The preventive role of the posterior pericardial window in the development of late cardiac tamponade following heart valve surgery.

Objectives: It is reported that creating a window from the posterior pericardium into the left pleural cavity during coronary bypass surgeries reduces postoperative late cardiac tamponades. Although late tamponades are more common after heart valve surgeries, this procedure is not generally performed. The present study investigated whether creating a window has a preventive effect on the formation of late cardiac tamponade after heart valve surgeries.

Rapid ischemic preconditioning with a short reperfusion time prevents delayed paraplegia in a rabbit model.

Background: Surgery for thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms can be complicated by a significant incidence of neurogenic deficits due to spinal cord ischemia. In this study, we investigated whether ischemic preconditioning (IPC) improves neurologic outcome in a rabbit model.

Methods: Forty rabbits underwent infrarenal aortic occlusion.

Reduction of the sinotubular junction in patients undergoing ascending aortic replacement with coexisting aortic insufficiency.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Dilatation of the STJ may cause consequent aortic insufficiency (AI) in patients with normal aortic valve, in patients with ascending aortic aneurysm. In this study, we analyzed the results of ascending aorta replacement with STJ diameter reduction to correct consequent AI in patients with ascending aortic aneurysm.

Methods: Forty-five consecutive patients who had ascending aortic aneurysm underwent replacement of ascending aorta with reduction of the STJ diameter to correct AI.

Diagnostic value of hemoglobin A1c and fasting plasma glucose levels in coronary artery bypass grafting patients with undiagnosed diabetes mellitus.

Background: Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes are of utmost importance in preventing diabetic complications and improving short- and long-term outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of preoperative hemoglobin A1c (HbA(1c)) measurement, either alone or in combination with fasting plasma glucose (FPG), to detect glycometabolic disturbances among patients undergoing elective on-pump coronary surgery.

Methods: A total of 166 patients who underwent elective isolated on-pump coronary surgery were included.

Determinants of mortality in patients requiring prolonged intensive care unit stay after elective isolated on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Background: In up to 36% of patients undergoing cardiac surgery prolonged intensive care unit stay may be necessary. Mortality rates of these patients range from 11% to 94%, causing enormous clinical and ethical issues.

Aim: To identify preoperative, perioperative and postoperative risk factors of mortality in patients with prolonged intensive care unit stay after elective, isolated on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery can be completed safely in high risk patients.

Background: Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) grafting has the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality, compared to on-pump cardiac surgery.

Aim: We compared the early results of OPCAB lateral and posterior wall revascularisations in 'low', 'intermediate' and 'high' risk patients as defined by the EuroSCORE system.

Methods: Eighty-nine patients who underwent OPCAB with lateral and posterior wall revascularisation from January 2006 to December 2008 were included in this study.

Left ventricular aneurysm using the Dor technique: mid-term results.

Objective: We have retrospectively analyzed the early and the mid-term results of the operations for modified endoventricular circular patch plasty for left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) repair in our clinic.

Patients And Methods: Sixty-seven cases with anterior LVA were included in the study. Mean age of the patients were 64.

Cusp shaving for concomitant mild to moderate rheumatic aortic insufficiency.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the early and mid-term results of patients who underwent cardiac operations due to cardiac pathologies other than aortic valve (AV) disease, but also had mild-to-moderate aortic valve insufficiency that was repaired during the same session.

Methods: A total of 43 patients who underwent AV repair for mild-to-moderate aortic insufficiency between January 2003 and February 2009, in addition to the procedure performed for their main pathology necessitating the surgical intervention, were included in the present study. Cardiac function was evaluated, before and after the operation.

Comparison of figure-of-eight and simple wire sternal closure techniques in patients with non-microbial sternal dehiscence.

Objective: Sternal dehiscence is a serious and potentially devastating complication. The present study compared the effects of two sternal closure techniques, simple wire technique and figure-of-eight technique, on the development and outcome of non-microbial sternal dehiscence.

Methods: Medical records of all adult patients (n=6211) that underwent cardiac operations in our clinic through median sternotomy between January 2002 and August 2008 were retrospectively reviewed for the development of non-microbial sternal dehiscence.

Ring annuloplasty in chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation: encouraging early and midterm results.

Ischemic mitral regurgitation, a complication of myocardial infarction, is associated with a poor prognosis and can result in postinfarction congestive heart failure. The preferred treatment of its chronic form is a matter of debate. Herein, we report the early and midterm results in 44 patients with chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation in whom concomitant mitral ring annuloplasty and coronary revascularization were performed at our hospital.

Myocardial bridging of obtuse marginal branch of the left circumflex artery associated with congenital corrected transposition of the great arteries.

A 54-year-old male was admitted to the emergency department with progressive dyspnea and chest pain during exercise. Congenital corrected transposition of the great arteries was detected on echocardiography. Coronary angiography revealed myocardial bridging on the obtuse marginal branch of the left circumflex coronary artery.

Coronary-subclavian steal syndrome presenting with chest pain and syncope.

The present case is a 68-year-old patient with complaints of chest pain and syncopal attacks during physical activity of the left arm, for the last six months. He had a coronary artery bypass graft operation 10 years ago. Angiographic examination demonstrated total occlusion of the subclavian artery.

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm as a cause of right proximal coronary artery spasm.

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is an infrequent cardiac anomaly. Variations in the origin and course or distribution of the epicardial coronary arteries are rarely found in the population. SVA can be acquired, secondary to infectious, degenerative or traumatic processes.