Hematopoetic stem cell bank at Zagreb University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia

At Zagreb University Hospital Center, the first cryopreservation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) was performed in 1989 at Department of Hematology. Since that time, more than 1000 products of HSC have been stored for autologous and related homologous use. In 2000, HSC Bank became organizational unit of the Department of Transfusion Medicine. The purpose of the Bank is to ensure quality in procurement, testing, processing, preservation, storage and distribution of HSC as well as transplantation traceability. Today, it serves as a central storage unit for two transplantation centers. At the moment, there are 587 HSC units on stock for 262 patients. In the future, we are planning to establish a public umbilical cord bank and laboratory for cell therapy.     

Bone bank at University Department of Orthopedics, Zagreb University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia

AIM: Bone bank has to supply patients of our Department as well as patients from other hospitals with necessary bone grafts, but only in a case of appropriate medical indication that is evaluated by the Board of Orthopedic Surgeons. METHODS: The paper describes in detail the modalities of donor selection, explantation technique, transportation and preservation of frozen bone grafts. Also, the harvesting models and expenses of the bone bank are described. RESULTS: During the 1998-2006 period, explantation team retrieved bone grafts from 32 cadaver donors, in 10 of them bilaterally. Retrieving bone grafts from cadavers took 90 minutes and transportation 30 minutes on an average. Contamination rate of cadaveric bone grafts was 21%; all retrieved allografts were destroyed in two patients only. Bone grafts were used for reconstruction of bone defects after tumor resection, for revision hip or knee arthroplasty, spondylodesis, or corrective osteotomy. CONCLUSION: Bone bank is a service that retrieves, stores and distributes bone grafts. Appropriate documentation, control and harvesting for optimal indications provide a safe and relatively inexpensive system supplying surgeons and their patients with necessary bone stock in orthopedic surgery procedures.     

Psychiatric comorbidity in veterans with chronic PTSD treated at Center for Crisis Intervention, Zagreb University Hospital Center

Epidemiological and clinical studies provide evidence that veterans with chronic PTSD can be at risk of relapse with respect to a number of high-risk behaviors, including attempted suicide, violence, and misuse of alcohol and drugs. AIM, PATIENTS AND METHODS: The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity in veterans with chronic PTSD treated at Center for Crisis Intervention, Zagreb University Hospital Center, for 4 years. The diagnosis of PTSD and comorbid psychiatric diagnosis were confirmed according to DSM-IV criteria. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Study results showed PTSD without comorbid psychiatric diagnosis to persist in 25.3%, and PTSD with comorbid psychiatric diagnosis in 74.7% of study subjects. The most common psychiatric disorders were depression, personality disorders, and alcoholism. CONCLUSION: It is important to recognize other comorbid disorders because of the increased risk of suicidal behavior. Accordingly, therapeutic intervention should be adjusted to each individual case.     

Suicidality among veterans suffering from chronic PTSD treated at Center for Crisis Intervention, Zagreb University Hospital Center

Recent literature suggests that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients are at an increased risk of suicidal behavior. The purpose of our study was to assess the impact of psychiatric comorbidity on suicidality (as assessed by SUAS) and relationship to combat exposure (as assessed by CES) in 277 veterans suffering from chronic PTSD. The diagnosis of PTSD and psychiatric comorbidity was confirmed according to DSM-IV criteria. Patients with PTSD and comorbidity had significantly higher scores (p<0.01) on the measures of suicidality and combat exposure than the groups without psychiatric comorbidity. These findings suggest that persons with PTSD and psychiatric comorbidity are at a higher risk of suicidal behavior. Therefore, on assessing suicide risk in PTSD patients attention should be paid to comorbidity factors, in order to reduce the risk of fatal complications.     

犬不停跳冠状动脉搭桥模型的构建

目的比较两种不同方法构建不停跳冠状动脉搭桥动物模型,探讨模型构建方法的可行性和优劣性。方法家犬20只随机分为头臂干组和降主动脉组,以小口径异种血管为桥血管。左侧第4肋间切口入胸,先行头臂干动脉或降主动脉端血管吻合,再行冠状动脉端血管吻合,术毕结扎左冠状动脉前降支近端。结果 2组犬均无术中死亡。头臂干组和降主动脉组主动脉端血管吻合用时分别为(33.9±4.8)min和(29.6±3.5)min(P0.05),冠状动脉端血管吻合用时分别为(28.5±3.0)min和(28.1±2.3)min(P0.05),2组术中出血量分别为(77.5±16.2)mL和(66.5±12.3)mL(P0.05)。降主动脉组术中侧壁钳夹降主动脉后股动脉血压明显降低,术后2只犬出现黑便。结论将小口径异种血管吻合在头臂干动脉或降主动脉均可成功构建犬不停跳冠状动脉搭桥模型;降主动脉组股动脉血压波动大,存在腹腔脏器缺血再灌注损伤;头臂干组血管吻合用时稍长,但术中股动脉血压波动小,模型构建相对更安全。     

Clopidogrel improves aspirin response after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery

We sought to assess the incidence of aspirin resistance after off-pump coronary artery bypass （OPCAB） surgery, and investigate whether clopidogrel can improve aspirin response and be safely applied early after OPCAB surgery. Sixty patients who underwent standard OPCAB surgery were randomized into two groups. One group （30 patients） received mono-antiplatelet treatment （MAPT） with aspirin 100 mg daily and the other group received dual anfiplatelet treatment （DAPT） with aspirin 100 mg daily plus clopidogrel 75 mg daily. Platelet aggregations in response to arachi- donic acid （PLAA） and adenosine diphosphate （ADP） （PLADP） were measured preoperatively and on days 1 to 6, 8 and 10 after the antiplatelet agents were administered. A PLAA level above 20% was defined as aspirin resistance. Postoperative bleeding and other perioperative variables were also recorded. There were no significant differences between the two groups in baseline characteristics, average number of distal anastomosis, operation time, postoperative bleeding, ventilation time and postoperative hospital stay. However, the incidence of aspirin resistance was significantly lower in the DAPT group than that in the MAPT group on the first and second day after antiplatelet agents were given （62.1% vs, 32.1%, 34.5% vs. 10.7%, respectively, both P 〈 0.05）. There was no significant difference in postoperative complication between the two groups. DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel can be safely applied to OPCAB patients early after the procedure. Moreover, clopidogrel reduces the incidence of OPCAB-related aspirin resistance.     

Clinical experience with Smart Care after off-pump coronary artery bypass for early extubation

The purpose of this study was to compare the intubation time using Smart Care, a knowledge-based system for automated weaning, with that of conventional physician-controlled weaning after off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) and to determine the efficacy of Smart Care. During 2004, 53 sequential patients were scheduled for isolated coronary artery bypass grafting without cardiopulmonary bypass. Patients were divided into two groups: the Smart Care group (n = 10) and the control group (n = 35). Eight patients requiring hemodialysis and patients undergoing the awake OPCAB method were excluded. The intubation times were 172.6 ± 51.6 min in the Smart Care group compared with 342.0 ± 239.0 min in the control group (P = 0.032). No specific complications occurred with this computer-driven expert weaning system. In conclusion, the Smart Care system reduced the duration of mechanical ventilation and the respiratory care workload. This system was effective in the care of patients without complications requiring mechanical ventilation after OPCAB.     

Clinical outcome of urgent coronary artery bypass grafting

Urgent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has a higher mortality rate than elective CABG. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of urgent CABG. From July 1992 to May 2005, 104 patients underwent urgent CABG. All patients required an urgent surgical revascularization within 24 hr of diagnostic coronary angiography. In-hospital mortality after urgent CABG was 17.3% (18/104). We compared preoperative characteristics and postoperative clinical outcomes between the survival group (n=86) and the mortality group (n=18). The mean age was 61.7 yr (range, 35-83). The most common cause of mortality was low cardiac output. The independent preoperative risk factors of mortality included advanced age (>70 yr) (OR=3.998, p=0.046), preoperative shock status (OR=6.542, p=0.011), and low ejection fraction (<40%) (OR=4.492, p=0.034). Other risk factors of mortality included prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time, prolonged ventilator use, and extended intensive care unit stay. The 10-yr actuarial survival rate was 61%. Although the operative mortality rate was high after urgent CABG, a favorable long-term clinical outcome can be expected if the patients survive.     

