Diuresis inducida frente a hidratación combinada en pacientes sometidos a procedimientos cardiovasculares percutáneos: metanálisis de ensayos clínicos aleatorizados / Diuresis-matched versus standard hydration in patients undergoing percutaneous cardiovascular procedures: meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Introducción y objetivos: La nefropatía inducida por contraste (NIC) es una potencial complicación de los procedimientos que requieren la administración de medio de contraste yodado. El RenalGuard, que suministra una adecuada hidratación combinada con diuresis inducida por furosemida, es una alternativa a las estrategias convencionales de hidratación. Según la literatura disponible, la evidencia sobre el RenalGuard no es concluyente, por lo que hemos realizado un metanálisis utilizando una construcción bayesiana. Métodos Se realizaron búsquedas en Medline, Cochrane Library y Web of Science de ensayos aleatorizados de RenalGuard frente a estrategias estándar de hidratación periprocedimiento. El objetivo primario fue el desarrollo de NIC. Los objetivos secundarios fueron muerte por cualquier causa, shock cardiogénico, edema agudo de pulmón (EAP) e insuficiencia renal que requería terapia de reemplazo renal. Para cada resultado se calculó un riesgo relativo (RR) con el correspondiente intervalo de credibilidad del 95% (ICr95%). Registro número CRD42022378489 en PROSPERO database. Resultados Se incluyeron 6 estudios. El RenalGuard se asoció con una reducción relativa significativa de NIC (mediana de RR=0,54; ICr95%, 0,31-0,86) y EAP (mediana de RR=0,35; 95%ICr, 0,12-0,87). No se observaron diferencias significativas para los otros parámetros secundarios [muerte por cualquier causa (RR=0,49; ICr95%, 0,13-1,08), shock cardiogénico (RR=0,06; ICr95%, 0,00-1,91), terapia de reemplazo renal (RR=0,52; ICr95%, 0,18-1,18)]. El análisis Bayesiano también mostró que el RenalGuard obtuvo una alta probabilidad de posicionarse primero con respecto a todos los objetivos secundarios. Estos resultados fueron consistentes en múltiples análisis de sensibilidad. Conclusiones En los pacientes sometidos a procedimientos cardiovasculares percutáneos, el RenalGuard se asoció con un menor riesgo de NIC y EAP. (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) is a potential complication of procedures requiring administration of iodinated contrast medium. RenalGuard, which provides real-time matching of intravenous hydration with furosemide-induced diuresis, is an alternative to standard periprocedural hydration strategies. The evidence on RenalGuard in patients undergoing percutaneous cardiovascular procedures is sparse. We used a Bayesian framework to perform a meta-analysis of RenalGuard as a CA-AKI preventive strategy. Methods We searched Medline, Cochrane Library and Web of Science for randomized trials of RenalGuard vs standard periprocedural hydration strategies. The primary outcome was CA-AKI. Secondary outcomes were all-cause death, cardiogenic shock, acute pulmonary edema, and renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy. A Bayesian random-effect risk ratio (RR) with corresponding 95% credibility interval (95%CrI) was calculated for each outcome. PROSPERO database number CRD42022378489. Results Six studies were included. RenalGuard was associated with a significant relative reduction in CA-AKI (median RR, 0.54; 95%CrI, 0.31-0.86) and acute pulmonary edema (median RR, 0.35; 95%CrI, 0.12-0.87). No significant differences were observed for the other secondary endpoints [all-cause death (RR, 0.49; 95%CrI, 0.13-1.08), cardiogenic shock (RR, 0.06; 95%CrI, 0.00-1.91), and renal replacement therapy (RR, 0.52; 95%CrI, 0.18-1.18)]. The Bayesian analysis also showed that RenalGuard had a high probability of ranking first for all the secondary outcomes. These results were consistent in multiple sensitivity analyses. Conclusions In patients undergoing percutaneous cardiovascular procedures, RenalGuard was associated with a reduced risk of CA-AKI and acute pulmonary edema compared with standard periprocedural hydration strategies. (AU)

Resection of Carotid Body Tumors in Patients of Advanced Age: Experience From a Single Center.

