The usage and outcomes of dextran in the treatment of acute deep venous thrombosis.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we retrospectively compared the outcomes of patients with acute deep vein thrombosis treated with dextran 40 infusion and unfractionated heparin with those of patients treated with unfractionated heparin alone. METHODS: We evaluated 104 patients with the diagnosis of acute deep vein thrombosis. The pain complaints of the patients at the time of admission and the pain complaints in the calf with dorsiflexion of the foot were evaluated with the visual analogue pain scale, and the calf diameter of affected limbs was measured. Fifty five patients had dextran 40 infusion and unfractionated heparin treatment concomitantly (Group HD), while 49 patients had unfractionated heparin treatment (Group H). Heparin dose was adjusted to obtain 1.5- to 2.5-fold of normal activated partial thromboplastin time in both groups. Oral anticoagulant, warfarin sodium, was administered in the first day and resumed. Unfractionated heparin infusion therapy was resumed until international normalized ratio values of 2-2.5 were obtained. Dextran 40 infusion therapy was administered for 3 days. Calf diameters, current pain, and calf pain at foot dorsiflexion were recorded at 48 h and 72 h. 65 patients were distal, and 39 patients were proximal and popliteal acute DVT. None of the patients had phlegmasia. All were acute DVT. RESULTS: At 48 and 72 h of therapy, it was determined that the decrease of the calf diameter and the pain were more significant both at 48th and 72nd hours in the Group HD. The calf circumference change, especially at 72 h, was 2.58 ± 0.39 cm in the group receiving heparin + dextran, while it was 1.76 ± 0.56 cm in the group receiving only heparin. (p = 0.000). While there were only 1.24 ± 1.02 people in the group that received dextran at 72 h, leg pain persisted in 3.35 ± 1.11 people in the other group. (p = 0.000). Evaluation was made only with calf vein diameter measurement. When patients with Homan's sign were evaluated for their calf pain at foot dorsiflexion; both groups had decreased pain at 48th and 72nd hours. CONCLUSION: In this study, we observed that the use of dextran 40 infusion therapy concomitantly with unfractionated heparin accelerates recovery substantially and decreases patient complaints significantly in early stages. In particular, reduction in leg pain and calf circumference reduction were more adequate in the dextran group. The early decrease in the calf circumference will have clinical consequences such as less heparin intake, earlier return to normal life, and a decrease in the total cost of treatment. Since the antithrombotic and anticoagulant effects of dextran are well known, we think that its use in this treatment as well as venous thromboembolism prophylaxis should be discussed.

Outcomes of Aortic Valve Replacement Via Right Anterior Minithoracotomy and Central Cannulation Versus Conventional Aortic Valve Replacement in Obese Patients

ABSTRACT Introduction: The minimally invasive implantation of aortic valve prosthesis via thoracotomy has numerous advantages and is comfortable, especially during the early postoperative period. Disadvantages of this method include peripheral vessel complications and groin infections. Central cannulation (direct aortic cannulation with superior vena cava cannulation) eliminates these drawbacks. In this report, we evaluated this method of treatment in patients with obesity. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 21 obese patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent minimally invasive aortic valve implantation via thoracotomy and central cannulation with a bovine pericardial aortic prosthesis between 2017 and 2021. We compared these records with the medical records of 27 obese patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent conventional aortic valve surgery. Results: Mean cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times were similar in both groups. Operating time was significantly longer in the minimally invasive group (P <0.05). In the minimally invasive group, acute renal failure occurred in 2 patients. In terms of postoperative complications, deep sternal wound infection/sternal instability was much higher in the conventional group. This was not statistically significant (P=0.090). Minimally invasive operated patients had a comfortable early postoperative period, with a mean visual analog scale for pain of 1.10±0.83 (no pain-mild pain). When we assessed patient satisfaction with the postoperative period, 13 patients were extremely satisfied, 7 patients were satisfied, and 1 patient was quite satisfied. Conclusion: Minimally invasive aortic valve implantation via thoracotomy and central cannulation is a safe and effective treatment for obese patients.

Outcomes of Aortic Valve Replacement Via Right Anterior Minithoracotomy and Central Cannulation Versus Conventional Aortic Valve Replacement in Obese Patients.

