Long-term radiation exposure in patients undergoing EVAR: Reflecting clinical day-to-day practice to assess realistic radiation burden.

Endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms (EVAR) has become an established treatment option currently applied in an increasing numbers of patients with aortic aneurysms. Advantages include reduced surgical trauma, procedural time, intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay, blood loss as well as morbidity and mortality.The optimal imaging modalities in EVAR follow-up as well as the appropriate intervals between these follow-ups remain subject of controversial discussion. Objective of this study was the evaluation of the realistic radiation exposure and risk estimate postop EVAR treatment.Of the follow-ups required according to the surveillance schedule during the first year post-EVAR, only 68.3% were actually implemented. Of those required from the second year onwards, an average of 70% was actually performed. During the observation period, each patient underwent a mean of 4.3 CTAs. The median ED calculated from all CTAs was 24. 5 mSv. The minimum and maximum cumulative EDs for the entire observation period were 55 mSv and 310 mSv, respectively.

Allogeneic Blood Product Usage in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) with minimalized Extracorporeal Circulation System (MECC) Versus Standard On-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

AIM: Intraoperative allogeneic blood product transfusion (ABPT) in cardiac surgery is associated with worse overall outcome, including mortality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ABPTs in minimalized extracorporeal cardiopulmonary (MECC(TM)) compared with standard open system on-pump coronary revascularization. METHODS: Data of 156 patients undergoing myocardial revascularization between September 2008 and September 2010 were reviewed. 83 patients were operated by the MECC technique and 73 were treated by standard extracorporeal circulation (sECC). ABPT and overall early postoperative complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Operative mortality and morbidity were similar in both groups. ABPT in the MECC group was significantly lower than in the sECC group both intraoperatively (7.2 vs. 60.3% of patients p<0.001) and during the first five postoperative days (19.3 vs. 57.5%; p<0.001). "Skin to skin"- (214 ± 45 vs. 232 ± 45 min; p=0.012), cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) - (82 ± 25 vs. 95 ± 26 min; p=0.014), and X-clamp- times (50 ± 16 vs. 56 ± 17 min; p=0.024) were significantly lower in the MECC group than in the sECC group. Length of ICU (intensive care unit) - and hospital stay were also significantly lower in the MECC group vs. the sECC group (26.7 ± 20.2 vs. 54.5 ± 68.9 h; p<0.001, and 12.0 ± 4.1 vs. 14.5 ± 4.6 days; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Application of MECC as on-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) results in significantly lower ABPT as well as shorter ICU and in-hospital stay. In order to achieve these benefits of MECC autologous retrograde priming, Bispectral index (BIS) monitoring, intraoperative cell salvage, meticulous hemostasis and strict peri- and postoperative volume management are crucial.

Coronary sinus lead extraction in CRT patients with CIED-related infection: risks, implications and outcomes.

AIM: The aim of the study was to examine risks, implications and outcomes of coronary sinus (CS) lead extraction in patients with infections of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) systems. METHODS: The study included 40 (65.5 ± 11.1 years; 80% male) transvenous CS lead extraction procedures performed between 2000-2011. Nine (22.5%) patients suffered from infection and included one sepsis (11.1%), two (22.2%) of lead and valve endocarditis, and four (44.4%) cases of pocket infection. CS lead extraction in the infection subgroup was performed between 14 days and more than five years after the last CIED-related surgical procedure. RESULTS: Totally 42 CS and 35 non-CS leads were extracted. Leads extracted in the infection subgroup were significantly longer in situ (49.7 ± 30.7 months) compared to the non-infection subgroup (19.2 ± 28.6 months). Extraction in infected patients required more aggressive methods and longer exposure to radiation than non-infected. Procedural success without major complications was achieved in all patients. Minor post-procedural complications occurred in four (44.4%) of the infected and one (3.2%) of the non-infected patients and were surgical-related in three cases. Overall hospitalization times were significantly longer for the infection than for the non-infection subgroup (21.4 ± 15 versus 9.6 ± 6.9 days). CONCLUSION: Our results support the concept of complete CIED-system removal in CIED-associated infection, regardless of whether or not infection appears to be limited to the generator pocket site, despite risk of heart failure, patient frailty and a high level of comorbidity. An interdisciplinary approach encompassing appropriate diagnostic, procedural and safety standards allows CS lead extraction in this high-risk subpopulation to be performed with excellent outcomes and low complication rates.

