Prognostic value of CHA2DS2-VASc score for the long-term cardiovascular events after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: This study aims to investigate the value of the CHA2DS2-VASc score in predicting long-term major cardiovascular events following coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods: Between January 2008 and January 2010, a total of 559 patients (445 males, 114 females; mean age: 62.7±9.1 years; range, 35 to 84 years) who underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting were retrospectively analyzed. At a mean of 10.7±3.1-year follow-up, major cardiovascular events were considered as the primary endpoint. Results: The multivariate Cox hazard analysis identified the CHA2DS2-VASc score as an independent predictor of major cardiovascular events (hazard ratio: 1.615; 95% confidence interval: 1.038-2.511; p=0.034). The receiver operating characteristic curve analyses revealed that 3.5 was the most optimal cut-off value of the score predicting major cardiovascular events and the patients were divided into two groups accordingly. The Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated a significantly higher incidence of major cardiovascular events in proportion to a higher CHA2DS2-VASc score (p<0.001). Conclusion: CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥4, which includes many risk factors for cardiovascular events, can be used as an independent predictor of long-term major cardiovascular events after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Predictive Value of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio for Long-Term Cardiovascular Event Following Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the predictive value of preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for long-term major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), which have not yet been well described, in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: The records of 751 consecutive patients who underwent elective CABG between January 2008 and January 2010 were retrospectively enrolled and stratified according to quartiles of preoperative NLR. At 7.8-year follow-up, MACCE was considered as an endpoint. RESULTS: Overall MACCE was 11.6% of all cases. Long-term myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention, stroke and cardiovascular mortality were found associated with the upper NLR quartile (P<0.001, P<0.001, P=0.005, P<0.001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, NLR on admission remained an independent predictor of long-term MACCE (OR 1.087, 95% CI 1.026-1.151; P=0.004), in all EuroSCORE risk groups (P<0.001; P<0.001; P=0.029). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses revealed an NLR cut-off value of 4.32 predicting MACCE. CONCLUSION: NLR is a useful and readily available predictive marker of long-term MACCE following CABG, independent of the EuroSCORE.

Predictive value of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio for long-term cardiovascular event following coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract Objective: To investigate the predictive value of preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for long-term major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), which have not yet been well described, in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: The records of 751 consecutive patients who underwent elective CABG between January 2008 and January 2010 were retrospectively enrolled and stratified according to quartiles of preoperative NLR. At 7.8-year follow-up, MACCE was considered as an endpoint. Results: Overall MACCE was 11.6% of all cases. Long-term myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention, stroke and cardiovascular mortality were found associated with the upper NLR quartile (P<0.001, P<0.001, P=0.005, P<0.001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, NLR on admission remained an independent predictor of long-term MACCE (OR 1.087, 95% CI 1.026-1.151; P=0.004), in all EuroSCORE risk groups (P<0.001; P<0.001; P=0.029). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses revealed an NLR cut-off value of 4.32 predicting MACCE. Conclusion: NLR is a useful and readily available predictive marker of long-term MACCE following CABG, independent of the EuroSCORE.

Current Status of Arterial Revascularization for the Treatment of Critical Limb Ischemia in Infrainguinal Atherosclerotic Disease.

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the most severe form of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) that may result in limb loss and even death; thus, the fast and proper treatment should be employed as earlier as possible to prevent these catastrophic consequences. Arterial revascularization is almost always an indispensable treatment option for CLI. Although both endovascular and surgical revascularization procedures have an important role, nowadays, the hybrid revascularization as a combination of these revascularization procedures has also gained increasing popularity in the treatment of patients with CLI. This review provides an update on the arterial revascularization strategies for the treatment of CLI.

An Overview and Update of Femorofemoral Crossover Bypass Surgery as an Extra-Anatomic Bypass Procedure.

