Effect of a preoperative evidence-based care education on postoperative recovery of cardiac surgery patients: A quasi-experimental study.

INTRODUCTION: Preoperative nursing care affects many factors such as reducing the length of hospital stay of the patients in the perioperative period, the rate of postoperative complications, the duration of the operation, decrease of postoperative pain level and early mobilization. AIMS: We aimed to determine the effect of preoperative evidence-based care education that given to cardiac surgery clinical nurses on the postoperative recovery of patients. METHODS: The research was planned as quasi-experimental. Eighty-six patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery were divided into control and intervention groups. First, the ongoing preoperative care practices and patient recovery outcomes of the clinic were recorded for the control group data. Second, education was provided for the clinical nurses about the preoperative evidence-based care list, and a pilot application was implemented. Finally, the evidence-based care list was applied by the nurses to the intervention group, and its effects on patient outcomes were evaluated. The data were collected using the preoperative evidence-based care list, descriptive information form, intraoperative information form and postoperative patient evaluation form. RESULTS: The evidence-based care list was applied to the patients in the intervention group, with 100% adherence by the nurses. All pain level measurements in the intervention group were significantly lower in all measurements (p = .00). The body temperature measurements (two measurements) of the intervention group were higher (p = .00). The postoperative hospital stays of the control group and the intervention group were 11.21 ± 8.41 and 9.50 ± 3.61 days. CONCLUSION: The presented preoperative evidence-based care list can be used safely in nursing practices for patients. It provides effective normothermia, reduces the level of pain, shortens the hospital stay and reduces the number of postoperative complications. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: By applying a preoperative evidence-based care to patients undergoing cardiac surgery, pain levels, hospital stays and the number of complications decrease, and it is possible to maintain normothermia. An evidence-based care can be used to ensure rapid postoperative recovery for patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Does On-Pump Beating Heart Endoaneurysmorrhaphy Have Advantages over Linear Aneurysmectomy on Arrested Heart in the Short Term?

BACKGROUND: It is still controversial which left ventricular aneurysm repair technique is optimal in terms of early and late results. This study aimed to compare early postoperative outcomes for 2 surgical treatments of postinfarction left ventricular aneurysm: linear repair technique on arrested heart versus endoaneurysmorrhaphy repair with patch plasty on beating heart. METHODS: Prospectively collected data from 16 consecutive patients who underwent endoaneurysmorrhaphy repair with patch plasty on beating heart (the technique we have preferred since 2008) were compared with data from a retrospective series of 10 patients who underwent linear repair on arrested heart (the technique we preferred until 2008). All operations were performed under elective conditions. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of the 2 groups were similar. Complete revascularization for all diseased vessels was achieved in all patients. Durations of cross clamping, cardiopulmonary bypass, intensive care stay, and hospital stay were longer, and postoperative ejection fraction was lower, in the linear repair group compared with the endoaneurysmorrhaphy group (P < .05 for all). Early mortality occurred in 1 patient (3.8%) in the linear repair group. CONCLUSION: Endoaneurysmorrhaphy repair with patch plasty on beating heart seems to offer advantages over the linear repair technique on arrested heart in the treatment of left ventricular aneurysms. Future large-scale prospective studies with longer follow-up are warranted to draw firm conclusions.

The Relationship Between Contrast Associated Nephropathy and Coronary Collateral Circulation in very Old Patients.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between coronary collateral circulation (CCC) and contrast associated nephropathy (CAN) in very elderly patients. Methods: Patients aged 90 years or older with at least one major occlusion of the coronary artery proximal or mid-section were included in the study. CCC was graded according to the Rentrop classification. CAN was defined as an increase in blood creatinine value of 25% or more on the second day after coronary angiography. Results: Thirty-six patients who met the study criteria were included in the study. In the study group, CAN developed in 12 patients (CAN (+) group), 24 patients did not develop CAN (CAN (-) group). The creatinine levels before coronary angiography were 1.05 ± 0.12 in the CAN (-) group and 1.22 ± 0.14 in the CAN (+) group. Baseline creatinine values were significantly higher in the CAN (+) group (p = 0.001). The contrast agent used in the CAN (+) group was significantly higher (p = 0.001). In the CAN (+) group, nine patients (43%) had poor collateral circulation, whereas only three patients (20%) had well-developed collateral circulation. In a logistic regression analysis, the collateral class was not a risk factor for CAN, whereas contrast agent volume and basal creatinine were independent predictors of CAN. Conclusion: We found that CCC grade was not associated with the development of CAN in very old patients, but the amount of contrast agent and pre-procedure creatinine values were independent variables in the development of CAN.

