Aorto-venous fistula between an abdominal aortic aneurysm and an aberrant renal vein: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>The potential complications of an abdominal aortic aneurysm include rupture, compression of surrounding structures, thrombo-embolic events and fistula. The most common site of arterio-venous fistula is the inferior vena cava. Fistula involving a renal vein is particularly uncommon.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>This report describes a 54-year-old Caucasian woman who was admitted to the emergency department with fatigue, severe dyspnea and bilateral lower limb edema. In the first instance this anamnesis suggested possible heart failure. In fact, our patient presented with multi-organ system failure due to a fistula between an infra-renal aortic aneurysm and an aberrant retro-aortic renal vein.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>To our knowledge, this is the first report of a woman with a fistula between an infra-renal aortic aneurysm and an aberrant retro-aortic left renal vein. Aorto-venous fistulas may be asymptomatic or may present with symptoms characteristic of arterio-venous shunting and/or aneurysm rupture. This type of fistula is a rare cause of heart failure. Clinical examination and imaging are essential for detection.</p

Artificial Neural Networks Versus Multiple Logistic Regression to Predict 30-Day Mortality After Operations For Type A Ascending Aortic Dissection§

There are few comparative reports on the overall accuracy of neural networks (NN), assessed only versus multiple logistic regression (LR), to predict events in cardiovascular surgery studies and none has been performed among acute aortic dissection (AAD) Type A patients. OBJECTIVES: We aimed at investigating the predictive potential of 30-day mortality by a large series of risk factors in AAD Type A patients comparing the overall performance of NN versus LR. METHODS: We investigated 121 plus 87 AAD Type A patients consecutively operated during 7 years in two Centres. Forced and stepwise NN and LR solutions were obtained and compared, using receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (AUC) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) and Gini's coefficients. Both NN and LR models were re-applied to data from the second Centre to adhere to a methodological imperative with NN. RESULTS: Forced LR solutions provided AUC 87.9+/-4.1% (CI: 80.7 to 93.2%) and 85.7+/-5.2% (CI: 78.5 to 91.1%) in the first and second Centre, respectively. Stepwise NN solution of the first Centre had AUC 90.5+/-3.7% (CI: 83.8 to 95.1%). The Gini's coefficients for LR and NN stepwise solutions of the first Centre were 0.712 and 0.816, respectively. When the LR and NN stepwise solutions were re-applied to the second Centre data, Gini's coefficients were, respectively, 0.761 and 0.850. Few predictors were selected in common by LR and NN models: the presence of pre-operative shock, intubation and neurological symptoms, immediate post-operative presence of dialysis in continuous and the quantity of post-operative bleeding in the first 24 h. The length of extracorporeal circulation, post-operative chronic renal failure and the year of surgery were specifically detected by NN. CONCLUSIONS: Different from the International Registry of AAD, operative and immediate post-operative factors were seen as potential predictors of short-term mortality. We report a higher overall predictive accuracy with NN than with LR. However, the list of potential risk factors to predict 30-day mortality after AAD Type A by NN model is not enlarged significantly

Pharmacologic prophylaxis for atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery: a systematic review

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia occurring after cardiac surgery. Its incidence varies depending on type of surgery. Postoperative AF may cause hemodynamic deterioration, predispose to stroke and increase mortality. Effective treatment for prophylaxis of postoperative AF is vital as reduces hospitalization and overall morbidity. Beta - blockers, have been proved to prevent effectively atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery and should be routinely used if there are no contraindications. Sotalol may be more effective than standard b-blockers for the prevention of AF without causing an excess of side effects. Amiodarone is useful when beta-blocker therapy is not possible or as additional prophylaxis in high risk patients. Other agents such as magnesium, calcium channels blocker or non-antiarrhythmic drugs as glycose-insulin - potassium, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, N-acetylcysteine and statins have been studied as alternative treatment for postoperative AF prophylaxis

Amiodarone for postoperative atrial fibrillation - Reply

WOS: 00018870980006

Coronary artery bypass re-operations: basic principles [Koroner bypass reoperasynolari: temel prensipler.]

PubMed ID: 12122970Mortality and major complications during primary coronary artery bypass operation has decreased substantially during the past 20 years. However, patients undergoing reoperative myocardial revascularization still face markedly elevated perioperative mortality and morbidity. On the other hand, the incidence of reoperative coronary bypass surgery continues to increase. Aggressive perioperative care and optimal myocardial protection is mandatory in these patients. In this article we reviewed the patient profiles, indications for operation, operative techniques and their impact on the surgical results for patients undergoing reoperative coronary artery bypass surgery

Single-stage transpericardial repair of acute aortic dissection associated with recoarctation

WOS: 000168524900028PubMed ID: 1132624

Combined thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair and off-pump coronary artery surgery

WOS: 000171930500014PubMed ID: 11605147Off-pump coronary revascularization using local stabilizing devices and less invasive methods are getting more interest with good results. To our knowledge we report the first operation of which concomitant coronary revascularization using "Octopus'" device and thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair has been done without extracorporeal circulation with successful outcome. Repair of the aorta and patency of the descending aorta to coronary saphenous bypass graft were showed with angiography at postoperative 6 month

Epicardial hemangioma [Epikardiyal yerlesimli hemanjiyom]

[No abstract available

Perigraft to right atrial shunt by using autologous pericardium for control of bleeding in acute type A dissections

WOS: 000178452500024PubMed ID: 12400747Background. We report our experience with creating a perigraft to right atrial fistula by using autologous pericardium to control the inaccessible bleeding after aortic root repair in patients with acute type A aortic dissection. Methods. Between 1994 and 2001, perigraft to right atrial fistula was used in 7 of 109 patients (mean age; 55 years) who underwent emergency operation for acute type A dissections. A chamber around the aortic graft was created by suturing a patch of pericardium to the right ventricular wall inferiorly, to the pulmonary artery medially, to the Teflon felt at the distal aortic anastomosis or innominate vein superiorly, and to the superior vena cava and right atrium laterally. A large stab wound was created on the medial aspect of the right atrium. The perigraft space was then closed expeditiously. Results. None of these patients required reexploration for bleeding and they were discharged from the hospital without complications. The average blood and fresh frozen plasma requirement was 3.4 +/- 0.9 and 2.7 +/- 0.7, respectively. All underwent echocardiographic examination before discharge and no perigraft to right atrial shunt was detected. Conclusions. If intractable bleeding is encountered after the administration of protamine and thrombotic agents and a discrete bleeding site can not be found, then a perigraft to right atrial fistula using autologous pericardium can be created as a last resort. It provides primary and definite sternal closure and avoids the detrimental effects of a second pump run and continued bleeding