Evaluation of the dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis in patients with chronic venous insufficiency.

OBJECTIVE: There is no study in the literature evaluating the dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis in patients with chronic venous insufficiency. Thus, we designed this study to evaluate the dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis as a novel indicator of oxidative stress in patients with chronic venous insufficiency. METHODS: This was a prospective case-control study performed at the department of cardiovascular surgery of a tertiary referral hospital in Turkey. A total of 80 (CEAP C3-C6) patients with lower extremity chronic venous insufficiency (as the study group) and 80 healthy subjects (as the control group) were enrolled to the study. The participants' basic demographic and clinical characteristics as well as serum levels of some laboratory parameters including albumin, ferroxidase, myeloperoxidase, native thiol, total thiol, disulphide, native thiol/total thiol, disulphide/native thiol, and disulphide/total thiol were determined, and then compared between the groups. RESULTS: In terms of basic demographic and clinical characteristics, both groups were statistically similar, and there were no significant differences between the groups. When the laboratory parameters were considered, serum ferroxidase and myeloperoxidase levels were detected to be significantly higher, whereas albumin, native thiol, total thiol, and disulphide levels were detected to be significantly lower in the study group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis could be considered as an indicator reflecting the oxidative stress status in patients with chronic venous insufficiency.

Can 18Fluoro-deoxy-glukose-Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography be a Useful for Decision of Elective Surgery in Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) should be treated before the complications with prophylactic surgery. However, important number of ruptures have been occurred below the cut-off size for surgery. In addition, in some cases, who in the cut-off value limit, decision of surgery may sometimes be difficult. 18Fluoro-deoxy-glukose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18FDG-PET/CT) may useful such situations. We present a case that, TAA in 18FDG-PET/CT in a patient with larynx carcinoma. He had a TAA with near the cut-off value and increased metabolic activity in baseline imaging. After 3 months, SUVmax value increased and elective surgery was performed. We think that aneurysms may be another pathology that 18FDG-PET/CT potentially be useful apart from imaging malignant diseases.

Dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis metrics as a risk factor for peripheral arterial disease.

OBJECTIVE: To examine dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis metrics as a novel risk factor of oxidative stress in patients with peripheral arterial disease. METHODS: One hundred patients with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (a study group) and 100 control subjects were included in this prospective case-control study. Participants' baseline clinical characteristics and laboratory data including some oxidant/antioxidant status parameters such as albumin, ferroxidase and myeloperoxidase, and thiol/disulphide homeostasis parameters such as native thiol, total thiol and disulphide, as well as native thiol/total thiol, disulphide/native thiol and disulphide/total thiol ratios were all recorded and then compared between the groups. RESULTS: Mean albumin and ferroxidase, and median myeloperoxidase levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with the peripheral arterial disease than in control group (p = 0.045, p = 0.000 and p = 0.000, respectively). Mean native thiol and total thiol, and median disulphide levels were found to be significantly lower in the study group as compared with the control group (p = 0.000, p = 0.000 and p = 0.037, respectively). According to the results of logistic regression analysis, systolic blood pressure, ferroxidase and myeloperoxidase levels were detected to be the independent predictors of peripheral arterial disease. CONCLUSION: Our report is the first one in the literature investigating dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis metrics as a novel risk factor of oxidative stress in peripheral arterial disease. Dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis metrics may be used as a valuable risk factor of oxidative stress in patients with the peripheral arterial disease since it is readily available, easily calculated and relatively cheap.

Drug-eluting balloon treatment in femoropopliteal in-stent restenosis of different lengths.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we present one-year results of drugeluting balloon treatment of femoropopliteal in-stent restenosis. METHODS: A total of 62 patients (48 males, 14 females; mean age 64.2±9.1 years; range, 54 to 81 years) who underwent drugeluting balloon stenting for femoropopliteal in-stent restenosis between August 2013 and October 2017 were included in the study. The patients were classified into three groups based on the narrowing length of stenosis in the stents. Group/Class 1 (n=17): narrowing <1/2 of the stent length; Group/Class 2 (n=22): narrowing >1/2 of the stent length, not totally occluded; and Group/Class 3 (n=23): totally occluded. In-stent restenosis was treated with drug-eluting balloon treatment. RESULTS: There was a significant difference among all classes in terms of in-stent restenosis. The length of stenosis was a predictor for in-stent restenosis. The mean stent length was 107.7±24.6 mm in Group 1, 164.6±17.9 mm in Group 2, and 180±19.3 mm in Group 3. For non-occluded in-stent restenosis, restenosis rate at one year after balloon angioplasty was 47.1% in Group 1, 86.4% in Group 2, and 95.7% in Group 3. Femoropopliteal bypass was performed in five patients in whom treatment failed. None of the patients required amputation. CONCLUSION: The length of in-stent restenosis in the femoropopliteal arterial stents is an important predictor for recurrent stenosis, when re-flow is achieved with drug-eluting balloons.

