Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury may complicate coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) operations. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) had antioxidant and microcirculatory effects, and inhibits neutrophil aggregation. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of NAC in limiting myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in CABG operations. Twenty patients undergoing elective coronary bypass operation with cardiopulmonary bypass were enrolled and randomly assigned to two groups: a control group operated with a routine CABG protocol, and one where NAC was administered intravenously during the operation (NAC group). Blood samples from coronary sinus for tumor necrosis factor-alpha assay, myocardial biopsy specimens for chemiluminescent luminol, and lucigenin measurements of reactive oxygen species were taken. The luminol (specific for (*)OH, H(2)O(2), and HOCl(-) radicals) and lucigenin (specific for O(2) (*-)) levels and the difference ratios after reperfusion were significantly lower in the NAC group. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels increased in the control group but, in contrast, a significant decrease was detected in the NAC group (P < 0.01). Creatine kinase-MB levels at 6 and 12 hours were significantly lower in the NAC group (P = 0.02). N-Acetylcysteine has potential effects to limit ischemia reperfusion injury during CABG operations. We believe that its effects on clinical outcome may be more apparent in patients prone to ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Study Design. Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Objective. To report the follow-up curve behaviors in different Sanders staging groups. Summary of Background Data. Vertebral body tethering (VBT) is a growth modulation technique that allows gradual spontaneous follow-up curve correction as the patient grows. There is a lack of scientific evidence regarding appropriate patient selection and timing of implantation. Methods. Patients were grouped into five as: Sanders 1, 2, 3, 4–5, and 6–7. Data were collected preoperatively, at the day before discharge, and at each follow-up. Outcome measures were pulmonary and mechanical complications, readmission, and reoperation rates. Demographic, perioperative, clinical, radiographic, and complication data were compared using Fisher–Freeman–Halton exact tests for categorical variables and Kruskal-Wallis tests for the continuous variables. Results. Thirty-one (29 F, 2 M) consecutive patients with a minimum of 12 months of follow-up were included. The mean age at surgery was 12.1 (10–14). The mean follow-up was 27.1 (12–62) months. The mean preoperative main thoracic curve magnitude was 47° ± 7.6°. For all curves, preoperative and first erect curve magnitudes, bending flexibility, and operative correction percentages were similar between groups (for all comparisons, P > 0.05). The median height gained during follow-up was different between groups (P < 0.001), which was reflected into median curve correction during follow-up. Total curve correction percentage was different between groups (P = 0.009). Four (12.9%) patients had pulmonary and six (19.4%) had mechanical complications. One (3.2%) patient required readmission and two (6.5%) required reoperation. Occurrence of pulmonary complications was similar in Sanders groups (P = 0.804), while mechanical complications and overcorrection was significantly higher in Sanders 2 patients (P = 0.002 and P = 0.018). Conclusion. Follow-up curve behavior after VBT is different in patients having different Sanders stages. Sanders 2 patients experienced more overcorrection, thus timing and/or correction should be adjusted, since Sanders 3, 4, and 5 patients displayed a lesser risk of mechanical complications. Level of Evidence: 3.

Both noncoated and triclosan-coated suture materials are safe. Larger studies may be needed to show the benefit and cost-effectiveness, if any, of triclosan-coated materials over noncoated materials.

The risk factors for readmission after cardiac surgery with fast-track recovery may differ according to the type of operation. A strict control of volume balance and blood transfusion may further help prevent the occurrence of the most frequent cause of readmission, respiratory failure.

Although an adverse influence of hyperoxemia during cardiopulmonary bypass is well documented, there is a wide range of oxygen settings during cardiopulmonary bypass, based mostly on trial and error. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal inspired oxygen fraction during cardiopulmonary bypass. Ninety patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass operations were randomly allocated to one of 3 groups of 30 each. In group 1, cardiopulmonary bypass was started with an inspired oxygen fraction of 0.40, increased to 0.60 during rewarming. These settings were 0.40 and 0.50 in group 2, and 0.35 and 0.45 in group 3. Samples for blood gas analysis were collected at defined time periods during the operation. PaO(2) was significantly higher in groups 1 and 2 compared to group 3. All patients in group 1 and 88% of patients in group 2 suffered at least one episode of hyperoxemia during cardiopulmonary bypass, compared to 30% of patients in group 3. The differences were significant, and we concluded that to avoid hyperoxemia, inspired oxygen fraction should be kept at 0.35 during cardiopulmonary bypass and increased to 0.45 during rewarming.

We report a successful endovascular stent-graft treatment of a patient with type A dissection with primary entry tear at the ascending aorta. Simultaneous coronary stenting was performed. A literature review was performed and the possible use of endovascular treatment for ascending aortic dissections is discussed.

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Background and Aim: Attempting to place an aortic cross-clamp may complicate surgery and postoperative outcomes in patients who have mediastinal adhesions or in those with extensive aortic calcification. Although right-sided cardiac surgery via thoracotomy is not a new technique in these patients, robotic-assisted intracardiac repair without cross-clamping was not reported in a large group of patients previously. In this study, the safety of robotic-assisted cardiac surgery without aortic cross-clamping was examined. Methods: From January 2010 to March 2020, 304 patients underwent roboticassisted cardiac surgery in our center and in 25 of these patients (8.2%) with a mean age of 65.5 ± 20 years myocardial protection was succeeded with moderate hypothermic ventricular fibrillatory arrest. Severe pericardial adhesions or existence of highly calcified ascending aorta were the indications for fibrillatory arrest during robotic assistant surgery. Results: Most patients were in New York Heart Association Class ≥II (88.0%) and the mean logistic Euroscore value was 18.5 ± 22.3. The type of operations were mitral/tricuspid valve repair/replacement, cryoablation, atrial septal defect closure, and pericardiectomy. Cardiopulmonary bypass times were 141.5 ± 47 (minimum 77-maximum 252) min. There was no case of conversion to open thoracotomy or sternotomy. Hemiparesis was observed in one patient. Two patients with 78.2 and 81.9 Euroscore values had mesenteric ischemia and multiorgan failure, respectively, and died at postoperative period. Conclusions: Robotic-assisted cardiac surgery without cross-clamping may provide reasonable outcomes in patients with severe aortic calcification or mediastinal adhesions undergoing intracardiac repair. These acceptable outcomes may encourage surgeons to perform this approach in appropriate group of patients.