Surgical Antimicrobial Prophylaxis Compliance in Turkey: Data from the Prospective, Observational, Multicenter Survey Including 7,978 Surgical Patients.

Background: Surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis (SAP) is the peri-operative administration of antimicrobial agents. Compliance rates vary worldwide from 15% to 84.3%, with studies in Turkey not exceeding 35%. The aim of this multicenter study was to determine the rate of appropriate antibiotic class, timing, and duration as well as discharge prescriptions in Turkey. Thus, we aimed to determine the rate of full compliance with SAP procedures in our country Patients and Methods: This multicenter, prospective, observational, descriptive study was conducted in 47 hospitals from 28 provinces in seven different regions of Turkey. Patients over 18 years of age in all surgical units between June 6, 2022, and June 10, 2022, were included in the study. Results: Of the 7,978 patients included in the study, 332 were excluded from further analyses because of pre-existing infection, and SAP compliance analyses were performed on the remaining 7,646 cases. The antibiotic most commonly used for SAP was cefazolin (n = 4,701; 61.5%), followed by third-generation cephalosporins (n = 596; 7.8%). The most common time to start SAP was within 30 minutes before surgery (n = 2,252; 32.5%), followed by 30 to 60 minutes before surgery (n = 1,638; 23.6%). Surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis duration was <24 hours in 3,516 (50.7%) patients and prolonged until discharge in 1,505 (21.7%) patients. Finally, the actual proportion of patients compliant with SAP was 19% (n = 1,452) after omitting 4,458 (58.3%) patients who were prescribed oral antibiotic agents at discharge as part of a prolonged SAP. Conclusions: Surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis compliance rates are still very low in Turkey. Prolonged duration of SAP and especially high rate of antibiotic prescription at discharge are the main reasons for non-compliance with SAP.

Evaluation of vestibulo-ocular reflex with functional head impulse test in healthy individuals: normative values.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the normative values of the functional head impulse test (fHIT) test in healthy young adults. Materials and methods: The study included 100 individuals, 58 females and 42 males, aged 20-25 years. Beon Solution Zero Branco (TV) fHIT test was applied to all participants. FHIT results were analyzed in terms of lateral-posterior-anterior semicircular canals (SSCs), gender, and right-left ear. Results: In the fHIT test, for the lateral SSC the mean percent correct answer (%CA) values for 4,000-6,000°/s2 and 1,000-7,000°/s2 were 88.52 ± 9.04 and 89.91 ± 6.95, respectively; for the posterior SSC, the mean %CA values for SSC 3000-6,000°/s2 and 1,000-7,000°/s2 were 90.63 ± 8.69 and 91.16 ± 7.42, respectively; for the anterior SSC, the mean %CA values for 3,000-6,000°/s2 and 1,000-7,000°/s2 were 91.21 ± 7.96 and 91.49 ± 7.13, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the right and left ear in %CA values at all accelerations in all SSCs (p > 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between genders in the mean %CA values for 6,000-7,000°/s2, 4,000-6,000°/s2, and 1,000-7,000°/s2 in the lateral SSC and 3,000-6,000°/s2 in the anterior SSC (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The FHIT is a noninvasive test battery that functionally evaluates the VOR of the six semicircular canals. In clinical use, the determination of normative values at all accelerations (1,000-7,000 degrees/s2) constitutes an important database for future studies to distinguish pathologic results.

Investigation of left ventricular changes according to valve type in patients with surgical replacement due to isolated aortic stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate postoperative left ventricular changes [left ventricular mass (LVM), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD), patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM), pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), gradients, and ejection fraction (EF)] according to the valve type used in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) due to isolated aortic stenosis. METHODS: A total of 199 patients with isolated AVR due to aortic stenosis between 2010 and 2020 was retrospectively investigated. Four groups were identified according to the valve type used (mechanical, bovine pericardium, porcine and sutureless). Pre-operative and first year postoperative transthoracic echocardiography findings for the patients were compared. RESULTS: Mean age was 64.4 ± 13.0 years, while the gender distribution was 41.7% women and 58.3% men. Of the valves used in patients, 39.2% were mechanical, 18.1% were porcine, 8.5% were bovine pericardial and 34.2% were sutureless valves. Analysis independent of the valve groups observed LVEDD, LVESD, maximum gradient, mean gradient, PAP, LVM and LVMI values reduced significantly postoperatively (p < 0.001). EF was observed to increase by 2.1% (p = 0.008). Comparisons of the four valve groups revealed that LVEDD, LVESD, maximum gradient, mean gradient, LVM and LVMI significantly decreased in all groups. EF significantly increased only in the sutureless valve group (p = 0.006). Analysis of PPM groups showed that LVESD, maximum gradient, mean gradient, PAP, LVM and LVMI were significantly reduced in all groups. In the normal PPM group, there was an improvement in EF, which was significantly different to the other groups (p = 0.001), while in the severe PPM group, EF appeared to be reduced ( p = 0.19).

Immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery is a reasonable and safe option during a pandemic.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the preoperative and intraoperative features, intraoperative and postoperative complications and postoperative satisfaction of patients who underwent immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS) during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The study included ISBCS patients from September 2021 through January 2022. Demographics, comorbidities, type of anesthesia (topical/general), intraoperative complications, postoperative refractive errors, and complications were examined. The one-month postoperative appointment included a patient satisfaction questionnaire. RESULTS: ISBCS was performed in 206 eyes of 103 patients. Intraoperative complications did not occur in 99 (96.1%) of ISBCS patients. No patients had visually significant corneal edema, wound leakage, endophthalmitis, or toxic anterior segment syndrome during postoperative follow-up. Final manifest spherical equivalent refraction was less than 1.00 D in all patients and less than 0.50 D in 70.7% of patients. In the questionnaire given to the patients at the one-month follow-up, 96.1% of patients did not change their preference for surgery on the same day. CONCLUSION: ISBCS provides an advantage during the pandemic period by reducing hospital visits, especially for the elderly population and patients with comorbidities. ISBCS is a safe and reasonable method that can be used during a pandemic due to the low rates of complications, the success of the refractive results, and the high patient satisfaction rates.

Risk factors for Gram-negative bacterial infection of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices: multicentre observational study (CarDINe Study).

BACKGROUND: Infections of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIED) are mainly due to Gram-positive bacteria (GPB). Data about Gram-negative bacteria CIED (GNB-CIED) infections are limited. This study aimed to investigate risk factors, clinical and diagnostic characteristics, and outcome of patients with GNB-CIED. METHODS: A multicentre, international, retrospective, case-control-control study was performed on patients undergoing CIED implantation from 2015 to 2019 in 17 centres across Europe. For each patient diagnosed with GNB-CIED, one matching control with GPB-CIED infection and two matching controls without infection were selected. RESULTS: A total of 236 patients were enrolled: 59 with GNB-CIED infection, 59 with GPB-CIED infection and 118 without infection. No between-group differences were found regarding clinical presentation, diagnostic and therapeutic management. A trend toward a higher rate of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) positivity was observed among patients with GNB than in those with GPB-CIED infection (85.7% vs. 66.7%; P = 0.208). Risk factors for GNB-CIED infection were Charlson Comorbidity Index Score (relative risk reduction, RRR = 1.211; P = 0.011), obesity (RRR = 5.122; P = 0.008), ventricular-pacing ventricular-sensing inhibited-response pacemaker implantation (RRR = 3.027; P = 0.006) and right subclavian vein site of implantation (RRR = 5.014; P = 0.004). At 180-day survival analysis, GNB-CIED infection was associated with increased mortality risk (HR = 1.842; P = 0.067). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity, high number of comorbidities and right subclavian vein implantation site were associated with increased risk of GNB-CIED infection. A prompt therapeutic intervention that may be guided using FDG PET/CT is suggested in patients with GNB-CIED infection, considering the poorer outcome observed in this group.

Effects of patient blood management in pediatric heart surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Multidisciplinary patient blood management practices reduce costs of blood products and transfusion-related complications in hospitals. Hospital costs are high in pediatric cardiac surgery patients because high hematocrit levels are usually needed; the need for blood products is high due to complex and long surgical procedures; the length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) is long, and the use of treatment modalities such as dialysis and ECMO is common in this patient population. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we investigated the effects of the use of the multidisciplinary patient blood management protocols on the use of blood products and associated costs by comparing the outcomes of the protocol implemented in the year 2019 to the blood product use and costs of the previous year. In our clinic, 414 patients were operated on in 2019; 230 of them were males and 184 of them were females. RESULTS: Transfusions carried out in adherence to such protocols have reduced mortality rates along with a decline in hospital costs. CONCLUSIONS: We, too, achieved a 10% reduction in blood product costs per patient after the implementation of the multidisciplinary patient blood management protocol.

