Comparison of lactated Ringer's solution and Plasma-Lyte A as a base solution for del Nido cardioplegia: a prospective randomized trial.

OBJECTIVES: The use of del Nido cardioplegia has been increasing in popularity for adult cardiac surgery. However, the base solution, Plasma-Lyte A, is not always available in many countries. This prospective randomized controlled trial evaluated myocardial preservation and clinical outcomes when using lactated Ringer's solution (LRS) compared to Plasma-Lyte A as a base solution for del Nido cardioplegia. METHODS: Adult patients undergoing first-time elective cardiac surgery for acquired heart disease, including isolated coronary artery bypass grafting, isolated valve surgery, combined valve surgery or concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting and valve surgery were randomized to receive either LRS (n = 100) or Plasma-Lyte A (n = 100). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of age, comorbidities, Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score and type of procedures. The primary outcome, postoperative troponin-T at 24 h, was similar in both groups (0.482 vs 0.524 ng/ml; P = 0.464). Other cardiac markers were also similar at all time points. The LRS group had a lower pH (7.228 vs 7.246; P = 0.005) and higher calcium levels (0.908 vs 0.358 mmol/l; P < 0.001) in the delivered cardioplegia, but there were no significant differences in clinical outcomes, such as ventricular fibrillation, left ventricular ejection fraction, inotrope/vasopressor requirement, intra-aortic balloon pump support, intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, atrial fibrillation, red cell transfusion and complications. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that LRS can be used as an alternative to Plasma-Lyte A as the base solution for del Nido cardioplegia, with similar myocardial preservation and clinical outcomes.

Downhill Varices and Apical Lung Cancer Without Superior Vena Cava Syndrome.

A 75-year-old woman with hypertension, dyslipidemia, thalassemia trait, osteoarthritis of the knees, and hyperthyroidism presented with bloating, abdominal discomfort, and change in stool caliber underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopy. The esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed varices at the middle of esophagus, which were diagnosed to be downhill esophageal varices (DEVs). DEVs occur mainly from the superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction; however, in the absence of obstruction, angiogenesis and thrombosis could be the etiology. In our patient, computed tomography showed a pulmonary nodule located at periphery of the right upper lung without SVC contact nor obstruction. The nodule was later proven to be an adenocarcinoma. Thus, our patient showed the possibility that adenocarcinoma of the lung might associated with the DEV through a mechanism other than SVC obstruction. Recognition and differentiation of DEV from other benign venous blebs of the esophagus are important, and once detected, further investigation with computed tomography of the chest is recommended.

Comparison of Single-Dose Cardioplegia in Valvular Heart Surgery: Lactated Ringer's-Based del Nido vs. Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate Cardioplegia Solution.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated myocardial protection and clinical outcomes when using lactated Ringer's solution as the base solution for del Nido cardioplegia compared with histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution in valvular surgery. METHODS: From January 2017 to May 2018, 71 adult patients who underwent valvular surgery with del Nido cardioplegia (n=37) or HTK cardioplegia (n=34) were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Patients' characteristics were comparable between groups. Postoperative peak troponin T levels were similar. The del Nido group had a decreased incidence of ventricular fibrillation after aortic cross-clamp removal (13.51 vs. 55.88%; P<0.001), lower total volume of cardioplegia administered (1,000 [1,000, 1,250] vs. 1,800 [1,500, 2,000] mL; P<0.001), shorter hospital stay (6 [5, 8] vs. 7 [6, 10] days; P=0.03), and less postoperative red cell transfusion (34.29 vs. 61.11%; P=0.024). There is no difference in aortic cross-clamping time, postoperative change in left ventricular ejection fraction, intensive care unit stay, duration of inotropic support, new onset of atrial fibrillation, in-hospital mortality, complications, and three-year overall survival rate. CONCLUSION: Lactated Ringer's-based del Nido cardioplegia can be safely used for valvular surgery with acceptable clinical outcomes compared to HTK cardioplegia.

Massive haemothorax from percutaneous nephrolithotomy requiring video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Massive haemothorax can occur following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), which is a significant adverse event and a life-threatening condition. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 65-year-old male who presented with a full right staghorn stone was treated with PCNL. Two days later, he developed massive haemothorax and conservative management with intercostal drainage failed. The patient successfully underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical decortication (VATSD). DISCUSSION: PCNL is the mainstay procedure for complex renal stones. Because it is aggressive, it can also have serious complications. Tube thoracostomy drainage is the initial approach for managing haemothorax. However, retained haemothorax still occurs and can cause additional complications. VATSD is frequently applied in the modern era because of its good visualization and reduced morbidity compared with conventional thoracotomy. CONCLUSION: VATSD is a safe and effective surgical technique that can be easily applied to manage retained haemothorax as a result of PCNL.

