[Evaluation of post-operative flow and diameter changes in brachial and ulnar arteries in coronary artery bypass surgery patients in which the radial artery is used as graft]. / Koroner arter baypas cerrahisinde radiyal arter grefti kullanilan hastalarda ameliyat sonrasi dönemde brakiyal ve ulnar arterlerde meydana gelen akim ve çap degisikliklerinin incelenmesi.

OBJECTIVE: The radial artery is widely used in coronary bypass surgery. In these patients, forearm and hand circulation is provided by the ulnar artery. This study aimed to investigate post-operative changes in flow and diameter in brachial and ulnar arteries in patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery in which the radial artery is used as graft. METHODS: Between September 2007 and September 2008, 20 patients (16 men, 4 women; mean age 57.8 years; range 44 to 70 years) underwent elective coronary bypass surgery at our clinic. The radial artery was used as graft in all cases. Pre-operatively, adequacy of the ulnar artery for forearm circulation was investigated by Allen test and duplex ultrasonography. Basal flow and diameter values of the brachial and ulnar arteries were measured. Control duplex ultrasound measurements were performed at three months post-operatively. Flow and diameter changes in the brachial and ulnar arteries were recorded. RESULTS: Significant increase was shown in ulnar artery flow and diameter values in post-operative measurements. A significant increase was observed in brachial artery diameter, accompanied by a relative decrease in flow value. There were no mortality or ischemic complications in our study. Transient paresthesia as a neurological complication was observed in 4 patients. CONCLUSION: Radial artery use for coronary bypass surgery leads to significant changes in ulnar and brachial arteries. All flow and diameter changes can be detected by color Doppler ultrasonography in the early stages. These adaptation mechanisms show that the radial artery can be safely harvested as graft material.

Comparison of MMF with prednisone in terms of rejection and duration of activity of transplant in rabbits that underwent retroperitoneal heterotopic heart transplantation.

AIM: In this study, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and methylprednisolone (MP) were compared in terms of rejection and duration of activity of the transplant in New Zealand rabbits that underwent retroperitoneal heart transplantation. METHODS: Retroperitoneal heart transplantation was performed in New Zealand white rabbits. The animals were divided into two groups. MMF group (group 1) (10 donors, 10 recipients): 12.5 mg/kg MMF was administered orally for two days prior to the surgery; MP group (group 2) (nine donors, nine recipients): 2 mg/kg MP was administered intramuscularly for two days prior to the surgery. After the operation, we waited until all motor activity in the transplanted heart had stopped. The transplant was then removed and the recipient was sacrificed. A donor in the MP group was excluded since it died before the motor activity had stopped. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of rejection score (p = 0.865). However, duration of motor activity was found to be statistically significantly longer in the MMF group, compared to the MP group (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: In this experimental study, MMF was similar to MP in terms of rejection but had better efficacy in terms of duration of motor activity of the transplant.

Suppurated mediastinal and cardiac echinococcosis: report of a case.

We herein report the case of a suppurated mediastinal and cardiac hydatid cyst which occurred after the initial treatment of the patient for a primary mediastinal hydatid cyst in a radiology department. Both extracorporeal circulation and total circulatory arrest were used during the operation. We believe that surgery is the only feasible treatment for hydatid cysts located in the mediastinum, and surgery should be urgently performed whenever a possible rupture is suspected in order to avoid a possible anaphylactic reaction, mediastinal suppurations leading to serious complications, and growth into the pleural cavity.

Lemierre's syndrome associated with septic pulmonary embolism: a case report.

An 18-year-old female patient suffering from a painful right-sided neck mass was admitted to our emergency service. Computed tomography of the neck revealed thrombosis of the right internal jugular vein. Computed tomography of the chest indicated septic pulmonary emboli in both lungs. Blood and oropharyngeal cultures showed proteus that was sensitive to cefepime and amicasin. Chemotherapy was administered for 12 days, however, her complaints continued with fulminant progression. An urgent decompression and excessive debridement were performed. Although Lemierre syndrome is a well-known cause of internal jugular vein thrombosis, association with proteus culture is very rare.

The cerebroprotective effects of pentoxifylline and aprotinin during cardiopulmonary bypass in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the cerebroprotective effects of pentoxifylline (PNX) and aprotinin in dogs using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen clinically healthy dogs were divided into three groups: Group 1 (control, n = 6), Group 2 (PNX, n = 6), and Group 3 (aprotinin, n = 6). PNX was administered at a dose of 300 mg/day in Group 2 three days before the operation and during the operation. Half a million IU aprotinin were added to the prime solution and 500,000 IU were transfused via a central venous jugular catheter preoperatively in Group 3. Blood samples were taken from the central jugular vein before and after CPB and interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and S100beta protein were measured. Gliosis was investigated histopathologically in cerebral cortex biopsy samples under light microscopy. RESULTS: The preoperative results of IL-6, TNF-alpha, and S100beta protein values were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.001) when compared with postoperative values. This significant difference was observed in the same parameters between Groups 1 and 2, and 1 and 3 (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between Groups 2 and 3. Comparison between pre- and postoperative levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha for Group 2 and Group 3 revealed statistically significant differences (p < 0.001), whereas S100beta protein levels did not. Histopathological examinations showed significant differences between the control group and PNX and aprotinin, and between aprotinin and PNX groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: PNX and aprotinin might be useful in order to reduce postoperative cerebral damage in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB.

