Association Between ACE Gene Polymorphism and QT Dispersion in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism is associated with high renin-angiotensin system causing myocardial fibrosis and ventricular repolarization abnormality. Based on these findings, this study was designed to determine the association between ACE gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism and QT dispersion after acute myocardial infarction (MI). OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: The study included 108 patients with acute MI. Blood samples were obtained from all the patients for genomic DNA analysis. ECGs were recorded at baseline and at the end of a 6-month follow up. The OT dispersion was manually calculated. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 57.5 ±9.9 years (ranging from 36 to 70). The patients with DD genotype showed longer QT dispersion than patients with II or DI genotype at the baseline, while at the end of the six-month follow up the patients with DI genotype showed longer QT dispersion than patients with DD or II genotypes. However, the magnitude of the QT dispersion prolongation was higher in patients carrying the ACE D allele than patients who were not carrying it, at baseline and at the end of six-month follow up (52.5 ±2.6 msn vs. 47.5±2.1 msn at baseline, 57±3.2 msn vs. 53±2.6 msn in months, P: 0.428 and P: 0.613, respectively). CONCLUSION: Carriers of the D allele of ACE gene I/D polymorphism may be associated with QT dispersion prolongation in patients with MI.An interaction of QT dispersion and ACE gene polymorphism may be associated with an elevation of serum type I-C terminal pro-collagen concentration, possibly leading to myocardial fibrosis, and increased action potential duration.

Relation between Apolipoprotein E Gene Polymorphism and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a plasma protein and associated with cholesterol transport system. In several studies, the relationship between ApoE gene polymorphism and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) has been shown. However, the relationship between ApoE gene polymorphism and severity of CAD in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) has not been well known. The aim of this study is to investigate the relation between ApoE polymorphism and severity of CAD in patients with acute MI by using the Gensini Score. In this study, 138 patients were admitted to cardiology clinic with diagnosis of acute MI, and angiographic assessment was performed using the Gensini Score. Blood samples were obtained from all patients in the first day. The patients with ApoE34 genotype had high Gensini scores. Besides, the patients with E4 allele carriers were associated with high Gensini score compared with the patients without E4 allele carriers (p:0,22). The patients with E4 allele carriers were associated with higher LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol compared with the patients without E4 allele carriers (p:0,001 and p:0,03, resp.). There were no statistically significant differences between ApoE genotypes and severity of CAD by using the Gensini Score. But, the patients with E4 allele carriers were associated with high lipid levels.

Early follow-up results of arteriovenous fistulae created for hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the site, early results, and postoperative complications of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation procedures for hemodialysis in our clinic. METHODS: The hospital records of 384 patients who underwent 411 AVF creation procedures for hemodialysis by the same team at our clinic between February 2008 and January 2010 were included for retrospective analysis. All procedures were performed under local anesthesia with lidocaine. Vasospasm was treated by mechanical dilatation with a probe and topical papaverine. RESULTS: Of our 384 patients, 58.5% were male and 41.5% were female. Mean age was 46 (range 12-72) years. Of the 411 AVF procedures performed, 106 (25.8%) were created at the anatomical snuffbox, 264 (64.3%) were Brescia-Cimino procedures, and 41 (9.9%) were antecubital, brachiocephalic, or brachiobasilic procedures. Twenty-three patients (5.98%) were subjected to more than one surgical intervention due to early thrombosis or failure of AVF. Early patency was found in 94.0% of the AVF created. Twenty-three patients underwent more than one surgical intervention due to early AVF thrombosis or failure. Early AVF failure occurred more often in females (60.8%) than in males (39.2%). Complications were observed in a total of 11.4% patients. CONCLUSION: Mechanical dilatation of the artery and vein, before starting the anastomosis, as well as the use of vasodilatory agents, could decrease early thrombosis of the fistula, and this method has very high early patency.

Should embolectomy be performed in late acute lower extremity arterial occlusions?