OBJETIVO: Las prácticas multidisciplinarias de manejo de la sangre del paciente reducen los costos de los productos sanguíneos y las complicaciones relacionadas con las transfusiones en los hospitales. Los costos hospitalarios son altos en pacientes pediátricos de cirugía cardíaca porque generalmente se necesitan niveles altos de hematocrito; la necesidad de hemoderivados es alta debido a los procedimientos quirúrgicos largos y complejos; la estancia en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) es larga y el uso de modalidades de tratamiento como la diálisis y la ECMO es común en esta población de pacientes. MÉTODOS: En este estudio retrospectivo; Investigamos los efectos del uso de los protocolos multidisciplinarios de manejo sanguíneo del paciente sobre el uso de hemoderivados y los costos asociados comparando los resultados del protocolo implementado en el año 2019 con el uso de hemoderivados y los costos del año anterior. En nuestra clínica se operaron 414 pacientes en 2019; 230 de ellos eran varones y 184 mujeres. RESULTADOS: Las transfusiones realizadas en cumplimiento de dichos protocolos han reducido las tasas de mortalidad junto con una disminución de los costos hospitalarios. CONCLUSIONES: Nosotros también logramos una reducción del 10% en los costos de los productos sanguíneos por paciente después de la implementación del protocolo multidisciplinario de manejo de sangre del paciente.

Vaccine hesitancy and refusal among parents: An international ID-IRI survey.

INTRODUCTION: Although vaccines are the safest and most effective means to prevent and control infectious diseases, the increasing rate of vaccine hesitancy and refusal (VHR) has become a worldwide concern. We aimed to find opinions of parents on vaccinating their children and contribute to available literature in order to support the fight against vaccine refusal by investigating the reasons for VHR on a global scale. METHODOLOGY: In this international cross-sectional multicenter study conducted by the Infectious Diseases International Research Initiative (ID-IRI), a questionnaire consisting of 20 questions was used to determine parents' attitudes towards vaccination of their children. RESULTS: Four thousand and twenty-nine (4,029) parents were included in the study and 2,863 (78.1%) were females. The overall VHR rate of the parents was found to be 13.7%. Nineteen-point three percent (19.3%) of the parents did not fully comply with the vaccination programs. The VHR rate was higher in high-income (HI) countries. Our study has shown that parents with disabled children and immunocompromised children, with low education levels, and those who use social media networks as sources of information for childhood immunizations had higher VHR rates (p < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Seemingly all factors leading to VHR are related to training of the community and the sources of training. Thus, it is necessary to develop strategies at a global level and provide reliable knowledge to combat VHR.

Surgical Approach and Management Strategies in a Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic During the COVID-19 Outbreak.

INTRODUCTION: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has required changes in the management of pediatric cardiac surgery. We would like to share the patient treatment and surgical management strategies employed in our Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A total of 112 patients were followed up in our clinic between 11.03.2020 and 02.07.2020. Their mean age was 1,118 (4-5,740) days. Management and treatment were performed by our pediatric heart team (pediatric cardiac anesthetists, general pediatricians, pediatric cardiologists, pediatric cardiac surgeons, and an infectious diseases specialist). We prepared new protocols and a surveillance system specific to the pandemic to prevent in-hospital transmission and reduce postoperative mortality and morbidity; our operations were performed according to these protocols. All decisions pertaining to the operation timing and treatment strategy of our COVID-19-positive patients were made by the same team. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 112 patients, 69 boys and 43 girls, were hospitalized in our clinic. A total of 333 COVID-19 real-time polymerase chain reaction tests were performed on patients and accompanying persons; positive results were found in three patients and two accompanying individuals. CONCLUSION: By employing new protocols and a surveillance system throughout the healthcare system, we think that early diagnosis and treatment of the pediatric congenital heart disease population, which is susceptible to infections, can continue unperturbed. This and similar approaches can increase postoperative success and prevent transmission in the pediatric population - which are frequently COVID-19 asymptomatic.

In vitro mycotoxin binding capacities of clays, glucomannan and their combinations.