Femorofemoral crossover bypass is a surgical arterial revascularization modality which is commonly performed for unilateral aortoiliac occlusive disease. It is primarily applied to patients with intermittent claudication or critical limb ischemia in whom underlying anatomic constraints rule out endovascular means of restoring in-line flow and those who do not qualify for anatomic reconstruction due to the comorbid conditions that preclude a more invasive open surgical approach. This surgical procedure may be also used as a complementary component of endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms when one aortoiliac arterial system is occluded to ensure exclusion of the aortic aneurysm. This review represents the current status of femorofemoral crossover bypass surgery as an extra-anatomic bypass procedure.

Are the Early Postoperative Outcomes of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery in Elderly Women Worse Compared to Men's?

OBJECTIVE:: To investigate the impact of gender difference in early postoperative outcomes in elderly patients (aged 70 or older) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. METHODS:: Between October 2009 and December 2013, a total of 223 elderly patients (aged 70 or older) undergoing isolated primary coronary artery bypass grafting surgery were included in this retrospective observational cohort study. Patients were divided into two groups according to their gender. The patients' medical records were collected, their baseline preoperative characteristics, operative data, and postoperative outcomes were retrospectively reviewed, and the effect of gender difference in the early postoperative outcomes was analyzed. RESULTS:: Group 1 (female patients) and Group 2 (male patients) consisted of 71 and 152 patients, respectively. Mean age of patients was 74.4±3.6 years (range: 70-84 years). The level of EuroSCORE I, the incidence of hypertension and hyperlipidemia were significantly higher in Group 1, while the rate of smoking was significantly higher in Group 2. Mean postoperative intubation time, length of intensive care unit and hospital stay were longer in female patients than in male patients, but these differences were not statistically significant. No statistically significant difference between two groups in terms of the transfusion of blood products was observed. The rates of in-hospital mortality and major postoperative complications were statistically similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION:: In conclusion, the female gender was not associated with worse early postoperative outcomes in elderly patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Are the early postoperative outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting surgery in elderly women worse compared to men's?

Abstract Objective: To investigate the impact of gender difference in early postoperative outcomes in elderly patients (aged 70 or older) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Methods: Between October 2009 and December 2013, a total of 223 elderly patients (aged 70 or older) undergoing isolated primary coronary artery bypass grafting surgery were included in this retrospective observational cohort study. Patients were divided into two groups according to their gender. The patients' medical records were collected, their baseline preoperative characteristics, operative data, and postoperative outcomes were retrospectively reviewed, and the effect of gender difference in the early postoperative outcomes was analyzed. Results: Group 1 (female patients) and Group 2 (male patients) consisted of 71 and 152 patients, respectively. Mean age of patients was 74.4±3.6 years (range: 70-84 years). The level of EuroSCORE I, the incidence of hypertension and hyperlipidemia were significantly higher in Group 1, while the rate of smoking was significantly higher in Group 2. Mean postoperative intubation time, length of intensive care unit and hospital stay were longer in female patients than in male patients, but these differences were not statistically significant. No statistically significant difference between two groups in terms of the transfusion of blood products was observed. The rates of in-hospital mortality and major postoperative complications were statistically similar between the two groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, the female gender was not associated with worse early postoperative outcomes in elderly patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

A comparison of off- and on-pump beating-heart coronary artery bypass surgery on long-term cardiovascular events.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to compare short-term outcomes and long-term major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) -free survival and independent predictors of long-term MACE after off-pump (OPCAB) versus on-pump beating-heart (ONBHCAB) coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data of all consecutive patients who underwent elective CABG, performed by the same surgeon, from January 2003 to October 2009. A propensity score analysis was carried out to adjust for baseline characteristics and a total of 398 patients were included: ONBHCAB (n = 181), OPCAB (n = 217). RESULTS: OPCAB was associated with significantly shorter ventilation times (p < 0.001), intensive care unit stay (p < 0.001) and hospital stay (p < 0.001). The total blood loss was significantly more in the ONBHCAB group (p < 0.001), and accordingly, the number of transfused blood units was significantly lower in the OPCAB group (p < 0.001). Incidence of peri-operative renal complications were significantly higher in the ONBHCAB group (p = 0.004). The OPCAB group showed significantly lower long-term MACE-free survival (p = 0.029). The mean number of transfused blood units was the only independent predictor of MACE (HR: 1.218, 95% CI: 1.089-1.361; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: OPCAB provided better long-term MACE-free survival compared with ONBHCAB. Fewer units of blood transfused following OPCAB surgery may have been the main reason for this result.

