Introduction: Classic coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery involves diastolic cardiac arrest under cardiopulmonary bypass, while off-pump CABG (OPCABG) has become widespread in recent years.
Methods: 174 patients who underwent OPCABG were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups. Group I (n=90) received ivabradine and Group M (n=84) received metoprolol before surgery until postoperative day 10. Intraoperative arrhythmias and hypotension were recorded. Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) and arrhythmia, mortality and morbidity rates were assessed based on the 30-day postoperative follow-up.
Results: There were no significant differences in the intraoperative amount of inotropic support and red blood cell transfusion between groups (P=0.87 and P=0.31). However, the rates of intraoperative arrhythmias and hypotension were not significantly higher in Group M (P=0.317 and P=0.47). Ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) was observed in 2 patients in both groups. Postoperative AF occurred in 7 patients (7.7%) in Group I and in 10 patients (11.9%) in Group M. Although there was a trend towards a higher prevalence of AF in Group M patients, this did not reach statistical significance. In addition, mortality and morbidity rates were comparable between groups.
Severe functional mitral valve regurgitation should be treated in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization. When replacement is considered the best therapeutic option, preservation of the mitral subvalvular apparatus is crucial, especially in the emergency setting, because of its primary role in preserving geometry and function of left and right ventricles. Here we present a simple and quick technique, where subvalvular apparatus is preserved in toto in patients undergoing mitral valve replacement with a bioprosthesis.
Introduction: In this study, we aimed to present three different methods for symptomatic aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) surgery.
Methods: We identified 11 consecutive adult patients undergoing symptomatic and/or aneurysmal ARSA repair between January 2016 and December 2020. Symptoms were dysphagia (n=8) and dyspnea + dysphagia (n=3). Six patients had aneurysm formation of the ARSA (mean diameter of 4.2 cm [range 2.8 - 6.3]). All data were analyzed retrospectively.
Results: Median age of the patients (7 females/4 males) was 55 years (range 49 - 62). The first four patients (36.4%) underwent hybrid repair using thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and bilateral carotid-subclavian artery bypass (CScBp). Three patients (27.2%) were treated by open ARSA resection/ligation with left mini posterolateral thoracotomy (LMPLT) and right CScBp. And the last four patients (36.4%) underwent ARSA resection/ligation with LMPLT and ascending aorta-right subclavian artery bypass with upper mini sternotomy (UMS). Two of the four patients who underwent TEVAR + bilateral CScBp had continuing dysphagia cause of persistent esophageal compression. Brachial plexus injury developed in one of three patients who underwent LMPLT + right CScBp. Pleural effusion treated with thoracentesis alone was observed in one of four patients who underwent UMS + LMPLT.
Conclusion: Among the symptomatic and/or aneurysmal ARSA treatment approaches, surgical and hybrid methods are used. There is still no consensus on how to manage these patients. In our study, we recommend the UMS + LMPLT method, since the risk of complications with anatomical bypass is less, and we have more successful surgical results.
Introduction: Implantable cardiac pacemakers or cardioverter defibrillators are alternatives for the treatment of arrhythmias, however, their use has caused changes in the emotional state of patients. The objective of this study was to compare the measures of anxiety and depression symptoms in individuals according to their sex, type of cardiac device, and diagnosis of Chagas disease.
Methods: This is an observational and cross-sectional study conducted with adults with implantable cardiac pacemakers or cardioverter defibrillators. Data was collected using a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. We used the Student's t-test for independent samples and the Chi-squared test, with a significance level of 0.05.
Results: Two hundred forty-four patients participated in the study, 168 with cardiac pacemakers and 76 with implantable cardioverter defibrillators; 104 had Chagas cardiomyopathy (85 with cardiac pacemakers and 19 with implantable cardioverter defibrillators). No statistically significant differences were found in measures of anxiety and depression symptoms according to device type (P=0.594 and P=0.071, respectively) and the presence of Chagas etiology (P=0.649 and P=0.354, respectively). Women had higher mean scores for anxiety (P=0.002) and depression symptoms (P<0.001).
Conclusion: In the comparison between the groups, according to the type of implanted device and the diagnosis of Chagas disease, no significant differences were found in the measures of anxiety and depression symptoms. Women showed higher means when compared to men, indicating the need to test and implement interventions to minimize these symptoms in this population.
While the fraternity continues to ponder on the mechanisms by which coronavirus disease (COVID-19) positivity affects the outcome of cardiac surgical subset, we put forth a 3H (Hypoxia-Hemolysis-Hyperinflammation) trilogy aimed at elucidating the liaison between cardiopulmonary bypass (commonly employed for cardiac surgical conduct) and COVID-19 infection. A sound comprehension of the same can doubtlessly assist the perioperative team in staging a well-directed pathophysiology-driven management approach.