Reversed C sternotomy versus conventional sternotomy in cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: In this study, cardiac surgery with minimally invasive reversed C sternotomy was compared with conventional sternotomy in patients undergoing valve replacement or septal defect repair. METHODS: In this prospective randomized study, 35 patients were assigned into one of two groups for elective cardiac surgery under general anesthesia: Group A (reversed C sternotomy group) and Group B (conventional sternotomy group). Intraoperative variables, intubation time, postoperative drainage volume, pulmonary function tests, sleep quality and quality of life, and requirement for blood transfusion were compared. RESULTS: A significant difference between the two groups was found in blood transfusion requirement, extubation time, and drainage volume. Forced expiratory volume in one second and functional vital capacity were significantly lower in Group B than in Group A at postoperative Month 1. Total sleep component score of Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index in Group B patients was significantly worse at postoperative Month 1. Postoperative assessment of quality of life (physical and mental) also showed a significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: These preliminary findings suggest that creating an access point without compromising the integrity of the sternum seems to be an advantageous and appropriate technique for suitable patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Long-term results of the single-patch repair technique for sinus venosus atrial septal defects.

BACKGROUND: Anomalous pulmonary venous drainage commonly accompanies sinus venosus atrial septal defects (SVASDs). Many techniques have been reported for avoiding postoperative complications, such as narrowing of the superior vena cava (SVC) or the pulmonary system, and arrhythmia. We perform a single V-Y pericardial patch plasty repair technique for SVASDs. The purpose of this study is to report on the long-term results of this surgical technique. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients who had a diagnosis of ASD and who underwent their operations between 2000 and 2010 at the Gulhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Training Hospital. Thirty-nine of the patients had an anomalous pulmonary return, and the single pericardial patch technique had been performed in 32 of these patients. RESULTS: The mean (±SD) postoperative extubation time was 5 ± 1.6 hours. The mean drainage volume was 384 ± 137 mL. All patients were discharged from the hospital at a mean of 4.6 ± 1.1 days after their operation and were prescribed anticoagulants for 3 months. No perioperative or late-term mortality was observed. Patients were followed up for 6 months to 2 years. There were no residual shunts and no stenosis-related findings in the pulmonary venous system or the SVC. CONCLUSION: Use of the single pericardial patch plasty technique might lower complication rates in patients with SVASD, especially those who have not completed their growth.

Comparison of conventional technique and ultrasonographic mapping in saphenous vein harvesting.

BACKGROUND: Saphenous vein mapping provides accurate identification of the graft diameter, location of the harvest side, and quality of graft and also led to a selective leg skin incision. In this article, we aimed to compare patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery with or without vein mapping. METHODS: Patients who underwent CABG surgery with saphenous vein grafts (SVG) between January 2005 and January 2010 in our service were analyzed retrospectively. One hundred seventy-eight 178 SVGs were harvested with classical methods (Group A), and 136 SVGs were harvested after Doppler ultrasonography (USG) mapping (Group B). RESULTS: In Group A, 6.7% of patients needed additional incisions for graft harvesting than planned before CABG surgery due to unsuitable vein grafts. In Group B, SVGs were harvested from left lower extremity in 16 patients, and the saphenous vein was not suitable for grafting in 1 patient due to Doppler examination. In the postoperative period, complications at the incision site were reduced in Group B. CONCLUSION: Preoperative vein mapping for harvesting SVGs is an effective method in reducing wound site complications, hospital stay, and hospital costs and in increasing patient comfort and satisfaction.

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.

The effects of gabapentin on acute and chronic postoperative pain after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effects of perioperative gabapentin on postoperative acute and chronic pain after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery with median sternotomy and internal mammary artery harvesting. DESIGN: A double-blind randomized clinical study. SETTING: A single-academic hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with ischemic heart disease who were scheduled to undergo CABG surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Forty patients were allocated randomly into 2 groups; the gabapentin group (n = 20) received 1.2 g/d of oral gabapentin before and for 2 days after surgery, and the placebo group (n = 20) received a placebo capsule instead. The primary outcome was to evaluate the effects of gabapentin on acute and chronic pain after surgery. The postoperative evaluation included the assessment of pain at rest and when coughing, intravenous tramadol usage, postoperative morbidities, and side effects of gabapentin. Postoperative analgesia at 6, 12, 18, 24, 48, and 72 hours after extubation and at discharge was evaluated with the visual analog scale. The assessment of postoperative pain at the 1- and 3-month follow-ups was performed using a numeric rating scale. MAIN RESULTS: Postoperative pain scores at 1, 2, and 3 days were significantly lower in the gabapentin group when compared with the placebo group (p < 0.05). Pain scores at 1 and 3 months postoperatively were lower in the gabapentin group than in the placebo group (p > 0.05). Consumption of intravenous tramadol given as rescue analgesic within 24 hours after extubation in the gabapentin group was 99.0 ± 53.8 mg versus 149.4 ± 72.5 mg in the placebo group (p < 0.05). There were no differences in the incidence of side effects and time to extubation between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Gabapentin significantly reduced the intensity of pain and tramadol consumption in the early postoperative period after CABG surgery. Pain scores at 1 and 3 months after surgery were low in both groups, with no significant difference between the groups.

