Morphine is a reasonable alternative to haloperidol in the treatment of postoperative hyperactive-type delirium after cardiac surgery.

Objectives: Patients who undergo cardiac surgery have an increased risk of delirium. Currently, there are few choices of treatment for postoperative hyperactive delirium in cardiac surgical patients. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of morphine compared with a haloperidol-based regimen in hyperactive-type delirium in patients after cardiac surgery.

Effect of body mass index on early morbidity and mortality after isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Objectives: Obesity is a risk factor for morbidity after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. This study aimed to analyze the sole effect of body mass index (BMI) on early morbidity and mortality in patients after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting.

Design: This study was retrospective and used an electronic database of anesthesia information management.

Cardiac tamponade from a giant thymoma: case report.

Thymoma, the most common neoplasm of the anterior mediastinum especially in adults, accounts for 20-25% of all mediastinal tumors and 50% of anterior mediastinal masses. These tumors are routinely asymptomatic for prolonged periods of time. Pericardial tamponade is a very rare initial manifestation of a thymoma.

Aortic root aneurysm after off-pump reduction aortoplasty.

We present a patient with aortic root aneurysm and severe aortic regurgitation who had a previous off-pump reduction ascending aortoplasty and external wrapping with concomitant coronary bypass grafting. Preliminary aortic dissection and erosion of the aortic intima were detected during the operation. This complication warrants the re-evaluation of the indications for reduction ascending aortoplasty and emphasizes the necessity for close follow-up.

Furosemide infusion prevents the requirement of renal replacement therapy after cardiac surgery.

Objective: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a devastating complication following cardiac surgery and the ideal management is controversial. This prospective, randomized, open-label and double-blinded study analyzed the renoprotective effects of furosemide infusion and intermittent bolus therapy administered with dopamine infusion in cardiac surgical patients.

Methods: Between August 1, 2007 and July 31, 2008, 100 adult patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) surgery with normal renal function (creatinine <1.

Results of adjunctive coronary endarterectomy in 548 patients.

Coronary endarterectomy is a controversial procedure that plays a particular role in the treatment of coronary artery disease. We retrospectively investigated the results for 548 patients who underwent coronary endarterectomy as an adjunctive therapy for coronary artery bypass graft surgery during the period between 1996 and 2004. We assessed short-term outcomes and identified risk factors for adverse outcomes.

Does intermittent aortic cross clamping decrease the incidence of atrial fibrillation after coronary bypass surgery?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). AF is a vexing problem that causes morbidity, prolongs hospital stay, and increases costs. Numerous factors have been suggested to play a role in the development of AF.

Determination of histopathologic risk factors for postoperative atrial fibrillation in cardiac surgery.

Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation is one of the most common complications after coronary artery bypass grafting. This study aimed to identify preoperative histopathologic risk factors for the development of postoperative atrial fibrillation.

Methods: One hundred elective coronary artery bypass grafting patients were enrolled into the study.

Reduction aortoplasty and external wrapping for moderately sized tubular ascending aortic aneurysm with concomitant operations.

Background: Replacement of the ascending aorta with a prosthetic graft is the preferred surgical procedure for an ascending aortic aneurysm. The choice of external wrapping of the aorta is a simple, fast, and effective method for moderately sized ascending aortic aneurysms with concomitant operations. In this study, we present the midterm results of 62 patients undergoing reduction aortoplasty with external wrapping and different cardiac procedures.

FK506 to prevent lung injury after hindlimb ischemia and reperfusion in a rat model: an electron microscopic study.

Purpose: Hindlimb ischemia and reperfusion leads to lung injury in various animal models. We investigated the effectiveness of FK506, an immunosuppressive agent, which also modulates neutrophilic infiltration, in preventing lung injury after hindlimb ischemia and reperfusion in a rat model.

Methods: Twenty-seven male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to received FK506 at doses of 0.

Delayed rupture of a postinfarction left ventricular true aneurysm.

Delayed rupture of a true left ventricular aneurysm is a rare clinical condition. We report a case of a 60-year-old woman who underwent emergency surgical repair of a ruptured true aneurysm of the left ventricular inferior wall 3 months after the myocardial infarction. The repair consisted of endoaneurysmorraphy patch technique.

A Mediastinal False Aneurysm with Aortocutaneous Fistula.

Abstract In this report, we present a case of the development of a false aneurysm of the ascending aorta with an aortocutaneous fistula in a 57-year-old patient 10 months following aortic valve replacement and concomitant coronary bypass surgery.

Neuroprotective effects of FK-506, L-carnitine and azathioprine on spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Objective: In our experimental study, we aimed to test the effect of FK506, azathioprine and L-carnitine on protection of spinal cord injury due to ischemia-reperfusion.

Methods: Twenty-seven Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into five groups. They were subjected to spinal cord ischemia by clamping the abdominal aorta for 45 min.

Coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction.

Objective: The role of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction was evaluated.

Methods: Two hundred and twelve patients (152 men, 60 women; age 35 to 82, mean 55) with ejection fraction (EF) of less than 30% underwent CABG between January 1996 and February 2001 by a single surgeon (SA). They compromised of 12% of 1759 patients operated on in this period.

Missed diagnosis of unruptured, huge left ventricular pseudoaneurysm.

We report a case of a huge left ventricular pseudoaneurysm following myocardial infarction. Early after myocardial infarction, the pseudoaneurysm was missed during the cardiac examination. The patient underwent coronary bypass surgery with endoaneurysmorraphy of the pseudoaneurysm, and made a satisfactory recovery.

Ischemic preconditioning and nicotinamide in spinal cord protection in an experimental model of transient aortic occlusion.

Objectives: Spinal cord injury is a devastating complication after aortic surgery. The aim of the present study is to examine the effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and nicotinamide containing perfusate in transient aortic occlusion in the rat.

Methods: Thirty-two male Spraque-Dawley rats under general anesthesia were randomly assigned to four groups (n=8 in each group).

Candida Tricuspid Endocarditis in a Non-addict.

Isolated native non-rheumatic fungal tricuspid valve endocarditis is rarely described in the absence of intravenous drug addiction or use of intracardiac catheters or concomitant cardiac anomalies. Herein, we report a case of tricuspid valve endocarditis in a non-addict, which was successfully treated with valve replacement. The cultures of blood and vegetations revealed Candida Pichia Etschelsii.