The Effect of Circadian Melatonin Levels on Inflammation and Neurocognitive Functions Following Coronary Bypass Surgery.

Purpose: In this study, the relationship between the plasma levels of melatonin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), which plays role in several intercellular interactions including inflammatory and immune responses, and early neurocognitive functions associated with ischaemia-reperfusion injury during open heart surgery is examined.

Methods: Forty patients who were to undergo elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were divided into two groups, those who underwent their operations at 8 AM (group I; n = 20) and those who underwent their operations at 1 PM (group II; n = 20). Blood samples were collected prior to surgery (S1), when the aortic cross clamp was removed (S2) and 4 (S3) and 24 h after the surgery (S4).

Recurrent Prosthetic Mitral Valve Dehiscence due to Infective Endocarditis: Discussion of Possible Causes.

Prosthetic valves are being widely used in the treatment of heart valve disease. Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) is one of the most catastrophic complications seen in these patients. In particular, prosthetic valve dehiscence can lead to acute decompensation, pulmonary edema, and cardiogenic shock.

Short-term and mid-term results with the Sorin Freedom Solo aortic valve.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The study aim was to present the short- and mid-term results for patients who underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) with the Sorin Freedom Solo third-generation stentless prosthetic valve.

Methods: AVR with a Sorin Freedom Solo valve was performed in 14 patients between March 2006 and March 2011. Patients aged > or = 60 years (male:female ratio 6:8; mean age 73.

Isolated ruptured inter-atrial septal cystic echinococcosis during pregnancy.

Herein, we present a case of asymptomatic isolated cardiac cystic echinococcosis localized entirely to the inter-atrial septum in a pregnant woman. The patient underwent successful surgery. Cardiac cystic echinococcosis is rarely seen in pregnancy.

Lateral cavoatriotomy for partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection to the superior vena cava.

Purpose: Surgical correction of the partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection (PAPVC) draining into the superior vena cava (SVC) has been associated with sinus node dysfunction and venous return obstruction, postoperatively. We present the results of our lateral cavoatriotomy approach with little modifications to avoid injury to the sinus node and its artery.

Methods: 32 patients who underwent surgical repair of PAPVC to SVC with modified lateral cavoatriotomy in our clinic between January 2003 and January 2009 were evaluated retrospectively.

Contribution of giant aneurysm of a membranous ventricular septal defect to right ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

Perimembranous defects are the most common types of ventricular septal defects (VSDs). In many cases, an aneurysm accompanies this defect. The aneurysm can have advantageous consequences on defect hemodynamics.

Urgent surgical management for embolized occluder devices in childhood: single center experience.

Background: In this study, we sought to analyze our experience in urgent surgical management for embolized cardiac septal and ductal occluder devices resulting from trans-catheter closure of atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus in childhood patient group.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 9 patients (aged 2-15 years) who underwent urgent surgery due to cardiac septal and ductal occluder embolization between January 2007 and December 2010. Congenital defects were atrial septal defect (n = 6), ventricular septal defect (n = 1), and patent ductus arteriosus (n = 2).

Treatment outcomes of postoperative mediastinitis in cardiac surgery; negative pressure wound therapy versus conventional treatment.

Background: The aim of the present study is to compare negative pressure wound therapy versus conventional treatment outcomes at postoperative mediastinitis after cardiac surgery.

Methods: Between January 2000 and December 2011, after 9972 sternotomies, postoperative mediastinitis was diagnosed in 90 patients. The treatment modalities divided the patients into two groups: group 1 patients (n = 47) were initially treated with the negative pressure wound therapy and group 2 patients (n = 43) were underwent conventional treatment protocols.

Cardiovasular changes after placement of a classic endotracheal tube, double-lumen tube, and Laryngeal Mask Airway.

Study Objective: To compare hemodynamic responses, P wave dispersion (Pd), and QT dispersion (QTd) after placement of a classic endotracheal tube (ETT), double-lumen tube (DLT), or Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA).

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Outpatient surgery center.

Pericardial monocusp reconstruction for pulmonary valve vegetation secondary to patent ductus arteriosus.

A case of pulmonary valve endocarditis in a patient with a ductus arteriosus (PDA) is reported. The PDA was ligated, the septal leaflet of the pulmonary valve was excised, and a pericardial monocusp reconstruction was performed.

Leiomyosarcoma protruding into the left ventricle during diastole: report of a case.

Cardiac leiomyosarcoma is a rare tumor with poor survival prospects. Surgery prolongs survival, but the tumor often recurs early after surgery. The diagnosis is often made by transthoracic echocardiography.

Ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block enhances postoperative blood flow in arteriovenous fistulas.

Objective: Brachial plexus block offers several advantages when creating vascular access for hemodialysis. However, no controlled studies have directly evaluated arteriovenous fistula (AVF) blood flow in patients anesthetized by this method. We compared the effects of ultrasound-guided, infraclavicular brachial plexus block and local infiltration anesthesia on blood flow in the radial artery and AVF during the early and late postoperative periods.

P-wave dispersion between transcatheter and surgical closure of secundum-type atrial septal defect in childhood.

Patients with atrial septal defect have an increased risk for atrial fibrillation. Increased P-wave dispersion predicts the development of atrial fibrillation. The aim of this study was to determine difference in P dispersion between transcatheter closure with Amplatzer septal occluder and surgical closure in childhood.

Does the circadian rhythm of melatonin affect ischemia-reperfusion injury after coronary artery bypass grafting?

Background: Melatonin is a potent scavenger of free radicals and an antioxidant. We studied the relationship between the protective effect of melatonin against ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) during cardiopulmonary bypass, the plasma level of melatonin, and the time of surgery.

Methods: Forty patients who were to undergo elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were divided into 2 groups, those who underwent their operations at 8 AM (group I; n = 20) and those who underwent their operations at 1 PM (group II; n = 20).

[The role of multislice tomography to prevent postoperative strokes related with atherosclerotic plaques in the ascending aorta after coronary artery bypass].

Objective: Atheromatous plaques in the ascending aorta are major risk factors for strokes caused by macroembolization after coronary artery surgery. Detection of plaque formations and changes in the surgical strategy are very important. This study was planned to compare value direct palpation and multislice computerized tomography to establish aortic plaques and to establish clinical predictors of aortic calcification.

Risk factors for posterior ventricular rupture after mitral valve replacement: results of 2560 patients.

Objective: Posterior ventricular rupture is a rare and fatal complication of mitral valve surgery. This study is designed to define the risk factors for left ventricular rupture after mitral valve replacement and, especially, to find out if posterior leaflet preservation is protective for posterior ventricular rupture.

Methods: Between January 1996 and March 2007, 2560 patients underwent mitral valve replacement operation in our hospital.

Primary cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma of the right atrium: case report.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare malignant tumor of the heart that accounts for 20% of all primary malignant neoplasms of the heart. Symptoms vary in accordance with the location of the mass; unfortunately, by the time the patient becomes symptomatic, the tumor has already metastasized to other organs. Diagnosis is frequently obtained via transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging.