Protective effect of clotrimazole on lung injury in an experimental model of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: Lungs are the target organs most affected by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, which is exacerbated when hemorrhagic shock occurs. Suppressing various proinflammatory cytokines, inflammation and oxidation that initiate and aggravate lung damage with various drugs or methods provides significant benefits in preventing lung damage. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the protective effect of clotrimazole (CLT), an antimycotic drug, on lung injury and systemic inflammatory response in rats by creating an experimental model of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-six male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: sham, sham+CLT, sham+polyethylene glycol (PEG), shock+ischemia/reperfusion (SIR), and SIR+CLT. Saline, CLT and PEG were administered in the sham groups without shock and I/R. The hemorrhagic shock was developed in SIR groups by drawing blood for 1 h to keep the mean arterial pressure at 50 mm Hg. After 60 min, the SIR+CLT group was given 20 mg/kg CLT; then, the aortic clamps were opened, and rats were left for 120 min of reperfusion. The blood taken to create hemorrhagic shock was returned in a controlled manner during this time. At the end of the reperfusion procedure, samples were taken for cytokine levels in serum and lung tissue and for other biochemical analyses. Blood gas, histopathological examination and wet/dry weight measurements were performed to assess lung injury. RESULTS: An increase was observed in all parameters in the SIR group compared to the sham group. In the SIR+CLT group, the serum myeloperoxidase (MPO), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), lung MPO values, histologically lung injury scores, and lung tissue wet/dry ratio were decreased significantly when compared to the SIR group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that CLT may reduce the systemic inflammatory response and lung injury due to shock and I/R in an experimental model of RAAA.

Fourteen-Year Patency of an Anterior Tibial Artery-Saphenous Vein Fistula in an Ambulatory Patient.

Background: Ankle arteriovenous fistulas are the rarest vascular access type among lower extremity fistulas for hemodialysis patients with end-stage renal disease. Here, we present a case of a tibial-saphenous fistula that remained open for a long time despite a recurrent anastomotic aneurysm. Case Presentation. A 43-year-old female patient who had been undergoing hemodialysis via a right femoral tunnel catheter for six months was referred for recurrent catheter infection and a 4 cm pulsatile mass in the anterior aspect of the ankle. While she had been undergoing hemodialysis through a right tibial-saphenous fistula for fourteen years, hemodialysis continued after the fistula's closure due to total occlusion of the great saphenous vein through the tunneled catheter. After balloon angioplasty to the right subclavian vein, we performed right upper extremity basilic vein transposition. Later, after starting adequate dialysis from the basilic vein fistula and removing the femoral catheter, we performed a resection of the anastomotic aneurysm in the right ankle and repaired the anterior tibial artery. Because this is the only ambulatory patient and the one with the longest patency of ankle arteriovenous fistulas in the literature and the only case in which the anterior tibial artery was used, the case is presented and discussed in light of the literature. Conclusion: Despite many complications and low patency rates reported in the literature, ankle vessels should be considered for autogenous vascular access in selected patients.

Renoprotective potential of exogen erythropoietin on experimental ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm model: An animal study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to investigate the renoprotective effect of erythropoietin (EPO) on hypovolemic shock and ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury on kidneys as end-organs in an experimentally-created ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty anesthetized Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomized to sham ((Sh n:6) (Sh+EPO n:6)) or shock and I/R groups ((S/IR n:9) (S/IR+EPO n:9)). Additional surgical procedure except aortic exploration was not performed on Sh and Sh+EPO groups. 60 min of shock, 60 min of ischemia, and 120 min of reperfusion were applied on S/IR and S/IR+EPO groups. In the S/IR and S/IR+EPO groups, hemorrhagic shock, lower torso ischemia, and reperfusion were created. At the end of the shock period, saline solutions were separately and equally administered to Sh and S/IR groups, whereas 2000 U/kg EPO was intraperitoneally administered to Sh+EPO and S/IR+EPO groups. At the end of the experimental study, some biochemical and histological parameters were studied in serum and kidney tissues. RESULTS: Biochemical parameters were all significantly increased in the S/IR group compared with the Sh group. These parameters were not statistically significantly different between S/IR+EPO and Sh+EPO groups. In histopathologic examination, EPO prevented high-grade injury. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that EPO may have a renoprotective effect and reduce the systemic inflammatory response that resulted from shock and I/R in an experimental model of rAAA.

