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Background: The main cause of atherosclerosis is the disruption of trace element biobalance and endothelial damage accompanied by increased oxidative stress. Methods: In this clinical prospective study, all diabetic patients were randomly selected according to the Euroscore II risk classication. Offpump coronary bypass surgery was performed in all cases. From the blood samples taken before and after the surgery, zinc and copper, malondialdehyde lipid peroxidase (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total oxidant/antioxidant capacity (TOS/TAC), nitric oxide (NO), HbA1c and homocysteine levels were analyzed. Results:Early postoperative processes were signicantly longer in the diabetic group. Trace elements did not change after surgery. TOS, NO, and SOD activities were signicantly increased in all groups compared with the control group. NO levels signicantly increased in the T1DM group compared with the control group. (p

Objective: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a metabolic disease whose molecular events have not yet been fully clarified. However, next-generation powerful molecular approaches such as mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics holds promise. In this study, we aimed to reveal the protein profile of serum samples obtained from patients with T2D and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease using the high-resolution liquid chromatography (LC)-MS/MS system. Materials and Methods: Immune depletion was performed for the top 12 abundant proteins in 10 μl serum samples taken from individuals. Then, tryptic peptides were obtained from total proteins by applying a digestion protocol. Accordingly, reduction, alkylation, and digestion with trypsin enzyme were carried out, respectively. Tryptic peptides were analyzed in an ultra-high-pressure LC-MS/MS system with a label-free proteomic approach. The raw data were processed using the software program. Results: LC-MS/MS analyses revealed 120 proteins with significant expression changes. Some of these proteins were associated with inflammation, lipid transport, and oxidative stress, which are known to play an important role in T2D and its complications. Conclusion: As a result, LC-MS/MS analyses highlighted the proteins that will provide predictions in the treatment and course of T2D. We believe that validation of these proteins with targeted proteomic approaches in a larger sample in further studies will contribute to the development of clinically usable panels.

Case Presentation A 19-year-old pregnant woman at week 32 of gestation was referred to our clinic with progressive shortness of breath for the further evaluation and treatment of high-risk pregnancy. Her complaints had been existing since her childhood. Two years prior to her admission, she had been diagnosed with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction due to cardiomyopathy and associated pulmonary hypertension. The patient had no family history of any cardiac disease. She had never smoked or drunk alcohol. Her clinical condition had deteriorated progressively with the pregnancy.

WOS: 000441844800006 PubMed ID: 29761422 Surgical treatment of congenital heart disease (CHD) involves complex vascular reconstructions utilizing artificial and native surgical materials. A successful surgical reconstruction achieves an optimal hemodynamic profile through the graft in spite of the complex post-operative vessel growth pattern and the altered pressure loading. This paper proposes a new in silico patient-specific pre-surgical planning framework for patch reconstruction and investigates its computational feasibility. The proposed protocol is applied to the patch repair of main pulmonary artery (MPA) stenosis in the Tetralogy of Fallot CHD template. The effects of stenosis grade, the three-dimensional (3D) shape of the surgical incision and material properties of the artificial patch are investigated. The release of residual stresses due to the surgical incision and the extra opening of the incision gap for patch implantation are simulated through a quasi-static finite-element vascular model with shell elements. Implantation of different unloaded patch shapes is simulated. The patched PA configuration is pressurized to the physiological post-operative blood pressure levels of 25 and 45 mmHg and the consequent post-operative stress distributions and patched artery shapes are computed. Stress-strain data obtained in-house, through the biaxial tensile tests for the mechanical properties of common surgical patch materials, Dacron, Polytetrafluoroethylene, human pericardium and porcine xenopericardium, are employed to represent the mechanical behavior of the patch material. Finite-element model is experimentally validated through the actual patch surgery reconstructions performed on the 3D printed anatomical stenosis replicas. The post-operative recovery of the initially narrowed lumen area and post-optortuosity are quantified for all modeled cases. A computational fluid dynamics solver is used to evaluate post-operative pressure drop through the patch-reconstructed outflow tract. According to our findings, the shorter incisions made at the throat result in relatively low local peak stress values compared to other patch design alternatives. Longer cut and double patch cases are the most effective in repairing the initial stenosis level. After the patch insertion, the pressure drop in the artery due to blood flow decreases from 9.8 to 1.35 mm Hg in the conventional surgical configuration. These results are in line with the clinical experience where a pressure gradient at or above 50 mm Hg through the MPA can be an indication to intervene. The main strength of the proposed pre-surgical planning framework is its capability to predict the intraoperative and post-operative 3D vascular shape changes due to intramural pressure, cut length and configuration, for both artificial and native patch materials. European Research Council (ERC); ERC [307460]; TUBITAK 1003 priority-research program [115E690] Funding was provided by Grants from the European Research Council (ERC) Proof of Concept Grant KidsSurgicalPlan, ERC Starting Grant 307460, TUBITAK 1003 priority-research program Grant 115E690. We acknowledge Mohammad Rezaeimoghaddam for his help in CFD simulations.

