Efficacy of chronic statin therapy on major cardiac events after coronary artery bypass grafting: low-dose versus high-dose.

Aim: To investigate whether chronic statin treatment after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) protects patients from major cardiac events and provides percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) free survival.

Methods: A total of 232 patients with previous CABG and chronic statin therapy were selected retrospectively and were divided into two groups according to a dosage of atorvastatin per day, e. g.

Effects of perioperative statin treatment on postoperative atrial fibrillation and cardiac mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting: a propensity score analysis.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of perioperative statin treatment on postoperative atrial fibrillation and cardiac mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods: A total of 1890 patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass were analyzed retrospectively, of which 425 patients (22.4%) older than 70 were included in the study.

Impact of elevated serum estradiol/free testosterone ratio on male varicose veins in a prospective study.

Objective: Although some studies indicate an association between increased levels of estradiol and varicose veins in women, the role of sex hormones on varicose veins have a question mark in men.

Methods: We investigated estradiol-2/free testosterone (E2/fT) ratio relationship on varicosity in 100 male patients dividing them into two groups. Group A (n = 46) had varicose veins with endocrinological problems, especially infertility, whereas group B (n = 54) also had varicose veins but no endocrinological problems.

Isolated tricuspid valve repair for Libman-Sacks endocarditis.

Cardiac involvement is a well-known complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which can involve most cardiac components, including pericardium, conduction system, myocardium, heart valves, and coronary arteries. Libman-Sacks (verrucous) endocarditis is the characteristic cardiac valvular manifestation. Although isolated tricuspid valve involvement is quite rare, we report a patient with SLE who had tricuspid stenosis caused by Libman-Sacks endocarditis.

Comparison of one- and two-stage basilic vein transposition for arterio-venous fistula formation in haemodialysis patients: preliminary results.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the results of one-and two-stage basilic vein transposition (BVT) in haemodialysis patients.

Methods: This was a non-randomised, retrospective study between January 2007 and January 2012 on 96 patients who were diagnosed with end-stage renal failure (ESRF) (54 males, 42 females; mean age 43.6 ± 14 years) and underwent one- or two-stage BVT in our clinic.

Clinical and echocardiographic follow-up in pregnant patients with valvular heart disease.

Objectives: Pregnancy associated cardiovascular changes may result in a significant hemodynamic burden and can lead to morbidity and even mortality in women with cardiac disease. The present study aimed to evaluate clinical and echocardiographic follow-up in pregnant patients with valvular heart disease (VHD).

Study Design: The medical records of pregnant patients diagnosed with VHD from January 2004 to January 2011 were screened.

Oxidative DNA damage correlates with carotid artery atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients.

Oxidative stress is accepted as a nonclassical cardiovascular risk factor in chronic renal failure patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between oxidative DNA damage (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine/deoxyguanosine [8-OHdG/dG] ratio), oxidative stress biomarkers, antioxidant enzymes, and carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Forty chronic HD patients without known atherosclerotic disease and 48 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were included in the study.

Management of Cardiac Tamponade: A Comperative Study between Echo-Guided Pericardiocentesis and Surgery-A Report of 100 Patients.

Background. Cardiac tamponade (CT) represents a life-threatening condition, and the optimal method of draining accumulated pericardial fluid remains controversial. We have reviewed 100 patients with CT at our institution over a five-year period and compared the results of echo-guided pericardiocentesis, primary surgical treatment, and surgical treatment following pericardiocentesis with regard to functional outcomes.

Basilic vein transposition fistulas versus prosthetic bridge grafts in patients with end-stage renal failure.

Background: Basilic vein transposition fistulas (BVTFs) and prosthetic bridge grafts (PBGs) provide good vascular access for hemodialysis. To evaluate the patency and complication rates after arteriovenous fistula formation, a concurrent series of patients was reviewed.

Methods: Between September 2003 and September 2009, 147 hemodialysis access procedures were performed in 147 consecutive patients at Van Research and Training Hospital and Yuzuncu Yil University Hospital, Van, Turkey.

Management of traumatic popliteal vein injuries.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate different repair methods of popliteal vein injuries, and to assess the relationship between early patency and surgical outcome.

Methods: Thirty patients with popliteal vein injuries underwent surgical repair procedure at our hospital from March 2000 to April 2010. Patients who were haemodynamically unstable and those with massive bleeding from limb wounds were taken directly to the operating room.

Outcomes of De Vega versus biodegradable ring annuloplasty in the surgical treatment of tricuspid regurgitation (mid-term results).

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare De Vega semicircular annuloplasty and a new biodegradable ring annuloplasty technique in patients requiring surgical intervention for tricuspid valve disease with concomitant disease of the mitral valve.

Methods: Between January 2004 and May 2008, 129 consecutive patients underwent annuloplasty procedures to correct tricuspid valve regurgitation during a concomitant mitral valve operation requiring replacement. Additionally, 24 patients underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR), 11 underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), 5 underwent AVR plus CABG, 3 underwent mitral valve replacement plus atrial septal defect (ASD) closure, and 2 underwent ASD closure.

Beneficial effect of the addition of nitroglycerin to the cardioplegic solution on lipid peroxidation during coronary artery bypass surgery.

The effects of the addition of a nitric oxide (NO) donor to the cardioplegic solution on reperfusion injury and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are not known. Therefore, this work was conducted to determine the possible effects of nitroglycerin on LPO and reperfusion injury as a result of CABG. A prospective double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 30 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease who underwent CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass.