Comparison of Pericardial and Prosthetic Rings for Mitral Repair: Are Pericardial Rings Durable in the Mid- to Long-Term Follow Up?

BACKGROUND: While prosthetic rings are commonly used for mitral valve repairs, autologous pericardium is an alternative ring material that can be used in these procedures. In this report, we aim to present a comparison of two types of rings used for mitral repair. METHODS: Between January 2005 and January 2009, 107 patients who underwent mitral valve repair surgery were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups, according to the type of ring that was used for mitral annular stabilization. Glutaraldehyde-treated pericardial rings were used for 31 patients (group 1), whereas prosthetic rings were used for 76 patients (group 2). Survival, freedom from reoperation, recurrent mitral regurgitation, and the effects of rheumatic mitral disease on these parameters were evaluated and compared for both groups. RESULTS: Follow-up time for our cohort was 4.24±0.4 years. There were four and seven late mortalities in groups 1 and 2, respectively, and five reoperations in each group. There was no significant difference between the groups, in terms of survival, freedom from reoperation, and recurrent mitral regurgitation (log-rank analyses for both groups were P = 0.777, P = 0.346, and P = 0.781, respectively). There was no significant difference in freedom from reoperation and recurrent mitral regurgitation for both groups, in terms of underlying rheumatic valvular disease and other types of pathology. CONCLUSION: Pericardial ring annuloplasty shows to be a considerable alternative technique for mitral valve repair procedures in the mid- to long-term follow up. Rheumatic mitral valves had poor outcomes, when compared with other types of structural valvular pathologies in cases where pericardial rings were used in the repair procedure.

Effects of anticoagulant drugs on wound healing process in a rat model: a comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare the efficacy of enoxaparin, rivoraxaban and dabigatran on wound healing using a rat model. METHOD: Sprague-Dawley female rats (n=56), 10-12 weeks old, weight 245±30g, were used in this study. The rats were divided into four equally-sized groups. A type 1 (secondary wound healing) and type 2 (primary wound healing) wound was opened surgically on each rat in each group. Anticoagulent drugs enoxaparin, rivoraxaban and dabigatran and physiological saline solution were administered to Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. After wound healing was scored tissue samples were taken from euthanised rats at days five and 10 and examined histologically. Since time was used as a classification (days five and 10), a time effect was included. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in total score distribution in rats between type 1 secondary wounds for days five and 10 (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the overall score distribution in rats between type 2 primary wounds for days five and 10 (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: In addition to the use of low molecular weight heparin with well-known anticoagulation activity, the new generation oral medications are used efficiently in thromboembolic diseases. However, there was no evidence observed in this study that these drugs could be either beneficial or harmful to wound healing.

Predictive Factors of Prolonged Ventilation Following Cardiac Surgery with Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

INTRODUCTION: In this trial, we initially aimed to investigate the major predictive factors for prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) following cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in our center and, secondarily, we tried to find out the effects of the independent factors on mortality. METHODS: Between July 2017 and August 2018, 207 patients who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB were retrospectively investigated. The patients were randomly divided into two subgroups according to the duration of ventilator dependence (group 1 <24 hours, n=164, 79%; group 2 >24 hours, n=43, 21%). RESULTS: 207 patients (mean age 59.47±10.56) who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB were enrolled in this study (n=145, 70% of male patients; n=62, 30% of female patients). Amid these patients, 43 (n=43, 20.77%) had prolonged intubation time. After multivariate logistic regression analysis among preoperative factors, female gender (OR=2.321, P=0.028), leukocytosis (OR=1.233, P=0.006), perioperative lactate level (OR=1.224, P=0.027), CPB time (OR=1.012, P=0.012) and postoperative revision for bleeding (OR=23.125, P=0.040) were significantly detected. The effect of predictive factors on mortality after cardiac surgery was determined and found that PMV did not affect hospital mortality (OR=1.979, P=0.420). CONCLUSION: In our report, we revealed, differently from previous studies, that intraoperative lactate levels which manifest organ perfusion and oxygenation were included and were significantly different in the early extubation group compared to the PMV group. Female gender, preoperative leukocytosis, intraoperative CPB time, lactate levels and postoperative revision for bleeding were the independent predictive factors for PMV. Moreover, PMV did not affect the early-term mortality during hospital stay.