INTRODUCTION: Resection of carotid body tumor (CBT) in patients of advanced ages has not been appreciated. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the clinical characteristics and perioperative comorbidities for CBT resection in patients of advanced age and to validate the application of an "isolated island" technique for extirpation of CBT. METHODS: Eight patients of advanced age (≥60 years) who underwent CBT resection were enrolled as the study group (SG). Another 29 patients of younger age (<45 years old) underwent CBT extirpation were assigned as the control group (CG). The perioperative issues were compared between these 2 groups. RESULTS: The "isolated island" technique was successfully applied for resection of CBT in all 37 patients. The prevalence of Shamblin classification I, II, and III tumors in the SG was 12.5%, 62.5%, and 25%; whereas in the CG was 10.3%, 55.2%, and 34.5%, respectively. Bilateral CBT was observed in 7 patients of the CG and none in the SG. Vascular reconstruction was required for 1 (12.5%) patient in the SG, while it was required for 8 (27.6%) patients in the CG. Postoperative vocal cord palsy occurred in 37.5% of patients in SG, whereas the vocal cord palsy (34.5%) and dysphagia (6.9%) were commonly encountered in CG. In addition to postoperative length of stay (P = .004), no significant difference for operative time, intraoperative blood loss, or mortality were observed between these 2 groups (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Extirpation of CBT in patients of advanced age is rationale in appropriately selected patients. The "isolated island" technique is safe for CBT resection with seemingly low complication rates.

Intervención de enfermería durante el preoperatorio en cirugía cardiovascular / Nursing intervention during the pre-operative period in cardiovascular surgery

Introducción: La adecuada intervención de enfermería puede mejorar los resultados posoperatorios, el estrés y el conocimiento; y reducir las complicaciones. Objetivo: Exponer una intervención personalizada de enfermería para modificar los estados emocionales, y la capacidad de afrontamiento y adaptación durante el preoperatorio de cirugía cardiovascular en el Centro de Investigaciones Médico Quirúrgicas. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio longitudinal y preexperimental, que incluyó 88 personas que acudieron al Servicio de Cirugía Cardiovascular del Centro de Investigaciones Médico Quirúrgicas en un período de dos años. Se aplicaron los test Inventario de Ansiedad Rasgo-Estado y del Inventario de Depresión Rasgo-Estado, para medir la ansiedad y la depresión; así como el test ESCAPS (Instrumento de medición del proceso de afrontamiento y adaptación) y una entrevista semiestructurada que exploró conocimiento. Los resultados iniciales y finales se compararon, y se expresaron en números absolutos, porcentajes y media. Se aplicó la prueba de Chi cuadrado a las variables cualitativas y el test de Student para medias independientes a las variables cuantitativas, con un intervalo de confianza del 95 por ciento. Resultados: Predominaron los hombres (57,9 por ciento) con edad media de 57,73 ± 11,9 años. Luego de la intervención se redujeron la ansiedad en un 36,6 por ciento (p < 0,001) y la depresión en un 72,7 por ciento (p = 0). Aumentaron el conocimiento (76,1 por ciento; p = 0,037) y la capacidad de afrontamiento y adaptación (0,11 puntos). Solo se encontró asociación entre la ansiedad y la depresión con las complicaciones (p = 0,008 y p < 0,001 de forma respectiva). Conclusiones: La intervención de enfermería modificó de manera positiva la ansiedad y la depresión, al optimizar la capacidad de afrontamiento y adaptación(AU)

Introduction: Adequate nursing intervention can improve post-operative outcomes, stress and knowledge; and reduce complications. Objective: Present a personalized nursing intervention in the pre-operative period of cardiovascular surgery at the Center for Medical and Surgical Research. Methods: A longitudinal and pre-experimental study was conducted, which included 88 people who attended the Cardiovascular Surgery Service of the Center for Medical and Surgical Research in a period of two years. The Trait-State Anxiety Inventory and Trait-State Depression Inventory tests were applied to measure anxiety and depression; as well as the ESCAPS test (Instrument for measuring the coping and adaptation process) and a semi-structured interview that explored knowledge. A personalized nursing intervention was performed. The initial and final results were compared, and expressed in absolute numbers, percentages and average. The Chi-square test was applied to the qualitative variables and the Student test for independent means to the quantitative variables, with a 95 percent confidence interval. Results: Men (57.9 percent) with a mean age of 57.73 ± 11.9 years predominated. After the intervention, anxiety was reduced by 36.6 percent (p < 0.001) and depression by 72.7 percent (p = 0). Knowledge increased (76.1 percent; p = 0.037) and coping and adaptive capacity (0.11 points). Only an association was found between anxiety and depression with complications (p = 0.008 and p < 0.001 respectively). Conclusions: Nursing intervention positively modified anxiety and depression by optimizing coping and adaptation capacity(AU)

