Unal Aydin

Effects of atorvastatin on vascular intimal hyperplasia: an experimental rodent model.

Introduction Vascular intimal hyperplasia is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. The authors investigated the effects of atorvastatin on vascular intimal hyperplasia. Materials and methods Rats were divided into 4 groups. Groups 1, 2, and 3 had experimental aortic injury and received intraperitoneal injection of atorvastatin, solvent, or 0.9% NaCl, respectively. Group 4 was a nonintervention (laparotomy only) control group. Animals were sacrificed after 3 weeks. Blood samples and injured aortic segment were analyzed. Results Atorvastatin administration significantly lowered total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (P = .012 and P = .001, respectively), intima—media ratio (P = .002), and intimal smooth muscle cell accumulation (P < .05) in group 1. Luminal narrowing in animals in group 1 was significantly lower than that in animals in groups 2 and 3, but was higher than in animals in group 4 (P = .009). Conclusions Atorvastatin suppresses intimal hyerplasia and aids in intimal regeneration by lowering blood lipids and intimal smooth muscle cell accumulation.

Visceral artery aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE Visceral artery aneurysms are rare vascular malformations and the literature lacks satisfactory general information about the pathology. The aim of this study was to review our experiences in the diagnosis and treatment of visceral artery aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed data on 10 patients who were diagnosed with visceral artery aneurysms at our institution between June 2002 and September 2005. All available clinical, pathologic, and postoperative data were reviewed and analyzed for postoperative outcome. RESULTS Four splenic artery aneurysms, 2 hepatic artery aneurysms, 5 renal artery aneurysms, 1 superior mesenteric artery aneurysm, and 1 inferior mesenteric artery aneurysm (13 total visceral artery aneurysms) were diagnosed in 10 patients. All the patients were treated except 1 patient with bilateral renal artery aneurysms. One patient required emergent surgical treatment due to splenic artery aneurysm rupture. Only 1 patient underwent endovascular treatment (ie, coil embolization for a superior mesenteric artery aneurysm); otherwise all the patients were treated surgically on an elective basis. Surgical treatment modalities included ligation with exclusion in 4 patients (2 splenic artery aneurysms, 1 renal artery aneurysm, 1 hepatic artery aneurysm) and resection with revascularization in 4 patients (1 splenic artery aneurysm, 2 renal artery aneurysms, 1 hepatic artery aneurysm, 1 inferior mesenteric artery aneurysm). Histopathologic examination of the vascular materials revealed major atherosclerotic changes except one that showed inflammatory vasculitic changes. One patient required bleeding revision, and mortality did not occur in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS Visceral artery aneurysms are rare and potentially life-threatening vascular disorders. The number of cases diagnosed every year increases because of advanced radiologic diagnostic methods and screening programs. Careful consideration and early management of these malformations can be life saving.

A New Specific Device in Transcatheter Prosthetic Paravalvular Leak Closure: A Prospective Two‐Center Trial

This study sought to compare various outcomes among a new specifically designed transcatheter paravalvular leak closure (TPVLC) device and the devices that are being utilized off‐label.

Surgical treatment of lower limb ischemia in diabetic patients - long-term results.

Introduction Lower limb ischemia may cause nonhealing ulcers, infection, amputation and even mortality in diabetic patients. In this study, we review our data of ischemic lower limb revascularization procedures in diabetic patients and present the early, mid- and long-term results. Material and methods From March 2004 to September 2008, 83 patients with lower limb ischemia in Fontaine class III and IV underwent distal arterial bypass procedures. Saphenous vein grafts were used for below-knee arterial bypasses in all patients. In 16 (19%) patients femoropopliteal bypasses were performed with PTFE grafts. Short-term and long-term surgical results were evaluated. Results Ulcer recovery was determined in 36% of patients. Graft patency was 95% and 1 death (1%) occurred in short-term follow-up. In long-term follow-up the total effectiveness rate was 74%. Graft patency was 79% and 6 deaths (7%) occurred during the follow-up. Conclusions Lower limb ischemia is a serious event in patients with diabetes mellitus. The consequences may include increased mortality and morbidity in this particular patient population. However, distal arterial revascularizations are considerably effective procedures to avoid amputation, to eliminate symptoms, to promote ulcer recovery and to help the patient participate in social life with acceptable short, mid- and long-term follow-up results.

Outcomes of De Vega versus biodegradable ring annuloplasty in the surgical treatment of tricuspid regurgitation (mid-term results).