INTRODUCTION: The minimally invasive implantation of aortic valve prosthesis via thoracotomy has numerous advantages and is comfortable, especially during the early postoperative period. Disadvantages of this method include peripheral vessel complications and groin infections. Central cannulation (direct aortic cannulation with superior vena cava cannulation) eliminates these drawbacks. In this report, we evaluated this method of treatment in patients with obesity. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 21 obese patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent minimally invasive aortic valve implantation via thoracotomy and central cannulation with a bovine pericardial aortic prosthesis between 2017 and 2021. We compared these records with the medical records of 27 obese patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent conventional aortic valve surgery. RESULTS: Mean cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times were similar in both groups. Operating time was significantly longer in the minimally invasive group (P <0.05). In the minimally invasive group, acute renal failure occurred in 2 patients. In terms of postoperative complications, deep sternal wound infection/sternal instability was much higher in the conventional group. This was not statistically significant (P=0.090). Minimally invasive operated patients had a comfortable early postoperative period, with a mean visual analog scale for pain of 1.10±0.83 (no pain-mild pain). When we assessed patient satisfaction with the postoperative period, 13 patients were extremely satisfied, 7 patients were satisfied, and 1 patient was quite satisfied. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive aortic valve implantation via thoracotomy and central cannulation is a safe and effective treatment for obese patients.

Ventricular septal defect closure using radial incision of the tricuspid valve for exposure: is it really necessary?

AIM: To evaluate the effects of radial incision of the tricuspid valve in patients who had undergone ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure. METHODS: Overall 173 patients were included in this study between 2012 and 2019. In 44 individuals, a tricuspid valve radial incision (TVRI) was included in the surgical process. RESULTS: There were no mortalities. The demographic data did not differ between the groups. The mean ages of the TVRI and non-TVRI groups were 2.92 ± 3.88 and 2.69 ± 2.80 years, respectively. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of mean duration of cardiopulmonary bypass aortic cross-clamp, postoperative intubation time and intensive care unit stay. Mild tricuspid valve regurgitation was detected in only two patients in the TVRI and six patients in the non-TVRI groups. There was no tricuspid valve stenosis and all patients were in New York Heart Association functional class 1. CONCLUSION: This technique, which can facilitate exposure and closure of VSDs, did not compromise the tricuspid valve function at mid-term, therefore proving to be safe.

Effects of Del Nido and Terminal Warm Blood Cardioplegia on Myocardial Protection and Rhythm in Isolated CABG Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of using del Nido cardioplegia+terminal hot-shot blood cardioplegia on myocardial protection and rhythm in isolated coronary bypass patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 122 patients were given cold (+4-8C') del Nido cardioplegia antegrade and evaluated. Del Nido+terminal warm blood cardioplegia (TWBCP) was applied to 63 patients out of 122 patients, while del Nido cardioplegia alone was applied to the other 59 patients. The preoperative and postoperative data of the patients were recorded and compared. RESULTS: There was a significant statistical difference between the groups, in terms of volume with more cardioplegia in the del Nido+terminal warm blood cardioplegia group. Although there was no significant difference between cardiac arrest times in both groups, a statistically significant difference was found in the del Nido+terminal warm blood cardioplegia group in the starting to work time of the heart. No difference found between the groups regarding myocardial preservation. CONCLUSIONS: We can add a return to spontaneous sinus rhythm to the advantages of terminal warm blood cardioplegia and del Nido cardioplegia in literature. We think it would be a good strategy to extend the safe ischemic time limit of del Nido to 120 minutes with a terminal warm blood cardioplegia. It seems that cardioplegia techniques that will be developed by adding the successful and superior results of crystalloid cardioplegia applications, such as single dose del Nido in various open heart surgery operations and the superior myocardial return effects of terminal warm blood cardioplegia, will be used routinely in the future.

Cardioplegia Application with A Hand-Squeezed Cardioplegia Bag. Is It Safe?