BACKGROUND: We analyzed the embolectomy results and complications of patients who were operated on after a diagnosis of late acute arterial occlusion of lower extremities. METHODS: A total of 122 patients operated on in our clinic between 2004 and 2009 for late acute arterial occlusion were included in the study. Late arterial occlusion was defined as occlusion occuring 72 hours after initial manifestation of the patient complaints related to the affected lower extremity. RESULTS: Average age of the 122 patients (71 male, 51 female) was 54.2 +/- 16.8 years. In this cohort, 64.75% of patients had cardiac pathologies, while 28.68% had extracardiac causes; 1.64% patients had cathetherization, 0.81% patient had malignancy, and 2.46% patients had a history of trauma. In 1.64% of the cases, no reason for thromboembolysis could be found. Thirty-one patients (25.40%) had additional surgical operations, 14 (11.47%) had fasciotomy, and 9 (7.37%) had amputation. Re-embolectomy was performed on 37 patients (30.32%) who had ongoing ischemia after an operation. Additional surgical operations were performed on 31 patients (25.40%) with ongoing ischemia. In 14 of these cases (11.47%), patients were treated with fasciotomy due to development of compartment syndrome. Amputation was performed on a total of 9 patients. Early in the postoperative phase, mortality was observed in 11 patients (9.01%). CONCLUSION: We believe that late embolectomies of acute late leg ischemia increases blood flow in the extremity and reduces the number of amputations required.

Early results of combined and staged coronary bypass and carotid endarterectomy in advanced age patients in single centre.

AIM: In present study, we aimed to compare the staged and combined surgery in patients with severe carotid stenosis and coronary atherosclerosis and detect the factors affecting mortality and morbidity. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between 2004 and 2008, 120 patients with predominant ischemic heart disease were enrolled to study. Patients were divided into three groups on basis surgery procedure. Group 1 (n=40) includeed patients had coronary artery disease without carotid disease underwent coronary artery by-pass graft (CABG) operation. Group 2 (n=40): included patients underwent combined surgery procedure including CABG and carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Patients underwent staged CABG and CEA were enrolled to Group 3 (n=40). All patients were in advanced aged and were had the same risk factors atributable atherosclerosis RESULTS: Mean age of the patients in all groups were 68±6, 69±3, 71±2 respectively, and 83% were male. Eight patients died in all groups at follow-up(seven in group 2 and 3, and one in group 1) and the difference between both groups was statistically significant (p<0.001). The follow-up period in the intensive care unit, and hospitalization period were not statistically different between CABG group and combined CEA plus CABG group. CONCLUSION: We think that the results of staged or combined CABG plus CEA surgery are satisfactory in patients with severe carotid disease and advanced coronary artery disease. However, the mortality and morbidity in both procedures are higher than those of alone.

Importance of early dialysis for acute renal failure after an open-heart surgery.

Coronary artery disease is a major cause of death in patients with a renal dysfunction. Among the patients who undergo coronary artery bypass grafting, renal dysfunction is known to be a major predictor of in-hospital and out-of-hospital mortality. From 2004 to 2007, we performed elective open-heart surgeries on 2380 patients in whom there was no primary renal failure. Of those patients, only 185 in whom acute renal failure (ARF) was developed were included in the study. The patients were divided into 2 groups: a late dialysis group (n=90) and an early dialysis group (n=95). The mean age of the patients was 62.3+/-6.4 in the late dialysis group and 64.5+/-5.2 in the early dialysis group. There were 32 female and 58 male patients in the late dialysis group and 36 female and 59 male patients in the early dialysis group. Acute renal failure developed only in 185 patients out of 2380 open-heart surgery patients. The overall mortality in the 2380 open-heart surgery patients was 1.97%. Mortality among the ARF patients was 5.9%. However, there was no significant difference in hospital mortality between the 2 groups. Major complications, such as postoperative pneumonia, prolonged ventilation time, arrhythmia, the number of times postoperative hemodialysis was performed, development of chronic renal failure, time spent in the intensive care unit and the period of hospitalization, sepsis, and low cardiac output, were significantly higher in the late dialysis group. There was no difference in mortality between the 2 groups. Early dialysis for open-heart surgery patients who develop ARF postoperatively does not decrease mortality. However, it decreases morbidity, the amount of time spent in intensive care, and the period of hospitalization and thus reduces patient costs.

