A Giant Internal Iliac Artery Aneurysm with Arteriovenous Fistulization.

BACKGROUND: Isolated iliac artery aneurysms are rare and occur predominantly in men at an older age. Such aneurysms can rupture into an adjacent organ (such as the bowel, bladder or ureter) or into the adjacent common iliac vein, resulting in an arteriovenous fistula. INTRODUCTION: Formation of an internal iliac arteriovenous fistula caused by spontaneous rupture of an atherosclerotic iliac artery aneurysm wall is an exceedingly rare yet serious complication. CASE PRESENTATION: This article presents a case of an internal iliac arteriovenous fistula caused by rupture of an atherosclerotic giant iliac artery aneurysm. CONCLUSION: Rapid diagnosis and meticulous surgical technique improve outcomes in patients with this rare vascular complication.

Operative treatment of combined aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease.

INTRODUCTION: The aortic valve replacement is a standard operating procedure in patients with severe aortic stenosis. Structure of patients undergoing surgery ranges from young population with isolated mitral valvular disease to the elderly population, which is in addition to the underlying disease additionally burdened with comorbidity. One of the most commonly present factors that further complicate the surgery is coronary heart disease that occurs in, almost, one third of patients with aortic stenosis. The aim is to compare the results of surgery for aortic valve replacement with or without coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: From August 2008 to January 2013 in our center operated on 120 patients for aortic stenosis. Of this number, 75 were men and 45 women. The average age was 63.37 years (16-78). Isolated aortic valve replacement was performed in 89 patients and in 31 patients underwent aortic valve replacement and coronary bypass surgery. Implanted 89 biological and 31 mechanical valves. RESULTS: Patients with associated aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease were more expressed symptomatic symptoms preoperatively to patients with isolated aortic stenosis who were on average younger age. Intra-hospital morbidity and mortality was more pronounced in the group of patients with concomitant aortic valve replacement and coronary bypass surgery. Morbidity was recorded in 17 patients (14.3%) in both groups, while the mortality rate in both groups was 12 patients (10.1%). CONCLUSION: Evaluation of preoperative risk factors and comorbidity in patients with aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease contributes to a significant reduction in intraoperative and postoperative complications. Also, early diagnosis of associated coronary artery disease and aortic stenosis contributes to timely decision for surgery thus avoiding subsequent ischaemic changes and myocardial damage.

Bloodless off pump coronary artery bypass grafting treatment of choice for Jehova's witness patients.

Jehovah's witnesses (JW) belong to a religious group refusing to accept blood transfusion Surgical treatment remains a challenge in this subset of patients. From 1945, JW introduced a ban on accepting blood transfusions, even in life-threatening situations while autologous blood must also be refused if it is predeposited-thus excluding preoperative autodonation. However, autologous blood is acceptable if it is not separated from the patients' circulation at any time. The invasive nature of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), the associated decrease of body temperature and the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are major reasons for increased blood loss and high incidence for blood transfusions during and after this procedures. Allogenic blood transfusions are often given and considered necessary in such operations, in spite of increased mortality, morbidity and major adverse outcomes resulting from transfusion. Reduction in the use of blood products should therefore be a general desire for every patient due to the associated risk factors. The evolution of less invasive cardiac surgical approaches, such as CABG without CPB (OPCAB) may contribute to a further reduction of blood transfusion and although these minimally invasive techniques may benefit every patient, they might be particularly valuable for JW. In this report, we present our initial experience in JW patient undergoing OPCAB and the way to use patient blood management for improved surgical outcome in such patient.