Renal Outcomes and Myocardial Performance after On-Pump Beating Heart versus Conventional On-Pump Surgery in Patients with Preoperative Low Glomerular Filtration Rate

Objective: Acute kidney disease develops 16% - 30% of patients with preoperative impaired renal functions. Our aim of this study was to compare postoperative renal outcomes using two open heart surgery techniques, on-pump beating heart (OPBH) and conventional on-pump (COP), in patients who have preoperative low glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) as an indicator of creatinine clearance. Methods: From 2004 to 2015, 341 patients with preoperative creatinine clearance were lower than 90 ml/min/1.73m2 were selected for this study. On-Pump beating heart was performed in 111 patients (Group I). Conventional on-pump technique was used in 200 patients. In the remaining patients, we measured postoperative Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-alpha), cardiac troponin I (cTn-I), Brain natriuretic peptid (NT-Pro- BNP), creati-nine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and postoperative eGFR daily until day four after surgery. Results: There were no differences in baseline levels of TNF-alpha, NT-Pro-BNP, BUN, cTn-I, Cr levels between the groups. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time were much longer and cumulative inotrope use was significantly higher in patients underwent COP (P Conclusion: Our study showed that on-pump beating heart CABG technique provides a morbidity benefit and is associated with a lower risk of peroperative LOS in patients with mild renal disfunction. Our study results suggest that OPBH is superior to the COP in terms of postoperative renal injury and cardiac mediators.

The Effects of Different Type Vasodilator Agents on Radial Artery Blood Flow: A Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study

Background: The radial artery (RA) is being used as a second arterial conduit in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients. Vasospasm during the harvesting is the most common problem, yet. Our goal of this research is to evaluate the effects of different vasodilators on RA blood flow. Material and Method: In our 250 CABG patients who were included into the study, patients were divided into five groups which have the same number of the patients. Before the harvesting of the RA, Allen test and modified Allen test were performed. In group 1, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was administered via central line. In group 2, nitrogliceryne was applied as a vasodilator agent. In group 3, diltiazem as a calcium channel blocker was used. In group 4, dobutamine was used with a dose of 3micro./kg/min. In the remaining patients, as a control group (CG), normal saline solution was used with the same protocol. RA length and radial artery flow, mean arterial blood pressure, central venous pressure, and heart rate were measured before and 10 minutes after drug administration. Results: No significant differences were found between the groups in respect to age, body surface area, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross clamp time. A multivariate general linear model was created and revealed the drug (specifically SNP and nitroglycerin) as a predictor to increase flow in the radial artery (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002), respectively. SNP has significantly decreased mean arterial pressure when we compared to nitroglycerin (p 0.05). Conclusions: Our study showed that SNP and nitroglycerin are very effective agents to provide the increasing of RA blood flow. However, statistical comparisons exhibited that intravenous SNP was a very effective vasodilating agent for RA than nitroglycerin.

Assesment of Radial Artery by Means of Doppler Ultrasonography and Soft Tissue Roentgenogram in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients

Background: Although the radial artery (RA) is mostly selected for the creating of arterio-venous fistula (AVF) in end-stage renal disease patients (ESRDP), it still represents a suitable site to simply assess systemic calcification. Our goal of this study was to research the RA before the arteriovenous fistula creation in ESRDP and evaluate the risk factor determinants. Material and Methods: The RA has been determined to estimate vascular calcification in 67 ESRDPs on dialysis by doppler ultrasonography (USG). If there was any pathologic conditions, direct examination of the forehand soft tissue roentgenograms as a simply method was made. Preoperative spectral Doppler sonography measured radial artery peak systolic velocity during tight fist clenching for 3 minutes and after fist relaxation. Vessel diameters and peak systolic velocity were assessed for predictive value based on subsequent fistula adequacy. RA calcification was scored from Grade 0 which was defined as no calcification to Grade 4 which was described as severe calcification from proximal to distal end of RA. Results: Doppler USG has shown that the major or minor RA calcification was detected in 11 patients (16.5%). In these patients, direct roentgenogram also demonstrated RA calcific disease. Total and LDL cholesterol levels, gender and smoking status have no influence on calcification scores. When the dialysis periods are concerned, there was no correlation with the RA calcification. Serum calcium and phosphate levels, rather than calcium-phosphate products, and age were correlated with high calcification scores. The highest prevalence of RA calcification was also found in diabetic group. Conclusion: Our data indicate that RA calcification is highly prevalent among ESRDP, with the highest prevalence among diabetics. The RA was used as an A-V fistual creation in ESRDPs, which may be risky since the calcification percentage is higher. Therefore, a simple roentgenographic survey may help to identify patients with severe calcified RA. Because our roengenographyc results were correlated with doppler USG, it can be used to determine RA calcific disease before the arteriovenous fistula creation.

Effect of topical vasodilator on internal thoracic artery blood flow. A placebo-controlled clinical study

Objective: The internal thoracic artery (ITA) is the conduit of choice for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). To avoid spasm of the ITA various topical vasodilators have been suggested either intraluminally or by topical application. In order to describe the best vasodilating agent for preparation of the ITA, a randomized double-blind placebo controlled clinical work was performed in a group of CABG patients. Methods: Three hundred consecutive patients submitted for elective first time coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly subdivided into five groups. The first measurement was performed shortly after the internal thoracic artery was dissected from the chest wall and the second just prior to performing distal anastomosis to the left anterior descending coronary artery. During the time interval between the two measurements topical vasodilator has been injected into the endothoracic fascia of the ITA using the following drugs: papaverine 2 mg/ml, nitrogly-cerin 1 mg/ml, nitroprusside 0.5 mg/ml, mixed solution include sodium nitroprusside (1 mg/ml) and diltiazem (0.5 mg/ml) and normal saline 0.9%. Results: No statistically significant differences were found between the groups in respect to age, body surface area, cardiopulmonary bypass time, cross clamping time, and time interval between the two flow measurements. Mean arterial pressure at the time of the first and second internal thoracic artery flow measurements did not show statistically significant differences either within or between the groups. In all five groups, the free flow of the internal thoracic artery increased significantly with time. However, no statistically significant differences were shown between the five groups with respect to second flow. Conclusions: We suggest that preparation of the ITA by topical vasodilators injection into the endothoracic fascia does not result in a significantly superior free flow than placebo.

Isolated tricuspid valve infective endocarditis in young drug abusers

Isolated tricuspid valve infective endocarditis (TVIE) is a rare clinical condition. Thus, there is no common consensus for the treatment options for TVIE. Vege-tectomy and valvulectomy, valve repair, and valve replacement, which are controversial in regard to hemodynamic consequences in right-sided low-pressure system and long-term prognosis. We present 2 young intravenous drug users with TVIE and our surgical strategy.

Successful mitral valve replacement in a young pregnant patient

Pregnancy in women with mechanical prosthetic heart valves is associated with an increased risk of maternal and fetal complications. Managing of the anticoagulation of these patients is very important for life saving of mother and fetus. Unfortunately, throm- boembolic complications in some pregnant women with mechanical mitral valve can be seen. Herein, we present urgent mechanical mitral valve replacement in a 27 year old pregnant woman due to stuck mecha- nical valve.