Search

Objectives: We investigated the effects of endotracheal tubes with subglottic drainage (SGAETT) on the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: The patients were assigned to one of two groups. Group 1 patients used a SGAETT (n=94); Group 2 controls received standard endotracheal tubes (n=100). The demographic data, number of coronary bypasses performed, and cross clamp (CC) and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) durations were recorded. Endotracheal aspiration samples were obtained from patients with suspected VAP in the intensive care unit (ICU). Intubation time, length of ICU and hospital stays, erythrocyte transfusion volume, enteral nutrition needs, transportation needs, and reintubation and sedation needs were recorded. Results: The VAP rate was 6.8% in Group 1 and 19% in Group 2 (p<0.05). Group 1 patients had lower body weight, smoking, and transportation needs; Group 1 patients also had shorter ICU and hospital stays but demonstrated a greater average body surface area, higher mean pulmonary arterial pressure, more-frequent peptic ulcers, higher mean pulmonary arterial pressure, and Group 1 patients were more likely to have ejection fractions (EFs) less than 40% (p<0.05). A logistic regression analyses found SGAETT independently reduced VAP independently (OR: 0.037) (p<0.05). Conclusion: SGAETT reduces the incidence of VAP in patients with COPD undergoing cardiac surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the incidence and risk factors associated with sepsis in pediatric patients who underwent congenital heart surgery. Method: A total of 289 patients were prospectively enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SSCM) diagnostic criteria as Group I including 28 patients who fulfilled the criteria for sepsis and Group II including 261 patients without diagnosis of sepsis. Demographic information, type of operation, complexity, duration of preoperative hospitalization (>5 days) and intensive care unit (ICU) stay, requirement for mechanical ventilation (MV), history of pulmonary hypertension (PHT), and requirement for emergency surgery, total cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and aortic cross-clamp (ACC) times. During the postoperative period delayed sternal closure, duration of mechanical ventilation, the need for reintubation, and need for reoperation were also recorded. Results: The incidence of sepsis was 4.74%. The mortality rate in septic patients was 32%. Factors associated with sepsis were younger age, low body weight, duration of preoperative hospitalization and ICU stay, preoperative requirement for MV, palliative and emergency interventions, history of PHT, prolonged MV, reintubation, and reoperation. Multivariate analysis identified reintubation and duration of MV as the major risk factors for sepsis. Conclusion: Serious infectious problems, such as sepsis, are encountered due to inadequate development of immune resistance mechanisms in pediatric patients. Appropriate preoperative preparation of patients for surgery, reducing the length of stay in the hospital and in the ICU, and reducing the need for reintubation by extubating the patients for an optimal period, would reduce the mortality rate due to sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This study aimed to describe the learning curve of the extracardiac Fontan procedure in a single center and to analyze the changes in clinical applications and outcomes. Methods A retrospective chart review of all extracardiac Fontan patients in a single tertiary care center was undertaken. Patients with a diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome and those who had undergone a lateral tunnel modification, intra/extracardiac Fontan, Kawashima procedure, or inferior vena cava-to-azygous vein connection were excluded from the analysis. Results Between May 2004 and February 2018, data of 159 extracardiac Fontan patients were analyzed. The median age was 5.5 years (range 4.5–8.2 years). Based on a cumulative sum analysis, a hinge point was determined to divide the cohort into 2 phases. Phase 1 (n = 70) represented the first learning phase and phase 2 (n = 89) represented the later phase. Mortality decreased in phase 2 (2/89; 2%) compared to phase 1 (10/70; 14%; p = 0.004). Two (3%) patients had extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in phase 1, and 5 (6%) in phase 2 (p = 0.47). More patients in phase 2 underwent a prior bidirectional Glenn procedure (83/89 vs. 57/70; p = 0.02), fenestration (80/89 vs. 9/70; p < 0.001), and pulmonary artery reconstruction (37/89 vs. 2/70; p < 001). Conclusions This study shows that increased use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, strict implementation of the three-stage management plan, routine fenestration, and a low threshold for pulmonary artery reconstruction may be associated with decreased mortality in the extracardiac Fontan procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A baby case of haematogenous rib osteomyelitis that was caused by Leuconostoc lactis was presented. The patient had high fever and an abscess formation on the right scapula. Diagnosis was made with the results of blood, bone and abscess cultures, pathological findings of the involved rib and direct bone graphies. The patient was treated succesfully with cefotaxime for 6 weeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Widespread application of on-pump revascularization procedures is increasing due to the thought of elimination of untoward effects of cardiopulmonary circuit. Thus, whether off-pump coronary artery surgery eliminates side effects especially related to respiratory functions is still controversial. Although many previous studies have evaluated these respiratory functions, daily comparison of 12 parameters was not included in any of the studies. The aim of our prospective study was to ascertain whether off-pump coronary operation improves pulmonary functions and postoperative recovery period when compared with on-pump technique and whether early discharge of patients with off-pump surgery is the result of respiratory improvement. Methods: Eighteen patients in each group were included: on-pump group underwent coronary revascularization with cardiopulmonary bypass and off-pump with stabilization. Respiratory function tests and arterial blood gas analyses were performed preoperatively and daily after operation function tests included forced expiratory volume (FEV) in 1 s, forced vital capacity (FVC), expiratory reserve volume, vital capacity, quotient of FEV in 1 s to FVC, maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), tidal volume, and forced midexpiratory flow. Blood gas analyses included partial arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide pressure, arterial pH and hematocrit (Hct). Results: Preoperative pulmonary functions and arterial blood gases were not statistically significant between groups except MVV and partial arterial oxygen pressure. MVV was slightly higher in on-pump group and partial arterial oxygen pressure was slightly lower in on-pump group. During postoperative first day Hct (P=0.004) and FEV in 1 s (P=0.049) values and third day partial arterial oxygen pressure (P=0.011) and Hct (P=0.011) values were lower in on-pump group. Mean extubation, duration in postoperative suit and hospital discharge times, mean blood loss were not statistically significant between groups postoperatively. Conclusion: Pulmonary functions and arterial blood gases were not improved in off-pump patients when compared with on-pump patients. Patients going to be surgically revascularized should not be altered to off-pump surgery merely with the hope of improving respiratory functions with off-pump technique. As the postoperative stay times at surgical theatre and hospital is not different and the extubation times were similar, early discharge of patients with off-pump surgery cannot be related merely to better preservation of respiratory functions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: This study aims to investigate the incidence and risk factors for chylothorax and to evaluate the effect of chylothorax on the early postoperative outcomes following congenital cardiac surgery., Methods: A total of 1,053 patients (606 males, 447 females; median age: 12 months; range, 3 days to 48 years) who underwent surgery for congenital heart disease at our institute between January 2018 and December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with chylothorax were identified and the data of this cohort was compared with the entire study population. Following the diagnosis of chylothorax, a standardized management protocol was applied to all patients., Results: Of 1,053 patients operated, 78 (7.4%) were diagnosed with chylothorax. In the univariate analysis, younger age, peritoneal dialysis, preoperative need for mechanical ventilation, surgical complexity, delayed sternal closure, high vasoactive inotrope score in the first 24 h after operation, residual or additional cardiac lesions which required reoperations were found to be the risk factors for chylothorax (p<0.05). In the multivariate analysis, the correlation persisted with only younger age, infections, and peritoneal dialysis requirement (p<0.05). In the chylothorax group, ventilation times were longer, and re-intubation and infection rates were higher (p<0.05). Although the length of intensive care unit and hospital stay was significantly longer in this patient group, there was no significant association between the development of chylothorax and in-hospital mortality (p>0.05)., Conclusion: Chylothorax following congenital cardiac surgery is a significant problem which prolongs the length of hospital stay and increases the infection rates. Complex cardiac pathologies which require surgery at early ages and re-operations are risk factors for chylothorax. Although there is no consensus on the most optimal therapeutic strategy, standardizing the management protocol may improve the results., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2023, Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery.)