Use of the autologous spiral vein graft: a two-stage iliac bypass in a potentially fatal case of pelvic trauma and contaminated tissues.

Serious problems may be encountered in arterial or venous reconstruction in cases of severe trauma and contaminated tissues. We report the use of a spiral venous graft (SVG) in a case of two-stage bypass aimed at saving first life, and then the extremity. Severe open and contaminated injury was present in the lower abdomen and pelvic region of 29-year-old woman brought to the emergency department following a traffic accident. The patient was in shock, and was taken for emergency surgery jointly with the relevant departments. Interposition bypasses with synthetic graft were performed in the first stage. The synthetic grafts were subsequently removed due to problems developing secondary to infection at subsequent follow-up, and revascularization was established with autologous grafts together with SVG. SVGs are alternative grafts in cases with contaminated tissues and requiring major vessel reconstruction. This technique can add to the therapeutic options available.

Endovascular Treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Causing Life-Threatening Hemoptysis: Two Case Reports.

PURPOSE: To describe two patients presenting life-threatening hemoptysis with saccular thoracic aortic aneurysm penetrating lung parenchyma and its endovascular treatment. CASE REPORT: We present two cases of 73- and 74-year-old men with massive hemoptysis secondary to saccular thoracic aortic aneurysm ruptured lung parenchyma who were successfully treated with endovascular approach with 3rd month's imaging follow-up. CONCLUSION: Thoracic aortic aneurysm is one of the rarest causes of hemoptysis and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and can be used for an effective and problem-solving treatment approach.

True Aneurysms of the Extracranial Carotid Artery : An Evaluation of Two "Giant Aneurysms" and the Current Literature.

True extracranial carotid artery aneurysms (ECCAs) are uncommon. Atherosclerosis is the most common etiological factor. Neck pain, a pulsatile mass and murmur at auscultation are the most common symptoms. ECCAs may exhibit severe clinical manifestations due to complications. Cases of rupture can be fatal. There is a risk of distal embolization and stroke in thrombosed cases. We discuss two cases of enlarged ECCA treated surgically in the light of the most recent literature.

Obturator bypass in the treatment of prosthetic graft infection: Classic but still effective.

Aortic graft infection is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. In this article we report a 60-year-old man who developed bilateral groin wound infection and progressively worsening lower extremity ischemia one year after he underwent aortobifemoral bypass. The infected graft was resected and bilateral obturator bypass was performed. The obturator bypass, an extra-anatomical bypass closest to anatomical position with high patency rates, continues to be favored in revascularization of the lower extremity when the inguinal region should be avoided. Likewise, the obturator bypass is an effective surgical approach against recurrent infections.

An unexpected image on a chest radiograph.

Introduction Central venous catheterisation is an essential component of patient care in hospital. A forgotten complete guide-wire is a rare complication, although the reported incidence has increased rapidly over the last decade. Case report We report a 72-year-old man with a complete guide-wire inadvertently overlooked during catheter insertion. A central venous catheter had been inserted for total parental nutrition during treatment for pancreatitis. Five years later, the patient was readmitted with a painful lesion on his neck and the sensation of a sharp object under his skin. He was discharged without complication following removal of the free part of the guide-wire that had not become attached to the endothelial layer. Conclusion Inattention, inexperience and lack of supervision by a more experienced clinician are considered the most important contributing factors to this complication. Ultrasonography assistance during the procedure, senior supervision, a set count and a chest X-ray after the procedure are recommended in order to prevent forgotten guide-wires.

Emergency coronary bypass surgery in patients under the influence of dualantiplatelet therapy: effects of tranexamic acid and desmopressin acetate

Background/aim: Bleeding in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) while using dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to examine the perioperative hemostatic effects of tranexamic acid (TnX-A) and desmopressin acetate (Des) in these patients. Materials and methods: This clinical study was planned in a prospective and randomized manner. Fifty-four patients were enrolled and classified into 4 different groups. They were compared in terms of various bleeding and transfusion parameters.Results: No significant differences were observed between the groups in pre/intraoperative data apart from closure times. Plasmin/α-2 antiplasmin complex values in the TnX-A and control groups were significantly higher than those in the Des and TnX-A+Des groups at the end of postoperative drug infusion. Mean duration of closure times, first 3-h and total postoperative amounts of drainage, administered volumes of erythrocyte suspension/fresh frozen plasma, cost of blood products, length of intubation, length of stay in the intensive care unit, and time to discharge were also significantly higher in the Des and control groups.Conclusion: Des had no significant effect on bleeding control and even delayed the hemostatic efficacy of TnX-A. Use of TnX-A infusion alone in these patient groups had a positive effect on hemostasis-related data.

