ABSTRACT
<p>We report two cases of extended sandwich patch technique through right ventriculotomy for ventricular septal perforation (VSP). One was an 82-year-old woman. Preoperative coronary angiography showed occlusion of the left anterior descending artery proximal to the first major septal branch. Operative inspection revealed relatively extensive infarction of the anterior wall, a part of which had the appearance of free wall rupture. In the other case of an 85-year-old woman, the culprit lesion was occlusion of the left anterior descending artery distal to several septal branches and to the first diagonal branch. Despite their old age and emergency surgery in cardiogenic shock status, their postoperative recovery was uneventful. In the former case, however, echocardiography at the early postoperative phase revealed significant expansion and thinning of the infarcted anterior wall. Furthermore, serial observations showed deterioration of the left ventricular systolic function and mitral regurgitation due to leaflet tethering. In addition to secure VSP closure by transmural stitches, extended sandwich patch technique can offer geometric and functional preservation of postinfarction left ventricle. Although this can eliminate the risk of postoperative low output syndrome even if anterior infarction is extensive, late follow-up will be required because this technique can also allow postinfarction left ventricular remodeling.</p>
ABSTRACT
<p>A 23-year-old woman with mitral valve infective endocarditis complicated by embolism of the right common iliac artery underwent transfemoral embolectomy by a Fogarty catheter and mitral valve replacement. She developed occlusion of the right internal iliac artery, that was revealed by computed tomography on the 9th postoperative day. The occlusion was considered to result from migration of a part of the emboli from the right common iliac artery into the right internal iliac artery during the procedure of embolectomy. On the 16th postoperative day, she underwent repeat mitral valve replacement because of perivalvular leakage. Furthermore, after 2 weeks from the diagnosis of embolism of the right internal iliac artery, the embolic site showed aneurysmal formation finally requiring aneurysmectomy. Her recovery was uneventful. Our case is considered to be rare in that serial observations on computed tomography indicated the development of mycotic aneurysm at the site of septic embolism. In addition, care must be taken to prevent migration of emboli into branched arteries during the procedure of embolectomy for peripheral arterial septic embolism caused by infective endocarditis.</p>
ABSTRACT
A 61 year-old man was admitted with fever and chest discomfort. He had undergone aortic root replacement for annuloaortic ectasia at age 57. Computed tomography showed a pseudoaneurysm and an abscess formation around the aortic root. Prosthetic valve endocarditis was diagnosed and the underwent repeat aortic root replacement. After debridement and irrigation of the abscess cavity, the left ventricular outflow tract was reconstructed with an equine pericardium, which was rolled to form a conduit. The pericardial conduit was securely sutured to the healthy left ventricular wall and the mitral annulus. A 25 mm-Freestyle valve was then sutured to the distal end of the conduit. The previous prosthetic vascular graft was removed and Completely replaced with a new prosthesis. This method provided secure fixation of a new prosthetic valved conduit to the normal left ventricular tissue with an excellent operative visual field.
ABSTRACT
An 83-year-old woman underwent stent graft endovascular repair using a Medtronic TALENT device for a saccular aortic aneurysm in the distal arch. The landing zone which targeted the proximal side was directly distal to the orifice of the left common carotid artery (Z2), and the stent graft was placed at the targeted position. However, a decline in the right radial arterial pressure was observed immediately following this, and a retrograde dissected ascending aorta was observed on a transesophageal echocardiogram. The endovascular surgery was immediately converted to open surgery, and an intimal tear to the lesser curvature of the arch, caused by a bare spring (bare stent) of the proximal stent graft, was observed. Total arch replacement was performed by means of the concomitant use of the placed stent graft. Sometimes a TALENT stent graft exhibits specific movements (e.g. a misaligned opening) on its initial deployment. It is therefore believed that special attention is necessary when placing it in the aortic arch.
