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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.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of single dose insulin, given prior to reperfusion, in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG)., Methods: One hundred and twenty patients were prospectively randomized to be given either insulin (Group 1;n=60), or saline (Group 2;n= 60). Blood samples were taken 15 minutes before the reperfusion and insulin was given (0.3 IU/kg) to the patients in Group 1. Arterial and coronary sinus blood samples were taken, after the release of aortic cross-clamp (0. min), and 5th -10th -15th minutes of reperfusion. Arterial and coronary sinus lactate and glucose levels, postoperative insulin, inotropic and intraaortic balloon pump requirements; need for defibrillation and postoperative dysrhythmia, creatine kinase- MB (CPK-MB) levels, and length of stay in intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital were compared., Results: In Group 1, arterial lactate levels were found to be lower at 0.min, coronary sinus lactate levels were found to be lower at 0-5-10th minutes of reperfusion compared to Group 2. Similarly, defibrillation, glucose, postoperative insulin and inotrop requirements, postoperative arrhythmia and length of ICU stay were lower in Group 1. The CPK-MB levels and length of hospital stay were similar in all patients., Conclusions: We conclude that single dose insulin given before the reperfusion period, has positive perioperative effects. Therefore it can be used in patients undergoing CABG surgery to decrease ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Purpose: Despite the well-documented impairment of pulmonary function after cardiopulmonary bypass, effective precautions and ideal management strategies for this problem are still under debate. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) applied during cardiopulmonary bypass on respiratory and hemodynamic variables., Methods: In this randomized, prospective, controlled trial, 120 male patients, aged 45 to 70 yr undergoing first-time elective bypass surgery, were randomly assigned to receive either 10 cm H2O of CPAP (Group I; n = 60) during cardiopulmonary bypass, or serve as control (Group II; n = 60), where the patient's lungs were vented to atmosphere during the bypass period., Results: Alveolar-arterial oxygen partial pressure difference and shunt fraction were significantly higher in the control group compared with the CPAP group after cardiopulmonary bypass (T2) and after closure of sternum (T3), (P < 0.05). No differences between groups with respect to hemodynamic variables were observed at any time. Postoperative pulmonary function variables were lower in both groups compared to baseline values., Conclusions: Continuous positive airway pressure administered during cardiopulmonary bypass decreased shunt fraction and alveolar-arterial oxygen partial pressure difference during surgery, but had no sustained effect on either variable postoperatively. We conclude that, in patients with normal preoperative pulmonary function, application of 10 cm H2O CPAP does not improve lung function after cardiac surgery.

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 1s, forced vital capacity (FVC), expiratory reserve volume, vital capacity, quotient of FEV in 1s 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 1s (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.

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: The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors in atrial fibrillation (AF), which is the most common rhythm disorder observed after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, and to show whether there is a correlation between C-reactive protein (CRP) and AF. Methods: A total of 250 patients who would undergo coronary artery surgery were retrospectively included in the study. Demographic data, peroperative and postoperative variables of all patients, daily CRP and AF follow-ups until the 6th postoperative day and treatment protocols of AF patients were recorded. Results: AF was detected in 43 (17.2%) of the patients who were followed up. It was found that there was a statistically significant relationship in the multivariate analysis between advanced age, hypertension (HT) and use of preoperative calcium channel blocker and AF (p<0.05). CRP values reached the highest value on the 2nd postoperative day. Although AF was seen in 14 patients (5.6%) in this period, no relation was found between increased CRP levels and the development of AF (p>0.05). It was observed that the length of intensive care and hospital stay of patients with AF was statistically significantly longer (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was found that older hypertensive patients who preoperatively used calcium channel blocker had a higher risk of developing AF. Duration of ICU and hospital stay was longer, and no correlation was found between AF and CRP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]