[Treatment of trochanteric fractures by percutaneous compression plate]. / Osetrení trochanterických zlomenin PC.C.P. dlahou.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To present a new type of percutaneous compression plate (PCP) for a minimally invasive method of treating trochanteric hip fractures. MATERIAL: Between September 2004 and December 2006, a total of 66 patients with hip fractures were treated by minimally invasive percutaneous osteosynthesis involving a PCP. The average age of the patients was 74.5 years (range, 27-95 years). The fractures were classified as pertrochanteric (AO31, A1.1-A2.3) in 73%, femoral neck fracture (AO31, B2) in 20%, and intertrochanteric fracture (AO31, A3.1) in 7% of the patients. METHODS: Reduction was performed under conduction or general anaesthesia on a traction table, using an X-ray image intensifier system. Reduction and intra-operative temporary stabilisation of the fracture was facilitated by a posterior reduction device. Access was gained and a PCP was inserted through two incisions at the lateral side of the proximal femur. RESULTS: The patients were followed up for at least 6 months. Radiographic union was found on average at 3 months post-operatively. No pseudoarthrosis or implant failure was recorded. At 6-month follow-up, 81% of the patients were able to walk without walking aid or with one walking cane only. Two crutches were used by 8% of the patients.To walk without help was impossible for 11% of the patients whose mobility had already been limited before the injury. DISCUSSION: PCP osteosynthesis for trochanteric fractures is a novel minimally invasive approach providing a better treatment of the fracture. Compared to dynamic hip screw osteosynthesis used before, PCP allows for earlier weight bearing and noticeably reduces blood loss. Implant construction as well as post-operative controlled impaction of the fracture minimize the risk of osteosynthesis failure. The simple instrumentation construction enables us to reduce operative time. CONCLUSIONS: The percutaneous compression plate is a contribution to minimally invasive osteosynthesis of trochanteric fractures. An increase in rotational stability of the implant due to its biaxial telescopic construction allows for earlier weight-bearing of the extremity, thus facilitating the patient's earlier return to everyday life activities. It also reduces operative trauma, blood loss and post-operative complications.

[Tenodesis for the treatment of chronic instability of the radioulnar joint]. / Tenodéza - resení chronické nestability distálního radioulnárního kloubu.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability often develops after distal forearm fracture or severe dislocation of the wrist with damage to its stabilising structures. The instability is usually diagnosed as a chronic condition and only rarely at the time of injury. When the stabilising structures are not treated adequately soon after injury, instability develops and is accompanied with pain, restricted range of motion and reduced grip strength. This study presents the option of chronic instability treatment by tenodesis with use of the palmaris longus tendon. Its aim is to remind the broad medical community of this issue. MATERIAL Between July 1994 and November 2000, tenodesis was performed in 15 patients with chronic DRUJ instability. The right and left sides were affected in 10 and five patients, respectively; of them 12 were dominant extremities. All injuries were diagnosed as dorsal subluxation of the ulnar head, with side dislocation in three patients. METHODS The diagnosis was based on a thorough medical history, and clinical and radiographic examination, including projections in forced maximum radial and ulnar duction, as recommended by Geyer and Luzius as early as in 1964. Tenodesis was done by the Jäger and Wirth method using the palmaris longus tendon. The patients were scored according to the Modified Mayo Wrist System. RESULTS Of the 15 patients treated by this method, 14 were evaluated. Eight patients regarded the results as very good, with no pain at maximal physical activity, and five considered them good, experiencing pain only at maximal but not at everyday activities. One patient reported a poor outcome. The average score increased from pre-operative 40 to 60 points post-operatively. All patients had a slight restriction of rotation movements of the forearm. Residual instability was found in one patient. DISCUSSION It is a common view that this condition is caused by subluxation or dislocation of the ulnar head, while in fact it is subluxation or dislocation of the radius turning around the ulna. As reported in the literature, dorsal dislocation is three-times as frequent as volnar dislocation, and this is in agreement with our findings. There is a wide variety of the operative methods for tenodesis which differ in the distribution of tunnels in bone. Restriction of the range of motion in our patients also agreed with the literature data. No effect of a distal radius fracture on the results of surgery was recorded. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that tenodesis is a method suitable to treat chronic DRUJ instability if the indication criteria are observed, i. e., if no arthritic lesions are present in the joint.