Background: Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a useful non-invasive tool for monitoring infants undergoing cardiac surgery. In this study, we aimed to determine the NIRS values in cyanotic and acyanotic patients who underwent corrective cardiac surgery for congenital heart diseases. Methods: Thirty consecutive infants who were operated on with the diagnosis of ventricular septal defect (n=15) and tetralogy of Fallot (n=15) were evaluated retrospectively. A definitive repair of the underlying cardiac pathology was achieved in all cases. A total of six measurements of cerebral and renal NIRS were performed at different stages of the perioperative period. The laboratory data, mean urine output and serum lactate levels were evaluated along with NIRS values in each group. Results: The NIRS values differ in both groups, even after the corrective surgical procedure is performed. The recovery of renal NIRS values is delayed in the cyanotic patients. Conclusion: Even though definitive surgical repair is performed in cyanotic infants, recovery of the renal vasculature may be delayed by up to two days, which is suggestive of a vulnerable period for renal dysfunction.

The objective of this clinical study is to determine whether correlation exists among cerebral and renal near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) measurements, renal Doppler ultrasonography parameters (resistive index, peak systolic velocity), and early postoperative clinical outcomes following cardiac surgery in neonates and infants. Thirty-seven patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart defects with an age of less than 3 months, all of whom were in the high-risk group according to Aristotle Basic Complexity risk stratification score, were enrolled in our study. Cerebral, renal NIRS values and renal Doppler ultrasonography measurements were recorded for each patient at the 4th postoperative hour. The renal resistive indices were calculated for each case, and the patients were divided into two groups according to renal resistive index (RI) values. Group I included the patients with a RI of greater than 0.8 (n = 25) and Group II included the patients with a RI of less than 0.8 (n = 12). The postoperative outcome parameters were compared in between two groups. Group I (RI >0.8) had lower postoperative mean urine output than Group II (RI