Detection of Pulmonary Embolism with Gallium-68 Macroaggregated Albumin Perfusion PET/CT: An Experimental Study in Rabbits.

This study was designed to evaluate the accuracy of detecting pulmonary embolism (PE) using the Technegas SPECT/CT combined with 68Ga PET/CT in a rabbit model. One hour after artificial PE (n = 6) and sham (n = 6) models were created, Technegas SPECT/CT ventilation and 68Ga-MAA PET/CT perfusion scan (V/Q scan) were performed. Ventilation imaging was performed first on all cases. Technegas SPECT/CT and 68Ga-MAA PET/CT images were evaluated by a nuclear medicine physician who recorded the presence, number, and location of PE on a per-lobe basis. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of Technegas SPECT/CT and 68Ga-MAA PET/CT for detecting PE were calculated using a histopathological evaluation as a reference standard. A total of 60 lung lobes were evaluated in 12 rabbits, and PE was detected in 20 lobes in V/Q scans and histopathological analysis. The overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 100%, 100%, and 100%, respectively, for both the Technegas SPECT/CT and 68Ga-MAA PET/CT V/Q scans. Technegas/68Ga-MAA V/Q scans have good sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in the detection of PE in this animal model study.

The Use of del Nido Cardioplegia for Myocardial Protection in Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The del Nido (DN) cardioplegia solution has been widely used in paediatric open-heart surgery for years; however, its application in adult open-heart surgery has not yet gained sufficient popularity. We investigated the safety and efficiency of the DN cardioplegia solution versus the traditional crystalloid cardioplegia solution [St. Thomas' Hospital (STH) cardioplegia solution] in adult patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: A retrospective comparative analysis of 200 consecutive patients undergoing isolated on-pump CABG between April 2016 and September 2017 was performed. Patients were divided into two groups: DN group (n = 100) and STH group (n = 100). Groups were compared with regard to perioperative clinical outcomes, and the safety and efficiency of the DN cardioplegia solution in CABG surgery were evaluated. RESULTS: In the DN group, mean aortic cross-clamp, cardiopulmonary bypass, and total operation times were significantly shorter than in the STH group. After the release of the aortic cross-clamp, the requirement for intraoperative defibrillation was significantly less in the DN group. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the levels of perioperative cardiac biomarkers (including creatine kinase-myocardial band and troponin I), major postoperative adverse events, and in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that the use of the DN cardioplegia solution in adult patients undergoing isolated CABG provides significantly shorter aortic cross-clamp, cardiopulmonary bypass, and total operation times compared with the traditional cardioplegias solution. The DN solution could be used as a safe and efficient alternative to the traditional cardioplegia solutions in CABG surgery.

Current Status of Arterial Revascularization for the Treatment of Critical Limb Ischemia in Infrainguinal Atherosclerotic Disease.

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the most severe form of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) that may result in limb loss and even death; thus, the fast and proper treatment should be employed as earlier as possible to prevent these catastrophic consequences. Arterial revascularization is almost always an indispensable treatment option for CLI. Although both endovascular and surgical revascularization procedures have an important role, nowadays, the hybrid revascularization as a combination of these revascularization procedures has also gained increasing popularity in the treatment of patients with CLI. This review provides an update on the arterial revascularization strategies for the treatment of CLI.

Thirty-six-month outcomes of drug-eluting balloon angioplasty in the infrapopliteal arteries.

