Changes in cardiac cells due to ticagrelor and enoxaparin in a rat ischemia/reperfusion model.

OBJECTIVE: Studies on ischemia/reperfusion injury remain the focus of interest. Ticagrelor and enoxaparin, which are antiaggregant and anticoagulant drugs developed for use in many cardiovascular pathologies, are still included in many ischemia/reperfusion studies. Remarkably, their new protective effects, especially with regard to ticagrelor, continue to be reported in the current literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the beneficial effects of ticagrelor and enoxaparin pretreatments on the rat heart with histological and immunohistochemical markers in an ischemia/reperfusion model. METHODS: Wistar-albino rats (weighing 350-400 g) were divided into four groups as follows: Sham-Control (Group 1), Control-Saline+ischemia/reperfusion (Group 2), Ticagrelor+ischemia/reperfusion (Group 3), and Enoxaparin+ischemia/reperfusion (Group 4). The ischemia/reperfusion injury model was applied to Group 2, Group 3 and Group 4. Heart tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological examinations. Caspase 3 immunostaining was evaluated to detect apoptosis in the heart tissue sections. RESULTS: Both pretreatments ameliorated the ischemic damage but especially tissue sections belonging to Group 3 were nearly similar to control levels. The results indicated that ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial damage was significantly increased in Group 2, whereas ticagrelor and enoxaparin pretreatments in Group 3 and Group 4 significantly decreased apoptotic scores and the histological appearance of the Group 3 close to the normal myocardium (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: As supported by histological findings in our study, ticagrelor and enoxaparin have protective properties for heart tissue in this ischemia/reperfusion injury model.

Multidimensional Evaluation of Pulmonary Function and Exercise Capacity by BODE Index in Patients with On-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) often causes physiological changes in patients. Although functional changes, such as lung function and exercise capacity changes, are observed in patients, there are no detailed studies examining this. The aim was to compare preoperative and postoperative pulmonary function and exercise capacity in patients undergoing on-pump CABG with a multidimensional index (BODE index). Demographic and surgical characteristics of patients were recorded. Pulmonary function test, six-minute walk test (6MWT), and modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea score were assessed and BODE index were calculated in preoperative and at six months postoperatively. A total of 75 patients were included with a mean ± standard deviation age of 59.8±10.0 years. The male to female ratio was 57/18. There was a statistically significant decrease in the forced expiratory flow at 25-75% (FEF25-75%) value after CABG. Other pulmonary function test values were also lower in the postoperative period compared to the preoperative period, but these changes were not significant. The mean distance achieved in the 6MWT (p=0.02) and the mMRC dyspnea score (p=0.001) were significantly better postoperatively. The BODE index, which combines these parameters, had increased in the postoperative period. Age (OR 1.09; 95% CI: 1.008-1.181) and postoperative FEF25-75% (OR -0.96; 95% CI: 0.938-0.988) were the independent predictors of BODE score ≥3 in multivariate analysis. Despite the decrease in pulmonary function in patients undergoing CABG, there was an improvement in exercise capacity and dyspnea score.

Investigation of the protective effect of enoxaparin and ticagrelor pretreatment against ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat lung tissue.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to reveal the possible protective effects of ticagrelor and enoxaparin pretreatment against ischemia-reperfusion (IR)-induced injury on the lung tissue of a rat model. METHODS: Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 4 groups as follows: group-1 (control-sham), group-2 (control-saline+IR), group-3 (ticagrelor+IR), group-4 (enoxaparin+IR). Before the ischemic period, saline, ticagrelor, and enoxaparin were administered to the 2nd-4th groups, respectively. In these groups, IR injury was induced by clamping the aorta infrarenally for 2 h, followed by 4 h of reperfusion except group-1. After the rats were euthanized, the lungs were processed for histological examinations. Paraffin sections were stained with Haematoxylin&Eosin (H&E) for light microscopic observation. Apoptosis was evaluated by caspase-3 immunoreactivity. Data were statistically analyzed using the SPSS software. RESULTS: In the lung sections stained with H&E, a normal histological structure was observed in group-1, whereas disorganized epithelial cells, hemorrhage, and inflammatory cell infiltration were seen in the alveolar wall in group-2. The histologic structure of the treatment groups was better than that of group-2. Caspase-3(+) apoptotic cells were noticeable in sections of group-2 and were lower in the treatment groups. In group-4, caspase-3 immunostaining was lower than in group-3. In group-2, apoptotic cells were significantly higher than in the other groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Based on the histological results, we suggested that both therapies ameliorated the detrimental effects of IR. Caspase-3 immunohistochemistry results also revealed that pre-treatment with enoxaparin gave better results in an IR-induced rat injury model. In further studies, other parameters such as ROS and inflammatory gene expressions should be evaluated for accurate results.