[High levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and impaired autonomic activity in smokers]. / Sigara içenlerde artmis yüksek duyarlikli C-reaktif protein düzeyleri ve bozulmus otonomik aktivite.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the relationship between high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) activity and autonomic nervous activity using heart rate variability in smokers. STUDY DESIGN: The study consisted of 136 healthy subjects, including 66 smokers (35 women, 31 men; mean age 36 years) and 70 nonsmokers (43 women, 27 men; mean age 34 years). Serum samples were collected from all the subjects. Three-channel, 24-hr Holter monitoring was performed to derive the mean heart rate, standard deviation of normal NN intervals (SDNN), standard deviation of 5-minute mean NN intervals (SDANN), root mean square differences of successive NN intervals (RMSSD), high- (HF) and low- (LF) frequency power components, and the LF/HF ratio. RESULTS: In smokers, the mean duration of smoking was 13.6+/-8.2 years (range 3 to 45 years), and the mean number of cigarettes consumed per day was 16.3+/-7.1 (range 5 to 40). Smokers exhibited significantly higher mean heart rate, hs-CRP and fibrinogen levels, mean platelet volume, white blood cell count, LF, and LF/HF ratio, with significantly lower SDNN, SDANN, RMSSD, and HF values. In smokers, hs-CRP was correlated with the number of cigarettes consumed per day, duration of smoking, fibrinogen level, mean platelet volume, white blood cell count, LF, and LF/HF ratio, and inversely correlated with HF, SDNN, and SDANN. Even smoking a single cigarette resulted in an acute, 0.07-fold increase in the hs-CRP level (p<0.0001). In linear regression analysis, both the number of cigarettes consumed per day (beta=0.52, p=0.011) and duration of smoking (beta=0.073, p<0.0001) had an independent effect on the hs-CRP level. CONCLUSION: Smoking both impairs the sympathovagal balance and increases the hs-CRP activity in otherwise healthy smokers, the combination of which would probably contribute to a higher rate of cardiovascular events.

Left ventricular hypertrophy and remodeling after aortic valve replacement.

Left ventricular geometric remodeling and regression of hypertrophy were assessed after aortic valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis in 37 patients with aortic stenosis and 39 with aortic insufficiency, aged 54.2 +/- 14.3 and 52.6 +/- 16.6 years, respectively. The follow-up period was 2 years. In patients with aortic insufficiency, ejection fraction increased from 54.4 +/- 3.5 preoperatively to 59.6 +/- 3.4 after 6 months and 61.7 +/- 2.7 after 2 years. In patients with aortic stenosis, ejection fraction increased from 56.6 +/- 5.1 preoperatively to 63.9 +/- 4.4 after 6 months and 71.7 +/- 4.1 after 2 years. Geometric remodeling, regression of hypertrophy, and increased ejection fraction of the left ventricle were similar in both groups at 6 months after surgery, but after 2 years of follow-up, greater improvement was found in patients who had undergone valve replacement for aortic stenosis.

Management of a retained catheter in an arteriovenous malformation. Case report.

The long-term effects of retained catheters in patients are not well known; therefore, the clinical presentation may differ. The authors present the case of a 21-year-old man with a pseudoaneurysm of the left common femoral artery, which developed 3 months after a transfemoral microcatheter embolization of a cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in which the catheter was inadvertently glued into the AVM and was retained at the groin.

[Traumatic aneurysm of the superficial temporal artery: a case report]. / Travmatik süperfisyel temporal arter anevrizmasi: Olgu sunumu.

Superficial temporal artery (STA) aneurysm is rare and usually caused by trauma. In this report, a 23-year-old man who had a left STA pseudoaneurysm which was secondary to blunt trauma and its surgical treatment was presented. A patient was admitted to our clinic with the complaints of a bulge in the left temporal location that had developed almost a month ago subsequent to a fall and headache. We discovered a pulsatile mass, with 1.5 x 1.5 cm in size, at the left temporal region, on the physical examination. Neurological examination was normal. Angiography revealed pseudoaneurysm originating from superficial temporal artery. Under local anesthesia, temporal artery ligation and aneurysmectomy were performed. Postoperative course was uneventful.

Prophylactic dialysis in elderly patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery.