Comparison of Single-Dose Cardioplegia in Valvular Heart Surgery: Lactated Ringer's-Based del Nido vs. Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate Cardioplegia Solution

ABSTRACT Introduction: This study evaluated myocardial protection and clinical outcomes when using lactated Ringer's solution as the base solution for del Nido cardioplegia compared with histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution in valvular surgery. Methods: From January 2017 to May 2018, 71 adult patients who underwent valvular surgery with del Nido cardioplegia (n=37) or HTK cardioplegia (n=34) were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Patients' characteristics were comparable between groups. Postoperative peak troponin T levels were similar. The del Nido group had a decreased incidence of ventricular fibrillation after aortic cross-clamp removal (13.51 vs. 55.88%; P<0.001), lower total volume of cardioplegia administered (1,000 [1,000, 1,250] vs. 1,800 [1,500, 2,000] mL; P<0.001), shorter hospital stay (6 [5, 8] vs. 7 [6, 10] days; P=0.03), and less postoperative red cell transfusion (34.29 vs. 61.11%; P=0.024). There is no difference in aortic cross-clamping time, postoperative change in left ventricular ejection fraction, intensive care unit stay, duration of inotropic support, new onset of atrial fibrillation, in-hospital mortality, complications, and three-year overall survival rate. Conclusion: Lactated Ringer's-based del Nido cardioplegia can be safely used for valvular surgery with acceptable clinical outcomes compared to HTK cardioplegia.

Overall 5-year survival rate and disease-free survival after segmentectomy versus lobectomy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Objectives: Anatomical lobectomy has always been the standard operative treatment of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. However, there have been emerging evidences suggesting that a subanatomical resection, such as segmentectomy, may yield the same treatment results, even in patients with higher-stage non-small cell lung cancer. This study aimed to compare overall 5-year survival rate and disease-free survival between lobectomy and segmentectomy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: The retrospective study included 380 patients who underwent surgery for non-small cell lung cancer at Ramathibodi Hospital between 1st January 2016 and 31st December 2020. Of 380 patients, 307 patients underwent lobectomy, while the other 73 patients underwent segmentectomy. Operative, admission, and follow-up data were collected from electronic medical records. Missing data were collected by telephone calls to patients or their relatives in deceased cases. Overall and disease-free survival were analyzed. Results: Median overall 5-year survival time after lobectomy and segmentectomy seemed to be different but not statistically significant (18.5 months versus 5.8 months, p = 0.127). Median disease-free survival time after lobectomy and segmentectomy was also similar (8.6 months versus 4.5 months, p = 0.511). Two deaths occurred during perioperative period, one from lobectomy group due to acute massive pulmonary embolism (0.3%) and the other from segmentectomy group due to acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with respiratory failure (1.4%). Conclusion: Lobectomy and segmentectomy result in similar overall 5-year survival rate and disease-free survival between these two comparison groups. Therefore, segmentectomy may be a potential alternative for operative treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. However, a larger and randomized-controlled trial may be needed to further validate these results.

Lactated Ringer's as a Base Solution for del Nido Cardioplegia.

Unavailability of Plasma-Lyte A precludes the utility of traditional del Nido cardioplegia in many countries. This observational study aimed to evaluate myocardial preservation and clinical outcomes when using lactated Ringer's solution as the base solution for del Nido cardioplegia as compared with our institute's standard blood cardioplegia strategy. Eighty-nine adult patients underwent cardiac surgery for acquired heart disease from February 2017 to November 2017 either with del Nido cardioplegia (n = 44) or blood cardioplegia (n = 45). Clinical data and outcomes were compared. Patient characteristics were similar between groups. Troponin T release was lower in the del Nido group on postoperative day 1 (.632 [.437, .907] vs. .827 [.599, 1.388] ng/mL; p = .009) and day 2 (.363 [.250, .451] vs. .549 [.340, .897] ng/mL; p = .002). The del Nido group exhibited lower total volume of cardioplegia administered (1,075 [1,000, 1,250] vs. 3,400 [2,700, 3,750] mL; p < .0001), fewer doses (1.6 ± .7 vs. 4.6 ± 1.3; p < .0001), and a decreased incidence of ventricular fibrillation after aortic cross-clamp removal (9.09 vs. 31.11%; p = .01). The del Nido group had shorter intensive care unit stays (2 [1, 2] vs. 3 [2, 4] days; p < .0001), hospital stays (7 [6, 10] vs. 9 [7, 10] days; p = .0002), less vasopressor and inotropic support (1 [1, 1] vs. 1 [1, 2] days; p = .0001), and lower incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation/flutter (25 vs. 46.7%; p = .033). No mortality occurred and clinical outcomes were similar. The use of traditional del Nido cardioplegia ingredients added to lactated Ringer's as the base solution provided either similar or superior myocardial protection than our blood cardioplegia strategy depending on the outcome measure analyzed. The use of lactated Ringer's as a base solution may be an option for centers that do not have access to Plasma-Lyte. Further investigation and follow-up are warranted after this observational study.