Clays, glucomannans and their combinations are widely used to bind mycotoxins in contaminated feeds to reduce their toxic effects on animals. In the present study, the binding abilities of clinoptilolite, sepiolite, bentonite, and montmorillonite, glucomannan, and four commercial TB products (P1, P2, C1 and C2) were investigated in vitro for their binding effects on seven different mycotoxins (AF, aflatoxin; OTA, ochratoxin; ZEA, zearalenone; DON, deoxynivalenol; FUM, fumonisin; T-2 toxin, and HT-2 toxin) in medium at pH 3.0 and 6.8. The clays were observed to bind AF, DON, and OTA at the following levels: clinoptilolite on AF at 72-90%, on DON at 61-68%, and on OTA at 52-62%; sepiolite on AF at 92-98%, on DON at 36-68%, and on OTA at 53-55%; bentonite on AF at 88-95%, on DON at 23-73%, and on OTA at 54-56%, and montmorillonite on AF at 74-80%, on DON at 46-68%, and on OTA at 54-55%. We also observed that these clays bound ZEA, FUM, T-2, and HT-2 at 25-45%. Glucomannan bound AF at a high rate (85-96%); however, bound DON at 31-56% and OTA at 54-55%, and other mycotoxins at 25-43%. Although P1, which consisted of clay combinations, bound AF and OTA at high rates, it bound DON, FUM, ZEA, T-2, and HT-2 at medium rates. P2, to which glucomannan was added to the clay combination, was observed to have the ability to bind OTA, FUM, and T-2 at ∼15-20% more than P1. When similar commercial products were compared, P2 provided ∼>10% adsorption of AF, 20% of OTA and FUM, and 5% of T-2 than C1, while similar binding ability of these two products were observed on the other toxins.

Infection profile of patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in paediatric cardiac surgery ICU.

AIM: We investigated the risk of increased nosocomial infections and the associated pathogens in patients who underwent paediatric cardiovascular surgery and were put on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. We studied the duration of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use and other variables that may be associated with increased nosocomial infection risk. METHODS: Patients who were treated with an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in paediatric cardiovascular surgery ICU between 2010 and 2020 were included in this retrospective study. We analysed the site of infection and microbiological profile of infections occurring in these patients according to CDC and National Healthcare Safety Network criteria. RESULTS: The onset of infection development in patients after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was found to be median 8 (3-15, 25-75 IQR) days in the whole group, and median 11 (3-16, 25-75 IQR) days in those who developed infection without being put on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. When patients were divided into those with and without infection, duration of ICU was found to be 19 (16-28, IQR 25-75) days in patients with infection vs. 8 (2-16, IQR 25-75; p: <0.001) days in patients without infection. Duration of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support was found to be 14 (10-25, IQR 25-75) days in patients with infection versus 5 (2-10, IQR 25-75; p: <0.001) days in patients without infection and total hospital stay was 26 (18-33, IQR 25-75) days in patients with infection versus 8 (2-23, IQR 25-75) days in those without infection. A total of 24 patients out of the 70 patients experienced 32 infectious episodes during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. Culture-positive infections were detected at a single site in 19 patients, and multiple sites in 5 patients. CONCLUSION: We propose that prolonged extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support is associated with an increased risk of infection. Although extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a life-saving treatment method, prolonged extracorporeal membrane oxygenation may increase the development of infectious complications and the associated mortality and morbidity of the patient.

PENTRAXIN 3 LEVELS CORRELATE WELL WITH DISEASE SEVERITY AT ADMISSION IN COVID-19 PATIENTS.

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3), a long pentraxin, is not only released from dendritic cells and neutrophils but also from epithelial and endothelial cells such as alveolar epithelium. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) initially activates the innate immune system, causing a complex immune response. Clinical and experimental studies suggest that PTX3, a locally and systemically secreted marker, can be used as a predictor of the severity and mortality in respiratory infections. In the current study, serum PTX3 levels in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were found to be significantly increased at admission and showed significant association with the disease severity.

Preoperative monocytosis is predictable at diagnosis for RT-PCR negative COVID-19 paediatric cardiac surgery patients.

