Sudden Death Due to Rupture of Aneurysm of Sinus Valsalva: An Autopsy Case.

ABSTRACT: Aneurysm of sinus Valsalva is a defined as dilatation of the sinuses located between the aortic valve annulus and the sinotubular junction and mostly found in the right coronary sinus. It can be either congenital or acquired. This condition is usually asymptomatic unless it can cause intracardiac rupture or aortic valve insufficiency. Extracardiac rupture and associated fatal cases of cardiac tamponade are extremely rare. Our case is one of the rare cases in the literature that was diagnosed during autopsy. Our case is 65-year-old male patient with a history of hypertension suddenly fell ill after swimming in the sea. On gross examination of heart, there was an aneurysmatic enlargement of the right sinus Valsalva measuring 4.5 × 4 cm with a hemorrhagic appearance on the outer surface and a 0.3 cm rupture area. Histopathological examination revealed hemorrhage in and around the aneurysm wall.

Impact of Bileaflet Mechanical Mitral Valve Orientation on Pannus Overgrowth.

OBJECTIVE: Pannus overgrowth is a chronic inflammatory process that can cause valve dysfunction and threaten the durability of prosthetic valves. Bileaflet mechanical mitral valve can be implanted in either an anatomical (parallel to the anatomical axis) or nonanatomical (perpendicular or oblique to the anatomical axis) orientation. The effect of the rotational orientation of the bileaflet mechanical mitral valve on excessive pannus enlargement is unknown. The present study compared the effect of bileaflet mechanical mitral valve orientation on pannus overgrowth. METHODS: The study included patients who underwent bileaflet mechanical mitral valve replacement for rheumatic mitral valve stenosis. The pannus formation was confirmed by reexamining all transesophageal echocardiography images in the picture archiving and communication systems between May 2017 and April 2021. The primary aim of this study was the development of pannus overgrowth. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on their implantation orientation of the bileaflet mechanical mitral valve. RESULTS: Pannus overgrowth was found in 26 patients (56.5%) in the anatomical orientation group and 71 patients (74.7%) in the nonanatomical orientation group (P = 0.03). Anatomical orientation reduced the development of pannus overgrowth (odds ratio [OR] = 0.39, P = 0.04), and double left heart valve replacement increased the development of pannus overgrowth (OR = 2.73, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Pannus overgrowth was less common in bileaflet mechanical mitral valves implanted in the anatomical orientation.

Prognostic values of the C-reactive protein to albumin ratio and prognostic nutritional index in carotid endarterectomy patients.

OBJECTIVES: C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) are novel parameters with proven prognostic importance in the postoperative outcomes of coronary and peripheral vascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the ability of CAR and PNI to predict major cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) during the postoperative period of Carotid artery endarterectomy (CEA). METHODS: A total of 505 carotid endarterectomy patients were retrospectively evaluated. Of 505 patients, 23 patients who died and who experienced myocardial infarction or major neurologic complication in the first 30 days after the operation were included in MACCE group (Group 1). The remaining 482 patients were included in Group 2. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate preoperative serum albumin value, lymphocytes count, PNI, and CAR to predict the MACCE. The DeLong test was used to compare the area below the curve (AUC) with each of these parameters. RESULTS: CAR (2.48 ± 1.82 and 1.64 ± 1.37) and CRP (9.98 ± 7.42 and 6.81 ± 5.70) values are statistically higher in Group 1 than in Group 2. PNI (41.59 ± 3.11 and 43.54 ± 4.20) and albumin (40.43 ± 3.15 and 42.35 ± 4.15) values were significantly lower in Group 1 than in Group 2. The accuracy of albumin (AUC: 0.669) in the prediction of MACCE was found to be the highest among CAR (AUC: 0.631), PNI (AUC:0.667), and CRP (AUC:0.631). CONCLUSION: Preoperative nutritional and inflammatory status is significantly associated with post-operative outcomes. PNI and CAR can be used for preoperative evaluation, as CEA is recommended for patients who have low possibility of having postoperative major adverse events.

Incidentally detected aortitis during coronary bypass surgery: A case report.

Aortitis is the inflammation of the aortic wall. In our case, in which we planned elective coronary bypass surgery, a firm and dilated ascending aorta with a pearlescent color was encountered intraoperatively. Histopathological examination revealed extensive lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and storiform fibrosis. Aortitis may be a component of a multisystemic or autoimmune disease. The time of diagnosis may coincide with the asymptomatic period of the systemic disease. This case was presented as it was incidentally detected during coronary bypass surgery and was histopathologically diagnosed as immunoglobulin G4-related aortitis, although it could not be diagnosed in clinical and laboratory evaluations.

Evaluation of histopathological findings of cardiac deaths in forensic autopsies.

