Tocilizumab Reduces Lung Injury in a Rat Lung Ischemia and Reperfusion Model.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the effect of tocilizumab (TCZ) on lung tissue in lung ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats was investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 24 Wistar rats were divided into 4 equal groups, with 6 rats in each group: Left lung I/R was applied to I/R groups. In the I/R groups, the left lung hilum was clamped for 45 minutes, and then the clamp was removed and reperfused for 120 minutes. In the TCZ groups, 4 mg/kg and 8 mg/kg of TCZ were administered intraperitoneally to the rats 30 minutes before surgery. RESULTS: The tumor necrosis factor-alpha mean value was not statistically significant between the groups (P = .091). Statistically significant results were observed between group I/R-TCZ (8 mg/kg) and group I/R for catalase. (P = .005). Statistically significant results were observed between group I/R-TCZ (8 mg/kg) and group I/R for malondialdehyde. (P = .009). The difference in total ischemia score between group I/R-TCZ (4 mg/kg) and group I/R-TCZ (8 mg/kg) and group I/R was statistically significant (P < .001). In terms of alveolar hemorrhage, there was a statistically significant difference between group I/R-TCZ (4 mg/kg) and group I/R-TCZ (8 mg/kg) and group I/R (P = .01 and P = .002, respectively). There was a statistically significant difference between group I/R-TCZ (8 mg/kg) and group I/R in terms of neutrophil accumulation (P = .01). In terms of interstitial edema, there was a statistically significant difference between group I/R-TCZ (4 mg/kg) and group I/R-TCZ (8 mg/kg) and group I/R (P = .006 and P = .001, respectively). In terms of pulmonary edema, there was a statistically significant difference between group I/R-TCZ (4 mg/kg) and group I/R-TCZ (8 mg/kg) and group I/R (P = .01 and P = .009, respectively). CONCLUSION: Lung tissue may be affected by I/R injury and this damage can be reversed with the use of TCZ.

Outcomes of Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy of Great Saphenous Veins Insufficiency.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy performed on patients with great saphenous vein insufficiency. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Bahcelievler State Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, between January 2018 and May 2021 Methodology: A total of 709 patients (382 females, 327 males), who were treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the clinic, were included in the study. The demographic, anthropometric, clinical, laboratory, and radiological data of the patients were obtained retrospectively from the medical records. Pre and post treatment clinical, etiologic, anatomical, pathophysiologic (CEAP) scores, the venous clinical severity score (VCSS), and the visual analog scale (VAS) were evaluated. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 48 (19-65) years, and the median follow-up period was 36 (6-53) months. At follow-up, after treatment, 673 (94.9%) of the patients had a CEAP clinical score of C0. Postoperative complications were recorded in 56 (7.9%) patients. Significant improvement was observed in the patients' CEAP, VAS, and VCSS scores at the follow-up (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: There was a high success rate in achieving short- and long-term venous occlusion in varicose vein treatment with RFA. Characterized by a fast recovery, good perioperative and postoperative outcomes, and a low frequency of side effects, RFA is effective and safe in the treatment of varicose veins. KEY WORDS: Chronic venous insufficiency, Radiofrequency ablation, Patient-reported outcomes.

[Comparison of standard Euroscore, logistic Euroscore and Euroscore II in prediction of early mortality following coronary artery bypass grafting]. / Koroner arter baypas greftleme sonrasi erken mortalitenin belirlenmesinde standart, lojistik Euroscore ve Euroscore II'nin karsilastirilmasi.

OBJECTIVE: EuroSCORE is the most widely used risk prediction system. Standard EuroSCORE, which had been published in 1999, was revised as a Logistic EuroSCORE in 2003. Further, it was reconsidered and published as EuroSCORE II in 2011. In this study we compared Standard, Logistic EuroSCORE and EuroSCORE II in prediction of early mortality following coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 406 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting operation between 2011-1012. Standard, Logistic and new version were compared with ROC analysis. RESULTS: In general population, mean standard EuroSCORE was 3.25±1.05, mean logistic EuroSCORE was found 2.48±0.58, mean EuroSCORE II was found 1.30 ± 0.09 and overall mortality was 10 (10/406 2.46%). Area under curve (AUC) was found 0.992 95% CI: 0.978-0.998 for standard EuroSCORE, 0.992 95% CI: 0.977-0.998 for logistic EuroSCORE and 0.990 95% CI: 0.975-0.997 for EuroSCORE II. In high risk patients (patients with standard EuroSCORE ≥ 6) AUC was found 0.870 95% CI 0.707-0.961 for standard EuroSCORE, 0.857 95% CI 0.691-0.954 for logistic EuroSCORE, and 0.961 95% CI: 0.829-0.998 for EuroSCORE II. CONCLUSION: Standard, Logistic EuroSCORE and EuroSCORE II are similarly successful in mortality prediction. EuroSCORE II may be better in high-risk patients which needs confirmation in large prospective studies.