Giant left ventricular inferior wall aneurysm as a late complication after myocardial infarction: A case report.

A case of a 64-year-old patient who was referred to interventional cardiology unit in order to qualify her to mitral valve repair is presented. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a giant inferior wall basal aneurysm of the left ventricle (44 mm × 31 mm, 57 ml) and coronary angiography revealed chronic total occlusion of the proximal right coronary artery. The patient refused surgical treatment and was treated with pharmacotherapy alone. At 1 year follow-up, clear progression of the disease was observed. Based on this case study, we would cautiously suggest that in similar cases of large inferobasal wall aneurysms causing severe MR, OMT may be insufficient to prevent disease progression, and that early surgical intervention may be preferred.

Epidemiologic characteristics and clinical course of children with acute gastroenteritis hospitalized in the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Hepatology at John Paul II Hospital in Krakow

INTRODUCTION: Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is considered one of the most common reasons for hospitalization and the third leading cause of death related to infectious diseases in children. The incidence and prevalence of campylobacteriosis is lower in Poland than in other parts of the European Union. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to investigate the epidemiology and clinical features of AGE in hospitalized children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population comprised 462 consecutive patients with AGE, hospitalized in the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Hepatology at John Paul II Hospital in Krakow during 2016. After admission in the hospital, the patients' stool samples were collected and tested for viral or bacterial pathogens. The specimens were analyzed using classical cultural methods and qualitative immunochromatographic assays for pathogens screening. The patients' age, sex, etiological factor, seasonal distribution, hospital length of stay and symptoms of disease were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: The median age of AGE patients was 3.0 years [1.5-5.5]. Eighty percent of all AGE cases occurred in patients under 5 years of age (p<0.001). Rotavirus was the leading cause of AGE and Campylobacter was the most common bacterial pathogen (p=0.001, p=0.05 respectively). The average length of hospital stay was 3.1 ± 1.6 days. The longest hospitalization stays were related to patients with enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella (p<0.001 for all). A seasonal pattern was observed for etiological factors of AGE (p<0.001). Fever, diarrhea and pathological stool contaminations occurred more frequently in patients with bacterial AGE (p<0.001 for all). SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that routine diagnosis of Campylobacter in all children with AGE is associated with a higher than reported prevalence of campylobacteriosis.

Respiratory System Function in Patients after Aortic Valve Replacement through Right Anterior Minithoracotomy.

Background The aim of the study was to analyze respiratory system function after minimally invasive aortic valve replacement through right anterior minithoracotomy (RAT-AVR). Methods An observational study of 187 patients electively scheduled for RAT-AVR between January 2010 and December 2013. Pulmonary complications were analyzed and spirometry examinations were performed preoperatively, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery. Results Hospital mortality was 1.1%. A double-lumen intratracheal tube was used in 88.2% and single-lumen intratracheal tube was used in 11.8% of patients. Pulmonary complications occurred in 10.8% of the patients. Prolonged (>24 hours) mechanical ventilation time was present in five patients (2.7%). The reasons were stroke (n = 1), perioperative myocardial infarction (n = 2), and pneumothorax (n = 2). Right pleural effusion, which occurred in 7.7% (n = 14) of patients, was the most frequent respiratory system complication. One week after surgery, the spirometry parameters decreased in comparison to the preoperative period, then after 3 months statistically significant improvement occurred; however, the spirometry parameters still had not returned to preoperative values. Multivariable median regression analysis shows that the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pulmonary complications were associated with lower values of forced expiratory volume in 1 second after surgery. There was no statistically significant difference regarding spirometry values or incidence of pulmonary complications after surgery between patients in whom single-lung or double-lung ventilation was applied. Conclusion Pulmonary functional status measured with spirometry parameters was diminished after RAT-AVR surgery. Single-lung ventilation did not result in a higher rate of respiratory complications after RAT-AVR surgery.