Objectives To evaluate 36-month outcomes of drug-eluting balloons in infrapopliteal (=below-the-knee) arterial segments, we made a prospective registry enrolling patients (Rutherford class 2 to 5, ankle-brachial index 0.4-0.7) who were revascularized with drug-eluting balloon from August 2011 to December 2014. Methods Three hundred and seven infrapopliteal arteries were revascularized only with drug-eluting balloon. Endpoints included target lesion revascularization, primary patency rate, and changes in ankle-brachial index and Rutherford class. Results Both ankle-brachial index improvement and Rutherford reduction were statistically significant (p < 0.001). At 36 months control, ankle-brachial index improvement was 59.3% (p = 0.032). The clinically driven target lesion revascularization rate was 28% at 36 months. Limb salvage was accomplished in 73.6% of the critical limb ischemia cases, and complete wound healing was detected in 67.8% of cases with Rutherford category 5. Overall, the 1-year primary patency rate was 32.5%. Conclusions Drug-eluting balloons have shown successful performance in infrapopliteal arteries in mid-term, and evidence regarding clinical effectiveness and safety supports drug-eluting balloon angioplasty as the first line therapy in this segment.

An Overview and Update of Femorofemoral Crossover Bypass Surgery as an Extra-Anatomic Bypass Procedure.

Femorofemoral crossover bypass is a surgical arterial revascularization modality which is commonly performed for unilateral aortoiliac occlusive disease. It is primarily applied to patients with intermittent claudication or critical limb ischemia in whom underlying anatomic constraints rule out endovascular means of restoring in-line flow and those who do not qualify for anatomic reconstruction due to the comorbid conditions that preclude a more invasive open surgical approach. This surgical procedure may be also used as a complementary component of endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms when one aortoiliac arterial system is occluded to ensure exclusion of the aortic aneurysm. This review represents the current status of femorofemoral crossover bypass surgery as an extra-anatomic bypass procedure.

Long-term outcomes of Omniflow II biosynthetic vascular graft in lower extremity arterial revascularization.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the patency rates and long-term outcomes of femoro-popliteal bypass procedures with Omniflow II biosynthetic vascular grafts in patients with occlusive vascular disease. METHODS: This retrospective, observational, clinical study included a total of 93 patients (61 males, 32 females; mean age 56.9±7.4 years; range, 43 to 83 years) who underwent femoro-popliteal bypass in which Omniflow II biosynthetic vascular grafts were used due to peripheral arterial disease. The patients were divided into two groups: 62 patients undergoing femoro-popliteal above-knee bypass and 31 patients undergoing the femoro-popliteal belowknee bypass. We evaluated preoperative clinical characteristics, postoperative graft patency rates, and other clinical results. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 44.9±18.8 months in the femoropopliteal above-knee bypass group and 47.3±22.3 months in the femoro-popliteal below-knee bypass group (p=0.302). The cumulative primary graft patency rates of the femoro-popliteal above-knee bypass and femoro-popliteal below-knee bypass groups at three, four, and five years were 98%, 95% and 78% and 86%, 75% and 45%, respectively (log-rank; p=0.312). The cumulative assisted graft patency rates of the femoro-popliteal above-knee bypass and femoro-popliteal below-knee bypass groups at five years were 87.9% and 65.3%, respectively (log-rank; p=0.530). CONCLUSION: The Omniflow II biosynthetic vascular graft is suitable for above- and below-knee femoro-popliteal bypass procedures. These grafts may be prefered due to high patency rates, low incidence of aneursym formations, and infections.

A comparison of early clinical outcomes of off-pump and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: The reply of question of "which coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) technique is superior in elderly patients, off-pump or on-pump CABG surgery?" is controversial. We aimed to compare the early clinical outcomes in elderly patients undergoing off-pump and on-pump CABG. METHODS: From January 2009 to January 2015, 344 elderly patients (aged 70 or older) underwent off-pump (n = 137) or on-pump (n = 207) CABG. Patients' medical records were retrospectively reviewed, and their baseline preoperative characteristics, operative data and postoperative outcomes were analyzed, thereby a comparison of early outcomes between off-pump and on-pump patients was performed. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 74.4 ± 3.8 years. Both groups were statistically similar in terms of baseline preoperative characteristics. Number of distal bypass was significantly lower in off-pump group than in on-pump group. Postoperative length of intensive care unit and hospital stay were similar between two groups. Amounts of transfused blood products were significantly lower in off-pump CABG group. There were no significant differences in terms of postoperative complications and mortality between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results did not reveal a significant benefit of either surgical technique with respect to early-term clinical outcomes in elderly CABG patients. Further investigations are needed to determine whether off-pump CABG is superior than on-pump CABG in elderly patients.

