Aortic Root Replacement Using Composite Grafts for Prosthesis-Patient Mismatch after Aortic Valve Replacement with the Björk-Shiley Monostrut Valve 27 Years Ago : a Case Report / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

We encountered a case of aortic root replacement of a prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) after performing aortic valve replacement (AVR) with the Björk-Shiley Monostrut (BSM) valve. The patient was a 55-year-old female. She underwent AVR with a bioprosthesis for the treatment of congenital aortic stenosis at 20 years of age ; AVR was performed again using the BSM valve at 28 years of age. Congestive heart failure gradually worsened, and she was referred to our hospital at 55 years of age, where she was diagnosed with PPM after AVR. Under general anesthesia, standard median resternotomy was performed, and cardiopulmonary bypass was established with right femoral artery and right femoral vein cannulation. Cardiac arrest was achieved with the antegrade application of a cold, crystalloid, cardioplegic solution. The BSM valve was removed, and her annulus was extremely small, measuring less than 19 mm. We performed an aortic root replacement with a 21 mm mechanical valve composite graft because aortic root enlargement was difficult owing to the fragility of her annulus and very severe adhesion surrounding the ascending aorta. The postoperative course was uneventful. Postoperative ultrasonic echocardiography showed reduced transvalvular mean gradients. Although the BSM valve is durable, non-structural valvular deterioration surrounding the implanted BSM valve may occur and should be monitored.

Concomitant Left Atrial Appendage Amputation Using a Stapler during Cardiovascular Surgery / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

Objective : The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of left atrial appendage (LAA) amputation during cardiovascular surgery. Methods : Fifty-seven patients underwent LAA amputation using a stapler from 2016 to 2017. The presence of remnant LAA was estimated by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Results : All LAA amputations were performed with the heart beating, without collapse. Additional amputation for remnant LAA was required in 14 patients. Sutures were needed to control bleeding in 7 patients. There was one case in which the coronary artery ended up being clamped with the LAA. The average duration for LAA amputation was 6.1±3.2 (1.5-15.2) min. There were 25 cases with postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF), one case of cerebral infarction without POAF and one case of re-exploration for bleeding. Three patients died during hospitalization. Conclusion : LAA amputation using a stapler does not require cardiac arrest, and rarely requires an extended operation time. However, sufficient caution is required as there is the possibility that the coronary artery is obstructed and that remnant LAA is present.