[Percutaneous coronary intervention and minimally invasive aortic valve replacement for patients with aortic valve disease and coronary artery disease].

Objectives: To report the results of hybrid approach combining percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and minimally invasive aortic valve replacement through right anterior minithoracotomy (RT-AVR) for patients with aortic valve disease and coronary artery disease. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of 53 hybrid RT-AVR/ PCI procedures where RT-AVR was performed first in the operating room and followed immediately by PCI performed in the catheterization laboratory. Results: Predicted with Euro- SCORE II and observed hospital mortality was 8.7±2.9% and 1.9% respectively. Hospital and intensive care unit length of stay were 5.6±2.4 and 1.8±1.4 days respectively. Biological aortic valve prosthesis was implanted in 40 (75.5%) patients. PCI of LAD was performed in 5 patients (9.4%), of Dg in 10 (18.9%) patients, of Mg or Cx in 21 (39.6%) patients, of PDA or RCA in 25 (47.2%) patients. Two vessels and three vessels PCI were performed in 5 (9.4%) and 3 (5.7%) patients respectively. DES were used during PCI in 42 (79.2%) patients. Dual antiplatelet therapy with 75 mg of Aspirin and 75 mg of Clopidogrel started after RTAVR/ PCI. Complications occurred in 16 (30.2%) patients after hybrid RT-AVR/PCI procedure. Prolonged above 24 hours mechanical ventilation time was necessary in 3 patients (5.7%). Renal insufficiency occurred in 4 (7.5%), stroke in 1 (1.9%) patient. Pacemaker was implanted in 2 (3.8%) patients after surgery. Conversion to conventional surgery through median sternotomy was performed in 1 patient (1.9%), surgical revision due to postoperative bleeding in 2 patients (3.8%). No perioperative myocardial infarction and no mediastinitis was diagnosed after RT-AVR/PCI procedure. Postoperative chest blood drainage was 245.0±181.0 ml. Red blood cells transfusion was required in 10 (18.9%) patients. Conclusions: The hybrid RT-AVR/PCI procedure for these high risk patients with aortic valve disease and coronary artery disease presented in our series favourable mortality results compared to predicted with EuroSCORE II mortality for conventional cardiac surgery.

[Surgical treatment results of chronic pericardial tamponade].

Objective: To report the efficacy of chronic pericardial effusion treatment with pericardial window creation through video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and pericardial drainage through a small subxiphoid incision. Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of 31 patients after pericardial window creation through video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (PW group) and 77 patients where pericardial drainage through small subxiphoid incision (PD group) was performed. Echocardiography examinations were performed to document pericardial tamponade and pericardial effusion recurrence. Results: Length of surgery was 20.5±5.4 minutes in the PD group and 25.8±6.4 minutes in the PW group, p<0.001. Amount of fluid evacuated from pericardium during surgery was 483±191 ml and 521±253 ml in PD and PW groups respectively, p=0.654. Postoperative drainage was maintained longer (4.3±1.4 days vs. 3.2±1.0, p<0.001) and the amount of fluid drained after surgery was higher (497±351 ml vs. 309±231 ml, p=0.031) in the PW group. The amount of pericardial fluid at the end of hospitalization was statistically significantly higher in the PD group compared with the PW group (8.9±4.9 mm vs. 4.9±3.2 mm, p<0.001). Hospital stay was 5.7±2.7 days in the PD group and 6.1±3.4 in the PW group, p=0.112. No patient died during hospitalization period in either group. Mortality within 30 days after surgery was 2.6% in the PD and 3.2% in the PW group (p=0.642). In the PW group there were 4 conversions to right minithoracotomy due to dense pleural adhesions. Pericardial effusion recurrence occurred in 9 patients (12.0%) in the PD group and none was observed (0.0%) in the PW group (p=0.042) within 30 days after surgery. Conclusion: Pericardial window creation through video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery should be considered the preferred method over pericardial drainage through a small subxiphoid incision for chronic pericardial effusion and pericardial tamponade treatment to reduce the frequency of pericardial effusion reoccurrence.