Conventional versus complete chordal-sparing mitral valve replacement: effects on left ventricular function and end-systolic stress.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess the effects of bileaflet preservation versus conventional technique during mitral valve replacement (MVR) on left ventricular functions and end-systolic stress (ESS). METHODS: Between September 2005 and January 2009, sixty-five patients with mitral regurgitation underwent MVR surgery. In a non-randomized fashion, 34 patients had conventional MVR without chordal/leaflet preservation (group I, c-MVR), and 31 had MVR with total chordal/bileaflet preservation (group II, b-MVR). A prospective clinical and echocardiographic follow-up of patients was performed preoperatively, at 3 months and by 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: Left ventricular end-systolic/end-diastolic dimensions and volumes decreased by 1 year in the b-MVR group. Left ventricular ESS decreased only in the bileaflet sparing MVR group after surgery, and this decrease was significant by 1 year, compared with the c-MVR group (P = 0.008). Left atrial diameter significantly decreased in both groups. Only one patient died, due to posterior wall rupture after a c-MVR procedure. One patient undergoing a b-MVR procedure needed re-operation because of prosthetic valve endocarditis. CONCLUSION: Bileaflet preservation during MVR has a beneficial effect on left ventricular function, compared with conventional MVR. Left ventricular ESS improves after bileaflet-sparing MVR and may be an important indicator of myocardial function after mitral valve surgery.

Natural internal banding in adult patients with a large ventricular septal defect and a preserved pulmonary vascular system.

OBJECTIVE: Hypertrophied anomalous muscle bands (AMBs) in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) may develop in the context of ventricular septal defects (VSDs) and limit persistent pulmonary overflow. In adult patients with a large VSD, persistent AMBs in the RVOT therefore can simulate the role of an externally placed pulmonary artery band. We termed such alterations natural internal bands (NIBs). Our goal was to establish the morphologic nature of the obstructive muscular lesions of the RVOT in patients with a large VSD. METHODS: Patients who underwent operations for a large VSD in our center, which has a high volume of adult patients with congenital defects, were retrospectively reviewed, and the nature of the NIBs in these patients was documented. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac catheterization evaluations preoperatively and at postoperative month 3. Histopathologic examination of the AMBs was performed. RESULTS: Of 96 adult patients who underwent operations for a large isolated VSD (mean defect size, 16.9 ± 3.5 mm), 16 patients had a hemodynamically significant NIB. Two different patterns of obstruction were found. Ten of the 16 patients revealed an os infundibulum morphology, and 6 patients revealed systolic bulging of the conal septum. Four of the patients with os infundibulum also had classic tetralogy-type septal malalignment. The mean peak systolic gradient on the RVOT was 56.5 ± 17.2 mm Hg and 53.6 ± 12.3 mm Hg in the patients with os infundibulum and in the patients with systolic bulging of the conal septum, respectively. Surgical repair of the VSD was completed successfully in all patients. Resection of the os infundibulum was performed concomitantly in patients with os infundibulum. At the third postoperative month, the mean peak systolic gradient was 16.8 ± 3.5 mm Hg in patients with os infundibulum and 26 ± 5.9 mm Hg (range, 20-35 mm Hg) in patients with systolic septal bulging. CONCLUSIONS: Some mechanisms in adult type VSDs are essential for protecting the pulmonary vasculature. We tried to review these protective mechanisms: hypertrophied AMBs and NIBs.

Bilateral renal artery occlusion due to intraoperative retrograde migration of an abdominal aortic aneurysm endograft.