ABSTRACT
Aggressive anticoagulation therapy is necessary when Toyobo-LVAS is used for long-term treatment of severe heart failure. However, it is necessary to regulate it carefully if there is a hemorrhagic complication due to thromboembolism, but repeated blood testing is painful. We compared simple measurement with the CoaguChek XS<sup>®</sup> with the conventional blood testing method. The correlation coefficient was 0.916, and the regression line was <i>Y</i>=0.8027<i>X</i>+0.3399. In addition, drawing blood using the CoaguChek XS<sup>®</sup> was very effective in the reported pain reduction in patients.
ABSTRACT
We conducted a clinical study on a newly developed large diameter vascular graft (Triplex<sup>®</sup>, Terumo Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) with a non-biodegradable material used as sealing material, to evaluate its effectiveness and safety. Triplex<sup>®</sup> grafts were implanted in 170 patients with either aneurysmal or occlusive arterial disease in either the thoracic artery, abdominal artery or iliac arteries, between October 2001 and March 2003. The patients consisted of 141 men and 29 women with an average age of 69.0±10.0 years old (mean±SD). In 82 patients, Triplex<sup>®</sup> was implanted for the thoracic artery area, in 88, for the abdominal artery area. The cumulative graft patency rate 12 months after implantation was 100.0% in each area, there was no any abnormality such as occlusion or rupture from the trunk of Triplex<sup>®</sup>. The distension ratio, which is the index of the dilatation resistance, was 1.03±0.06 as a whole (<i>n</i>=139), 1.03±0.06 in the thoracic artery area (<i>n</i>=73), 1.03±0.06 in the abdominal artery area (<i>n</i>=66). In other words the dilatation of Triplex<sup>®</sup> was hardly observed. As manipulability during the operation, the following characteristics were evaluated; anastomosis, resistance to fraying, hemorrhage, conformability with the host vessel. Triplex<sup>®</sup> was evaluated as “good” in 75% of all items accounted for 75% or more. A transitory rise thought to be due to the surgical stress immediately after the operation because of the change of temperature and laboratory findings (CRP, WBC) between implantation and discharge was observed, but then recovered to the normal levels of each patients at discharge and the re-elevation was not recognized. In 90 patients, 277 adverse events occurred. Although in 33 adverse events in 21 patients a causal relation with Triplex<sup>®</sup> could not be excluded, most of them were already known events as complications which could occur after operation on the aorta. Therefore, it was confirmed that Triplex<sup>®</sup> has certain advantages: 1) good manipulability, 2) good patency and dilatation resistance, 3) no inflammatory reaction related to Triplex<sup>®</sup>, as a graft for the aorta.
ABSTRACT
Infra-renal abdominal aortic aneurysms were electively treated by bifurcated endovascular stent grafts (Power Web<sup>TM</sup> system, Endologix Co., USA) at 5 Japanese centers. The stent grafting (SG) was applied for candidates nominated by the selection committee after informed consent was obtained according to the IRB in each center. The delivery success rate of 60 patients (53 males) was 96.7%. There were 2 patients with type I endoleaks, resulting in a technical success rate of 93.3%. The operation time of 193±55min and blood loss of 440±240g were significantly shorter and less, respectively in the SG group when compared with 303±88min and 1, 496±2, 025g in 97 patients (83 males) treated by conventional open surgery. Endoleaks were detected in 4 patients (type I: 3, type II: 1) by CT scan taken at the time of discharge or 1 month after SG procedure. Type I endoleak was observed in patients with short and severely angulated SG landing zones. Renal artery obstruction, and temporary buttock pain caused by internal iliac artery occlusion occurred, but there was no hospital death. In 56 patients excluding an SG-unrelated death and a dropout from surveillance, there was no secondary endoleak or marked adverse events at all except 1 SG limb occlusion during a 6-month follow up period. The aneurysm size shrank in 26 patients and remained unchanged in 30 patients. No aneurysm enlargement was observed. The Power Web<sup>TM</sup> system is appropriate for minimally invasive surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysms. Long-term follow-up studies will follow.