Comparison of autologous basilic vein transpositions between forearm and upper arm regions.

Arteriovenous fistulas are crucial for hemodialysis performances in patients with end-stage renal disease. In this report, we compare the results of basilic vein transposition in the forearm and upper arm regions. Autologous basilic vein transpositions were used in 20 patients with end-stage renal failure between May 2000 and January 2002. In 10 cases the basilic vein transposition was in the upper arm region for construction of a brachiobasilic fistula (group 1); in the remaining 10 cases it was in the forearm region for creation of a radiobasilic fistula (group 2). The mean age of the patients in group 1 was 53.6 years, and in group 2 it was 47.3. At the end of the follow-up period (mean, 10 months) patency rates in group 1 were 80% and in group 2, 90%. In group 2, early-term thrombosis, which could be treated easily with second intervention and anticoagulation treatment (low-molecular-weight heparin), was the most common complication (10%). For patients who have unsuitable cephalic vein and require long-term hemodialysis, transposition of the basilic vein in the forearm region (under the elbow) can be a good secondary choice for access, as can a brachiobasilic fistula in the upper arm region.

The in vitro effects of remifentanil and fentanyl on isolated human right atria and saphenous veins.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the myocardial and vascular effects of remifentanil and fentanyl in human atria and saphenous veins. DESIGN: In vitro, prospective with repeated measures. SETTING: University research laboratory. INTERVENTIONS: The direct effects of remifentanil and fentanyl on the electrical stimulation-induced contraction of nonfailing human atrium and saphenous veins contracted with 5-hydroxytryptamine were studied. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In human atrial trabeculae, cumulative (10(-9)-10(-5) mol/L) added remifentanil had no effect on contractile force, compared with untreated muscles (p > 0.05). The force of contraction was significantly less than control values with concentrations of fentanyl ranging from 10(-8) to 10(-5) mol/L (p < 0.05). At the highest concentration (10(-5) mol/L), the inhibition by fentanyl of the electrical stimulation-induced contraction was 40.6% +/- 6.32%. In human saphenous vein strips preconstricted with 5-hydroxytryptamine, remifentanil (10(-8)-10(-5) mol/L) and fentanyl (10(-8)-10(-5) mol/L) produced "concentration-dependent" relaxation when compared with the control contraction value (p < 0.05). The IC(50) was similar with remifentanil and fentanyl and the E(max) of fentanyl was significantly higher than remifentanil (p < 0.05). The venodilatory effects of remifentanil and fentanyl were similar on veins with or without endothelium (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Remifentanil has no direct effect on the contraction of myocardium. Fentanyl inhibits the electrical stimulation-induced contraction in human right atrial muscles in vitro. Remifentanil and fentanyl produce "concentration-dependent" relaxation in human saphenous vein strips independent from the endothelium.

Benign mature cystic teratoma of the anterior mediastinum leading to heart failure: report of a case.

A 12-year-old male child was referred to our clinic for the surgical treatment of an anterior mediastinal mass, suspected to be a thymic cyst, which was considered to potentially lead to cardiac failure. The mass was resected completely with a median sternotomy. The postoperative course was uneventful. A pathological examination revealed a mature cystic teratoma of anterior mediastinum which is a very rare cystic tumor at this location. The incidence, diagnostic procedures, complications, and treatment of mediastinal teratomas are discussed along with a review of the literature.

A recurrent right atrial thrombus: a suggestive sign for Behçet's disease? A case report.

A29-year-old woman with Behçet's disease was admitted to our cardiology department with a history of cough, dyspnea, and palpitation. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography revealed a right atrial mass. She was operated on to remove the mass, which was shown by histopathological examination to be a thrombus. Three months later, echocardiography was repeated and recurrent right atrial thrombus was observed. Warfarin was given to the patient. One month later, the mass was not observed on echocardiographic examination. We report recurrent right atrial thrombus in a patient with Behçet's disease.

Clinical features and surgical treatment of cardiac myxoma: report of 18 cases.

Myxomas are the most common benign primary cardiac tumors. As many patients with cardiac myxoma suffer from cerebral or systemic embolism, which are serious complications, diagnosis of the tumor is vital. Between 1990 and 2000, 18 patients (6 males, 12 females), aged 24 to 73 years (mean, 55.3 years), were operated on for cardiac myxoma. The most common location of the myxoma was the left atrium (78%), and the transseptal surgical approach was preferred (78%) as it allows total resection of the left atrial myxoma along with its pedicle. Carney complex, a familial autosomal dominant form of atrial myxoma, was not found in any of the patients. There had been no operative or postoperative mortality and morbidity. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 5 years (mean, 1 to 10 years). No recurrence had been seen. We believe that the transseptal approach, in allowing total resection of the myxoma, prevents recurrence.