Effect of different priming fluids on extravascular lung water, cell integrity and oxidative stress in cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: Discussions continue on the ideal priming fluid in adult cardiac surgery. The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the effects of different types of priming fluids on extravascular lung water, cell integrity and oxidative stress status. METHODS: Thirty elective coronary artery bypass surgery patients were randomised prospectively into two groups. The first group received colloid priming fluid, while the second group received crystalloid priming fluid. Extravascular lung water index, advanced oxidative protein products, total thiol, free haemoglobin, ischaemic modified albumin and sialic acid levels were measured. Moreover, intra-operative and postoperative outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups with regard to extravascular lung water index, oxidative stress parameters or cell integrity (p > 0.05). Similarly, no significant differences were observed between the patients with regard to intra-operative and postoperative outcomes (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The presumed superiority of colloidal priming for cardiopulmonary bypass could not be confirmed in our study.

Liver transplantation for Budd-Chiari syndrome: A challenging but handable procedure.

BACKROUND: Establishing venous outflow in liver transplantation for patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome is crucial and requires various surgical techniques. The outcomes of these patients exibits distinct problems including vasculary thrombosis and biliary complications. METHODS: In this single center study, the outcomes and surgical features of 33 patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome who were carried out liver translantation (27 patients from living donor). Another group was formed among patients underwent liver transplantation due to other etiologies and the outcomes were compared. RESULTS: The most-seen type was the classical type of Budd-Chiari syndrome (25, 75.8%). For twenty-six patients inherited or acquired prothrombotic disorders were identified (78.2%) in Budd-Chiari group. Average follow-up was 29.7 ± 15.5 months. We have observed no recurrence of disease in our BCS patients. When the two groups was compared in terms of thrombotic complications, there was a significantly increased risk in BCS group (p = 0.014). Our 1 and 3-year survival rates for the BCS group were 81.8% and 78.8%, respectively. In the control group, 1 and 3-year survival rates were 93.3% and 88.9%, respectively. Log-rank test analyses showed no statistically significant results. CONCLUSION: Liver transplantation with individual surgical and postoperative treatment strategy for patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome provides comparable outcomes.

Effects of Alprazolam and Melatonin Used for Premedication on Oxidative Stress, Glicocalyx Integrity and Neurocognitive Functions.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to compare the effect of alprazolam and melatonin on oxidative stress, glicocalyx integrity and neurocognitive function in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: Overall, 42 patients undergoing CABG were retrospectively included in this study. Blood samples which preserved at -70°C for a previous study were used for this study. The participants were divided into two groups. Patients in the Group A were administered alprazolam before the operation, whereas melatonin was used for premedication in the Group M. Blood samples were collected at three time points [T0: before anaesthesia induction, T1: admittance to intensive care unit (ICU), T2: 24 h after ICU admission], and oxidative stress parameters and glicocalyx integrity were evaluated. Furthermore, Mini-Mental State Examination was recorded to measure neurocognitive function. RESULTS: The total thiol levels which were measured as an antioxidant parameter were significantly higher, and free Hb values were significantly lower in the Group M compared to the Group A (p<0.05). No significant differences were found in order to oxidative stress parameter levels, extubation time, length of hospital stay, durations of cross-clamp, cardiopulmonary bypass and operation and Mini-Mental State Examination results between the two groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: In light of positive effects on oxidatif stress parameters, melatonin may be considered as a good and safe premedication agent with its anxiolytic, antioxidant and minimal haemodynamic and respiratory effects.

The cutoff values of serum AMH levels and starting recFSH doses for the individualization of IVF treatment strategies.

OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of our study is to categorize starting doses of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (recFSH) based on various cutoff values of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and to determine the effectiveness of serum AMH levels in the prediction of poor ovarian response. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective data analysis was conducted at IVF center. A total of 323 patients were included. All patients were divided into four groups according to the patients' serum AMH concentrations: Group 1 (AMH < 1 ng/ml; 450 IU/day n = 157); Group 2 (AMH 1-2 ng/ml; 375 IU/day, n = 55); Group 3 (AMH 2-3 ng/ml; 225 IU/day, n = 48); and Group 4 (AMH > 3 ng/ml; 150 IU/day, n = 63). Collected data included age, total gonadotropin dosage, duration of stimulations, the total number of oocytes retrieved, ovarian response, cancelation rate, and cPRs. RESULTS: As serum AMH levels increased, there were significant decreases in the starting recFSH dose and total gonadotropin dosage, and a significant increase in the total number of oocytes retrieved. There was a significant trend toward increasing cycle cancelation rates and decreasing cPRs with decreasing serum AMH levels. Although there were no significant differences with regard to the proportion of cycles with hypo-response between all groups. A result of ≤0.83 was considered the cutoff value of AMH to predict a hypo-response to ovarian stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: AMH is a useful marker in selecting the starting dose of recFSH and prediction of poor ovarian response. Our protocol may allow clinicians to modulate the starting dose of recFSH according to these cutoff values for serum AMH levels.

The effect of modified ultrafiltration duration on pulmonary functions and hemodynamics in newborns and infants following arterial switch operation*.

OBJECTIVES: Modified ultrafiltration is used to ameliorate the deleterious effects of cardiopulmonary bypass in pediatric cardiac surgery patients. The ideal duration of modified ultrafiltration has not been established yet. We investigated the effects of extended duration of modified ultrafiltration on pulmonary functions and hemodynamics in the early postoperative period in newborns and infants who had transposition of great arteries operations. DESIGN: Single-center prospective randomized study. SETTING: Pediatric cardiac surgery operating room and ICU. PATIENTS: Sixty newborns and infants who had been scheduled to undergo transposition of great arteries operation. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Modified ultrafiltration was applied to all patients following the termination of cardiopulmonary bypass (for 10, 15, and 20 min in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively). Pulmonary compliance, gas exchange capacity, hemodynamic measurements, inotropic support, blood loss, transfusion requirements, hematocrit level, and duration of ventilatory support were measured after intubation, at termination of cardiopulmonary bypass, at the end of modified ultrafiltration, and in the 1st, 6th, 12th, and 24th hours after admission to ICU. The amount of fluid removed by modified ultrafiltration in groups 2 and 3 was larger than that of group 1 (p < 0.01). Systolic blood pressure was significantly increased at the end of modified ultrafiltration in group 3 compared to groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.05). Hematocrit levels were significantly increased at the end of modified ultrafiltration in groups 2 and 3 compared to group 1 (p < 0.01). Therefore, RBCs were transfused less after modified ultrafiltration in groups 2 and 3 compared to group 1 (p < 0.05). Static and dynamic compliance, oxygen index, and ventilation index had improved similarly in all three groups at the end of modified ultrafiltration (p > 0.05) CONCLUSIONS:: Modified ultrafiltration acutely improved pulmonary compliance and gas exchange in all groups. Increased hematocrit and blood pressure levels were also observed in the longer modified ultrafiltration group. However, extended duration of modified ultrafiltration did not have a significant impact on duration of intubation or the stay in ICU.