Multiple right coronary artery fistulas to coronary sinus: A case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Coronary arteriovenous fistula is a rare congenital or acquired abnormal connection between a coronary artery and any of the great vessels or any of the heart chambers. Most of them are diagnosed during routine coronary angiography. CASE REPORT: This case report illustrates a successful surgical ligating of multiple right coronary artery and circumflex artery fistulas to coronary sinus. CONCLUSION: According to our experience and literature review, it can be concluded that to prevent potential complications in various cases of coronary arteriovenous fistula, early surgical management, just after their condition has been diagnosed, is the best choice.

Obstructive sleep apnea and postoperative complications in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a need for preventive strategies.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is very frequent and often unrecognized in surgical patients. OSA is associated with perioperative complications. We evaluated the effects of OSA on postoperative complications and hospital outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. METHODS: Candidates of elective CABG were evaluated by the Berlin questionnaire for OSA. After surgery, patients were assessed for postoperative complications, re-admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), duration of intubation, re-intubation, days spent in the ICU and the hospital. RESULTS: We studied 61 patients who underwent CABG from which 25 (40.9%) patients had OSA. Patients with OSA had higher body mass index (29.5 ± 3.9 vs. 26.0 ± 3.7 kg/m(2), P = 0.003) and higher frequency of hypertension (68.0% vs. 30.5%, P = 0.003), dyslipidemia (36.0% vs. 5.5%, P = 0.004), and pulmonary disease (16.0 vs. 2.7%, P = 0.08). Regarding the surgical outcomes, OSA patients had longer intubation duration (0.75 ± 0.60 vs. 0.41 ± 0.56 days, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Obstructive sleep apnea is frequent, but unrecognized among patients undergoing CABG. In these patients, OSA is associated with prolonged intubation duration. Preventing these problems may be possible by early diagnosis and management of OSA in cardiac surgery patients. Further studies with larger sample of patients and longer follow-ups are required in this regard.

Combination of atorvastatin/coenzyme Q10 as adjunctive treatment in congestive heart failure: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure is one of the leading causes of mortality, is a final common pathway of several cardiovascular diseases, and its treatment is a major concern in the science of cardiology. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of addition of the coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)/atorvastatin combination to standard congestive heart failure (CHF) treatment versus addition of atorvastatin alone on CHF outcomes. METHODS: This study was a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial. In the present study, 62 eligible patients were enrolled and randomized into 2 groups. In the intervention group patients received 10 mg atorvastatin daily plus 100 mg CoQ10 pearl supplement twice daily, and in the placebo group patients received 10 mg atorvastatin daily and the placebo of CoQ10 pearl for 4 months. For all patients echocardiography was performed and blood sample was obtained for determination of N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein levels. Echocardiography and laboratory test were repeated after 4 months. The New York Heart Association Function Class (NYHA FC) was also determined for each patient before and after the study period. RESULTS: Data analyses showed that ejection fraction (EF) and NYHA FC changes differ significantly between intervention and placebo group (P = 0.006 and P = 0.002, respectively). Changes in other parameters did not differ significantly between study groups. CONCLUSION: We deduce that combination of atorvastatin and CoQ10, as an adjunctive treatment of CHF, increase EF and improve NYHA FC in comparison with use of atorvastatin alone.

Does percutaneous nephrolithotomy cause elevated cardiac troponins?

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is the treatment of choice in large and staghorn renal stones, and myocardial infarction is one the possible complications during and after the surgery. We investigated if renal and skeletal muscle injury, caused by percutaneous nephrolithotomy, can cause elevation in cardiac troponins (cTn). METHODS: This study was conducted on otherwise healthy patients with renal stone undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy. A baseline 12-lead electrocardiogram, echocardiography, and cTn assessment confirmed no cardiac pathology in any patients. Cardiac troponins T (cTnT) and I (cTnI), and also creatine kinase (CK) were assessed before and after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients (69.1% males, mean age: 40.5 ± 13.8 year) were included. Serum creatinine level ranged from 0.7 to 1.3 mg/dl (mean = 1.03 ± 0.17). The level of CK was significantly increased by 469.5 ± 201.4 U/l (P < 0.001), and no positive cTnT or cTnI was observed after surgery. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study showed that renal cell injury, caused by percutaneous nephrolithotomy, is not associated with elevated cardiac troponins. These findings show that increasing troponins in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy indicate a cardiovascular pathology.

Which technique is suitable for management of acute myocardial infarction following coronary artery bypass surgery, rescue percutaneous coronary intervention or open heart surgery? A case-series studies.

One of the serious complications followingcoronary artery bypass surgery is postoperative acute myocardial infarction commonly due to graft thrombosis, kinking, or spasm. Two recommended approaches for management of this event includeRescue percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and urgent open heart surgery. In the present case series, we described and compared early and long-term results of rescue PCI and reoperation in patients with three-vessel coronary artery disease undergoing CABG postoperatively and suffered acute myocardial infarction.

Five chambered heart or large atrial appendage aneurysm: A report of two cases.

BACKGROUND: Isolated intrapericardial LAA aneurysm is a rare cardiac anomaly which manifests with angina, dyspnea on exertion (DOE), systemic embolization, arrhythmia, and congestive heart failure. CASE REPORT: A 30-year-old female and a 46-year-old male were referred for evaluation of abnormal cardiac contour on chest radiograph and echocardiographic findings and non-specific symptoms. Transesophageal echocardiography suggested left atrial appendage (LAA) mass filled with clots. The mass had no compression on cardiac chambers and global ejection fraction was within normal limits. The intraoperative diagnosis was isolated congenital LAA aneurysm. After confirmation of the diagnosis, it was resected. She was discharged with uneventful postoperative course. At follow-up she was asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: These cases demonstrate the role of on-time surgical approaches in the prevention of fatal complication of this rare cardiac anomaly.