BackgroundCoronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on cardiopulmonary bypass (CBP) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In high-risk patients, doomed for reoperation the adverse effects of CBP may be more striking. We evaluated the results of reoperative CABG (redo-CABG) by either off-pump (OPCAB) or on-pump (ONCAB). Clinical endpoints were perioperative myocardial infarction, mortality, survival and as the most striking difference between prior studies the quality of life (QoL).MethodsWe performed a prospective, non-randomized assessment for patients who underwent redo-CABG by redo-OPCAB (n = 40) or redo-ONCAB (n = 40) at our institution between January 2007 and December 2010. For evaluation of QoL the SF-36 health survey was used with self-administered assessment.ResultsDuring follow-up 37 of 40 patients were alive in the redo-OPCAB group versus 32 of 40 patients in the redo-ONCAB group (p < 0.05). The shorter operation time, less blood loss, fewer perioperative myocardial infarctions, the higher rate of totally arterial revascularisation and shorter intensive care stay were the significantly beneficial differences for patients in the redo-OPCAB group (p < 0.05). The 3-year survival rate was higher in the redo-OPCAB group with 81 ± 12% versus 63 ± 9%in the redo-ONCAB group. The quality of life survey did not reveal any significant differences between both groups.ConclusionIn conclusion, with our present retrospective study, we could demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the redo-OPCAB technique with even higher 3-year survival rate. Both techniques seem to have similar impact on the outcome of patients.

Background: Plasma concentrations of natriuretic peptides are often elevated in chronic hemodialysis patients and difficult to interpret due to accumulation, high incidence of cardiac disease and changes in volume status. Mid-regional pro-ANP is a newly developed assay whereas BNP and its fragment NT-pro-BNP are available for a longer time. In this cross-sectional study, we compared the plasma concentration of MR-pro-ANP, BNP and NT-pro-BNP in stable ambulatory hemodialysis patients (n = 239) and investigated their associations with clinical factors such as residual diuresis, cardiac status and interdialytic weight gain and with mortality. Methods and Results: In all patients enrolled, the plasma concentration of all natriuretic peptides were largely elevated with a median concentration of 337 pg/ml (interquartile range 146-684) for BNP, 4435 pg/ml (1687-16228) for NT-proBNP and 907 pmol/L (650-1298) for MR-pro-ANP. Plasma concentration of all natriuretic peptides correlated independently with age, degree of systolic dysfunction and negatively with residual diuresis. Dependency on residual renal clearance was strongest for the fragments MR-pro-ANP and NT-pro-BNP. The plasma concentration of all natriuretic peptides was associated with mortality within 2 years of follow-up. Receiver-operated curves revealed a low sensitivity (32-45%), but high specificity for all natriuretic peptides (85-93%) resulting in a high negative predictive (82-87%). Best cut-off values obtained from were 18 611 pg/ml for NT-pro-BNP, 958 pg/ml for BNP and 1684 pmol/L for MR-pro-ANP. Conclusions: In hemodialysis patients, the fragments NTproBNP and MR-pro-ANP are largely elevated compared to BNP which is explained by accumulation. The prognostic performance of MR-pro-ANP is similar to that of NT-pro-BNP or BNP.

Glomus tumors, also known as paragangliomas or chemodectomas, arise from well-differentiated mesenchymal cells that are known to be benign. These tumors account for 2% of all soft tissue tumors. The first case of a cardiac glomus tumor was reported in 1924 by Masson.1 Glomus tumors located within the pericardial tissue are extremely rare. We present the case of a recurrent cardiac glomus tumor. The preoperative investigation, diagnostic problems and surgical treatment of this case will be highlighted. Moreover we wish to emphasize the importance of such an entity and to remind readers that it must be included in the differential diagnosis of a pericardial tumor.

Background For patients with end-stage renal failure hemodialysis with an autogenous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) has proven to be the ideal vascular access. Objective The aim of this study is to discover potential predictors of a well-functioning hemodialysis fistula. Methods From December 2009 to March 2011, 80 patients undergoing first time AVF creation were enrolled in our retrospective study. We analyzed pre-and postoperative vessel diameters and flow characteristics gained by duplex ultrasonography (DUS) and intraoperative ultrasound transit-time flow measurements regarding intraoperative blood flow and pulsatility index (PI). Follow-up was defined until the end of the first month with regular hemodialysis, 10 weeks after AVF creation. We performed statistical analyses by employing Spearman correlation, t test, analysis of variance, χ 2 test, and

End-stage heart failure results in kidney dysfunction which can progress to a dialysis-dependent state. End-stage renal failure is often accompanied by cardiac dysfunction and failure.