Other markers investigated in this population have gained importance in the diagnosis of the disease since the course of COVID-19 disease is atypical in the paediatric population and PCR may be misleading. The leukocyte profile is one of these biochemical tests. Children did not have lymphopenia in hemogram count, whereas relatively neutropenia and monocytosis were detected, unlike the adult population. The reason why children do not have lymphopenia is thought to be due to the fact that the thymus is more active in the first years of life.Two-hundred and four patients operated in our paediatric cardiac surgery clinic from 11March, 2020 to 1 April, 2021 were retrospectively examined and 11 patients with preoperative asymptomatic and PCR (-), but with PCR (+) in the post-operative period (patients with incubation period or false PCR negativity) were included in our study. Patients requiring emergency operation and operated from PCR (+) patients in the preoperative period were excluded from the study.The neutrophil ratio in the lymphocytic series of 7 patients out of 11 patients was slightly below the normal range in the preoperative period, the lymphocyte ratio of 3 patients was slightly above the normal range, and the relative monocyte ratio of 10 patients was slightly above the normal range.We think that evaluating the leukocyte profile combined with RT-PCR will give more accurate results in the diagnosis of incubation period and false RT-PCR negative patients. In addition, we believe that the algorithms for non-complex paediatric cardiac surgery procedures and timing in the paediatric population with a better course of COVID-19 disease with a positive post-operative course.

Risk Factors for Mortality in Patients with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Bloodstream Infections in Immunocompetent Patients.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate bloodstream infections caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in immunocompetent patients with respect to clinical features and risk factors for mortality. Methods: We reviewed bloodstream infections detected between January 1, 2012, and July 1, 2021, to identify nosocomial S. maltophilia bacteremia in Kosuyolu Research and Training Hospital. Results: We identified a total of 97 patients with S. maltophilia bloodstream infections. Of these, 17 patients were excluded because of community-acquired infections (n=9), contamination with S. maltophilia (n=3), and insufficient data (n=5), with 80 (57.5% males) patients remaining for analysis. The source of infection was the respiratory tract in 28 (35%) patients. A central venous catheter was used in 60 (75%) patients, which required replacement in 23 patients within five days after detecting S. maltophilia bacteremia. On antimicrobial susceptibility testing, 71 strains were found to be susceptible and 9 (11.3%) resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Thirty-day mortality was 33.8%. Non-survivors differed significantly from survivors with respect to higher rates of central venous catheters ( p=0.020), mechanical ventilation (p=0.006), urinary catheters (p=0.021), septic shock (p=0.001), hypoalbuminemia (p=0.026) and thrombocytopenia (p =0.039). S. maltophilia bacteremia was independently associated with mortality in patients with hypoalbuminemia, and replacement of central venous catheters had a protective role in reducing mortality. Conclusion: As with other bacterial infections, S. maltophilia bacteremia is associated with a considerably high mortality rate in patients with cardiac conditions. The replacement of the catheter seems to play a beneficial role in 30-day survival.

Relationship Between Cardiac Surgery and Acute Ischemic Stroke: An Examination in Terms of Clinical, Radiological, and Functional Outcomes and Possible Pathophysiological Mechanisms.

AIM: The aim is to discuss the clinical characteristics, time, anatomical vascular distribution, radiological features, functional outcomes after stroke and possible pathophysiological mechanisms of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) that develop after cardiac surgery. METHOD: A total of 3,474 patients, who underwent cardiac surgery between 2015-2020, retrospectively were analyzed. Forty-nine patients, who developed AIS and had brain CT and diffusion MR images during hospitalization, were included in the study. RESULTS: AIS distribution was at 53% CABG, 12.2% isolated mitral valve, 8.1% isolated aortic valve, and 26.5% combined surgical procedures. Patients with a ≤2 days (P = 0.03) preop preparation time and body surface area (BSA) of <1.85 m2 (P = 0.02) had a high discharge rate. While newly developing AF was low in the early stroke group, it was higher in the late stroke group (P = 0.02). A history of previous cerebrovascular events was found in 3.3% of the patients. Postoperative new AIS was detected in 7.8% of those with a history of cerebrovascular events. Total anterior circulation infarction (TACI) case rate was 8.1%, partial anterior circulation infarction (PACI) 12.2%, posterior circulation infarction (POCI) 24.4%, cortical border zone infarction (CBZI) 30.6%, combined POCI + CBZI 12.2%, multiple territorial infarcts (MTI) 10.2%, and lacunar circulation infarction (LACI) rate was 2%. The modified Rankin Scale means following AIS was 3.45. The worst Rankin score was 5.75 in CABG+MVR cases; it was found to be 5 in the valve + ascending aorta case and 5 in the five bypass cases. CONCLUSION: Calculation of cerebrovascular reserve with extra/intracranial vascular imaging is important in patients with multiple risk factors, whose association with stroke has been determined before cardiac surgery. We believe that cardiovascular surgery and neurology multidisciplinary prospective randomized studies should be conducted to obtain pre-, peri- and post-procedural risk calculation scales, according to cardiac surgery type and to reshape surgical procedures accordingly.

