The Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation after On-Pump Versus Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in patients undergoing off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). METHODS: A total of 3,197 consecutive patients (1,816 males, 1,381 females; mean age: 60.8 ± 9.8 years) with preoperative sinus rhythm who underwent CABG at a cardiovascular surgery clinic between November 2009 and March 2014 retrospectively were analyzed. Of the patients, 1,680 underwent on-pump and 1,517 underwent off-pump cardiac surgery. Data, including demographic characteristics, preoperative risk factors, preoperative medications, laboratory test results, postoperative data and complications, and mortality and morbidity rates, were recorded. RESULTS: According to the multivariate analysis, the type of operation, number of anastomoses, right coronary artery or right coronary posterior descending artery graft, vasopressor therapy (epinephrine, norepinephrine), operation duration, age >60 years, hypertension, length of hospital stay >4 days, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) were the independent predictors of POAF after CABG. Our study results suggest that on-pump CABG under CPB is correlated with POAF. CONCLUSION: We recommend using off-pump CABG in select cases to minimize the risk of POAF.

Irisin Protects Against Hind Limb Ischemia Reperfusion Injury.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of irisin in a murine model of hind limb ischemia reperfusion (I/R). METHODS: The mice were divided into four groups (n = 6 in each group): control, irisin, ischemia reperfusion (I/R), and irisin-ischemia reperfusion (I-I/R). Irisin (0.5 µg.g-1, intraperitoneally [i.p.]) was administered 30 min before the I/R procedure. After 2 h of ischemia and 2.5 h of reperfusion, blood and tissue samples were taken for biochemical and histopathological analysis. The results were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in the total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) levels in all the groups. The TAS level in the I/R group was significantly lower than that in the control, irisin, and I-I/R groups, whereas the TOS level was significantly higher in the I/R group as compared with that in the other groups. Caspase-3 activity and caspase-8 activity, indicators of inflammation, were significantly higher in the I/R and I-I/R groups as compared with those in the control and irisin groups. CONCLUSION: Irisin may have protective effects in skeletal muscle ischemia reperfusion injury.

Effects of N-Acetylcysteine and N-Acetylcysteine Amide on Erythrocyte Deformability and Oxidative Stress in a Rat Model of Lower Extremity Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an antioxidant which works as a free radical scavenger and antiapoptotic agent. N-acetylcysteine-amide (NACA) is a modified form of NAC containing an amide group instead of a carboxyl group of NAC. Our study aims to investigate the effectiveness of these two substances on erythrocyte deformability and oxidative stress in muscle tissue. Materials and Methods. A total of 24 Wistar albino rats were used in our study. The animals were randomly divided into five groups as control (n: 6), ischemia (n: 6), NAC (n: 6), and NACA (n: 6). In the ischemia, NAC, and NACA groups, 120 min of ischemia and 120 min of reperfusion were achieved by placing nontraumatic vascular clamps across the abdominal aorta. The NAC and NACA groups were administered an injection 30 min before ischemia (100 mg/kg NAC; 100 mg/kg NACA; intravenous). Blood samples were taken from the animals at the end of the ischemic period. The lower extremity gastrocnemius muscle was isolated and stored at -80 degrees to assess the total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) values and was analyzed. Results. The erythrocyte deformability index was found to be statistically significantly lower in rats treated with NAC and NACA before ischemia-reperfusion compared to the groups that received only ischemia-reperfusion. In addition, no statistically significant difference was found between the control group and the NAC and NACA groups. The groups receiving NAC and NACA before ischemia exhibited higher total antioxidative status and lower total oxidative status while the oxidative stress index was also lower. Conclusion. The results of our study demonstrated the protective effects of NAC and NACA on erythrocyte deformability and oxidative damage in skeletal muscle in lower extremity ischemia-reperfusion. NAC and NACA exhibited similar protective effects on oxidative damage and erythrocyte deformability.

An unexpected and rare complication after endovenous laser ablation: Pyoderma gangrenosum.

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare inflammatory ulcerative skin disease characterized by painful, progressive necrosis of wound margins. A 34-year-old male patient was admitted to our clinic with progressive ulcerative lesion at the wound site after endovenous laser ablation and varicose vein surgery. Although parenteral antibiotherapy was initiated with the diagnosis of wound infection, rapid progression was observed in the lesion. Skin biopsy was performed, and the patient was started on empirical prednisolone treatment with the diagnosis of pyoderma gangrenosum. Complete healing was achieved in the lesion. In conclusion, pyoderma gangrenosum should be considered in the differential diagnosis of postoperative delayed wound healing.

