Lactate and Lactate Clearance Are Predictive Factors for Mortality in Patients with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

ABSTRACT Introduction: Findings of inadequate tissue perfusion might be used to predict the risk of mortality. In this study, we evaluated the effects of lactate and lactate clearance on mortality of patients who had undergone extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Methods: Patients younger than 18 years old and who needed venoarterial ECMO support after surgery for congenital heart defects, from July 2010 to January 2019, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients successfully weaned from ECMO constituted Group 1, and patients who could not be weaned from ECMO were in Group 2. Postoperative clinics and follow-ups of the groups including mortality and discharge rates were evaluated. Results: There were 1,844 congenital heart surgeries during the study period, and 55 patients that required ECMO support were included in the study. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding demographics and operative variables. The sixth-, 12th-, and 24th-hour lactate levels in Group 1 were statistically significantly lower than those in Group 2 (P=0.046, P=0.024, and P<0.001, respectively). There were statistically significant differences regarding lactate clearance between the groups at the 24th hour (P=0.009). The cutoff point for lactate level was found as ≥ 2.9, with 74.07% sensitivity and 78.57% specificity (P<0.001). The cutoff point for lactate clearance was determined as 69.44%, with 59.26% sensitivity and 78.57% specificity (P=0.003). Conclusion: Prognostic predictive factors are important to initiate advanced treatment modalities in patients with ECMO support. In this condition, lactate and lactate clearance might be used as a predictive marker.

Factors affecting the clinical outcomes in pediatric post-cardiotomy patients requiring perioperative peritoneal dialysis

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Fluid overload is associated with increased mortality and morbidity in pediatric cardiac surgery. In the pediatric age group, peritoneal dialysis might improve postoperative outcome with avoiding fluid overload and electrolyte imbalance. It preserves hemodynamic status with the advantage of passive drainage. In this study, we are reporting our results of peritoneal dialysis after cardiac surgery. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we evaluated the patients who underwent pediatric cardiac surgery in our hospital between December 2010 and January 2020. Patients who required peritoneal dialysis during hospitalization period were included in the study. Patients' clinical status and outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Peritoneal dialysis was performed to 89 patients during the study period. The age varies from the newborn to 4 years old. The indication of peritoneal dialysis was prophylactic in 68.5% (n=61) and for the treatment in 31.5% (n=28). There were 31 mortalities. The risk factors for the mortality were preoperative lower age, longer cardiopulmonary bypass time, lengthened intubation, lengthened inotropic support, and requirement of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Earlier initiation of peritoneal dialysis in pediatric cardiac surgery helps maintain hemodynamic instability by avoiding fluid overload, considering the difficulty in the treatment of electrolyte imbalance and diuresis.

Cell viability, anti-proliferation and antioxidant activities of Sideritis syriaca, Tanacetum argenteum sub sp. argenteum and Achillea aleppica subsp. zederbaueri on human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7).

The breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. Many scientists have focused on the treatment of this disease for a long time by studying anti-cancer activities of plant extracts as well as synthetics. Lamiaceae and Asteraceae have been used in anticancer studies due to their phytochemical content. The genus Sideritis, Achillea and Tanacetumare the members of these families. Sideritis, Achillea and Tanacetum are used as herbal medication for the treatment ofvariety of diseases. In present study, we demonstrated the biological activity of Sideritis syriaca (SS), Achillea aleppica (AAZ) and Tanacetum argenteum (TAA) methanol extracts on cell viability of the breast cancer line MCF7. MTT (3- (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was used to determine the cell viability and proliferation of MCF7 cells. In a dose dependent manner, methanol extracts (0, 1, 5, 25, 100 and 250 μg/ml) of SS, AZZ and TAA were examined on MCF7, and viability of cells were determined with MTT staining. Especially, concentrations in 100 and 250 μg/ml of extracts decreased the cell viability (p<0.001). The results of the current study showed that methanol extracts of SS, AZZ and TAA effectively inhibited the cell proliferation by decreasing the cell viability of MCF7 cells. Suggesting that SS, AZZ and TAA can be considered as natural herbal-based anti-cancerous agents.

Comparison of hemodynamic effects of lidocaine, prilocaine and mepivacaine solutions without vasoconstrictor in hypertensive patients

OBJECTIVE: Local anesthetic solutions with vasoconstrictors are not contraindicated in hypertensive patients, but due to their hemodynamic effects, local anesthetics without vasoconstrictors are mainly preferred by the clinicians. The aim of this study was to compare hemodynamic effects of three different local anesthetics without vasoconstrictors during tooth extraction in hypertensive patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-five mandibular molars and premolars were extracted in 60 hypertensive patients (29 females and 31 males; mean age: 66.95 ± 10.87 years; range: 38 to 86 years old). Inferior alveolar and buccal nerve blocks were performed with 2 percent lidocaine hydrochloride (HCl), 2 percent prilocaine HCl or 3 percent mepivacaine HCl without vasoconstrictor. Hemodynamic parameters namely systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), saturation rate (SR), rate pressure product (RPP) and pressure rate quotient (PRQ) were investigated before and at different intervals after anesthetic injection. RESULTS: The hemodynamic effects of the three agents were similar to each other, although some significance was observed for DBP, MAP, RPP and PRQ values in the lidocaine, prilocaine and mepivacaine groups. CONCLUSION: Lidocaine, prilocaine and mepivacaine solutions without vasoconstrictor can be safely used in hypertensive patients. It is advisable that dental practitioners select anesthetic solutions for hypertensive patients considering their cardiovascular effects in order to provide patient comfort and safety.

GJB2 and mitochondrial A1555G gene mutations in nonsyndromic profound hearing loss and carrier frequencies in healthy individuals.

This study aimed to assess mutations in GJB2 gene (connexin 26), as well as A1555G mitochondrial mutation in both the patients with profound genetic nonsyndromic hearing loss and healthy controls. Ninety-five patients with profound hearing loss (>90 dB) and 67 healthy controls were included. All patients had genetic nonsyndromic hearing loss. Molecular analyses were performed for connexin 26 (35delG, M34T, L90P, R184P, delE120, 167delT, 235delC and IVS1+1 A-->G) mutations, and for mitochondrial A1555G mutation. Twenty-two connexin 26 mutations were found in 14.7% of the patients, which were 35delG, R184P, del120E and IVS1+1 A-->G. Mitochondrial A1555G mutation was not encountered. The most common GJB2 gene mutation was 35delG, which was followed by del120E, IVS1+1 A-->G and R184P, and 14.3% of the patients segregated with DFNB1. In consanguineous marriages, the most common mutation was 35delG. The carrier frequency for 35delG mutation was 1.4% in the controls. 35delG and del120E populations, seems the most common connexin 26 mutations that cause genetic nonsyndromic hearing loss in this country. Nonsyndromic hearing loss mostly shows DFNB1 form of segregation.