The Eighth International Conference on Pediatric Mechanical Circulatory Support Systems and Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Perfusion was held at the Galatasaray University, Istanbul, Turkey, June 13–16, 2012 (Fig. 1).Atif Akcevin, MD, was the local chair of the conference. The scientific co-chairs of the eighth event were Atif Akcevin, Tijen Alkan-Bozkaya, Ihsan Bakir, Hakan Ceyran, Yves Durandy, Huriyet Ersayin-Kantas, Colleen E. Gruenwald, David Palanzo, Linda Pauliks, Kerem Pekkan, Chitra Ravishankar, Eugen Sandica, Kyung Sun, Riza Turkoz, Akif Undar, Bonnie Weaver, and John L. Myers. As we stated in the past seven editorials, the overall objective of the meeting was and still is to bring together internationally known clinicians, bioengineers, and basic scientists involved in research on pediatric mechanical circulatory support systems and pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass procedures. Primarily, we focus to explicitly describe the problems with current pediatric mechanical circulatory support systems, methods, and techniques during acute and chronic support and to suggest solutions and future directions for research (1–3). Over 200 participants from 20 countries participated at the eighth annual event. One hundred one formal presentations including a keynote lecture, 40 invited lectures, 29 oral, and 32 poster presentations began on Thursday morning June 14, 2012 and continued through Saturday evening June 16, 2012. To date, over 800 presentations (320 invited lectures, 220 slide, and 260 poster presentations) and 400 peer-reviewed articles were published based on this unique event (http://pennstatehershey.org/web/ pedscpb/home). It was a great honor to have William S. Pierce, MD, from Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, as the keynote lecturer. His lecture entitled “A 40-Year Odyssey in Mechanical Circulatory Support” was a great historic lecture and it was a privilege to listen to his talk (Figs. 2 and 3a,b). In addition, platform presentations took place in 2-h blocks during the morning and afternoon sessions on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Plenary sessions were held throughout the conference focusing on key topics including “Managing the Single Ventricle Patient from Fetus to Definite Treatment” (led by co-chairs David Anderson, MD, and John L. Myers, MD), “Pediatric MCS—Devices & Outcomes” (led by co-chairs William S. Pierce, MD, and Kyung Sun, MD, PhD, MBA), “Bioengineering Approaches in Pediatric Cardiovascular Medicine” (led by Akif Undar, PhD, and Jeffrey D. Zahn, PhD), “Extracorporeal Life Support” (led by Chitra Ravishankar, MD, and Bonnie Weaver, RN, CCRN), “Multi-Disciplinary Team Approach to Solve the Complex Problems in Neonatal and Pediatric Cardiac Surgery” (led by Ihsan Bakir, MD [Turkey], and Tayyar Sarioglu, MD), “Cardiopulmonary Perfusion” (led by Colleen E. Gruenwald, PhD, and David Palanzo, CCP), “Myocardial Protection during CPB” doi:10.1111/j.1525-1594.2012.01562.x FIG. 1. Halil Tűrkoglu, William S. Pierce, PeggyJayne Pierce, Akif Undar, Ihsan Bakir, and John L. Myers. bs_bs_banner

The aim of this clinical trial was to evaluate the pulsatile perfusion mode in pediatric patients who had complex cardiac pathologies according to Jenkins stratifications (category 4) undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass procedures (CPB). Patients with transposition of great arteries (TGA) and ventricular septal defect (VSD) were included in this clinical study. Eighty-nine consecutive pediatric patients undergoing open heart surgery for repair of TGA-VSD were prospectively entered into the study and were randomly assigned to either the pulsatile perfusion group (Group P, n = 58) or the nonpulsatile perfusion group (Group NP, n = 31). There were no differences between groups in terms of demographical and intraoperative parameters. The pulsatile group needed significantly less inotropic support (P

There is no standard for the selection of technical and mechanical components (heart-lung machine system, oxygenator, arterial and venous cannulae, arterial filter and other specifically-designed components and devices) used in cardiopulmonary bypass in Turkey. The cost of the component plays a significant role in the selection, as well as the preference of the facility. Only a limited number of hospitals decide which components to be used based on scientific data. Studies have confirmed that selected novel techniques and components having no basis of scientific justification may pose risk for the life of the patient in the short- and long-term. The objectives of this study are to show how to use quality-control procedures and scientific data for the selection of novel techniques and components and to share, also, recent techniques experienced to minimize the complication risk after surgery.

Low birthweight (LBW) continues to be a high-risk factor in surgery for congenital heart disease. This risk is particularly very high in very low birthweight infants under 1500g and extremely LBW infants under 1000g. From January 2005 to December 2008, 33 consecutive LBW neonates underwent cardiac surgery in our clinic in keeping with the criteria for choice of surgery. Their weight range was between 800 and 1900g. Nine of them were under 1000g. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was used in 17 patients (39.5%) and pulsatile perfusion mode was applied to patients in the CPB group. The same surgical team operated to achieve palliation (8 patients, 24.2%) or full repair (25 patients, 75.8%). Median gestational age was 36 weeks with 12 (36.4%) premature babies (≤37 weeks). Median age at operation was 5 days. Pathologies were single ventricle (n=3), pulmonary atresia-ventricular septal defect (n=3), aortic coarctation (n=10), aorticopulmonary window and interrupted aortic arch combination (n=6), patent arterial duct (n=11), critical aortic stenosis (n=8), and tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia (n=2). One infant had VATER syndrome. Selective cerebral perfusion technique was used in complex arch pathologies for cerebral protection. Median follow-up was 14 months. There were four early postoperative deaths. None of the cases showed a need for early reoperation. The acceptable early- and midterm mortality rates in this group suggest that these operations can be successfully performed. There is a need for further multicenter studies to evaluate these high-risk groups.

