Surgical placement of left ventricular lead for cardiac resynchronisation therapy after failure of percutaneous attempt.

Objective: Cardiac resynchronisation therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment to improve functional status and prolong survival of patients in advanced chronic heart failure. This study assessed the surgical outcomes of left anterior mini-thoracotomy for the implantation of left ventricular epicardial pacing leads in cardiac resynchronisation therapy.

Methods: Our study consisted of 30 consecutive patients who underwent cardiac resynchronisation therapy with a left thoracotomy between November 2010 and April 2012 in our clinic.

The Comparison between Minimally Invasive Coronary Bypass Grafting Surgery and Conventional Bypass Grafting Surgery in Proximal LAD Lesion.

Background: Minimally invasive bypass grafting surgery has entered the clincal routine in several centers around the world, with an increasing popularity in the last decade. In our study, we aimed to make a comparison between minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting surgery and conventional bypass grafting surgery in isolated proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) lesions.

Methods: Between January 2004 and December 2011, patients with proximal LAD lesions, who were treated with robotically assisted minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery and conventional bypass surgery, were included in the study.

Comparison of Renoprotective Effect of Dabigatran With Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin.

Objective: The susceptibility of tissue to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a major obstacle to tissue regeneration and cellular survival. In this study, we investigated the possible renoprotective effect of dabigatran in an experimental renal I/R model.

Method: A total of 25 rats were randomly divided into 5 equal groups.

Angiographic evaluation of graft patency in robotic-assisted coronary artery bypass surgery: 8 year follow-up.

Background: Robotic telemanipulation systems have emerged as facilitating tools that enhance minimally invasive cardiac surgery.The purpose of this study was to evaluate graft patency by a combination of invasive and non-invasive coronary angiography methods in robotic-assisted coronary artery surgery(CABG) for optimal quality control.

Methods: Between April 2004 and February 2012, patients who had robotic-assisted CABG were called to have cardiac catheterization or multislice computed tomographic angiography to evaluate graft patency.

Bone cement-enhanced sternal closure technique in cardiac surgery: effects on sternal union, pain and life quality.

Background: Median sternotomy provides excellent access to all mediastinal structures in patients undergoing conventional cardiovascular surgery. Although this incision technique is associated with relatively lower complication rates, certain complications such as the sternal dehiscence may pose serious health consequences. In this regard, considerable effort has been paid to develop techniques aiming to improve sternal healing and to enhance postoperative recovery after conventional cardiac surgery.

New technique for single-staged repair of aortic coarctation and coexisting cardiac disorder.

The management of adults with aortic coarctation and a coexisting cardiac disorder is still a surgical challenge. Single-staged procedures have lower postoperative morbidity and mortality rates than do 2-staged procedures. We present our experience with arch-to-descending aorta bypass grafting in combination with intracardiac or ascending aortic aneurysm repair.

[Comparison of the results of irrigated monopolar and bipolar radiofrequency ablation in the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation].

Objective: Chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent arrhythmia in patients undergoing open-heart surgery. In this study, we compared the results of irrigated monopolar and bipolar radiofrequency (RF) ablation in the surgical treatment of AF.

Methods: Sixty-three patients with chronic AF, who underwent open cardiac surgery and concomitant irrigated RF ablation between October 2004 and January 2006, were retrospectively studied in two groups.

Comparison of three different surgical methods in aortic root aneurysms: long-term results.

Background: Degenerative ascending aortic aneurysms frequently present with aortic valve pathology. If only the noncoronary sinus of Valsalva is dilated, replacement of the noncoronary sinus by tailoring the supracoronary graft with or without aortic valve replacement (AVR) can be a simple operation strategy. We sought to describe our experiences in this kind of operation, and compare them with a relatively homogeneous group of patients who underwent the classical Bentall operation.

Robotically enhanced coronary artery bypass grafting: the feasibility and clinical outcome of 196 procedures.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of robotically enhanced myocardial revascularization and to present the clinical outcome of 196 patients.

Methods: All internal thoracic arteries were harvested with the aid of a robotic surgical system. While off-pump revascularization techniques were mostly used, peripheral cardiopulmonary bypass was needed in some cases with multivessel disease.

Right atrial pacemaker lead thrombosis causing tricuspid inflow obstruction.

A 75-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a complaint of progressive dyspnea with effort. The patient had a permanent pacemaker that was implanted 16 years ago. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed a large, mobile mass in the right atrium attaching to the insertion site of the atrial lead at the tricuspid valve level.

Cardiac tamponade and pulmonary embolism as a complication of percutaneous vertebroplasty.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a useful and safe therapeutic intervention to stabilize vertebral fractures. Rarely, cement leakage into the paravertebral venous system may result in embolization of its particles into the right cardiac chambers and pulmonary artery. We experienced a case of a 64-year-old woman who was diagnosed through echocardiography as having cardiac tamponade.

Presence of fatty-acid-binding protein 4 expression in human epicardial adipose tissue in metabolic syndrome.

Background: Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of different clinical manifestations that are risk factors for atherothrombotic cardiovascular disorders. Fatty-acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4/aP2), which is highly expressed in adipocytes, specifically exerts intracellular lipid trafficking. A high level of fatty-acid-binding protein 4 expression present in obese subjects has also been found in mice and humans, especially in macrophages at atherosclerotic lesions.

Transesophageal echocardiographic assessment of a floating thrombus located in the ascending aorta.

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has become a unique imaging technique that provides improved visualization of aorta because of its proximity to the esophagus. It is a reliable method for the diagnosis of thoracic aorta diseases and detection of protruding atheromas or thrombi as sources of systemic emboli. We report a case in which TEE revealed a floating aortic thrombus located in the ascending aorta in a patient with chronic renal failure.

Mid-term results of peripheric cannulation after port-access surgery.

Several minimally invasive approaches, avoiding median sternotomy, have been described within the last few years for cardiac surgery. Femoral arterial and venous cannulation for extracorporeal perfusion are required for many of these operations. The aim of this report is to assess the long-term outcomes of femoral cannulations in patients who underwent minimally invasive procedures.

Robotics in cardiac surgery: the Istanbul experience.

Background: Robots are sensor-based tools capable of performing precise, accurate and versatile actions. Initially designed to spare humans from risky tasks, robots have progressed into revolutionary tools for surgeons. Tele-operated robots, such as the da Vinci (Intuitive Surgical, Mountain View, CA), have allowed cardiac procedures to start benefiting from robotics as an enhancement to traditional minimally invasive surgery.

Video-assisted bilateral epicardial pulmonary vein isolation for the treatment of lone atrial fibrillation.

Background: This paper aims to evaluate the feasibility and the efficacy of a new off-pump, bilateral thoracoscopic pulmonary vein isolation technique in patients with lone atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Between April 2004 and February 2006, 26 drug-resistant and symptomatic lone atrial fibrillation patients (18 permanent, 8 paroxysmal) underwent an irrigated radiofrequency ablation procedure using the Cardioblate ablation system (Medtronic, Minnesota). There were 16 men and 10 women with a mean age of 55 +/- 11 years.