Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio can predict postoperative mortality in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate clinical importance of neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratio in patients with Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Methods: 125 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension were operated pulmonary thromboendarterectomy in our center between February 2011 and August 2013. 106 patients included into the study due to limitations. The patients were classified into two groups as patients discharged alive (Group 1) and those dying in the hospital (Group 2). Baseline neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio level was measured by dividing neutrophil count to lymphocyte count. Results: 84 patients (79%) were in Group 1, 22 patients (21%) were in Group 2. Patients with higher neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in admission have a significantly higher mortality rate and postoperative pulmonary vascular resistance was found statistically significant variable to predict the mortality. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that using a cut-off point of 2.54, admission neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio predicts mortality. Also, correlation analysis showed a significant correlation between preopera-tive pulmonary vascular resistance and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio. Conclusion: The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio level may be a useful and noninvasive biomarker for operative risk stratification for mortality after pulmonary thromboendarterectomy

Role of Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy in Deep Sternal Wound Infection After Open Heart Surgery

Introduction: Mediastinitis is a devastating complication in open heart surgery. The most common treatments after debridement are rewiring with antibiotic irrigation. Vacuum assisted closure therapy is a recently introduced technique that promotes the healing of difficult wounds, including post-sternotomy mediastinitis.Patients and Methods: Forty one patients with deep sternal wound infection were divided into two groups based on the treatment method used. Twenty two patients with post-cardio to my deep sternal wound infection were treated primarily by vacuum assisted closure method (group A) and 19 patients with deep sternal wound infection who received closed mediastinal irrigation were treated with antibiotics (group B) between January 2006 and January 2010.Results: The two groups were compared. Three patients died during treatment in group B. The median healing time was significantly shorter in group A (mean, 13.5 ± 3.2 days) compared to 18 days (mean, 21.2 ± 16.4 days) in group B (p< 0.001). Deep sternal wound infection showed no recurrences after the vacuum treatment, while 7 (24%) patients in group B suffered recurrences. Hospital stay was significantly shorter in group A (median, 30.5 days; mean, 32.2 ± 11.3 days vs. median, 45 days; mean, 49.2 ± 19.3 days) (p= 0.001).Conclusion: A significantly shorter healing time was confirmed with vacuum assisted closure. Hospital stay remained significantly shorter in group A (35 vs. 46 days)

Importance Of Reciprocal St Segment Depression In The Extensive Coronary Artery Disease

Aim : We investigated the relationship between the severity of reciprocal ST depression and the extent of coronary artery disease in patients with inferior myocardial infarction. Method : Ninety-five consecutive patients (52 women 43 men, with a mean age of 54±5 years) who had acute inferior myocardial infarction were included in the study. Reciprocal changes in the ST segment were defined as ST depression of> 1 mm in at least two out of four of the precordial leads V1-V4. All the patients had undergone coronary angiography within seven days of admission. The extension of coronary artery disease which was measured by Gensini and Reardon scores, was compared with the reciprocal changes on ECG recorded at the time of admission. Result : There was a significant correlation between reciprocal ST depression and disease extension (r=0.68 for Gensini score, r= 0.88 for Reardon score, p< 0.05 for both). Conclusion: The presence of ST segment depression in the precordial leads during the acute inferior myocardial infarction was associated with greater myocardial necrosis and more frequent left coronary artery disease