Remote ischaemic preconditioning down-regulates kinin receptor expression in neutrophils of patients undergoing heart surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Remote ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) may protect distant organs against ischaemia-reperfusion injury. We investigated the impact of RIPC on kinin receptor expression in neutrophils following RIPC in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: Patients undergoing elective CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were randomized to RIPC (n = 15) or control (n = 15) groups. The study group underwent RIPC by inflation of a blood pressure cuff on the arm. Expression of kinin receptors, plasma concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α and neutrophil elastase were determined at baseline (before RIPC/sham), immediately before surgery (after RIPC/sham) and 30 min and 24 h after surgery. Plasma bradykinin levels were assessed before and after RIPC/sham, and at 30 min, 6, 12 and 24 h after surgery. Serum creatine kinase (CK), troponin I, C-reactive protein (CRP) and lactate levels were measured immediately prior to surgery and 30 min, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after surgery. RESULTS: Kinin B2 receptor expression did not differ between the groups at baseline (pre-RIPC), but was significantly lower in the RIPC group than in the control group after RIPC/sham (P < 0.05). Expressions of both kinin B1 and B2 receptors were significantly down-regulated in the RIPC group, and this persisted to 24 h after surgery (P < 0.001). Neutrophil elastase levels were significantly increased after surgery. There were no differences in CK, CRP, cytokine, lactate or troponin I levels between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: RIPC down-regulated the expression of kinin B1 and B2 receptors in neutrophils of patients undergoing CABG.

Sternotomy and crutches.

The use of crutches following a sternotomy raises the concern of sternal dehiscence. We discuss secure reinforced sternal closure, classify sternal distractional forces and discuss the postoperative mobilization process.

Salvage resection of a large chemorefractory mediastinal germ cell tumor.

Immature mediastinal teratomas refractory to chemotherapy are very rare and require management by an aggressive surgical approach. We describe resection of a large mediastinal teratoma in a 23-year-old man, with a satisfactory early result.

Remote ischemic preconditioning stimulus decreases the expression of kinin receptors in human neutrophils.

BACKGROUND: Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) has been shown to reduce ischemic-reperfusion injury and is induced by brief forearm ischemia. Kinins are known to be involved in RIPC and act via the G protein coupled B1 and B2 receptors. Interaction of the kinins with their respective receptors causes receptor internalization, thereby reducing the potential for further activation. This may be critical for the protective effect of RIPC and if so, we hypothesized, would significantly decrease the expression of kinin receptors on the surface of neutrophils. METHODS: The study was performed on five healthy human volunteers. The left forearm was rendered ischemic for three 5-min periods, each separated by 5 min of reperfusion. Three venous blood samples were taken from the right arm, one before and two after RIPC. Neutrophil isolation, immunofluorescence labeling, and confocal microscopy were performed. Mean pixel intensity data were generated using a fixed circular area of interest (AOI, 40×40 µm). For every image, the AOI was placed over a cell and the mean pixel intensity was recorded. The mean intensity was expressed as pixel×10(2)/µm(2) and presented as mean±SEM. Immunofluorescence at the different time points was compared by one way analysis of variance with Bonferroni's post-hoc test. A P value<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The mean pixel intensity for kinin B1 receptors was decreased at 24 h after RIPC compared with both baseline and 15 min after RIPC (P<0.001). Similarly, the intensity for B2 receptor labeling on neutrophils was significantly decreased 24 h after RIPC compared with the baseline value (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: RIPC decreases expression of kinin receptors on circulating human neutrophils. Reduction in kinin surface receptors suggests internalization of receptors and is consistent with the concepts of kinin receptor activation and their role in RIPC.

Papillary fibroelastoma of the interventricular septum: mimicking a cardiac myxoma.

Papillary fibroelastomas are benign cardiac tumors that involve cardiac valves. These tumors are usually asymptomatic and are found incidentally during cardiac surgery or during echocardiographic evaluation in a patient who exhibits cardiac symptoms. However, these tumors may cause major thromboembolic complications. Herein, we describe the surgical management of a patient who had an unusual appearance and location of a papillary fibroelastoma that was attached to the interventricular septum.

Remote ischemic conditioning: evolution of the concept, mechanisms, and clinical application.

Remote ischemic conditioning is a novel concept of protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury. Brief controlled episodes of intermittent ischemia of the arm or leg may confer a powerful systemic protection against prolonged ischemia in a distant organ. This conditioning phenomenon is clinically applicable and can be performed before--preconditioning, during--perconditioning, or after--postconditioning prolonged distant organ ischemia. The remote ischemic conditioning may have an immense impact on clinical practice in the near future.