BACKGROUND: The vast majority of sudden and unexpected natural deaths are related to cardiovascular diseases, especially coronary artery diseases. AIMS: In this study, we aimed to reveal the epidemiological differences between men and women and to investigate the most common pathologies that cause cardiac deaths. METHODS: Five thousand seven hundred sixty-eight autopsy cases that were done in 2016 were reviewed for the autopsy information and histopathological findings. Of the 5768 autopsies performed, 866 were due to cardiac causes. Eight hundred thirty-two cases were reviewed due to lack of autopsy information in 34 cases. RESULTS: One hundred sixteen (13.9%) were female, and 716 (86.1%) were male. Coronary artery disease was detected in 760 of 832 cases. There were findings of acute or previous myocardial infarction in 595 (71.5%), perivascular and interstitial fibrosis in 159 (19.1%), myocardial rupture and tamponade in 31 (%3.7), valvular disease in 6 (0.7%), cardiomyopathy in 4 (0.5%), and congenital heart disease in 3 (0.4%). In the study, it was observed that the mean age of death due to cardiac pathology other than coronary artery disease was significantly lower than deaths due to coronary artery disease (p < 0.05). The presence of coronary artery disease in men was found to be significantly higher than in women (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In our study, it was found that deaths due to coronary artery disease are seen at an older age than cardiac deaths other than coronary artery disease. In addition, in line with current knowledge, it has been confirmed that the mortality rate of coronary artery disease is higher in men than in women.

Mediastinitis after cardiac surgery: risk factors and our vacuum-assisted closure results.

INTRODUCTION: Mediastinitis after cardiac surgery is a rare complication, but with high morbidity and mortality. AIM: To determine its risk factors and to investigate the efficacy of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nine thousand one hundred sixty cases of patients who underwent cardiac surgery during 2010-2017 were reviewed retrospectively. One hundred and twenty-seven patients, the case group, were treated by VAC. Three hundred cases with no diagnosis of mediastinitis were selected as the control group. Both groups' clinical and demographic characteristics, preoperative variables, and postoperative follow-up parameters were compared. Factors affecting treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: We found that the presence of diabetes mellitus, bilateral internal thoracic artery and intra-aortic balloon pump usage are independent risk factors for the development of mediastinitis (p < 0.05). It was found that 74% of tissue cultures were positive and the most common detected organism was Staphylococcus. It was found that many perioperative parameters had a significant effect on the duration of treatment (p < 0.05). However, regression analysis revealed that bacterial growth was the only independent variable in prolonging the treatment period. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the establishment of perioperative blood glucose regulation, patient selection to use bilateral internal thoracic artery grafts, and maximum attention to sepsis and antisepsis rules in patients who need mechanical support devices such as intra-aortic balloon pump, will significantly reduce the development of mediastinitis. Since we could not find an independent risk factor for the duration of VAC treatment other than culture growth, we think that VAC therapy is successful and safe in the treatment of mediastinitis and should be used more widely.

Reduction plasty for giant left atrium causing dysphagia: a case report.

The giant left atrium is described as an atrium with a diameter of 6.5 cm or larger and which can rarely cause dysphagia by compressing on the esophagus. Left atrial enlargement is usually seen due to mitral valve disease. The most common indication of left atrial volume reduction plasty during mitral valve surgery is the compression symptoms. We performed mitral valve replacement in our case and transformed the giant left atrium into an anatomical chamber with the technique we applied. In this way, we successfully eliminated cardiac and compression symptoms. Cardiac causes of dysphagia are rarely seen, usually, cardiac complaints are more prominent than dysphagia. However, it should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis. We think that cardiac mortality and morbidity may be prevented with early diagnosis and treatment.

An inferior mesenteric artery aneurysm in a patient with renal cell carcinoma.

An inferior mesenteric artery aneurysm is considered one of the visceral artery aneurysms, which is extremely rare, although its incidence of detection has been increasing in recent years. A 59-year-old male patient with a renal cell carcinoma in the left kidney was diagnosed with an inferior mesenteric artery aneurysm and treated surgically. Computed tomography revealed atrophy of the right kidney and occlusion of the celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, and left renal artery. There were no complications during the hospital stay and no mortality or morbidity was observed at three months of follow-up. In conclusion, the treatment of inferior mesenteric artery aneurysms is usually recommended, due to possible complications such as rupture and thromboembolism with high mortality and morbidity rates.

Impact of the total pericardial closure using bilateral trap door incision and pericardial cavity intervention on outcomes following coronary artery bypass grafting: a randomized, controlled, parallel-group prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: In this randomized, controlled and parallel-group prospective study, the feasibility of total pericardial closure with an intrapericardial drain and a pericardio-pleural window (pericardial cavity intervention) was investigated by examining postoperative outcomes, including atrial fibrillation and pericardial effusion, following coronary artery surgery. METHODS: Cases were classified into two groups using a random procedure: the closure group and the open group. Insertion of an intrapericardial drain along the right atrium, pericardio-pleural window and total closure of the pericardium were performed in patients in the closure group. Partial closure of the pericardium was performed in patients in the open group. A straight semi-rigid drain was inserted into the extrapericardial anterior mediastinum and a right angle drain was inserted into the left chest in all patients. The primary endpoint was to evaluate the impact of surgical technique on the rate of postoperative in-hospital atrial fibrillation in the closure group. The secondary endpoint was to evaluate the relationship between the surgical technique and postoperative amount of pericardial effusion. RESULTS: A total of 142 isolated, on-pump cases were examined: 72 in the open group and 70 in the closure group. Postoperative atrial fibrillation occurred in 27.78% of the cases in the open group and 8.57% of the patients in the closure group (P = 0.003). Another statistically significant outcome was the lower incidence of small pericardial effusion in the patient group with a closed pericardium during the second day of postoperative care (P = 0.039). The length of both critical care unit (P = 0.008) and hospital stay (P = 0.047) were also significantly shorter in the patient group with a closed pericardium. CONCLUSIONS: Total pericardiorrhaphy with pericardial cavity intervention can be acceptable and favourable in terms of its outcomes, including reducing incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation, pericardial effusion and length of hospitalization.