Mustafa Tok

Early-Term Outcomes for Treatment of Saphenous Vein Insufficiency with N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate: A Novel, Non-Thermal, and Non-Tumescent Percutaneous Embolization Technique

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to present early-term outcomes of VariClose® Vein Sealing System, which is a novel, non-thermal, and non-tumescent percutaneous embolization technique for treatment of saphenous vein insufficiency. METHODS Between March 2014 and July 2015, 189 saphenous veins in 141 patients were treated with Variclose Vein Sealing System containing n-butyl cyanoacrylate. Pre-, intra-, post-procedural, and follow-up data of patients were collected and retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS Mean age of patients was 42.5 ± 14.0 years, of which 53% were female. Technical success rate of intervention was 98.9%. Mean procedure time was 14.3 ± 7.5 minutes. Eighty-nine percent of patients (n = 126/141) were available at mean follow-up time of 6.7 months. Mean Venous Clinical Severity Score was significantly improved from 8.3 ± 2.2 at pre-procedure period to 3.3 ± 1.8 at follow-up. No complete recanalization was observed, but 2 patients were presented with partial recanalization during follow-up. The complete occlusion rate was 98.4%. No serious adverse event related to procedure was observed. CONCLUSION Variclose Vein Sealing System appears to be safe and effective in treatment of saphenous vein insufficiency. Further randomized studies with long-term outcomes are required for determining optimal treatment modality in patients with saphenous vein insufficiency.

A comparison of early clinical outcomes of off-pump and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery in elderly patients

Abstract Background: The reply of question of “which coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) technique is superior in elderly patients, off-pump or on-pump CABG surgery?” is controversial. We aimed to compare the early clinical outcomes in elderly patients undergoing off-pump and on-pump CABG. Methods: From January 2009 to January 2015, 344 elderly patients (aged 70 or older) underwent off-pump (n = 137) or on-pump (n = 207) CABG. Patients’ medical records were retrospectively reviewed, and their baseline preoperative characteristics, operative data and postoperative outcomes were analyzed, thereby a comparison of early outcomes between off-pump and on-pump patients was performed. Results: Mean age of patients was 74.4 ± 3.8 years. Both groups were statistically similar in terms of baseline preoperative characteristics. Number of distal bypass was significantly lower in off-pump group than in on-pump group. Postoperative length of intensive care unit and hospital stay were similar between two groups. Amounts of transfused blood products were significantly lower in off-pump CABG group. There were no significant differences in terms of postoperative complications and mortality between two groups. Conclusions: Our results did not reveal a significant benefit of either surgical technique with respect to early-term clinical outcomes in elderly CABG patients. Further investigations are needed to determine whether off-pump CABG is superior than on-pump CABG in elderly patients.

Percutaneous Coil Embolization for the Treatment of a Giant Brachial Artery Pseudoaneurym in a Child

Brachial artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare phenomenon. When a diagnosis of brachial artery pseudoaneurysm is established, early and appropriate treatment should be performed as soon as possible to prevent possible complications, such as hemorrhage, rupture, and upper limb and finger losses. Open surgical repair is usually the cornerstone of treatment; however, we here report a case of giant brachial pseudoaneurysm in a 2-year-old girl, which was successfully treated with percutaneous coil embolization.

Effect of Body Mass Index on Mortality and Morbidity in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery

BACKGROUND This study aims to investigate the effect of body mass index (BMI) on mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. METHODS We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 403 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery in our center. The patients were divided into 5 groups according to their BMI values. Preoperative demographic characteristics, operative data, and postoperative complications during the six-month follow-up period were compared between the groups. RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences between the groups except the coexistence of peripheral artery disease (P = .009), ejection fraction (P = .021) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P = .044). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of postoperative complications. No relationship was found between postoperative complications and the implemented surgical procedures. An overall 30-day mortality rate of 1.48% was observed, and the six-month mortality rate was 1.7%. CONCLUSION According to this study, obesity does not lead to an increased risk of mortality and other adverse outcomes after CABG surgery. However, obesity may prolong hospital stay and increase the cost of CABG operation.