Publications by authors named "Simek Martin"

Introduction: Severe respiratory failure is one of the most serious complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In a small proportion of patients, mechanical ventilation fails to provide adequate oxygenation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is needed. The surviving individuals need long-term follow-up as it is not clear what their prognosis is.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is the highest form of resuscitation care in management of patients with respiratory failure. In the case of acute respiratory distress syndrome, the veno-venous setting is more often used. ECMO support enables, in case of lung function failure, to obtain the necessary time for the onset of the causal treatment effect or is used as a bridge to transplantation Mortality of the patients varies according to the underlying cause and presence of risk factors (e.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

COVID-19 pandemic has massive impact on the whole world, lead to the death of milions of people and required excessive restrictions with large economical, psychological and other impacts. Post-COVID syndrome is defined according to the Czech pneumological and phtizeological society as a complex of symptoms persisting for more than 12 weeks from the acute stage of COVID-19 and which is not possible to explain by other causes. Exact pathopysiological mechanisms and its frequency are still not known, and the data from the literature are not consisent.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with reduced quality of life and increased risk of ischaemic cerebrovascular events. The left atrial epicardial ablation procedures have evolved towards a successful and safe rhythm control strategy for patients with symptomatic drug-refractory paroxysmal, persistent or post-ablation AF or with a high risk of catheter ablation failure. The aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of thoracoscopic ablation at our instituiton.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Primary cardiac sarcomas are extremely rare and often with dismal prognosis. Only a few case series and retrospective studies regarding its biological characteristics, diagnostics, and treatment were reported. The multi-modality therapeutic strategy has been discussed in the published literature, but often with contradictory results.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Deep sternal wound infection is a challenging aspect of modern cardiac surgery. The considerable mortality rate, devastating morbidity and, negative impact on long-term survival has driven cardiac and plastic surgeons to seek a more advantageous treatment solution. This review summarizes progress in the field of deep sternal wound infection treatment after cardiac surgery.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Post-pneumonectomy air leak and severe respiratory failure of the non-operated lung is considered to be a life-threatening complication of lung surgery. We present the case report of a 68-year-old man who underwent a right pneumonectomy for spinocellular carcinoma. Refractory respiratory failure occurred following bronchial stump air leakage and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) of the non-operated lung.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) after a cardiac operation is a rare but serious complication associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It can lead to wound dehiscence with sternal osteomyelitis and both bony and soft tissue residual defects. When the infection is eradicated, reconstruction of the thoracic wall remains the main challenge.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aim: We sought to evaluate our experience with endoscopic radial artery harvesting for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: From October 2005 to June 2010, 50 patients who underwent endoscopic radial artery harvesting for an elective CABG were prospectively assessed for harvesting characteristics, complications, postoperative and mid-term outcomes.

Results: There were 34 (68%) males and 16 (32%) females, average age 60.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aim: To compare assessment of fibrinogen by thromboelastography with the standard von Clauss method.

Methods: Observational prospective study.

Results: Thromboelastography provides direct and complex evaluation of the entire coagulation cascade based upon changes in blood viscosity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aim: Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) was primarily designed for the treatment of pressure ulcers or chronic, debilitating wounds. Recently, VAC has become an encouraging treatment modality for sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery, providing superior results to conventional treatment strategies.

Methods: From November 2004 to September 2006, 34 patients, undergoing VAC therapy for sternal wound infection following cardiac surgery, were prospectively evaluated.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aim: An ageing population and increase in patient co-morbidities are forcing cardiac surgeons to meticulously consider the benefits and risks of respective conduits and their harvesting techniques.

Case Reports: Two cases of simultaneous endoscopic radial artery and great saphenous vein harvesting, for redo coronary artery bypass grafting, are presented. A shortage of venous conduits after previous bypass grafting, as well as the presentation of several risk factors of wound-healing complications, favoured simultaneous utilisation of both endoscopic techniques.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Deep accidental hypothermia (core temperature <28 degrees C) is an uncommon medical emergency requiring rapid active core rewarming. Extracorporeal circulation has become the treatment of choice for deep hypothermic patients with cardiac arrest.

Case Report: We report on a 30-year-old patient who suffered from deep accidental hypothermia (core temperature 24.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A 66-year-old female underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Massive pulmonary embolism developed intraoperatively shortly after weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass. A 25-cm large venous embolus was extracted from pulmonary artery by consequently performed open pulmonary embolectomy on the beating heart.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Great saphenous vein harvest is associated with a significant risk of impaired wound healing. The purpose of this study was to determine efficacy of one system designed for minimally invasive vein harvest (MIVH) and to assess postoperative and mid-term wound-healing disturbances. From February 2004 to June 2005, great saphenous harvest for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was performed in a group of 120 consecutive patients employing the VEGA system (B/Braun-Aesculap, Tuttlingen, Germany).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The sequential bypass technique is a routine method of myocardial revascularization. The aim of this study was to determine flow characteristics of individual and sequential bypass grafts created on the beating heart.

Methods: Between January 2003 and February 2004, a consecutive series of 50 patients underwent off-pump coronary bypass surgery with at least one venous sequential coronary graft.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF