Left main reconstruction as an alternative method to CABG after primary PCI complication

AbstractLeft main coronary artery disease is rare, accounting for 1% of all coronary artery disease and traditionally, is treated by coronary artery bypass grafting. We report our experience and five years follow up, after a coronary osteal surgical plasty in a young man who referred to our center with an anterior myocardial infarction

Bilateral sternobronchial fistula after coronary surgery – are the retained epicardial pacing wires responsible? a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Temporary epicardial pacing wires are routinely used during cardiac surgery; they are dependable in controlling postoperative arrhythmias and are associated with low morbitity.</p> <p>Case report</p> <p>We report a case of sternobronchial fistula formation induced by the existence of retained epicardial pacing wires in a patient who underwent coronary surgery ten years ago.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Reported complications of retained epicardial pacing wires are unusual. We present this case in order to include it to the potential complications of the epicardial pacing wires.</p

A “tilt” toward cinefluoroscopy

Fluoroscopy permits rapid and straightforward assessment of mechanical valve function and allows a distinction between normal and malfunctional prostheses, acting as a complementary diagnostic step

Concomitant Intraoperative Radiofrequency and Microwave Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation and Repair of Atrial Septal Defect

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent form of atrial arrhythmias in adults with congenital heart disease. Some serious complications are related with the presence of AF after surgery. Because of the complexity and the risk of bleeding, the Maze III procedure has been largely replaced by alternative energy sources. A patient with multiple atrial septal defects (ASD) and AF underwent surgical closure with autologous pericardial patch and radiofrequency and microwave ablation of AF

Microcirculation and Macrocirculation in Cardiac Surgical Patients

Background. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between microcirculatory alterations after open cardiac surgery, macrohemodynamics, and global indices of organ perfusion. Methods. Patients' microcirculation was assessed with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and the vascular occlusion technique (VOT). Results. 23 patients undergoing open cardiac surgery (11 male/12 female, median age 68 (range 28–82) years, EuroSCORE 6 (1–12)) were enrolled in the study. For pooled data, CI correlated with the tissue oxygen consumption rate as well as the reperfusion rate (r = 0.56, P < 0.001 and r = 0.58, P < 0.001, resp.). In addition, both total oxygen delivery (DO2, mL/min per m2) and total oxygen consumption (VO2, mL/min per m2) also correlated with the tissue oxygen consumption rate and the reperfusion rate. The tissue oxygen saturation of the thenar postoperatively correlated with the peak lactate levels during the six hour monitoring period (r = 0.50, P < 0.05). The tissue oxygen consumption rate (%/min) and the reperfusion rate (%/min), as derived from the VOT, were higher in survivors compared to nonsurvivors for pooled data [23 (4–54) versus 20 (8–38) P < 0.05] and [424 (27–1215) versus 197 (57–632) P < 0.01], respectively. Conclusion. Microcirculatory alterations after open cardiac surgery are related to macrohemodynamics and global indices of organ perfusion

Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction Caused by Double-Chambered Right Ventricle Presenting in Adulthood

Congenital heart diseases that cause obstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract are often difficult to diagnose. We report the case of a 49-year-old man who presented with long-standing shortness of breath on exertion. Imaging revealed right ventricular outflow tract obstruction caused by a double-chambered right ventricle, and he was referred for surgical correction. This case emphasizes both the detailed perioperative evaluation that is needed when diagnosing adults who present with manifestations of congenital heart disease and a method of successful surgical correction that resulted in symptom resolution

Use of continuous subcutaneous anesthetic infusion in cardiac surgical patients after median sternotomy

The use of opioid analgesics to control pain after median sternotomy in cardiac surgical patients is worldwide accepted and established. However, opioids have a wide range of possible side effects, concerning prolonged extubation time, gastrointestinal tract dyskinesia and urinary tract disorders mostly retention. All these may lead to a prolonged ICU stay or overall hospitalization time increase

Primary right atrium angiosarcoma mimicking pericarditis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Primary cardiac neoplasms occur rarely and most of them are benign. Malignant tumors including angiosarcoma are extremely rare and have a non specific clinical presentation and a poor prognosis.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present a case of a young male who was transferred to our hospital because of shock and multiple organ failure after a complicated pericardial biopsy. During the previous seven months he presented with recurrent episodes of pericardial effusions and tamponade. Chest computed tomography revealed a mass in the right atrium, infiltrating the myocardium and pericardium. During emergency surgery that followed, the patient died because of uncontrolled hemorrhage. Autopsy revealed the mass of the right atrium, which was identified on histological examination as primary cardiac angiosarcoma.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This case highlights the difficulties both in early diagnosis and in the management of patients with cardiac angiosarcoma.</p

Persistent Compromised Hemodynamic Function, due to single ventricular epicardial pacing, after aortic valve replacement surgery: A Case Report

We report the case of a 69-year old woman, who was admitted to the cardiac surgery intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary hospital, after surgical aortic valve replacement, due to severe aortic stenosis. During the early postoperative period, the patient was hemodynamically stable and her cardiac rhythm was supported by temporary epicardial ventricular pacing. One hour after her ICU admission, the woman presented compromised hemodynamics, characterized by severe hypotension with poor response to aggressive inotropic, vasopressor and fluid therapy. After 15 minutes of her significant clinical worsening, the change of the pacing mode from single ventricular to single atrial effected immediate hemodynamic stabilization, improved arterial blood pressure and optimum patient cardiovascular function. This could be explained by the significantly reduced cardiac output in the absence of atrial contraction to assist ventricular preloading, which characterized some patients with impaired ventricular function, as those with severe aortic stenosis