The objectives of this study were: (i) to evaluate the effects of perfusion modes (pulsatile vs. nonpulsatile) on vital organs recovery and (ii) to investigate the influences of two different perfusion modes on the homeostasis of thyroid hormones in pediatric patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) procedures. Two hundred and eighty-nine consecutive pediatric patients undergoing open heart surgery for repair of congenital heart disease were prospectively entered into the study and were randomly assigned to two groups: the pulsatile perfusion group (Group P, n = 208) and the nonpulsatile perfusion group (Group NP, n = 81). All patients received identical surgical, perfusional, and postoperative care. Study parameters included total drainage, mean urine output in the intensive care unit (ICU), intubation time, duration of ICU and hospital stay, the need for inotropic support, pre- and postoperative enzyme levels (ALT [alanine aminotransaminase] and AST [aspartate aminotransaminase]), c-reactive protein, lactate, albumin, blood count (leukocytes, hematocrit, platelets), creatinine levels, and thyroid hormones (thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH], FT(3) [free triiodothyronine], FT(4) [free thyroxine]). All patients survived the perioperative and postoperative periods. There were no statistically significant differences in either preoperative or operative parameters between the two groups. Group P, compared to Group NP, required significantly less inotropic support, had a shorter intubation period, higher urine output in ICU, and shorter duration of ICU and hospital stay. Lower lactate levels and higher albumin levels were observed in Group P and there were no significant differences in creatinine, enzyme levels, blood counts, or drainage amounts between two groups. TSH, Total T(3) , Total T(4) , and FT(3) , FT(4) levels were markedly reduced versus their preoperative values in both groups. FT(3) and FT(4) levels were reduced significantly further in the nonpulsatile group both during CPB and at 72 h postoperation. The results of this study confirm our opinion that pulsatile perfusion leads to better vital organ recovery and clinical outcomes in the early postoperative period as compared to nonpulsatile perfusion in pediatric patients undergoing CPB cardiac surgery. The plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones are dramatically reduced during and after CPB, but pulsatile perfusion seems to have a protective effect of thyroid hormone homeostasis compared to nonpulsatile perfusion.

The objective of this clinical study is to determine whether correlation exists among cerebral and renal near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) measurements, renal Doppler ultrasonography parameters (resistive index, peak systolic velocity), and early postoperative clinical outcomes following cardiac surgery in neonates and infants. Thirty-seven patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart defects with an age of less than 3 months, all of whom were in the high-risk group according to Aristotle Basic Complexity risk stratification score, were enrolled in our study. Cerebral, renal NIRS values and renal Doppler ultrasonography measurements were recorded for each patient at the 4th postoperative hour. The renal resistive indices were calculated for each case, and the patients were divided into two groups according to renal resistive index (RI) values. Group I included the patients with a RI of greater than 0.8 (n = 25) and Group II included the patients with a RI of less than 0.8 (n = 12). The postoperative outcome parameters were compared in between two groups. Group I (RI0.8) had lower postoperative mean urine output than Group II (RI0.8) (P = 0.041). The lactate levels were significantly higher in Group I (P = 0.049), as well. The postoperative intensive care unit and hospital stay of Group I was significantly higher than Group II (P = 0.048). Both cerebral and renal NIRS values and the assessment of renal RI as well as peak systolic values can be used in order to predict the early clinical outcome in cardiac surgery patients in early infantile and neonatal period.

