Cihangir Ersoy

Correlation between cerebral-renal near-infrared spectroscopy and ipsilateral renal perfusion parameters as clinical outcome predictors after open heart surgery in neonates and infants.

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 <0.8) (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.

Cardiac Surgery of Premature and Low Birthweight Newborns: Is a Change of Fate Possible?

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.

Cost-effective usage of membrane oxygenators in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in infants

Although the poly-methylpentene (PMP) oxygenators have significant advantages in ECMO implementation, their usage may be limited in some situations, which may be related to economic constraints. In this report, we aimed to emphasize our cost-effective usage of a membrane oxygenator at the ECMO setup. We implemented ECMO with eight Capiox® FX05 or Baby RX05 hollow-fiber membrane oxygenators in five neonatal patients. The average ECMO duration was 121 hours (ranging from 41 to 272 hours). Following the termination of the ECMO, the system was broken down into its components for macroscopic analysis. Neither gross blood clots nor plasma leakage were observed in any of the components. The integration of a centrifugal pump and a separate hollow-fiber oxygenator may provide a cost-effective ECMO implementation setup with no adverse effects which may be an encouraging alternative for the low cost usage of ECMO in neonates.

Are perioperative near-infrared spectroscopy values correlated with clinical and biochemical parameters in cyanotic and acyanotic infants following corrective cardiac surgery?

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.

Progressive supra-aortic stenosis in a young adult with the findings of Singleton Merten Syndrome

Singleton Merten Syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder of unknown origin. Patients often present with muscular weakness, failure to thrive, abnormal dentition, glaucoma, psoriatic skin lesions, aortic calcification and musculoskeletal abnormalities. In this case, we present a young girl with a history of aortic root replacement, who had an unusual progressive supra-aortic stenosis managed with urgent surgery during the course of the syndrome. Cardiovascular involvement needs special attention, since it is the major cause of mortality along with rhythm disturbances in the course of Singleton Merten Syndrome.

Residual right to left shunt leading to cyanosis for thirty years following surgical closure of atrial septal defect

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.

eComment. Combined surgical strategies for anomalous connection of coronary artery to pulmonary artery in adults

angina or heart failure [4]. CT angiography can detect the ALADAPA. The usual treatment comprises surgical correction by CABG or rerouting through an aorto-pulmonary window (Takeuchi procedure). Here, CABG was required because of the combination of atherosclerotic stenosis and ALADAPA. The long-term outcome after revascularization is excellent [5]. We report an original case of coronary artery disease revealed by silent myocardial ischaemia resulting from an association of ALADAPA and atherosclerosis, with a late manifestation (patient aged over 60 years) and treated by CABG. To date, at the 1-year follow-up, the patient remains asymptomatic without residual myo-cardial ischaemia. REFERENCES [1] Krexi L, Sheppard MN. Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA), a forgotten congenital cause of sudden death in the adult. Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk. Its clinical spectrum, pathology, and pathophysiology, based on a review of 140 cases with seven further cases. ventricular arrhythmias revealing anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery in two adults. A rare case of adult type ALCAPA syndrome: presentation, diagnosis and management. Excellent long-term functional outcome after an operation for anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery. 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]. Figure 1: Coronary angiography showing stenosis of the right coronary artery (A) and the second marginal branch of the left circumflex artery (B, white arrow). The left anterior descending artery appears to have a chronic total occlusion with collateral filling (B and C, red arrows). Figure 2: (A) Computed coronary tomography (CT) showing an anomalous isolated origin of the left anterior descending artery from the pulmonary artery. (B) Intraoperative findings confirmed the origin of …