Postoperative bleeding in cardiac surgery: the role of tranexamic acid in patients homozygous for the 5G polymorphism of the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 gene.

Background: Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) attenuates the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin. Polymorphisms of the PAI-1 gene are associated with varying PAI-1 levels and risk of prothrombotic events in nonsurgical patients. The purpose of this study, a secondary analysis of a clinical trial, was to investigate whether PAI-1 genotype affects the efficacy of tranexamic acid (TA) in reducing postoperative chest tube blood loss of patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.

Multiple overlapped conical endoprostheses in a patient with aneurysmatic right aortic arch and aortic coarctation.

An aortic neck with a nonconstant diameter represents a challenge for endovascular treatment. We report our experience in a patient with right aortic arch, aneurysmatic aberrant subclavian artery, aortic coarctation, and a precoarctation aneurysm that was treated with surgery and endoprothestic procedures in two stages.

Mitro-aortic infective endocarditis produced by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae: case report and review of the literature.

Endocarditis produced by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is an uncommon disease in humans. This bacterial species is found worldwide as a commensal or a pathogen in many animals. Infection in humans is usually due to occupational exposure.