预防应用主动脉内球囊反搏在低射血分数患者非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术的临床研究

目的：分析预防应用主动脉内球囊反搏(intra-aortic balloon pump,IABP)对术前低射血分数(EF值<40%)的冠心病患者在非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术(off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, OPCAB)中的疗效和预后影响。方法：回顾分析复旦大学附属中山医院心外科2010年1月至2015年1月术前低射血分数的冠心病拟行OPCAB术的患者300例。其中术前预防应用IABP后行OPCAG的患者140例(试验组),术前未预防应用IABP直接行OPCAB术的患者160例(对照组)。比较二组患者术中被迫紧急改为体外循环下冠状动脉旁路移植术的比例、术后应用体外膜肺氧合(extracorporeal membrane oxygenation,ECMO)的比例、术后低心排及术后肾功能不全的发生率、室性心率失常的发生率、住院期间病死率;比较二组术后气管插管时间、ICU时间及术后住院天数;比较两组术后1、2、5 d血浆肌钙蛋白I(cardiac troponin I,cTnI)、肌酸磷酸激酶同工酶(creatine phosphokinase isoenzyme,CKMB)水平以及两组术后1年及5年生存率。结果：术中对照组被迫紧急改为体外循环下冠状动脉移植比例高于对试验组(P<0.05);术后应用ECMO的比例对照组高于试验组(P<0.05),术后气管插管时间、ICU时间及术后住院天数试验组明显低于对照组(P<0.05);术后低心排及术后肾功能不全的发生率明显减少(P<0.05)术后1、2 d cTnI及CKMB水平试验组明显低于对照组(P<0.05),术后5 d cTnI及CKMB水平试验组与对照组相比较无明显差异(P>0.05);住院期间病死率试验组明显低于对照组(P<0.05),但术后1年及5年生存率两组无差异(P>0.05)。结论：术前低EF值冠心病预防性应用IABP是安全有效的,能够改善心功能,减少术后心梗、低心排、肾功能不全等严重并发症的发生,从而降低围术期病死率,提高低术前EF值病人OPCAB的手术疗效。     

A coronary active perfusion system for off-pump coronary artery bypass: advantage over passive perfusion regarding the physiology of the coronary artery

To avoid myocardial ischemia during off-pump coronary artery bypass, we developed a coronary active perfusion system (CAPS) that perfuses arterial blood to the coronary artery at the diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle by a syringe pump system. We report herein the details and compare CAPS with a passive shunt circuit from the femoral artery (FA shunt), regarding the physiology of the coronary artery. Six pigs were used for this study. After CAPS or FA shunt perfusion was established, coronary flow and coronary pressure were measured. The coronary flows in the native coronary artery, FA shunt perfusion, and CAPS perfusion with syringe pump stroke volume settings ranging from 0.1 to 0.4 ml were 27.2+/-3.0, 4.1+/-1.5, 12.7+/-1.2, 24.8+/-1.9, 33.3+/-1.6, and 42.2+/-1.9 ml/min, respectively. Mean coronary pressures under FA shunt perfusion and CAPS perfusion with stroke settings from 0.1 to 0.4 ml were 23.7+/-4.6, 48.8+/-5.0, 61.3+/-7.5, 70.8+/-5.4, and 82.3+/-5.2 mm Hg, respectively. CAPS had an advantage over the FA shunt regarding coronary flow with safe coronary pressure. Using CAPS, an off-pump coronary artery bypass can be performed safely without myocardial ischemia.     

Preoperative aspirin resistance does not increase myocardial injury during off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery

We performed a prospective cohort trial on 220 patients undergoing elective off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery and taking aspirin to evaluate the effect of aspirin resistance on myocardial injury. The patients were divided into aspirin responders and aspirin non-responders by the value of the aspirin reaction units obtained preoperatively using the VerifyNow™ Aspirin Assay. The serum levels of troponin I were measured before surgery and 1, 6, 24, 48 and 72 hr after surgery. In-hospital major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, graft occlusion, the postoperative blood loss and reexploration for bleeding were recorded. Of the 220 patients, 181 aspirin responders (82.3%) and 39 aspirin non-responders (17.7%) were defined. There were no significant differences in troponin I levels (ng/mL) between aspirin responders and aspirin non-responders: preoperative (0.04 ± 0.08 vs 0.03 ± 0.06; P = 0.56), postoperative 1 hr (0.72 ± 0.87 vs 0.86 ± 1.10; P = 0.54), 6 hr (2.92 ± 8.76 vs 1.50 ± 2.40; P = 0.94), 24 hr (4.16 ± 13.44 vs 1.25 ± 1.95; P = 0.52), 48 hr (2.15 ± 7.06 vs 0.65 ± 0.95; P = 0.64) and 72 hr (1.20 ± 4.63 vs 0.38 ± 0.56; P = 0.47). Moreover, no significant differences were observed with regard to in-hospital outcomes. In conclusion, preoperative aspirin resistance does not increase myocardial injury in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. Postoperative dual antiplatelet therapy might have protected aspirin resistant patients.     