Conservative management of chylothorax after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Chylothorax is a rare sequela to cardiac surgery, associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. There are various medical and surgical options for its management. We describe 2 cases of chylothorax that developed after coronary artery bypass grafting and were managed successfully with medical therapy alone. Conservative treatment such as we describe aims to reduce chyle flow, to drain the pleural cavity in an effective manner, and to prevent chronic sequelae. Optimal conservative treatment, consisting of nothing by mouth and the administration of a pleurodetic agent, should be started immediately upon diagnosis. In most cases, it reduces the need for reoperation and long-term hospitalization. Prospective randomized controlled trials are nonetheless needed to confirm these assumptions.

Role of ethyl pyruvate in systemic inflammatory response and lung injury in an experimental model of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of ethyl pyruvate (EP) on systemic inflammatory response and lung injury in an experimental rat model of ruptured abdominal aortic anurysm (RAAA). METHODS: Anaesthetized 30 Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomized to sham (Sh n : 6) (Sh + EP n : 6) or shock and clamp (S/C) groups (S/C n : 9) (S/C + EP n : 9). In the S/C and S/C + EP groups, hemorrhagic shock, lower torso ischemia, and reperfusion were created, S/C group was given 1 mL saline and S/C + EP group was given 40 mg/kg EP. At the end of reperfusion process some biochemical and histological parameters were studied in serum and lung tissues. RESULTS: An increase was observed in all parameters except interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the S/C group in comparison to the sham groups. In the S/C + EP group, serum myeloperoxydase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) as well as lung MPO and MDA values decreased significantly (P < 0.016). In the lung tissues, histological injury scores and lung tissue wet/dry ratio were significantly decreased in the S/C + EP group as compared to the S/C group (P < 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Ethyl pyruvate may reduce systemic inflammatory response and lung injury which resulted from shock and ischemia/reperfusion in an experimental model of RAAA.

Diagnostic value of color Doppler ultrasonography and MDCT angiography in complications of hemodialysis fistulas and grafts.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to compare the diagnostic value of color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography against that of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) or surgery in the evaluation of failing hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: CDUS and MDCT angiography were performed with 41 patients (24 men, 17 women; mean age 55.8) with dysfunctional hemodialysis fistulas. The presence of stenosis, thrombosis, aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm and seroma were recorded. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) and accuracy of CDUS and MDCT angiography were calculated both individually and in combination for the detection of vascular segments with significant stenosis, thrombosis, aneurysms, pseudoaneurysms, perivascular complications and stenosis subgroups. RESULTS: Sixty-four segmental lesions were diagnosed by DSA or surgery. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of CDUS for all vascular tree lesions were 85.9%, 99.2%, 96.4%, 96.7% and 94.5%, respectively. For MDCT angiography the figures were 96.8%, 99.6%, 98.4%, 99.2% and 98.5%, respectively. When both tests were used in combination, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy for all vascular tree lesions rose to 100%. CONCLUSION: Combined use of MDCT and CDUS for diagnosis of AVF dysfunctions is of equivalent value to surgery or DSA, a gold standard technique.

Spontaneous thrombosis of a saccular iliac artery aneurysm induced by overlapping self-expandable bare metallic stents.

Isolated iliac artery aneurysms are rare lesions. Prompt diagnosis and timely intervention are essential in their management. In elderly patients with coexisting medical problems, endovascular procedures are preferred to avoid the risks of morbidity and mortality associated with general anesthesia and surgery. We report a case of a true saccular external iliac artery aneurysm that underwent spontaneous thrombosis after treatment with placement of two overlapping bare self-expandable metallic stents only.

