Prognostic value of CHA2DS2-VASc score for the long-term cardiovascular events after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: This study aims to investigate the value of the CHA2DS2-VASc score in predicting long-term major cardiovascular events following coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods: Between January 2008 and January 2010, a total of 559 patients (445 males, 114 females; mean age: 62.7±9.1 years; range, 35 to 84 years) who underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting were retrospectively analyzed. At a mean of 10.7±3.1-year follow-up, major cardiovascular events were considered as the primary endpoint. Results: The multivariate Cox hazard analysis identified the CHA2DS2-VASc score as an independent predictor of major cardiovascular events (hazard ratio: 1.615; 95% confidence interval: 1.038-2.511; p=0.034). The receiver operating characteristic curve analyses revealed that 3.5 was the most optimal cut-off value of the score predicting major cardiovascular events and the patients were divided into two groups accordingly. The Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated a significantly higher incidence of major cardiovascular events in proportion to a higher CHA2DS2-VASc score (p<0.001). Conclusion: CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥4, which includes many risk factors for cardiovascular events, can be used as an independent predictor of long-term major cardiovascular events after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Predictive Value of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio for Long-Term Cardiovascular Event Following Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the predictive value of preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for long-term major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), which have not yet been well described, in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: The records of 751 consecutive patients who underwent elective CABG between January 2008 and January 2010 were retrospectively enrolled and stratified according to quartiles of preoperative NLR. At 7.8-year follow-up, MACCE was considered as an endpoint. RESULTS: Overall MACCE was 11.6% of all cases. Long-term myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention, stroke and cardiovascular mortality were found associated with the upper NLR quartile (P<0.001, P<0.001, P=0.005, P<0.001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, NLR on admission remained an independent predictor of long-term MACCE (OR 1.087, 95% CI 1.026-1.151; P=0.004), in all EuroSCORE risk groups (P<0.001; P<0.001; P=0.029). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses revealed an NLR cut-off value of 4.32 predicting MACCE. CONCLUSION: NLR is a useful and readily available predictive marker of long-term MACCE following CABG, independent of the EuroSCORE.

Predictive value of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio for long-term cardiovascular event following coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract Objective: To investigate the predictive value of preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for long-term major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), which have not yet been well described, in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: The records of 751 consecutive patients who underwent elective CABG between January 2008 and January 2010 were retrospectively enrolled and stratified according to quartiles of preoperative NLR. At 7.8-year follow-up, MACCE was considered as an endpoint. Results: Overall MACCE was 11.6% of all cases. Long-term myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention, stroke and cardiovascular mortality were found associated with the upper NLR quartile (P<0.001, P<0.001, P=0.005, P<0.001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, NLR on admission remained an independent predictor of long-term MACCE (OR 1.087, 95% CI 1.026-1.151; P=0.004), in all EuroSCORE risk groups (P<0.001; P<0.001; P=0.029). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses revealed an NLR cut-off value of 4.32 predicting MACCE. Conclusion: NLR is a useful and readily available predictive marker of long-term MACCE following CABG, independent of the EuroSCORE.

A comparison of off- and on-pump beating-heart coronary artery bypass surgery on long-term cardiovascular events.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to compare short-term outcomes and long-term major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) -free survival and independent predictors of long-term MACE after off-pump (OPCAB) versus on-pump beating-heart (ONBHCAB) coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data of all consecutive patients who underwent elective CABG, performed by the same surgeon, from January 2003 to October 2009. A propensity score analysis was carried out to adjust for baseline characteristics and a total of 398 patients were included: ONBHCAB (n = 181), OPCAB (n = 217). RESULTS: OPCAB was associated with significantly shorter ventilation times (p < 0.001), intensive care unit stay (p < 0.001) and hospital stay (p < 0.001). The total blood loss was significantly more in the ONBHCAB group (p < 0.001), and accordingly, the number of transfused blood units was significantly lower in the OPCAB group (p < 0.001). Incidence of peri-operative renal complications were significantly higher in the ONBHCAB group (p = 0.004). The OPCAB group showed significantly lower long-term MACE-free survival (p = 0.029). The mean number of transfused blood units was the only independent predictor of MACE (HR: 1.218, 95% CI: 1.089-1.361; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: OPCAB provided better long-term MACE-free survival compared with ONBHCAB. Fewer units of blood transfused following OPCAB surgery may have been the main reason for this result.

Biatrial Approach Provides Better Outcomes in the Surgical Treatment of Cardiac Myxomas.

