Successful resection and reconstruction of primary cardiac lymphoma.

Primary cardiac lymphoma (PCL) is one of the rarest tumors of the heart. The most common type is diffuse, large B-cell lymphoma. Most often, the right atrium and the right ventricle are involved, and if not diagnosed and treated in time, it can be fatal.

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.

Effects of epidural anesthesia on acute and chronic pain after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) as an adjunct to general anesthesia (GA) on postoperative pain after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: Between April 2009 and March 2010, 40 patients with ischemic heart disease scheduled for elective CABG were prospectively randomized to receive either GA (n = 20) or GA + TEA (n = 20). Through epidural catheters, patients received an infusion of (10-20 mg/h) 0.

The impact of non-dialysis-dependent renal dysfunction on outcome following cardiac surgery.

Background: We evaluated the results of different types of cardiovascular surgery in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) (serum creatinine ≥2 mg/dL) who were not dialysis-dependent.

Methods: Eighty-two patients who presented with non-dialysis-dependent CRF were retrospectively evaluated. Patients in Group 1 (n = 12) underwent valvular surgery, those in Group 2 (n = 58) underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and those in Group 3 (n = 12) underwent combined CABG and valvular surgery.

Effects of thoracic epidural anesthesia on flow and endothelium of internal thoracic artery in coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Objectives: The internal thoracic artery (ITA) is the preferred conduit for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. The authors investigated whether thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) as an adjunct to general anesthesia (GA) can increase the blood flow of the ITA.

Design: A prospective randomized study.

Comparison of clipping versus ligation of side-branches during saphenous vein graft harvesting: which method is superior?

Background: The greater saphenous vein remains the most common conduit used in coronary artery bypass grafting procedures. Surgical trauma during vein harvesting can cause endothelial and smooth muscle injury that has important implications for vein graft longevity. This study was designed to investigate the effect of clipping and ligation of the side-branches during saphenous vein graft harvesting on histologic structures of the saphenous vein.

[Comparison of the results of irrigated monopolar and bipolar radiofrequency ablation in the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation].

Objective: Chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent arrhythmia in patients undergoing open-heart surgery. In this study, we compared the results of irrigated monopolar and bipolar radiofrequency (RF) ablation in the surgical treatment of AF.

Methods: Sixty-three patients with chronic AF, who underwent open cardiac surgery and concomitant irrigated RF ablation between October 2004 and January 2006, were retrospectively studied in two groups.

[Left ventricular mass regression after aortic valve replacement].

Objective: Our objective was to evaluate the degree of change in left ventricular mass index (LVMI) regression after aortic valve replacement (AVR) using three different valves.

Methods: Group 1 (n=17) included patients with bioprosthesis (Medtronic Hancock 2), Group 2 (n=21) included patients with mono-leaflet mechanical valve (Medtronic Hall), and Group 3 (n=17) included patients with bi-leaflet mechanical valve (St Jude). The mean ages of Group 1, 2 and 3 patients were 70.

Comparison of three different surgical methods in aortic root aneurysms: long-term results.

Background: Degenerative ascending aortic aneurysms frequently present with aortic valve pathology. If only the noncoronary sinus of Valsalva is dilated, replacement of the noncoronary sinus by tailoring the supracoronary graft with or without aortic valve replacement (AVR) can be a simple operation strategy. We sought to describe our experiences in this kind of operation, and compare them with a relatively homogeneous group of patients who underwent the classical Bentall operation.

An alternative method for cardioplegia delivery during totally endoscopic robotic surgery.

The optimal technique for myocardial protection and cardioplegia delivery during totally endoscopic robotic surgery is still under evolution. Cardioplegia delivery with endovascular clamping of the aorta is a common method used for this purpose but has several disadvantages and may lead to serious complications. Here we describe an alternative cardioplegia delivery method during totally endoscopic atrial septal defect closure and mitral valve repair.

