Cat Scratch Disease in a 1.5-year-old girl - Case report.

Introduction: The paper is a case report presenting Cat Scratch Disease (CSD) in a 1.5-year- old girl. Bartoneloses, including CSD, are a group of infectious diseases which are rarely detected, therefore there are no statistical data concerning the aetiology, and the incidence of CSD noted in Poland is low in comparison with other European countries.

Clavicle fracture associated with atlantoaxial rotatory displacement, type II in an 8-year-old girl: A case report.

Rationale: Fracture of the clavicle is a very common injury in children. However, association between clavicle fracture and atlantoaxial rotatory displacement is rarely observed.

Patient Concerns: We present a case of an 8-year-old girl, who suffered a right clavicle fracture as a result of a sledge accident.

Volatile-based short-term sedation in cardiac surgical patients: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the differences in extubation times in a group of cardiac surgical patients who were anesthetized and sedated with either IV propofol or inhaled volatile anesthetic agents.

Design: This was a prospective randomized controlled trial performed between September 2009 and August 2011.

Setting: Cardiovascular ICU within a tertiary referral university-affiliated teaching hospital.

Early results of treatment for congenital clubfoot using the Ponseti method.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the early results of the Ponseti method in reducing extensive corrective surgery rates for congenital idiopathic clubfoot in patients treated in Children's Orthopaedic Clinic and Rehabilitation Department Medical University of Lublin between the years 2007-2011. Thirty-five patients with 47 idiopathic clubfeet were followed prospectively while being managed with the Ponseti method. Clubfoot severity was graded with use of the Dimeglio system.

Quantification of mitral valve anatomy by three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in mitral valve prolapse predicts surgical anatomy and the complexity of mitral valve repair.

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is more accurate than two-dimensional (2D) TEE in the qualitative assessment of mitral valve (MV) prolapse (MVP). However, the accuracy of 3D TEE in quantifying MV anatomy is less well studied, and its clinical relevance for MV repair is unknown.

Methods: The number of prolapsed segments, leaflet heights, and annular dimensions were assessed using 2D and 3D TEE and compared with surgical measurements in 50 patients (mean age, 61 ± 11 years) who underwent MV repair for mainly advanced MVP.

Early complications and immediate postoperative outcomes of paravalvular leaks after valve replacement surgery.

Objectives: To evaluate the incidence of perivalvular leaks (PVLs) after valve replacement and assess its impact on immediate postoperative outcomes.

Design: A retrospective review.

Settings: A tertiary care university hospital.

The effect of nasogastric tube application during cardiac surgery on postoperative nausea and vomiting--a randomized trial.

Objective: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are significant morbidities following cardiac surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine if application of a nasogastric (NG) tube during cardiac surgery can reduce the prevalence of postoperative PONV.

Design: This study was a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Left-sided migration of Sideris button atrial septal occluder device.

We report the case of a left-sided migrated 'Sideris button' atrial septal defect occlusion device 6 years post-implantation with a residual secundum atrial septal defect and left atrial mass. The aims of this case report are to highlight an uncommonly seen atrial septal occlusion device, the importance of a complete echocardiographic examination of the path traversed by the device to assess for local trauma to structures, and the additional anatomical information gained and diagnostic use of intraoperative 3D transoesophageal echocardiography.

Preoperative use of statins is associated with reduced early delirium rates after cardiac surgery.

Background: Delirium is an acute deterioration of brain function characterized by fluctuating consciousness and an inability to maintain attention. Use of statins has been shown to decrease morbidity and mortality after major surgical procedures. The objective of this study was to determine an association between preoperative administration of statins and postoperative delirium in a large prospective cohort of patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Prevalence of claustrophobia and magnetic resonance imaging after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of claustrophobia in patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Methods: After IRB approval, we conducted a substudy of a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial of 311 patients evaluating administration of tranexamic acid and early saphenous vein graft patency with MRI after conventional CABG surgery. Chest tube drainage was measured at 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery.

Epiaortic scanning modifies planned intraoperative surgical management but not cerebral embolic load during coronary artery bypass surgery.

Background: Patients with aortic atheroma are at increased risk for neurological injury after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. We sought to determine the role of epiaortic ultrasound scanning for reducing cerebral embolic load, and whether its use leads to changes of planned intraoperative surgical management in patients undergoing CABG surgery.

