Purple, stiff lesions resembling varicose veins on lower limb: certainly consider Kaposi sarcoma.

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) typically presents multiple cutaneous lesions of the lower extremities. Lesions can rarely mimic varicose veins without venous insufficiency, vascular or stasis ulcers. As the initial diagnosis of KS is generally determined clinically, a high index of suspicion and palpation of lesions are necessary for all patients with atypical presentations of varicose-like lesions of lower extremities.

The value of combined elevation of D-dimer and neopterin as a predictive parameter for early stage acute mesenteric ischemia: An experimental study.

Background The diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia is variable. Early diagnosis is important for reducing the mortality and morbidity rates. Aim This experimental study aims to investigate the diagnostic utility of D-dimer and neopterin as a marker for the early stage of acute mesenteric ischemia caused by occlusion of superior mesenteric artery.

Is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease a risk factor for epistaxis after coronary artery bypass graft surgery?

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has customarily been associated with increased surgical morbidity and mortality rates after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between epistaxis and COPD after CABG surgery.

Methods: There were 3 443 patients who consecutively underwent isolated CABG from January 2002 to March 2012.

Effects of topical hypothermia on postoperative inflammatory markers in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.

Background: We aimed to examine the effects of topical hypothermia on inflammatory markers in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.

Methods: Fifty patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass surgery were included the study. They were randomised to two groups.

Autonomic functions in acrocyanosis assessed by heart rate variability.

Objective: To evaluate the autonomic activity of patients with acrocyanosis by using heart rate variability indices.

Material And Methods: The study group consisted of 24 patients with acrocyanosis and the control group contained 22 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects. All subjects underwent 24-hour Holter monitoring.

Is cytoimmunological monitoring a safe follow-up method for heart transplantation patients?

The Aim Of The Study: The aim of the study is to show the effects of cytoimmunological monitoring and its role in the patient's follow-up period after heart transplantation.

Material And Methods: Between 2002 and 2009, 8 patients underwent heart transplantation at Gulhane Military Medical Academy Hospital. Seven patients were male.

Surgical repair of aneurysm of arteriovenous fistula in patients with chronic renal failure.

The Aim Of The Study: The aim of the study was to show the efficacy and results of aneurysm reconstruction that was developed for relieving the patients from pain and mass effects and to give an early hemodialysis option.

Material And Methods: Medical records were retrospectively screened over a period of 17 years to identify patients diagnosed with and surgically treated for aneurysm of an AV fistula. Twenty-eight patients were included in this study.

Pre-treatment before coronary artery bypass surgery improves post-operative outcomes in moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has traditionally been recognised as a predictor of poorer early outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of different COPD stages, as defined by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) spirometric criteria, on the early surgical outcomes in patients undergoing primary isolated non-emergency CABG.

Method: Between January 2008 and April 2012, 1 737 consecutive patients underwent isolated CABG in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of Gulhane Military Academy of Medicine; 127 patients with the diagnosis of moderate-risk COPD were operated on.

Delayed chylopericardium as a rare complication after combined mitral valve and coronary artery bypass surgery.

Chylopericardium is a rare complication of cardiac surgery that is performed from a midline sternotomy. Here we present a case of a 61-year-old male patient with late-onset postoperative chylopericardium following combined coronary artery bypass grafting and mitral valve surgery, and the applied treatment modality.

Comparison of results of autologous versus homologous blood transfusion in open-heart surgery.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine a method to decrease the use of homologous blood during openheart surgery using a simple blood-conservation protocol. We removed autologous blood from the patient before bypass and used isovolumetric substitution. We present the results of this protocol on morbidity and mortality of surgery patients from two distinct time periods.

The effects of perindopril on aortic elasticity and inflammatory markers in hypertensive patients.

Background: Inflammation plays an important role in hypertension and in atherosclerosis. Inflammatory changes induced even in prehypertensive subjects can lead to increased arterial stiffness. The effects of perindopril on both inflammatory and aortic elasticity markers were tested in hypertensive patients.

Anticoagulation after coronary artery surgery in patients with polycythemia vera: report of two cases.

Polycythemia vera is a myeloproliferative disorder associated with the thromboembolic events. Normalization of the hematocrit and elevated platelet counts is obligatory to reduce the thrombotic risk of patients with PV. Therapeutic strategies include phlebotomy, myelosuppressive agents, and, more recently, interferon-alpha.

Combination sedoanalgesia with remifentanil and propofol versus remifentanil and midazolam for elective cardioversion after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs in up to 50% of cardiac surgery patients and represents the most common postoperative arrhythmic complication. Elective cardioversion, a short but painful procedure, remains an option for patients who do not convert to sinus rhythm with medical therapy. Combinations of remifentanil (a potent analgesic with a short elimination time) with propofol (a hypnotic agent) or midazolam (a sedative agent) produce a synergistic interaction.

Do N-acetylcystein, beta-glucan, and coenzyme Q10 mollify myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury?

Background: N-acetylcysteine, beta-glucan, and coenzyme Q10 have been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on reperfusion injury. The aim of our study was to determine and evaluate the effects of these agents on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Methods: Forty-four New Zealand white rabbits, all female, weighing 2.

[Factors affecting the morbidity and mortality of surgical management of vascular gunshot injuries: missed arterial injury and disregarded vein repair].

Background: The aim of this study was to establish the clinical course and importance of missed arterial injuries and disregarded venous repair after surgery for gunshot injuries.

Methods: This retrospective study was performed on the operative results of 275 shotgun vascular injury patients' presented to our clinic between January 1992 and December 2004. All patients were analyzed from their medical files and operative notes.

Warfarin-induced skin necrosis after open heart surgery due to protein S and C deficiency.

Warfarin-induced skin necrosis is the rare but potentially devastating complication of anticoagulant therapy and commonly occurs in previously undetected C- and S-protein deficient patients. Because routine preoperative examination does not include protein C and S level measurement, detection of these patients preoperatively is generally not possible, which increases the risk of occurrence of this important complication. In this report we present and discuss such a patient, who died from warfarin-induced skin necrosis after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Risk factors for short- and long-term survival in patients undergoing re-replacement due to prosthetic valve dysfunction.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables on early, mid-, and long-term outcome of re-replacement of prosthetic valves. Between February 1989 and January 2004, 192 patients who were treated for prosthetic valve dysfunction were analyzed retrospectively using a computer-based databank system. Prosthetic valve re-replacements were performed, including 164 cases of second, 10 cases of third, and 2 cases of fourth valve re-replacement.