Background: In this study, we aimed to analyze the predictors and risk factors of mortality in patients who underwent Norwood I procedure with the diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome., Methods: Between January 2009 and December 2020, a total of 139 patients (95 males, 44 females) who underwent Norwood I procedure with the diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome in our center were retrospectively analyzed., Results: The median birth weight was 3,200 (range, 3,000 to 3,350) g and the median age at the time of operation was seven (range, 5 to 10) days. Pulmonary flow was achieved with a Sano shunt in the majority (72%) of patients. Survival rate was 41% after the first stage. Reoperation for bleeding (p=0.017), reoperation for residual lesion (p=0.011), and postoperative peak lactate level (p=0.029), were associated with in-hospital mortality. Nineteen (33%) of 57 patients died before the second stage. Thirty-three (58%) patients underwent second stage, and survival after the second stage was 94%. Thirteen patients underwent third stage, and survival after the third stage was 85%. Estimated probability of survival at six months, and one, two, three, and four years were 33%, 33%, 25%, 25%, and 22% respectively., Conclusion: Hospital and inter-stage mortality rates are still high and this seems to be the most challenging period in term of survival efforts of the patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Early recognition and reintervention of anatomical residual defects, close follow-up in the inter-stage period, and the accumulation of multidisciplinary experience may help to improve the results to acceptable limits., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2022, Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery.)

