Replacement of the Native Mitral Valve Due to Endocarditis Caused by Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia.

We report a case of a 59-year-old female patient with vegetative native mitral valve endocarditis caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (SM). She had hemodialysis-dependent chronic renal failure, but no immunosuppressive disease. Echocardiography showed mobile vegetation on her native mitral valve.

The mechanical or electrical induction of medullary angiogenesis: will it improve sternal wound healing?

We induced angiogenesis in the tibial medulla and cortex of rabbits by electrical and mechanical stimulation, with the aim of future application to ischemic disease. Sixteen New Zealand rabbits were divided into 4 groups: in Group 1, a K wire was inserted into the medullary channel; in Group 2 a hole was drilled into the tibia; in Group 3, electrical stimulation was applied to the medullary channel; and in Group 4 (the control group), nothing was done. The interventions were applied during a 21-day period, after which all animals were evaluated scintigraphically and histopathologically.

Induced angiogenesis with intramedullary direct current: experimental research.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate angiogenesis after the use of intramedullary direct electrical current in rabbit tibia. Thirty-two New Zealand rabbits were divided into four groups: group 1, false electrode group; group 2, hole group; group 3, control group; and group 4, intramedullary electrical stimulation group. One-half of the rabbits in each group were evaluated angiographically, pathologically, and scintigraphically on day 7, and the rest were evaluated on day 21.

Acute abdominal aorta embolism caused by rupture of a cardiac hydatid cyst.

We report a case of an abdominal aortic embolism due to rupture of a cardiac hydatid cyst. This report emphasizes the diagnostic, preventative, and treatment options for hydatid cyst embolism of abdominal aorta. Echocardiography should be routinely performed in all patients with hydatid disease for possible involvement of the heart.

The role of brain natriuretic peptide in the prediction of cardiac performance in coronary artery bypass grafting.

The relationship between brain natriuretic peptide and cardiopulmonary bypass has not been examined sufficiently. In this study, we prospectively examined brain natriuretic peptide levels in the plasma of 26 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Brain natriuretic peptide measurements were carried out at 4 times: preoperatively, 3 hours after institution of cross-clamping, 24 hours after institution of cross-clamping, and on the 5th postoperative day.