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Introduction: Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the recommended vascular access type for hemodialysis-dependent patients. Although the patency rates are respectable, primary failure is still a challenge. We aimed to investigate the association between lower perioperative mean arterial pressure and primary failure in distal radiocephalic AVF operations. Methods: A total of 141 patients who underwent distal radiocephalic AVF operation were retrospectively investigated (70 females, mean age: 48.0±5.5). The patients were divided into two groups according to the average value of the perioperative mean arterial pressure measurements. Risk factors were compared between groups. Results: No difference was found between groups in terms of baseline characteristics and risk factors. The primary failure was found to be higher in the lower perioperative mean arterial pressure group (17% vs. 34%, p=0.030). Risk factors for primary failure were taken into univariate logistic regression analysis, and none were found significant. Discussion and Conclusion: Our study revealed that lower mean arterial pressure in the perioperative period is associated with a higher primary failure rate for distal radiocephalic AVFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A higher frequency of premature ventricular complexes is associated with a higher risk of premature ventricular complex-induced cardiomyopathy. Although there are several studies on the systolic functions of the left ventricle in this patient group, it is clearly not known how the diastolic functions of the left ventricle are affected. This study examined the effect of premature ventricular complex on left ventricle diastolic functions using diastolic strain rate. Methods: The trial included 57 patients with frequent premature ventricular complexes and 54 healthy volunteers. The patient was evaluated using echocardiography in its entirety. The vendor-independent software system determined systolic and diastolic strain parameters via 2-dimensional speckle tracking analysis. Using the auto strain 3P semi-automated endocardial boundary tracking instrument, the global longitudinal strain was measured from the apical 4-chamber, 2-chamber, and long axis. The diastolic strain rate was determined by averaging the strain rates of 17 cardiac segments at 2 distinct periods of diastole. Results: In the patient group, early diastolic strain rate was significantly lower than that in the control group (1.62 ± 0.58 vs. 1.25 ± 0.38, P < .001). There were found to be significant negative connections between PVC's electrocardiographic QRS wave length and early diastolic strain rate and coupling interval and early diastolic strain rate. Significant positive associations between coupling interval and early diastolic strain rate were discovered (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively). Conclusions: Patients with premature ventricular complex exhibited a lower early diastolic strain rate than healthy individuals. The early diastolic strain rate can be used to predict left ventricle diastolic dysfunction, and persons with premature ventricular complex may have a higher risk of left ventricle diastolic dysfunction than the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the diameter of the abdominal aorta with inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) occlusion and intraluminal thrombus (ILT) thickness, as well as the relationship between IMA occlusion and ILT diameter in patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Patients and methods: This retrospective study was conducted with 599 AAA patients (515 males, 84 females; mean age: 70.4±9.7 years; range, 26 to 96 years) between January 2015 and December 2020. The patients were grouped according to IMA occlusion. There were 169 (28.2%) patients with an occluded IMA (Group A) and 430 (71.8%) patients with a patent IMA (Group B). Results: No correlation was found between aneurysm diameter and IMA occlusion. Intraluminal thrombus was more frequent in patients with IMA occlusion than in those without an occlusion (p=0.002). The ILT diameter was found to be extended in Group A (p<0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between AAA diameter and ILT diameter (tb=0.389; p<0.001). Conclusion: Inferior mesenteric artery occlusion was not related to AAA diameter but was more frequently detected with increased ILT thickness/AAA diameter ratio. The increase in the aneurysm diameter is not associated with IMA occlusion. Future studies on ILT progression can better reveal the role of ILT on the pathogenesis of IMA occlusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Inflammation is a component in the pathogenesis of critical limb ischemia. We aimed to assess how inflammation affects response to treatment in patients treated for critical limb ischemia using neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocytes ratios (PLR) as markers of inflammation. Methods: Patients in a single tertiary cardiovascular center with critical limb ischemia unsuitable for surgical or interventional revascularization were retrospectively identified. Data were collected on medical history for risk factors, previous surgical or endovascular revascularization, and outcome. A standard regimen