Hemorrhagic Shock

Hemorrhagic shock is a type of hypovolemic shock, where intravascular blood loss and consequent alterations in the cell due to the hypoxia result in tissue and organ dysfunction, leading to death, once a certain threshold level is exceeded. Inadequate oxygen delivery results with Na/K ATPase pump dysfunction and cell death by this way, but erythrocytes do not use oxygen for their survival. A depolarizing protein can be a reason under in vivo conditions. In severe injury, rapid loss of 25% and more blood volume cause irreversible shock. For blood restoration, crystalloid solutions temporarily provide a practical approach, but they cannot replace the lost erythrocyte mass occurred due to bleeding, and they have no therapeutic value. Excessive use causes several problems, especially coagulopathy and increases the mortality risk. The prompt transfer of patient to an ultimate center for treatment, use of blood and blood products in the treatment, and a swift restoration of hemorrhage source are essential. Tourniquet use in the extremities and balloon occlusion of the aorta can be lifesaving

Hemostasis in Cardiac Surgery: How We Do it with Limited Resources

Hemostasis in cardiac surgery is still a severe problem for surgeons. Blood and its products are the most valuable at the same time dangerous arms of surgeons. Industries produced many biological or non-biological products, which increase the cost of operations, are available for this issue. Decision making and producing solutions must be the most important properties of a cardiac surgeon. In any condition and resources, true strategy and patience will bring the success. Antiaggregants and anticoagulants are widely used agents, and in emergency or early cases, surgeons have to operate these patients. Both groups of drugs are growing, and in an emergency position, it is hard to know which drugs the patient using or given and what kind of medical status he/she has. For example non vitamin-K oral anticoagulants newer drugs and not known so much except cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons. Simple solutions may have better results. Of course, in some conditions, urgent consultation can solve the problem. Cardiac surgeons have to figure out the problem by using their experience and surgical materials. Working as a team is a big advantage, more than one surgeon, experienced operation nurses and closer follow up in intensive care unit

Cardiogenic Shock

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is an end-organ hypoperfusion associated with heart failure. Any reason impairing acute left ventricular (LV) or right ventricular (RV) function may cause CS. The only way to avoid CS is to provide early reperfusion in myocardial infarction (MI) patients. CS is characterized by permanent or transient rearrangement of the entire circulatory system. According to the current IABP-SHOCK II trial, 74% of the patients with CSMI are treated with norepinephrine, 53% of them with dobutamine, 26% of them with epinephrine, 4% of them with levosimendan, and 4% of them with dopamine. Percutaneous circulatory support devices such as intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), LV assist device (LVAD), or extracorporeal life support (ECLS) create treatment options for selected patients such as CS, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or high-risk pPCI and CABG. Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO, 2017) evaluated that the use of ECLS/VA-ECMO should be considered when the mortality risk exceeds 50% despite optimal conventional treatment in case of acute severe heart or pulmonary failure, whereas it should be assessed as a primary indication when it exceeds 80%. Early and effective revascularization is the best treatment option for CS. Thus, the organizations on the national and global basis will play the most effective role for the short- and long-term survival of patients

Tricuspid Valve Repair

For the previous years, the tricuspid valve (TV), has been studied relatively less than the other heart valves diseases both about pathophysiology, management, surgical intervention, and treatment. However, recent advances in assessment and management of the TV disease have led to redirect the interest in this “forgotten valve.” Surgeons often had believed that quick solutions for the left ventricle problems would also improve the secondary tricuspid regurgitation (STR). Every active surgeon has been preferred this quick solution in his whole surgery life many times. Medical treatment options aims to improve the underlying disease and the right ventricle failure. TV surgery have proven to yield good outcomes in surgery indicated patients. For patients who are not available for surgery, trans catheter intervention may be an alternative. Due to limited data, the best surgical techniques are still in question, with no clear answer, particularly for STR. Key factor in determining prognosis, timing for intervention and longer-term outcome is the right ventricular function at the time of prognosis

Change in Free Radical and Antioxidant Enzyme Levels in the Patients Undergoing Open Heart Surgery with Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Objective. The purpose of this study is to determine the changes in oxidative damage and antioxidant parameters in open heart surgeries with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in preoperative and early postoperative periods. Methods. A total of three consecutive arterial blood samples were obtained from the patients in the study group, in preoperative, early postoperative, and postoperative periods, respectively. Oxidative damage indicator (MDA) and antioxidant indicators (GPx, GSH, CAT, and SOD) were examined. Results. A statistically significant increase was observed in MDA level in postoperative period compared to preoperative and early postoperative periods. GSH levels and CAT activities increased significantly in early postoperative and postoperative periods. Analyses revealed an increase in GPx and SOD enzyme activities only in the postoperative period. Conclusion. Even though the increase in MDA level was suppressed by the increased GSH level and CAT activity like in early postoperative period, efficiency can be brought for the increases in insufficient significant antioxidant parameters in postoperative period by administering antioxidant supplements to the patients and thus the increase in MDA in postoperative period can be significantly suppressed