were in-hospital mortality, total mortality, and survival analysis over an average of 30 months of follow-up. The secondary endpoints were the extent of disability and dependency according to modified Rankin Scale (mRS). RESULTS: The incidence of stroke was 1.76% (n=95). The median age was 62.03±10.06 years and 68 (71.6%) patients were male. The groups were as follows: TACI (n=17, 17.9%), PACI (n=47, 49.5%), POCI (n=20, 21.1%), and LACI (n=11, 11.6%). Twenty-eight (29.5%) patients died in hospital and 34 (35.8%) deaths occurred. The overall mortality rate of the TACI group was significantly higher than that of the LACI group (64.7% vs. 27.3%, P=0.041). The mean mRS score of the TACI group was significantly higher than that of the other groups (P=0.003). CONCLUSION: Patients in the TACI group had higher in-hospital and cumulative mortality rates and higher mRS scores. We believe that use of the OCSP classification and the mRS may render it possible to predict the outcomes of stroke after coronary surgery.

Consequence of ischemic stroke after coronary surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass according to stroke subtypes

Abstract Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the outcomes of patients developing ischemic stroke after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: From March 2012 to January 2017, 5380 consecutive patients undergoing elective coronary surgery were analyzed. Ninety-five patients who developed ischemic strokes after on-pump coronary surgery were included in the study, retrospectively. The cohort was divided into four subgroups [total anterior circulation infarction (TACI), partial anterior circulation infarction (PACI), posterior circulation infarction (POCI), and lacunar infarction (LACI)] according to the Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project (OCSP) classification. The primary endpoints were in-hospital mortality, total mortality, and survival analysis over an average of 30 months of follow-up. The secondary endpoints were the extent of disability and dependency according to modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Results: The incidence of stroke was 1.76% (n=95). The median age was 62.03±10.06 years and 68 (71.6%) patients were male. The groups were as follows: TACI (n=17, 17.9%), PACI (n=47, 49.5%), POCI (n=20, 21.1%), and LACI (n=11, 11.6%). Twenty-eight (29.5%) patients died in hospital and 34 (35.8%) deaths occurred. The overall mortality rate of the TACI group was significantly higher than that of the LACI group (64.7% vs. 27.3%, P=0.041). The mean mRS score of the TACI group was significantly higher than that of the other groups (P=0.003). Conclusion: Patients in the TACI group had higher in-hospital and cumulative mortality rates and higher mRS scores. We believe that use of the OCSP classification and the mRS may render it possible to predict the outcomes of stroke after coronary surgery.

Outcomes of arteriovenous fistula for hemodialysis in octogenarian population.

Introduction Guidelines have been recommending the use of arteriovenous fistula among the hemodialysis population, but no clear conclusion has emerged with regard to the adequate access type in octogenarians. In this paper, the outcomes of arteriovenous fistula in octogenarian cohort were presented for death-censored cumulative patency rate, complications, and patients' survival rate. Methods A retrospective review of 88 consecutive arteriovenous fistula interventions in 70 octogenarian patients were performed at one referral institution between January 2010 and June 2014. The patients' records were analyzed and postoperative complications were documented. Death-censored cumulative arteriovenous fistula patency rates were calculated, and Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze patient survival for 24 months. FINDINGS: Eighty-eight arteriovenous fistula constructions and six salvage procedures were performed in 70 octogenarians. Fifty-four (61.3%) forearm and 34 (38.7%) upper arm fistulas were created. All types of fistulas had 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month death-censored cumulative patency rates of 63.6%, 58.3%, 48.8%, and 41.4%, respectively. The primary failure rate was 40.9%. A total of 15 complications were documented as edema, hematoma/bleeding, infection, distal ischemia, and venous aneurysm, all of which had been treated. Patient survival rates for 12 and 24 months were 68.5% and 58.5%, respectively. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This analysis regarding arteriovenous fistula in octogenarian end-stage renal disease patients figured out equal death-censored cumulative patency compared to nonelderly, and two-year survival rate was acceptable. This study strengthens the argument that arteriovenous fistula should be the best proper choice in selected octogenarians; older age only should not be considered as an absolute contraindication for arteriovenous fistula creation in octogenarians; and patient-based approach should be applied.

Effect of nutritional status on mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVES: The prognostic effects of poor nutritional status and cardiac cachexia on coronary artery disease (CAD) are not clearly understood. A well-accepted nutritional status parameter, the prognostic nutritional index (PNI), which was first demonstrated to be valuable in patients with cancer and those undergoing gastrointestinal surgery, was introduced to patients requiring coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic value of PNI in patients with CAD undergoing CABG. METHODS: We evaluated the in-hospital and long-term (3-y) prognostic effect of PNI on 644 patients with CAD undergoing CABG. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were compared among the patients by PNI and categorized accordingly: Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4. RESULTS: Patients with lower PNI had significantly higher in-hospital and long-term mortality. Patients with lower PNI levels (Q1) had higher in-hospital mortality and had 12 times higher mortality rates than those with higher PNI levels (Q4). The higher PNI group had the lower rates and was used as the reference. Long-term mortality was higher in patients with lower PNI (Q1)-4.9 times higher than in the higher PNI group (Q4). In-hospital and long-term mortality rates were similar in the non-lower PNI groups (Q2-4). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that PNI, calculated based on serum albumin level and lymphocyte count, is an independent prognostic factor for mortality in patients undergoing CABG.