Investigation of the protective effect of enoxaparin and ticagrelor pretreatment against ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat lung tissue

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES This study was conducted to reveal the possible protective effects of ticagrelor and enoxaparin pretreatment against ischemia-reperfusion (IR)-induced injury on the lung tissue of a rat model. METHODS Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 4 groups as follows: group-1 (control-sham), group-2 (control-saline+IR), group-3 (ticagrelor+IR), group-4 (enoxaparin+IR). Before the ischemic period, saline, ticagrelor, and enoxaparin were administered to the 2nd-4th groups, respectively. In these groups, IR injury was induced by clamping the aorta infrarenally for 2 h, followed by 4 h of reperfusion except group-1. After the rats were euthanized, the lungs were processed for histological examinations. Paraffin sections were stained with Haematoxylin&Eosin (H&E) for light microscopic observation. Apoptosis was evaluated by caspase-3 immunoreactivity. Data were statistically analyzed using the SPSS software. RESULTS In the lung sections stained with H&E, a normal histological structure was observed in group-1, whereas disorganized epithelial cells, hemorrhage, and inflammatory cell infiltration were seen in the alveolar wall in group-2. The histologic structure of the treatment groups was better than that of group-2. Caspase-3(+) apoptotic cells were noticeable in sections of group-2 and were lower in the treatment groups. In group-4, caspase-3 immunostaining was lower than in group-3. In group-2, apoptotic cells were significantly higher than in the other groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSION Based on the histological results, we suggested that both therapies ameliorated the detrimental effects of IR. Caspase-3 immunohistochemistry results also revealed that pre-treatment with enoxaparin gave better results in an IR-induced rat injury model. In further studies, other parameters such as ROS and inflammatory gene expressions should be evaluated for accurate results.

RESUMO OBJETIVOS Este estudo foi realizado para revelar os possíveis efeitos protetores do ticagrelor e do pré-tratamento da enoxaparina no tecido pulmonar contra o modelo de lesão induzida por isquemia-reperfusão (IR). MÉTODOS Ratos albinos Wistar foram randomizados e divididos em quatro grupos: grupo 1 (controle-sham), grupo 2 (controle-salina + IR), grupo 3 (ticagrelor + IR), grupo 4 (enoxaparina + IR). Antes do período isquêmico, salina, ticagrelor e enoxaparina foram administrados nos grupos 2-4, respectivamente. Nesses grupos, a lesão de IR foi induzida pelo clampeamento da aorta na região da infrarrenal por duas horas, seguida por quatro horas de reperfusão, exceto no grupo 1. Após a sacrificação, os pulmões foram processados para exames histológicos. Secções de parafina foram coradas com hematoxilina e eosina (H&E) para observação microscópica de luz. A apoptose foi avaliada pela imunorreatividade da caspase-3. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente pelo programa SPSS. RESULTADOS Nas secções pulmonares coradas com H&E, estrutura histológica normal foi observada no grupo 1, enquanto células epiteliais desorganizadas, hemorragia e infiltração de células inflamatórias foram observadas na parede alveolar no grupo 2. A estrutura histológica dos grupos de tratamento foi melhor que o grupo 2. Células apoptóticas caspase-3 (+) foram notadas em secções do grupo 2, e essas células foram mais baixas nos grupos de tratamento. No grupo 4, a imunocoloração com caspase-3 foi menor que no grupo 3. No grupo 2, as células apoptóticas foram significativamente maiores que nos outros grupos (p<0,001). CONCLUSÃO Com base nos resultados histológicos, sugerimos que ambas as terapias atenuaram os efeitos prejudiciais da RI. Resultados de imuno-histoquímica com caspase-3 também revelaram que o pré-tratamento com enoxaparina proporcionou melhores resultados no modelo de lesão induzida por IR. Em estudos posteriores, outros parâmetros, como ROS e expressões gênicas inflamatórias, devem ser avaliados quanto a resultados precisos.