ABSTRACT
Shprintzen-Goldberg syndrome (SGS) is a rare disorder with many characteristics of generalized connective tissue dysplasia. SGS is characterized by Marfanoid habitus with craniosynostosis and mental retardation. Patients with SGS have cardiovascular disorders similar to Marfan syndrome (MFS) and those disorders seem to play an important role in the prognosis of SGS. To our knowledge, only 19 patients with SGS have been reported, and 7 of them had cardiovascular disorders. The major cardiovascular disorders of SGS are aortic root dilatation and mitral valve prolapse. We reported the first case of SGS successfully treated surgically for cardiovascular disorders. Since then, we performed another operation in a patient with SGS. In this paper, we report our surgical results in patients with SGS.
ABSTRACT
There are rare reports of families with multiple members with aortic dissection in the absence of Marfan syndrome. We encountered four cases of aortic dissection in two families. The aortic dissection occurred in the mother and child of the first family and in sisters of the second family. All cases had systemic hypertension preoperatively and presented Stanford type A aortic dissection. All of them were operated successfully. None of them showed the characteristics of connective tissue disease affecting the skeletal, ocular, and cardiovascular system. However, many members of the two families had systemic hypertension and histopathological examination of the aorta showed cystic medial necrosis in all of the four cases. The present study suggests that the familial aortic dissection may be caused by weakness of the aortic wall related to heredity and systemic hypertension.
ABSTRACT
A 36-year-old woman was admitted because of dyspnea on exertion and palpitations, during follow-up for ventricular septal defect since age 5. Physical examination revealed a grade IV/VI ejection systolic murmur at the second left intercostal space. Echocardiogram failed to recognize an unruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva protruding into the right ventricle which was seen on right ventriculogram (type I of Konno). Surgical treatment was successfully performed. Right ventriculography was much more effective rather than echocardiography in this case.
ABSTRACT
A 71-year-old woman with Lutembacher syndrome was admitted for severe congestive heart failure and cardiac cachexia. The preoperative cardiac catheterization showed a huge secundum atrial septal defect (Qp/Qs=3.08) with mitral valve stenosis, tricuspid valve regurgitation, atrial fibrillation and severe pulmonary hypertension. Patch closure of atrial septal defect, mitral valve replacement (SJM 25mm) and tricuspid annuloplasty (Key's method) were performed. However, she suffered prolonged respiratory failure postoperatively. Enforced alimentation for cardiac cachexia and careful administration for sustained heart failure resuscitated her severe postoperative status. The postoperative cardiac catheterization showed sufficient decrease of pulmonary pressure. Reports of successful surgical correction for Lutembacher syndrome in elderly are extremely rare. This is the oldest case of successful correction for Lutembacher syndrome in Japan. From our experience, the surgical treatment for Lutembacher syndrome should be considered even in elderly patients.
ABSTRACT
A 64-year-old woman with chest pain and intermittent claudication was admitted to our hospital. Unstable angina pectoris and arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) of both leg were diagnosed. Angiography indicated total occlusion of the right external iliac artery and severe stenosis of the left external iliac artery, in addition to significant stenoses of the three major coronary arteries. The ankle pressure index was 0.49 in her right leg, and 0.74 in the left. Because coronary stenting was unsuccessful, emergency coronary artery bypass grafting was performed prior to arterial reconstruction of the lower extremities. To prevent exacerbation of limb ischemia during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), selective limb perfusion was performed with a 14-gauge intravenous catheter inserted into the right superficial femoral artery. There were no complications related to limb ischemia during or after the operation. Selective limb perfusion was considered to be useful to prevent limb ischemia during CPB in patients with ASO of the legs.
ABSTRACT
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) is the most frequent cardiovascular anomaly. VSD causes pulmonary hypertension through stenotic changes in the pulmonary vasculature, and this progress depends on the size of defect and associated cardiovascular anomalies. Since surgical repair has been performed in childhood for patients without a tendency toward spontaneous closure of VSD, operations in elderly patients, especially those aged over 40, are rare. We report an elderly patient with VSD complicated with severe pulmonary hypertension who underwent surgical repair. A 66-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of general fatigue, chest oppression and palpitations. The pulmonary to systemic pressure ratio was 0.66. The oxygen saturation stepped up at the right ventricle level. The pulmonary to systemic blood flow ratio was 2.9, shunt ratio was 71% and resistance ratio was 0.12. The VSD was 18mm in diameter at the perimembranous trabecula and was closed with a Dacron patch through a right atrium incision. The lung biopsy specimen revealed little occlusive pulmonary vascular disease, Grade I according to the Heath-Edwards criteria. The patient had an uneventful recovery.