非体外循环冠脉搭桥术中参附注射液对血流动力学和氧代谢的影响

目的 观测非体外循环冠脉搭桥术(OPCABG)中参附注射液对血流动力学和全身氧代谢的影响.方法 选择本院冠心病择期行OPCABG手术患者56例,美国麻醉医师协会(ASA)Ⅱ～Ⅲ级,完全随机分为参附组(SF组,29例)和生理盐水对照组(NS组,27例).SF组在手术切皮前和吻合心脏血管前各静脉注射参附注射液40 ml,NS组则分别注射等量生理盐水.用漂浮导管和动脉、混合静脉血气分析监测麻醉手术过程中麻醉诱导完成并血流动力学稳定时(T1)、锯胸骨后(T2),吻合血管前(T3),吻合前降支时(T4),吻合后降支或右冠状动脉时(T5),吻合左回旋支或对角支时(T6),血管吻合完成后心脏恢复原位置(T7),闭合胸骨前(T8)及手术结束时(T9)9个时点的血流动力学和全身氧代谢.结果 在T5和T6时点,两组的心脏指数(CI)和每搏指数(SI)均明显低于T1时点[(2.1±0.6)和(2.0±0.5)比(2.3±0.5)L·min-1· m-2,(1.7±0.6)和(1.8±0.6)比(2.1±0.5)L·min-1·m-2;(24±10)和(23±8)比(32±7)ml·beat-1· m-2,(22±9)和(22±8)比(32±9) ml·beat-1·m-2,P＜0.05],其中T2和T5时点,SF组的CI略高于NS组[(2.5±0.7)比(2.1±0.6)L·min-1 ·m-2,(2.1±0.6)比(1.7 ±0.6) L·min-1 ·m-2,P＜0.05].整个麻醉手术期间,SF组的心率(HR)、平均动脉压(MAP)、左室工作指数(LVWI)和右室工作指数(RVWI)均略高于NS组(P＜0.05).两组的pH在手术开始后均呈降低变化,其中SF组术毕的pH明显低于NS组(P＜0.05).手术期间两组的碳酸氢根离子(HCO3-)、剩余碱(BE-E)和总二氧化碳(TCO2)均下降,两组间在多个时间点差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).SF组在麻醉后时点的氧供(DO2)高于NS组,但术中两组间氧耗(vO2)、氧摄取率(O2ext)和体温(T)的变化差异无统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 ASAⅡ～Ⅲ级患者非体外循环冠脉搭桥术中,在循环功能和氧供-氧耗相对稳定条件下静脉给予参附注射液,未见对血流动力学和氧代谢参数产生显著影响.     

Outcome of coronary artery bypass grafting in patients without major risk factors and patients with at least one major risk factor for coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has become a safer procedure in recent years. AIMS: We aimed to compare complications and early outcome of CABG in patients without history of general risk factors with those in patients with at least one general risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Postoperative in-hospital complications, 30-day mortality rate and length of stay in hospital of 708 patients without preoperative general risk factors undergoing CABG in three university hospitals were assessed and compared with 10,844 patients undergoing CABG with at least one general risk factor as controls. In addition, the association of the studied variables with patients' early outcome was evaluated. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: SPSS software with Pearson's chi2 test; independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney test and univariate analysis were used. RESULTS: All studied in-hospital complications were similar between the two groups. Thirty days mortality rate (0.7% in study group and 1.4% in control group) was similar between groups, whereas prolonged length of stay (>12 days) was more frequent in control group (61.33% vs. 71.36%, P<0.0001). Atrial fibrillation (P<0.0001) was a strong predictor for prolonged length of stay in hospital. CONCLUSION: Most aspects of early complications after CABG, as well as 30-day mortality rate, were similar between patients with and without general risk factors for coronary artery disease undergoing CABG.     