Hemoglobin A1c Levels Predicts Acute Kidney Injury after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in Non-Diabetic Patients.

INTRODUCTION:: Elevated hemoglobin A1c levels in patients with diabetes mellitus have been known as a risk factor for acute kidney injury after coronary artery bypass grafting. However, the relationship between hemoglobin A1c levels in non-diabetics and acute kidney injury is under debate. We aimed to investigate the association of preoperative hemoglobin A1c levels with acute kidney injury in non-diabetic patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS:: 202 non-diabetic patients with normal renal function (serum creatinine <1.4 mg/dl) who underwent isolated coronary bypass were analyzed. Hemoglobin A1c level was measured at the baseline examination. Patients were separated into two groups according to preoperative Hemoglobin A1c level. Group 1 consisted of patients with preoperative HbA1c levels of < 5.6% and Group 2 consisted of patients with preoperative HbA1c levels of ≥ 5.6%. Acute kidney injury diagnosis was made by comparing baseline and postoperative serum creatinine to determine the presence of predefined significant change based on the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) definition. RESULTS:: Acute kidney injury occurred in 19 (10.5%) patients after surgery. The incidence of acute kidney injury was 3.6% in Group 1 and 16.7% in Group 2. Elevated baseline hemoglobin A1c level was found to be associated with acute kidney injury (P=0.0001). None of the patients became hemodialysis dependent. The cut off value for acute kidney injury in our group of patients was 5.75%. CONCLUSION:: Our findings suggest that, in non-diabetics, elevated preoperative hemoglobin A1c level may be associated with acute kidney injury in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Prospective randomized studies in larger groups are needed to confirm these results.

Hemoglobin A1c Levels Predicts Acute Kidney Injury after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in Non-Diabetic Patients

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Elevated hemoglobin A1c levels in patients with diabetes mellitus have been known as a risk factor for acute kidney injury after coronary artery bypass grafting. However, the relationship between hemoglobin A1c levels in non-diabetics and acute kidney injury is under debate. We aimed to investigate the association of preoperative hemoglobin A1c levels with acute kidney injury in non-diabetic patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: 202 non-diabetic patients with normal renal function (serum creatinine <1.4 mg/dl) who underwent isolated coronary bypass were analyzed. Hemoglobin A1c level was measured at the baseline examination. Patients were separated into two groups according to preoperative Hemoglobin A1c level. Group 1 consisted of patients with preoperative HbA1c levels of < 5.6% and Group 2 consisted of patients with preoperative HbA1c levels of ≥ 5.6%. Acute kidney injury diagnosis was made by comparing baseline and postoperative serum creatinine to determine the presence of predefined significant change based on the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) definition. RESULTS: Acute kidney injury occurred in 19 (10.5%) patients after surgery. The incidence of acute kidney injury was 3.6% in Group 1 and 16.7% in Group 2. Elevated baseline hemoglobin A1c level was found to be associated with acute kidney injury (P=0.0001). None of the patients became hemodialysis dependent. The cut off value for acute kidney injury in our group of patients was 5.75%. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that, in non-diabetics, elevated preoperative hemoglobin A1c level may be associated with acute kidney injury in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Prospective randomized studies in larger groups are needed to confirm these results.

The Influence of Metabolic Syndrome on Acute Kidney Injury Occurrence after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined as a cluster of systemic abnormalities: hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, abdominal obesity, and hypertension. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the devastating complications after cardiac surgery. Age, DM, preexisting renal dysfunction, hypertension, impaired left ventricular function, and severe arteriosclerosis of the aorta are the major risk factors for the development of AKI. The purpose of the current study was to analyze the influence of MetS on AKI occurring after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the prospectively collected data of 500 adult patients who underwent isolated CABG surgery with normal renal function (baseline serum creatinine value <1.4 mg/dL) from January 2011 to January 2015. The patients were divided into two groups either having the diagnosis of MetS (Group I) or not (Group II). MetS was diagnosed based on International Diabetes Federation definition. Kidney injury was interpreted according to RIFLE classification. The effect of MetS on AKI after CABG was determined using logistic regression analysis and the results were expressed as odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). A P value <.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 16.4% of all patients. Postoperative AKI occurred in 26 patients (31.7%) in Group I whereas there were 53 patients (12.7%) in Group II. On logistic regression analysis, the presence of MetS was shown to be associated with increased incidence of postoperative AKI (OR, 3.197; 95% CI, 1.850-5.526; P = .000). CONCLUSION: The presence of MetS seems to be associated with increased incidence of AKI after cardiac surgery. MetS is a modifiable issue; if its components are well controlled its dreadful effects after cardiac surgery might be controlled as well.

Preoperative Low Serum Albumin Levels Increase the Requirement of Renal Replacement Therapy after Cardiac Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury is a common complication of cardiac surgery that increases morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study is to analyze the association of preoperative serum albumin levels with acute kidney injury and the requirement of renal replacement therapy after isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the prospectively collected data of 530 adult patients who underwent isolated CABG surgery with normal renal function. The perioperative clinical data of the patients included demographic data, laboratory data, length of stay, in-hospital complications and mortality. The patient population was divided into two groups: group I patients with preoperative serum albumin levels <3.5 mg/dL; and group II pateints with preoperative serum albumin levels ≥3.5 mg/dL. RESULTS: There were 413 patients in group I and 117 patients in group II. Postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) occured in 33 patients (28.2%) in group I and in 79 patients (19.1%) in group II. Renal replacement therapy was required in 17 patients (3.2%) (8 patients from group I; 9 patients from group II; P = .018). 30-day mortality occurred in 18 patients (3.4%) (10 patients from group I; 8 patients from group II; P = .037). Fourteen of these patients required renal replacement therapy. Logistic regression analysis revealing the presence of lower serum albumin levels preoperatively was shown to be associated with increased incidence of postoperative AKI (OR: 1.661; 95% CI: 1.037-2.661; P = .035). Logistic regression analysis also revealed that DM (OR: 3.325; 95% CI: 2.162-5.114; P = .000) was another independent risk factor for AKI after isolated CABG. CONCLUSION: Low preoperative serum albumin levels result in severe acute kidney injury and increase the rate of renal replacement therapy and mortality after isolated CABG.

Renal Artery Occlusion Due to Aortic Dissection Caused by Blunt Trauma.

In this report, our aim is to present a case of renal artery occlusion due to type-3 acute aortic dissection following blunt trauma. A twenty-four-year-old male patient was admitted to the emergency department of our hospital with pain in his abdomen and on his back 3 hours after a blunt abdominal trauma due to an industrial injury. After consultation with the urology department, the patient was taken to operation to be evaluated for an intervention for aortic dissection and nephrectomy.

Ticagrelor Attenuates Apoptosis of Lung and Myocardial Cells Induced by Abdominal Aorta Ischemia/Reperfusion.

AIM: This study aimed to analyze the effect of ticagrelor pretreatment on the prevention of lung and heart injury induced by abdominal aorta ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) and also to determine the effective dose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 350-400 g were randomized into five groups. The animals received ticagrelor at doses of 7.5 mg/kg, 15 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg or normal saline 0.1 ml/kg orally via gastric gavage before the ischemic period. In the control and study groups, I/R injury was induced by clamping the aorta infrarenally for 2 hs, followed by 4 h of reperfusion. After sacrifice, hearts and lungs of the animals were extracted for both histopathological and biochemical analysis. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the animals that received 7.5 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg dose of ticagrelor regarding tissue malondealdehyde (MDA), and glutathione reductase levels in both lung and heart Ticagrelor treatment at 25 mg/kg led to significant cardiac remodeling activity and normal lung architecture against I/R induced injury. The number of TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells in alveolar epithelium and myocytes were increased in the sections from saline (I/R) group rats, and decreased following 25 mg/kg ticagrelor treatment. CONCLUSION: Ticagrelor dose-dependently inhibits platelet aggregation, increases cyclooxygenase-2 and also inhibits cellular uptake of adenosine all resulting in attenuation of I/R injury. Ticagrelor at 25 mg/kg was determined as the dose effective against I/R-induced injury in lung and heart in Sprague-Dawley rats in the present study.

Therapeutic efficacy of vacuum-assisted-closure therapy in the treatment of lymphatic complications following peripheral vascular interventions and surgeries.

