In this study, the incidence of mortality was higher in patients over three months of age undergoing repair of isolated VSD; the data suggest that the mortality may be decreased in patients with severe PH who were operated on earlier in life. We conclude that in infants with severe PH, early surgical repair (less than three months) of isolated VSDs is strongly advised to achieve more favorable results.

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Introduction: We aimed to investigate whether normoxic cardiopulmonary bypass would limit myocardial oxidative stress in adults undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods: Patients scheduled to undergo elective isolated on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting were randomized to normoxia and hyperoxia groups. The normoxia group received 35% oxygen during anesthetic induction, 35% during hypothermic bypass, and 45% during rewarming. The hyperoxia group received 70%, 50%, and 70% oxygen, respectively. Coronary sinus blood samples were taken prior to initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass and after reperfusion for myocardial total oxidant and antioxidant status measurements. The primary endpoint was myocardial total oxidant status. Secondary endpoints were myocardial total antioxidant status and length of intensive care unit and hospital stay. Results: Forty-eight patients were included. Twenty-two received normoxic management. Mean ± standard deviation of age was 58 ± 9.07 years. Groups were balanced in terms of demographics, risk factors, and operative data. Myocardial total oxidant status was significantly lower in the normoxia group following reperfusion (p = 0.03). There was no statistically significant difference regarding myocardial total antioxidant status and length of intensive care unit and hospital stay (p = 0.08, p = 0.82, and p = 0.54, respectively). Conclusions: Normoxic cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with reduced myocardial oxidative stress compared to hyperoxic cardiopulmonary bypass in adult coronary artery bypass patients.

Objective In blunt trauma patients, injury of the thoracic aorta is the second most common cause of death after head injury. In recent years, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has largely replaced open repair as the primary treatment modality, and delayed repair of stable aortic injuries has been shown to improve mortality. In light of these major advancements, we present a 10-year institutional experience from a tertiary cardiovascular surgery center. Methods Records of patients who underwent endovascular or open repair of the ascending, arch or descending thoracic aorta between January 2009 and December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients without blunt traumatic etiology were excluded. Perioperative data were retrospectively collected from patient charts. Long-term follow-up was performed via data from follow-up visits and phone calls. Results A total of 1,667 patients underwent 1,740 thoracic aortic procedures (172 TEVAR and 1,568 open repair). There were 13 patients (12 males) with a diagnosis of blunt thoracic aortic injury. Mean patient age was 43.6 years (range, 16–80 years). Ten (77%) patients underwent TEVAR, two (15.4%) underwent open repair, and one (7.7%) was treated nonoperatively. Procedure-related stroke was observed in one (7.7%) case. Procedure-related paraplegia did not occur in any patients. Left subclavian artery origin was covered in seven patients. None developed arm ischemia. Hospital survivors were followed-up for an average of 60.2 months (range, 4–115 months) without any late mortality, endoleak, stent migration, arm ischemia, or reintervention. Conclusion Blunt thoracic aortic injury is a rare but highly fatal condition. TEVAR offers good early and midterm results. Left subclavian artery coverage can be performed without major complications.

Traumatic aortic rupture is rupture of all or part of the aortic wall, mostly resulting from blunt trauma to the chest. The most common site of rupture is the aortic isthmus. Traumatic rupture of the ascending aorta is rare. A 62-year-old man with a family history of ascending aortic aneurysm was referred to our hospital after a motor vehicle accident. He had symptoms of cardiogenic shock. A contrast-enhanced computed tomographic scan revealed rupture of the proximal ascending aorta and an ascending aortic aneurysm with a diameter of 55 mm at the level of the sinuses of Valsalva. Transthoracic echocardiography at the bedside revealed severe aortic valvular insufficiency. We performed a successful Bentall procedure. During postoperative recovery, the patient experienced a cerebrovascular accident. Transesophageal echocardiography did not reveal thrombosis of the mechanical prosthesis. The patient's symptoms resolved in time, and he was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 47 without any sequelae. He has been symptom free during a 6-month follow-up period. We suggest that individuals who have experienced blunt trauma to the chest and have symptoms of traumatic aortic rupture and a known medical history of ascending aortic aneurysm should be evaluated for a rupture at the ascending aorta and the aortic isthmus.