[Pulmonary complications after minimally invasive aortic valve replacement surgery - a propensity score matching analysis].

Instruction: To answer the question if minimally invasive aortic valve replacement surgery through a right anterior minithoracotomy (RT-AVR) may result in increased incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications compared to conventional aortic valve replacement through a median sternotomy (AVR). Material and Methods: It was retrospective analysis of 212 patients scheduled for RT-AVR and 212 for AVR between January 2011 and December 2014 selected with propensity score matching. Respiratory system complications are analysed. Results: Postoperative blood drainage was 353±249 and 524±325 ml in RT-AVR and AVR groups respectively (p<0.001). Hospital stay was 5.7±1.6 and 8.5±4.3 days (p<0.001), ICU stay was 1.3±1.2 and 2.6±2.8 days (p<0.001) in RT-AVR and AVR patients respectively. Respiratory system complications occurred in 13.7% of RT-AVR patients and 17.0% of AVR patients (p=0.364). Pneumonia was diagnosed in 2.4% and 0.5% of patients (p=0.129), pneumothorax in 2.0% and 1.3% of patients (p=0.515), pleural effusion in 8.5% and 7.5% of patients (p =0.732) and thoracentesis was performed in 7.1% and 7.5% of patients from RT-AVR and AVR groups respectively. Mediastinitis was diagnosed in 0.0% of RT-AVR and 2.8% of AVR patients (p=0.020). Phrenic nerve dysfunction was present in 3.8% of RT-AVR and in 0.0% of AVR patients (p=0.006). COPD (OR=5.5; p<0.001) and increased postoperative blood loss (OR=3.5; p<0.001) were risk factors of postoperative pulmonary complications. Conclusion: Minimally invasive RT-AVR surgery did not result in increased rate of postoperative pulmonary complications compared to conventional AVR surgery through a median sternotomy.

Perioperative Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement through Right Anterior Minithoracotomy.

Background The aim of the study was to analyze perioperative outcomes after minimally invasive aortic valve replacement through right anterior minithoracotomy (RAT-AVR). Patient selection criteria, anesthesia protocol, and surgical technique are presented. Methods A retrospective analysis of 194 patients electively scheduled for RAT-AVR was performed between January 2009 and June 2013. For preoperative planning, computed tomography was performed. Results Among studied patients, there were 48.5% females and 51.5% males with a mean age of 69.9 ± 9.2 years. The predicted mortality calculated with EuroSCORE II was 3.2 ± 0.9%, and observed mortality of RAT-AVR patients was 1.5%. Finally, RAT-AVR surgery was performed on 97.9% of patients (n = 190). Reasons for conversions to median sternotomy were bleeding from aortotomy site (n = 4) and from the right ventricle after epicardial pacing wire placement (n = 1), pleural adhesions (n = 2), and ascending aorta hidden under the sternum (n = 2). The second intercostal space was chosen for surgical access in 97.9% of patients.There were 3.6% reoperations for bleeding: aortotomy place (n = 1), epicardial pacing wire placement (n = 3), right lung tear (n = 2), and intercostal vessels (n = 1). The intensive care unit and hospital length of stays were 1.3 ± 1.2 and 5.7 ± 1.4 days, respectively. Strokes were present in 1.5% of patients. The perioperative complications rate diminished with time, occurring in 44.9% of the patients between 2009 and 2010 and in 15.6% of patients in 2013. Conclusions RAT-AVR can be safely performed without increased morbidity and mortality. Reduced complication rates over time reflect a learning curve.

