Endocan Is an Independent Predictor of Heart Failure-Related Mortality and Hospitalizations in Patients with Chronic Stable Heart Failure.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is characterized by unfavorable prognosis. Disease trajectory of HF, however, may vary, and risk assessment of patients remains elusive. In our study, we sought to determine the prognostic impact of endocan-a novel biomarker of endothelial dysfunction and low-grade inflammation-in patients with heart failure.

Perioperative ascorbic acid supplementation does not reduce the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation in on-pump coronary artery bypass graft patients.

Background: Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia following cardiac surgery. It is associated with increased hemodynamic instability, systemic embolization, and complications linked to anticoagulant therapy. Oxidative stress and consequent electrophysiological remodeling have been proposed as a cause of postoperative atrial fibrillation.

Intraoperative transcranial doppler ultrasonography monitoring of cerebral blood flow during coronary artery bypass grafting.

Perioperative neurologic events in heart surgery are the most devastating complications. Brain is the only organ not routinely monitored by any direct method during the administration of anesthesia. Brain monitoring with transcranial Doppler is of particular value when the brain is at risk of cerebral hyper- or hypoperfusion, gaseous or particulate embolization, or their combined effects.