Management of lymphoedema.

Lymphoedema is a common and progressive disease which causes deterioration of the quality of life of patients. It is divided into two groups: primary and secondary lymphoedema. Nowadays, the majority of patients with lymphoedema are associated with a malignancy or its treatment modalities, such as cancer surgery and radiation therapy. Accurate diagnosis and effective treatment are crucial for alleviating the symptoms, preventing progression and reducing the potential risks of lymphoedema. This report provides an overview of the management of lymphoedema.

Red blood cell distribution width predicts long term cardiovascular event after on-pump beating coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Reports investigating the predictive value of red cell distribution width (RDW) on major cardiac and cardiovascular event (MACCE) following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have major limitations, including lack of elimination of common factors affecting RDW levels, such as anemia. The purpose of this study is to identify the real effect of higher RDW level, free from the other factors, on MACCE following CABG. METHODS: Data of 500 consecutive, non-anemic patients (77.2 % male and mean age 63.05 ± 9.24) undergoing ONBHCAB between January 2007 and January 2010, were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Overall MACCE was 7.8 % of all cases. Mean follow-up was 66.5 ± 9.96 months. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, RDW (P = 0.022) remained the only independent predictor of MACCE and the ROC analyze revealed an RDW cut-off value of 13.95 % predicting MACCE. Therefore, patients were grouped on this cut-off value. There were 238 patients in the lower RDW group (Group 1) and 262 patients in the higher RDW group (Group 2). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of freedom from MACCE revealed significantly lower event free survival in Group 2 (P < 0.001 by the log-rank test). Group 2 showed a higher MACCE incidence in 1 year (P = 0.030), in 3 years (P < 0.001) and in 6 years (P < 0.001). The long-term follow-up was similar regarding noncardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSION: An RDW level greater than 13.95 % in hospital admission is independently associated with an increased incidence of MACCE after CABG. Physicians should be more aggressive in the management of these patients.

Pharmacomechanical thrombolysis with a rotator thrombolysis device in iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a life-threatening and morbid pathology. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of an early thrombolysis procedure using a rotator thrombolysis device. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients with acute proximal DVT were enrolled in the study. Patients' data were recorded retrospectively. Initially, an infrarenal retrievable vena cava filter was placed through the femoral vein. Then, a rotator thrombolysis device and a thrombolytic agent injection were applied to the occluded segments of the deep veins by puncturing the popliteal vein. RESULTS: The identified reasons were trauma (43.3%), pregnancy (20.9%), undiagnosed (11.9%), major surgical operation (10.5%), immobilization (7.5%), and malignancy (5.9%). Immediate total recanalization was conducted in all patients, and the leg diameters returned to normal ranges in the early postoperative period. Hospital mortality or severe complications were not detected. CONCLUSION: New thrombolytic devices seem to reduce in-hospital mortality risks and may potentially decrease post-thrombotic morbidity.

Intramyocardial Dissection following Postinfarction Ventricular Wall Rupture Contained by Surrounding Postoperative Adhesions.

Introduction. Dissection of the myocardium is a rare form of cardiac rupture, caused by a hemorrhagic dissection among the spiral myocardial fibers, its diagnosis is rarely established before the operation or death, and extremely few cases have been reported in the literature and none of these cases seem to have a history of previous cardiac surgery which makes our report unique. Case Presentation. A 61-year-old female patient was admitted into the emergency room with complaints of progressive chest pain for 2 days. She had a history of second time prosthetic aortic valve replacement and was under anticoagulation therapy. She was diagnosed with an acute inferoposterior myocardial infarction and underwent emergency coronary angiography revealing spontaneous recanalization of the right coronary artery. During the follow-up, she developed cardiogenic shock and a new occurring systolic ejection murmur. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a left ventricular free wall rupture; then, she was taken in for emergency surgery. During the operation, a rupture zone and a wide intramyocardial dissecting area were detected. Intraventricular patch repair technic with autologous pericardial patch was used to exclude the ruptured area. Following the warming period, despite adequate hemostasis, hemorrhage around suture lines progressively increased, leading to the patient's death. Conclusion. Pericardial adhesions might contain left ventricular rupture leading to intramyocardial dissection.