OBJECTIVES: Lymphatic complications, lymphocele and lymphorrhea being the leading, are generally encountered after vascular interventions and surgeries. The present study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of vacuum-assisted-closure (VAC) therapy, which we frequently prefer as the first-choice treatment for such complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among patients undergoing peripheral vascular intervention or surgery between January 2008 and February 2012, the medical files of 21 patients who received VAC therapy or other treatment due to symptomatic lymphatic complications were retrospectively analyzed and the results were discussed. RESULTS: Group I consisted of 10 patients (three with lymphocele and seven with lymphorrhea) who underwent VAC therapy as the first-choice treatment, Group II consisted of 11 patients of which 7 patients received various therapies before VAC therapy and 4 patients received other treatments alone. The patients who received VAC therapy as the primary therapy demonstrated more rapid wound healing, early drainage control, and shorter hospital stay. The mean hospital medical cost was €1038 (range, €739-1826) for the patients who primarily underwent VAC therapy; it was calculated to be €2137 (range, €1610-3130) for the other patients (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: In addition to its safety and good clinical outcomes, VAC therapy also has economic advantages and should be the primary method for the treatment of lymphatic complications.

An extremely rare complication of varicose vein surgery: retained foreign body.

Foreign body is among complications of surgery. But as a complication of varicose vein surgery it was reported extremely rarely and, to our knowledge, there is only one paper in the literature. A case with retained sponge which was detected five months after varicose vein surgery was presented.

Cineangiographic intraoperative evaluation of venous grafts during coronary bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of graft patency is an important component of coronary bypass surgery. In the present study, intraoperative cineangiography was performed in a cardiovascular hybrid operating room to evaluate anastomosis quality and patency of coronary venous grafts. METHOD: This prospective study evaluated coronary bypass grafts in 34 patients between January 2012 and June 2012. Radiopaque material was administered into the grafts through a vessel cannula before the proximal anastomosis. Then, cineangiographic images were obtained using a mobile C-arm cineangiography system. The myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) of the patients was compared between preoperative and first month postoperative periods to assess graft function. RESULTS: The localization of the grafts in the target vessel, structural status of the grafts, anastomosis line, and availability of the target vessel were easily evaluated. Angiographic defects were detected in two grafts (3%, n = 60) in two patients (6%, n = 34). Staining was observed in the distal myocardial segments of the saphenous vein grafts following the administration of radiopaque material. The procedure took eight minutes, on average (range, 5-14 minutes), and a mean of 15 mL (range, 10-35 mL) of opaque material was used. None of the patients developed intraoperative myocardial infarction, postoperative complications, or contrast material-induced renal failure. No mortality was observed. The distal myocardial segments of saphenous vein grafts were detected to be perfused 92% normally, 5% reversibly defective, and 3% irreversibly defective with postoperative MPS controls. CONCLUSION: Cineangiographic graft evaluation in a hybrid operating room is a practical, safe, noninvasive, easily available, and easily applicable method.

The effect of iloprost on renal function in patients with critical limb ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Iloprost, which has efficacy in the microvascular space, is shown to have beneficial effects on the kidney, which has an extensive microvascular network. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the effect of iloprost treatment on kidney functions in patients with critical limb ischemia. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with critical limb ischemia who were not suitable for revascularization and who were treated with iloprost were evaluated prospectively in our clinic between September 2010 and December 2012. The patients were divided into 2 groups as patients with chronic renal dysfunction (Group I) and patients with normal renal function (Group II). Urine albumin:creatinine ratio and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) calculated using serum creatinine and serum cystatin C (GFRcyc) were used to establish the presence of renal dysfunction. The decrease analgesic requirement, walking distance, reduction in ulcer diameter, the increase in ankle-brachial index, and changes in The Society of Vascular Surgery/International Society of Cardiovascular Surgery criteria were used in the evaluation of treatment response. RESULTS: Opioid analgesic requirement and decubitus pain disappeared after treatment in 58.3% (n = 28) of subjects. Walking distance increased in 66.6% (n = 32). Iloprost treatment significantly increased ankle-brachial index (P < 0.01). In Group I the levels of serum urea, creatinine, and cystatin C significantly decreased (P < 0.05), whereas GFRcyc and GFR calculated using the equation of the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (ie, GFR expressed for specified race, sex, and serum creatinine in milligrams per deciliter) was increased significantly compared with pretreatment levels (P < 0.05). No significant change was observed in urine albumin:creatinine ratio (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of iloprost in critical limb ischemia can slow down the progress of early stage renal damage. GFRcyc and cystatin C, which are indicators of early stage chronic renal dysfunction, can be used for the evaluation of treatment response.