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to compare De Vega semicircular annuloplasty and a new biodegradable ring annuloplasty technique in patients requiring surgical intervention for tricuspid valve disease with concomitant disease of the mitral valve. METHODS Between January 2004 and May 2008, 129 consecutive patients underwent annuloplasty procedures to correct tricuspid valve regurgitation during a concomitant mitral valve operation requiring replacement. Additionally, 24 patients underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR), 11 underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), 5 underwent AVR plus CABG, 3 underwent mitral valve replacement plus atrial septal defect (ASD) closure, and 2 underwent ASD closure. The patients in this study were assigned to 2 groups: Kalangos ring annuloplasty was performed in 67 patients (group 1), and De Vega semicircular annuloplasty was performed in the remaining 62 patients (group 2). RESULTS Both tricuspid valve repair techniques produced a low rate of complications; however, the number of patients who developed residual tricuspid regurgitation was significantly lower in group 1. CONCLUSION The biodegradable ring annuloplasty technique may be used easily and safely in moderate and severe cases of tricuspid regurgitation; however, larger clinical series are necessary to confirm our promising results.

Robot‐Assisted Repair of Right Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return

Partial anomalous venous return from the right lung to the right atrium is a rare congenital heart anomaly in adults. We report a 20‐year‐old female, who presented with right partial anomalous pulmonary venous return and an associated inferior atrial septal defect. A complex repair was successfully done through a right atriotomy approach using a robotic surgical system. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12753 (J Card Surg 2016;31:394–397)

Totally endoscopic robotic repair of coronary sinus atrial septal defect

Coronary sinus atrial septal defect is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly in adults. Patients with this anomaly are generally treated using conventional sternotomy or thoracotomy incisions. However, robotic surgery can be a feasible alternative in this anomaly. We report an adult patient, who presented with coronary sinus atrial septal defect. A totally endoscopic robotic repair was successfully done through a right atriotomy approach in this patient.

Robotic atrial septal defect closure and tricuspid annuloplasty in a case of situs inversus totalis with dextrocardia

Situs inversus totalis (SIT) with dextrocardia is an uncommon congenital positional anomaly, which is characterized by a symmetrical ‘mirror-image’ orientation of all organs in relation to the midline. Although sternotomy and thoracotomy is traditionally used in patients with SIT with dextrocardia, a totally endoscopic robotic surgery is an alternative surgical approach to intracardiac anomalies. Placement of robotic ports, transthoracic aortic clamp, cardioplegia delivery, and peripheral vascular cannulation is made from the left side of the chest, as a mirror orientation of the right-sided robotic cardiac procedures. Here, we present a patient who underwent concomitant robotic atrial septal defect closure and tricuspid annuloplasty with posterior plication using the da Vinci surgical system.

Surgical Transapical Approach for Prosthetic Mitral Paravalvular Leak Closure: Early Results

The objective is to demonstrate safety and early clinical results of surgical transapical closure of paravalvular leaks (PVLs) following mitral valve replacement in significant regurgitation. Between March 2014 and February 2015, 12 patients (mean age 52.1 ± 6.0 years, 66.6% male) with severe symptomatic mitral PVLs (n = 13) underwent surgical transapical closure procedure through left mini-thoracotomy. All patients were in NYHA functional class III-IV and median logistic EuroSCORE was 24.2 ± 6.4% (range, 13.5-34.6%). Indications were heart failure (n = 10) and symptomatic hemolysis (n = 2) due to severe mitral regurgitation (MR). Amplatzer Vascular Plug-III devices (n = 9) were used for smaller and regular defects; whereas Atrial Septal Defect closure devices (n = 4) were used for larger defects. Technical success was achieved in 10 (83.3%) patients. One (8.5%) patient with 2 + MR was treated medically. A patient with residual 4 + MR underwent re-operation. There was no procedure-related complication including mortality, device migration, embolization, or cardiac laceration. Mean procedure and fluoroscopy times were 166.4 ± 39.5 (range, 90-210) and 25.7 ± 17.3 (range, 16-64) minutes, respectively. The mean intensive care and hospital stays were 2.1 ± 1.3 and 10.3 ± 6.5 days, respectively. Clinical efficacy was achieved in 9 (75%) of 12 patients at early follow-up of 8.5 ± 2.1 months. NYHA status was class II in two patients, and no hemolytic anemia was diagnosed. Echocardiographic studies revealed a significant reduction of preoperative MR (3-4+) to less than 1+ MR after operations (P < 0.05). Surgical transapical approach to PVL closure is a safe and effective procedure following mitral valve replacement. Early results show that this procedure can be an alternative to re-operation for high-risk patients. Further studies are needed to prove its effectiveness in the long term.

Robotic repair of left-sided partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection to the coronary sinus

Left-sided partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection to the coronary sinus is a rare congenital cardiac defect. Surgical repair is indicated to prevent cardiopulmonary morbidities that may occur in later age. Although the conventional median sternotomy or thoracotomy incisions are used during surgical repair, robotic surgery can be a feasible alternative approach to this pathology. In this case, we report a 14-year-old child, who was diagnosed with left partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection to the coronary sinus. A total endoscopic robotic repair was successfully done via right atriotomy approach. After routing of the pulmonary venous return from the left lung to the left atrium, the interatrial septum was reconstructed with a pericardial patch. We report a successful use of totally endoscopic robotic approach in a patient diagnosed with left-sided partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection.