[Effects of combined mitral valve replacement and radiofrequency atrial ablation in chronic atrial fibrillation]. / Kronik atriyal fibrilasyonda mekanik mitral kapak replasmani ile birlikte radyofrekans atriyal ablasyonun etkinligi.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to find out the efficacy of radiofrequency catheter atrial ablation (RF) simultaneously done with mitral valve replacement (MVR) surgery in patients having rheumatic mitral valve disease with chronic atrial fibrillation and to evaluate the short-term postoperative results. METHODS: Seventeen patients underwent MVR surgery, and intraoperative RF procedures were done simultaneously with MVR to eight of these patients, whereas remaining nine of them were assigned to control group. Patients were assessed preoperatively, at time of discharge, and 1st, 6th and 12th months controls. Atrial and ventricular functions were evaluated with echocardiography, serum atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels were investigated and electrocardiograms were recorded in all patients. RESULTS: Demographically there were no significant differences between two groups. Radiofrequency ablation group had longer aortic cross-clamping and cardiopulmonary bypass times. Sinus rhythm was established in seven patients of RF group at postoperative 12th month. However, all patients of this group experienced sinus rhythm at postoperative sixth month whereas 'atrial kick' was detected in five of them. Significantly increased ejection fraction, decreased pulmonary artery pressure and decreased left atrial diameter were observed in RF group compared to control group. Serum ANP levels were found to be significantly decreased as compared to preoperative periods in both groups. CONCLUSION: Although RF ablation has higher costs, this technique is efficient and useful to restore the sinus rhythm and to recover the atrial functions back in patients having rheumatic mitral valve disease.

Acute gastrointestinal bleeding due to primary aortoduodenal fistula: report of two rare cases.

Primary aortoduodenal fistulas are among the rare causes of gastrointestinal hemorrhage and are defined as communications between the native abdominal aorta and the duodenum. The mortality rate is very high if undiagnosed and untreated. Two male patients, 61- and 76-years-old, were admitted to the emergency unit at different times with the chief complaints of abdominal pain, gastrointestinal hemorrhage and pulsatile mass in their abdomen. The first case experienced sudden massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding while being prepared for an emergency operation in the intensive care unit, and cardiac arrest developed within a few minutes. After resuscitation and successful surgical operation, the patient woke up without any neurological defect or sequelae and was extubated at the 9th postoperative hour. The second patient, who had been wounded by gun shot 30 years previously was admitted to the hospital because of simple gastrointestinal hemorrhage. A para-aortic pseudo-aneurysm connected with the duodenum was diagnosed by computed tomography. After successful surgical operation, the patient was discharged. In this report, a case of ruptured primary aortic aneurysm and another case of para-aortic pseudo-aneurysm connected with the duodenum, both of which were treated successfully by surgical operation, are presented.

Surgical treatment of peripheral artery aneurysms.

INTRODUCTION: Peripheral arterial aneurysms (PAA) may rupture, cause emboli and ischemia, and local symptoms due to compression. METHODS: A total of 109 patients who underwent surgery for PAA were analyzed retrospectively, including clinical presentation, surgical procedures used, and postoperative follow-up data obtained 10 days after discharge. RESULTS: True aneurysm was present in 59 (54.1%) patients and pseudoaneurysm in 50 (45.9%). The femoral artery was the most common location. The surgical procedures used were as follows: graft interposition in 31 patients, bypass with synthetic or autologous grafts in 33 patients, aneurysm ligation in 5 patients, primary repair in 41 patients, and patch angioplasty reconstruction in 7 patients. One patient died as a result of massive hemorrhage. In four patients, amputation had to be performed. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to prevent amputation and other complications, including mortality, during the surgical treatment of symptomatic and asymptomatic PAA.

Inhibition of vein graft intimal hyperplasia by periadventitial application of hyaluronic acid-carboxymethyl cellulose: an experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: Placement of an external support has been reported to prevent intimal hyperplasia of vein grafts. In this study, we investigated the effect of HA/CMC on intimal hyperplasia in a rabbit model. DESIGN: Right jugular vein to common carotid artery bypass grafting was performed in 24 female New Zealand white rabbits (2.5-3.0 kg). Animals were divided into two groups: control group (n=12) and HA/CMC group (n=12). Absorbable membrane barrier was wrapped around vein grafts in HA/CMC group. In control group, no material was applied following venous graft bypass. RESULTS: At 1 month, in the vein grafts supported with the HA/CMC membrane neointimal thickening was significantly less (109 microm [IQR, 78-166]) compared to the unsupported control grafts (220 microm [IQR; 101-312]; p<0.001). Medial thickening in the HA/CMC group (128 microm [IQR, 101-181]) compared to unsheathed control grafts (182 microm [IQR, 131-255] p<0.001) was also significantly less. CONCLUSION: Periadventitial placement of HA/CMC as an absorbable membrane inhibits intimal hyperplasia of vein bypass grafts in a rabbit model.

Harvesting techniques affect the integrity of the radial artery: an electron microscopic evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Four methods of radial artery harvesting were evaluated with transmission electron microscopy and tissue lipid peroxidation to determine the degree of damage to the artery. METHODS: Radial artery samples from 4 groups of patients (10 samples from each group) who underwent coronary artery surgery were evaluated. In groups I and II, radial arteries were stored in a solution containing 100 mL patients' own heparinized oxygenated blood and 5 mg nitroglycerine. The grafts were distended in group II. In groups III and IV, side branches of the grafts were occluded and left in situ until the coronary anastomosis. In group III, the distal end of the graft was also occluded, while in group IV, both ends were open. RESULTS: The least degree of endothelial damage and disruption of arterial wall integrity were in group IV according to electron microscopic evaluation. The grafts in group III were relatively in good condition compared to groups I and II. Tissue lipid peroxidation was also lowest in group IV. Tissue lipid peroxide levels correlated with ischemic preservation period of the radial artery (r = 0.426). Total semiquantitative transmission electron microscopic scores of the radial artery samples correlated with the lipid peroxide levels (r = 0.581) and ischemia times (r = 0.734). CONCLUSIONS: All arterial grafts, including the radial artery that will be used for coronary artery surgery should not be left ischemic during harvesting to prevent endothelial damage. Ischemia of the conduits for coronary artery grafting can be prevented by leaving them in their anatomic position until the distal coronary artery anastomosis.