The role of glomerular filtration rate in AVF success: Should we intervene earlier?

Introduction: End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients require life-sustaining kidney replacement therapies, with the natural arteriovenous fistula (AVF) being the preferred vascular access due to its low infection risk, high patency, and fewer complications. Factors like vessel diameter, gender, diabetes, age, and surgical technique influence AVF maturation.

Method: Our study focused on short-term AVF creation success, specifically examining estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels using the CKD-EPI formula.

Comparison of Pericardial and Prosthetic Rings for Mitral Repair: Are Pericardial Rings Durable in the Mid- to Long-Term Follow Up?

Background: While prosthetic rings are commonly used for mitral valve repairs, autologous pericardium is an alternative ring material that can be used in these procedures. In this report, we aim to present a comparison of two types of rings used for mitral repair.

Methods: Between January 2005 and January 2009, 107 patients who underwent mitral valve repair surgery were analyzed.

Outcomes of Coronary Artery By-Pass Grafting Under Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction.

Patients with recent myocardial infarction (MI) or percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) have a higher ischemic risk in addition to perioperative bleeding risk when undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Data regarding preoperative dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) failed to create a clear recommendation. In the present study, we assessed the relationship between preoperative DAPT use and adverse outcomes, particularly in ST-elevation MI (STEMI) patients.

Coexisting Coronary and Carotid Artery Disease: What We Did, What Happened.

Introduction: There is no complete consensus on the three surgical methods and long-term consequences for coexisting coronary and carotid artery disease. We retrospectively evaluated the surgical results in this high-risk group in our clinic for a decade.

Methods: Between 2005 and 2015, 196 patients were treated for combined carotid and coronary artery disease.

A rare complication after coronary bypass surgery: Incisional pyoderma gangrenosum.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a non-infectious, necrotizing, destructive skin disease which is rarely seen after cardiac surgery. This report presents a PG case after coronary bypass surgery.

Factors associated with excessive bleeding following elective on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

Introduction: Excessive bleeding following cardiac surgery is associated with worse outcomes. We aimed to analyze preoperative and operative factors associated with excessive bleeding in coronary artery bypass patients to better understand which patients are under increased risk.

Methods: The study was conducted as an observational study in a tertiary center for cardiac surgery by retrospective analysis of the hospital database.

Transposition of brachiobasilic arteriovenous fistulas: One-stage or two-stage technique and factors affecting the early maturation.

The brachiobasilic transposition (BBT) arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a valuable option especially for dialysis patients with previously failed vascular access. We aim to report factors affecting the maturation of BBT-AVF created with either one-stage or two-stage technique. BBT-AVF procedures between January 2015 and May 2019 by a dedicated vascular access team were investigated retrospectively.

An Alternative Technique for Ascending and Arcus Aorta Repair in Case of Vascular Diameter Mismatch.

Complicated Type A intramural hematoma involving the arcus aorta requires emergency correction of the aortic arch. Surgical options include reimplantation of the brachiocephalic vessels as an island to a vascular graft, debranching aortic arch surgery, and Kazui technique. This report describes a modified technique for aortic arch repair in a patient with vascular diameter mismatch between the ascending and descending aorta, as well as an intimal tear between the brachiocephalic vessels.

Ultrasonography-guided foam sclerotherapy in patients with small saphenous vein insufficiency.

Purpose: Chronic venous insufficiency is an important health problem; small saphenous vein (SSV) insufficiency is one of the leading causes and may affect up to 20% of adults. In addition to conventional treatment methods, endovenous treatment techniques have become popular in treatment of varicose veins. Herein, we report the outcomes of ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) in patients with symptomatic SSV insufficiency.

Open repair of a type Ia endoleak with a giant abdominal aortic aneurysm sac.

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has been widely accepted as a safe and effective treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Endoleaks are the most common complication after EVAR and require urgent interventions. Usually endoleaks can be treated with endovascular procedures using a variety of techniques.

Consequence of Ischemic Stroke after Coronary Surgery with Cardiopulmonary Bypass According to Stroke Subtypes.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the outcomes of patients developing ischemic stroke after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: From March 2012 to January 2017, 5380 consecutive patients undergoing elective coronary surgery were analyzed. Ninety-five patients who developed ischemic strokes after on-pump coronary surgery were included in the study, retrospectively.

Comparison of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement to Improve Quality of Life in Patients >70 Years of Age with Severe Aortic Stenosis.

Objective: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation has recently been used in the treatment of severe aortic valve stenosis, particularly in patients with high mortality and morbidity rates for open surgery. The purpose of this study was to compare quality of life in patients over 70 years of age undergoing surgical or transcatheter aortic valve implantation, before the procedure and in the early post-procedural period.

Methods: Seventy-nine patients were included in the study, 38 (48.

A case of primary cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma with surgical removal and mitral valve repair.

Primary cardiac tumors are rare. Nearly 25% of primary cardiac tumors are malignant, with rhabdomyosarcoma being the second most common primary sarcoma. Symptoms are variable, and the clinical presentation depends on the location and propagation of the tumor.

Dexmedetomidine in cardiac surgery patients who fail extubation and present with a delirium state.

Background: We evaluated the use of dexmedetomidine to facilitate the weaning of delirious postoperative patients from mechanical ventilation.

Methods: We included 72 consecutive patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery in this prospective observational study. Each patient had failed at least 1 trial of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and had agitation.

Comparison of ultrasonically activated scalpel and traditional technique in radial artery harvesting; an electron microscopic evaluation.

Objective: Use of the radial artery (RA) as a conduit in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has become increasingly popular in recent years. The aim of this prospective randomized study is to determine how the endothelial wall and blood flow of RA are differently affected with the usages of ultrasonic scalpel and conventional electrocautery in addition to effects of hypothermia and storage solutions. Histopathologic study was achieved by electron microscope to evaluate endothelium of the grafts.

Resection of a right coronary artery aneurysm with fistula to the coronary sinus.

We are reporting the successful surgical management of a challenging right coronary artery aneurysm with a giant fistula into the coronary sinus. We performed fistula division, coronary sinus size reduction, and complete resection of the right coronary artery aneurysm with bypass to the posterior descending artery.

Effects of normothermic organ bath and verapamil-nitroglycerin solution alone or in combination on the blood flow of radial artery.

Objective: Radial artery pedicle tissue cooling during harvesting is one of the major causes of vasospasm. We aimed to compare the effects of the pedicle rewarming method, normothermic organ bath, and one of the most preferred topical antispasmodic agents, verapamil-nitroglycerin solution alone or in combination on the blood flow of radial artery.

Methods: Consecutively randomized patients (n=80) undergoing coronary bypass were organized as four equal-sized groups.

Combined coronary and lower extremity revascularization with thoracotomy: a case report.

Patients with the combination of coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease have multiple risk factors and manifest widespread vascular disease. Although indications of combined coronary and femoral revascularization are rare, a combined procedure is useful in selected patients. We report a patient who underwent a successful combined coronary and lower extremity revascularization with anterolateral limited thoracotomy.

Right coronary artery with high takeoff.

Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery is an extremely rare anomaly. We describe the case of a patient whose right coronary artery was arising from the ascending aorta with high takeoff. We diagnosed the anomaly incidentally during the operation.

Normothermia is the key for the treatment of internal thoracic artery spasm.

Background: Free flow of the internal thoracic artery decreases commonly after harvesting because of spasm. Tissue heat loss is inevitable during surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the internal thoracic artery pedicle rewarming method with topical papaverine applications in different thermal conditions.