Faik Fevzi Okur

Does oral hygiene trigger carotid artery intima-media thickness?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate whether poor oral hygiene is associated with the intima-media thickness of the carotid arteries, which is one of the predictors of future progression of subclinical atherosclerosis. METHODS We selected 108 patients during periodontal examinations according to their oral hygiene. The patients had no history of atherosclerotic disease. The results of carotid artery B-mode ultrasonography examinations were analyzed at baseline and after a mean of 7.8 months. Patients were scored on the DMFT index for the number of decayed (D), missing (M), and filled (F) teeth (T). We also used the Silness-Loe plaque index (SLI) to evaluate oral hygiene and dental plaque. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to DMFT and SLI criteria. Group I had a DMFT index of 0 to 3 and an SLI score of 0 or 1; group II had a DMFT index of 4 to 28 and an SLI score of 2 or 3. RESULTS Dental status and oral hygiene were significantly associated with carotid artery intima-media thickness. Patients with increasing DMFT and SLI indices were correlated with intima-media thickness of the carotid artery. CONCLUSIONS Chronic poor oral hygiene and tooth loss are related to subclinical atherosclerotic changes in the carotid arteries and might be indicative of future progression of atherosclerosis.

A 17-year-old with neurofibromatosis and spontaneous coronary artery dissection.

A 17-year-old girl with neurofibromatosis type 1 presented with unstable angina. Cardiac catheterization revealed an aneurysm with thrombus in the left anterior descending coronary artery. She was discharged on medical treatment but returned 2 months later with severe chest pains. Angiography revealed an increase in the size of the aneurysm in the left anterior descending coronary artery, with thrombus and dissection. The patient underwent coronary artery bypass surgery. Follow-up after 1 year revealed no problems.

Comamonas testosteroni endocarditis in Turkey: A case report and review of the literature

Introduction: Comamonas testosteroni is a gram-negative bacillus which commonly occurs in various environments worldwide. Comamonas testosteroni is rarely recognized as a human pathogen. The case we report is the first Comamonas testosteroni endocarditis in Turkey and the fourth case in the world. Case Presentation: A 51-year-old male patient with a history of chest pain, dyspnea, and tachycardia was admitted to our hospital. Coronary angiography and echocardiography results revealed mobile lesions and plaques in aortic valve. Cardiovascular surgery was performed; aortic valve vegetation was detected and the aortic valve was excised. Aerobic culture was studied. After the biochemical identification tests and the use of VITEK-2 Compact (Biomerieux, France) automated microbial identification system, pathogenic bacteria was identified as Comamonas testosteroni. The patient who had no risk factors was diagnosed with endocarditis and treated with Ciprofloxacin. The case recovered from Comamonas testosteroni infection. Conclusion: There has been an increase in bacterial infections caused by Comamonas testosteroni and antibiotic resistance of the bacteria. For this reason, Comamonas testosteroni infections have increasingly become important. There have only been four cases from Turkey so far. This paper also examines the other cases in the literature as a whole.

Evaluation of Myocardial Contractility Determination with Tissue Tracking Echocardiography after Levosimendan Infusion in Patients with Poor Left Ventricular Function and Hemodynamics

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess the effect of conventional inotropic drugs compared to levosimendan using tissue tracking echocardiography in the early postoperative period for patients with low ejection fraction undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. METHODS We prospectively analyzed 115 patients (69 male, 46 female) who planned for elective coronary artery bypass surgery with low ejection fraction, ≤% 30, from September 2012 to December 2013. Patients were divided into two groups. Levosimendan was used at a loading dose of 15 μg/kg/min for the first twenty minutes, and continued at a maintenance dose of 0.2 μg/kg/min six hours before the anesthetic induction in group I (n = 47, 23 male, mean age 67.16 ± 4.72 years). Dopamine at 10 μg/kg/min and/or dobutamine at 10 μg/kg/min were used at the time of weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass in group II (n = 68, 47 male, mean age 65.43 ± 6.12 years). The patients were evaluated preoperatively and on the fifth postoperative day by transthoracic echocardiography. Patients were also evaluated just before the cardiopulmonary bypass and at the 12th and 24th hours on the first postoperative day by transesophageal echocardiography. Student t test and χ2 test were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS There were no significant differences in demographics and preoperative hemodynamic parameters between groups I and II. Hemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters were significantly better in group I receiving levosimendan, compared to group II. CONCLUSION Levosimendan enhances functional myocardial tissue mass and ensures positive hemodynamic effect in the early postoperative period in patients with low ejection fraction undergoing elective CABG.

Truncus Arteriosus with Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava: Cardiac Computed Tomography Findings in an Unrepaired Adult Patient

Truncus arteriosus (TA), a rare complex congenital cardiac disease in which systemic pulmonary and coronary circulations originate from a common vessel, develops due to failure of separation of the common trunk during embryonic life. In this case report, we discuss a 24-year-old patient with TA in whom a computed tomography angiography was performed. To the best of our knowledge, no case has been reported so far where an adult had combined left superior vena cava and pulmonary vein anomaly.

Effects of single aortic clamping versus partial aortic clamping techniques on post-operative stroke during coronary artery bypass surgery.

Background The aim of this study was to compare the effects of single-clamping and partial-clamping techniques on postoperative stroke during coronary artery bypass surgery. Methods Between December 2008 and December 2012, 2 000 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting in two hospitals were analysed. Post-operative neurological complications were analysed retrospectively in these patients. The cases were divided into two groups: in group 1, 1 500 patients were analysed, in whom proximal anastomosis was performed with partial clamping in a beating heart (n = 1 500, 846 male, 654 female; mean age 63.25 ± 5.72 years; range 43–78 years). In group 2, 500 patients were analysed, in whom proximal anastomosis had been performed by other surgical teams in another hospital, with cross clamping in a resting heart with cardioplegia (n = 500, 296 male, 214 female; mean age 64.83 ± 8.12 years; range 41–81 years). During 30 days post-operatively, neurological deficits, stroke incidence and the relationship of the clinical situation to mortality were analysed. Results For both groups, patients were similar in terms of patient characteristics. In group 2, cross-clamp duration and perfusion time were longer; however, time of hospital stay was similar in the two groups. Post-operative stroke was seen in 26 patients in group 1 (1.73%) and in nine in group 2 (1.8%). The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.92). All stroke patients were over the age of 55 years. Seven of the stroke patients died (21.1%). In total, 31 patients died because of multiple organ failure in the postoperative 30 days (group 1: 1.6%; group 2: 1.4%) (p = 0.91). Smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, peripheral vascular disease and hypercholesterolaemia were found to be factors that affected stroke development. Mean duration of hospital stay was 5.1 ± 2.8 days in group 1 and 4.9 ± 3.6 days in group 2 and the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.46). Conclusion In patients without plaques in the aorta, performing partial clamping did not increase stroke incidence.

The Importance of Contrast Volume/Glomerular Filtration Rate Ratio in Contrast-Induced Nephropathy Patients after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Background/Aim: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a method which is increasingly applied in severe aortic stenosis treatment. The development of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) after TAVI increases morbidity and mortality rates. Within the scope of this study, the importance of the contrast medium volume to glomerular filtration rate (CV/GFR) ratio in determining the development of CIN and the amount of CV that could be applied was evaluated. Methods: Seventy-two patients (aged 78.6 ± 11.6 years; 38 females) who underwent aortic valve replacement with the TAVI method between June 2013 and August 2014 were included in the study. CIN was defined as an absolute increase in serum creatinine of >0.5 mg/dl or a relative increase of >25% within 48-72 h after TAVI. CIN+ and CIN- patients were classified into two groups. The χ2 test, t test, Mann-Whitney U test, ROC analysis, and univariate and multivariate regression analyses were applied for statistical analyses. Results: CIN was detected in 16 patients (22%) in our study. Baseline creatinine, baseline GFR, the Mehran risk score, CV, and the CV/GFR ratio were determined as the predictive factors of CIN development. A CV/GFR ratio of 3.9 was specified to predict CIN development with 71% sensitivity and 80% specificity. Conclusion: After TAVI, CIN may develop due to various reasons. In patients to whom TAVI was applied, the CV/GFR ratio may be a guideline helping to prevent the development of renal pathologies. The amount of contrast medium that can be given to a patient can be calculated in terms of baseline GFR.

Carotid and popliteal artery intima-media thickness in patients with poor oral hygiene and the association with acute-phase reactants.

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate whether poor oral hygiene is associated with carotid and popliteal arterial intima–media thickness, which is one of the predictors of future progression of sub-clinical atherosclerosis, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and fibrinogen levels. Methods A specialised dentist checked the patients and selected 550 patients during periodontal examinations, according to their oral hygiene. The patients had no history of atherosclerotic disease. Carotid and popliteal artery B-mode ultrasonographic examinations and hsCRP and fibrinogen levels were analysed at baseline and after a mean of 6.2 months. The patients were scored on the DMFT index for the number of decayed (D), missing (M), and filled (F) teeth (T). We also used the Silness-Loe plaque index (SLI) to evaluate oral hygiene and dental plaque. The patients were divided into two groups using the DMFT and SLI criteria. Group I had a DMFT index score from 0 to 3 and SLI index score of 0 or 1. Group II had a DMFT index score from 4 to 28 and SLI index score of 2 or 3. Results A significant association was observed between dental status, oral hygiene, carotid and popliteal artery intima–media thickness and hsCRP level. Patients with increasing DMFT and SLI scores correlated with increasing carotid artery intima–media thickness. Conclusions The results clearly showed that chronic poor oral hygiene and tooth loss are related to sub-clinical atherosclerotic changes in the carotid arteries and may be indicative of future progression of atherosclerosis.

Early outcomes of carotid endarterectomy without shunting in patients with complete occlusion of the contralateral internal carotid artery

Aim: Shunting in carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a controversial issue, which remains to be clarified in patients with contralateral carotid occlusion (CCO). In our clinic, CEA is performed under general anesthesia and without shunting. The present study aimed to discuss 30-day mortality and morbidity outcomes of CEA performed without shunting on 53 CCO cases. Materials and Methods: In our clinic, 415 CEA procedures were performed on 376 patients between the years 2005 and 2013. Among these patients, 53 (39 males and 14 females) with CCO who underwent isolated CEA were included in the study. All patients were operated on without shunting and under general anesthesia. Results: Of the patients, 31 were symptomatic (mean age, 63.2 ΁ 5.1 years) and 22 were asymptomatic (mean age, 63.1 ΁ 6.7 years). One (1.9%) patient died of postoperative myocardial infarction. Another patient (1.9%) developed stroke due to intracranial hemorrhage on the postoperative 6 th day. Transient ischemic attack was observed in 2 (3.8%) patients. Eight (15.1%) patients developed ipsilateral transient peripheral nerve injury, 1 (1.9%) patient developed hoarseness, and 5 (9.4%) patients developed organic brain injury. Conclusion: It was observed that CEA without shunting could be performed with an acceptable risk ratio under general anesthesia in cases with CCO.

Decision making and results of coronary artery bypass grafting for patients with poor left ventricular function.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to determine the results of coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with a low ejection fraction. Between January 2007 and January 2011, 3556 consecutive patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting at the Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic at Sifa University Hospital, Izmir, Turkey, were analyzed retrospectively. METHODS The patients were divided into 2 groups. Patients undergoing isolated first-time elective coronary bypass surgery were classified according to their preoperative ejection fraction; Patients in Group I had an ejection fraction between 20% and 35% with poor left ventricular function (n = 1246; 695 men and 551 women; mean age, 62.25 ± 5.72 years, range, 47-78 years). Control patients in Group II underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting at the same time and had left ventricular ejection fraction between 36% and 49% (n = 2310; 1211 men and 1099 women; mean age, 61.83 ± 8.12 years, range, 41-81 years). The mean follow-up time for all patients was 24 ± 9.4 months (range, 12-48 months). Patients were followed postoperatively at the end of the first month and every 6 months. The left ventricular ejection fraction was assessed by transthoracic echocardiography. RESULTS The mean number of distal anastomoses, myocardial infarction, and mean age was not significantly different between the 2 groups; however, cross-clamp time was longer in Group I. Patient recovery time was significantly longer in Group I. Morbidity (14.5% in Group I versus 7.4% in Group II, P < .005) and mortality (1.76% versus 0.30%, P < .005) were higher in Group I. During late follow-up, the 2-year survival rate (85.1% versus 94.5%) and 2-year event-free rate (77.6% versus 86.9%) were significantly lower in Group I when compared to Group II. Postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction values were significantly superior in Group I compared to Group II. CONCLUSION Coronary artery bypass grafting can be safely performed in patients with low ejection fraction with minimal postoperative morbidity and mortality. The viable myocardium could be reliably determined by positron emission tomography. Low ejection fraction patients could greatly benefit from coronary bypass surgery regarding postoperative ejection fraction, increased long-term survival, improvement in New York Heart Association classification, and higher quality of life.