Renal dysfunction is associated with markedly increased risk for both mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), especially in elderly patients. In the current study, we aimed to determine the impact of prophylactic preoperative hemodialysis on operative outcome in patients with mild renal dysfunction. Between March 2002 and May 2005 a total of 64 patients, all of whom were more than 70 years of age and with preoperative creatinine levels greater than 2 mg/dL, underwent primary elective on pump coronary artery bypass surgery. The mean age was 76.3 +/- 6.4 (range 70-83). The patients were prospectively allocated into two groups. Group A was the dialysis group (31 patients) and preoperative prophylactic hemodialysis was carried out in all patients. Group B (33 patients) was taken as a control group without preoperative hemodialysis. During the present study, 10 patients died (15.6%) in the hospital. In the postoperative period mean levels of creatinine were found to be decreased in dialysis group. (2.3 +/- 0.8 mg/dL vs. 3.4 +/- 0.2 mg/, P = 0.037). The incidence of overall morbidity (such as acute renal failure, need of postoperative dialysis, low cardiac output and multiple organ failure) were also found to be decreased in dialysis group. We conclude from the present study that preoperative renal dysfunction and advanced age increase the risk of mortality and morbidity after on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. We believe that perioperative prophylactic hemodialysis is an easy and effective method and it decreases both operative mortality and morbidity in elderly patients with renal dysfunction.

Endovascular repair in management of thoracic aortic aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: Aneurysms of the thoracic aorta are still potentially life-threatening situations. The conventional operation is still associated with morbidity. Endovascular stent graft repair offers an alternative to conventional operation for management of aortic diseases. Our aim was to report our experience with endovascular stent graft repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between November 2002 and October 2005, endovascular stent graft repair was performed in 26 patients: post-traumatic aortic aneurysm (n=4), Type B dissection (n=3) and descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (n=19). The deployed stent graft systems were Talent-Medtronic (n=14) and Excluder-Gore (n=12). RESULTS: Successful deployment of the stent grafts in the appropriate position was achieved in all patients. There was neither hospital mortality nor paraplegia. Late and non-procedure related death occurred in only one patient (3.8%). An average of 40% shrinkage of the aneurysmal space was observed. There was no early mortality and endoleaks. The median intensive care unit and hospital stay times were 1 and 7 days (range 4-13 days), respectively. Post-operative computed tomography scans were obtained in all patients and complete thrombosis was observed in the false lumen of dissecan aneurysms (n=3) and sac of saccular aneurysms in 25 patients. Mean follow up time was 17.1+/-5.4 months. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular stent graft treatment for treatment of thoracic aorta aneurysm, Type B dissection and traumatic disease of the thoracic aorta is technically feasible. Although the short and mid-term results are encouraging the long term results will determine the future of this treatment.

Risk factors for short- and long-term survival in patients undergoing re-replacement due to prosthetic valve dysfunction.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables on early, mid-, and long-term outcome of re-replacement of prosthetic valves. Between February 1989 and January 2004, 192 patients who were treated for prosthetic valve dysfunction were analyzed retrospectively using a computer-based databank system. Prosthetic valve re-replacements were performed, including 164 cases of second, 10 cases of third, and 2 cases of fourth valve re-replacement. The number of re-replacements amounted to 6.1% (n = 176) of total valvular surgery. There were 90 male patients (46.8%) and the mean age was 61.6 +/- 8.3 years. Median follow-up time was 7.8 years. Hospital mortality was 11.7% (n = 14). Low ejection fraction (EF), advanced New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, prosthetic valve endocarditis, and pulmonary edema were found to be predictors of early mortality. The 1-, 5-, and 10-year actuarial survival rates were 92% +/- 3%, 78% +/- 3%, and 45% +/- 2%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that NYHA class IV, low EF, prosthetic valve endocarditis, advanced age, left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) >50 mm, and double valve re-replacement were independent predictors of late mortality. In our study NYHA class IV, low EF, prosthetic valve endocarditis, and LVESD >50 mm were found to be risk factors for both hospital mortality and long-term survival. In addition, pulmonary edema, advanced age, and double valve replacement were also risk factors over the long term. Aggressive treatment of endocarditis and early re-replacement before aggravation of left ventricle function will improve the results.

Mid-term angiographic comparison of sequential and individual anastomosis techniques for diagonal artery.

