Exploring the Potential of Saphenous Vein Grafts Ex Vivo: A Model for Intimal Hyperplasia and Re-Endothelialization.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) utilizing saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) stands as a fundamental approach to surgically treating coronary artery disease. However, the long-term success of CABG is often compromised by the development of intimal hyperplasia (IH) and subsequent graft failure. Understanding the mechanisms underlying this pathophysiology is crucial for improving graft patency and patient outcomes.

Successful Treatment of Sternal Osteomyelitis and Mediastinitis Caused by Rhizopus Following Cardiac Surgery.

Sternal osteomyelitis and mediastinitis are rare yet severe complications post-cardiac surgery, often associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Fungal etiologies, particularly those caused by spp., are infrequent but can lead to aggressive infections.

Generation of a novel model to study re-endothelialization.

Endothelial dysfunction initiates the pathogenesis of a myriad of cardiovascular diseases, yet the precise underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Current model utilises mechanical denudation of arteries resulting in an arterial-injury model with onset of intimal hyperplasia (IH). Our study shows that 5 min enzymatic denudation of human umbilical artery (hUA) lumen at 37 °C efficiently denudes hUA while maintaining vessel integrity without significantly increase intima-media thickness after 7 days in culture.

arly u ervised ncremental esstance raining () following cardiac surgery via a median sternotomy: a study protocol of a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: There is no consistency in current practice pertaining to the prescription and progression of upper limb resistance exercise following cardiac surgery via median sternotomy. The aim of this study is to investigate whether less restrictive sternal precautions with the addition of early-supervised resistance training exercise improves upper limb function and facilitates recovery following median sternotomy.

Methods And Analysis: This is double-blind randomised controlled trial, with parallel group, concealed allocation, blinding of patients and assessors, and intention-to-treat analysis.

Retrospective review comparing intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy (alteplase) and surgical intervention in complex pleural effusion.

Background: Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy (IPFT) is one of the treatment options for complex pleural effusion. In this study, the IPFT agent used was alteplase, a tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). This study aims to determine the difference in the outcome of patients with complex pleural effusion between IPFT and surgery in terms of radiological improvement, inflammatory parameters, length of stay, and post-intervention complications.

Coatings in Decellularized Vascular Scaffolds for the Establishment of a Functional Endothelium: A Scoping Review of Vascular Graft Refinement.

Developments in tissue engineering techniques have allowed for the creation of biocompatible, non-immunogenic alternative vascular grafts through the decellularization of existing tissues. With an ever-growing number of patients requiring life-saving vascular bypass grafting surgeries, the production of functional small diameter decellularized vascular scaffolds has never been more important. However, current implementations of small diameter decellularized vascular grafts face numerous clinical challenges attributed to premature graft failure as a consequence of common failure mechanisms such as acute thrombogenesis and intimal hyperplasia resulting from insufficient endothelial coverage on the graft lumen.

Molecular Action of Hydroxytyrosol in Attenuation of Intimal Hyperplasia: A Scoping Review.

Hydroxytyrosol (HT), a polyphenol of olive plant is well known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties. The aim of this systematic search is to highlight the scientific evidence evaluating molecular efficiency of HT in halting the progression of intimal hyperplasia (IH), which is a clinical condition arises from endothelial inflammation. A systematic search was performed through PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus, based on pre-set keywords which are Hydroxytyrosol OR 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol, AND Intimal hyperplasia OR Neointimal hyperplasia OR Endothelial OR Smooth muscles.

Location and Patterns of Persistent Pain Following Cardiac Surgery.

Objectives: To investigate the specific clinical features of pain following cardiac surgery and evaluate the information derived from different pain measurement tools used to quantify and describe pain in this population.

Methods: A prospective observational study was undertaken at two tertiary care hospitals in Australia. Seventy-two (72) adults (mean age, 63±11 years) were included following cardiac surgery via a median sternotomy.

The Effects of Pro-Inflammatory and Anti-Inflammatory Agents for the Suppression of Intimal Hyperplasia: An Evidence-Based Review.

Anti-atherogenic therapy is crucial in halting the progression of inflammation-induced intimal hyperplasia. The aim of this concise review was to methodically assess the recent findings of the different approaches, mainly on the recruitment of chemokines and/or cytokine and its effects in combating the intimal hyperplasia caused by various risk factors. Pubmed and Scopus databases were searched, followed by article selection based on pre-set inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Development of an In Vitro Cardiac Ischemic Model Using Primary Human Cardiomyocytes.

