Comparison of early and long-term follow-up results of percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty and mitral valve replacement.

Background: Percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty and mitral valve replacement have been the treatment options for mitral stenosis for several years, however, studies that compare these two modalities are very rare in the literature.

Objective: In this article, we aim to investigate the comparison of clinical results of percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty and mitral valve replacement.

Methods: 527 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis, treated with percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty or mitral valve replacement (276 patients with percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty and 251 patients with mitral valve replacement) from 1991 to 2012 were evaluated.

Positive Heparin/PF4 Antibodies and High Mortality Rate: a Retrospective Case-Series Analysis.

Introduction: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a potentially lethal complication of unfractionated or low-molecular weight heparin therapy. We aimed to determine the incidence and mortality rate of patients with positive heparin/platelet factor 4 (PF4) antibodies, which is a rapid detection test of HIT.

Methods: Coronary artery bypass grafting and mitral and aortic valve surgeries were evaluated.

An easy technique to measure neo-chordae length during minimally invasive mitral valve repair.

In this article, we present our experience with an easy and practical technique for measuring the length of neo-chordae during minimally invasive mitral valve repair. This technique is based on tying the knots at the level of the plane of the ring using a prolene suture passing through the transverse diameter of the ring as a guideline.

Long Term Outcomes of Freestyle Stentless Aortic Bioprosthesis: A Single Center Experience.

Background: The study is presenting our long-term clinical results after freestyle stentless aortic root bioprosthesis replacement in patients with severe aortic insufficiency with ascending aortic aneurysm.

Methods: Seventy-seven patients with ascending aortic aneurysms and aortic valve insufficiency underwent a total root replacement procedure using a stentless "Freestyle" valve (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota).

Long-term results of monopolar versus bipolar radiofrequency ablation procedure for atrial fibrillation.

Background: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of monopolar or bipolar radiofrequency ablation concomitant to mitral valve surgery in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated a total of 167 patients (67 males, 100 females; mean age 56.8±6.

Does Transfusion of Blood and Blood Products Increase the Length of Stay in Hospital?

We aimed to analyze the use of blood products in cardiac surgery and to investigate its effect on clinical outcomes. Perioperative transfusion requirement, survival and complication rates and the duration of hospitalization were noted. Patients were divided into two groups considering the duration of hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stay.

Postoperative thrombotic effects of tranexamic acid in open heart surgery.

Background: Following the administration of tranexamic acid, the occurrence of thromboembolic events is a controversial issue.

Aims: In this retrospective cohort study, we aimed to determine the possible thromboembolic complications due to tranexamic acid as a prophylactic method in patients undergoing open heart surgery.

Methods: The data of 172 adult patients undergoing open heart surgery were analyzed.

Second recurrence of familial atrial myxomas: mother and daughter simultaneously.

Sporadic ca rdiac myxomas rarely recur, however recurrence rates are higher in patients with a familial aggregation or Carney complex. Carney complex is characterised by multiple mucocutaneous lesions and accounts for up to two-thirds of familial cardiac myxomas. A second recurrence is very rare, even in the case of Carney complex.

Surgical placement of left ventricular lead for cardiac resynchronisation therapy after failure of percutaneous attempt.

Objective: Cardiac resynchronisation therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment to improve functional status and prolong survival of patients in advanced chronic heart failure. This study assessed the surgical outcomes of left anterior mini-thoracotomy for the implantation of left ventricular epicardial pacing leads in cardiac resynchronisation therapy.

Methods: Our study consisted of 30 consecutive patients who underwent cardiac resynchronisation therapy with a left thoracotomy between November 2010 and April 2012 in our clinic.

Pain and the Quality of Life Following Robotic Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery.

Objective: Minimally invasive bypass grafting is a promising surgical treatment in proximal LAD stenosis procedures. The main goal of this study was to make comparisons between robotically assisted minimally invasive coronary bypass surgery and conventional surgery in isolated proximal LAD lesions in terms of pain and quality of life improvement.

Methods: The study contains patients with proximal LAD lesions who were treated with robotically assisted minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery and conventional bypass surgery between June 2005 and November 2012.

Early Outcomes of Pharmacomechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis Patients.

Background: Acute lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs due to obstruction of large veins by thrombus and its clinical findings are pain and swelling. If not treated, it can cause morbidity and mortality. Oral warfarin or low molecular weight heparin are applied in traditional treatment.

The Comparison between Minimally Invasive Coronary Bypass Grafting Surgery and Conventional Bypass Grafting Surgery in Proximal LAD Lesion.

Background: Minimally invasive bypass grafting surgery has entered the clincal routine in several centers around the world, with an increasing popularity in the last decade. In our study, we aimed to make a comparison between minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting surgery and conventional bypass grafting surgery in isolated proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) lesions.

Methods: Between January 2004 and December 2011, patients with proximal LAD lesions, who were treated with robotically assisted minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery and conventional bypass surgery, were included in the study.

Hybrid vascular surgery approaches for multilevel arterial occlusive disease.

Background: The incidence of multilevel vascular occlusive disease is increased with patient age. Multilevel arterial occlusive disease cases are some of the hardest in the vascular surgical realm because of the comorbidities. In these high-risk patients inflow constrictions may limit the success of distal bypasses.

Severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding from aortoenteric fistula: a late complication of esophagojejunostomy.

Aortoenteric fistula is an uncommon cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, which is life-threatening if not treated. This complication may occur even months to years after surgery [Mitchel 1995]. It is commonly observed in patients who have undergone previous aortic surgery and rarely occurs in patients with a history of gastrointestinal tract surgery [Brock 1953].

Rapid Detection of Acute Kidney Injury by Urinary Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin in Patients Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Objective: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The aim of this study is to determine the accuracy of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels following cardiac surgery to establish the severity of renal impairment as compared to serum creatinine levels.

Methods: A total number of 28 patients undergoing elective cardiopulmonary bypass were included.

Type B interrupted aorta in an adult patient.

Introduction: Interrupted aortic arch is a rare congenital malformation characterized by a complete loss of luminal continuity between the ascending and descending aorta. It is often diagnosed during the neonatal period.

Case Presentation: We presented a 51-year-old male patient with interrupted aortic arch type B who was treated successfully with posterolateral thoracotomy without using cardiopulmonary bypass.

Angiographic evaluation of graft patency in robotic-assisted coronary artery bypass surgery: 8 year follow-up.

Background: Robotic telemanipulation systems have emerged as facilitating tools that enhance minimally invasive cardiac surgery.The purpose of this study was to evaluate graft patency by a combination of invasive and non-invasive coronary angiography methods in robotic-assisted coronary artery surgery(CABG) for optimal quality control.

Methods: Between April 2004 and February 2012, patients who had robotic-assisted CABG were called to have cardiac catheterization or multislice computed tomographic angiography to evaluate graft patency.