A rare complication: aorta-cutaneous fistula with abundant bleeding.

Pseudoaneurysm and aorto-cutaneous fistula following surgical procedures of the aorta are rare complications with potentially catastrophic results that require rapid diagnosis and urgent surgical treatment. We performed a successful life-saving operation using hypothermic circulatory arrest with femoral artery and vein cannulation. The patient had undergone open heart surgery in our clinic twice, and there was active and abundant bleeding from aorta-cutaneous fistula that occured 5 years after the last surgery.

Unusual emergent presentations of abdominal aortic aneurysm: can simple blood tests predict the state of emergency?

BACKGROUND: This paper attempts to see if simple blood test results can predict the state of an emergency aneurysm as being non-ruptured, contained leak or free rupture. METHODS: Ninety-three patients who presented to our emergency room and were operated for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) between January 1999 and March 2009 were evaluated retrospectively. Cases were classified as: chronic contained rupture (Group I), impending rupture (Group II), dissecting rupture (Group III), and free rupture (Group IV). RESULTS: Chronic contained rupture was determined in 15 (16.1%), impending rupture in 31 (33.3%), dissecting rupture in 14 (15.1%), and true (free) rupture in 27 (29%) cases. Aortocaval fistula was present in 3 (3.2%) patients, aortoenteric fistula in 2 (2.2%) and aorto biliary fistula in 1 (1.1%). Group IV was significantly different from Groups I, II and III with regard to hematocrit levels, white blood cell counts, neutrophils and lymphocyte rates, bicarbonate levels, and mortality rates. CONCLUSION: To avoid a delay in diagnosis, it is important to know the different presentations of emergency AAA. In the emergency room, simple laboratory parameters may be highly directive in suspicion of ruptured AAA.

The impact of preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction on short and mid-term outcomes in ischaemic mitral valve repair.

BACKGROUND: It has been well established that reduced left ventriclular ejection fraction (LVEF) has adverse impact on the outcome of patients undergoing ischaemic mitral valve repair. However, the exact value of LVEF which should be used for risk stratification, has not been well established. AIM: To asses which preoperative LVEF (pLVEF) value has the best predictive value in patients undergoing ischaemic mitral valve repair. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 105 patients with ischaemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) treated between January 2003 and June 2009 was conducted. Patients were divided into two groups according to their pLVEF value. The primary endpoints were early in-hospital and late follow-up deaths. RESULTS: The pLVEF cut-off value was determined based on univariate analysis of parameters for primary end-points. The investigated parameters were: age, pLVEF, postoperative NYHA, postoperative mitral regurgitation and postoperative LVEF. The Cox proportional hazard regression analysis identified pLVEF (HR 1.5; 95% CI 1.4-5.0; p < 0.008) as the only independent predictor of the primary end-point. The pLVEF cut-off value of 40% was found to have the highest sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 70% in predicting death. Patients were divided into two groups using the cut-off value of pLVEF of 40%. The compromised group (pLVEF < 40%) of 34 patients and the uncompromised group (pLVEF > 40%) of 71 patients had inhospital death rates of three (9%) vs two (3%) (NS) and five year mortality of 18 (54%), eight (11%) (p < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In IMR surgery, a pLVEF value of 40% is an important prognostic marker for mid-term survival.

Radial artery graft use and off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery outcome.

Radial artery is commonly used as a conduit for surgical revascularization. There is scarce data on the effect of radial artery use on outcome following off-pump coronary artery bypass. We prospectively evaluated 591 patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass. Radial artery grafts were used in 398 of these patients (mean age, 67.6 +/- 10.4 years; mean follow-up, 37.7 +/- 13.4 months). Symptom recurrence (angina, congestive heart failure), adverse cardiac events (myocardial infarction, coronary re-intervention, sudden cardiac death), and overall mortality were recorded. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate predictors of endpoints. Patients with and without radial artery grafts were similar with respect to preoperative risk factors. Recurrent angina developed in 29 patients, congestive heart failure in 5, and myocardial infarction in 9. Coronary arteriography was performed in 27 patients, and 23 underwent re-intervention. Radial artery graft was an independent predictor of increased symptom recurrence and adverse cardiac events. Patients with radial artery grafts also had a tendency towards more angina recurrence, coronary re-intervention, and sudden cardiac death.