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.

Preserved pleural integrity provides better respiratory function and pain score after coronary surgery.

Background And Aim: Patients undergoing surgical procedures through median sternotomy have reduced pulmonary function in the postoperative period. Our study was designed to evaluate the effect of pleural integrity in terms of respiratory functions and pain score after coronary bypass procedures.

Methods: In a randomized, prospective study we evaluated 320 patients in two groups.

Simultaneous open-heart surgery and pectus deformity correction.

Purpose: Pectus deformities and cardiac problems sometimes require simultaneous surgery. We report our experience of performing this surgery and review the relevant literature.

Methods: We performed simultaneous pectus deformity correction and open-heart surgery in six patients between 1999 and 2006.

Hydatid cyst in the wall of the ascending aorta.

Hydatid disease rarely involves the aortic wall. We report a case of hydatidosis involving the ascending aorta and the left atrium. The patient underwent replacement of the ascending aorta with a prosthetic Dacron graft and left atrial cystectomy.