Results of percutaneous closure with device in congenital heart disease of the atrial septal defect type / Resultados del cierre percutáneo con dispositivo en la cardiopatía congénita de tipo comunicación interauricular

Congenital Interatrial Septal Defects (TEA) are among the most common Congenital Heart Diseases in the population, where Atrial Septal Defect stands out, which is produced by a left-right short circuit that provides greater survival and less morbidity and mortality. The objective was to determine the results of Percutaneous Closure with a Device in Congenital Heart Disease of the Atrial Communication type at the Carlos Andrade Marín Specialty Hospital (Quito) in the Hemodynamics service from January 2009 to July 2019. It is a retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study . With a population of 122 cases from the AS400 registry. Thus, it was determined: there is a female predominance in a ratio of 2:1, the ranges for defect intervention were 5.5 mm to 35 mm, post-procedure pulmonary artery pressures (systolic 18-25 mmHg and diastolic 6-10 mmHg) in 95% of patients, ventricular overload in 76% in pre-procedure patients. Concluding that 96% of our population has a significant post-procedure improvement.

Los defectos del tabique interauricular congénitos (TEA) se encuentran entre las cardiopatías congénitas más comunes en la población donde resalta la comunicación interauricular que es producido por un cortocircuito izquierda derecha que brinda mayor sobrevida y menor morbimortalidad. El objetivo fue determinar los resultados del cierre percutáneo con dispositivo en la cardiopatía congénita de tipo comunicación interauricular en el hospital de especialidades Carlos Andrade Marín (Quito) en el servicio de hemodinamia en el período enero 2009 a julio 2019. Es un estudio transversal descriptivo retrospectivo. Con una población 122 casos del registro de AS400. Encontramos un predominio en sexo femenino en una proporción de 2:1, los rangos para intervención del defecto fueron de 5,5 mm a 35 mm, las presiones de la arteria pulmonar pos-procedimiento (sistólica de 18-25 mmHg y diastólica de 6-10 mmHg) en un 95% de los pacientes, sobrecarga ventricular en un 76% en los pacientes pre-procedimiento. Concluyendo que el 96% de nuestra población tiene una mejoría significativa post-procedimiento.

Novel bicuspid aortic valve model with aortic regurgitation for hemodynamic status analysis using an ex vivo simulator.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to design and evaluate a clinically relevant, novel ex vivo bicuspid aortic valve model that mimics the most common human phenotype with associated aortic regurgitation. METHODS: Three bovine aortic valves were mounted asymmetrically in a previously validated 3-dimensional-printed left heart simulator. The non-right commissure and the non-left commissure were both shifted slightly toward the left-right commissure, and the left and right coronary cusps were sewn together. The left-right commissure was then detached and reimplanted 10 mm lower than its native height. Free margin shortening was used for valve repair. Hemodynamic status, high-speed videography, and echocardiography data were collected before and after the repair. RESULTS: The bicuspid aortic valve model was successfully produced and repaired. High-speed videography confirmed prolapse of the fused cusp of the baseline bicuspid aortic valve models in diastole. Hemodynamic and pressure data confirmed accurate simulation of diseased conditions with aortic regurgitation and the subsequent repair. Regurgitant fraction postrepair was significantly reduced compared with that at baseline (14.5 ± 4.4% vs 28.6% ± 3.4%; P = .037). There was no change in peak velocity, peak gradient, or mean gradient across the valve pre- versus postrepair: 293.3 ± 18.3 cm/sec versus 325.3 ± 58.2 cm/sec (P = .29), 34.3 ± 4.2 mm Hg versus 43.3 ± 15.4 mm Hg (P = .30), and 11 ± 1 mm Hg versus 9.3 ± 2.5 mm Hg (P = .34), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: An ex vivo bicuspid aortic valve model was designed that recapitulated the most common human phenotype with aortic regurgitation. These valves were successfully repaired, validating its potential for evaluating valve hemodynamics and optimizing surgical repair for bicuspid aortic valves.