OBJECTIVES: Cardioplegia solutions have a role not only in arresting the heart but also in protecting the myocardium from ischemia. While antegrade cardioplegia is given by the heart-lung machine in many centers, it is given by a hand-squeezed bag in very few centers. The pressure of cardioplegia given antegrade from the heart-lung machine is certain (60-90 mmHg). The pressure applied in the cardioplegia method, which is given antegrade with a hand-squeezed bag, is uncertain and variable. We compared the antegrade cardioplegia method applied with a hand-squeezed bag with the antegrade cardioplegia method applied with a roller pump from the heart-lung machine in terms of protecting the myocardium from ischemia. METHODS: Seventy-six patients who did not have an acute myocardial infarction, had normal preoperative cardiac marker (troponin and CK-MB) values, did not undergo redo open heart surgery, had an ejection fraction of 50% and above, and underwent elective two or three-vessel isolated coronary artery bypass surgery were evaluated. While tepid (30-32°C) blood cardioplegia was administered antegrade to 33 patients (Group A) with a hand-squeezed bag, the other 34 patients (Group B) received tepid (30-32°C) antegrade blood cardioplegia from the heart-lung machine. The perioperative and postoperative data of the patients were recorded and compared. To evaluate myocardial damage, postoperative cardiac markers and echocardiography data were evaluated and compared at the fourth hour after the cross-clamp was removed in both groups. RESULTS: When evaluated in terms of preoperative demographic data, preoperative mean EF values and intraoperative data, there was no statistical difference between both groups. When we evaluated in terms of myocardial protection, the mean TnT level was 4.31 ± 1.95 at the 4th hour in Group A and 3.91 ± 1.69 in Group B. Mean 4th hour CK-MB level was 40.84 ± 9.07 in Group A and 38.56 ± 8.07 in Group B. Mean change in EF (%) was -4.09 ± 4.41 in Group A and 3.53 ± 4.53 in Group B. In line with the current data when we evaluated in terms of myocardial protection, we found that there is no statistical difference between the two groups (P = 0.373; P = 0.158; P = 0.523). There was no statistical difference between both groups, in terms of postoperative arrhythmias. None of the patients died, and no patients required an intra-aortic balloon pump. RESULTS: As a result of our study, cardioplegia administration with a certain constant pressure from the roller pump and hand-squeezed bag with uncertain pressure does not make a difference, in terms of myocardial protection. We think that the content and amount of cardioplegia and the preferred time for repeated cardioplegia applications are more important for the protection of the myocardium. METHODS: 76 patients who did not have an acute myocardial infarction, had normal preoperative cardiac marker (troponin and CK-MB) values, did not undergo redo open heart surgery, had an ejection fraction of 50% and above, and underwent elective two or three-vessel isolated coronary artery bypass surgery were evaluated. While tepid(30-32 ° C) blood cardioplegia was administered antegrade to 33 patients(Group A) with a hand-squeezed bag, the other 34 patients(Group B) received tepid(30-32 °C) antegrade blood cardioplegia from the heart-lung machine. The perioperative and postoperative data of the patients were recorded and compared. To evaluate myocardial damage, postoperative cardiac markers and echocardiography data were evaluated and compared at the fourth hour after the cross-clamp was removed in both groups. RESULTS: When evaluated in terms of preoperative demographic data, preoperative mean EF values and intraoperative data there was no statistical difference between both groups. When we evaluated in terms of myocardial protection, the mean TnT level was 4.31 ± 1.95 at the 4th hour in group A and 3.91 ± 1.69 in group B. Mean 4th hour CK-MB level was 40.84 ± 9.07 in group A and 38.56 ± 8.07 in group B. Mean change in EF (%) was -4.09 ± 4.41 in group A and 3.53 ± 4.53 in group B. In line with the current data when we evaluated in terms of myocardial protection; we found that there is no statistical difference between the two groups (p = 0.373; p = 0.158; p = 0.523). There was no statistical difference between both groups in terms of postoperative arrhythmia's. None of the patients died and none of the patients required an intra-aortic balloon pump.

Midterm varicose vein recurrence rates after endovenous laser ablation: comparison of radial fibre and bare fibre tips.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated and compared midterm recurrence results of our patients with great saphenous vein insufficiency who were treated with a 1470-nm diode laser using 2 different types of fibre catheter kits. METHODS: A total of 61 consecutive patients were treated between 2013 and 2014 with a bare fibre (BF) tip (BF group) and 60 consecutive patients were treated with a radial fibre (RF) tip (RF group) from 2014 to 2016. First-year venous clinical severity scores (VCSSs) were compared with VCSS before endovenous laser ablation and at the first-month follow-up. Patients were examined for recurrence and classified according to the system developed by Stonebridge. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of VCSS. Examination with Doppler ultrasonography showed no recurrence in the RF group, whereas recurrences were detected in 6 patients in the BF group, which was statistically significant (P = 0.028). All of the recurrences were type 1b (incompetent tributaries) varicose vein recurrences. The VCSS of the patients with recurrence were the same as the scores of patients without recurrence (0.5 ± 0.55). CONCLUSIONS: Varicose vein recurrence was more often seen in the BF group than in the RF group. Recanalization-induced and neovascularization-induced recurrences were not found in either group. Saphenofemoral side branch-induced recurrence was more significant in the group treated with the BF tip.

Effects of dexmedetomidine and propofol on sedation in patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery in a fast-track recovery room setting.

