Taurine attenuates lung ischemia-reperfusion injury after lung transplantation in rats.

PURPOSE: Taurine, the major intracellular free amino acid found in high concentrations in mammalian cells, is known to be an endogenous antioxidant and a membrane-stabilizing agent. It was hypothesized that taurine may be effective in reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury after lung transplantation and an experimental study was conducted in a rat model. METHODS: The number of Sprague-Dawley rats used in the study was 35. Animals were randomized into five groups of 7 rats each, including control, donor I, donor II, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and treatment groups. All animals were exposed to the same experimental conditions in the preoperative period. Rats were fixed in a supine position after the induction. After the rats were shaved, a left pneumonectomy was performed following sternotomy in control, donor I, and donor II groups. The harvested grafts in donor I and donor II groups were transplanted to the rats of the ischemia-reperfusion group and treatment group, respectively. However, taurine was administered intraperitoneally for 3 days before the harvesting procedure in donor II. All harvested lungs were kept in a Euro-Collins solution at +4 °C for 24 h in a half-inflated manner. After harvesting and transplantation, lungs were sampled for histopathological and biochemical analysis. RESULTS: Malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase levels were lower in the treatment group than the other groups (p < 0.05). Histopathological findings were better in treatment group than the ischemia-reperfusion group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It was demonstrated that donor treatment with taurine resulted in preservation of transplanted lung tissue in respect to histopathological and biochemical findings.

[Effect of bosentan on intimal hyperplasia of carotid artery anastomoses in rabbits]. / Tavsan karotis arterlerinde yapilan anastomozlarda bosentanin intima hiperplazisi üzerine olan etkisi.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effect of bosentan on intimal hyperplasia of carotid artery anastomoses in rabbits. STUDY DESIGN: Eighteen New Zealand male rabbits were randomized into two groups, as drug (Group B) and non-drug (Group A). The right carotid artery of all the subjects was transected and anastomosed end-to-end with 10/0 polypropylene suture. The left carotid artery was left intact. Group B subjects received 30 mg/kg/day oral bosentan for 21 days, starting 3 days before the operation. Group A subjects did not receive any medication. After 28 days, the anastomoses site and the contralateral control site were removed, and samples were investigated histomorphometrically. RESULTS: Significant intimal hyperplasia was observed at all anastomoses compared to the non-anastomotic left side. Bosentan decreased significantly the intimal area [Group A: 48.3 µm(2) (37.1 µm(2)-65.7 µm(2)), Group B: 31.4 µm(2) (12.2 µm(2)-63.2 µm(2)), (p=0.04)] and intima/media area ratio [Group A: 0.49 (0.13-0.74), Group B: 0.22 (0.09-0.37), (p=0.024)] compared to the non-drug group. CONCLUSION: According to our investigation, bosentan decreased the intimal hyperplasia developed in a rabbit carotid artery model. Further investigations are needed to support the potential clinical utilization of bosentan after vascular interventions.

Abdominal aortic injury due to lumbar disc surgery: A case report.

Complications arising from lumbar intervertebral disc surgery are rare but fatal. Major vascular injury is one complication that may end in death unless it is diagnosed and treated immediately. Herein we report an abdominal aortic injury due to L3-L4 intervertebral disc surgery that was treated successfully and discuss it in light of current literature. Diagnosis and treatment of an abdominal aortic injury in a 31-year-old male patient operated on for L3-L4 intervertebral disc degeneration is discussed. Interestingly, in spite of abdominal aortic injury this particular patient was hemodynamically stable. The diagnosis was made 12 hours after disc surgery and laparotomy was performed immediately. As the injury in the aorta was large and had irregular margins, it could not be repaired with primary repair but an end-to-end anastomosis with partial resection was performed. In lumbar intervertebral disc hernia surgery, peroperative hemodynamic instability should raise suspicion of major vascular injury with high mortality and appropriate surgical treatment should be done as soon as possible. If there is any finding suggesting an intraoperative vascular injury, the patient should be kept under close monitoring in order not to delay diagnosis and treatment. It should not be forgotten that hemodynamic stability does not rule out major vascular injury.