Usefulness of the mean platelet volume for predicting new-onset atrial fibrillation after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting.

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common complication of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The mean platelet volume (MPV) is an important marker of platelet activity and is associated with cardiovascular risk factors. We investigated whether the MPV is associated with the development of AF after CABG. This study included 208 patients undergoing elective isolated CABG. We evaluated the standard preoperative 12-lead electrocardiograph (ECG) recorded at a paper speed of 25 mm/s obtained for each patient from our hospital records before surgery. All study patients underwent standard CABG requiring cardiopulmonary bypass without concurrent valvular surgery. Forty-three patients were excluded. After CABG, all patients were monitored by telemetry and 12-lead ECGs. AF was defined using the established Society of Thoracic Surgeons definition. Postoperative AF occurred in 38 (22%) patients. The hemoglobin and platelet and leukocyte counts were similar in the groups with and without AF. However, the MPV and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio were significantly higher in the AF group (8.9 [1.4] vs. 7.9 [1.2], p < 0.001 and 3.2 ± 1.9 vs. 2.6 ± 1.2, p = 0.005, respectively). In addition, the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly higher in the AF group (8.9 [19.6] vs. 5.3 [8.7], p = 0.025). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that MPV and CRP were independent predictors of postoperative AF (odds ratio [OR] 2.564, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.326-4.958, p = 0.005; OR 1.055, 95% CI 1.000-1.114, p = 0.050, respectively). Our results show that increased platelet activity is associated with the development of AF after CABG.

The effects of reactive hyperemia on stimulation of endothelium-derived nitric oxide in on-pump and off-pump coronary artery bypass surgeries.

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on the endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) levels in on-pump and off-pump coronary artery bypass surgeries. Forty consecutive patients were divided randomly into two groups depending on use of CPB in coronary artery bypass graft surgery (group 1: n = 20, off-pump, and group 2: n = 20, on-pump). The plasma endothelium-derived NO levels were determined at baseline and after reactive hyperemia before and after surgery. Reactive hyperemia was induced by inflating a blood pressure cuff placed on the upper forearm, for 5 min at 250 mm Hg followed by a rapid deflation. Blood was collected at 1 min after cuff deflation from the radial artery on the same side. Preoperative use of all medications was recorded. The baseline plasma NO levels before operation were 17.10 ± 7.58 in group 1 and 15.49 ± 5.26 nmol/L in group 2. Before operation after reactive hyperemia, the plasma NO levels were 26.97 ± 11.49 in group 1 and 26.57 ± 12.87 nmol/L in group 2. Two hours after surgery, the plasma NO levels at baseline and after reactive hyperemia were not significantly different from each other (group 1: 18.03 ± 6.37 and group 2: 19.89 ± 9.83 nmol/L; group 1: 27.89 ± 18.36 and group 2: 39.13 ± 23.60 nmol/L, respectively; P > 0.05). A positive correlation was shown between preoperative nitroglycerine use and the postoperative plasma NO levels after reactive hyperemia (r = 0.51, P = 0.001). Linear regression analysis was performed (F = 4.10, R = 0.56, R(2) = 0.32, P = 0.008) and the only independent parameter that had an effect on postoperative plasma NO levels after reactive hyperemia was found to be preoperative nitroglycerine use (t = 3.68, P = 0.001). Coronary artery bypass surgery with CPB does not have significant effect on plasma endothelial derived NO levels. The postoperative plasma NO levels after reactive hyperemia significantly correlated with preoperative nitroglycerine use.