Contribution of Current Comorbid Conditions to Carotid Artery Stenosis in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass and Stroke Distribution in Carotid Artery Stenosis Groups.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to contribute to the issue of "Who should we perform Doppler ultrasonography on?" and determine the contribution of comorbid diseases to the development of carotid artery stenosis (CAS) and preoperative CAS by examining comorbid diseases in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft operation (CABG) and also discussing the effect of carotid stenosis levels on postoperative stroke. METHOD: Between 2011-2015, a total of 921 patients who underwent cardiac surgery retrospectively were examined. Of these, 594 CABG patients aged 60 and over who underwent preoperative carotid Doppler examination were analyzed. RESULTS: Sixty-five percent of patients were male, and 35% were female. The mean age was 69.3 years. Sixty-nine percent of patients were in the 0-29% stenosis group, 12.9% in the 30-49% group, 14.6% in the 50-69% group, 3% in the 70-99% group, and 0.3% in the 100% occlusion group. Peripheral artery disease (PAD), age, gender, and diabetes mellitus (DM) were found to have significant (P < 0.05) effects on the occurrence of CAS. CAS increased by 0.9% with an increase of one year in age, 10.8% with the presence of PAD, 3% with male sex, 3.8% with presence of chronic obstructive pulmonery disease (COPD), 1.9% with presence of left main coronary disease (LMCAD), and 0.9% with presence of hypertension. In the decision tree analysis, the rate of 50% and above CAS in the presence of PAH + DM and age older than 65 years was 62.5%. Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) distribution was 2.1% in the 0-29% group, 2.5% in the 30-49% group, 4.5% in the 50-69% group, and 11.1% in the 70-99% group. Postoperative CVA was not observed in 10 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CE). Postoperative CVA developed in six patients with 50% or more stenosis who did not undergo CE. CONCLUSION: For the preoperative detection of CAS in patients undergoing CABG, the association of advanced age, PAD, DM, male gender, COPD, LMCAD, and hypertension risk factors should be considered. We suggest that carotid screening should be performed in those over 65 years of age and with PAD+DM. Studies with large populations are needed to observe the effects of aortic atherosclerosis load, surgical procedure, and unilateral/bilateral CAS presence on the development of stroke in patients with severe CAS and postoperative CVA.

Giant left atrial capillary haemangioma invading left-main coronary artery.

Cardiac haemangiomas are rare cases and can be seen at any age of life. A 49-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with chest pain. A well-circumscribed soft tissue mass extending from the pulmonary artery truncus to the left ventricular inferior neighborhood. Following surgical resection, the patient was discharged 4 days after surgery.

COVID-19 presenting with diarrhea in a heart transplant patient.

A 55-year-old man who underwent bicaval orthotopic heart transplantation nine months earlier presented with complaints of diarrhea and oliguria. Laboratory findings showed pancytopenia and an elevated creatinine level. Cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil were discontinued, and the patient received only everolimus. As he was immunosuppressed and had atypical symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction testing was performed, which yielded a positive result. Treatment with hydroxychloroquine and favipiravir were initiated. Although the patient suffered from acute renal failure, his condition showed an improvement after hydration plus a five-day antiviral treatment and, then, treatment was stopped. His COVID-19 test was negative after 10 days of follow-up and treatment, and he was discharged with cyclosporin and mycophenolate mofetil.

Assessing volumetric changes in abdominal aortic aneurysms following endovascular repair.