Isolated interrupted aortic arch: in a 40-year-old adult.

Interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is a scarce and generally lethal congenital malformation. Patients with complete IAA scarcely reach adult age without previous surgical intervention. In this case, we presented a 40-year-old isolated IAA case with hypertension and angina pectoris. IAA just distal to left subclavian artery and markedly developed collateral circulation was demonstrated via cardiac catheterization (CC) and multi-slice computed tomography angiography (MSCT).

Investigation of Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA, chlamydial lipopolisaccharide antigens, and Helicobacter pylori DNA in atherosclerotic plaques of patients with aortoiliac occlusive disease.

BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION: It has been suggested that chronic infections may have a role in both the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. While the majority of available data are focused on coronary artery disease, our aim was to investigate the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae and Helicobacter pylori in samples from aortoiliac occlusive disease. METHODS: Aorta-iliac atherectomy specimens were collected under sterile conditions from 21 patients (19 male, 2 female) undergoing surgery for aortoiliac occlusive disease. Seventeen macroscopically healthy vessels (12 internal mammary arteries, 3 radial arteries, prepared for coronary artery bypass graft, and 2 traumatic artery specimens, one of which was a superficial femoral artery and the other was a radial artery) were used as control. Blood samples for serological assays were obtained immediately before surgery. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to search for H. pylori and C. pneumoniae DNA in atherosclerotic plaques and healthy vessel samples. Group-specific chlamydial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antigens in atherosclerotic plaques and in healthy vessel samples and serum IgG antibodies to chlamydial LPS were determined by using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Antibodies to H. pylori were also tested in all cases by means of an in-house ELISA. RESULTS: Chlamydial LPS and DNA were detected in 6 of 21 (28.57%) atherosclerotic lesions using ELISA or PCR, respectively. There was no evidence of H. pylori DNA in any plaque specimens. All cases in which C. pneumoniae DNA was positive were also seropositive for antichlamydial LPS. Neither C. pneumoniae DNA nor antigen nor H. pylori DNA was found in the macroscopically healthy samples. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that C. pneumoniae but not, as proposed, H. pylori may be involved in the pathogenesis of aortoiliac atherosclerosis.

Cardioprotective effect of cold-blood cardioplegia enriched with N-acetylcysteine during coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Cold-blood cardioplegia is a well-known method in coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and several authors have used various agents in the enrichment of cold-blood cardioplegia to decrease ischemia-reperfusion injury seen during surgery. N-acetylcysteine, which can increase glutathione levels, is one of the agents added to cardioplegic solutions to decrease myocardial injury. This study was planned to assess the efficiency of N-acetylcysteine-enriched cold-blood cardioplegia on early reperfusion injury in patients with ischemic heart disease undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, using measurements of cardiac troponin I and malondialdehyde release. METHODS: Thirty patients (11 women and 19 men) with left ventricular ejection fraction greater than 0.40 scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly divided into two groups. We used cold-blood cardioplegia enriched with N-acetylcysteine (50 mg per kilogram of body weight) in the first group and cold-blood cardioplegia alone in the second group. Hemodynamic variables and clinical properties of the patients were preoperatively and postoperatively evaluated. Enzyme releases were measured in the early hours after the operation. RESULTS: In the N-acetylcysteine-enriched group cardiac troponin I levels were lower than in the N-acetylcysteine-free group, and this difference was statistically significant. Cardiac troponin I levels increased in both groups in the 6th and 12th hours postoperatively, but there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups. Malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher in the N-acetylcysteine-free group after the 6th, 12th, 24th, and 48th hours postoperatively when compared with the N-acetylcysteine-enriched group. CONCLUSIONS: N-acetylcysteine-supplemented cold-blood cardioplegia minimizes myocardial injury in the early hours after and during the cardiac surgery.

Hydatid cyst of the abdominal aorta and common iliac arteries complicated by a false aneurysm: a case report.

The rupture of hydatid cysts into the abdominal aorta is an unusual and serious complication of the hydatid disease. The authors describe a case of a 12-year-old girl with hydatid disease presenting as a retroperitoneal mass invading the wall of the abdominal aortic bifurcation and complicated by a false aneurysm. Difficulties of preoperative diagnosis and operative management were discussed, and the literature was reviewed.