Atrioventricular thrombus in a 14-year-old patient: a case report.

Right atrioventricular thrombus was diagnosed by echocardiography in a 14-year-old boy. Thrombus was reached through the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery and it was caused to tricuspit valve insufficiency. Surgical thrombectomy was performed and, he was treated with oral anticoagulation in postoperative period.

Effects of preoperative magnesium therapy on arrhythmias and myocardial ischemia during off-pump coronary surgery.

BACKGROUND: Heart manipulation during off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery may cause hemodynamic instability, and temporary coronary arterial occlusion may lead to myocardial ischemia. To reduce this, perioperative ß-blocking agents or calcium antagonists can be administrated. The effects of perioperative administration of magnesium on myocardial function were studied in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of preoperative magnesium administration on perioperative hemodynamia, ventricular arrhythmias and myocardial protection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 2 groups of patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery - 24 patients (control group) that had not received preoperative intravenous infusion of magnesium and 23 patients (treatment group) that had received preoperative intravenous magnesium sulfate. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that it had reduced the heart rate, changes of ST segments, the need of ß-blocking agents and the use of intra-operative intra-aortic balloon pump and the inotropic usage. CONCLUSION: This treatment may provide hemodynamic optimization during off-pump coronary artery bypass.

Endothoracic injection of room air for internal mammary artery harvest.

BACKGROUND: Arterial spasm is described as an event occurring after internal mammary artery (IMA) harvesting. Endothoracic papaverine and carbon dioxide application have been used to prevent IMA spasm before surgical dissection. This technique may make harvest quicker and easier. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of room air injection into the endothoracic fascia on IMA blood flow and harvest time. METHODS: Eighty-four consecutive ischemic patients were randomly assigned to four groups: group 1 (n = 21, no treatment), group 2 (n = 21, papaverine), group 3 (n = 21, air), group 4 (n = 21, air and papaverine). The room air was injected with a blunt needle through the endothoracic fascia before harvest. Each dissection time was recorded and the flows were measured before cardiopulmonary bypass. RESULTS: Mean blood flows and harvest time were: group 1 = 65.7 +/- 16.3 mL/min, 37.2 +/- 8.5 minutes; group 2 = 86.6 +/- 16.4 mL/min, 25.6 +/- 5.5 minutes; group 3 = 85.7 +/- 13.1 mL/min, 22.4 +/- 4.8 minutes; and group 4 = 90.2 +/- 16.4 mL/min, 21.7 +/- 5.7 minutes. IMA flow and harvest time in groups 2, 3, and 4 were different than the control group (p < 0.001), but there was no significant statistical difference between treatment groups (2, 3, and 4) (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Injection of room air beneath the endothoracic fascia before IMA dissection may prevent spasm and shorten harvest time, which avoids any risk of intimal injury.

An alternative agent for radial arterial graft spasm: application of topical iloprost.

OBJECTIVE: This study is planned bringing about a new choice for the prophylaxis of RA spasm which is topical iloprost and compares its efficacy with papaverine and diltiazem. DESIGN: Twenty eight CABG patients with RA grafts were categorized into four groups by taking into account the topical vasodilator (papaverine, diltiazem, iloprost and saline) that was utilized during harvesting. Arterial segments were separated into four rings and were than soaked with KCL, norepinephrine, phenylephrine and serotonin. Then, acetylcholine was given to induce relaxation and the preparations were put to rest for 10 minute. RESULTS: The contraction response achieved by the vasoreactive agents was most effectively inhibited by papaverine. The effectiveness of the response obtained by iloprost was similar to that of papaverine and significantly stronger than that of diltiazem. Especially at high vasoreactive substance concentrations, diltiazem had a contraction close to that of the control while the protective effect was weaker than those of papaverine and iloprost. CONCLUSION: Iloprost can be recommended as a strong alternative to the topical agents used for preventing arterial graft spasm.

[The effect of glutamate and aspartate on myocardial protection at cardiopulmonary bypass]. / Kardiyopulmoner Baypasta Glutamat ve Aspartatin Miyokardiyal Koruma Uzerine Etkisi.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether glutamat and aspartat enriched cold crystalloid cardioplegia which was given in antegrade way has any effect on the myocardial protection during cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: Thirty-four patients who were electively undergone open heart surgery at Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine, thoracic and cardiovascular surgery department, between March 2001 and May 2001 were included in this study. The patients were divided in two groups, each consisting of 17 patients. In group 1 coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) was performed in 11 patients, mitral valve replacement (MVR) in 3 patients, aortic valve replacement (AVR) in 1 patient and AVR and MVR in 2 patients. While in group 2 CABG was performed in 13 patients and MVR was done in 4 patients. Group 1 patients received antegrade glutamat and aspartat (15 mmol/L) enriched cold crystalloid cardioplegia and group 2 patients were given cold crystalloid cardioplegia by antegrade route. Age, gender, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, preoperative myocardial infarction, smoking, ejection fraction, aortic cross-clamp time, need to defibrillation, inotropic support, and intraaortic balloon pump were recorded. The levels of cardiac troponin I (cTI) and creatine kinase myocardial band fraction (CK-MB) were measured in arterial blood samples at five different times. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test and Chi-square test. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in cTI and CK-MB values in blood samples taken at 5 different times pre and postoperatively between group 1 and group 2. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that glutamat and aspartat enriched cold crystalloid cardioplegia does not have any effect on myocardial protection.

[Experiments on minimally invasive open heart surgery using right anterolateral minithoracotomy]. / Açik Kalp Cerrahisinde Minimal Invazif Sag Anterolateral Minitorakotomi Deneyimlerimiz.

OBJECTIVE: Minimal invasive cardiac surgical techniques recently have been applied in the management of various cardiac lesions. The aim of the study was to evaluate right anterolateral minithoracotomy as an alternative procedure with a better cosmetic and clinical outcomes. METHODS: Fifteen male and 64 female patients underwent open heart surgery during cardiopulmonary bypass through a right anterolateral minithoracotomy at the fourth intercostal space. The average age was 41+/-6 years. Fifty-two (65.8%) patients underwent mitral valve replacement, 5 (6.3%) patients underwent mitral valve replacement + tricuspid annuloplasty, 5 (6.3%) patients underwent tricuspid valve replacement, 7 (8.9%) patients underwent closure of the atrial septal defect (ASD), 3 (3.8%) patients underwent closure of the ventricular septal defect (VSD), 1 (1.2%) patient underwent closure of the ASD+VSD and 5(6.3%) patients underwent mitral re-replacement. RESULTS: The postoperative average ventilation time was 6+/-2 h in 38 (48.1%) patients and 11+/-3 h in 41 (51.9%) patients. The postoperative average mediastinal drainage was 350+/-110 ml during first 24 hours, and postoperative stay in intensive care was 1.8+/-0.8 days. CONCLUSION: As a result, the right anterolateral minithoracotomy incision is a safe and effective alternative to the median sternotomy for open heart surgical procedures. Most of minimal surgical accesses can be achieved with better cosmetic results and faster recovery.