OBJECTIVE: Volumetric changes in the aneurysm sac were evaluated following endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) in intact abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patients who underwent EVAR. METHODS: Fifty-two patients, who underwent EVAR from 2015 to 2019, were analysed retrospectively. A total of 158 computed tomography angiography scans was examined by performing reconsctructive volumetric calculations. Total aneurysm volume (TAV), patent lumen volume (PLV) and thrombuscoated aneurysm wall volume (TCAWV) were calculated. The results obtained at six, 12 and 24 months postoperatively were compared with those of the pre-operative period. RESULTS: Mean TAV had regressed 7% by the sixth month (p = 0.1), 27% by the 12th month (p = 0.0003) and 19% by the 24th month (p = 0.0008). Mean TCAWV had increased 2% by the sixth month (p = 0.3), and regressed 26% by the 12th month (p = 0.3) and 14% by the 24th month (p = 0.8). Mean PLV had regressed by 20% by the sixth month (p = 0.008), 29% by the 12th month (p = 0.0002) and 26% by the 24th month (p = 0.0006). For each individual proximal, middle and distal measurement, regression was observed at six and 12 months; however, an increase was observed at 24 months compared to the previous follow ups. CONCLUSIONS: The expansion measurements of TAV in the 24th month support the doubts on the medium- to long-term results of EVAR. The largest regression in the aneurysm sac was observed in the distal portion, then in the proximal portion, and the least regression was observed in the middle section.

Predictive Value of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte, Aspartate-to-Alanine Aminotransferase, Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratios in Severity and Side of Carotid Artery Stenosis: Are Those Significant?

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease that leads to mortality and morbidity by affecting arterial vascular structures. Carotid artery is one of these arterial structures and occlusive disease of carotid artery may cause stroke or cranial ischemic infarction. Inflammation plays a role in the atherosclerotic process. In this study, we aimed to discuss the relationship between the severity and side of carotid artery occlusion and novel inflammatory parameters include platelet-to-lymphocyte, neutrophil-to- lymphocyte, lymphocyte-to-monocyte, and aspartate-to-alanine aminotransferase ratios. METHODS: One-hundred-fifteen patients who had carotid artery stenosis between 50%-99% and 115 healthy subjects with no carotid artery stenosis or additional disease were included in the study. The relationship between the side and degree of the lesion and platelet-to-lymphocyte, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte, lymphocyte-to-monocyte, and aspartate-to-alanine aminotransferase ratios were studied in the patient group. The patients with carotid artery stenosis and the healthy subjects were compared, in the terms of same parameters. Data were evaluated statistically. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the groups, in the terms of platelet-to-lymphocyte, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte, lymphocyte-to-monocyte, and aspartate-to-alanine aminotransferase ratios and the degree of stenosis. There was no statistically significant difference between the sides of the lesions and the parameters above except lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio. It was statistically significantly higher in left-sided lesions. Aspartate-to- alanine aminotransferase and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios were markedly higher in the patient group, when compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Platelet-to-lymphocyte, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte, lymphocyte-to-monocyte, and aspartate-to- alanine aminotransferase ratios are inexpensive, easy, fast, and reproducible parameters that can be used in determining the prediction of carotid artery stenosis.

Management of Cardiac Surgery in a Pandemic Region Hospital: Precautions, Results and Experiences During COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to share the experiences gained from emergency and semiemergency cases of open heart surgery performed during the COVID-19 outbreak in Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Medical Faculty Hospital, which was defined as a pandemic hospital by Turkish Ministry of Health and provided third degree health services. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 54 patients were retrospectively analyzed between 23 March and 22 May 2020, who were diagnosed to have aortic dissection, coronary artery disease, and heart valve diseases. RESULTS: Thirty-two CABG, 12 valve surgery, 6 aortic surgery, 4 CABG + valve surgeries were performed. During the postoperative follow-up of 11 patients, who were suspicious of COVID-19, 8 of them displayed respiratory problems and partial oxygen depletion and required continuous positive airway pressure. The hospitalization duration of COVID-19-suspicious patients were approximately 5 days longer than that of normal patients. In one of the patient, who was treated positive for COVID-19, acute coronary syndrome developed and CABG was performed following the treatment. CONCLUSION: During the pandemic period, acute cardiac diseases needing urgent surgery could be misdiagnosed because of similar symptoms with COVID-19 and the health care practitioners concentrated with the COVID-19 primarily. On the other hand, pandemic fear could cause delayed admission to the hospital and increased postoperative mortality and morbidity. When a COVID-19-positive or -suspicious patient undergo open-heart surgery, problems resulting from both COVID-19 infection and cardiopulmonary bypass-associated systemic effects could arise. The combination of these two cases could worsen the complications.