ABSTRACT
<b>Background</b> : Acute massive pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening disease. It is often treated with thrombolytic therapy, however, the mortality rates are unsatisfactorily high in patients who developed shock and subsequent cardiac arrest. Surgical pulmonary embolectomy is a last resort for patients with hemodynamic instability. We studied the outcomes of our patients who underwent pulmonary embolectomy for acute pulmonary embolism. <b>Methods</b> : Eight patients who underwent pulmonary embolectomy between January 2011 and December 2014 were studied. Our surgical indications were as follows. Patients who experienced cardiac arrest and treated with PCPS, and those in persistent vital shock, with contraindications of thrombolytic therapy, or with right heart floating thrombus. However, patients with ischemic encephalopathy or acute exacerbation of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, and those who had already been treated with thrombolytic therapy were excluded. Preoperative ECMO was indicated for those in sustained shock. Pulmonary embolectomy was performed through median sternotomy and with cardiopulmonary bypass. After antegrade cardiac arrest, all clots were removed with forceps under direct vision through incisions in the bilateral main pulmonary arteries. IVC filter (Günther Tulip) was placed through the right atrial appendage. In our early cases, IVC filter (Neuhaus Protect) was placed after chest closure. Anticoagulation was not administered until hemostasis was achieved. <b>Results</b> : Seven patients underwent pulmonary embolectomy for massive pulmonary embolism, and in one patient pulmonary embolectomy was indicated for right heart floating thrombi although the pulmonary embolism was submassive. Three patients underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation and were treated with ECMO. Other 3 patients in sustained shock vital were electively treated with ECMO. The other patient developed cardiopulmonary arrest shortly after anesthetic induction and intubation, and suffered disturbance of consciousness postoperatively. All patients were successfully weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass and underwent IVC filter placement (5 Neuhaus Protect, and 3 GProtec Tulip). One patient died due to a vascular complication associated with catheter insertion (retroperitoneal hematoma). No patients developed residual pulmonary hypertension. There were postoperative complications including pneumonia in 5 patients, tracheostomy in 2 patients, atrial fibrillation in 3 patients, and pericardial effusion in 1 patient. One patient who suffered disturbance of consciousness died 2.4 months after the surgery. Other patients had not developed any thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications during a median follow-up of 13.1 months. <b>Conclusions</b> : Pulmonary embolectomy is an effective treatment of acute massive pulmonary embolism. We believe that our strategy is useful, consisting of preoperative hemodynamic stability by an institution of ECMO, complete removal of clots by bilateral main pulmonary incisions, and prevention of recurrence by IVC filter placement.
ABSTRACT
We present the case of a 68-year-old woman with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) complicated by right ectopic kidney, in another term, congenital pelvic kidney. The patient underwent AAA repair and right renal artery reconstruction using renal perfusion with cold Ringer's acetate, and no deterioration of renal function was observed. 3D-CT was essential diagnostic procedure in order to identify the blood supply to the ectopic kidney for planning a careful surgical technique.
ABSTRACT
We describe an unusual case of a chronic pulmonary thromboembolism with right atrial thrombus. A 56-year-old man suffering from chronic pulmonary thromboembolism for 5 years complained of increasing dyspnea. Computed tomography revealed massive emboli in bilateral pulmonary arteries and a thrombus in the right atrium. Massive tricuspid regurgitation and atrial fibrillation were also recognized. We performed pulmonary thromboendarterectomy using a Jamieson rigid long miniature sucker with a rounded tip and our original flexible sucker under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Right atrial thrombectomy, tricuspid annuloplasty and a Maze procedure were also performed during the cooling, recirculating, and warming period. His postoperative cause was uneventful, and he was able to return to an ordinary lifestyle without acquiring oxygen inhalation. Tricuspid annuloplasty and Maze operation during pulmonary thromboendarterectomy contributed to the maintenance of stable homodynamics during and after surgery.