Function of the Respiratory System in Elderly Patients After Aortic Valve Replacement.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the function of the respiratory system after aortic valve replacement through median sternotomy (AVR) or the minimally invasive right anterior minithoracotomy (RAT-AVR) approach among elderly (aged≥75 years) patients. DESIGN: Observational cohort study. SETTINGS: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 65 elderly patients scheduled for RAT-AVR and 82 for standard AVR. INTERVENTIONS: Pulmonary function tests (PFT) were performed preoperatively, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery. In addition, respiratory complications were analyzed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Respiratory complications occurred in 12.3% of patients in the RAT-AVR group and 18.3% of patients in the AVR group (p = 0.445). Mechanical ventilation time in the intensive care unit was 7.7±3.6 hours for RAT-AVR patients and 9.7±5.4 hours for AVR patients (p = 0.003). Most PFT were worse in the AVR group than in the RAT-AVR group when performed 1 week after surgery. After 1 month, forced expiratory volume in the first second, vital capacity, and total lung capacity differed significantly in favor of the RAT-AVR group (p = 0.002, p<0.001, and p = 0.001, respectively). After 3 months, the PFT parameters still had not returned to preoperative values, but the differences were no longer significant between the RAT-AVR and AVR groups. The multivariable median regression analysis demonstrated that RAT-AVR surgery was a key factor in a patient's higher postoperative PFT parameter values. CONCLUSIONS: RAT-AVR surgery resulted in shorter postoperative mechanical ventilation time and improved the recovery of pulmonary function in elderly patients, but it did not reduce the incidence of pulmonary complications when compared with surgery performed through a median sternotomy.

Two-Stage Endovascular Treatment of a Traumatic Pseudoaneurysm of Superior Mesenteric Artery Branch in a Soldier After a Military Combat Mission.

Aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms of the visceral arteries are a rare pathology with a prevalence of 0.1-2% in the general population, most common in men. Despite low prevalence, visceral aneurysms pose a significant threat to the patient's health and life; a ruptured superior mesenteric branch aneurysm carries mortality rates of 10-25% and up to 30-90%. This article presents a case of a 50-year-old former active duty soldier and veteran of a military combat mission in Afghanistan, during which he sustained a traumatic injury resulting from a mine explosion under a vehicle. After completing the mission and returning home, the patient developed abdominal pain. The diagnosis made in the general surgery department of the district hospital was upper gastrointestinal obstruction and aneurysmal rupture of the superior mesenteric branch with inflammatory infiltration of the pancreatic-intestinal area. The patient underwent emergency gastrointestinal anastomosis and Braun enteroenterostomy. The aneurysm was not resected. One month later, the patient underwent a follow-up abdominal angiotomography, which revealed an approximately 20-mm aneurysm of a branch of the superior mesenteric artery and celiac artery subocclusion (Dunbar syndrome) with extensive collateral circulation. A diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm/traumatic aneurysm was made, and the patient was referred to a vascular surgery center for endovascular treatment. Following CT angiography, a decision was made to perform a two-stage endovascular repair. The first stage was a bridge therapy aimed to release celiac artery subocclusion with a stent; after 3 weeks, pseudoaneurysm embolization was performed. The decision to use two-stage endovascular treatment was attributable to the risk of gastrointestinal ischemia that might result from intraoperative technical difficulties and complications, coil dislocation, and thrombosis of the superior mesenteric artery or its branch; the coexisting subocclusion of the celiac artery was also considered. The patient was discharged in good condition and returned to normal everyday activities. He also continued follow-up appointments with a vascular surgeon. An angiotomography performed at 1 year of endovascular treatment confirmed good effects of the embolization procedure and coagulation of the aneurysm. Visceral aneurysms are a rare vascular pathology but are associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. The incidence of ruptured aneurysms is probably underestimated as some patients may be operated on for acute abdominal symptoms, e.g., bowel obstruction.

Patients with aortic valve disease and coronary artery disease can benefit from a hybrid approach combining aortic valve replacement through right minithoracotomy and percutaneous coronary intervention.