Long-term outcomes of truncus arteriosus repair: A modulated renewal competing risks analysis.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we sought to identify independent risk factors for mortality and reintervention after early surgical correction of truncus arteriosus using a novel statistical method. METHODS: Patients undergoing neonatal/infant truncus arteriosus repair between January 1984 and December 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. An innovative statistical strategy was applied integrating competing risks analysis with modulated renewal for time-to-event modeling. RESULTS: A total of 204 patients were included in the study. Mortality occurred in 32 patients (15%). Smaller right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit size and truncal valve insufficiency at birth were significantly associated with overall mortality (right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit size: hazard ratio, 1.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.66, P = .008; truncal valve insufficiency: hazard ratio, 2.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-5.53, P = .024). truncal valve insufficiency at birth, truncal valve intervention at index repair, and number of cusps (4 vs 3) were associated with truncal valve reoperations (truncal valve insufficiency: hazard ratio, 2.38; 95%, confidence interval, 1.13-5.01, P = .02; cusp number: hazard ratio, 6.62; 95% confidence interval, 2.54-17.3, P < .001). Right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit size 11 mm or less was associated with a higher risk of early catheter-based reintervention (hazard ratio, 1.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-2.28, P = .03) and reoperation (hazard ratio, 1.96; 95% confidence interval, 1.33-2.89, P = .001) on the right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit. CONCLUSIONS: Smaller right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit size and truncal valve insufficiency at birth were associated with overall mortality after truncus arteriosus repair. Quadricuspid truncal valve, the presence of truncal valve insufficiency at the time of diagnosis, and truncal valve intervention at index repair were associated with an increased risk of reoperation. The size of the right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit at index surgery is the single most important factor for early reoperation and catheter-based reintervention on the conduit.

Impact of cavotricuspid isthmus depth on the ablation index for successful first-pass typical atrial flutter ablation.

Cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) linear ablation has been established as the treatment for typical atrial flutter. Recently, ablation index (AI) has emerged as a novel marker for estimating ablation lesions. We investigated the relationship between CTI depth and ablation parameters on the procedural results of typical atrial flutter ablation. A total of 107 patients who underwent CTI ablation were retrospectively enrolled in this study. All patients underwent computed tomography before catheter ablation. From the receiver-operating curve, the best cut-off value of CTI depth was < 4.1 mm to predict first-pass success. Although the average AI was not different between deep CTI (DC; CTI depth ≥ 4.1) and shallow CTI (SC; CTI depth < 4.1), DC required a longer ablation time and showed a lower first-pass success rate (p < 0.01). In addition, the catheter inversion technique was more frequently required in the DC (p < 0.01). The lowest AI sites of the first-pass CTI line were determined in both the ventricular (2/3 segment of CTI) and inferior vena cava (IVC, 1/3 segment of CTI) sides. The best cut-off values of the weakest AIs at the ventricular and IVC sides for predicting first-pass success were > 420 and > 386, respectively. Among patients with these cut-off values, the first-pass success rate was 89% in the SC and 50% in the DC (p < 0.01). Although ablation parameters were not significantly different, the first-pass success rate was lower in the DC than in the SC. Further investigation might be required for better outcomes in deep CTIs.

Severe COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome in an adult with single-ventricle physiology: a case report.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 can induce acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In patients with congenital heart disease, established treatment strategies are often limited due to their unique cardiovascular anatomy and passive pulmonary perfusion. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the first case of an adult with single-ventricle physiology and bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt who suffered from severe COVID-19 ARDS. Treatment strategies were successfully adopted, and pulmonary vascular resistance was reduced, both medically and through prone positioning, leading to a favorable outcome. CONCLUSION: ARDS treatment strategies including ventilatory settings, prone positioning therapy and cannulation techniques for extracorporeal oxygenation must be adopted carefully considering the passive venous return in patients with single-ventricle physiology.

Quantification of irrigated lesion morphology using near-infrared spectroscopy.