Open repair of a type Ia endoleak with a giant abdominal aortic aneurysm sac.

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has been widely accepted as a safe and effective treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Endoleaks are the most common complication after EVAR and require urgent interventions. Usually endoleaks can be treated with endovascular procedures using a variety of techniques. Despite these interventions, if the endoleak still persists, conventional open surgery should be evaluated. A 67-year-old man had been treated with EVAR after a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm 7 years ago. Later on, a type II endoleak was detected due to the inferior mesenteric artery and treated with coil embolization at the first follow-up year. The patient was admitted to our emergency department due to abdominal pain. Computed tomography angiography demonstrated a type Ia endoleak from the posterior side of the graft with a huge abdominal aortic aneurysm sac (22.9 cm) without rupture. The patient was hemodynamically unstable, and open surgical repair was performed via left anterolateral thoracotomy and laparotomy. Here we report a case where we performed open repair of a type Ia endoleak and discuss the repairing techniques for type Ia endoleak in the light of the literature.

Acute pancreatitis after coronary artery bypass surgery treated by plasmapheresis.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common disorder and an important cause of morbidity and mortality. There are different causes of AP, including gallstones and excessive alcohol consumption. AP after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery is seen less frequently but it is associated with a high mortality rate due to its atypical and misleading symptoms. Supportive treatment, pain management, and treatment of complications are used in the treatment of AP. The treatment of hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis is plasmapheresis, which is an extracorporeal separation of blood components to assist in the removal of inflammatory mediators. Here we present the case of a 60-year-old male patient who developed severe AP (Ranson Score: 6) without hypertriglyceridemia after CABG. The patient received supportive treatment, but the response to conventional therapy was not predictable. Thus, plasmapheresis was started, and the patient was treated with plasmapheresis successfully. The use of plasmapheresis in patients with this condition is a new treatment modality as far as we know. This case illustrates the efficient and safe use of the plasmapheresis treatment modality in a patient with AP without hypertriglyceridemia.

ADMA, SDMA and L-arginine may be Novel Targets in Pharmacotherapy for Complications due to Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

BACKGROUND: In this study, the effects of olmesartan therapy on asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), L-arginine and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels were investigated in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: Patients were randomly allocated to two groups, control and olmesartan. Olmesartan was administered 30 mg once a day beginning from preoperative day 5 to postoperative day 28 and on operation day. Blood was drawn from all patients and ADMA, SDMA, L-arginine and iNOS levels were analyzed at six time points (T1: before anesthesia induction, T2: during cardiopulmonary bypass, T3: five min after the cross-clamp was removed, T4: after protamine infusion, T5: on postoperative day 3 and T6: on postoperative day 28). RESULTS: In the olmesartan treated group, iNOS levels exhibited significant decreases at T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 time points compared with control group (p<0.001, p<0.05, p<0.001, p<0.01, p<0.05 respectively). ADMA levels were significantly lower in olmesartan treated group than in control group at T3, T4, T5 and T6 time points (p<0.05, p<0.05, p<0.05, p<0.01 respectively). SDMA levels at T2, T3 and T6 time points were higher in control group than olmesartan group. L-Arginine levels were significantly higher at T2 and T3 time points in olmesartan treated group than control group (p<0.001, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that administration of olmesartan reduced plasma ADMA, SDMA, iNOS levels and enhanced L-arginine level in CPB time and it could reduce potential postoperative complications through reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory response in the postoperative period after coronary bypass surgery.

Central retinal vein occlusion after coronary artery bypass surgery: A case report.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to report a case of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. In this report, we present the third case in the literature with CRVO after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and the first case after CABG. CASE REPORT: A 59-year-old male patient complaining of chest pain was admitted to our hospital. The patient underwent an elective coronary angiography and was diagnosed with three-vessel coronary artery disease. An uneventful coronary artery bypass graft operation was performed using CPB. On the second postoperative day, the patient described blurring and decreased vision in his left eye, whereas the right eye was normal. The anterior-posterior segment was examined by an ophthalmologist who diagnosed central retinal vein occlusion, using a visual acuity test, fundoscopy. After 5 months of treatment, there has been no improvement in the patient's visual acuity. CONCLUSION: As two previous case reports indicated CRVO can be a rare complication after CPB, this study demonstrated that CRVO can also be a complication of CABG. Therefore, CRVO should always be considered as a potential complication after cardiac surgery.