Circumflex coronary artery revascularization at the proximal atrioventricular groove.

Proximal circumflex coronary artery in the atrioventricular groove usually has large diameters. Arterial diameters in this region vary from 2.5 to 5 mm. Revascularization of this part of the circumflex artery allows good distal anastomosis configuration and better long-term patency rate.

Efficacy of thermoreactive nitinol clip implantation in reconstruction of sternal dehiscence.

BACKGROUND: Sternal dehiscence is a severe complication of open heart surgery. Reinforced wiring, a system of reinforced sternal closure, fixation of a rigid plate, and implantation of thermoreactive nitinol clips (TRC) are some surgical procedures used. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of TRC for secondary sternal reconstruction. METHODS: Of 1198 patients who underwent their operations via median sternotomy in 2 separate medical centers, sternal dehiscence was observed in 16 patients overall (1.33%). The mean (SD) age of the patients was 64.06 ± 9.18 years (range, 40-77 years). Sternal dehiscence was diagnosed in all patients between the fifth and 30th postoperative days. RESULTS: TRC were implanted in all of the patients who developed sternal dehiscence (16 patients). One patient developed severe respiratory failure, became ventilator dependent, and died from pneumonia on postoperative day 24. The other 15 patients were discharged without complications. Postoperative follow-up of the surviving patients revealed adequate and satisfactory sternal stability. CONCLUSION: Implantation of TRC is an effective and easy method for fixing the sternum and can be performed rapidly and securely.

Repair of Gerbode defect and aortic neocuspidization by using bovine pericardium in aortic valve endocarditis.

Aortic valve endocarditis may be destructive and cause an acquired Gerbode-type defect. The use of biological material in the closure of the Gerbode defect and reconstruction of the aortic valve is essential for both early and long-term survival. Herein, we present a 62-year-old male patient whose Gerbode defect was repaired with bovine pericardium. Additionally, the aortic valve was reconstructed by using bovine pericardium with Ozaki neocuspidization technique.

Proanthocyanidin prevents myocardial ischemic injury in adult rats.

BACKGROUND: Proanthocyanidin is a bioflavonoid known to have protective effect against oxidative injury. We investigated the cardioprotective effect of proanthocyanidin. MATERIAL/METHODS: Thirty-two Rattus Norvegicus rats were categorized equally as the control group (CG), proanthocyanidin group (PCG), ischemia group (IG) and proanthocyanidin-treated group (PCT). Rats in CG and IG were fed standard rat food and PCG and PCT were fed standard rat food plus proanthocyanidin (100 mg/kg/day twice a day by oral gavage) for 3 weeks. In CG and PCG the myocardial samples were prepared immediately, and in IG and PCT hearts were placed in transport solution and kept at 4°C for 5 hours, then prepared for evaluation. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were measured. RESULTS: MDA levels were significantly higher in IG and PCT than in CG and PCG. The activity of SOD was significantly lower in IG and higher in PCG than in the other groups. The activity of GPx was significantly lower in IG than in the other groups. The activities of CAT were significantly lower in IG and PCT than in the other groups and were significantly lower in IG than PCT. Histopathologic evaluation revealed normal findings in CG and PCG. While ischemic injury was observed in IG, the content of muscle fibers was better preserved in PCT. CONCLUSIONS: Proanthocyanidin may have a protective effect on myocardial ischemic injury.

Rosuvastatin, a new generation 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase inhibitor, reduces ischemia/reperfusion-induced spinal cord tissue injury in rats.

