Perioperative Use of Erythromycin Reduces Cognitive Decline After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery: A Pilot Study.

Objectives: Adverse neurologic outcome can be a debilitating complication after cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential neuroprotective action of erythromycin, a well known antibiotic agent, regarding postoperative cognitive decline in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Methods: Forty patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting surgery were prospectively randomly assigned in 2 groups: the erythromycin group (n = 19) who received erythromycin at a dose of 25 mg/kg before and after surgery and the control group (n = 21) who did not receive it.

Why are thoracic operations postponed?

Aim: To investigate and present the reasons that cause the postponement of thoracic surgical operations.

Methods: We retrospectively included in the study all patients submitted to elective thoracic surgery in our department during the 4-year period 2007-2010 and noted all cases of postponement after official inclusion in the operating schedule.

Results: 81 out of a total of 542 patients (14.

Blood flow measurements within optic nerve head during on-pump cardiovascular operations. A window to the brain?

This observational study is conducted to demonstrate optic nerve head (ONH) blood flow alterations during extracorporeal circulation (ECC) in routine on-pump cardiovascular operations in order to evaluate the perfusion status of important autoregulatory tissue vascular beds during moderate hypothermia. Twenty-one patients free from eye disease were prospectively enrolled in our database. Perioperative ONH blood flow measurements were performed using a hand-held portable ocular laser Doppler flowmeter just after administration of general anesthesia and during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) upon the lowest temperature point of moderate hypothermia.

Deep anaesthesia reduces postoperative analgesic requirements after major urological procedures.

Background And Objective: There is evidence from previous studies that deeper anaesthetic levels reduce postoperative pain along with analgesic requirements. The aim of this study was to confirm this observation during major urological procedures under sevoflurane anaesthesia.

Methods: Seventy ASA I or II patients undergoing radical prostatectomy or nephrectomy were randomly allocated into two groups: the L-BIS group with BIS (bispectral index scale) values kept within a range of 20-30 and the H-BIS group with values within the range of 50-60.

Endovascular stent-graft repair of major abdominal arteriovenous fistula: a systematic review.

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of endovascular stent-graft repair of major abdominal arteriovenous fistulas.

Methods: The English literature was systematically searched using the MEDLINE electronic database up to January 2009. All reports on endovascular stent-graft repair of major abdominal arteriovenous fistula were considered.

Prevention of nosocomial maxillary sinusitis in the ICU: the effects of topically applied alpha-adrenergic agonists and corticosteroids.

Objective: We investigated the efficacy of locally applied nasal decongestant agents and corticosteroids for preventing nosocomial maxillary sinusitis in mechanically ventilated patients with multiple trauma.

Design And Setting: A prospective, open-label randomized study in two intensive care units (ICUs).

Patients: 79 consecutive multiple trauma patients admitted to the ICU who were expected to be mechanically ventilated for more than 3 days.

Diltiazem versus amiodarone to prevent atrial fibrillation in coronary surgery.

The prophylactic effect of amiodarone on atrial fibrillation after coronary bypass grafting with extracorporeal circulation was compared with that of diltiazem in two groups of 60 patients each. Patients were monitored continuously for 8 days. The incidence of atrial fibrillation was recorded retrospectively in a control group of 60 patients who received our standard prophylactic regimen of an oral beta blocker.