Retrograde (proximal) migration of an abdominal aortic aneurysm endograft is an extremely rare event during endovascular insertion and may lead to occlusion of the bilateral renal arteries and dialysis-dependent renal failure. This case report describes the intraoperative retrograde migration of a bifurcated abdominal aortic endograft during the initial endovascular procedure after deployment of an extender limb graft into the right iliac artery and associated bilateral renal artery occlusion. This was treated with renal artery bypass, and the patient had a favorable outcome.

Reinfusion of blood within aneurysm sac: a simple method of intraoperative blood conservation in elective abdominal aortic surgery.

Autologous blood conservation reduces postoperative morbidity and mortality. In elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, the blood within the aneurysm sac is generally neglected during surgery. We present a simple method of additional blood conservation in elective abdominal aortic surgery, which involves reinfusion of autologous blood within the aneurysm sac in the perioperative period.

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.

Posterior root enlargement for aortic valve replacement associated with unexpected anomalous right coronary artery.

Anomalous right coronary artery (ARCA) generally follows a course between the aorta and pulmonary artery. When ARCA follows a course posterolateral to the aortic root behind the noncoronary sinus of Valsalva, the vessel can be at risk of injury during posterior aortic root enlargement. We present the case of a 21-year-old man with congenital aortic stenosis and small aortic root, who had an intraoperative diagnosis of ARCA. After posterior root enlargement through the noncoronary sinus, ARCA was mobilized from the aortic root and reimplanted into the right coronary sinus. Postoperative follow-up of the patient was uneventful.

Detachment of an annular patch following the Manougian procedure.

Detachment of the prosthetic patch material is a rare complication in the early postoperative period following a Manougian's procedure. We present the case of a young adult presenting with significant mitral regurgitation associated with a defect in the anterior mitral leaflet early after an uneventful Manougian's procedure performed with a prosthetic patch.

Hybrid repair of an acute type B dissection with subclavian-to-subclavian bypass and stent-grafting.

Hybrid repair of an acute type B aortic dissection with endovascular stenting and aortic arch debranching is an acceptable treatment in complicated type B dissection. We present the case of a 71-year-old man presenting with acute type B aortic dissection and concomitant aneurysm of the distal aortic arch, who underwent an uneventful hybrid procedure, which involved subclavian-to-subclavian bypass before endovascular stent-graft placement to the aortic arch.

Endocardial fibroelastosis of the right ventricle and tricuspid valve in a young adult with Behcet's disease.

Endocardial fibroelastosis is characterized by massive proliferation of collagenous and elastic tissue, in which the pathological process is restricted to the endocardium. In this report, we present the case of a 20-year-old man with Behcet's disease and endocardial fibroelastosis of the right ventricle involving tricuspid valve resulting in a tumor mass that was resected along with tricuspid valve replacement. The clinical and pathological features of this rare entity are reviewed.

Accessory mitral papillary muscle causing severe aortic insufficiency.

Accessory mitral papillary muscle originating from the interventricular septum is a rare congenital anomaly. A 20-year-old male patient presented with a complaint of exertional dyspnea. On cardiac examination, a grade 3/4 diastolic murmur was heard over the right upper parasternal area, and the apical pulsations were easily palpable over the precordium. Transthoracic echocardiography showed severe aortic regurgitation, dilatation of the left ventricle, and an accessory papillary muscle with its chordae, extending from the interventricular septum to the anterior mitral leaflet in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). There was no mitral regurgitation. Color Doppler imaging showed turbulence set up by the abnormal mitral attachment and an associated mild pressure gradient of 20 mmHg across the LVOT. At surgery for aortic valve replacement, degenerative changes in the aortic leaflets were noted. The accessory papillary muscle was spared to maintain mitral valve functions and an aortic bileaflet mechanical prosthetic valve was implanted. During eight months of follow-up, he was well without any signs of left ventricular systolic dysfunction and mitral regurgitation, with a functioning prosthetic valve.

Comparison of the therapeutic efficacy of linezolid and vancomycin and correlation of serum and tissue malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase in an experimental mediastinitis model.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of linezolid in an experimental mediastinitis model and to compare it with vancomycin, which is commonly used. The objective of this study was also to evaluate the role of the immune system in mediastinitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: an uncontaminated and contaminated untreated control groups; a group that received sefazolin prophylaxis; and two groups treated with vancomycin or linezolid. Median sternotomy without access to pleural spaces was performed on all rats. All groups, except the uncontaminated one, were inoculated with 0.5 mL 10(8) colony-forming units/mL methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the mediastinal and sternal layers. Postoperatively, vancomycin and linezolid groups were given antibiotic treatment for 7 d, starting 24 h after the end of the procedure. After 7-d treatment tissue samples from the upper ends of the sternotomy line and mediastinum were obtained and evaluated microbiologically. Additionally, serum, heart, lung, liver, kidney, and mediastinal tissues samples were obtained to determine malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). RESULTS: The study showed that either vancomycin or linezolid successfully reduced bacterial counts in mediastinum and sternotomy line. MDA and MPO levels were found to be decreased in the treated groups. There was a positive correlation between serum and tissues MDA and MPO in all of the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that linezolid appears to be a promising option for treating mediastinitis due to methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Additionally, it was demonstrated that a wide inflammatory process occurred after mediastinitis.