PURPOSE: We aim to compare the effects of propofol and dexmedetomidine infusions on extubation times, hemodynamic and respiratory functions, complication rates and patient satisfaction scores in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery using a fast-track anesthesia regimen for early extubation. METHODS: We enrolled 64 patients who underwent CABG surgery. Dexmedetomidine (min 0.2 µg/kg/h-max 1.0 µg/kg/h) and propofol (min 1.0 mg/kg/h-max 3.0 mg/kg/h) infusion doses were titrated to give bispectral index values between 60 and 90 and a Ramsay sedation score (RSS) between 3 and 4. Postoperative extubation times, patient satisfaction and postoperative adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: The mean times to extubation were 265.94 ± 43.1 min for the dexmedetomidine group and 322.52 ± 39.2 min for the propofol group (P < 0.001). In all recordings, RSS median values for the propofol group were significantly lower than the dexmedetomidine group (P < 0.05). There were no differences in the incidence of postoperative adverse events between the dexmedetomidine and propofol groups. There was a statistically significant difference between patient satisfaction median values of the two groups-7 (5-9) and 9 (7-10) (min-max) for the propofol and dexmedetomidine groups, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results show that dexmedetomidine can easily be preferred over propofol in fast-track cardiac anesthesia due to its significant advantages of shorter extubation time and higher postoperative patient satisfaction scores.

The effect of resveratrol on intimal hyperplasia and endothelial proliferation of rabbit carotid artery anastomosis.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the effect of resveratrol on intimal hyperplasia and endothelial proliferation after its use for carotid artery anastomosis in rabbits. METHODS: Fourteen New Zealand-type male rabbits, weighing a mean of 2-3 kg were selected randomly. Their right carotid arteries were transected and anastomosed side by side using 8/0 polypropylene. The rabbits were divided into two groups with seven in each group. While the rabbits in the first group were accepted as the Control group, the rabbits in the second group were given resveratrol (1 mg/kg/day) for 14 days intravenously. At the end of the 28th day, all the carotid artery segments that were transected and anastomosed and the left carotid arteries that did not undergo surgery were removed and evaluated histologically. RESULTS: The results of histological evaluation were as follows: lumen diameter (P <0.001) and lumen area (P <0.05) of the Resveratrol group were larger than those of the Control group, intimal thickness (P <0.05) and media thickness of the Resveratrol group (P = 0.04) were thinner than those of the Control group, and intima/media ratio of the Control group was found to be greater than that of the Resveratrol group (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Resveratrol can prevent intimal hyperplasia and endothelial proliferation following surgical anastomosis.

Bedside surgery to treat patent ductus arteriosus in low-birth-weight premature infants.

BACKGROUND: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is commonly seen in premature infants with low birth weights (LBW). It is a condition that has high mortality and morbidity rates. Early closure of the ductus arteriosus may require surgery or medical treatment. However, the decision of first medical approach for symptomatic PDA closure is still debated. In this study, we compared the surgical and medical treatments for the closure of PDA in premature LBW infants. METHODS: This study included 27 premature infants whose birth weights were lower than 1500 g, who were born in the period between 2011 and 2013 and had symptomatic PDA. Patients were separated into two groups: groups A and B. Group A included patients whose PDAs were closed with medical treatment (n = 16), and group B included patients who had undergone surgical operations for PDA closure (n = 11). RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between groups A and B when the groups were compared in terms of birth weight, gestational age, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), sepsis, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and pneumothorax. Although the mortality rate was determined to be lower in group B (2 out of 11, 18.1%) than in group A (7 out of 16, 43.7%), no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups. A statistically significant increase was determined in the incidence of kidney function loss in patient group that received Ibuprofen, a medical treatment, in comparison to the patients who had surgery. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, surgery is a safe method to repair PDA in premature LBW infants. Although there is no remarkable difference between surgery and medical treatment, we suggest that a surgical approach may be used as a first choice to repair PDA considering the lower rate of mortality and morbidity and higher rate of closure compared to medical treatment.

Evaluation of the prevalence of coronary artery disease in patients with valvular heart disease.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to retrospectively evaluate the prevalence of concurrent coronary artery disease in patients who underwent surgery due to severe valvular heart disease. The study also investigated the association of coronary artery disease with the type of valvular heart disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 241 patients (123 females [51%]), who had underwent single valvular heart surgery, were included in the study. The patients who underwent valve replacement surgery were divided into four groups: patients with severe mitral stenosis (MS), patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR), patients with severe aortic regurgitation (AR), and patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). Age, DM, HT, history of smoking, and LDL values were recorded as the risk factors for CAD. RESULTS: Coronary artery disease was detected in 26.4% of patients with mitral stenosis and 57.7% of patients with aortic stenosis. Of the patients with mitral insufficiency, 41.9% had CAD, and 44.4% of the patients with aortic insufficiency had CAD. CONCLUSION: The comparison of MS and AS groups revealed significantly higher prevalence of CAD in the AS group. There was no statistically significant difference between the MR and AR groups in terms of the prevalence of CAD. The comparison of MS and MR groups revealed significantly higher prevalence of CAD in the MR group. Furthermore, the comparison of these groups in terms of the extensiveness of the coronary artery disease revealed significantly higher Gensini score in the MR group.