Case report: paravalvular leak as a complication of percutaneous catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

An increasing number of reports reveal the safety and efficacy of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation therapy even in patients with a history of prosthetic heart valve. This case report presents a 60 year old female patient who had a prosthetic mitral paravalvular leak as a complication of radiofrequency ablation. Surgery revealed a 15 mm hole and three broken knots in the posterolateral mitral annulus. This report demonstrates radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients with prosthetic mitral valve may cause a paravalvular leak likely as a result of thermal injury. Moreover, patient can be asymptomatic at first. The clinician should keep in mind such complication and the patient should be evaluated in terms of paravalvular leakage.

Femoral Nerve Palsy due to Anticoagulant Induced Retroperitoneal Hematoma.

A forty-one-year-old man who, sought evaluation for a sudden hip flexion contracture and groin pain with a history of mechanical mitral valve replacement, had been misdiagnosed and treated as having lumbar discopathy for two days. This patient finally was diagnosed with compressive femoral neuropathy due to warfarin-induced retroperitoneal hematoma and successfully managed nonoperatively. This case is reported in order to draw attention to this rare presentation.

A comparison of off-pump and on-pump coronary bypass surgery in patients with low EuroSCORE.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare postoperative short-term, mid-term and long-term outcomes of coronary artery bypass surgery performed with or without cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with a low European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation score. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 478 consecutive low risk patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery between January 2002 and December 2007 was performed. Of these patients, 83 cases had undergone on-pump and 395 cases had undergone off-pump coronary bypass surgery. The patients were assessed in terms peri-operative complications, survival, mortality due to cardiac events, need for rehospitalization and repeated coronary revascularization. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of preoperative characteristics, except for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The number of distal anastomosis per patient was significantly lower in the off-pump group than in the on-pump group (2.66 ± 0.74 vs. 3.21 ± 0.85, p < 0.001). Early mortality rates were similar in both groups (1.01% for the off-pump group and 1.2% for the on-pump group, p = 0.687). Neurological complications were significantly lower in the off-pump group than in the on-pump group (1.1% vs. 6%, p = 0.01). The mean follow-up period was 80 ± 19.1 months (range, 3-112 months). The need for revascularization during long-term follow-up was 10.1% in the off-pump group and 7.2% in the on-pump group (p = 0.416). The 5-year survival was 95.2 ± 1.1% and 95.5 ± 2.7% in the off-pump and on-pump groups, respectively (p = 0.8), whereas the 7-year survival was 91.9 ± 1.6% and 84.7 ± 6.8% in the off-pump and on-pump groups, respectively (p = 0.274). The 5-year revascularization-free period was 89.5 ± 1.6% and 89.7 ± 3.5% in the off-pump and on-pump groups, respectively (p = 0.785). The 7-year revascularization-free period was 71.1 ± 3.1% and 73.5 ± 7.3% in the off-pump and on-pump groups, respectively (p = 0.075). The 7-year event-free survival was 80.1 ± 2.2% and 73.4 ± 7.3% in the off-pump and on-pump groups, respectively (p = 0.377). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that off-pump cardiac surgery had advantages over on-pump cardiac surgery in the short term; however, both interventions had similar mid-term and long-term outcomes, when performed in low-risk patient.