OBJECTIVE: The mid-term patency rates for individual and sequential grafts as coronary bypass conduits for diagonal arteries were angiographically compared; the impact of native coronary vessel and type of the conduit characteristics are investigated. METHODS: Between March 1992 and April 2000, we performed a total number of 811 distal anastomosis on diagonal arteries of left anterior descending (LAD) artery in 296 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) distal anastomosis in our clinic. The patients were divided into two groups in this prospective study. In group A (n = 195) individual anastomosis technique, in group B (n = 101) sequential anastomosis technique was chosen as the myocardial revascularization strategy. At an average of 49.4 +/- 13.2 months after coronary revascularization procedure coronary angiographies were evaluated. Individual and sequential grafting techniques were compared by graft patency rates. RESULTS: The patency rates of sequential conduits were markedly higher than those of individual conduits (66.7% vs. 89.2%, p = 0.0001). This difference was also clear in coronary arteries with poor quality and small (<1.5 mm) diameter (49.1% vs. 66.6%, p = 0.032). Also, the patency rates of sequential radial artery conduits were higher than sequential saphenous vein graft (SVG) conduits (sequential radial artery; 94.1%, sequential SVG; 85.3%, p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Sequential grafting for diagonal artery is technically more demanding but the mid-term results are better than individual grafting especially in coronary arteries with poor quality. Using radial artery as a sequential graft increases the mid-term graft patency rates.

Effects of pleurotomy on respiratory sequelae after internal mammary artery harvesting.

The preservation of pleural integrity during mammary artery harvesting may decrease atelectasis and pleural effusion during the postoperative period. We designed this retrospective study to evaluate the effects on postoperative pulmonary function of pleural integrity versus opened pleura, in patients who receive a left internal mammary artery graft. The study group consisted of 1141 patients who underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting. The patients were retrospectively evaluated and divided into 2 groups: those who underwent internal mammary artery harvesting with opened pleura (n=873) or with pleural integrity (n=268). To monitor pleural effusion and atelectasis, chest radiography was performed routinely 1 day before operation and on the 2nd, 5th, and 7th postoperative days. The preoperative, after extubation, and 1st postoperative day values of partial oxygen pressure (PaO2), partial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO2), and oxygen (O2) saturation were recorded for comparison, as was the hematocrit. The mean age of the patients was 574 +/- 8.81 years. There were no significant differences between the groups in mean values of PaO2, PaCO2, O2 saturation, and hematocrit after extubation or on the 1st postoperative day. Atelectasis on the 5th and 7th postoperative days, pleural effusion on the 2nd, 5th, and 7th days, and postoperative bleeding were significantly less in the group with preserved pleural integrity. We showed that preservation of pleural integrity during internal mammary artery harvesting decreases postoperative bleeding, pleural effusion, and atelectasis. We conclude that preservation of pleural integrity, when possible, can decrease these postoperative complications of coronary artery bypass grafting.

Impact of organ malperfusion on mortality and morbidity in acute type A aortic dissections.

BACKGROUND: Organ malperfusion is a serious complication of acute type A aortic dissection. Management and outcome of malperfusion has been discussed in this study. METHODS: Between November 1994 and May 2003, 118 patients with acute type A aortic dissections were operated. Fifty-seven patients (48.3%) were complicated with organ malperfusion, which is considered as group I. Seventy-three ischemic events were seen in 57 patients with organ malperfusion. Patients in group I were divided into four subgroups according to affected organ system including limb (38 events), coronary (9 events), renal (2 events), visceral (9 events), and cerebral (15 events) ischemia. Sixty-one patients without organ malperfusion constitute group II. RESULTS: The hospital mortality rate was 42.1% (24 of 57) in patients with malperfusion, 14.75% (9 of 61) in group II (p = 0.001), and 27.9% (33 of 118) in all patients. Postoperative complications such as mediastinal hemorrhage, low cardiac output, gastrointestinal system complications, acute renal failure, and multiple organ failure were higher in group I. Mesenteric and limb ischemia associated with high mortality. Multivariate analysis reveals that visceral malperfusion is the strongest predictor of postoperative mortality (odds ratio: 25.09, p = 0.000). Isolated coronary malperfusion had the lowest mortality (one patient, 16.6%) among the patients with organ malperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Acute type A aortic dissections with organ malperfusion has higher postoperative mortality and morbidity. Immediate aortic repair is our management strategy in patients with limb, coronary, and neurological malperfusion. To reduce the extremely high mortality with mesenteric malperfusion, new strategies should be investigated such as surgical delay with interventional procedures.