There are currently limited means by which lesion formation can be confirmed during radiofrequency ablation procedures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of NIRS-integrated RFA catheters for monitoring irrigated lesion progression, ex vivo and in vivo. Open-irrigated NIRS-ablation catheters with optical fibers were fabricated to sample tissue diffuse reflectance. Spectra from 44 irrigated lesions and 44 non-lesion sites from ex vivo swine hearts (n = 15) were used to train and evaluate a predictive model for lesion dimensions based on key spectral features. Additional studies were performed in diluted blood to assess NIRS signatures of catheter-tissue contact status. Finally, the potential of NIRS-RFA catheters for guiding lesion delivery was evaluated in a set of in vivo pilot studies conducted in healthy pigs (n = 4). Model predictions for lesion depth (R = 0.968), width (R = 0.971), and depth percentage (R = 0.924) correlated well with measured lesion dimensions. In vivo deployment in preliminary trials showed robust translational consistency of contact discrimination (P < 0.0001) and lesion depth parameters (< 3% error). NIRS empowered catheters are well suited for monitoring myocardial response to RF ablation and may provide useful intraprocedural feedback for optimizing treatment efficacy alongside current practices.

Surgical protocol for permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in mice to generate a model of myocardial infarction.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the most common causes of death worldwide. Animal models for MI are useful for studying the pathophysiology and developing therapies. Here, we describe a surgical protocol for permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in mice, which mimics human acute coronary syndrome. This protocol includes descriptive step-by-step surgical procedures and high-quality surgical videos, which are useful for performing stable and highly reproducible operations. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Maruyama et al. (2021).

Minimally Invasive Mini-orbitozygomatic Approach for Clipping an Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm: Virtual Reality Surgical Planning

Virtual reality (VR) has increasingly been implemented in neurosurgical practice. A patient with an unruptured anterior communicating artery (AcoA) aneurysm was referred to our institution. Imaging data from computed tomography angiography (CTA) was used to create a patient specific 3D model of vascular and skull base anatomy, and then processed to a VR compatible environment. Minimally invasive approaches (mini-pterional, supraorbital and mini-orbitozygomatic) were simulated and assessed for adequate vascular exposure in VR. Using an eyebrow approach, aminiorbitozygomatic approach was performed, with clip exclusion of the aneurysm from the circulation. The step-by-step process of VR planning is outlined, and the advantages and disadvantages for the neurosurgeon of this technology are reviewed.

Perioperative outcomes of combined heart surgery and lung tumor resection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of patients with concomitant heart and lung lesions requiring surgical intervention is increasing. Simultaneous cardiac surgery and pulmonary resection avoids the need for a second operation. However, there are concerns regarding the potentially increased mortality and complication rates of simultaneous surgery and the adequacy of lung exposure during heart surgery. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the perioperative mortality and complication rates of combined heart surgery and lung tumor resection. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed in July 2020. The PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched to identify studies that reported the perioperative outcomes of combined heart surgery and lung tumor resection. Two reviewers independently screened the studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Pooled proportions and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated by R version 3.6.1 using the meta package. RESULTS: A total of 536 patients from 29 studies were included. Overall, the pooled proportion of operative mortality was 0.01 (95% CI: 0.00, 0.03) and the pooled proportion of postoperative complications was 0.40 (95% CI: 0.24, 0.57) for patients who underwent combined cardiothoracic surgery. Subgroup analysis by lung pathology revealed that, for patients with lung cancer, the pooled proportion of anatomical lung resection was 0.99 (95% CI: 0.95, 1.00) and the pooled proportion of systematic lymph node dissection or sampling was 1.00 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.00). Subgroup analysis by heart surgery procedure found that the pooled proportion of postoperative complications of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients using the off-pump method was 0.17 (95% CI: 0.01, 0.43), while the pooled proportion of complications after CABG using the on-pump method was 0.61 (95% CI: 0.38, 0.82). CONCLUSION: Combined heart surgery and lung tumor resection had a low mortality rate and an acceptable complication rate. Subgroup analyses revealed that most patients with lung cancer underwent uncompromised anatomical resection and mediastinal lymph node sampling or dissection during combined cardiothoracic surgery, and showed off-pump CABG may reduce the complication rate compared with on-pump CABG. Further researches are still needed to verify these findings.

Establishing ionising radiation safety culture during interventional cardiovascular procedures.

