Kaan Kaya

Does sodium nitroprusside decrease the incidence of atrial fibrillation after myocardial revascularization?: a pilot study.

Background— Atrial fibrillation (AF) often occurs after coronary artery bypass grafting and can result in increased morbidity and mortality. In the present pilot study, our aim was to investigate whether sodium nitroprusside (SNP), as a nitric oxide donor, can reduce the frequency of post–coronary artery bypass grafting AF. Methods and Results— To investigate the effectiveness of SNP in the prophylaxis of AF, we conducted a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study on 100 consecutive patients in whom we performed elective and initial CABG operations. A control group of 50 patients were treated with placebo (dextrose 5% in water), whereas the SNP group (n=50 patients) was treated with SNP (0.5 μg · kg−1 · min−1) during the rewarming period. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were measured before surgery and 5 days postoperatively. All patients were monitored postoperatively with telemetry. Baseline characteristics were similar in both treatment groups. AF occurred in 12% of the SNP group and 27% of the control group. The occurrence of AF was significantly lower in the SNP group (P=0.005). The duration of AF in the SNP group was significantly shorter than that in the control group (5.33±1.86 and 7.55±1.94 hours, respectively; P=0.023). C-reactive protein levels were higher postoperatively in the control group than in the SNP group (P<0.05). Postoperative AF significantly prolonged postoperative hospital stay (P<0.05). Conclusions— The incidence of postoperative AF in the SNP group was reduced significantly. Further studies are needed to better delineate the anti-AF profile of SNP.

Acute pseudo-pericardial tamponade: the compression of the thoracal inferior vena cava--a case report.

We describe a case of 68-year-old woman which was admitted to our hospital for mitral valve replacement (MVR), in whom acute compresion of the vena cava inferior developed after repair of lacerated atrio-caval junction with hemostatic tissue sealant, biologic glue (BioGlue, Cryolife, ınc, Kennesaw, Ga). Removal of the BioGlue relieved the unexpected problem.

Off-pump coronary artery surgery in a patient with essential thrombocythaemia: two life-threatening complications in the same patient.

Essential thrombocythaemia (ET) is a rare chronic myeloproliferative disease characterised by persistent thrombocytosis. Cerebral, myocardial and peripheral thrombosis are frequently seen complications, but bleeding and venous thrombosis are more rare. Here, a case of essential thrombocythaemia complicated by cerebral and myocardial thrombosis is presented. The patient’s platelet count was 680×109/litre on admission. Electrocardiogram showed a slight ST elevation in leads V1 to V4. A coronary angiography was performed and it revealed a severe stenosis of the left anterior descending artery. The patient had a successful off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. After the operation the platelet count was 390×109/litre. The patient received hydroxyurea and aspirin treatment preoperatively and continued postoperatively. ET is a rare myeloproliferative disease; its complications are also rare, but the occurrence of two life-threatening complications in the same patient is rarer still. Further investigations are needed to determine the risk stratification for patients with ET undergoing cardiac surgery.

Sodium nitroprusside infusion prevents hypothyroidism in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting: a prospective randomized clinical trial

Objective: The level of thyroid hormones is an important factor in determining the outcome of coronary artery bypass patients. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) is a natural donor of nitric oxide which has been shown to interfere with thyroid hormone synthesis. Whether clinical use of sodium nitroprusside has any effect on thyroid function has not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of SNP administration on circulating levels of thyroid hormones. Methods: One hundred and six consecutive patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting operation were prospectively randomized to receive continuous infusions of either SNP or saline limited to the rewarming time of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Free triiodothyronine (T3), total T3, free thyroxine (T4), total T4 and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were analyzed. Results: Free T3, TSH and albumin changes of SNP and control groups were statistically different from each other. In the SNP group, free T3 values stayed in the euthyroid range between CPB and post-CPB periods, the period when SNP was infused, whereas it continued to decline to hypothyroidic levels in the control group. In addition, in the SNP group, an elevation in TSH levels was observed during the CPB period. Postoperatively, an earlier restoration of free T3 and TSH levels was observed in the SNP group when compared to the control group. Conclusion: In this study, administration of SNP during cardiopulmonary bypass is shown to regulate free T3 and TSH levels positively.

Response to Letter Regarding Article, “Does Sodium Nitroprusside Decrease the Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation After Myocardial Revascularization? A Pilot Study”

We are thankful to Dr Singh for his interest in our study.1 1. We agree with Dr Singh that, in our study, patients had relatively preserved left ventricular systolic functions. However, our limited resources did not allow for further enrollment beyond our predetermined sample size. 2. Previous reports suggest that β-blockers suppress atrial fibrillation (AF) after …