05).

Our study results suggest that both recovery and short-term quality of life seem to be better in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery than in those treated by thoracotomy.

Our study results suggest that both recovery and short-term quality of life seem to be better in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery than in those treated by thoracotomy.

This study aims to validate the psoas muscle area and psoas muscle density as morphometric predictors in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular endpoints in patients with extensive aortoiliac peripheral arterial disease.

A total of 57 patients (55 males, 2 females; mean age 60±8.2 years; range, 35 to 83 years) with Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus type D lesions who underwent revascularization at two Portuguese tertiary hospitals between January 2013 and July 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients with a recent (<6 months) computed tomography scan prior to the revascularization procedure were included in the study. Both centers offered to their patients open and endovascular repair of aortoiliac peripheral arterial disease. Major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events and major adverse limb events were evaluated.

The median follow-up was 20 months. The mean survival rate was 93±3.4% at 30 days and 62.7±8.6% at 48 months. The discriminative thresholds found in this population were 2,175.8 mm2 for total psoas area and 51.75 Hounsfield unit for psoas muscle density. There was a statistically significant difference in the one-year survival rate (p=0.003 and p=0.291, respectively) and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (p=0.005 and p=0.206, respectively) for total psoas area compared to psoas muscle density.

Total psoas area shows a prognostic value for survival and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in this patient population.

Total psoas area shows a prognostic value for survival and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in this patient population.

This study aims to compare success and patency rates of pharmacomechanical thrombectomy versus open surgical thrombectomy for thrombosed native arteriovenous fistulas.

A total of 96 patients (56 males, 40 females; mean age 61±11.7 years; range, 26 to 82 years) with a thrombosed native arteriovenous fistula between January 2016 and December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups as pharmacomechanical thrombectomy (n=42) and open surgical thrombectomy (n=54). Primary failure rate and primary patency rate at 6 and 12 months were recorded.

Of 42 patients in the pharmacomechanical thrombectomy group, 41 (98%) had additional interventions, and primary failure occurred in four patients (10%). Primary failure was seen in 15 (28%) patients in the surgical group. The primary patency rates at 6 and 12 months were significantly higher in the pharmacomechanical treatment group than the surgical group (85% vs. 67% and 78% vs. 55%, respectively; p<0.05).

Pharmacomechanical thrombectomy procedure yields higher primary patency rates than open surgical thrombectomy for thrombosed native arteriovenous fistula.

Pharmacomechanical thrombectomy procedure yields higher primary patency rates than open surgical thrombectomy for thrombosed native arteriovenous fistula.

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of endovascular applications for the treatment of spontaneous iliac artery dissections.

The medical records of 13 patients (12 males, 1 female; mean age 67.9±5.7 years; range, 58 to 75 years) with spontaneous iliac artery dissection between January 2017 and December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The diagnosis of spontaneous iliac artery dissection was made based on contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, physical examination and imaging findings, and hybrid treatments applied during endovascular treatment were analyzed.

The mean follow-up was 12.5±1.1 (range, 6 to 16) months. Five patients received hybrid treatment during endovascular treatment. CDK inhibitor The re-entry site was closed by a patch plasty over the common femoral artery in one of these patients. Embolectomy was performed in the remaining four patients for the treatment of acute ischemia of the extremities. Since no patency could be achieved in two of the patients undergoing embolectomy, a femoropopliteal bypass was performed. The technical success and primary patency rates were 100%. No new false lumen formation, intra-stent occlusion or arterial occlusion was observed during the hospital stay and follow-up.

Endovascular methods can be safely used in the treatment of spontaneous iliac artery dissections; however, hybrid treatments may be also required in selected cases. We believe that it is effective and safe to apply endovascular and hybrid treatments without preventing possible surgical treatments which may be required in the future.

Endovascular methods can be safely used in the treatment of spontaneous iliac artery dissections; however, hybrid treatments may be also required in selected cases. We believe that it is effective and safe to apply endovascular and hybrid treatments without preventing possible surgical treatments which may be required in the future.

This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of heat and moisture exchanger on airway resistance in a cardiothoracic surgery intensive care unit.

A total of 31 patients (18 males, 13 females; mean age 51.5 years; range, 39 to 61 years) who were treated with long-term mechanical ventilation due to low cardiac output syndrome after cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiac surgery were retrospectively analyzed between December 2014 and December 2018. In addition, an in vitro lung model and different doses of hydroxyethyl starch in the heat and moisture exchangers to mimic the airway secretions were used and the proper interval to change heat and moisture exchangers was evaluated.

In the in vitro l ung m odel, t he m ean a irway r esistance was 19.4±0.2 cmH

O/L/sec in the 5 mL group (p=0.060), 20.3±1.0 cmH

O/L/sec in the 10 mL group (p=0.065), and 30.2±1.7 cmH

O/L/sec in the 15 mL group (p<0.001). The airway resistance of heat and moisture exchangers, and total hospital stay and ventilation duration significantly increased in the seven-day group compared to the one-day and three-day groups.