The effect of statin therapy on stimulation of endothelium-derived nitric oxide before and after coronary artery bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of statins on endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) levels during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. METHODS: In a prospective study, 130 patients with coronary artery disease were randomized according to preoperative atorvastatin treatment. The patients in group 1 took 40 mg atorvastatin daily for at least 1 month preoperatively, and those in group 2 took no atorvastatin preoperatively. Plasma nitrite and nitrate were measured at baseline and after inducing reactive hyperemia, both before and after surgery. Reactive hyperemia was induced by placing a blood pressure cuff on the upper forearm, inflating it for 5 minutes at 250 mm Hg, and then rapidly deflating the cuff. Blood was collected from the radial artery on the same side 2 minutes after cuff deflation. Plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and high- and low-density lipoproteins were measured and analyzed for correlations with NO. RESULTS: The mean (+/-SD) baseline plasma NO levels before operation were as follows: group 1, 33.97 +/- 18.27 nmol/L; group 2, 24.24 +/- 8.53 nmol/L (P < .001). A significant difference between the 2 groups in plasma NO levels was observed after preoperative reactive hyperemia induction: group 1, 56.43 +/- 15.03 nmol/L; group 2, 43.12 +/- 10.67 nmol/L (P < .001). Two hours after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), we observed no significant differences in plasma NO levels, either at baseline (group 1, 11 +/- 3.41 nmol/L; group 2, 9 +/- 5.51 nmol/L) or after reactive hyperemia (group 1, 17.98 +/- 6.77 nmol/L; group 2, 18.00 +/- 6.47 nmol/L). A correlation with preoperative nitroglycerine use was observed (P = .007; r = 0.23). Linear regression analysis (F = 1.463; R = 0.314; R2 = 0.099; P = .16) indicated that the only significant correlation was with preoperative nitroglycerine use (P = .007; t = 2.746). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative atorvastatin treatment in patients with coronary artery disease increases plasma NO levels before and after reactive hyperemia prior to surgery. CABG surgery with CPB significantly impairs endothelial-derived NO levels, with or without preoperative atorvastatin treatment. Preoperative nitroglycerine use is correlated with higher NO levels after CABG.

Results of mitral valve repair in rheumatic mitral lesions.

BACKGROUND: We compared results for repairs of rheumatic pure mitral regurgitation (MR) and mixed mitral stenosis (MS) and MR during early and midterm time intervals. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 173 patients (mean age 47.6 +/- 15.1 years; 64 males) who underwent surgery for rheumatic heart disease during the period from January 1998 to June 2008. According to transvalvular mitral gradient, 91 patients had pure MR (group MR) and 82 (47%) had mixed MS-MR (group MS/MR). Preoperative and operative characteristics, postoperative MR severity, operative mortality, and early and midterm survival were examined for each surgical group. RESULTS: Preoperativley 153 patients (90.7%) were in New York Heart Association class III or IV. The most frequent pathology was leaflet prolapse (147 patients, 85.0%) and the most commonly performed procedure was annuloplasty (162 patients, 93.6%). Early mortality was similar for both groups (3.2% versus 1.2%; P = .621). The average duration of follow-up was 4.0 +/- 2.4 years (a total of 679.1 patient years). Logistic regression analysis results indicated that subvalvular repairs were related to mortality. There were no significant differences in early mortality rate, valve-related morbidity, or reoperations. CONCLUSION: Group MS/MR had more postoperative MR severity, and higher New York Heart Association class, but both groups had similar mortality and morbidity at the midterm survival point. Our results suggest that combined MS and MR repair can be performed as safely as pure MR.

Prognostic Value of Coronary Dominance in Patients Undergoing Elective Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical impact of coronary dominance type in terms of early and long-term outcomes in patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: A total of 844 consecutive patients who underwent elective CABG were divided into two groups based on preoperative angiographic views as left dominant (LD) and right dominant or co-dominant (RD+CD). The measured outcomes were postoperative complications, 30-day mortality, long-term mortality, and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). RESULTS: RD+CD was present in 87.9% (n=742) and LD in 12.1% (n=102) of patients. Postoperative complications, 30-day mortality, and 30-day readmissions were similar in both groups. The median duration of follow-up was 3.4 years. LD was not an independent predictor of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.89-2.45, P=0.12), but it was an independent predictor of MACCE in the long term (adjusted HR 2.18, 95% CI 1.39-3.42, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing elective surgical revascularization, left coronary dominance is associated with increased MACCE risk in the long term. Therefore, the assessment of coronary dominance type should be an integral part of outpatient management after CABG.

The predictive value of the prognostic nutritional index for postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing on-pump coronary bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the predictive value of the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) regarding the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) after elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: A total of 336 consecutive patients with normal serum creatinine levels undergoing CABG were enrolled in this retrospective study. AKI was defined as meeting Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria based on the occurrence of creatinine changes within the first 48 h after CABG surgery. The patients were grouped according to whether they developed AKI or not into an AKI (-) and an AKI (+) group. RESULTS: AKI developed in 88 (26.2%) of all patients. The PNI was independently predictive of AKI (OR: 0.829, 95% CI: 0.783-0.877, p <  0.001). Moreover, C-reactive protein (CRP), a history of diabetes mellitus, and positive inotropric usage were independent risk factors for AKI in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. The area under the curve (AUC) of the multivariable model, including positive inotrope support, a history of diabetes mellitus, and CRP, was 0.693 (95% CI: 0.626-0.760, p <  0.001) in predicting AKIN. When the PNI was added to the multivariable model, the AUC was 0.819 (95% CI, 0.762-0.865, z = 3.777, difference p = 0.0002). Also, the addition of the PNI to the multivariable model was associated with a significant net reclassification improvement estimated at 88.2% (p <  0.001) and an integrated discrimination improvement of 0.22 (p <  0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that decreasing the PNI could be associated with the development of AKI after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Prognostic value of coronary dominance in patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the clinical impact of coronary dominance type in terms of early and long-term outcomes in patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: A total of 844 consecutive patients who underwent elective CABG were divided into two groups based on preoperative angiographic views as left dominant (LD) and right dominant or co-dominant (RD+CD). The measured outcomes were postoperative complications, 30-day mortality, long-term mortality, and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). Results: RD+CD was present in 87.9% (n=742) and LD in 12.1% (n=102) of patients. Postoperative complications, 30-day mortality, and 30-day readmissions were similar in both groups. The median duration of follow-up was 3.4 years. LD was not an independent predictor of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.89-2.45, P=0.12), but it was an independent predictor of MACCE in the long term (adjusted HR 2.18, 95% CI 1.39-3.42, P=0.001). Conclusion: In patients undergoing elective surgical revascularization, left coronary dominance is associated with increased MACCE risk in the long term. Therefore, the assessment of coronary dominance type should be an integral part of outpatient management after CABG.

Great saphenous vein aneurysm presenting as an inguinal hernia.

A primary aneurysm in the saphenous vein is very rare. This case study is based on a 55-year-old male patient who applied for general surgery with a complaint of swelling in his left inguinal area, after examinations led to a provisional diagnosis of inguinal hernia. It was decided that surgery was the best option due to the risk of thromboembolism, and pain caused by the condition itself. Confusion with inguinal hernia can affect prognosis. It increases the risk of thromboembolism as well as preventing the chance of early response.

Effects of albumin and synthetic polypeptide-coated oxygenators on IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-10 in open heart surgery.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we have tried to demonstrate the effects of coating style used in oxygenators on various hematologic and clinical parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients were included in the study, who had undergone operations because of elective coronary artery disease. Albumin-coated oxygenator was used in Group I. In Group II, a synthetic polypeptide-coated oxygenator was used. C1-inhib (complement), C3c, C4, interleukins (IL-1ß, IL2, IL-6, IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels were examined at four different time intervals. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, leukocyte and platelet counts, drainage, and transfused blood volumes were analyzed. RESULTS: Albumin levels were significantly lower in Group I than those in Group II 5 minutes after the removal of the cross-clamp. Twenty-four hours after the surgery, Group I patients also had a significantly higher white blood cell count compared to Group II patients. TNF-α levels in Group I were always expressed in considerably higher amounts than those in Group II. IL-6 levels were significantly higher in Group I, but IL-10 levels were observed to be higher in Group II (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Synthetic polypeptide-coated advanced technology, which employed oxygenators, had an important attenuator effect on acute phase reactants and also on the inflammatory response.

What should be the first treatment of popliteal artery entrapment syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is the rare congenital abnormality. It is a threat to the lower extremity due to ischemia in young adults. CASE REPORT: A 32-year-old health worker (medical doctor) applied to our clinic with a complaint of lower extremity pain, paleness, and coldness, post-exercise. He did not have any complaint to make him think as ischemia. Peripheral arterial angiography was applied, but the main diagnosis was given by magnetic resonance imaging angiography. Medical thrombolytic treatment, femoral embolectomy and then tendon resection, approached posteriorly, were applied to the popliteal region. DISCUSSION: Repeated exterior microtraumas cause thickening in the arterial wall, early atherosclerosis, thrombus and ischemia. To diagnose this entity is difficult. Treatment should be surgical, oriented to abolish the compression. CONCLUSION: In this case, we wanted to emphasize how quiet the progression of the PAES may be, and effacement of the compression is essential in the treatment. Femoral embolectomy does not have any aid to treatment.

