Detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae and Helicobacter pylori in atherosclerotic plaques of carotid artery by polymerase chain reaction.

Objectives: A possible role of some microorganisms has been proposed in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, but it is still an unresolved issue. We investigated the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae and Helicobacter pylori DNA in carotid artery atherosclerotic plaques by using PCR.

Methods: One hundred and four patients with atherosclerotic diseases were included.

Absorption of ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive.

The aim of this study was to investigate absorption of ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate glue when used as a tissue adhesive. Ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate was applied subcutaneously to four rats; its presence in blood and urine was investigated by using High Pressure Liquid Chromatography. Blood samples were drawn at baseline and after 2, 4, 6, 24, 48, 54, 78, 96 hours following application.

Histopathological effects of ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive following surgical application: an experimental study.

Objectives: To investigate experimentally the possible histopathological effects of ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate glue when used as a tissue adhesive in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were used for this study. For histopathological investigation, a study group of 144 rats in which intentionally produced lesions in myocardium (n=36), ascending aorta (n=36), lung (n=36) and abdominal aorta (n=36) were closed by using ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate was compared with the control group (n=144) in which the same lesions were closed by using sutures.

Intravenous magnesium sulfate prophylaxis for atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Objective: Atrial fibrillation is a rhythm disorder commonly seen early after coronary artery bypass grafting, and it increases morbidity.

Methods: To investigate the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate in the prophylaxis of atrial fibrillation, we conducted a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study on 200 consecutive patients in whom we performed elective and initial coronary artery bypass grafting operations. In each group 50% of patients underwent beating-heart operations.

Accelerated recovery after cardiac operations.

Background: The accelerated-recovery approach, involving early extubation, early mobility, decreased duration of intensive care unit stay, and decreased duration of hospitalization has recently become a controversial issue in cardiac surgery.

Methods: We investigated timing of extubation, length of intensive care unit stay, and duration of hospitalization in 225 consecutive cardiac surgery patients. Of the 225 patients, 139 were male and 86 were female; average age was 49.

Cardiac operations for patients with chronic liver disease.

Background: Due to the systemic and hepatic effects of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), open-heart surgery for patients with chronic liver disease is associated with high mortality and morbidity. In this retrospective study, we present our results of cardiac surgery on patients with non-cardiac cirrhosis.

Methods: Between March 1996 and April 2000, 10 patients with chronic liver disease had open-heart surgery in our institution.

Prosthetic replacement of tricuspid valve: bioprosthetic or mechanical.

Background: Tricuspid valve replacement is one of the most challenging operations in cardiac surgery. Selection of the suitable prosthesis is still debatable.

Methods: In our institution, between January 1980 and December 2000, 129 tricuspid valve replacements were performed in 122 patients (14.