Nitric oxide, when administered as a gas at low concentration, is able to blunt the release of markers of myocardial injury and to antagonize the left ventricular subclinical dysfunction during and immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass. The organ protection could be mediated, at least in part, by its anti-inflammatory properties.

Vacuum-assisted venous drainage is a technique comparable to gravitational drainage with regard to hemolysis and organ perfusion. It allows better perfusion flow and heart decompression with smaller venous cannulas. This study suggests reduced platelet consumption with VAVD.

The main goal of our study was to evaluate possible perioperative risk factors for occurrence of atrial fibrillation in the postoperative period in patients after CABG operations. The study included 140 patients after CABG, divided into two groups - Group I - 64 patients with new onset of POAF and Group II - 76 patients without postoperative atrial fibrillation occurrence. In both groups possible risk factors for atrial fibrillation onset (preoperative and postoperative) were analyzed.Results showed that we can predict new onset of atrial fibrillation after CABG if the following preoperative factors are present - low ejection fraction (less than 40%), LAd > 40mm, higher body mass index (BMI over 30), presence of COPD and older age. Important perioperative factors for onset of atrial fibrillation in our study were longer extracorporeal circulation, increased dose/number of inotropic drugs, blood transfusion and elevated WBC count postoperatively.

Goal:The aim of this study was to show whether the concomitant functional mitral regurgitation in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement improves after this surgical procedure and to identify preoperative echocardiographic parameters that may influence the lack of improvement in mitral regurgitation (MR) after aortic valve replacement (AVR).Material and methods:The study included 45 patients with severe aortic stenosis and concomitant moderate to severe (+2/+3)mitral regurgitation.Results:The results of our study indicated an improvement in the degree of mitral regurgitation in 24 patients. The most prominent parameters responsible for the lack of improvement of mitral regurgitation in our study were LVIDd, ERO, RVol, pulmonary artery systolic pressure and left atrial diameter. Identification of echocardiographic predictors may assist in selection of patients for whom more aggressive surgical treatment is advised.Conclusion:Concomitant moderate to severe functional MR indicates that MV should be repaired or replaced at the time of aortic valve surgery where at least two of indicated predicted preoperative echocardiographic parameters are present.