Evaluation of olfactory memory after coronary artery bypass grafting.

INTRODUCTION: This study determined whether coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery has any effect on olfactory function, employing the Brief Smell Identification Test (B-SIT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: All the participants were informed preoperatively about the B-SIT test and the mode of its application. The test was performed by each patient preoperatively (d0) as well as 1 (d1) and 3 (d3) days following the surgery. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were recorded at the same time as the smell test. RESULTS: This prospective study included 45 patients. The mean age was 67 ± 7.55, and the group was 29% male. The mean durations of cross clamping and cardiopulmonary bypass were 54 ± 32 min and 62.5 ± 37.0 min, respectively. Eleven different odors were tested. Significant differences were observed for several odors: leather between d0 and d3, pine between d0 and d3, onion between d0 and d1, onion between d0 and d3, and soap between d0 and d1. The postoperative CRP levels were significantly higher than the preoperative levels. The correlation analysis determined that the postoperative CRP levels were negatively correlated with the B-SIT score (r = -0.48, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that patients after CABG are prone to develop olfactory dysfunction in the early postoperative period and that olfactory dysfunction is associated with postoperative CRP levels.

Predictive value of aortic knob width for postoperative atrial fibrillation in coronary artery bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was determine whether aortic knob width (AKW) is associated with the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) after isolated coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). METHODS: In this retrospective observational cohort study, we evaluated 135 patients without hemodynamically significant valvular problems. AKW was measured on chest X-ray by digital system. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to find independent associates of postoperative AF (POAF). The diagnostic value of AKW was assessed using ROC analysis. RESULTS: POAF occurred in 43 (31.8%) of all patients. The age, AKW, left atrial (LA) diameter and C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly higher in patients with POAF than without POAF (67.2 ± 8.6 vs 61.3 ± 9.8 years, p=0.004; 45.6 ± 5.8 vs 36.1 ± 3.8 mm, p<0.001; 37.9 ± 3.5 vs 35.8 ± 3.1mm, p=0.002 and 10.6 ± 8.5 vs 5.6 ± 6.5 mg/L, p=0.001 respectively). Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that AKW, LA diameter and CRP were independently associated with POAF (OR=4.527, 95% CI=1.315 -15.588, p=0.017; OR=2.834, 95% CI=1.091-7.360, p=0.032 and OR=1.300, 95% CI=1.038-1.628, p=0.022 respectively). ROC analysis has demonstrated that aortic knob of 36.5 mm constitutes the cut-off value for the occurrence of POAF with 84.4% sensitivity and 64.6% specificity (AUC=0.84, 95% CI=0.75-0.94, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated a significant association between the AKW and AF development after isolated CABG. PA chest radiography is a cheap and readily available clinical tool and it can be examined easily by every cardiovascular surgeons.

[Determinants of short-term mortality and morbidity after the complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot in infant groups under 12 months and one-four years of age]. / Fallot tetralojili on iki ay alti infantlar ile bir-dört yas arasi çocuk hasta gruplarinda tam düzeltme ameliyati sonrasinda kisa dönem mortalite ve morbiditenin belirleyicileri.

OBJECTIVE: In patients with tetralogy of Fallot, infants less than 12 months old and children between one and four years old were compared after total repair surgery for determination of outcome of surgery, risk factors influencing mortality and morbidity. METHODS: Fifty- two patients with tetralogy of Fallot between five months and four years of ages were included into the study. The patients were divided into two groups depending on their ages; Group 1; one year old and younger (n=21) whereas, group 2; one and four years old (n=31). Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney U, Chi-square or where appropriate Fisher's exact tests and logistic regression analysis was applied for determination of predictors of mortality. RESULTS: The parameters that were different between two groups include; age (Group 1; 10.00 ± 1.67 months and Group 2; 2.39 ± 0.77 years, p<0.001), weight (Group 1; 9.74 ± 2.23 kg, Group 2; 11.97 ± 1.78 kg, p<0.001), McGoon ratio (Group 1; 1.94 ± 0.29, Group 2; 2.19 ± 0.27, p=0.001). Mortality is found in 3 patients in group 1 (14.2%) whereas, in five patients in group 2 (16%) and the difference was not statistically significant. In group 2 in only one patient (0.03%) had complete atrioventricular block and required permanent pacemaker implantation. When patients were compared according to groups with and without mortality, the significant differences were found in following variables: peritoneal dialysis (p=0.001), pleural effusion (p=0.02), right ventricular pressure (p=0.001) and right ventricle/aorta pressures ratio (p=0.001). However, none of these risk factors had significant value in prediction of mortality. CONCLUSION: Depending on these results, in patients under one year of age with symptomatic tetralogy of Fallot, if there are no other pathologies that have potential to increase risk of mortality, the complete repair surgery can be performed with same amount of risks and similar morbidity and mortality ratios.