A novel device for technical standardization of valve-sparing aortic root reimplantation.

Among valve-sparing aortic root replacement techniques developed for the treatment of aortic root aneurysms and aortic insufficiency, the reimplantation technique (the David procedure) has proved to provide excellent outcomes in experienced hands. However, it involves certain challenges in technical standardization, particularly for graft sizing, which is still far from standardization. A novel device was developed to facilitate and provide all the measurements in high precision and accuracy required for the David procedure. The device allows easy, rapid, and accurate acquisition of the patient"s data and appropriate configuration of the aortic valve, irrespective of the surgeon's subjective evaluations. This all-in-one device provides all the major parameters including graft size, effective height, graft preparation, and simulation of the aortic coaptation. The device was successfully tested on a Devotini aortic root simulator and on a bovine heart ex vivo. The device proposed herein to be used for reimplantation has one explicit advantage: all valve geometry to be reconstructed and repaired can be simulated on the device with all its elements, in particular, the commissures and the cusps. Thus, all that is necessary can be clearly visualized in a manner whatever the configuration the surgeon prefers, particularly the creation of the effective height.

Analysis of Readmissions to The Intensive Care Unit After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: Ten Years' Experience.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency, causes, and related predictive factors of intensive care unit (ICU) readmissions after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. METHODS: A total of 4112 consecutive patients who underwent on-pump CABG between January 2007 and January 2017 were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups as patients with and without ICU readmission. Demographic and perioperative characteristics were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The ICU readmission rate was 3.5%. The most common reasons for ICU readmissions were respiratory (29%) and cardiac (23.4%) complications. The 90-day mortality risk was significantly higher in the readmitted patients than the non-readmitted patients (22.1% and 1.6%, respectively; P<0.001; OR=17.6; 95% CI=11.19-28.41). Severe left ventricular dysfunction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, end-stage renal disease, emergency CABG, EuroSCORE II > 5%, cross-clamp time > 35 minutes, postoperative respiratory complications, neurological complications, and cardiac complications showed a strong association with ICU readmissions. CONCLUSION: ICU readmission after CABG is associated with an increased mortality rate. Evaluation, not only of patients' comorbidities, but also of intraoperative conditions and postoperative complications, is important to identify patients at risk for ICU readmission.

Comparison between iloprost and alprostadil for protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rat model

Background/aim: Alprostadil and iloprost are successful agents used for both pulmonary hypertension and extremity ischemia treatment. Different systemic effects of these agents may change the preferences of clinical usage. Superiority of preventing ischemia/ reperfusion (IR) injury is a criterion for clinical preference of these agents. The present study was designed to compare the protective effects of alprostadil and iloprost in a rat model of IR injury. Materials and methods: Twenty-three male Sprague Dawley rats were used (aged 8-12 weeks, mean weight 230 ± 30 g). They were randomized into 4 groups: Group 1 (iloprost + IR), Group 2 (alprostadil + IR), Group 3 (saline + IR), and Group 4 (control). Under general anesthesia, in all groups except Group 4, the abdominal region was explored and the abdominal aorta was temporarily clamped for 60 min. After the clamp was removed, 120 min of reperfusion was applied. In Group 4, the rats were placed under general anesthesia and abdominal exploration was performed without the IR procedure. For all rats, body temperature was kept at 36 °C with a heater pad through the whole procedure. The rats were euthanized under general anesthesia to remove the kidneys and lungs for study. Histopathological and biochemical analyses were conducted with kidney and lung tissues. Histopathological scoring was done by analyzing cellular damage at tissue level. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase, and glutathione levels were studied for biochemical analysis. Results: Histopathologic analysis showed that, as compared with alprostadil, iloprost provided a significantly higher level of renal protection against IR injury (P < 0.01). Renal tissue levels of MDA were significantly lower in the alprostadil group as compared to Group 3 (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Alprostadil and iloprost seem to provide protection against IR injury, with iloprost being more protective in renal tissue. Alprostadil is more effective than iloprost in protecting lung tissue against IR injury.