INTRODUCTION: The safety culture of an interventional laboratory was investigated in terms of the application of the three cardinal principles of radiation protection, namely distance, time and shielding. METHODS: The application of these principles was observed and recorded with a radiation safety-culture checklist that was compiled by consulting international recommendations. The checklist evaluated the optimal compliance, especially with reference to monitoring of staff exposure, distance from the X-ray source, fluoroscopy techniques pertaining to frame rate, protective devices and personal shielding. The effective radiation dose was measured to the eyes, thyroid, hands and feet of the cardiologist, nurse, floor nurse and radiographer by means of finger dosimeters that were readily available from the local radiation-protection dosimetry service. RESULTS: The results, after observing 11 procedures, indicated the absence of table and ceiling-suspended shields, and the distance of the cardiologist's and scrub nurse's feet from the X-ray tube were between 16 and 68 cm, with a mean distance of 59.7 and 58.5 cm, respectively. Most staff (91%) wore the dosimeter inside the lead apron at the collar level without eye protection. The highest dosimeter values recorded were 0.73 mSv to the hand of the cardiologist, 0.45 mSv to the eye of the cardiologist, 0.65 mSv to the hand of the scrub nurse, 0.54 mSv to the eye of the scrub nurse and 0.52 mSv to the foot of the scrub nurse. The dosimeter value to the radiographer's thyroid was 0.42 mSv. CONCLUSIONS: The dosimeter readings confirmed the highest doses were to the scrub nurse and hand of the interventionalist. The safety culture was non-compliant in terms of staff distance being too close to the X-ray tube, the absence of ceiling and table screens, the theatre door not always being completely closed, and for staff without lead eye glasses, wearing dosimeters outside the lead apron at the collar level.

Decreased activities of daily living at discharge predict mortality and readmission in elderly patients after cardiac and aortic surgery: A retrospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT: Recently, activities of daily living (ADL) were identified as a prognostic factor among elderly patients with heart disease; however, a specific association between ADL and prognosis after cardiac and aortic surgery is not well established. We aimed to clarify the impact of ADL capacity at discharge on prognosis in elderly patients after cardiac and aortic surgery.This retrospective cohort study included 171 elderly patients who underwent open operation for cardiovascular disease in a single center (median age: 74 years; men: 70%). We used the Barthel Index (BI) as an indicator for ADL. Patients were classified into 2 groups according to the BI at discharge, indicating a high (BI ≥ 85) or low (BI < 85) ADL status. All-cause mortality and unplanned readmission events were observed after discharge.Thirteen all-cause mortality and 44 all-cause unplanned readmission events occurred during the median follow-up of 365 days. Using Kaplan-Meier analysis, a low ADL status was determined to be significantly associated with all-cause mortality and unplanned readmission. In the multivariable Cox proportional hazard models, a low ADL status was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality and unplanned readmission after adjusting for age, sex, length of hospital stay, and other variables (including preoperative status, surgical parameter, and postoperative course).A low ADL status at discharge predicted all-cause mortality and unplanned readmission in elderly patients after cardiac and aortic surgery. A comprehensive approach from the time of admission to postdischarge to improve ADL capacity in elderly patients undergoing cardiac and aortic surgery may improve patient outcomes.

A 19-Year-Old Pregnant Woman With Pulmonary Hypertension With Progressive Dyspnea.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 19-year-old pregnant woman at week 32 of gestation was referred to our clinic with progressive shortness of breath for the further evaluation and treatment of high-risk pregnancy. Her complaints had been existing since her childhood. Two years prior to her admission, she had been diagnosed with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction due to cardiomyopathy and associated pulmonary hypertension. The patient had no family history of any cardiac disease. She had never smoked or drunk alcohol. Her clinical condition had deteriorated progressively with the pregnancy.

Large cardiac wall hematoma with rapid growth: a case report of a potentially catastrophic complication during cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Rapid growth of cardiac wall hematoma is a rare but potentially fatal complication of cardiac surgery. However, its pathophysiology and optimal management remain undefined. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we present a rare case of a large cardiac wall hematoma in the right ventricle during a thoracic aortic and valvular surgery. The hematoma expanded rapidly with epicardial rupture during cardiopulmonary bypass. We could establish non-surgical hemostasis and prevent further expansion of hematoma by early weaning of the cardiopulmonary bypass, followed by the administration of protamine and manual compression by hemostatic agent application. His postoperative recovery was uneventful and upon computed tomography analysis, the hematoma was observed to have absorbed completely at 1 week postoperatively. The patient is doing well 1 year after the surgery without evidence of recurrent cardiac wall hematoma on follow-up computed tomography. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiovascular surgeons should bear in mind this potentially catastrophic complication during cardiac surgery. Because of the vulnerability of the cardiac wall at the area of the hematoma, we believe that a hemostatic approach without sutures may be effective for this lethal complication.