Preservation of pleural integrity during coronary artery bypass surgery affects respiratory functions and postoperative pain: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of preserved pleural integrity in postoperative pain and respiratory functional status in patients undergoing coronary revascularization. METHODS: Two hundred forty patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting between March 2004 and February 2005 were included in the present study. The patients were prospectively randomized and divided into either an opened pleura (OP) group (n=120, patients with an OP) or a closed pleura (CP) group (n=120, patients whose pleural integrity was preserved). Preoperative patient characteristics were similar. Postoperative respiratory functions were compared between the groups by chest x-rays, respiratory functional tests and arterial blood gas analyses. Postoperative pain was compared by using a multidimensional pain score. All the tests were examined by the same blinded clinician. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 60.4+/-8.8 years. Postoperative bleeding and the duration of hospital stay were markedly higher in the OP group than in the CP group. The incidences of atelectasis and pleural effusion were also significantly higher in the OP group (P<0.01). Respiratory functions and postoperative pain scores were better in the CP group (P<0.01 and P=0.008, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Preserving pleural integrity has beneficial effects on the respiratory functions and postoperative pain after coronary revascularization. The preservation of pleural integrity results in better respiratory function, decreased hospital stay and cost, and as a consequence, a better surgical outcome.

Coronary artery anomalies: Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery and circumflex branch in two patients.

Coronary anomalies may be isolated defects or accompany congenital malformations of the heart. The determination of these anomalies is important in the treatment approach and the surgical procedure in bypass and valve surgery. The present article reports on clinical and angiographic findings in two patients with coronary artery anomalies -one patient with an anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the right aortic sinus, and another patient with an anomalous origin of the circumflex branch of the left coronary artery from the right coronary artery.

Comparison of magnesium sulfate with opioid and NSAIDs on postoperative pain management after coronary artery bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVE: This study measured the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate during and after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on postoperative pain and respiratory functions, and compared it with 2 other well-known and widely used analgesic agents: codeine and diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). DESIGN: Prospective unblinded study. SETTING: Single institution. PARTICIPANTS: Patients undergoing CABG. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were divided into 3 groups. In group A (n = 50), intraoperative magnesium sulfate, 2 g/70 kg, was infused intravenously and was continued during the first 3 days postoperatively. In group B (n = 50), codeine, 60 mg/70 kg, was given orally 4 times a day for 3 days. In group C (n = 50), diclofenac sodium, 75 mg, was given orally twice a day for 3 days. MAIN RESULTS: On the first postoperative day the visual analog scale (VAS) score was greater than 5 in all groups. On the second day the VAS score was greater than 5 in groups B and C, and was less than 5 in group A. On the third day the VAS score was less than 5 in all groups. During the first 2 postoperative days the need for morphine was significantly less in group A than in the other 2 groups. Preoperative respiratory function tests (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1], forced vital capacity [FVC], and FEV1/FVC) were similar in each group. The FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC values on the postoperative first, second, and third days were significantly higher in group A. CONCLUSIONS: Magnesium sulfate can be a beneficial adjuvant therapy for pain after CABG. In this respect, especially in patients with respiratory problems or intolerance to NSAIDs, magnesium sulfate can be a better choice than NSAIDs and opioids.

Gastrointestinal complications after cardiopulmonary bypass: sixteen years of experience.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal (GI) complications are one of the serious complications of cardiac surgery. Although rarely seen, they cause major morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study was to retrospectively analyze the risk factors acting on the GI complications seen after cardiac operations performed under cardiopulmonary bypass. METHOD: The present study was designed to retrospectively evaluate 13,544 patients who underwent cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass, between 1988 and 2004 in the authors' clinic. RESULTS: The overall mortality was 346 (2.55%) of 13,544 patients. GI complications developed in 128 patients (0.94%). Among those, 18 (14.1%) died because of GI complications, the most common of which was bleeding. Mesenteric ischemia had the highest case-fatality rate at 71.4%. Valve surgery, concomitant valve and coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, preoperative chronic renal dysfunction, postoperative acute renal failure, deep sternal infection, prolonged ventilation, need for intra-aortic balloon pump and ejection fraction less than 30% were found to be risk factors acting on GI complications. CONCLUSION: GI complications remain a significant concern after cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass. Higher-risk patients can be identified and treated prophylactically and in the postoperative period.