Predictive factors of prolonged ventilation following cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass

Abstract Introduction: In this trial, we initially aimed to investigate the major predictive factors for prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) following cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in our center and, secondarily, we tried to find out the effects of the independent factors on mortality. Methods: Between July 2017 and August 2018, 207 patients who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB were retrospectively investigated. The patients were randomly divided into two subgroups according to the duration of ventilator dependence (group 1 <24 hours, n=164, 79%; group 2 >24 hours, n=43, 21%). Results: 207 patients (mean age 59.47±10.56) who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB were enrolled in this study (n=145, 70% of male patients; n=62, 30% of female patients). Amid these patients, 43 (n=43, 20.77%) had prolonged intubation time. After multivariate logistic regression analysis among preoperative factors, female gender (OR=2.321, P=0.028), leukocytosis (OR=1.233, P=0.006), perioperative lactate level (OR=1.224, P=0.027), CPB time (OR=1.012, P=0.012) and postoperative revision for bleeding (OR=23.125, P=0.040) were significantly detected. The effect of predictive factors on mortality after cardiac surgery was determined and found that PMV did not affect hospital mortality (OR=1.979, P=0.420). Conclusion: In our report, we revealed, differently from previous studies, that intraoperative lactate levels which manifest organ perfusion and oxygenation were included and were significantly different in the early extubation group compared to the PMV group. Female gender, preoperative leukocytosis, intraoperative CPB time, lactate levels and postoperative revision for bleeding were the independent predictive factors for PMV. Moreover, PMV did not affect the early-term mortality during hospital stay.

Analysis of readmissions to the intensive care unit after coronary artery bypass surgery: ten years experience

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the frequency, causes, and related predictive factors of intensive care unit (ICU) readmissions after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Methods: A total of 4112 consecutive patients who underwent on-pump CABG between January 2007 and January 2017 were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups as patients with and without ICU readmission. Demographic and perioperative characteristics were compared between the two groups. Results: The ICU readmission rate was 3.5%. The most common reasons for ICU readmissions were respiratory (29%) and cardiac (23.4%) complications. The 90-day mortality risk was significantly higher in the readmitted patients than the non-readmitted patients (22.1% and 1.6%, respectively; P<0.001; OR=17.6; 95% CI=11.19-28.41). Severe left ventricular dysfunction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, end-stage renal disease, emergency CABG, EuroSCORE II > 5%, cross-clamp time > 35 minutes, postoperative respiratory complications, neurological complications, and cardiac complications showed a strong association with ICU readmissions. Conclusion: ICU readmission after CABG is associated with an increased mortality rate. Evaluation, not only of patients' comorbidities, but also of intraoperative conditions and postoperative complications, is important to identify patients at risk for ICU readmission.

Surgery for ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm: 25-year experience with 55 patients.

OBJECTIVES: Different surgical strategies have been evolved for the surgical treatment of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (RSVA) from simple primary closure to patching of the rupture site by a dual chamber approach. We reviewed our 25-year experience and current literature regarding the efficacy of different surgical approaches. METHODS: A retrospective review identified 55 patients who underwent RSVA repair between 1985 and 2011. The mean age was 30.9 ± 12.1 years. The RSVA originated from the right coronary sinus in 43 patients (78.2%), from the non-coronary sinus in 11 (20.0%) and from the left in 1. Rupture into the right ventricle was the most common result (n = 38). Dual-chamber exposure (the involved chamber and aorta) was used in 67.3% of the patients and isolated trans-aortic approach was used in 32.7%. RSVA was repaired with either a patch (n = 43) or direct sutures (n = 12), whereas the aortic valve was replaced in eight patients among the last group. RESULTS: The hospital mortality rate was 3.6%. The follow-up was available in 94.3% (50 patients) of survivors ranging from 1 month to 25 years (mean 15.3 ± 4.1 years). There were five late deaths. Recurrence of the fistula was seen in two primarily repaired (two of four patients) and none of the patched-closed patients. Actual survival was 93.4 ± 3.7% at 10 years and 87.1 ± 5.6% at 15 years. Freedom from reoperations was 81.6 ± 6.1% at 15 years. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment for RSVA carries an acceptably low operative risk and long-term freedom from death and reoperation. Surgical approach must be chosen according to the ruptured chamber and associated lesions. Patch repair of RSVA must be preferred.