Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) can have multiple localizations in the human body however, most often, it appears in the in thorax at tracheobronchial tree and the thymus. NETs are a group of tumors with heterogenous malignancy that evolve from neuroendocrine cells, with the lung being the second target organ after the gastrointestinal tract. These rare tumors are usually asymptomatic and non‑functional with little information regarding incidence in the specialty literature. The main purpose of this review, was the analysis of the available literature in all aspects while mainly focusing on molecular diagnosis data and secondly, by using this molecular landscape to establish a differentiation of lung neuroendocrine tumors (LNETs). By analyzing the literature, new data were revealed regarding histological evaluation, genetic aberrations, prognosis depending on the type of LNET and therapeutic options that derive from these. Efficient management of these tumors is essential in the handling of symptoms and increase in life expectancy, especially in patients with functional tumors. Histological differentiation of LNETs is important in establishing proper therapeutic options and prognosis. Combined types of LNETs remain a controversial topic of discussion regarding diagnosis and treatment, a topic on which further studies are required in order to improve diagnosis in this group of tumors with heterogenous malignancy.

Purpose: This study aimed to report our experience in the creation of brachio-brachial arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) in patients without adequate superficial venous circulation at the upper limb. Methods: A retrospective study of 33 patients, operated on between 2004–2005, in whom we created a brachio-brachial fistula between the brachial artery and the brachial vein. After dissection and adequate mobilization, the brachial vein was anastomized to the brachial artery in an end-to-side fashion. After the maturation period (1 month) the brachial vein was transposed into the subcutaneous tissue. Results: Thirty-three patients underwent 33 brachio-brachial fistula constructions. Primary patency was achieved in all patients. After 1 month, 27 fistulas (81.8%) were functional. Six patients developed fistula occlusion. The 27 remaining patients had subsequently good fistulas for hemodialysis (HD) afterwards. Discrete edema of the forearm was noted in 12 patients (36%); in one of these patients the edema was extended to the entire arm. No other complications were noted. A follow-up study, extended from 3–26 months (mean 14 ± 6.6 months), was performed. The overall patency rate of the brachio-brachial fistula at the end of the follow-up was 85.2%. Conclusions: The brachio-brachial fistula can represent a viable choice in patients with an inadequate superficial venous system in the upper limb.

Increase in the number of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) calls for improved management of these patients. In stage 5 CKD, when the initiation of renal replacement therapy (RRT) becomes necessary, there is an increase in the infection risk of the patients and immunological tests for hepatitis C virus (HCV) detection turn positive at an alarmingly higher rate compared to general population. With the introduction into clinical practice of diagnostic tests, the increased prevalence of HCV among CKD patients has been known since the 1990s. Also, the negative impacts of HCV infection on CKD evolution as well as the unfavorable evolution of grafts received by HCV infected patients are known. Chronic hemodialysis patients are a category of patients whose risk of HCV infection is substantial. Currently, in the hemodialysis centers, at the base of the transmission of HCV infection there are a multitude of factors. Infection with HCV has a different impact on patient with end‑stage renal disease (ESRD). Comorbidities in this case have significant sources of mortality and morbidity. It was proven that the post transplantations problems were prevented and mortality was reduced for patients who were diagnosed with HCV and in whom the infection was treated before the kidney transplant (KT). Consequently, early detection of the infection and the application of specific treatment has a considerable impact on the outcome of the patients. Another important component of the management of HCV infection in the chronic hemodialysis patients is the prevention of the infection transmission by applying specific methods.

Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is a surgical emergency with a mortality of 1–2% per hour. Since its discovery over 200 years ago, surgical techniques for repairing a dissected aorta have evolved, and with the introduction of hypothermic circulatory arrest and cerebral perfusion, complex techniques for replacing the entire aortic arch were possible. However, postoperative neurological complications contribute significantly to mortality in this group of patients. The aim of this study was to determine the association between different bilateral selective antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) times and the incidence of postoperative ischemic stroke in patients with emergency surgery for ATAAD. Patients with documented hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke, clinical signs of stroke or neurological dysfunction prior to surgery, that died on the operating table or within 48 h after surgery, from whom the postoperative neurological status could not be assessed, and with incomplete medical records were excluded from this study. The diagnosis of postoperative stroke was made using head computed tomography imaging (CT) when clinical suspicion was raised by a neurologist in the immediate postoperative period. For selective bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion, we used two balloon-tipped cannulas inserted under direct vision into the innominate artery and the left common carotid artery. Each cannula is connected to a separate pump with an independent pressure line. Near-infrared spectroscopy was used in all cases for cerebral oxygenation monitoring. The circulatory arrest was initiated after reaching a target core temperature of 25–28 °C. In total, 129 patients were included in this study. The incidence of postoperative ischemic stroke documented on a head CT was 24.8% (31 patients), and postoperative death was 20.9% (27 patients). The most common surgical technique performed was supravalvular ascending aorta and Hemiarch replacement with a Dacron graft in 69.8% (90 patients). The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 210 +/− 56.874 min, the mean aortic cross-clamp time was 114.775 +/− 34.602 min, and the mean cerebral perfusion time was 37.837 +/− 18.243 min. Using logistic regression, selective ACP of more than 40 min was independently associated with postoperative ischemic stroke (OR = 3.589; 95%CI = 1.418–9.085; p = 0.007). Considering the high incidence of postoperative stroke in our study population, we concluded that bilateral selective ACP should be used with caution, especially in patients with severely calcified ascending aorta and/or aortic arch and supra-aortic vessels. All efforts should be made to minimize the duration of circulatory arrest when using bilateral selective ACP with a target of less than 30 min, in hypothermia, at a body temperature of 25–28 °C.

Objective: To evaluate the mid-term results of the brachio-brachial arteriovenous fistula in patients without adequate superficial venous circulation in the upper limb. Methods: Retrospective analysis included 49 patients, in whom a brachio-brachial fistula had been created in an end-to-side configuration. After the maturation period (1 month), the brachial vein was transposed into the subcutaneous tissue. Follow-up study was performed in patients with functional brachio-brachial fistula after the superficialization. Results: Forty-nine patients underwent 49 brachio-brachial fistula constructions. All fistulas were functional. One month after surgery, 40 (81.6%) of these patients had a functional fistula, but in only 39 (79.6%) cases was the fistula suitable for hemodialysis (HD) following transposition to subcutaneous tissue. During the 1–month maturation period, the fistula became occluded in nine patients, and in one case the vein was permeable, so the fistula was functional, but too small to permit HD. Seventeen patients developed temporary edema of the forearm during the first month, in three cases the edema was extended to the entire arm, but no other complications were associated with the procedure. Follow-up lasted 18.0 ± 11.1 (3–37) months, during which 7/39 patients presented with fistula occlusion. Three patients died and another three were out of the study for various reasons. Conclusions: the brachio-brachial fistula is a good alternative to prosthetic grafts in patients without superficial venous circulation in the upper limb.

Myxomas are the most common cardiac tumors. This study aimed to analyze the possible risk factors associated with late mortality in this group of patients and assess long-term survival. A retrospective study was conducted among patients who underwent myxomas resection between January 2008 and July 2019 in our service. The patients' preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of mortality at five years. The Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox proportion-adjusted survival curves were used to assess mortality at five and 10 years. A total of 108 patients with cardiac myxomas were identified. All cardiac tumors resected were confirmed as myxomas on histopathological examination. Ninety-six patients presented with left-side myxomas (94 left-atria and two left-ventricle) and 12 with right-side myxomas (11 right-atria, one right-ventricle); 78 of the tumors were capsulated, and 30 were sessile-papillary. The mean dimensions were 37 ±6.1 mm on the left side and 41 ±6.7 mm on the right side. Surgical excision was successful in all cases, with 25% requiring interatrial septum patch repair. Recurrence occurred in 2.77% of the patients. Multivariate logistic regression showed chronic kidney disease (CKD) (OR: 7.96, 95% CI: 1.469-43.125, p=0,016) to be an independent predictor for five-year mortality. The mean follow-up period was 7.13 ±2.965 years, and the Kaplan-Meier curve cumulative proportion survival of patients at five years and 10 years were 100% and 88.8%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in late-term survival between patients with and without CKD in the Cox proportion-adjusted survival curve (p=0.275). Patients with myxomas have a good long-term prognosis following surgical resection. The multivariate logistic regression showed CKD to be an independent predictor of five-year mortality.