Brain natriuretic peptide--the biological marker in the diagnosis of overt congestive heart failure and myocardial ischemia.

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is one of the cardiac peptide hormones that are involved in water and electrolyte homeostasis in heart failure. There are two mechanisms for increased BNP gene expression: cardiomyocyte stretching and neurohormonal activation. Many recent studies reported an increase in BNP gene expression with elevated plasma concentrations of BNP/NT-proBNP and its precursor, proBNP, in overt heart failure as well as in myocardial ischemia or acute coronary syndrome. In addition, the elevated plasma concentrations of BNP and NT-proBNP are a prognostic marker of morbidity, mortality and later development of heart failure in patients with acute coronary syndrome. In the management of children with congenital heart disease the role of BNP as a diagnostic tool is less evident. This review summarizes recently known facts about the role of BNP in the diagnosis, management and prognosis of congestive heart failure, myocardial ischemia and congenital heart disease (Ref. 33). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.

[Unusual infection complication of total hip arthroplasty]. / Neobvyklá infekcná komplikácia totálnej náhrady bedrového klbu.

Authors present the case history of a 66-year old patient after repeated reimplantations of the THA with a deep infect caused by a rare aetiological agent (Serratia marcescens) associated with a pyogenic sinus. They describe the disease history, therapeutic procedure, complications associated with the surgery as well as postoperative course after the reimplantation of a customized total hip replacement. In the conclusion they state that in case of an infected total hip arthroplasty the treatment is focused on the salvage of the infection process and preservation of the function of the affected limb. Of essential importance is surgical revision with a radical removal of necrotic tissues and hardware in combination with an intensive parenteral antibiotic administration.

[The shape of the acromion and its effect on the subacromial space]. / Tvar akromia a jeho vplyv na subakromiálny priestor.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: A great variability of the shape of acromion exists in the population. The shape of the acromion plays a great role in development of the pathology of the subacromial space. Quantification of the anatomical changes using radiological examination (X-ray. CT) is a major contribution to the diagnosis of the subacromial space disorders and to differential diagnosis of painful affections of the shoulder. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of the degenerative changes in the subacromial space and their relation to the shape of the inferior space of acromion in our population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 50 randomly chosen cadavers during autopsy both shoulders where surgically explored in order to evaluate the changes on the rotator cuff and the changes on the major tubercule, on the tendon of the long head of biceps brachii in correlation to the shape of the inferior surface of acromion. RESULTS: Rotator cuff lesions of variable size were found in 16 cadavers, in 10 cases the lesion was unilateral, in 6 cases bilateral. The lesions were more often seen in the older age group. With increasing concavity of the inferior surface of acromion not only the number of the rotator cuff lesions and degenerative changes in the subacromial space were increasing, but so was the amount of the changes. CONCLUSION: The shape of acromion and increasing concavity plays a major role in the development of the subacromial pathology, accelerate the degenerative changes in this space. Reshaping the undersurface of acromion and diminishing the concavity in first stages of clinical symptoms, which present mostly as impingement syndrome, is reasonable to prevent larger pathological deterioration in subacromial space. The authors conclude that according to the relation between the shape of the inferior surface of acromion and the amount of lesion an early operative procedure is valuable.

