European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Nov 2015
Clinical TrialCefazolin and linezolid penetration into sternal cancellous bone during coronary artery bypass grafting.
Deep sternal wound infection is a severe complication after cardiac surgery. Insufficient antibiotic target site concentrations may account for variable success of perioperative prophylaxis. Therefore, we measured perioperative penetration of cefazolin and of linezolid into sternal cancellous bone after sternotomy in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients by in vivo microdialysis. ⋯ Direct measurement of antibiotic concentration in sternal cancellous bone with in vivo microdialysis is technically demanding but safe and feasible. We could demonstrate sufficient antibiotic coverage with our standard cefazolin-dosing regimen in the sternal cancellous bone during cardiac surgery. Mammary artery harvesting had no clinically relevant effect on tissue penetration. Linezolid concentrations were not sufficient for some relevant pathogens.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Nov 2015
New-onset atrial fibrillation at discharge in patients after coronary artery bypass surgery: short- and long-term morbidity and mortality.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass surgery is often considered a non-harmful and self-terminating condition. We studied the mortality and morbidity in patients with new-onset AF (NOAF) present at the time of hospital discharge. ⋯ A majority of NOAF patients revert to SR during the first months after surgery. On the other hand, 20-25% of NOAF patients develop chronic AF during long-term follow-up. Almost half of the NOAF patients were hospitalized during follow-up due to cardiovascular causes. Similarly, NOAF was associated with increased mortality due to cardiac causes, but not increased risk of stroke. This highlights the need for proper oral anticoagulation therapy in these patients.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Nov 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialEvaluation of the efficacy of a haemostatic matrix for control of intraoperative and postoperative bleeding in major lung surgery: a prospective randomized study.
This prospective randomized study was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of a haemostatic matrix in intraoperative bleeding control and prevention of postoperative bleeding after major lung surgery. ⋯ In conclusion, the application of Floseal® in major lung resections proved safe and effective in increasing the intraoperative successful haemostasis rate and in reducing postoperative variation in haemoglobin and haematocrit levels. The sealant use was also related with a significantly shorter chest drain duration and hospitalization.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Nov 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialRNase1 as a potential mediator of remote ischaemic preconditioning for cardioprotection†.
Remote ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) is a non-invasive and virtually cost-free strategy for protecting the heart against acute ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). We have recently shown that the inhibition of extracellular RNA (eRNA) using non-toxic RNase1 protected the heart against acute IRI, reduced myocardial infarct (MI) size and preserved left ventricular systolic function in rodent animal MI models. Based on this previous work in animals, the role of the eRNA/RNase1 system in cardiac RIPC in humans should be defined. ⋯ Upon RIPC, the level of cardioprotective RNase1 increased, while the concentration of damaging eRNA and TNF-α decreased. The present findings imply a significant contribution of the RIPC-dependent (endothelial) RNase1 for improving the outcome of cardiac surgery. However, the exact mechanism of RNase1-induced cardioprotection still remains to be explored.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Nov 2015
Obstructive carotid and/or intracranial artery disease rarely affects the incidence of haemodynamic ischaemic stroke during cardiac surgery: a study on brain perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography with acetazolamide.
Ischaemic stroke is a major complication of cardiac surgery. The optimal strategies for operating on patients with obstructive carotid and/or intracranial artery disease (CIAD) are controversial. We aimed to clarify whether single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with acetazolamide, to quantify the cerebral perfusion reserve, could predict the risk of haemodynamic ischaemic stroke during cardiac surgery. ⋯ It is unusual for CIAD to affect the incidence of haemodynamic ischaemic stroke during cardiac surgery. Brain perfusion SPECT with acetazolamide is effective for narrowing down patients at high risk of ischaemic stroke during cardiac surgery. Meanwhile, the application of brain perfusion single-photon emission tomography should be confined only to patients with obstructive CIAD because it is an expensive examination tool.