Introduction: Minimally invasive and hybrid procedures for patients with aortic valve pathology and coronary artery disease are innovative solutions. Aim: To report the results of hybrid aortic valve replacement through right anterior minithoracotomy (RT-AVR)/percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and conventional aortic valve replacement (AVR)/coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery for patients with aortic valve and coronary artery disease. Material and methods: Analysis of prospectively gathered data of 187 patients - 86 hybrid and 101 conventional procedures. For 21 patients, RT-AVR was followed by PCI during the same session, and for 65 patients RT-AVR was performed within 90 days of PCI. Results: Hospital mortality in the AVR/CABG and RT-AVR/PCI groups was 3.0% and 1.2%, respectively (p = 0.237). Complications occurred in 18.6% of patients in the RT-AVR/PCI group and 33.7% in the AVR/CABG group (p = 0.020). Two-stage RT-AVR/PCI was performed due to ACS (100%); one-stage was due to the intention to perform a minimally invasive procedure instead of AVR/CABG (71.4%) or due to replacing CABG with PCI because of a lack of vascular grafts for CABG (19.1%). In 38.5% of patients from the two-stage subgroup, antiplatelet therapy was stopped before RT-AVR, 32.3% of patients from the two-stage subgroup were on single, and 29.2% on dual antiplatelet therapy until RT-AVR, which had no influence on postoperative blood requirements or postoperative myocardial infarction (p = 0.410 and p = 0.077, respectively). Conclusions: The hybrid procedure presented in our series showed similar mortality and morbidity results and may be an alternative to conventional AVR and CABG through full sternotomy in selected patients.

Right ventricle to pulmonary artery coupling as a predictor of perioperative outcome in patients with secondary mitral valve insufficiency.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to assess some parameters of right ventricle (RV) function as predictors of short-term mortality in patients with severe secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR) after mitral valve surgery. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 112 consecutive patients with severe SMR who had undergone mitral valve repair or replacement with or without concomitant coronary artery bypass surgery. We assessed RV to pulmonary artery coupling by calculating the ratio of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) to non-invasively estimated RV systolic pressure (RVSP). The study endpoint was 30 days post-procedural mortality. RESULTS: Overall, the 30-day mortality was 6%. TAPSE/RVSP ratio < 0.42 mm/mmHg was a significant predictor of mortality and remained so after adjusting for age and sex. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with RVSP > 55 mmHg and those with TAPSE/RVSP ratio < 0.42 mm/mmHg had a lower survival probability. CONCLUSIONS: TAPSE/RVSP < 0.42 mm/mmHg is a strong predictor of short-term mortality in patients with SMR when considered for valve surgery.

Impact of the mechanism of mitral regurgitation on clinical outcomes in patients after mitral valve surgery.

BACKGROUND: Mitral regurgitation (MR) is the second most frequent indication for valve surgery. There are few studies addressing mitral valve (MV) surgery in the context of etiology of MR. AIMS: We aimed to compare postoperative outcomes in the context of the etiological mechanism of MR in patients after MV surgery. METHODS: The study group included 337 consecutive patients with severe MR. Preoperative comorbidities, postoperative clinical course, and predictors of in­hospital mortality were assessed. RESULTS: Primary etiology of MR was observed in 72% of patients, and of secondary, in 28% (P <0.001). Among the primary MR group, the most common etiological factor was fibroelastic deficiency (79%), followed by Barlow disease (16%) and rheumatic disease (5%) (P <0.001). Secondary MR was seen in ischemic heart disease (67%) and dilated cardiomyopathy (33%) (P <0.001). The incidence of death and complications following surgery did not differ between the groups. Univariate analysis revealed that higher risk of death was associated with older age, severe heart failure symptoms, impaired left ventricular ejection fraction, previous percutaneous coronary interventions, cardiopulmonary bypass time, low cardiac output syndrome, and wound infections (P = 0.004, P <0.001, P = 0.005, P = 0.009, P = 0.002, P = 0.006, and P = 0.03, respectively). Also MV replacement with concomitant other valve surgery increased the risk of mortality (P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that the clinical outcomes and in­hospital mortality in patients with severe MR correlate with the type of procedure and concomitant perioperative comorbidities rather than the etiological mechanism of MR itself.

