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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]

Objective: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) are among common infections encountered in intensive care units. The high mortality rate is important due to prolonged hospital stay and increased hospital costs. In this study, we aimed to determine the risk factors associated with VAP in patients who had undergone open heart surgery. Method: In this study, a total of 599 patients (178 female, and 421 male) who underwent elective open heart surgery were prospectively included in this study. Patients who could not be extubated after 48 hours were divided into two groups. Group 1: Patients with clinical suspicion of VAP and bacterial growth in their endotracheal aspirates (ETA) (n=29) Group 2: Control group (n=570). Results: In univariate analysis, age, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Pulmonary Hypertension (PHT), history of myocardial infarction (MI), low ejection fraction (EF), prolonged cross- clamp and pump times, inotropic support, presnce of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and use of hemofiltration, atrial fibrillation, reintubation, enteral nutrition with nasogastric tube, reoperation, neurologic dysfunction, steroid use, blood and blood product use, hypoalbuminemia and presence of decubitus ulcer were detected as risk factors for VIP. According to logistic regression analysis duration of intubation longer than 72 hours, reintubation, COPD, previous MI, steroid use, AF neurologic dysfunction were determined as independent risk factors for VAP. Conclusion: In the patient population consisting of patients with cardiac surgery, keeping the invasive mechanical ventilator support as short as possible, reducing the need for reintubation by extubation in optimal time, ensuring complete haemodynamic stability, preoperative preparation of the patient preoperatively, prevention of postoperative haemodynamic instability during surgery, and reduction of VAP. [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]