Are the Early Postoperative Outcomes of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery in Elderly Women Worse Compared to Men's?

OBJECTIVE:: To investigate the impact of gender difference in early postoperative outcomes in elderly patients (aged 70 or older) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. METHODS:: Between October 2009 and December 2013, a total of 223 elderly patients (aged 70 or older) undergoing isolated primary coronary artery bypass grafting surgery were included in this retrospective observational cohort study. Patients were divided into two groups according to their gender. The patients' medical records were collected, their baseline preoperative characteristics, operative data, and postoperative outcomes were retrospectively reviewed, and the effect of gender difference in the early postoperative outcomes was analyzed. RESULTS:: Group 1 (female patients) and Group 2 (male patients) consisted of 71 and 152 patients, respectively. Mean age of patients was 74.4±3.6 years (range: 70-84 years). The level of EuroSCORE I, the incidence of hypertension and hyperlipidemia were significantly higher in Group 1, while the rate of smoking was significantly higher in Group 2. Mean postoperative intubation time, length of intensive care unit and hospital stay were longer in female patients than in male patients, but these differences were not statistically significant. No statistically significant difference between two groups in terms of the transfusion of blood products was observed. The rates of in-hospital mortality and major postoperative complications were statistically similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION:: In conclusion, the female gender was not associated with worse early postoperative outcomes in elderly patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Are the early postoperative outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting surgery in elderly women worse compared to men's?

Abstract Objective: To investigate the impact of gender difference in early postoperative outcomes in elderly patients (aged 70 or older) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Methods: Between October 2009 and December 2013, a total of 223 elderly patients (aged 70 or older) undergoing isolated primary coronary artery bypass grafting surgery were included in this retrospective observational cohort study. Patients were divided into two groups according to their gender. The patients' medical records were collected, their baseline preoperative characteristics, operative data, and postoperative outcomes were retrospectively reviewed, and the effect of gender difference in the early postoperative outcomes was analyzed. Results: Group 1 (female patients) and Group 2 (male patients) consisted of 71 and 152 patients, respectively. Mean age of patients was 74.4±3.6 years (range: 70-84 years). The level of EuroSCORE I, the incidence of hypertension and hyperlipidemia were significantly higher in Group 1, while the rate of smoking was significantly higher in Group 2. Mean postoperative intubation time, length of intensive care unit and hospital stay were longer in female patients than in male patients, but these differences were not statistically significant. No statistically significant difference between two groups in terms of the transfusion of blood products was observed. The rates of in-hospital mortality and major postoperative complications were statistically similar between the two groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, the female gender was not associated with worse early postoperative outcomes in elderly patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as a biomarker for acute kidney injury in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The development of acute renal injury (ARI) is an important indicator of clinical outcomes after cardiac surgery. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) has been certified as a predictive biomarker of hypoxic ARI. The present study aimed to determine the predictive role of NGAL in coronary bypass graft (CABG) surgery. METHOD: A total of 72 consecutive patients undergoing elective CABG were enrolled in the study. NGAL levels were determined preoperatively and postoperatively after 6 h, 24 h and 72 h for all participants. The participants were then divided into two groups according to their preoperative creatinine levels (group I, creatinine 111.38 µmol/L to 361.55 µmol/L; group II, creatinine <111.38 µmol/L). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups according to their NGAL values (P>0.05), except at 6 h (P=0.045). Three patients required continuous hemodialysis. Comparison of the NGAL levels of these three patients with those of the other participants did not reveal any correlation with serum creatinine levels. In contrast, the NGAL levels were significantly lower in the continuous hemodialysis patients (1.9±1 ng/mL) compared with those of the other participants (22.6±12.8 ng/mL; P=0.001). CONCLUSION: NGAL is one of the most frequently used biomarkers for ARI after cardiac operations, especially in younger patients. The participants in the present study were coronary artery disease patients and were, therefore, older than patients in previous reports. These results support the view that NGAL is not a relevant predictive factor for ARI in patients with CABG, including older patients.