Pulmonary vascular protective mechanisms in adult patients with an isolated large ventricular septal defect: a 21-year experience.

BACKGROUND: Ventricular septal defects (VSDs) are one of the most common congenital heart defects in adults. In adult patients with an anatomically large VSD and relatively preserved pulmonary vascular system, several pulmonary flow-limiting cardiac morphologic alterations (PFMA) are encountered. PATIENTS: Ninety-eight male patients (mean age 22.5 +/- 2 years) operated for an anatomically large VSD in our institution were retrospectively reviewed. PFMA in patients with an anatomically large but functionally mild-to-moderate VSD (when ratio of pulmonary to systemic flow (Q(p)/Q(s)) < 2.2 and ratio of pulmonary to systemic vascular resistance (R(p)/R(s)) < 0.3) were recorded. RESULTS: Thirty patients (31.2%) revealed a mild-to-moderate VSD in functional severity. Five PFMA were encountered in these patients: (1) ostium (os) infundibulum (n = 10, 33.3%), (2) aneurysm of the membranous septum (AMS) (n = 10, 33.3%), (3) systolic bulging of the conal septum toward the right ventricular outflow tract (n = 6, 20%), (4) prolapse of the aortic cusps (n = 2, 6.7%), and (5) attachment of the tricuspid septal leaflet to the septal crest (n = 2, 6.7%). Double-chambered right ventricle was encountered in four patients with os infundibulum and classic tetralogy-type septal malalignment in one patient with aortic cusp prolapse. Concurrent to VSD repair, resection of the os infundibulum and the AMS and aortic valve repair were performed. CONCLUSION: Presence of a large VSD and relatively preserved pulmonary vascular system in adults is associated with several PFMA. Preoperative awareness and concurrent surgical treatment of these alterations seem to be crucial to improve the expected benefit of surgical repair of VSD in this subgroup of the patients.

Free-floating tumor thrombus in the left atrium associated with non-small cell lung cancer.

A free-floating tumor thrombus in the left atrium is an unusual metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer. Surgical resection of free-floating tumor thrombus prior to adjuvant therapy relieves cardiac symptoms such as exertional dyspnea, and prevents life-threatening complications including systemic embolization, mitral obstruction, or sudden death.

Left main coronary artery and supravalvular aortic stenosis in adult: treatment with ostial patchplasty and modified Brom procedure.

Left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis accompanying to supravalvular aortic stenosis is a very uncommon, serious congenital abnormality. Aortic valve leaflet fusions and intimal thickening of the aortic valve leaflets and coronary artery are the underlying pathologies for the LMCA stenosis. We operated on a 21-year-old male patient for supravalvar aortic stenosis with LMCA ostial stenosis. We enlarged the LMCA with a pericardial patch (ostial plasty) and reconstructed the aortic root with a modified Brom procedure. Postoperative course was uneventful; echocardiographic evaluation revealed a normal functioning aortic valve with a normal left ventricular function. Gradient at left ventricular outflow tract was decreased a great deal. Although supravalvular aortic stenosis with LMCA stenosis is a very rare congenital abnormality, this clinical entity can be successfully corrected with detailed and selected surgical procedures.

Combined surgical approach to multiple giant coronary artery aneurysms.

Multiple giant coronary artery aneurysms are rare but can develop in the presence of an underlying atherosclerotic vessel disease. Nevertheless, there is no consensus on the ideal surgical treatment or on operative procedures, including aneurysm resection, ligation, distal bypass, and graft interposition. We present the case of a 72-year-old woman with a history of multiple arterial aneurysms who was admitted to the emergency clinic with sudden-onset chest pain and dyspnea. The patient's diagnosis was ischemic heart disease and multiple giant coronary artery aneurysms involving the left anterior descending coronary artery and the proximal and distal segments of the right coronary artery. We present a combined surgical approach to multiple giant coronary artery aneurysms associated with atherosclerosis.