WOS: 000350199500030 PubMed ID: 25605826 We read with great interest the article by Gurbuz et al. [1]. We congratulate them on their successful effort in the surgical treatment of such a rare case, presenting with both carotid artery stenosis and coronary artery disease accompanied by an anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from pulmonary artery (ALCAPA). In fact, the traditionally-named ALCAPA leads to a left-to-right shunting into pulmonary arteries, resulting in ventricular ischaemia [2]. Although the terminology defines an origin of left anterior descending artery (LAD) from pulmonary artery, the actual flow direction of the blood is from the coronary circulation to main pulmonary artery. This reversed coronary flow leads to a coronary steal phenomenon. In general, in such cases, re-establishment of a dual coronary circulation is the preferred treatment modality [2]. However, we would like to discuss some points about the surgical treatment strategy for the case presented by Gurbuz and colleagues. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for the revascularization of LAD with the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) will provide the antegrade flow to the distal segment of LAD; however the proximal part will still have the reversed flow pattern. The coronary steal phenomenon will possibly affect the septal or diagonal branches originating proximally to the lesion at the LAD. We would prefer the addition of a pulmonary arteriotomy to the CABG procedure in this case, in order to close the origin of the LAD simply with a pericardial patch, as reported by Tseng and colleagues [3]. In our opinion, this surgical strategy will provide both anatomical and physiological correction of the underlying pathology with prevention of the reversed flow from LAD to pulmonary artery as well as the distal perfusion by means of LITA-LAD anastomosis. In conclusion, in such congenital abnormalities related to the origin of the coronary arteries, the surgical strategy might be determined depending on both the anatomical and physiological effects of the disease.

WOS: 000332033800024 PubMed ID: 24443401 We read with great interest the article by Chen et al. [1]. Haemothorax is an important finding in trauma patients, which may either be a self-limited condition or the evidence of a life-threatening injury to the thoracic or abdominal organs. We have encountered an extremely rare case of type B dissection in which the first finding was a right-sided haemothorax [2]. Considering the case presented by Chen et al., we would like to figure out the importance of the type and site of the surgical incision. In our experience, if the echocardiography does not reveal any significant cardiac injury or pericardial effusion in such a trauma patient, the easiest and safest approach is a lateral thoracotomy at the fifth intercostal space. This approach helps discriminate intra- and extra-thoracic etiologies of bleeding in such a patient. In case of a cardiac laceration or cardiopulmonary arrest, access to the heart or cannulation of the aorta and right atrium for the utilization of cardiopulmonary bypass is easy with or without a hemi-clamshell extension of the incision. The presented case could be a major pulmonary vessel branch or intercostal artery injury leading to massive right haemothorax in which the subxiphoid pericardial window or a full sternotomy will have a limited use, but a waste of time during an active bleeding. Even the cause of the right haemothorax is a cardiac injury; an uncontrolled subxiphoid access may lead to acute decompression and cardiopulmonary arrest as presented in this case. In this patient, considering the negative echocardiographic findings for a significant pericardial effusion, the mentioned surgical algorithm does not target the most frequent causes of a massive right haemothorax. In such cases we prefer a lateral thoracotomy with a hemi-clamshell extension towards midline when necessary. Such patients require prompt evaluation and surgical intervention is lifesaving in most of the cases.

The aim of this clinical trial was to evaluate the pulsatile perfusion mode in pediatric patients who had complex cardiac pathologies according to Jenkins stratifications (category 4) undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass procedures (CPB). Patients with transposition of great arteries (TGA) and ventricular septal defect (VSD) were included in this clinical study. Eighty-nine consecutive pediatric patients undergoing open heart surgery for repair of TGA-VSD were prospectively entered into the study and were randomly assigned to either the pulsatile perfusion group (Group P, n = 58) or the nonpulsatile perfusion group (Group NP, n = 31). There were no differences between groups in terms of demographical and intraoperative parameters. The pulsatile group needed significantly less inotropic support (P 0.05) and had lower lactate levels (P 0.001), higher urine output (P 0.01), and higher albumin levels (P 0.05). In addition, the pulsatile group had less ICU (P 0.01) and hospital stays (P 0.001). We conclude that the use of pulsatile flow is a better option and should be considered for repair of the complex congenital heart defects.

