Positive Heparin/PF4 Antibodies and High Mortality Rate: a Retrospective Case-Series Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a potentially lethal complication of unfractionated or low-molecular weight heparin therapy. We aimed to determine the incidence and mortality rate of patients with positive heparin/platelet factor 4 (PF4) antibodies, which is a rapid detection test of HIT. METHODS: Coronary artery bypass grafting and mitral and aortic valve surgeries were evaluated. Cardiopulmonary bypass was employed in all patients. The diagnosis of HIT was based on immunological assays. Postoperative complications, mortality rates, and the causes of death were specified in patients with positive heparin/PF4 antibodies. RESULTS: Postoperative thrombocytopenia was detected in 257 patients. Twenty of these patients undergoing open heart surgery were included in the final analysis. Antibodies against heparin/PF4 complex were positive in 20 patients. The mean body mass index was 28.8±2.3 kg/m2, mean value of left ventricular ejection fraction was 48.3±6.7%, cardiopulmonary bypass time was 113.0±35.0 min, aortic cross-clamping time was 88.0±32.7 min, mean intensive care unit length of stay was 10.9±4.9 days, mean preoperative platelet count was 307.250±88528 platelets/microliter, and mean postoperative platelet count was 243.050±89.354 platelets/microliter. The mean duration of heparin exposure was 6.9±2.9 days. The mortality rate was 45% (nine patients) and 1.2% (three patients) in heparin/PF4 complex positive and negative patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although the incidence of HIT was low in patients undergoing open heart surgery, an increased rate of early mortality was observed in patients with positive heparin/PF4 antibodies.

Positive heparin/pf4 antibodies and high mortality rate: a retrospective case-series analysis

Abstract Introduction: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a potentially lethal complication of unfractionated or low-molecular weight heparin therapy. We aimed to determine the incidence and mortality rate of patients with positive heparin/platelet factor 4 (PF4) antibodies, which is a rapid detection test of HIT. Methods: Coronary artery bypass grafting and mitral and aortic valve surgeries were evaluated. Cardiopulmonary bypass was employed in all patients. The diagnosis of HIT was based on immunological assays. Postoperative complications, mortality rates, and the causes of death were specified in patients with positive heparin/PF4 antibodies. Results: Postoperative thrombocytopenia was detected in 257 patients. Twenty of these patients undergoing open heart surgery were included in the final analysis. Antibodies against heparin/PF4 complex were positive in 20 patients. The mean body mass index was 28.8±2.3 kg/m2, mean value of left ventricular ejection fraction was 48.3±6.7%, cardiopulmonary bypass time was 113.0±35.0 min, aortic cross-clamping time was 88.0±32.7 min, mean intensive care unit length of stay was 10.9±4.9 days, mean preoperative platelet count was 307.250±88528 platelets/microliter, and mean postoperative platelet count was 243.050±89.354 platelets/microliter. The mean duration of heparin exposure was 6.9±2.9 days. The mortality rate was 45% (nine patients) and 1.2% (three patients) in heparin/PF4 complex positive and negative patients, respectively. Conclusion: Although the incidence of HIT was low in patients undergoing open heart surgery, an increased rate of early mortality was observed in patients with positive heparin/PF4 antibodies.

Angiographic evaluation of graft patency in robotic-assisted coronary artery bypass surgery: 8 year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Robotic telemanipulation systems have emerged as facilitating tools that enhance minimally invasive cardiac surgery.The purpose of this study was to evaluate graft patency by a combination of invasive and non-invasive coronary angiography methods in robotic-assisted coronary artery surgery(CABG) for optimal quality control. METHODS: Between April 2004 and February 2012, patients who had robotic-assisted CABG were called to have cardiac catheterization or multislice computed tomographic angiography to evaluate graft patency. RESULTS: One hundred patients out of a total 250 cases were followed for graft patency for a mean period of 60.3 ± 23.8 (range 12-94) months. Mean operative time and left internal mammary artery harvest time was 165.96 ± 19.5 and 41.74 ± 5.9 (range 30-55) min. Postoperative graft patency rate was 94% and freedom from target vessel re-interventions was 98%. CONCLUSION: Robotic-assisted CABG can be accomplished with low morbidity, mortality and re-intervention rates. It is a safe procedure in selected patients and produces excellent mid-term graft patency.

Bone cement-enhanced sternal closure technique in cardiac surgery: effects on sternal union, pain and life quality.

BACKGROUND: Median sternotomy provides excellent access to all mediastinal structures in patients undergoing conventional cardiovascular surgery. Although this incision technique is associated with relatively lower complication rates, certain complications such as the sternal dehiscence may pose serious health consequences. In this regard, considerable effort has been paid to develop techniques aiming to improve sternal healing and to enhance postoperative recovery after conventional cardiac surgery. Among these, kryptonite bone cement, a biocompatible polymer with improved mechanical properties when combined with a standard wire cerclage, represents a promising novel approach that may help prevent sternal dehiscence. In this study, the effects of this particular type of bone cement on sternal healing, postoperative pain, and quality of life have been evaluated. METHODS: Kryptonite bone cement enhanced sternal closure was employed in a total of 100 patients undergoing conventional cardiac surgery between November 2009 and June 2012. Of these patients, 50 expressed their willingness to participate in this study. Each participant underwent a computerized tomography imaging for the radiological assessment of sternal healing. Pain and life quality of these patients have been evaluated by Wong-Baker faces pain scale and SF-36 health survey questionnaire, respectively. RESULTS: Mean duration of follow-up was 20.14 ± 7.36 months (range: 10-32). Mean age and body mass index were 71.32 ± 7.23 years (range: 55-85) and 28.34 ± 2.62 (21-34) kg/m2, respectively. Elderly patients (≥70), females and those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) comprised 64%, 26% and 40% of the study population, respectively. No patients had findings suggestive of dehiscence on CT images. No patients reported severe pain (i.e. all patients had a Wong-Baker faces pain scale score <4). Elderly (≥ 70 yr) subjects had better quality of life scores as compared to the remaining group of patients (< 70 yr) according to SF-36 Health Survey results. Vitality and emotional role scores were lower (63.5 ± 25.5, p = 0.018 and 41.7 ± 23.3, p = 0.001, respectively) in female patients. Patients with COPD had lower quality of life scores than those without COPD, particularly with respect to general health scores (73.3 ± 18.5; p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Kryptonite bone cement, when combined with a standard wire cerclage, enhances mechanical strength, prevents sternal dehiscence, reduces postoperative pain and improves quality of life after conventional cardiac surgery. Long-term studies are warranted to better define the role of kryptonite bone cement in the prevention of sternal dehiscence.

Left atrial myxoma with neovascularization presenting as a sick sinus syndrome.

Myxoma is benign tumor of the heart. It is mostly located in the left atrium and revascularized by the left and right coronary artery in 30% to 40% of cases. Symptoms of these neovascularized cardiac myxomas are typically quite variable, from obstruction of mitral valve to coronary embolism resulting in acute myocardial infarction. In this case, left atrial myxoma that is revascularized by nodal branches of the right coronary artery presented as a sick sinus syndrome, which is rare in literature.