Methods: Patients >70-yr-of-age scheduled for CABG surgery were prospectively randomized to either an epiaortic scanning (EAS) group (aortic manipulation guided by epiaortic ultrasound) or a control group (manual aortic palpation without EAS).

External compression of superior vena cava after the replacement of ascending aorta.

We present a rare complication after open-heart surgery resulting in compression of the superior vena cava (SVC) with the concurrent findings of the hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy physiology. A 59-year-old woman developed a low cardiac output syndrome, persistent hypotension, and increasing filling pressures after emergency replacement of the ascending aorta and resuspension of the aortic valve due to a type A aortic dissection. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) evaluation revealed partial SVC obstruction, under-filled left ventricle (LV), and a persistent mitral systolic anterior motion with increasing pressure gradient in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT).

A comparison of aprotinin and lysine analogues in high-risk cardiac surgery.

Background: Antifibrinolytic agents are commonly used during cardiac surgery to minimize bleeding and to reduce exposure to blood products. We sought to determine whether aprotinin was superior to either tranexamic acid or aminocaproic acid in decreasing massive postoperative bleeding and other clinically important consequences.

Methods: In this multicenter, blinded trial, we randomly assigned 2331 high-risk cardiac surgical patients to one of three groups: 781 received aprotinin, 770 received tranexamic acid, and 780 received aminocaproic acid.

Continuous-flow cell saver reduces cognitive decline in elderly patients after coronary bypass surgery.

Background: Cerebral microembolization during cardiopulmonary bypass may lead to cognitive decline after cardiac surgery. Transfusion of the unprocessed shed blood (major source of lipid microparticulates) into the patient during cardiopulmonary bypass is common practice to reduce blood loss and blood transfusion. Processing of shed blood with cell saver before transfusion may limit cerebral microembolization and reduce cognitive decline after surgery.

New conservative treatment of idiopathic scoliosis: effectiveness of therapy.

Background. This article provides basic information concerning a new conservative treatment for idiopathic scoliosis, with appropriate asymmetric flexion-rotation exercises and special redressing positions. Material and method.

"Contracture syndrome" in newborns and infants according to Prof. Hans Mau as an explanation of the "geography" and certain clinical features of idiopathic scoliosis.

Background. Many malformations and dysfunctions of the skeletal system are connected with the "contracture syndrome" described by Prof. Hans Mau.

Severe mitral regurgitation in acute eosinophilic endomyocarditis: repair or replacement?

Established eosinophilic endomyocardial disease usually causes progressive heart failure from diastolic restriction and/or valvular dysfunction. Surgical treatment typically involves resection of endoventricular fibrosis and atrioventricular valve replacement. However, little is known of the clinicopathological behaviour and perioperative course of this disease in the early stages.

Effects of alveolar recruitment on arterial oxygenation in patients after cardiac surgery: a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

Objective: Pulmonary atelectasis and hypoxemia remain considerable problems after cardiac surgery. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of consecutive vital capacity maneuvers (C-VCMs) to improve oxygenation in patients after cardiac surgery.

Study Design: Randomized, controlled clinical trial.

"Syndrome of contractures" (according to Mau) with the abduction contracture of the right hip as causative factor for development of the so-called idiopathic scoliosis.

The article provides basic explanation of "syndrome of contractures" (Mau) at newborns and babies and it's conjunction with biomechanical etiology of the so-called idiopathic scoliosis (Karski 1995-2006). The authors analyzed children with "syndrome of contractures" and noted its relevance to some clinical symptoms at children with scoliosis. Newborns and babies with clinical signs of "syndrome of contractures" require further spine examination already at age of 3-4 in order to detect "danger of oncoming scoliosis" and to introduce neo-prophylaxis.

The anesthesiologist's role in adults with congenital heart disease.

Anesthesia for adults with congenital heart disease has many challenging physiologic considerations. Collaborative relationships of a multidisciplinary team including cardiology, cardiac surgery, anesthesiology, and intensive care are essential to ensure positive outcomes in this population for noncardiac and cardiac surgery.

Transesophageal echocardiography in the intensive care unit.

Transesophageal echocardiography provides unique diagnostic capabilities, allowing for a very precise look at the structure and hemodynamics of the human heart. It is minimally invasive and portable, and quickly diagnoses sudden hemodynamic changes in intensive care patients. It provides invaluable and precise information about myocardial dysfunction and intracardiac volume status.