of low molecular weight heparin, aspirin, statins, iloprost infusions, and a standard pain medication protocol were applied to each patient per hospital protocol. Patients with improvement in ischemic pain and healed ulcers made up the responders group and cases with no worsening pain or ulcer size or progression to minor or major amputations made up the non-responders group. Responders and Non-responders were compared for risk factors including pretreatment NLR and PLR. Results: 268 included patients who were not candidates for surgical or endovascular revascularization were identified. Responders had significantly lower pretreatment NLR (4.48 vs 8.47, p < 0.001) and PLR (162.19 vs 225.43, p = 0.001) values. After controlling for associated risk factors NLR ≥ 4.63 (p < 0.001) and PLR ≥ 151.24 (p = 0.016) were independently associated with no response to treatment. Conclusions: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocytes ratio are markers of inflammation that are reduced in patients improving with medical treatment suggesting a decreased state of inflammation before treatment in responding patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving treatment in cardiogenic and respiratory shock. It is prone to various complications, infection being among the most frequent. This study aims to define the prevalence and characteristics of infections in ECMO patients in a tertiary care center for cardiac diseases. Methods: All ECMO patients between 2012 and 2016 in a single cardiac center were retrospectively included. Demographic data, ECMO indications, type, site, duration, and infection-related data were recorded. Data were analyzed among all patients and separately between pediatric and adult patient groups. Results: One hundred and twenty-six patients, 66 (53.4%) pediatric and 60 (47.6%) adult, received ECMO within the study period. Mean age was 3.54±4.27 years in the pediatric group and 54.92±15.57 years in the adult group. The main indication for ECMO ***was postcardiotomy shock (77.8%). Forty-six (36.5%) of all cases developed a culture-proven nosocomial infection with a rate of 49/1000 ECMO days. Infection was associated with > 5 days of ECMO duration and hemodialysis requirement in all patients and lower age in the pediatric group. The most frequent infection site was the lower respiratory tract (14.3%), while the most common isolated organisms were Klebsiella (8.7%) and Streptococcus (4.8%) species. Conclusion: The respiratory tract is the most common site of infection, however, all sites impose a threat to recovery, with longer treatment durations required for patients with cultureproven infections. A better understanding of the infectious spectrum and its effect on the mortality and morbidity is required for more successful treatment of ECMO patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: No studies have been specifically conducted on asthma patients undergoing cardiac surgery for assessing mortality and morbidity. Distinct effects of cardiac surgery lead to negative effects on respiratory functions, putting patients with existing lung diseases under an increased risk. We aimed to investigate whether asthma patients are under higher risk for mortality and possible complications after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery than patients without asthma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included patients who underwent elective CABG surgery at our hospital between November 2014 and November 2015. Patients with a history of asthma were verified with physical examination and spirometric measurements by a single. The asthma group was compared with the controls in terms of mortality and morbidities. RESULTS: Asthma patients were extubated later than control patients (p=0.028); however, prolonged intubation (longer than 24 h) frequency was not different (p>0.05). Asthma patients required longer stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) (p=0.003) than controls. The incidence of perioperative asthma exacerbations was significantly lower in patients in whom asthma was previously well-controlled. The incidence of postoperative sibilant rhonchi was lower in patients in whom asthma was under control than in those in whom asthma was partially controlled (p=0.020). CONCLUSION: Asthma is associated with longer ICU stay and asthma-related pulmonary complications after CABG surgery. Preoperative evaluation of asthma patients scheduled for CABG surgery requires consideration of the control status of asthma. Studies with more controls are needed to provide further evidence on the topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The coexistence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) is a risk factor for stroke and death. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential of the SYNTAX score (SXscore) for predicting carotid stenosis in patients undergoing CABG.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 291 patients (225 males, mean age 60.5 ± 8.5 years) who underwent CABG in a single center in 2014 and were screened for carotid artery preoperatively. The total SXscore was obtained by scoring every luminal narrowing greater than 50% in coronary vessels larger than 1.5 mm using the SXscore algorithm. Correlations between the severity of carotid stenosis and SXscore were analyzed.Results: As the degree of carotid artery stenosis increases (≤%50; ≥%50 vs ≥%70), the mean SXscore (19.06 ± 7.72, P > 0,05; 28.40 ± 6.89, P < 0,01; 31.02 ± 7.04, P < 0.01, respectively) were found to increase. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed a cut-off point of 27 or more in SXscore according to the presence of carotid stenosis greater than or equal to %70. The risk of existence of significant carotid stenosis was 58-fold greater in cases with SXscore greater than or equal to 27. In cases with SXscore greater than or equal to 27, the risk of existence of significant carotid stenosis was 58-fold greater with a confidence interval of 95%. Moreover, the presence of left main CAD was associated with the severity of carotid stenosis (<50% carotid stenosis, P > 0.05; ≥%50, P = 0.001; and ≥70, P = 0.001).Conclusion: This study suggests that the presence of left main coronary artery disease or SXscore greater than or equal to 27 should require preoperative carotid screening in patients undergoing CABG, regardless of the presence of risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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With basilic veins of smaller diameters, the staged basilic vein transposition has higher maturation and 1-year patency rates than the one-stage technique in BBAVF [3]. The evidence for the one-stage technique in patients with larger basilic veins is not as clear [2]. In our study, we had investigated the factors affecting the maturation of one-stage and two-stage brachiobasilic arteriovenous fistulas (BBAVF). [Extracted from the article]

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of robotic mitral valve surgery with and without concomitant tricuspid valve surgery., Methods: Patients who underwent robotic mitral surgery between March 2010 and September 2022 were included. Patients were grouped according to the presence of concomitant tricuspid interventions. The groups were compared for baseline factors, operative parameters, and early postoperative outcomes. Age- and gender-matched groups were also compared for outcomes., Results: The study included 285 robotic mitral surgery patients. There were 59 patients who underwent concomitant tricuspid interventions. In the concomitant tricuspid surgery group, cardiopulmonary bypass time (150.1 vs 128.4 min, P < 0.001) and cross-clamp time (99.2 vs 82.4 min, P < 0.001) were longer. Prolonged intubation was more frequent in the concomitant tricuspid intervention group (5.2% vs 0.5%, P = 0.029). The groups did not differ in terms of mortality, permanent pacemaker (PPM) requirement, or other morbidities. Perioperative outcomes were similar after matched group analysis., Conclusions: Operative mortality and early adverse outcomes did not increase with the addition of tricuspid intervention in our cohort of robotic mitral surgery patients. The robotic approach for mitral disease and coexisting tricuspid disease may offer safe results without an increased risk of postoperative PPM requirement., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Objective: Robot-assisted minimally invasive coronary bypass surgery is one of the least invasive approaches that offers multivessel revascularization and accelerated recovery. We investigated the benefits of computed tomography angiography (CTA) guidance in robotic coronary bypass (RCAB) by analyzing perioperative outcomes., Methods: Between April 2022 and April 2023, 60 consecutive patients who underwent RCAB under preoperative CTA guidance were included. The intercostal space of the minithoractomy incision was determined based on the distance from the thoracotomy site to the midsection of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) on preoperative CTA. Peripheral vascular findings on preoperative CTA guided the decision for the cannulation site. Perioperative parameters and early outcomes were evaluated., Results: The mean age of the patients was 62.3 ± 10.5 years, and 51 patients were male (85.0%). The mean number of revascularized vessels was 2.9 ± 1.1. Left thoracotomy guided by CTA measurements was performed in the fourth intercostal space in 37 patients (61.7%) and in the third intercostal space in the remaining patients. Axillary cannulation was performed in 28 (46.7%) patients because of prohibitive findings in the iliac vessels and aorta. All target coronary arteries with an indication for bypass were revascularized with CTA-guided RCAB. The left internal mammary artery (LIMA) was anastomosed to the LAD in all patients, and the LIMA was anastomosed sequentially to the diagonal artery in 17 patients (28.3%). No operative mortality or cerebrovascular event was observed. One patient underwent reoperation due to bleeding., Conclusions: Robot-assisted minimally invasive multiple-vessel coronary bypass under preoperative CTA guidance is safe and can be performed with excellent results., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: This study aims to investigate the effect of cardiopulmonary bypass on antibody titers in patients vaccinated against the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass., Methods: Between October 2021 and October 2022, a total of 70 patients (44 males, 26 females; mean age 59.9±10.3; range, 26 to 79 years) who completed their recommended COVID-19 