Effect of Postoperative Constrictive Physiology on Early Outcomes after Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

BACKGROUND: Constrictive pericarditis after coronary artery bypass surgery has been known to affect cardiac output by limiting diastolic ventricular filling. We aimed to assess the influence of postoperative constrictive physiology on the early outcomes of patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2008 and July 2011, 903 patients underwent an isolated OPCAB and postoperative transthoracic-echocardiography. The patient cohort was classified into two groups: group A, constrictive physiology and group B, control group without constrictive physiology. Early outcomes were analyzed between the two groups. RESULTS: Of the total 903 patients, group A consisted of 153 patients (16.9%). The amount of blood loss in group A during the postoperative 24 hours was greater than that of group B, but this was not statistically significant (p=0.20). No significant differences were found in the mortality rates (group A, 0.6%; group B, 1.4%; p=0.40) and 30-day major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs; group A, 3.3%; group B, 6.1%; p=0.42). CONCLUSION: Postoperative constrictive physiology does not affect 30-day MACCEs or other major complications after OPCAB. The results of this study suggest that patients with early postoperative constrictive physiology do not need medical or surgical treatment, and that conservative care is sufficient.

Delayed Diagnosis of Cardiac Tamponade That Was Caused by Intramural Hematoma of the Ascending Aorta: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Intramural hematoma of the aorta (IMH) is the precursor or a variant of a classic aortic dissection where hemorrhage occurs within the aorta wall in the absence of an initial intimal tear. IMH has a high rate of mortality and morbidity. The optimal therapy for IMH is uncertain, yet the involvement of the ascending aorta is usually considered as an indication for surgery due to the associated risk of rupture or cardiac tamponade. We report here on a case of a 71-year-old man who presented with syncope. Because of misdiagnosis, he underwent computed tomography (CT) after 5 hrs from arriving to the ER. Computed tomography of the aorta revealed intramural hematoma of the ascending aorta with cardiac tamponade. He also had vascular complications such as acute renal failure and visceral ischemia. We performed emergency graft replacement of the total arch and ascending aorta. He was discharged without complication on postoperative day 14.

Multiple Calcifying Fibrous Pseudotumors in the Pleura : A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Calcifying fibrous pseudotumors (CFP) are rare soft tissue tumors that have unique histopathologic features characterized by a dense hyalinized collagenous tissue interspersed with benign spindle cells, lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, and psammomatous or dystrophic calcifications. We report here on a case of calcifying fibrous pseudotumors in the pleura and provide a literature review.