Objective: We aimed to present clinical features, surgical approaches, importance of surgical technique and long-term outcomes of our patients with cardiac myxoma who underwent surgery. Methods: We retrospectively collected data of patients with cardiac myxoma who underwent surgical resection between February 1990 and November 2014. Biatrial approach is the preferred surgical method in a large proportion of patients that are operated due to left atrial myxoma because it provides wider exposure than the uniatrial approach. To prevent recurrence during surgical resection, a large excision is made so as to include at least 5 mm of normal area from clean tissue around the tumor. Moreover, special attention is paid to the excision that is made as a whole, without digesting the fragment of tumor with gentle dissections. Results: Forty-three patients (20 males, mean age of 51.7±8.8 years) were included. Most common symptom was dyspnea (48.8%). Tumor was located in the left atrium in 37 (86%) patients. Resections were achieved via biatrial approach in 34 patients, uniatrial approach in 8 patients, and right atriotomy with right ventriculotomy in 1 patient. One patient died due to low cardiac output syndrome in the early postoperative period. Mean follow-up time was 102.3±66.5 months. Actuarial survival rates were 95%, 92% and 78% at five, 10 and 15 years, respectively. Recurrence was observed in none of the patients during follow-up. Conclusion: Although myxomas are benign tumors, due to embolic complications and obstructive signs, they should be treated surgically as soon as possible after diagnosis. To prevent recurrence, especially in cardiac myxomas which are located in left atrium, preferred biatrial approach is suggested for wide resection of the tumor and to avoid residual tumor.

Biatrial approach provides better outcomes in the surgical treatment of cardiac myxomas

Abstract Objective: We aimed to present clinical features, surgical approaches, importance of surgical technique and long-term outcomes of our patients with cardiac myxoma who underwent surgery. Methods: We retrospectively collected data of patients with cardiac myxoma who underwent surgical resection between February 1990 and November 2014. Biatrial approach is the preferred surgical method in a large proportion of patients that are operated due to left atrial myxoma because it provides wider exposure than the uniatrial approach. To prevent recurrence during surgical resection, a large excision is made so as to include at least 5 mm of normal area from clean tissue around the tumor. Moreover, special attention is paid to the excision that is made as a whole, without digesting the fragment of tumor with gentle dissections. Results: Forty-three patients (20 males, mean age of 51.7±8.8 years) were included. Most common symptom was dyspnea (48.8%). Tumor was located in the left atrium in 37 (86%) patients. Resections were achieved via biatrial approach in 34 patients, uniatrial approach in 8 patients, and right atriotomy with right ventriculotomy in 1 patient. One patient died due to low cardiac output syndrome in the early postoperative period. Mean follow-up time was 102.3±66.5 months. Actuarial survival rates were 95%, 92% and 78% at five, 10 and 15 years, respectively. Recurrence was observed in none of the patients during follow-up. Conclusion: Although myxomas are benign tumors, due to embolic complications and obstructive signs, they should be treated surgically as soon as possible after diagnosis. To prevent recurrence, especially in cardiac myxomas which are located in left atrium, preferred biatrial approach is suggested for wide resection of the tumor and to avoid residual tumor.

Red blood cell distribution width predicts long term cardiovascular event after on-pump beating coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Reports investigating the predictive value of red cell distribution width (RDW) on major cardiac and cardiovascular event (MACCE) following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have major limitations, including lack of elimination of common factors affecting RDW levels, such as anemia. The purpose of this study is to identify the real effect of higher RDW level, free from the other factors, on MACCE following CABG. METHODS: Data of 500 consecutive, non-anemic patients (77.2 % male and mean age 63.05 ± 9.24) undergoing ONBHCAB between January 2007 and January 2010, were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Overall MACCE was 7.8 % of all cases. Mean follow-up was 66.5 ± 9.96 months. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, RDW (P = 0.022) remained the only independent predictor of MACCE and the ROC analyze revealed an RDW cut-off value of 13.95 % predicting MACCE. Therefore, patients were grouped on this cut-off value. There were 238 patients in the lower RDW group (Group 1) and 262 patients in the higher RDW group (Group 2). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of freedom from MACCE revealed significantly lower event free survival in Group 2 (P < 0.001 by the log-rank test). Group 2 showed a higher MACCE incidence in 1 year (P = 0.030), in 3 years (P < 0.001) and in 6 years (P < 0.001). The long-term follow-up was similar regarding noncardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSION: An RDW level greater than 13.95 % in hospital admission is independently associated with an increased incidence of MACCE after CABG. Physicians should be more aggressive in the management of these patients.

Intramyocardial Dissection following Postinfarction Ventricular Wall Rupture Contained by Surrounding Postoperative Adhesions.