Respiratory System Function in Patients After Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery: A Case Control Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to comparatively analyze respiratory system function after minimally invasive, through right minithoracotomy aortic valve replacement (RT-AVR) to conventional AVR. METHODS: Analysis of 201 patients scheduled for RT-AVR and 316 for AVR between January 2010 and November 2013. Complications of the respiratory system and pulmonary functional status are presented. RESULTS: Complications of the respiratory system occurred in 16.8% of AVR and 11.0% of RT-AVR patients (P = 0.067). The rate of pleural effusions, thoracenteses, pneumonias, or phrenic nerve dysfunctions was not significantly different between groups. Perioperative mortality was 1.9% in AVR and 1.0% in RT-AVR (P = 0.417). Mechanical ventilation time after surgery was 9.7 ± 5.9 hours for AVR and 7.2 ± 3.2 hours for RT-AVR patients (P < 0.001). Stroke (odds ratio [OR] = 13.4, P = 0.008), increased postoperative blood loss (OR = 9.6, P < 0.001), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR = 7.7, P < 0.001) were risk factors of prolonged mechanical lung ventilation. A week after surgery, the results of most pulmonary function tests were lower in the AVR than in the RT-AVR group (P < 0.001 was seen for forced expiratory volume in the first second, vital capacity, total lung capacity, maximum inspiratory pressure and maximum expiratory pressure, P = 0.377 was seen for residual volume). CONCLUSIONS: Right anterior aortic valve replacement minithoracotomy surgery with single-lung ventilation did not result in increased rate of respiratory system complications. Spirometry examinations revealed that pulmonary functional status was more impaired after AVR in comparison with RT-AVR surgery.

Local anaesthesia with analgosedation in patients qualified for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI): first institute's results and experiments.

BACKGROUND: The authors present their own experience of the treatment of patients qualified for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) carried out in a modern hybrid operating room. The objective of the present study was to demonstrate the initial results of conducting anaesthesia in high-risk patients qualified for the TAVI procedure (transcatheter aortic valve implantation). In addition, the authors' aim was also to point out to the special challenges of an anaesthesiologist conducting local anaesthesia in such a type of procedures and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the TAVI procedure conducted under remifentanil analgosedation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis included patients treated during the period from September 2015, when local anaesthesia for the transcatheter aortic valve implantation was used for the first time at our centre, up to February 2016. The studied population consisted of 11 patients treated for severe aortic valve stenosis. The mean age of patients was 80 ± 7 years. Three patients were men (27%) and eight were women (73%). The study included all subsequent patients (n = 11), treated in our centre, for whom it was decided to perform TAVI under local anaesthesia. RESULTS: The total hospital mortality rate was 0%. All procedures were performed in a hybrid operating room. Despite the complications observed in the described group, the hospital mortality rate during TAVI was 0%. All patients, after 12 ± 5 days of treatment, left the hospital in a good neurological condition, which was assessed based on the CPC-1 (Cerebra Performance Categories Scale) and GCS-15 (Glasgow Coma Scale) scales. With an ejection fraction of the left ventricle of 53 ± 11%, the transcatheter aortic valve was successfully implanted. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous aortic valve implantation can be successfully conducted under remifentanil analgosedation. TAVI procedures should be performed in the conditions of a modern, well-equipped hybrid room. The aim of the anaesthesiologist should consist of conducting the least invasive anaesthesia/analgesia, bearing in mind the safety and comfort of the patient.

Acute-phase proteins and oxidative stress in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft: comparison of cardioplegia strategy.