Low birthweight (LBW) continues to be a high-risk factor in surgery for congenital heart disease. This risk is particularly very high in very low birthweight infants under 1500g and extremely LBW infants under 1000g. From January 2005 to December 2008, 33 consecutive LBW neonates underwent cardiac surgery in our clinic in keeping with the criteria for choice of surgery. Their weight range was between 800 and 1900g. Nine of them were under 1000g. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was used in 17 patients (39.5%) and pulsatile perfusion mode was applied to patients in the CPB group. The same surgical team operated to achieve palliation (8 patients, 24.2%) or full repair (25 patients, 75.8%). Median gestational age was 36 weeks with 12 (36.4%) premature babies (≤37 weeks). Median age at operation was 5 days. Pathologies were single ventricle (n=3), pulmonary atresia-ventricular septal defect (n=3), aortic coarctation (n=10), aorticopulmonary window and interrupted aortic arch combination (n=6), patent arterial duct (n=11), critical aortic stenosis (n=8), and tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia (n=2). One infant had VATER syndrome. Selective cerebral perfusion technique was used in complex arch pathologies for cerebral protection. Median follow-up was 14 months. There were four early postoperative deaths. None of the cases showed a need for early reoperation. The acceptable early- and midterm mortality rates in this group suggest that these operations can be successfully performed. There is a need for further multicenter studies to evaluate these high-risk groups.

The objectives of this study were: (i) to evaluate the effects of perfusion modes (pulsatile vs. nonpulsatile) on vital organs recovery and (ii) to investigate the influences of two different perfusion modes on the homeostasis of thyroid hormones in pediatric patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) procedures. Two hundred and eighty-nine consecutive pediatric patients undergoing open heart surgery for repair of congenital heart disease were prospectively entered into the study and were randomly assigned to two groups: the pulsatile perfusion group (Group P, n = 208) and the nonpulsatile perfusion group (Group NP, n = 81). All patients received identical surgical, perfusional, and postoperative care. Study parameters included total drainage, mean urine output in the intensive care unit (ICU), intubation time, duration of ICU and hospital stay, the need for inotropic support, pre- and postoperative enzyme levels (ALT [alanine aminotransaminase] and AST [aspartate aminotransaminase]), c-reactive protein, lactate, albumin, blood count (leukocytes, hematocrit, platelets), creatinine levels, and thyroid hormones (thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH], FT(3) [free triiodothyronine], FT(4) [free thyroxine]). All patients survived the perioperative and postoperative periods. There were no statistically significant differences in either preoperative or operative parameters between the two groups. Group P, compared to Group NP, required significantly less inotropic support, had a shorter intubation period, higher urine output in ICU, and shorter duration of ICU and hospital stay. Lower lactate levels and higher albumin levels were observed in Group P and there were no significant differences in creatinine, enzyme levels, blood counts, or drainage amounts between two groups. TSH, Total T(3) , Total T(4) , and FT(3) , FT(4) levels were markedly reduced versus their preoperative values in both groups. FT(3) and FT(4) levels were reduced significantly further in the nonpulsatile group both during CPB and at 72 h postoperation. The results of this study confirm our opinion that pulsatile perfusion leads to better vital organ recovery and clinical outcomes in the early postoperative period as compared to nonpulsatile perfusion in pediatric patients undergoing CPB cardiac surgery. The plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones are dramatically reduced during and after CPB, but pulsatile perfusion seems to have a protective effect of thyroid hormone homeostasis compared to nonpulsatile perfusion.

With the creation of the Penn State Hershey - Center for Pediatric Cardiovascular Research, we strive to become one of the leading centers for the innovation and development of novel devices and treatments for congenital heart surgery. We also seek to educate more bioengineers, medical students, residents, post-doctoral fellows, and junior faculty members in pediatric cardiovascular research. Finally, we seek to continue the growth of our conference (The International Conference on Pediatric Mechanical Circulatory Support Systems and Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Perfusion - http://www.hmc.psu.edu/childrens/pedscpb/), in order to provide a scientific venue for the pioneering research being performed in pediatric mechanical circulatory support and cardiopulmonary perfusion. Our website (http://www.pennstatehershey.org/web/childrensheartgroup/research/overview) includes an overview of all of our current projects (clinical, basic science, and bioengineering), publications, presentations, as well as national and international collaborators affiliated with our center. Investigators interested in collaborating with us on current or new projects should send an e-mail to ude.usp@radnua. Special thanks go to all those who support our collaborative efforts, both intellectually and financially each year. This includes significant financial support from the Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital and Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, and the National Institute of Health Office of Rare Diseases. Furthermore, we are most grateful to our dedicated students, sponsors, faculty, and national and international collaborators which make the formation of such an establishment possible.

