Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remains the gold standard in the treatment of complex chronic forms of coronary heart disease (CHD). Coronary endarterectomy (CEAE) is a useful adjunctive technique to CABG in patients with diffuse coronary artery disease. In order to maintain the patency of the coronary arteries and graft conduits, various antithrombotic protocols have been introduced over the years, combining various antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs, but still there is no consensus. Aim: The aim of the study is to compare results between two antithrombotic regimens after CEAE. The first one is a combination of acenocoumarol combined with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), the second regimen is a dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) of clopidogrel combined with ASA. Material and methods: We retrospectively reviewed 56 consecutive patients (60 ± 8.2 years) undergoing isolated CABG in association with CEAE between January 2018 and December 2019. In the postoperative period, patients were divided into two groups according to the antithrombotic regimens described above. Twenty-four were in the ASA and acenocoumarol group (AA) and 32 were in the ASA and clopidogrel group (AC). Patients were followed up to 30 days after the operation and we access the mortality rate, new ECG changes, levels of myocardial fraction of creatinine phosphokinase (CPK-MB), left ventricular systolic function, pericardial or pleural effusions requiring drainage or revision for bleeding. Results: Operative mortality was 3,6 %. No differences in the antithrombotic efficacy of the two regimens. A significantly higher level of hemorrhagic complications was observed in the ASA + acenocoumarol treatment group. Conclusion: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after CABG and coronary endarterectomy is an effective pharmacological regimen in regard to 30-day postoperative outcomes and is considerably safety in terms of bleeding complications.

Background/Introduction TAVI is proven as a beneficial procedure in high risk patients with severe aortic stenosis.

Background Esophageal necrosis and perforation after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for ruptured traumatic aortic aneurysm is extremely rare. It is difficult to manage, and patients rarely survive without treatment. Although, there is no certain consensus in relation with the optimal treatment we present a subsequent successful management of both life-threatening conditions. Case presentation A 52-year-old man experienced a blunt chest trauma after motor vehicle collision with mild symptoms of pain and fractured ribs. On the 12th day he had severe chest pain and computed tomography (CT) revealed a ruptured traumatic thoracic aortic aneurysm with massive mediastinal hematoma. An emergency thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) was performed. Several days later the patient developed a fever. CT suspected a pneumomediastinum, a sign of esophageal rupture, but no confirmation from esophagography and esophagoscopy was achieved. Because of deteriorated septic condition, patient was referred for exploratory thoracotomy. The rupture was found and esophagectomy was performed, with an esophagostomy and gastrostomy to enable enteral nutrition. Almost one year after the esophagectomy, gastric conduit reconstruction through the retrosternal route was performed. The patient was still alive and symptom-free more than 1 year after the reconstruction and no infection of the stent graft was observed. Conclusion We successfully managed a rare case of esophageal necrosis after TEVAR for ruptured traumatic thoracic aortic aneurysm. It is essential to diagnose the esophageal necrosis at an early stage and provide appropriate treatment to increase survival.

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Introduction: The internal thoracic artery (ITA) has proven to be the best graft for surgical myocardial revascularization, especially in the configuration left ITA (LITA) to the anterior descending branch of left coronary artery (LAD). Its harvesting is usually accompanied by pleurotomy, followed by drainage tube placement into the pleural cavity, using the so called intrapleural method. Extrapleural technique for LITA harvesting is also practiced in many cardiac surgery centers and with this technique the pleura is left intact. Aim: The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of both techniques of LITA harvesting on lung function and incidence of postoperative complications early after operation. Materials and methods: We analyzed retrospectively data of 82 operated patients scheduled for surgical myocardial revascularization and meeting certain inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients were divided into two groups depending on the way LITA was prepared. Lung parameters and incidence of surgical complications were registered in the early postoperative period until day 30. Results: The patients from both groups had similar preoperative characteristics and risk factors. Those with preserved pleura showed significantly better results of the studied pulmonary parameters and lower complications event rate during early postoperative follow-up. Conclusions: Maintaining the pleura integrity during LITA harvesting is beneficial for lung function and reduces the rate of complications in the early postoperative period.