INTRODUCTION: Several strategies are still being introduced to cardiac surgery techniques to reduce the signs of the inflammatory response and oxidative stress. Many efforts have been made to develop the best possible method for myocardial protection. AIM: To assess the effect of the cardioplegia strategy on the systemic inflammatory response and oxidative stress. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A group of 238 consecutive, elective on-pump coronary artery bypass graft patients (CABG; 183 men, aged 64.6 ±8.1 years) were prospectively studied. Patients were enrolled in two groups: with warm blood cardioplegia (n = 124) and with cold crystalloid cardioplegia (n = 114). In each group, pre- and postoperative levels of plasma C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, interleukin 6 and 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α) were measured. RESULTS: All studied markers significantly increased 18-36 h following CABG and then decreased in 5-7 postoperative days but remained above baseline levels. No differences in terms of studied markers and clinical outcomes were noted for the different types of cardioplegia. Regression analysis showed a significant correlation between preoperative level of oxidative stress measured by 8-iso-PGF2α and postoperative myocardial infarction as well as in-hospital cardiovascular death (p = 0.047 and p = 0.041 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study extends previous reports by showing that the type of cardioplegia does not affect the systemic inflammatory response or oxidative stress, which are associated with the CABG procedure. It might be speculated that preoperative screening of oxidative stress could be helpful in identifying patients at increased risk of an unfavorable course after CABG.

Respiratory functional status after conventional and minimally invasive aortic valve replacement surgery - a propensity score analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Reports describing respiratory function of patients after conventional or minimally invasive cardiac surgery are infrequent. AIM: To compare pulmonary functional status after conventional (AVR) and after minimally invasive, through right anterior minithoracotomy, aortic valve replacement (RT-AVR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was an observational analysis of 212 patients scheduled for RT-AVR and 212 for AVR between January 2011 and December 2014 selected using propensity score matching. Respiratory function based on spirometry examinations is presented. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 1.4% in RT-AVR and 1.9% in AVR (p = 0.777). Predicted mortality (EuroSCORE II) was 3.2 ±1.1% in RT-AVR and 3.1 ±1.6% in AVR (p = 0.298). Mechanical ventilation time in intensive care unit (ICU) was 7.3 ±3.9 h for RT-AVR and 9.6 ±5.5 h for AVR patients (p < 0.001). Seven days and 1 month after surgery, the reduction of spirometry functional tests was greater in the AVR group than in the RT-AVR group (p < 0.001). Three months after surgery, all spirometry parameters were still reduced and had not returned to preoperative values in both RT-AVR and AVR groups. However, the difference in spirometry values was no longer statistically significant between RT-AVR and AVR groups. Presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and conventional AVR surgical technique were associated with lower values of spirometry parameters after surgery in linear median regression. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory function based on spirometry examinations was less impaired after minimally invasive RT-AVR surgery in comparison to conventional AVR surgery through median sternotomy.

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as cardiogenic shock therapy support in adult patients after heart surgery.

INTRODUCTION: The authors present their personal experience in qualifying and treating adult patients using veno-arterial (VA) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock. AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze the results of VA ECMO in patients with postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock. An analysis of the risk factors of postoperative mortality was also performed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed the perioperative results of survivors and non-survivors of treatment using VA ECMO. We compared the number of days on VA ECMO therapy, types of cardiac surgical procedures, and the frequency of VA ECMO complications such as coagulation disorders, lower limb ischemia, cardiac tamponade, and renal replacement therapy. RESULTS: There were 27 patients treated with VA ECMO during the study period. The mean patient age was 45 ±16 years. The hospital mortality rate of patients treated with VA ECMO therapy was 70% (19/27). There were no significant differences between the groups of survivors and non-survivors regarding age, gender, admission type and coexisting diseases. Type of cardiac surgical procedure had no influence on mortality or complications of therapy using VA ECMO. CONCLUSIONS: The VA ECMO can be an effective form of therapy in some patients in postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock.