Atrial septal defect (ASD) closure may be complicated with residual right to left shunt leading to cyanosis. In this case, the patient was operated for low venosus type ASD 30 years ago. He suffered from exertional dyspnea and cyanosis (oxygen saturation: 85%) for years and he still did not accept any reintervention. The probable mechanisms for the residual shunt are ineffective suture placement at the ostium of inferior venae cavae or a tear in the patch after surgical procedure.

A biomarker is a measureable substance produced by the body and used to diagnose or determine the biologic state. Most biomarkers used in the clinical medicine are the genes, proteins or other chemical substances that are expressed in the pathology or organ damage, allowing for early and fast diagnosis and treatment. Ideally, biomarkers must be generally highly sensitive in order to make an early diagnosis; provide certain cut-off values to enable risk assessment, therapeutic guidance and have prognostic value. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is a model of extracorporeal circulation consisting primarily of a pump, a reservoir and an oxygenerator. At the initiation of CPB, blood is drained from the patient into the extracorporeal circuit which has non-endothelial surface. The inflammatory process occurs after cardiac surgery in varied degrees depending on the genotypes and peroperative parameters or complexity of the cardiac pathology. This process is mediated by cellular, noncellular or humoral components of the blood. Today, safe clinical biomarkers are detected by gene technology and proteomics techniques. Using these innovative technologies, the discovery, validation and clinical use of several biomarkers have revolutionized the diagnosis and management in the field of cardiovascular surgery as well as other major medical disciplines., “Biyo-belirteç” vücut tarafından üretilen, ölçülebilir ve biyolojik durumun teşhis ve ayrımını yansıtan kimyasal maddelerdir. Klinik tıpta kullanılan birçok “biyo-belirteç” gen, protein ve diğer kimyasal maddeler olup patoloji ve organ hasarını erken, hızlı tanı ve tedavi için yönlendirmektedir. Hiçbir biyo-belirteç ideal olmamakla birlikte genel özellikleri bakımından yüksek duyarlı olmalı, erken teşhis yaptırabilmeli, belli bir kesim noktasına göre ilgili olguda risk değerlendirmesi yapılabilmesini sağlamalı, ayrıca tedaviye yanıtı yönlendirebilmeli ve ilgili hasar veya hastalık durumu için prognostik olmalıdır. İlgili yanıt ya da karakteristiği istatistiksel olarak güçlü olmalıdır. Ek olarak biyobelirteçler patoloji için özgün olmalı, diğer nedenlerden ayırt ettirebilmeli, hastalığın şiddeti ve klinik sonuçlar ile paralel olmalıdır. Kardiyopulmoner bypas (KPB), bir ekstrakorporeal dolaşım modeli olup esas olarak bir pompa, rezervuar ve oksijeneratörden oluşur. KPB’ın başlangıcında kan hastadan bu endotelyal yüzey içermeyen ekstrakorporeal dolaşıma katılarak hastanın genotipi, peroperatif parametreler ve patolojinin kompleksitesine göre kalp cerrahisi sonrasında değişik derecelerde gelişen ve kanın hücresel, hücre dışı veya humoral bileşenleri tarafından yönetilen inflamatuvar süreci başlatır. Günümüzde güvenli klinik biyo-belirteçler gen teknolojileri ve proteomiks teknikleri ile tespit edilmektedir. Bu yenilikçi tekniklerin kullanımı ile birçok değişik biyobelirteçler keşfedilip klinik uygulamaya girmiş ve diğer majör tıp dallarında olduğu gibi kalp cerrahisi alanında da çığır açmıştır.