BACKGROUND: Severe neurological injury still represents one of the most devastating complications occurring after surgical repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysms. We aimed to investigate the role of rosuvastatin (RSV) against ischemia/reperfusion injury in an experimental model of spinal cord ischemia in rats. METHODS: Experimental groups included control group (n = 8), ischemia/reperfusion group (n = 8) undergoing aortic occlusion without pharmacologic treatment, and RSV-treated group (n = 8) receiving 10 mg/kg/day of RSV orally for 3 days before spinal cord ischemia. Spinal cord ischemia was induced by occlusion of the abdominal aorta between the left renal artery and aortic bifurcation for 45 minutes, followed by reperfusion. Neurological status was assessed before spinal ischemia and at 48 hours postoperatively. Spinal cords were harvested for histopathologic examination with hematoxylin-eosin staining and biochemical analysis for tissue malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase levels. RESULTS: Decreased spinal cord tissue malondialdehyde levels (p = .01) and increased tissue superoxide dismutase (p = .01) and glutathione peroxidase (p = .09) levels were observed in the RSV-treated group, as compared with the ischemia group. Histopathologic analyses demonstrated typical changes of ischemic necrosis in the ischemia group; however, RSV attenuated tissue necrosis. Total injury score in the RSV-treated group was significantly decreased, as compared with the ischemia group (p < .05). The Tarlov scores at 48 hours postoperatively were higher in the RSV group as compared with the ischemia group. CONCLUSION: RSV administration before spinal cord ischemia reduces spinal cord tissue injury by increasing antioxidant enzyme levels and may reduce the incidence of associated neurological dysfunction.

Cilostazol, a type III phosphodiesterase inhibitor, reduces ischemia/reperfusion-induced spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury is still a devastating complication after surgical repair of thoracoabdominal aortic pathologies. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of cilostazol, a type III phosphodiesterase inhibitor, against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced spinal cord injury in rats. METHODS: Twenty-four rats were assigned to 3 experimental study groups: the control group (sham operation, n = 8); the ischemia group (nontreated, n = 8), which underwent aortic occlusion without pharmacologic intervention; and the cilostazol-treated group (n = 8), which received 20 mg/kg cilostazol per day orally for 3 days before spinal ischemia. All animals underwent a 45-minute period of spinal cord ischemia via clamping of the abdominal aorta between the left renal artery and the aortic bifurcation; removal of the aortic clamp was followed by reperfusion. Neurologic status was assessed before spinal ischemia and at 48 hours after the operation. All animals were sacrificed at 48 hours after the operation. Spinal cords were harvested for histopathologic examination and biochemical analyses for the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities. RESULTS: Tarlov scores at postoperative hour 48 tended to be higher in the cilostazol-treated group than in the nontreated ischemia group (mean ± SD, 3.66 ± 0.40 versus 2.32 ± 0.80; P = .08). Spinal cord tissue MDA levels (per gram protein) were lower in the cilostazol-treated group than in the nontreated ischemia group (0.27 ± 0.01 mmol/g versus 0.33 ± 0.04 mmol/g, P = .026), and the cilostazol-treated group had higher activities of tissue SOD (519.6 ± 56.3 U/g versus 438.9 ± 67.4 U/g, P = .016) and GSH-Px (4.07 ± 1.37 U/g versus 3.21 ± 1.02 U/g, P = .47) than the nontreated ischemia group. Histopathologic analyses demonstrated that cilostazol treatment attenuated I/R-induced cellular damage. CONCLUSION: Administration of cilostazol before spinal cord ischemia reduced neurologic injury and produced clinical improvement by attenuating oxidative stress in this rat spinal cord I/R model.

Protective effects of angiotensin II type-1 receptor blockade with olmesartan on spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury: an experimental study on rats.