Introduction. Dissection of the myocardium is a rare form of cardiac rupture, caused by a hemorrhagic dissection among the spiral myocardial fibers, its diagnosis is rarely established before the operation or death, and extremely few cases have been reported in the literature and none of these cases seem to have a history of previous cardiac surgery which makes our report unique. Case Presentation. A 61-year-old female patient was admitted into the emergency room with complaints of progressive chest pain for 2 days. She had a history of second time prosthetic aortic valve replacement and was under anticoagulation therapy. She was diagnosed with an acute inferoposterior myocardial infarction and underwent emergency coronary angiography revealing spontaneous recanalization of the right coronary artery. During the follow-up, she developed cardiogenic shock and a new occurring systolic ejection murmur. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a left ventricular free wall rupture; then, she was taken in for emergency surgery. During the operation, a rupture zone and a wide intramyocardial dissecting area were detected. Intraventricular patch repair technic with autologous pericardial patch was used to exclude the ruptured area. Following the warming period, despite adequate hemostasis, hemorrhage around suture lines progressively increased, leading to the patient's death. Conclusion. Pericardial adhesions might contain left ventricular rupture leading to intramyocardial dissection.

Case report: paravalvular leak as a complication of percutaneous catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

An increasing number of reports reveal the safety and efficacy of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation therapy even in patients with a history of prosthetic heart valve. This case report presents a 60 year old female patient who had a prosthetic mitral paravalvular leak as a complication of radiofrequency ablation. Surgery revealed a 15 mm hole and three broken knots in the posterolateral mitral annulus. This report demonstrates radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients with prosthetic mitral valve may cause a paravalvular leak likely as a result of thermal injury. Moreover, patient can be asymptomatic at first. The clinician should keep in mind such complication and the patient should be evaluated in terms of paravalvular leakage.

Femoral Nerve Palsy due to Anticoagulant Induced Retroperitoneal Hematoma.

A forty-one-year-old man who, sought evaluation for a sudden hip flexion contracture and groin pain with a history of mechanical mitral valve replacement, had been misdiagnosed and treated as having lumbar discopathy for two days. This patient finally was diagnosed with compressive femoral neuropathy due to warfarin-induced retroperitoneal hematoma and successfully managed nonoperatively. This case is reported in order to draw attention to this rare presentation.

Complete atrioventricular block due to a hydatid cyst located in the interventricular septum: a case report.

We report a case of complete atrioventricular block and tricuspid valve insufficiency due to a cardiac hydatid cyst located in the interventricular septum that occurred in a 19-year-old male patient. Surgery was carried out with the help of cardiopulmonary bypass. The cyst was excised, and the interventricular septum was closed with an autologous pericardial patch treated with glutaraldehyde. The tricuspid valve insufficiency was repaired with annuloplasty. A dual-chamber epicardial pacemaker was implanted. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was doing well 6 months after discharge. This is the first report of a cardiac hydatidosis case for which the repair of the interventicular septum, tricuspid annulopasty, and permanent pacemaker implantation were performed during the same operation.

Off-pump bypass grafting in patients with significant left main coronary artery stenosis.

The aim of this study was to investigate and determine whether patients with significant (> or = %50) left main coronary artery stenosis could undergo coronary bypass on the beating heart and compare the results to those obtained using the conventional method. Prospectively collected data of patients with significant left main coronary artery disease who had undergone coronary bypass on the beating heart (group A, n = 100) or with the conventional method (group B, n = 100) were evaluated retrospectively. EuroSCORE values, preoperative and operative details, postoperative morbidity and mortality, and early results were compared. Groups were similar in terms of EuroSCORE, demographics, and preoperative variables. Number of distal anastomoses per patient was 3.1 +/- 0.9 in the beating heart group while it was 3.3 +/- 0.9 in the conventional group ( P = 0.09). Patients operated on with the conventional method had higher levels of peak creatine kinase-myocardial band, blood and blood product transfusions, and inotropic requirements, while mechanical ventilation times and hospital stay were longer. The incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation, mediastinitis, and intra-aortic balloon usage were comparable between the groups. There was no neurological complication in group A whereas five major neurological complications (three transient ischemic attacks, two strokes) occurred in group B ( P = 0.06). Thirty-day mortality occurred in one patient in the beating heart group whereas five early deaths were observed in the conventional group ( P = 0.21). In significant left main coronary artery stenosis coronary bypass on the beating heart is a safe and effective alternative to the conventional method with the same or better early results. The long-term results need to be evaluated.

[Endovascular approach in the treatment of traumatic peripheral arterial lesions: report of two cases]. / Travmatik periferik arter lezyonlarinin tedavisinde endovasküler yaklasim: iki olgu sunumu.

Arterial injuries associated with pseudoaneurysms or arteriovenous fistulas are usually due to penetrating trauma. Endovascular treatment modalities are emerging as an alternative and less invasive method compared to the conventional surgical repair methods. Herein we report our recent experience on with two cases of traumatic arterial injury who were successfully managed by using stent-grafts with endovascular approach. Endovascular treatment options should be remembered as an alternative to the surgical repair for management of penetrating arterial injuries.