Effect of picroside II on hind limb ischemia reperfusion injury in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Many structural and functional damages are observed in cells and tissues after reperfusion of previously viable ischemic tissues. Acute ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury of lower extremities occurs especially when a temporary cross-clamp is applied to the abdominal aorta during aortic surgery. Research regarding the treatment of I/R injury has been increasing day-by-day. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of picroside II on skeletal muscle of rats experiencing simulated I/R. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four male Wistar albino rats weighing between 210 and 300 g were used in this study. Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6 rats each (control, I/R, control + picroside II, and I/R + picroside II). The infrarenal section of the abdominal aorta was occluded with an atraumatic microvascular clamp in I/R group. The clamp was removed after 120 minutes and reperfusion was provided for a further 120 minutes. Picroside II (10 mg kg-1) was administered intraperitoneally to the animals in control + picroside II and I/R + picroside II groups. At the end of the study, skeletal muscle tissue was obtained for the determination of total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels. Apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL experiment. RESULTS: TOS levels were significantly higher in I/R group than that of control and I/R + picroside II groups (P=0.014, P=0.005, respectively). TAS levels were significantly higher in I/R group than that of control and I/R + picroside II groups (P=0.007 P=0.005, respectively). TUNEL assay revealed that picroside II reduced cell necrosis. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that picroside II plays a critical role to prevent I/R injury. Even though our results were found to be satisfactory, it should be encouraging to those who want to conduct future research on this topic.

Effect of picroside II on erythrocyte deformability and lipid peroxidation in rats subjected to hind limb ischemia reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia reperfusion injury (I/R) in hind limb is a frequent and important clinical phenomenon. Many structural and functional damages are observed in cells and tissues in these kinds of injuries. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of picroside II on lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte deformability during I/R in rats. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into four groups - each containing six animals (sham, I/R, sham + picroside II, and I/R + picroside II). The infrarenal section of the abdominal aorta was occluded with an atraumatic microvascular clamp in I/R groups. The clamp was removed after 120 minutes and reperfusion was provided for a further 120 minutes. Picroside II (10 mg·kg(-1)) was administered intraperitoneally to the animals in the appropriate groups (sham + picroside II, I/R + picroside II groups). All rats were euthanized by intraperitoneal administration of ketamine (100 mg·kg(-1)) and taking blood from the abdominal aorta. Erythrocytes were extracted from heparinized complete blood samples. Buffer (PT) and then erythrocytes (PE) were passed through the filtration system and the changes in pressure were measured to investigate the role of serum malondialdehyde and nitric oxide (NO) in lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte deformability index. RESULTS: Deformability index was significantly increased in the I/R group compared to groups sham, sham + picroside-II, and I/R + picroside-II (P<0.0001, P<0.0001, and P=0.007). Malondialdehyde (MDA) and NO levels were evaluated. MDA level and NO activity were also higher in the I/R group than in the other groups. Picroside II treatment before hind limb I/R prevented these changes. CONCLUSION: These results support that deformability of erythrocytes is decreased in I/R injury and picroside II plays a critical role to prevent these alterations. Further experimental and clinical studies are needed to evaluate and clarify the molecular mechanisms of action and clinical importance of these findings.

Mitomycin C, 5-fluorouracil, and cyclosporin A prevent epidural fibrosis in an experimental laminectomy model.

This study examined the preventive effects of the local application of mitomycin C (MMC), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and cyclosporine A (CsA) in minimizing spinal epidural fibrosis in a rat laminectomy model. Thirty-two 2-year-old male Wistar albino rats, each weighing 400 +/- 50 g, were divided into four equal groups: sham, MMC, 5-FU, and CsA. Each rat underwent laminectomy at the L5-L6 lumbar level. Cotton pads (4 x 4 mm2) soaked with MMC (0.5 mg/ml), 5-FU (5 ml/mg), or CsA (5 mg/ml) were placed on the exposed dura for 5 min. Thirty days after surgery, the rats were killed and the epidural fibrosis, fibroblast density, inflammatory cell density, and arachnoid fibrosis were quantified. The epidural and arachnoid fibroses were reduced significantly in the treatment groups compared to the sham group. Fibroblast cell density and inflammatory cell density were decreased significantly in the MMC and 5-FU groups, but were similar in the sham and CsA groups. The decreased rate of epidural fibrosis was promising. Further studies in humans are needed to determine the short- and long-term complications of the agents used here.

Soft tissue closure and plastic surgical aspects of large dorsal myelomeningocele defects (review of techniques).

The large myelomeningocele defects that cannot be closed reliably by simple skin undermining require a close cooperation between the neurosurgeon and the plastic surgeon. In this study, a 3-year review was undertaken of nine consecutive patients with a myelomeningocele defect treated in our hospital. The aim of the study was to analyze the size, location of myelomeningocele defects, features of the surrounding tissue, and type and results of the reconstruction method for skin closure. Of the nine patients, five were repaired within the first 48 h of life, two within the 1st month of life, and two were repaired within the 1st year of life. Of the nine patients, seven (78%) underwent repair with direct skin approximation by the Neurosurgical Service. For three patients (33%) with large lumbosacral meningomyelocele defects, including one patient who had failed direct skin approximation, the Plastic Surgery Service achieved the skin closure by bilateral paralumbar fasciocutaneous rotational flaps. Minimal area in the patients referred to the Plastic Surgery Service was 24 cm2 (range 24-48 cm2); patients having 18 cm2 or less skin defect were not referred for closure. In conclusion, fasciocutaneous rotational flaps provided tension-free, durable, innervated and well-vascularized skin coverage over the dural repair in all three referred patients, without using skin graft. Since myelomeningocele defects vary in size, shape, and location, no single procedure applies to all. Therefore, other reconstruction methods involving skin grafts, fasciocutaneous flaps, and musculocutaneous flaps are reviewed in this report.