非体外循环下冠状动脉旁路移植围术期血浆脑钠肽释放及其相关性研究

背景：B型脑钠肽已成为心血管疾病诊断重要的血清标志物,作为心血管疾病危险因素分层的重要因子。 目的：分析冠状动脉旁路移植前后B型脑钠肽与各项血流动力学参数的关系。 方法：选择30例冠心病行冠脉旁路移植患者,分为左室射血分数≥ 50%心功能正常患者13例;左室射血分数< 50%心功能不全患者17例。观察患者移植前1 d、移植后7 h、移植后1,3,5,7 d血浆B型脑钠肽水平变化趋势,分析移植前后B型脑钠肽与心功能各项指标的相关关系。 结果与结论：左室射血分数≥ 50%组患者冠脉旁路移植前后血浆B型脑钠肽水平显著低于左室射血分数< 50%组;组内比较移植后血浆B型脑钠肽水平均显著高于移植前(P < 0.05或P < 0.001)。患者冠脉旁路移植前B型脑钠肽水平与纽约心脏病协会心功能分级、左房内径、左室内径呈正相关(r=0.61;r=0．34;r=0．67);与左室射血分数、心排血量呈负相关(r=-0.75;r=-0.70)。患者移植后B型脑钠肽峰值浓度与出院前纽约心脏病协会心功能分级、超声心动图左室舒张末期内径、肺动脉压力呈正相关(r=0.72;r=0.70;r=0.45)。结果说明冠心病患者冠脉旁路移植前血浆B型脑钠肽质量浓度与左心室射血分数及左心室舒张末期内径有很好的相关性,能准确反映冠脉旁路移植前后的心功能状态。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程全文链接：     

The effect of milrinone on the right ventricular function in patients with reduced right ventricular function undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery

This investigation evaluated the effect of continuous milrinone infusion on right ventricular (RV) function during off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OPCAB) surgery in patients with reduced RV function. Fifty patients scheduled for OPCAB, with thermodilution RV ejection fraction (RVEF) <35% after anesthesia induction, were randomly allocated to either milrinone (0.5 microg/kg/min) or control (saline) group. Hemodynamic variables and RV volumetric data measured by thermodilution method were collected as follows: after anesthesia induction (T1); 10 min after heart displacement for obtuse marginal artery anastomosis (T2); after pericardial closure (T3). Cardiac index and heart rate increased and systemic vascular resistance significantly decreased in milrinone group at T2. Initially lower RVEF of milrinone group was eventually comparable to control group after milrinone infusion. RVEF did not significantly change at T2 and T3 in both groups. RV end-diastolic volume in milrinone group consistently decreased from the baseline at T2 and T3. Continuous infusion of milrinone without a bolus demonstrated potentially beneficial effect on cardiac output and RV afterload in patients with reduced RV function during OPCAB. However, aggressive augmentation of intravascular volume seems to be necessary to maximize the effect of the milrinone in these patients.     

The effect of postoperative positive end-expiratory pressure on postoperative bleeding after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

Introduction

To compare postoperative prophylactic use of two positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) levels in order to prevent postoperative bleeding in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery.

Material and methods

Sixty patients undergoing an elective off-pump CABG operation were included in this prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial. Patients were divided into two groups as receiving either 5 cm H₂O (group 1) or 8 cm H₂O PEEP (group 2) after the operation until being extubated. Chest tube outputs, use of blood products and other fluids, postoperative hemoglobin levels, accumulation of pleural and pericardial fluid after the removal of chest tubes, and duration of hospital stay were recorded and compared.

Results

Low- and high-pressure PEEP groups did not differ with regard to postoperative chest tube outputs, amounts of transfusions and crystalloid/colloid infusion requirements, or postoperative hemoglobin levels. However, low-pressure PEEP application was associated with significantly higher pleural (92 ±37 ml vs. 69 ±29 ml, p = 0.03) and pericardial fluid (17 ±5 ml vs. 14 ±6 ml, p = 0.04) accumulation. On the other hand, high-pressure PEEP application was associated with significantly longer duration of hospitalization (6.25 ±1.21 days vs. 5.25 ±0.91 days, p = 0.03).

Conclusions

Prophylactic administration of postoperative PEEP levels of 8 cm H₂O, although safe, does not seem to reduce chest-tube output or transfusion requirements in off-pump CABG when compared to the lower level of PEEP. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to confirm the benefits and identify ideal levels of PEEP administration in this group of patients.