Developing experimental models to study ischemic heart disease is necessary for understanding of biological mechanisms to improve the therapeutic approaches for restoring cardiomyocytes function following injury. The aim of this study was to develop an in vitro hypoxic/re-oxygenation model of ischemia using primary human cardiomyocytes (HCM) and define subsequent cytotoxic effects. HCM were cultured in serum and glucose free medium in hypoxic condition with 1% O ranging from 30 min to 12 h.

Selection of an appropriate left-sided double-lumen tube size for one-lung ventilation among Asians.

Context: Selecting an appropriate size double-lumen tube (DLT) for one-lung ventilation has always been a challenge as most choose it based on experience or using the existing guidelines based on gender and height.

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine if the appropriate choice of this tube could be based on the patients' height, weight, tracheal diameter (TD), or the left main stem bronchus diameter (LMBD) and also to determine the relationship between height and depth of insertion among Asians.

Subjects And Methods: This was a retrospective review of 179 patients who were intubated with a left-sided DLT and also had a posterior-anterior view of a digital chest radiograph for tracheal and left main bronchus diameter measurements.

Cardiomyogenic differentiation of human sternal bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells using a combination of basic fibroblast growth factor and hydrocortisone.

The alarming rate of increase in myocardial infarction and marginal success in efforts to regenerate the damaged myocardium through conventional treatments creates an exceptional avenue for cell-based therapy. Adult bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be differentiated into cardiomyocytes, by treatment with 5-azacytidine, thus, have been anticipated as a therapeutic tool for myocardial infarction treatment. In this study, we investigated the ability of basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF) and hydrocortisone as a combined treatment to stimulate the differentiation of MSCs into cardiomyocytes.

Chest tube entrapment: a simple solution for technical error.

Unrecognized chest tube entrapment by surgical closure is a technical error. We present a rare case of chest tube entrapment that was successfully treated with a simple and safe solution in an elderly man after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We visualized the suture using a small endoscope through the chest tube and incised it with the help of thoracoscopic scissors.

Pedunculated parietal pleural lesion: a rare presentation of bronchogenic cyst.

We present a 35-year-old man with a preoperative diagnosis of a right lower lobe cystic mass. Misled by a radiological suggestion of an intraparenchymal lesion, he had a thoracotomy and right lower lobectomy. An intraoperative finding of a pedunculated cyst arising from the parietal pleural with subsequent histopathology confirmation of a benign bronchogenic cyst, however, would have made a less invasive surgical excision more appropriate.

Chest tube injury to left ventricle: complication or negligence?

An injury to the left ventricle after a chest tube insertion is a rare but lethal phenomenon that is likely to occur if precautions are not seriously addressed. We present a 15-year-old girl who was diagnosed a left empyema thoracis. An attempt to place a chest drain in this young girl was almost fatal.

Figure-of-eight vs. interrupted sternal wire closure of median sternotomy.

Sternal dehiscence is a rare but devastating complication following median sternotomy for cardiac surgery. The optimal technique for sternal closure is unclear. We conducted this prospective randomized trial to compare the incidence of sternal dehiscence after figure-of-8 and simple interrupted suturing in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

Is 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 safe in coronary artery bypass graft surgery?

The aim of this study was to compare 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 with 4% succinylated gelatin for priming the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit and as volume replacement in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass, in terms of postoperative bleeding, blood transfusion requirements, renal function, and outcome after surgery. Forty-five patients received 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.

Pocket-sized Heimlich valve (Pneumostat) after bullae resection: a 5-year review.

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the practicability, effectiveness, and potential complications of a newly improvised pocket-sized Heimlich valve named the Pneumostat (Atrium Medical Corp, Hudson, NH).

Description: This was a retrospective review of 98 patients who underwent bullae resection after recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax at our center from January 2002 until June 2007. Data from the patients' files were collected and analyzed.

Comminuted sternal fracture -- a sternotomy wire fixation: report of 2 cases.

Various techniques of sternal stabilization via either metal plates or wires have been described. We describe an alternative technique of simple median sternotomy followed by reduction and wire fixation of the sternal fracture. The 2 patients described in this report had traumatic comminuted and displaced sternal fractures.