Preoperative NT-proBNP levels: a reliable parameter to estimate postoperative atrial fibrillation in coronary artery bypass patients.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common complications after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This study was designed to evaluate whether the levels of preoperative and postoperative N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are predictors of postoperative paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in patients who undergo coronary artery bypass surgery. METHODS: A total of 117 patients were prospectively evaluated for new-onset AF after coronary operation. Plasma NT-proBNP values in all patients were measured at five different time points. RESULTS: AF occurred during the hospitalization period in 33 patients (28.2 %). Significantly higher NT-proBNP levels in the preoperative examination were recorded in patients who developed AF postoperatively compared with patients without postoperative AF (329.36 ± 82.93 vs. 230.67 ± 59.93 pg/ml, P < 0.05). Although we detected some higher values in the other group of patients with AF (at T1, T2, T3, T4), the difference was not statistically significant compared to the normal rhythm group. CONCLUSION: The main finding of the current study is a positive correlation between high levels of preoperative NT-proBNP and the risk of new-onset AF after CABG surgery.

Right ventricular outflow obstruction of the patient with biventricular non-compaction.

We present a case of a 16-year-old girl who underwent infundibular myectomy for right ventricular outflow tract obstruction complicated by biventricular non-compaction. The pathogenesis of this condition remains unknown. In pediatric patients non-compaction cardiomyopathy is associated with other cardiac abnormalities and carries a high mortality as a result of heart failure. In view of her improved cardiac performance after operation, we believe that a cardiac repair procedure should be performed based on the usual indications if left ventricular function is preserved.

Subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery ameliorates the symptoms of chronic venous ulcer (C6) patients.

AIM: Chronic venous insufficiency and the development of venous ulceration, as a result of this condition affects quality of life. In order to avoid skin changes and allow for quick remedy, subfacial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS) has been suggested and gained some popularity. The purpose of this study was to assess the healing rate of venous ulcers in patients undergoing SEPS. METHODS: The SEPS procedure by using two ports was applied in 20 patients with active venous ulceration (CEAP-C6). The results were evaluated by Doppler findings, Venous Disability Score (VDS) and Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) before and after the operation. Patients with prior deep vein thrombosis were excluded from this study. RESULTS: The ulcers healed in all patients. Significant clinical improvement according to VDS and VCSS values was obtained in all patients after the procedures. There was no mortality or any other major complication during the follow up period. CONCLUSION: The advantages of using two-port, video-controlled SEPS procedure may provide freedom from the skin complications that can be seen after Linton operation with quick and sustainable ulcer healing.

Pleura preservation during coronary operation does not have any beneficial effect on respiratory functions.

AIM: According to some reports the destruction the integrity of the pleura during acute myocardial infarction (AMI) harvesting during coronary surgery may also impair respiratory function in the postoperative period. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of preserved integrity of pleura on respiratory function in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: One hundred and forty-three patients who had on-pump-CABG operation with pedunculated LIMA graft were divided to 2 groups. The first group is the study group that pleura opened (group OP; N=69), and the other group is that their pleura protected (group C, N=74). All patients were evaluated with using respiratory function test parameters (functional vital capacity [FVC], force expiratory volume %-at the 1st second [FEV1%] in the preoperative period and on the 7th postoperative day). Respiratory problems, blood drainage amounts and used blood products in the postoperative period were measured. RESULTS: Preoperative FVC values were not different between the two groups (3.08+/-0.5 in group C and 3.37+/-0.7 L in OP group) (P>0.05). On the VII postoperative day this parameter did not show any significant difference between the groups (2.80+/-0.6 in group C and 2.75+/-0.5 liter in OP group) (P>0.05). Preoperative FEV1% values did not show any difference (77.6+/-4.6% and 76.0+/-2.7% in OP and C groups respectively. There was no significant difference between the postoperative FEV1% values (71.8+/-5.1% and 73.4+/-6.3% respectively) (P>0.05). Patients with protected pleura had significantly lower blood drainage and whole blood unit transfusion (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Preservation of the pleural integrity during LIMA harvesting significantly reduces postoperative bleeding but not affects pulmonary functions.

Calcium dobesilate reduces oxidative stress in cardiac surgery.

AIM: Calcium dobesilate (CD) is a synthetic benzene sulfonate derivative and an angioprotective agent used orally. It can be used in patients who have diabetic retinopathy or chronic venous insufficiency. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CD on the reduction of oxidative stress during coronary artery bypass graft operations on cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: A double-blind prospective randomized study was carried out on 30 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass operations. The control and study groups were composed of 15 patients each. Pretreatment with CD started two weeks before the operation. Serial blood samples for superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase were collected for the serum concentration measurements of the major endogenous antioxidant enzyme systems and malondialdehyde for scavenging capacity. RESULTS: After the release of cross clamp levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. they were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (P<0.05). Malondialdehyde levels in the study group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). The cardiac function after aortic declamping was affected by CD, indicating contribution of CD to myocardial injury from ischemia/reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that pretreatment with CD alleviates malondialdehyde production and preserves endogenous antioxidant capacity during cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegic arrest.

Oxygen free radical scavengers and reperfusion injury in dog lung preserved in cold ischemia.

Oxygen-derived free radicals are now considered important contributors to tissue injury associated with ischemia and reperfusion. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of oxygen free radical scavengers on reperfusion injury. The left lower lobes of 15 canine lungs were isolated, preserved, and then reperfused for 120 minutes. Three groups of lobes were studied: Group 1 (n = 5), without ischemia, group 2 (n = 5) four hours of cold ischemia in Euro-Collins solution, group 3 (n = 5) four hours cold ischemia+oxygen free radical scavenger glutathione (0.1 nmol/L) given at the moment of perfusion. Extravascular lung water (grams per gram of blood-free dry lobe weight) after reperfusion was 2.82 +/- 0.32, 5.06 +/- 0.45, 4.21 +/- 0.33 for groups 1 through 3 respectively (p less than 0.001 group 1 versus group 2, p less than 0.001 group 2 versus group 3). Lung tissue lipid peroxidation, measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive material was 125 +/- 11, 270 +/- 30, and 185 +/- 17 nmol/g dry lobe weight for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively (p less than 0.05 group 2 versus 1 and group 3 versus group 2). The data suggest that oxygen free radical scavengers attenuate reperfusion injury.