Randomized comparison of vasodilator effects of iloprost versus diltiazem on flow and pathologic changes in radial arteries: mid-term angiographic control study of the comparison of vasodilators on radial artery vasospasm.

Background: The increasing prevalence of routine radial artery (RA) use in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has rendered the pharmacologic prevention of spasm of this artery a critical consideration in the early postoperative period and in the long-term outcome. In this study, we compared the effects of iloprost and diltiazem on vasospasm.

Methods: Seventy patients who underwent CABG with the RA were randomized into 2 groups, and the vasodilator effects of iloprost and diltiazem were studied prospectively.

Retrospective analysis of surgically treated infective endocarditis cases.

Background: Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) and native valve endocarditis (NVE) both cause high rates of morbidity and mortality and are significant health problems in our community. Optimal timing of the surgical intervention depends on the hemodynamic stability of the patient. In the present study, we retrospectively evaluated the clinical status, bacteriology, morbidity, and mortality parameters of infective endocarditis cases that were treated surgically.

Symptomatic coronary-subclavian steal syndrome due to total occlusion of proximal left subclavian artery.

Symptomatic coronary-subclavian steal occurs infrequently. We report a case involving angina pectoris in a patient with a patent left internal thoracic artery graft on the left anterior descending coronary artery and total occlusion of the proximal left subclavian artery.

Predictive risk factors for early mortality in operative treatment for chronic ischemic mitral insufficiency.

Background: The combination of coronary artery bypass grafting and mitral valve surgeries is closely associated with high in-hospital mortality and morbidity. In this study, we sought to analyze the factors that influence early mortality in 68 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting + mitral valve surgery due to ischemic mitral insufficiency.

Methods: Of 1183 patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery between April 2002 and June 2006, 68 patients (42 male and 26 female) 42 to 78 years of age (mean +/- SD, 59.

The effects of pentoxifylline on the myocardial inflammation and ischemia-reperfusion injury during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Background: Pentoxifylline (Ptx) decreases necessity of cell energy and inflammatory reactions via inhibition of 5'-nucleotidase (5'-NT). The aim of this study is to investigate whether the addition of Ptx into the cardioplegic solutions avoids myocardial inflammatory reactions and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury during extracorpereal circulation.

Methods: Between December 1999 and February 2002, we operated 75 patients with the diagnoses of atrial septal defect (ASD), ventricular septal defect (VSD), valve disease, and coronary disease.

Midterm results of off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery in 136 patients: an angiographic control study.

Background: Off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery may provide an alternative form of surgical revascularization by avoiding the complications of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). This study summarizes the midterm results of 136 off-pump bypass surgery patients.

Methods: Between January 2000 and March 2002, out of 178 surgical myocardial revascularizations, 136 (76.

Readmission and mortality in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery with fast-track recovery protocol.

The development of less invasive methods for myocardial revascularization such as "off-pump" cardiac surgery, and new methods of anesthesia and postoperative care protocols such as "fast-track recovery" (FTRC), have contributed to a significant reduction in postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay after cardiac surgical procedures. The objectives of this study were to identify perioperative risk factors of prolonged hospital stay, hospital mortality, and readmission rates in off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) patients undergoing the FTRC protocol. Eighty consecutive patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery with FTRC protocol were included in the study.

Comparison of the effects of lornoxicam versus diclofenac in pain management after cardiac surgery: A single-blind, randomized, active-controlled study.

Background: Inadequate pain management after cardiac surgery may result 10 in increased morbidity and length of hospital stay. Although opioids are the mainstay of postoperative analgesia, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be used instead to avoid the adverse effects (AEs) associated with opioids. Lornoxicam is a newly developed NSAID, the use of which is increasing.

Hemodynamic and transesophageal echocardiographic analysis of global and regional myocardial functions, before and immediately after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Aim: We investigated the effect of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery on global and regional myocardial function; before and immediately after coronary artery bypass grafting and 1 month after the operation.

Methods: Twenty-five patients who were undergoing elective CABG were evaluated. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was used to evaluate both global and regional myocardial function.

Surgical treatment of postinfarction left ventricular pseudoaneurysm.

In this report, we present two cases who had left ventricular pseudoaneurysm, resection, and repair was done successfully. The repair was performed with the aid of cardiopulmonary bypass. The neck of the pseudoaneurysm was closed with autologous fresh pericardial patch.

Left ventricular free-floating ball thrombus complicating aortic valve stenosis.

A 67-year-old man was referred for evaluation of near-syncopal attacks and left hemiparesis. Echocardiography revealed moderate to severe calcific aortic valve stenosis and a free-floating thrombus. Left ventricular (LV) systolic function was normal.

Hydatid disease of the interventricular septum causing pulmonary dissemination.

Pulmonary dissemination of a cardiac cyst is a rare condition. In the present study, we report a case of a 20-year-old patient with cardiac hydatosis located in the interventricular septum, which was previously diagnosed and treated as pulmonary hydatid disease. Diagnosis was made by spiral computed tomography and treated surgically with median sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass.