Copyright © 2019, Turkish League Against Rheumatism.Background In this study, we present our early and mid-term results of endovascular aneurysm repair in patients with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms. Methods Between December 2011 and January 2017, a total of 154 patients (136 males, 18 females; mean age 71.7 years; range, 55 to 94 years) who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair were retrospectively analyzed. Data including demographic characteristics of the patients, pre-procedural additional diagnoses, mortality and morbidity rates, length of intensive care unit and hospital stays, amounts of blood products used, complications and reinterventions were recorded. Results Seven patients underwent intervention in the emergency setting due to aneurysm rupture, while 147 patients received elective surgery. The mean follow-up was 35 (range, 12 to 72) months, the mean length of intensive care unit stay was 1.1 (range, 1 to 4) days, and the mean length of hospital stay was 3.1 (range, 3 to 7) days. A mean 0.3 units of erythrocyte suspension was used during the treatment. Endoleak developed in 16 patients, occlusion in the graft leg in two patients, increased aneurysmal diameter in six patients, and wound healing problems in five patients. Cross femoral bypass was applied in two patients, balloon dilation in three patients, proximal extension in three patients, and distal extension in four patients. Intraoperative mortality occurred in one patient. The total mortality rate was 7% and first 30-day mortality rate was 2%. Conclusion Our study results suggest that endovascular aneurysm repair has certain advantages including a low operative mortality rate, short intensive care unit and hospital stays, and less blood product use. In addition, this technique can be performed with regional anesthesia in high-risk comorbid patients. Copyright © 2019, Turkish League Against Rheumatism.BACKGROUND In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of central venous catheterization under ultrasound guidance on the success and complication rates in low-weight infants (under 5 kg) undergoing surgery due to congenital heart disease. METHODS A total of 70 infants (38 boys, 32 girls; mean age of patients less then 1 month was 16.4±9.5 days [n=20; 28.6%]; 1-7.5 months was 126.3±47.8 [n=50; 71.4%]) who underwent ultrasound-guided internal jugular venous catheterization between October 2014 and October 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. All catheterizations were done under the guidance of ultrasound by two skilled anesthesiologists. Data including demographic characteristics of the patients, procedural success rate, catheter access time, number of attempts, and complications were recorded. RESULTS The overall success rate of the procedure was 92.8% (n=65). In 82% of the patients (n=53), the insertion was successful at the first attempt. The mean catheter access time (time from the first puncture to the catheter insertion) was 214±0.48 sec. Complications were seen in five patients (7.14%), and the body weight of these patients was less than 2,500 g. There was no arterial puncture in any patients. Phosphoramidon One patient (1.42%) developed pneumothorax and four patients (5.7%) developed hematoma due to repeated attempts. CONCLUSION Our study results suggest that ultrasound-guided central venous cannulation is a safe and effective technique in pediatric population weighing less than 5 kg undergoing congenital heart surgery. Copyright © 2019, Turkish League Against Rheumatism.Background TThis study aims to investigate the effect of the Jackson-Pratt drain on sternal wound complications in patients with a Body Mass Index of ≥30 kg/m2 undergoing open cardiac surgery via median sternotomy. Methods A total of 174 patients (124 males, 50 females; mean age 58.2±10.4 years; range, 33 to 78 years) with a Body Mass Index of ≥30 kg/m2 undergoing cardiac surgery via median sternotomy between January 2011 and December 2015 in our institution were retrospectively analyzed. Of the patients, 94 were inserted a Jackson-Pratt drain (JP group) following median sternotomy, while 80 patients received no drain (non-JP group). Pre-, intra, and postoperative outcomes of both groups including type of operation, length of hospital stay, and complications were compared. Results No significant difference in the age, gender, Body Mass Index, and potential risk factors was found between the groups. The median of stay in the intensive care unit was two days and the median time from operation to discharge was seven days in both groups. There was a statistically significant difference in the rate of sternal wound complications between the groups. Sternal wound complications occurred in two patients (2.1%) in the drained group, compared to nine patients (11.25%) in the non-drained group (p=0.01). Conclusion Our study results show that Jackson-Pratt drain insertion after median sternotomy in patients with a Body Mass Index of ≥30 kg/m2 undergoing open cardiac surgery is a simple and reliable method to reduce the risk of postoperative sternal wound complications, compared to the conventional closure technique. Copyright © 2019, Turkish League Against Rheumatism.Background In this study, we present operation technique and outcomes of transaortic mitral valve repair in high-risk patients undergoing aortic valve replacement due to severe aortic stenosis. Methods Between January 2005 and March 2016, a total of 11 patients (7 females, 4 males; mean age 71.2±4.1 years; range, 65 to 77 years) with severe aortic valve stenosis (aortic valve area 5%, left ventricular ejection fraction less then 30%) who were operated were retrospectively analyzed. Aortic valve replacement and transaortic mitral edge-to-edge repair was applied to all patients. Operations were performed through sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass, and bicaval venous return. Transesophageal echocardiography was used to evaluate mitral valve before surgery and valve functions after surgery. Postoperative course of all patients was monitored, and postoperative complications were recorded. Results The mean preoperative ejection fraction was 24.5±4.1% and the mean transaortic pressure gradient was 35.8±4.8 mmHg. The mean aortic cross-clamp time was 62.