ABSTRACT
Emergency operation was performed for 2 cases of acute pulmonary embolism which showed floating thrombi in the right atrium and right ventricle. Case 1 was a 48-year-old man without any contributory past history. Case 2 was a 65-year-old woman with a history of old myocardial infarction and chronic left heart failure with only 19% of the left ventricular ejection fraction. Although their preoperative hemodynamics and respiratory conditions were stable, ultrasound examination revealed floating thrombi in the right heart. Sudden death could have occurred if the occlusions had migrated to the pulmonary artery. Thus, emergency operation was selected instead of thrombolysis. During operation, the blood pressure suddenly decreased before the establishment of the cardiopulmonary bypass in both cases. This may have been the result of sudden additional pulmonary embolism, because no floating thrombi were noted in the right atrium or right ventricle at operation. After operation, case 1 recovered quickly although case 2 was discharged only after 6 months. It is highly possible that the presence of right heart thrombi change the hemodynamics rapidly. Therefore, emergency operation is necessary even when the hemodynamics and respiratory condition are stable. Thrombectomy is recommended even to patients such as case 2 in a serious condition, because this surgical procedure under cardiopulmonary bypass has been proven to be very safe.
ABSTRACT
A 41-year-old woman was given a diagnosis of Behçet's disease at age 25. When she was 31, a large aortic pseudoaneurysm developed near the left renal artery. Isolation of the aneurysm and anatomical grafting and ancillary bypass were performed. Ten years later, a graft duodenal fistula developed. Extra-anatomical reconstruction was done after complete resection of the original graft and the infectious lesion. It was found that the intra-abdominal organs were receiving blood supply only from the inferiol mesenteric artery. Moreover, severe ischemia of the intra-abdominal organs was a concern during surgery. Therefore, hepatic vein oxygen saturation was monitored continuously with a Swan-Ganz catheter for ischemia of the intra-abdominal organs. It proved to be a very effective indicator and we could perform this operation safely. Reoperation of grafting is often inevitable in patients with Behçet's disease. Also, two stumps of abdominal aorta were left in this patient because of the extra-anatomical reconstruction. Pseudoaneurysm may later occur at the site of the stumps, thus necessitating careful follow-up observations.
ABSTRACT
Intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) is defined as the extension into the venous channels of histologically benign smooth muscle tumors originating either from a uterine myoma or from the walls of a uterine vessel. We report a case of IVL extending to the right atrium and right ventricle through the right internal iliac vein and the inferior vena cava. The patient was a 43-year-old woman. The tumor was extirpated by simultaneous median sternotomy and laparotomy with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. It was necessary to use cardiopulmonary bypass in order to open the right atrium. However, it proved difficult to insert the venous cannulae into the inferior vena cava due to the presence of the tumors. In order to perform the cannulation, a trans-right atrial excision of this tumor was necessary. Nevertheless, hemodynamic deterioration tended to occur during the procedure because of unexpected bleeding. We believe that to safely carry out this operation, it would be better to ensure circulatory arrest before trans-right atrial excision of the tumor. We have been continuing preventive antiestrogen therapy because recurrence would be very likely if any tumorous tissue remained after surgery. Fortunately, no intravenous infiltration of the tumor has been detected by either pelvic computed tomography or ultrasonography during the 26-month follow-up period. Surgical excision of the tumors and postoperative medication are now believed to have been effective.
ABSTRACT
A 52-year-old man was referred to our institution because of a solitary aneurysm of the left common iliac artery. The presence of the aneurysm was demonstrated by CT and angiography. The aneurysm had a diameter of about 30mm. The walls of the bilateral external iliac arteries were irregular, like a string of beads. The aneurysm was resected and replaced with a vascular prosthesis. Histological examination of the aneurysm and a part of the left external iliac artery indicated a diagnosis compatible with fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD: medial fibroplasia). A solitary iliac aneurysm is rare, and is usually due to atherosclerosis. However, the aneurysm in this case was related to FMD. To the best of our knowledge, only one other case of a solitary common iliac aneurysm caused by FMD has so far been described.