Repair of left ventricular pseudoaneurysms.

The outcomes of 3 different methods of repair of left ventricular pseudoaneurysm after myocardial infarction were analyzed retrospectively. The operations were carried out in 22 patients between 1985 and 2008. Repair procedures included primary closure with Teflon-pledgeted sutures, and Dacron or pericardial patches. Overall hospital mortality was 27.3% (2 patients had primary closure, 3 had a Dacron patch, and 1 had a pericardial patch). Mean postoperative bleeding was 885 mL (range, 200-4,800 mL). Mean preoperative and postoperative ejection fractions were 40% (30%-47%) and 48% (30%-65%), respectively. The overall incidence of arrhythmia was 36.4% (8 patients). The incidence of arrhythmia was lowest in the pericardial patch group, but this was not statistically significant. No significant differences in postoperative ejection fraction or hemorrhage were found among the study groups. Mean survival was 61.9 + or - 41.4 months in the 16 hospital survivors. Although the 3 techniques gave similar results, repair with an autologous pericardial patch may offer an advantage in terms of less postoperative arrhythmias.

Treatment of Brucella endocarditis: 15 years of clinical and surgical experience.

BACKGROUND: Brucella endocarditis is a life-threatening complication of human brucellosis. In this study, our aim was to evaluate the effects of combined medical and surgical treatment in the midterm to long term. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 13 patients (mean age 44 +/- 18 years; 8 males) who were operated on from January 1993 to June 2009. Duke criteria were used for the diagnosis of endocarditis. The primary endpoint was defined as the overall mortality and readmission to the hospital during early and late follow-up periods. The other collected data included baseline and follow-up clinical findings, along with echocardiographic and laboratory measurements. RESULTS: No patients died in the early period (up to 1 month) and 2 patients (15.3%) died during the late follow-up period. Aortic valve disease was observed in 11 of 13 patients (85%). The most commonly performed procedure was aortic valve replacement (10 of 13 patients; 77%) during a mean follow-up period of 95 +/- 60 months (range, 10 to 184; median, 74). CONCLUSIONS: For Brucella endocarditis, perioperative antibiotic therapy combined with surgical treatment (prosthetic valve replacement) has satisfactory results and increases the quality of life in the long-term follow-up.

The impact of preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction on short and mid-term outcomes in ischaemic mitral valve repair.

BACKGROUND: It has been well established that reduced left ventriclular ejection fraction (LVEF) has adverse impact on the outcome of patients undergoing ischaemic mitral valve repair. However, the exact value of LVEF which should be used for risk stratification, has not been well established. AIM: To asses which preoperative LVEF (pLVEF) value has the best predictive value in patients undergoing ischaemic mitral valve repair. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 105 patients with ischaemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) treated between January 2003 and June 2009 was conducted. Patients were divided into two groups according to their pLVEF value. The primary endpoints were early in-hospital and late follow-up deaths. RESULTS: The pLVEF cut-off value was determined based on univariate analysis of parameters for primary end-points. The investigated parameters were: age, pLVEF, postoperative NYHA, postoperative mitral regurgitation and postoperative LVEF. The Cox proportional hazard regression analysis identified pLVEF (HR 1.5; 95% CI 1.4-5.0; p < 0.008) as the only independent predictor of the primary end-point. The pLVEF cut-off value of 40% was found to have the highest sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 70% in predicting death. Patients were divided into two groups using the cut-off value of pLVEF of 40%. The compromised group (pLVEF < 40%) of 34 patients and the uncompromised group (pLVEF > 40%) of 71 patients had inhospital death rates of three (9%) vs two (3%) (NS) and five year mortality of 18 (54%), eight (11%) (p < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In IMR surgery, a pLVEF value of 40% is an important prognostic marker for mid-term survival.