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury is a major complication of thoracoabdominal aortic operations. We aimed to investigate neuroprotective role of olmesartan administered to rats before ischemia against ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury. METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 8 per group): group I (control group, the sham-operation group), group II (the I-R group undergoing aortic occlusion without pharmacologic treatment), and group III (olmesartan-treated group receiving 3 mg/kg/d olmesartan for 14 days before ischemia). Spinal cord ischemia was induced by infrarenal aortic clamping for 45 minutes, followed by reperfusion. Neurological status was assessed by using modified Tarlov score preoperatively and at 48 hours postoperatively. Spinal cords were harvested for histopathologic examination with hematoxylin-eosin staining and biochemical analysis for tissue malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase levels. RESULTS: The rats in the ischemia group had severe deficits including paraplegia after surgery, and they had a worse neurological status compared with the sham group (p < 0.05). The mean Tarlov scores in the ischemia and olmesartan-treated groups at 48 hours postoperatively were 1.6 +/- 0.4 and 2.2 +/- 0.9, respectively (p < 0.05). Histopathologic analyses demonstrated typical changes of ischemic necrosis in the ischemia group; however, olmesartan attenuated tissue necrosis. Decreased spinal cord tissue malondialdehyde (p = 0.047) and increased tissue superoxide dismutase (p = 0.001) and glutathione peroxidase (p = 0.009) levels were measured in the olmesartan-treated group compared with the ischemia group. CONCLUSION: Olmesartan may protect the spinal cord from I-R injury and reduce the incidence of associated neurological dysfunction after temporary aortic occlusion.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor Invading the Left Atrium: Report of a Rare Case.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) of the lung are rare solid tumors and usually affect children and young adults. We describe an unusual form of an IMT of the left lower lobe invading the left atrium. A 9-year-old male patient with recurrent cough was referred for an evaluation of left-lung pneumonia. Transthoracic needle biopsy was performed, and the histopathological examination showed mixed inflammatory cells. Accordingly, an IMT was considered. Left lower lobectomy was performed. A portion of the tumor invading the left atrium was resected together with the intact atrial wall. The postoperative period was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the sixth postoperative day.

Gastrointestinal complications after cardiopulmonary bypass: sixteen years of experience.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal (GI) complications are one of the serious complications of cardiac surgery. Although rarely seen, they cause major morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study was to retrospectively analyze the risk factors acting on the GI complications seen after cardiac operations performed under cardiopulmonary bypass. METHOD: The present study was designed to retrospectively evaluate 13,544 patients who underwent cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass, between 1988 and 2004 in the authors' clinic. RESULTS: The overall mortality was 346 (2.55%) of 13,544 patients. GI complications developed in 128 patients (0.94%). Among those, 18 (14.1%) died because of GI complications, the most common of which was bleeding. Mesenteric ischemia had the highest case-fatality rate at 71.4%. Valve surgery, concomitant valve and coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, preoperative chronic renal dysfunction, postoperative acute renal failure, deep sternal infection, prolonged ventilation, need for intra-aortic balloon pump and ejection fraction less than 30% were found to be risk factors acting on GI complications. CONCLUSION: GI complications remain a significant concern after cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass. Higher-risk patients can be identified and treated prophylactically and in the postoperative period.

Chronic Otitis Media Resulting in Aortic Valve Replacement: A Case Report.

The bicuspid aortic valve is known to be the most common congenital cardiac malformation, with an approximate incidence rate of 1-2% in the general population. Most patients are unaware of the disease until the onset of infective endocarditis, which is a life-threatening complication that may affect a heart valve or other cardiac structures at the site of endothelial damage. A 22-year-old man presented to our internal medicine clinic with a complaint of acute onset dyspnea and fatigue. His body temperature was 38 (°)C. A diastolic murmur was detected at the right sternal border. Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography revealed severe aortic insufficiency, and two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography showed that the aortic valve was bicuspid. There was also a flail lesion extending the left ventricular outflow tract, resulting in pathological coaptation and severe aortic insufficiency. The patient was referred to our cardiovascular department for surgery. We herein present this case of a bicuspid aortic valve complicated by infective endocarditis due to the underlying disease of chronic otitis media related to a rare pathogen: Alloiococcus otitidis. The patient underwent a successful aortic valve replacement surgery due to aortic insufficiency following infective endocarditis. He was discharged on the 16(th) postoperative day in good condition.