Is the temperature of tumescent anesthesia applied in the endovenous laser ablation important? comparison of different temperatures for tumescent anesthesia applied during endovenous ablation of incompetent great saphenous vein with a 1470 nm diode laser.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate whether the temperature of tumescent anesthesia is important, if so, to establish an opinion about the ideal temperature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endovenous laser ablations were performed in 72 patients; 35 patients (Group A) received tumescent anesthesia at +4℃, while other 37 patients (Group B) received tumescent anesthesia at room temperature. The groups were compared in terms of intraoperative pain, postoperative regional pain, ecchymosis, paresthesia, skin burns and necrosis. At month 1, great saphenous vein was evaluated for recanalization and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: The survey on intraoperative pain showed that patients receiving tumescent anesthesia at +4℃ experienced much less pain. Interestingly, statistical analysis showed that this difference was not significant (p = 0.072). No skin burns or necrosis occurred in either group, whereas ecchymosis and paresthesia were the most frequently observed side effects in both groups, but no significant difference was found between the groups. There was no significant difference between pain levels on postoperative days and no significant difference between the groups in terms of satisfaction with endovenous laser ablation procedure and postoperative satisfaction. All venous segments treated with endovenous laser ablation in both groups were occluded. At month 1 no recanalization was observed. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the temperature of tumescent anesthesia solution is not important, while the proper administration of tumescent solution in adequate amounts ensuring delivery of the fluid to all segments appears to be a more significant determinant for the success of the procedure.

Preservation of systemic tricuspid valve function by pulmonary conduit banding in a patient with corrected transposition of the great arteries.

Systemic tricuspid valve regurgitation increases mortality and morbidity in patients with a corrected transposition of the great arteries. A 17-year old male with a physiologically corrected transposition after the closure of a ventricular septal defect and conduit placement between a morphological left ventricle and pulmonary artery presented with exertional dyspnoea. The transthoracic echocardiography showed a severe conduit stenosis, and cardiac catheterization revealed a pressure gradient of 114 mmHg. The patient underwent conduit re-replacement using a pulmonary heterograft. Intraoperative transoesophageal echocardiography revealed an acute severe tricuspid regurgitation after a conduit re-replacement. Pulmonary conduit banding was performed under transoesophageal echocardiography guidance, during which the left ventricular to right ventricular pressure ratio increased from 0.33 to 0.60 and the degree of tricuspid regurgitation decreased mildly. The patient was discharged uneventfully at postoperative day 16. Conduit banding might be a useful technique to preserve the systemic tricuspid valve function during conduit re-replacement in patients with a corrected transposition.

Investigation of the embolic foci through echocardiographic evaluation in patients undergoing urgent femoral embolectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The determination of the source of embolism in patients with lower extremity arterial emboli is a major clinical problem. A review of the literature focusing on large patient series showed that the heart is the embolic source in 78% of these patients. The aim of this study was to determine the role of early postoperative echocardiographic investigations in the determination of embolic origin. METHODS: This retrospective study group consisted of 57 patients in whom we performed 63 unilateral and bilateral urgent femoral embolectomies. Bilateral urgent femoral embolectomy was performed in 6 of the 57 patients included in the study and unilateral intervention was performed in the rest. Besides the features regarding age and sex, the cardiac rhythms of the patients during their application to our clinic were evaluated. In order to determine the origin of the acute peripheral arterial occlusion, transthoracic echocardiography was performed in all patients in the first 24 hours after the embolectomy. RESULTS: In 6 patients who underwent bilateral femoral embolectomy, distinct heart valve pathologies were determined. As for the 51 patients who underwent urgent unilateral femoral embolectomy, it was determined that 28 (55%) had serious cardiac pathologies. Among these 28 patients, 14 (50%) underwent the required open-heart surgery interventions after the completion of further examinations. It was determined that, in our series, 14 (64%) of the 22 patients with serious mitral valve pathologies had a history of acute joint rheumatism. CONCLUSION: Regardless of whether the interventions are bilateral or unilateral, we believe that echocardiographic investigation should be performed in all patients during the early postoperative period in order to prevent recurrence by the determination of the thromboemboli source. Thus, accompanying serious intracardiac pathologies can be treated and the development of additional peripheral emboli can be prevented.