Vascular complications of intra-aortic balloon pump usage in coronary bypass surgery: 18 years of experience.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the vascular complication incidence related to intra-aortic balloon pump usage during coronary bypass surgery and possible risk factors. METHODS: The retrospective study was conducted at Uludog University Hospital, Turkey, and comprised 147 cases in which intra-aortic balloon pump was used during coronary artery bypass surgery between January 1994 and December 2011. Data was examined in terms of age, gender, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking, peripheral vascular disease, pre-operative serum creatinine, history of congestive heart failure, left ventricular ejection fraction, previous infarction and cardiac functional capacity. Time, indication, treatment duration, technique of insertion and complications were recorded about the balloon insertion. Patients in whom peripheral vascular complication developed were evaluated with pulse examination, Doppler ultrasound and angiography. Logistic regression analyses were carried out with the purpose of determining the relation between pre-operative clinical variables and vascular complications and mortality. RESULTS: Of the total, 105 (71%) were males and 42 (28%) were females. The overall mean age was 62.4 +/- 10.1 years. Besides, 16 (41%) cases had diabetes mellitus and 30 (20%) had peripheral artery disease. The mean Euroscore was 7.6 +/- 4.8. Intra-aortic balloon pump was inserted in 16 (10.8%) due to pre-operative high risk and in 75 (51%) cases due to hypotension being non-responsive to inotropes. Balloon catheter was placed with percutaneous technique in 141 (96%) cases and sheath wasn't used in 44 (29%). The balloon stayed for 2.9 +/- 2.1 days on average. Balloon rupture developed in 1 (0.6%) case. Mortality resulted in 58 (39%) cases. Euroscore (p=0.012), staying in hospital (p=0.005), low ejection fraction (p=0.018), hypertension existence (p=0.003) in multivariate logistic regression analyses were found significant in terms of affecting mortality. Duration of therapy (p<0.001), existence of sheath (p=0.002), and existence of peripheral vascular disease (p<0.001) were found significant as factors affecting the development of vascular complication. CONCLUSION: Intra-aortic balloon pump provides mechanical circulation assistance during coronary artery surgery, but peripheral vascular system should be well evaluated in order to avoid vascular complications and the balloon catheter should be placed without the sheath if necessary. The duration of the therapy is a risk factor for the development of vascular complication.

Postoperative outcomes after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in EuroSCORE low- and high-risk women.

BACKGROUND: Many previous studies have reported that women who undergo coronary artery bypass grafting have higher perioperative morbidity and mortality rates than men. The use of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) has been suggested to decrease morbidity and mortality because the deleterious effects of cardiopulmonary bypass, particularly in high-risk patients, are avoided. The reduction in unwanted postoperative complications in women undergoing OPCAB surgery has not been extensively investigated. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare perioperative rates of morbidity and mortality and follow-up events after OPCAB in female patients assessed as high- or low-risk according to the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE). METHODS: The study included 377 adult female patients who underwent elective primary isolated OPCAB. The study patients were divided into 2 groups based on the Additive EuroSCORE: low-risk patients (group I, n = 301, EuroSCORE < 6) and high-risk patients (group II, n = 76, EuroSCORE > or = 6). RESULTS: Patient ages were 60.1 +/- 7.77 years in group I and 69.3 +/- 5.51 years in group II (P <.001). Compared to group I patients, group II patients had significantly higher Additive EuroSCORE (P <.001), predicted mortality rate (Logistic EuroSCORE) (P <.001), and Canada angina classification (P <.001) and higher rates of preoperative myocardial infarction (P <.001), peripheral vascular disease (P <.001), carotid artery disease (P <.005), and hypertension (P <.05). Occurrence of postoperative arrhythmia and mortality were significantly higher (P <.05) in group II. The observed mortality rate in group I was 1%, which was 41% of the predicted mortality rate (Logistic EuroSCORE) of 2.42 +/- 0.76. The observed mortality rate in group II was 5.3%, which was 79% of the predicted rate (6.74 +/- 2.89), but the difference was not significant (P = .2). Intensive care unit length of stay (P <.01) and ventilation times (P <.05) were longer for group II than group I, and the incidence of conversion to cardiopulmonary bypass was 1.6% versus 5.3%, respectively, in groups I and II (P = .08). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that OPCAB surgery is safe and seems to be an effective surgical technique for lowering rates of morbidity and mortality in high- and low-risk female patients.