Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is an important diagnostic tool. It provides structural and functional assessment of cardiac structures which can improve the overall outcome of the patient. We present a case with right atrial myxoma in which TEE helped to find the attachment of the mass so that overall surgical plan was changed.

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Background: Myocardial preconditioning using volatile anesthetics such as isoflurane and sevoflurane have beneficial effects in decreasing morbidity in cardiac surgical patients. Studies in animal models have indicated that reactive oxygen and nitrogen species probably play a role in mediating these effects. However, data from human studies are scarce and the differential effect of sevoflurane vs. isoflurane on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) has not been studied extensively. Materials and Methods: Randomized clinical control trial comparing preconditioning effects of volatile agents isoflurane and sevoflurane when administered during coronary artery bypass surgeries on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Serum samples were collected at 3 time points before induction, after cross clamp release and one hour after separation from CPB. Levels of oxidative stress markers and nitric oxide were analyzed in these samples. Results: Hemodynamic indices, cardio-pulmonary bypass duration, and ICU stay were similar between the groups. CKMB values 12 hours post-op were decreased in majority of patients in the sevoflurane group compared to isoflurane. Serum malondialdehyde and nitrate levels were lower with sevoflurane (P < 0.05) when compared to the isoflurane group, but no significant differences in protein carbonyl content or protein thiol content were evident between the 2 groups. Sevoflurane also prevented the decrease in total thiols during later stages of surgery. Conclusions: Volatile anesthetics, isoflurane and sevoflurane modulate oxidative and nitrosative stress during CABG. Between the two pre-conditioning agents, isoflurane seems to provide better protection during the pre-bypass period, while sevoflurane provides protection during both pre- as well as post-bypass period.

The Arndt blocker is positioned in the desired bronchus using a wire loop which couples the blocker with a fiberoptic bronchoscope (FOB). The wire loop once removed cannot be reinserted in 5F and 7F blockers making repositioning of the blocker difficult. A 34-year-old female was to undergo left thoracotomy followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The left lung was isolated with a 7F Arndt bronchial blocker. During one-lung ventilation, the wire loop was removed for oxygen insufflation. There was loss of lung isolation during the procedure and dislodgement of the blocker was confirmed by FOB. The initial attempts to reintroduce the blocker into the left main bronchus failed. An alternative technique using a glide wire was attempted which resulted in successful reintroduction of the Arndt blocker. The 0.032 inch zebra glide wire may be effectively used to reposition a dislodged Arndt blocker if the wire loop has been removed.

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