Use of the Seldinger type movement over a J-shaped stylet for left ventricular vent insertion.

Access through the right superior pulmonary vein is a commonly used route for left ventricular vent insertion. Complex reshaping of the stylet and vent into a certain position or external guidance do not guarantee successful placement. In this article we describe a modified technique where the stylet sets up the position to allow consistent atraumatic advancement of the catheter across the mitral valve.

Moderate exposure to allogeneic blood products is not associated with reduced long-term survival after surgery for coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that blood transfusion has an adverse effect on long-term health, mainly through immune modulation and tumor promotion. To further assess this concern, the authors have performed a prospective observational study with the hypothesis that after taking perioperative risk factors relevant to long-term survival into account, patients undergoing coronary artery surgery who receive a perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion have worse long-term survival than those who do not. METHODS: The health outcomes of 1,841 consecutive subjects who had isolated nonemergency first-time coronary artery surgery and who survived more than 60 days after surgery were determined by record linkage. The association between length of survival, blood products transfused, and risk factors for long-term survival at entry to the study were determined by Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: A total of 1,062 subjects were transfused. Of these, 266 subjects died during a mean follow-up of 8.1 yr. Of subjects who were transfused, 27% had a new malignant condition recorded on the death certificate, compared with 43% who were not transfused. Older age, cerebrovascular disease, use of a mammary graft, chronic pulmonary disease, renal dysfunction, reduced left ventricular function, and preoperative anemia were predictive of reduced long-term survival. There was no association between transfusion of blood products and long-term survival. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who have undergone coronary artery surgery and who have received moderate amounts of blood as part of responsible and conservative management should be reassured that they are unlikely to experience a reduction in long-term survival.

Translocation of prosthetic aortic valve in advanced prosthetic valve endocarditis.

Advanced prosthetic valve endocarditis is often associated with substantial destruction of the tissues adjacent to the prosthesis. Removal of the infected prosthesis and débridement of the infected tissues make implantation of a new prosthesis challenging. Herein, we discuss successful surgical aortic valve translocation in a 50-year-old man who had advanced acute prosthetic valve endocarditis with destruction of the aortic annulus. One year after being discharged from the hospital, the patient was asymptomatic with good exercise tolerance.

Mitral valve leaflet abscess complicating infective endocarditis.

Infective endocarditis is a life threatening condition with high morbidity and mortality. We present a case report of a young female who had a rare complication of infective endocarditis in the form of mitral valve leaflet abscess. Patient underwent successful surgical treatment with valve replacement.

Value of multislice CT scan in redo cardiac surgery with previous Lita graft.

Redo cardiac surgery is commonly performed in the current era. We describe a clinical scenario in a patient with a patent left internal thoracic artery to left anterior descending artery graft, requiring replacement of ascending aortic aneurysm with previous coronary artery bypass operation complicated by mediastinitis. A pre-operative 64 slice computed tomographic scan helped us plan and perform replacement of ascending aorta safely.

"Gumnut" device for off-pump proximal aortocoronary anastomosis.

Use of side-biting clamps in patients with coronary artery disease and atheromatous disease of ascending aorta, undergoing coronary artery surgery can lead to major postoperative neurological events. We describe the use of a simple device to avoid use of side-biting clamp on aorta for proximal aortocoronary anastomosis.

Thrombus straddling an atrial septal defect: surgical prevention of massive pulmonary and systemic embolization.

A large thrombus entrapped in an atrial septal defect is a rare condition that can lead to life-threatening systemic and pulmonary embolization. The use of thrombolysis may prove dangerous to the patient. Herein, we describe the emergency surgical management that contributed to a successful outcome in a 67-year-old man who was found to have a 23-cm-long thrombus across an atrial septal defect.

Spontaneous subscapular abscess: a rare surgical condition.

Subscapular abscess is a rare clinical problem. Herein we describe a young male patient who presented with a subscapular abscess and was managed successfully with surgical drainage and debridement of the cavity.

Papillary fibroelastoma of aortic valve: diagnosis and surgical management.

Papillary fibroelastoma (PFE) is a rare and benign cardiac tumour that mainly affects the valves. This tumour has the potential to cause serious life threatening thromboembolic complications. Herein, we describe successful excision of an aortic valve papillary fibroelastoma. The importance of valve sparing tumour resection is emphasised.