ABSTRACT
An unusual case of a 71-year-old man with massive sinuses of Valsalva presenting with coronary insufficiency was reported. Primarily, he had undergone aortic valve replacement (AVR) with a diagnosis of severe aortic regurgitation (AR) and annulo-aortic ectasia (AAE). Four years after the primary operation, he came to our hospital as an emergency admission complaining of chest pain. Electrocardiography showed sinus rhythm with ST wave elevation in limb leads of II, III and aVF and a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction was made. Coronary angiography revealed right coronary insufficiency and aortography showed massive sinuses of Valsalva (diameter 8.5cm) with minimal functional AR. At the second operation, the right coronary artery was severely stretched and attenuated over the surface of the right coronary sinus. The ostium was found to be free of atherosclerosis. A composite reconstruction of the aortic root with a new valved conduit and reimplantation of coronary arteries were performed. The postoperative course was uneventful. Aneurysmal change of the sinus of Valsalva is rare, and it is reported that the mean maximal diameter is 5.4cm in this type of AAE. In our case, the unusual dilation of the sinuses of Valsalva resulted in right coronary insufficiency. This case reminded us that aortic root replacement must be applied in patients with AAE as the initial treatment of choice.
ABSTRACT
The effects of milrinone, a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor, were studied in patients with heart failure following coronary artery bypass grafting. Twenty patients with heart failure (either a cardiac index of less than 2.0<i>l</i>/min/m<sup>2</sup> or a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure of greater than 12mmHg) were divided into two groups according to whether or not they received postoperative milrinone administration. The control group (<i>n</i>=10) received no milrinone treatment and the milrinone group (<i>n</i>=10) received intravenous milrinone infusion at a speed of 0.5μg/kg/min postoperatively. The hemodynamic measurements were made perioperatively and clinical results were accessed perioperatively. Within-group comparison revealed a marked (<i>p</i><0.05) decrease in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and systemic vascular resistance in the milrinone group. Cardiac indices were significantly (<i>p</i><0.05) greater in the milrinone group than those in the control group and within-group comparison revealed a significant (<i>p</i><0.05) increase in left ventricular stroke work index in the milrinone group. There was no significant difference in rate pressure product in between- and within-group comparison. The milrinone group had a significantly (<i>p</i><0.05) lower temperature difference between the rectum and the sole, and significantly (<i>p</i><0.05) less catecholamine requirements postoperatively. Milrinone was not associated with a significant increase in the prevalence of adverse effects. The results suggest that milrinone possesses positive inotropic and vasodilatory effects in patients with heart failure following coronary artery bypass grafting. In addition to catecholamines and vasodilators, milrinone may become a useful agent in the treatment of patients with postoperative heart failure.
ABSTRACT
The effects of human atrial natriuretic peptide (HANP, carperitide) were studied in 21 patients undergoing mitral valve surgery. The patients were randomized to receive either no carperitide treatment (control group, <i>n</i>=10) or carperitide (HANP group, <i>n</i>=11). Their hemodynamic status, diuresis and renal function were assessed perioperatively. The HANP group received continuous intravenous infusion of carperitide for 3 hours at a rate of 0.05μg/kg/min 3 hours after cardiopulmonary bypass. The HANP group had significantly lower systemic vascular resistance and less temperature difference between the rectum and the sole, and significantly greater cardiac index compared with those in the control group during infusion of carperitide, suggesting the improvement of cardiac performance by reducing afterload. The HANP group also had greater urinary output during the administration of carperitide, suggesting the significant diuretic effect of the regimen. The results indicated that the administration of carperitide may be a viable alternative strategy for the management of patients with postoperative heart failure. However, since transient oliguria was observed in 2 hypovolemic patients after the discontinuation of carperitide, careful monitoring is required during and after the infusion of the regimen in such patients.
