Ergun Demirsoy

Management of Infected Grafts and Mycotic Aneurysms of the Aorta Using Cryopreserved Homografts

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of the treatment of infected prosthetic grafts and mycotic aneurysms of the aorta with cryopreserved homografts. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between April 1994 and May 2002, 15 cryopreserved aortic homografts were used in 13 patients in the thoracic and abdominal aortic position with supplementary omental or pectoral muscle wrapping for infected grafts (n=11), and mycotic aneurysms (n=2) (mean age: 57.5). RESULTS One patient died due to multiorgan failure and the other due to postoperative cerebral hemorrhage (15.38%). Another patient died four months after the operation due to septic arthritis, and coronary heart disease. Ten patients are still alive without evidence of infection (76.92%) during a follow up of 44+/-23.03 (range 4-71) months. CONCLUSION The use of cryopreserved homografts with supplementary omentum and/or muscle flap coverage, assures an anatomical reconstruction with good results in this difficult group of patients.

Endovascular Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in a 26-Year-Old Man. A Case Report and 10-Year Follow-up

We present endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm in a 26-year-old man with a 10-year follow-up. A young patient presenting with an abdominal aortic aneurysm is extremely rare, and data describing this population are limited. Open aneurysm repair (OAR) is the treatment of choice in these patients. However, since its introduction, endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has revolutionized the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The long-term durability and late complications after EVAR may have more significance when considering the optimal treatment for young patients with a longer life expectancy. Our good long-term outcome will help to support the use of EVAR as a reasonable alternative to OAR in young patients with suitable anatomic findings.

Epicardial permanent pacemaker implantation via coronary sinus in a patient with mechanical tricuspid valve prosthesis

received: 23.01.2016 accepted: 20.02.2016 1Kolan International Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Istanbul, Turkey 2Medipol University Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Istanbul, Turkey 3Kolan International Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology, Istanbul, Turkey yazışma adresi: Tolga Demir, Kolan International Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Istanbul e-mail: dr.tolgademir@gmail.com ıNTroDuCTıoN

Anomalous Origin of the Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery Detected by Echocardiography in an Asymptomatic Young Athlete.

The anomalous origin of the coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is the most common congenital coronary artery anomaly. Up to 90% of patients die during the first year of life. It is unusual for an ALCAPA patient to survive to adulthood. We present a case of an asymptomatic young athlete with ALCAPA, in which the diagnosis was established by echocardiography during pre-participation physical evaluation. The patient underwent surgical closure of the left main coronary artery ostium through the inside of the main pulmonary artery and coronary artery bypass grafting. He was discharged after 6 days and remained well during follow-up visits. We emphasize the importance of echocardiographic examination during pre-participation cardiovascular screening in young athletic populations to avoid sudden death related to ALCAPA.