[A method of paraffin impregnation and its use in morphologic studies of organs]. / Metóda voskovej impregnácie a jej vyuzitie pre morfologické stúdium orgánov.

The authors present a method of paraffin infiltration applied to heart specimens. They describe the dissection, trimming and fixation of the specimen which is followed by common tissue dehydration and infiltration by paraffin wax. Thus preserved permanent specimen allows both retaining the entire organ and visualizing its particular structures.

[Dislocation of the cemented total hip endoprosthesis - risk and therapy.]. / Luxácie cementovaných totálnych endoprotéz bedrového klbu - riziko a liecba.

In 11 out of 1699 patients, who underwent a total hip replacement with a cemented THR during a 10 year period, dislocation of the prosthesis occured in the postoperative period. The operations were made using an anterolateral approach. Dislocation occured in 7 patients after a primary implantation (0,42 %) and in 4 patients after a revision operation (1,6 %). Reorientation of the acetabular component was necessary in 1 case, in 5 cases closed reduction was successful, in 3 cases open reduction was needed. Acetabular augmentation using a polyethylen acetabular shell and cortical screws was performed in 2 patients with recurrent dislocation of the prosthesis. In all cases it was possible to regain the stability of the prosthesis. The results were reviewed in average 46 months (20 to 82 months) postoperatively. In 1 patient deep infection arised after open reduction. Key words: total hip prosthesis, complications, dislocation.

[Osteochondroma of the first rib.]. / Osteochondróm prvého rebra.

Authors describe a rare case of a solitary osteochondroma of the first rib in a 21 years old male. There have been only 3 cases reported in the medical literature so far. In those cases osteochondroma was never the cause of symptomatology from side of the vascular system. Clinical and CT examination definitely showed the cause of symptoms and the extent and localization of the osteochondroma. Complete resection and exstirpation was followed by rapid full recovery. Key words: osteochondroma of the first rib, CT diagnosis.

[Early mobilization in patients with intertrochanteric fracture.]. / Skorá mobilizácia u pacientov s intertrochanterickou fraktúrou.

In the article the authors present results of surgical treatment of intertrochanteric fractures at their clinic with the focus on an early post-operative mobilization. In the oldest age group which involves the greatest risk as concerns the general health condition they seek such a type within the indication of surgical treatment which would allow an early mobilization. Osteosynthesis makes possible a good reduction, however, it is necessary to avoid full weight bearing, mainly in case of osteoporosis, which elderly patients are not able to manage. Hemiarthroplasty requires to reconstruct the femoral calcar by means of cementing or to apply wire loop in the trochanteric region. However, patients can start weight bearing of the limb subject to their own tolerance immediately after the surgery. This fact is considered by the authors as very important for the indication of the type of surgical treatment in the oldest age group which is also most risky from the viewpoint of their general condition. The evaluation of the gait of patients with intertrochanteric fracture prior to their dismissal from the hospital two or three weeks after the surgery showed very good results of hemiarthroplasty in 82 patients (62 %), good in 38 patients (29 %) and poor in 12 patients (9 %). In patients after fixation by a 130 degrees angled blade plate the gait was evaluated as very good in 47 patients (41 %), good in 57 patients (49 %) and poor in 12 patients (10 %).The results show that after hemiarthroplasty in the oldest age group with the average age of 83 years their gait after the dismissal from the clinic is evaluated as better than after fixation by a 130 degrees angled blade plate. Early mobilization is considered by the authors as one of basic attributes in the indication of the type of surgical treatment of fractures in the older age. Key words: intertrochanteric fracture, internal fixation, hemiarthroplasty, physiotherapy.