ABSTRACT
Perioperative changes in thyroid function and hemodynamic state were studied in 6 hypothyroid patients and 15 euthyroid patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. Serum free T<sub>3</sub> and total T<sub>3</sub> concentrations declined significantly in hypothyroid patients after the surgery. Serum total T<sub>3</sub> concentration decreased significantly also in euthyroid patients, indicating the occurrence of“euthyroid sick syndrome”in this group. Hypothyroid patients resulted in significantly lower left ventricular stroke work index despite greater central venous pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and greater requirements of dopamine and dobutamine compared with those in euthyroid patients. The results indicated poorer postoperative cardiac performance in hypothyroid patients. Serum free T<sub>3</sub> concentration after cardiopulmonary bypass demonstrated a significant positive correlation with left ventricular stroke work index measured simultaneously. Preoperative serum free T<sub>3</sub> concentration showed a significant negative correlation with the postoperative dopamine and dobutamine requirements. Therefore, the results suggest that free T<sub>3</sub> has inotropic effects and the concentration of this hormone can be a predictor for a incidence of postoperative low cardiac output. In conclusion, since hypothyroid patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting are prone to have low cardiac output status, careful perioperative management, including hormone replacement therapy, is required for the patients.
ABSTRACT
We studied the effects of intermittent tepid blood cardioplegia on patients with prolonged aortic cross-clamping. Forty patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with cross-clamp time of greater than 120 minutes were studied. The patients were divided into two groups according to the cardioplegic solutions, cold (4°C) crystalloid cardioplegia (Cold) and tepid (30°C) blood cardioplegia (Tepid). Cardiac function, myocardial enzyme and clinical outcomes were compared between the groups. Mean aortic cross-clamp time were 150±10 minutes in the Cold group and 149±4 minutes in the Tepid group. Recovery rate of spontaneous rhythm after cross-clamp removal and postoperative left ventricular stroke work index were significantly greater in the Tepid group than those in the Cold group. Duration of ventilation and ICU stay were significantly shorter and total release of CK-MB, requirements of dopamine during 48 hours after the operation and the incidence of low-output syndrome were significantly less in the Tepid group. There were no early deaths in the Tepid group versus three early deaths in the Cold group. In conclusion, intermittent tepid blood cardioplegia provided superior postoperative cardiac function and clinical results to conventional cold crystalloid cardioplegia, thus the technique appears to be safe for patients requiring prolonged aortic cross-clamping.
ABSTRACT
A 44-year-old man presented with syncope and complete A-V block on electrocardiogram. Echocardiography revealed vegetation attached to the aortic, mitral and tricuspid valves. He underwent surgical repair because of uncontrollable congestive heart failure. The vegetation was attached to the noncoronary cusp entirely and had developed to the anterior mitral leaflet. The noncoronary sinus of Valsalva formed a giant mycotic aneurysm toward the right atrium and the aneurysm involved the tricuspid valve. The vegetation was resected together with the aortic valve and the aneurysm. Debridement was performed extensively on the right atrial wall and the aortic root. After closure of the orifice of the aneurysm with a bovine pericardium, aortic valve replacement was performed concomitantly with aortic annular reconstruction using a Hemashield<sup>®</sup> graft. Valvuloplasty was performed on the mitral and tricuspid valves. The technique described above enabled us to resect the infectious focus and successfully repair the defective tissues.
ABSTRACT
A 59-year-old man was admitted for treatment of Stanford type B acute dissecting aneurysm with acute renal failure. He had begun hemodialysis one month after onset, because digital subtraction angiography (DSA) revealed that the truelumen was narrowed by a dilated false channel just above the renal artery. Initially axillo-femoral bypass was performed to treat renal failure, and the patients was easily weaned from hemodialysis. Eight months after the first operation, descending thoracic aorta replacement was performed. The patient is doing well one year after operation. In conclusion, axillo-femoral bypass yielded good results because our patient recovered from renal failure and could undergo radical operation safely. Axillo-femoral bypass allowed evaluation of the hemodynamic study before radical operation.