vaccinations and underwent elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were prospectively included. Serum samples for antibody titer measurements were taken at anesthesia induction and the end of cardiopulmonary bypass after decannulation. The SARS-CoV-2 total immunoglobulin antibodies against N-protein were measured. The antibody titer measurements at anesthesia induction and at the end of cardiopulmonary bypass were compared in all patients., Results: The median levels after cardiopulmonary bypass were lower than the preoperative levels (1,739.0 vs. 857.0, respectively; p<0.001). There was a drop of 40.0% (21.2%-62.6%) in the antibody titers among all patients. The decrease in antibody titers was consistent regardless of the number of vaccine doses or whether the last dose was received within the last three months. Among the studied factors, no parameter was significantly associated with a lesser or higher decrease in antibody titers., Conclusion: Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass causes a decrease in SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers at the end of cardiopulmonary bypass. Revaccination after cardiac operations may be considered in this patient group that is highly vulnerable due to their comorbidities and lowered antibody levels., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2022, Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery.)

Background: We aimed to investigate the predictive value of Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE II) scores for mortality in octogenarian cardiac surgery patients., Methods: Between January 2016 and December 2019, cardiac operations performed in 116 octogenarian patients (73 males, 43 females; mean age: 82.9±3.1 years; range, 80 to 97 years) were retrospectively analyzed. The patients with and without mortality were compared for their demographic and operative factors. The STS and EuroSCORE II scores, and observed mortality rates were assessed., Results: Mean STS score was 3.7±11.1 and mean EuroSCORE II was 5.2±5.4. For any operation type, the mean EuroSCORE II was significantly higher (8.1±7.4 vs. 4.1±4.0, respectively; p=0.006) in the patients with mortality. For elective operations, the mean EuroSCORE II was higher in cases with mortality (7.2±7.3 vs. 3.7±3.9, respectively; p=0.006); however, for urgent cases, there was no significant difference between the scores. Using the receiver operating characteristic curve, the EuroSCORE II had a higher area under the curve for all cases and elective cases than the STS scores., Conclusion: The EuroSCORE II performed better than the STS score for mortality prediction in octogenarians, whereas the predictions of either scoring system was unsatisfactory for urgent surgery and combined procedures. Population-based validation studies are needed for a better risk scoring system in this age group., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2021, Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery.)

Background: This study aims to investigate the relationship between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and renal injury in patients under extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for postcardiotomy shock., Methods: Between January 2007 and July 2018, a total of 119 patients (38 males, 81 females; mean age 54.4±13.0 years; range, 24 to 74 years) who received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for postcardiotomy shock and survived at least 48 hours in our center were retrospectively analyzed. Pre- and postoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios, demographic characteristics, renal function parameters, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenationrelated data of the patients were recorded. Occurrence and stages of renal injury was determined using the revised Acute Kidney Injury Network and Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria., Results: No significant relationship was found between preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and renal injury (p>0.05). Postoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was higher in patients who developed renal injury, compared to patients without renal injury (8.68 [0.84-42.00] vs. 4.02 [1.04-21.21], respectively, p=0.004). When patients were grouped for renal injury stage according to the revised Acute Kidney Injury Network (p=0.015) and Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (p=0.006) criteria, the patients with more severe renal injury had higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. The receiver operating characteristics analysis revealed a cut-off value of 6.71 for the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio for the detection of renal injury. Patients with a value above 6.71 had an odds ratio of 5.941 for occurrence of renal injury., Conclusion: Postoperative, but not preoperative neutrophil-tolymphocyte ratio is associated with presence and severity of renal injury in patients under extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for postcardiotomy shock. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is a simple and inexpensive marker of inflammation in this patient population., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2019, Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery.)