Our findings indicate that magnesium sulfate infusion alone is not sufficient for the prophylaxis of atrial fibrillation.

No abstract

The higher incidence of C. pneumoniae and H. pylori DNA in atherosclerotic plaques suggests that these microorganisms may play a role in the pathogenesis of atherogenesis.

As no significant difference between conventional suture and ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate application was detected in terms of histopathological reactions, ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate may be considered as an alternative or adjunct to conventional techniques in controlling hemorrhage that cannot be controlled by conventional methods, in tissue repair and in the control of pulmonary air leakage, and may be used in vascular, myocardial and pulmonary surgery.

When performing open heart surgery, the surgeon should not leave the Swan-Ganz catheter in the suture while closing the right or left atriotomy or during venous cannulation. In addition, the catheter should be moved after suturing to ensure that there is no entrapment.

The aim of this study was to investigate absorption of ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate glue when used as a tissue adhesive. Ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate was applied subcutaneously to four rats; its presence in blood and urine was investigated by using High Pressure Liquid Chromatography. Blood samples were drawn at baseline and after 2, 4, 6, 24, 48, 54, 78, 96 hours following application. Urine samples were obtained at baseline and after 4, 24, 48, 72, 96 hours. Administration of ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate resulted in its absorption of unchanged ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate and unknown metabolites, in plasma and urine.

lntraaortic balloon usage is increasing in left ventricular failure situations. Especially in cardiac surgery, intraaortic balloon becomes the 1irst choice of mechanical support systems when the patients could not be weaned cardiopulmonary bypass. The most frequent way of insertion is transfemoral route. However sometimes it is impossible to insert the balloon transfemorally especially in peripheral vascular disease situations. So altarnate ways of inserting the intraaortic balloon is needed. in Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Centre we inserted intraaortic balloon transthoracically in 5 cases. Mean time of duration was 3 days and when compared with transfemoral route, no difference was dedected in the efficiency of the counterpulsation. However when the complications were compared, more serious complication could take place with transthoracic route. Our current recommendation is to use transthoracic route only in suitable cases when transfemoral route could not be used.