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictability of postoperative pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) using intraoperative flow study in patients undergoing bidirectional Glenn operation., Methods: Patients who underwent Glenn operation under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were included in the study. During the operation, after the completion of additional procedures under CPB, an intraoperative flow study was performed prior to Glenn anastomosis. After the completion of bidirectional Glenn, the patient was separated from the CPB and PAP was measured. The relationship between this pressure and flow study measurement was analyzed., Results: Nine patients who underwent bidirectional Glenn operation with additional procedures under CPB between July 2018 and January 2019 were included in the study. The median PAP was 9 mm Hg (interquartile range [IQR]: 7-10 mm Hg) in the flow study and 10 mm Hg (IQR: 8-11 mm Hg) after CPB, and the median difference between these pressures was 1 mm Hg (IQR: 1-3 mm Hg). There was a strong correlation between these two measurements ( r = 0.732; P = .025)., Conclusion: The results of this study show that PAP after the Glenn procedure can be estimated using an intraoperative flow study. We believe that this method may be useful in intraoperative decision-making for Glenn operation in single ventricular patients who require extensive pulmonary artery (PA) reconstruction due to limited PA development, branch PA stenosis, or nonconfluent PAs. Also, this method can be used as a sort of intraoperative pulmonary resistance reversibility study in patients with high preoperative pulmonary vascular resistance due to surgically correctable pulmonary venous hypertension.

Background: Endothelial dysfunction may play a major role in both peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and Buerger's disease (BD). Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous inhibitor of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and increased ADMA levels impair vascular homeostasis. We aimed to determine the plasma levels of ADMA and evaluate the relationship of ADMA levels with smoking and clinical severity of the disease in patients with BD and to compare these results with those of patients with PAD and healthy individuals., Methods: In our center, 45 patients undergoing peripheral arterial surgery, 28 patients being followed up for BD, and 24 healthy individuals without vascular or cardiac disease, were enrolled in the study. Intra- and intergroup analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship of ADMA levels with smoking behaviors and clinical disease severity according to Fontaine classification., Results: ADMA levels were 1.26 ± 0.76 mmol/L, 0.87 ± 0.27 mmol/L, and 1.07 ± 0.88 mmol/L in patients with PAD, in patients with BD, and in the control group, respectively. ADMA levels were significantly higher in patients with PAD than those in control patients (p = 0.003) and the levels observed in patients with BD were significantly lower than those in control patients (p = 0.001). Smokers with PAD had higher ADMA levels than smokers with BD (p = 0.03). ADMA levels were higher in patients with Fontaine stage III and IV disease than those with Fontaine stage II diseases, for patients with PAD as well as those with BD., Conclusion: The lower ADMA levels observed in patients with BD might be related to the degradation of ADMA by dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase in response to ischemia and could act as a defensive mechanism during the acute or quiescent phases. In patients with BD experiencing severe clinical conditions or with a longer time course for the disease, higher ADMA levels may suggest a poor prognosis., (Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

A 68-year-old male patient with acute coronary syndrome was referred to our center. He also received a diagnosis of diaphragmatic hernia after a clinical examination. The patient underwent a simultaneous aorta coronary bypass operation and repair of the congenital diaphragm hernia. During the operation, the patient was observed to have an atrial septal defect. Our handling of the case is discussed in light of the literature.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two different cardioplegic solutions on nitric oxide (NO) release from coronary vasculature in patients with type II diabetes mellitus undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery., Methods: Forty patients undergoing elective CABG surgery were randomized to be given crystalloid (Group 1) or blood (Group 2) cardioplegia. Aortic and coronary sinus blood samples were taken at three different time periods and the release of NO from the coronary vasculature was determined by measuring its stable end-products, nitrite and nitrate. The difference between the aortic and coronary sinus concentrations of nitrite and nitrate represents the amount of NO released by coronary vascular bed., Results: Before application of aortic cross-clamp, at T1 period, the levels of nitrite/nitrate from the coronary vasculature were similar in both groups (6.53+/-1.21 microM vs 6.07+/-1.24 microM , p>0.05). However after the removal of cross-clamp, a significant decrease in NO was observed in Group 1 as compared with Group 2 (4.21+/-0.73 microM vs 4.92+/-1.02 microM, p<0.01) . This decrease persisted at T3 period, after 30 minutes of reperfusion in group 1 being significantly different from group 2 (3.86+/-0.49 vs 4.37+/-0.72 microM, p<0.05)., Conclusion: This study has shown that in patients with type II diabetes mellitus crystalloid cardioplegia causes a decrease in the release of NO from coronary vascular bed during aortic cross-clamp and reperfusion period whereas more physiologic blood cardioplegia did not. Our findings indicate that blood cardioplegia protects endothelial function better than crystalloid cardioplegia in diabetic patients.