Robotically enhanced coronary artery bypass grafting: the feasibility and clinical outcome of 196 procedures.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of robotically enhanced myocardial revascularization and to present the clinical outcome of 196 patients.

Methods: All internal thoracic arteries were harvested with the aid of a robotic surgical system. While off-pump revascularization techniques were mostly used, peripheral cardiopulmonary bypass was needed in some cases with multivessel disease.

Multislice computed tomography accurately detects stenosis in coronary artery bypass conduits.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of multislice computed tomography in detecting graft stenosis or occlusion after coronary artery bypass grafting, using coronary angiography as the standard. From January 2005 through May 2006, 25 patients (19 men and 6 women; mean age, 54 +/- 11.3 years) underwent diagnostic investigation of their bypass grafts by multislice computed tomography within 1 month of coronary angiography.

Mid-term results of peripheric cannulation after port-access surgery.

Several minimally invasive approaches, avoiding median sternotomy, have been described within the last few years for cardiac surgery. Femoral arterial and venous cannulation for extracorporeal perfusion are required for many of these operations. The aim of this report is to assess the long-term outcomes of femoral cannulations in patients who underwent minimally invasive procedures.

Robotics in cardiac surgery: the Istanbul experience.

Background: Robots are sensor-based tools capable of performing precise, accurate and versatile actions. Initially designed to spare humans from risky tasks, robots have progressed into revolutionary tools for surgeons. Tele-operated robots, such as the da Vinci (Intuitive Surgical, Mountain View, CA), have allowed cardiac procedures to start benefiting from robotics as an enhancement to traditional minimally invasive surgery.

Video-assisted bilateral epicardial pulmonary vein isolation for the treatment of lone atrial fibrillation.

Background: This paper aims to evaluate the feasibility and the efficacy of a new off-pump, bilateral thoracoscopic pulmonary vein isolation technique in patients with lone atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Between April 2004 and February 2006, 26 drug-resistant and symptomatic lone atrial fibrillation patients (18 permanent, 8 paroxysmal) underwent an irrigated radiofrequency ablation procedure using the Cardioblate ablation system (Medtronic, Minnesota). There were 16 men and 10 women with a mean age of 55 +/- 11 years.

[The surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation].

The surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) has entered a new era with the development of new tools and advanced techniques. The Maze III operation remains as the gold standard for the surgical treatment of AF. However new energy sources have been adopted for treating this arrhythmia in an effort to reduce the invasiveness and technical concerns with the original procedure.

Chylothorax after aortic valve replacement.

A 71-year-old-man was diagnosed with chylothorax after aortic valve replacement. He was treated with a low-fat diet and pleural drainage with thoracentesis. The pleural effusion completely resolved by the 14th postoperative day.

Combined off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery and ablative therapy for atrial fibrillation: early and mid-term results.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting combined with radiofrequency ablation and to compare outcomes between patients with permanent and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) in terms of restoring sinus rhythm.

Methods: Thirty-three patients underwent the combined procedure. Mean age was 62.

Robotic-enhanced totally endoscopic mitral valve repair and ablative therapy.

Purpose: The aim of this article was to assess the feasibility of totally closed robotic mitral valve repair and ablative therapy.

Description: Two patients with mitral valve disease and permanent atrial fibrillation underwent the combined procedure using the da Vinci robotic system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA). Radiofrequency ablation was performed using the Cardioblate XL unipolar pen (Medtronic Inc, Minneapolis, MN).

Clinical experience with the Novare Enclose II manual proximal anastomotic device during off-pump coronary artery surgery.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of a new proximal anastomotic device during off-pump coronary surgery.

Methods: The Novare Enclose II is a manual proximal anastomotic device that enables the surgeon to perform proximal anastomoses without side-biting clamps in a fully pressurized aorta. The device was used in 30 off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients (Group A) for performing 25 vein, 10 free right internal thoracic artery and 14 radial artery anastomoses to the aorta.