Surgical repair of aneurysm of arteriovenous fistula in patients with chronic renal failure.

THE AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to show the efficacy and results of aneurysm reconstruction that was developed for relieving the patients from pain and mass effects and to give an early hemodialysis option. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medical records were retrospectively screened over a period of 17 years to identify patients diagnosed with and surgically treated for aneurysm of an AV fistula. Twenty-eight patients were included in this study. The mean average age was 44 ± 3 years (31-60). Seventeen (60.7%) patients were female. Twenty-two (78.5%) patients had hypertension and 9 (32.1%) patients had diabetes mellitus. Aneurysm was examined by using ultrasonography to reveal the flow dynamics. The aneurysm was resected and an appropriate sized graft was interposed under local anesthesia. The same vein was dissected and anastomosed over the graft in an end-to-side fashion. RESULTS: Mean aneurysm diameter was 40 ± 12 mm. All aneurysm tissues and thrombotic materials were removed from the surgical field. Mean graft length was 37 ± 11 mm. Three (10.7%) patients need surgical revision because of postoperative bleeding. Dermal necrosis occurred in 1 (3.5%) patient. Infection was noted in 1 (3.5%) patient. Vascular access was started from the reconstructed venous area 2 or 4 days later in all patients. The patency rate was 100% in three years. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical reconstruction of the arteriovenous fistula aneurysm can be safely performed in hemodialysis patients with low complication rates. It gives early vascular access with high patency rates. All patients are relieved from pain and distended mass effect.

Is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease a risk factor for epistaxis after coronary artery bypass graft surgery?

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has customarily been associated with increased surgical morbidity and mortality rates after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between epistaxis and COPD after CABG surgery. METHODS: There were 3 443 patients who consecutively underwent isolated CABG from January 2002 to March 2012. We retrospectively analysed the data of 27 patients (0.8%) with newly developed and serious spontaneous epistaxis, which required consultation with the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Department. The patients were divided into three groups according to severity of nasal bleeding. Twenty-one (77.7%) patients in the three groups had COPD. RESULTS: There were 19 males (70%) and eight females (30%). Their ages ranged between 52 and 72 years (mean 61 ± 5). Fifty-five per cent of the patients had hypertension and 78% had COPD. The overall duration of hospital stay was six to 11 days (mean 7.9 ± 1.1). Epistaxis was seen particularly on the fourth and seventh days postoperatively and 17 patients (63%) were treated with anterior, posterior, or anterior and posterior nasal packing (group 1). Nasal bleeding was controlled with electrocautery in six patients (22%) (group 2), and four (15%) were treated with surgical excision and blood transfusions (group 3). All patients (100%) had a good recovery with no mortality. CONCLUSION: The high coincidence between epistaxis and COPD made us wonder whether COPD may be a risk factor for epistaxis after CABG surgery. However, we could not find any direct causative link between COPD and epistaxis in patients who had undergone CABG. Epistaxis was more common in patients with COPD and it was more serious clinically in patients who had both COPD and hypertension.

Carotid intima-media thickness in patients with slow coronary flow and its association with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio: a preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: The slow coronary flow (SCF) is characterized by angiographically normal or near-normal coronary arteries with delayed progression of the contrast agent into distal vasculature. We aimed to investigate neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (N/L) ratio and the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) value in patients with SCF compared to patients with newly diagnosed coronary artery disease (CAD) and normal patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 60 consecutive patients with SCF, 68 patients with CAD, and 72 normal patients. The association between thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count, CIMT, and N/L ratio and other clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: The N/L ratio was significantly higher not only in patients with SCF but also in patients with CAD, compared to those of controls. The N/L ratio was positively and moderately correlated with CIMT in the whole study population. CONCLUSIONS: The NL ratio is significantly associated with reduced coronary blood flow, and elevated N/L ratio might be an independent predictor for the presence of SCF.