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for short-term mechanical circulation support in adults with cardiogenic shock: a single centre experience.

BACKGROUND: Patients suffering from cardiogenic shock, with no response to conventional therapy, may significantly improve when put on support devices such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), which maintains systemic and pulmonary circulation, and decongests the heart. This publication presents authors' own experience in qualifying and treating patients with cardiogenic shock, with the use of veno-arterial (VA) ECMO modality. AIM: The main goal of the study was to analyse factors influencing outcome of VA ECMO therapy in patients with cardiogenic shock. Survival data were compared for patients surviving treatment (n = 12, 41%), and for patients who died while VA ECMO. METHODS: Retrospective study included all patients treated between February 2009, when ECMO was first used in the clinic, and March 2015. Of those, 29 patients were treated with VA ECMO for respiratory support. Mean patient age was 42 years; 19 (66%) patients were male, and 10 (34%) patients were female. RESULTS: Total in-hospital mortality rate was 59% (17/29). No difference was observed as to patient age, sex, body height, mode of hospital admission, comorbidities or left ventricular ejection fraction at hospital admission, when comparing survivors and patients who died despite treatment. The following parameters were analysed: number of days on VA ECMO, troponin levels during first days from treatment onset, platelet transfusions, and duration of mechanical ventilation. No significant differences were observed between the groups. Surviving patients were significantly longer hospitalised (p = 0.016), including a longer stay in the intensive care unit (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: VA ECMO is an acceptable therapy for patients in a severe state of cardiogenic shock. In-hospital mortality rate was 59%, and 41% patients (12 subjects) were successfully treated with VA ECMO in course of cardiogenic shock.

A comparison of minimally invasive and standard aortic valve replacement.

OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to compare aortic valve replacement through a right anterior minithoracotomy with aortic valve replacement through a median sternotomy. METHODS: With propensity score matching, we selected 211 patients after aortic valve replacement through a right anterior minithoracotomy and 211 patients after aortic valve replacement who underwent operation between January 2010 and December 2013. Perioperative outcomes were analyzed, and multivariable logistic regression analysis of risk factors of postoperative morbidity was performed. RESULTS: For propensity score-matched patients, hospital mortality was 1.0% in the aortic valve replacement through a right anterior minithoracotomy group and 1.4% in the aortic valve replacement group (P = 1.000). Stroke occurred in 0.5% versus 1.4% (P = .615), myocardial infarction occurred in 1.4% versus 1.9% (P = 1.000), and new onset of atrial fibrillation occurred in 12.8% versus 24.2% (P = .003) of patients in the aortic valve replacement through a right anterior minithoracotomy and aortic valve replacement groups, respectively. Postoperative drainage was 353.5 ± 248.6 mL versus 544.3 ± 324.5 mL (P < .001) and blood transfusion was required for 48.8% versus 67.3% (P < .001) of patients in the aortic valve replacement through a right anterior minithoracotomy and aortic valve replacement groups, respectively. Mediastinitis occurred in 2.8% of patients after aortic valve replacement and in 0.0% of patients after aortic valve replacement through a right anterior minithoracotomy surgery (P = .040). Intensive care unit stay (1.3 ± 1.2 days vs 2.6 ± 2.6 days) and hospital stay (5.7 ± 1.6 days vs 8.7 ± 4.4 days) were statistically significantly shorter in the aortic valve replacement through a right anterior minithoracotomy group. Aortic valve replacement through a right anterior minithoracotomy surgery resulted in reduced postoperative morbidity (odds ratio, 0.4; P < .001) and postoperative bleeding and blood transfusion requirements (odds ratio, 0.4; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Aortic valve replacement through a right anterior minithoracotomy surgery resulted in a reduced infection rate, diminished postoperative bleeding and blood transfusion requirements, reduced occurrence of new onset of atrial fibrillation, and shorter intensive care unit and hospital stays.