A Case of Axillofemoral Bypass Graft Stump Syndrome Occurring in Both the Upper and Lower Extremities / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

Acute ischemia due to thromboembolism caused by occluded prosthetic graft after axillary-femoral artery bypass has been reported as axillofemoral bypass graft stump syndrome (AxSS). AxSS usually occurs in the upper extremities and it is rare that it occurs in the lower extremities. We encountered a rare case of a 76-year-old woman with acute right upper and lower extremities ischemia 4 years after right axillary-external iliac artery bypass grafting. The graft and the native arteries of the right upper and lower limbs were occluded. In addition, the right axillary artery and proximal anastomotic site were deformed. We diagnosed acute limb ischemia due to AxSS and immediately performed thrombectomy. Because we considered the thrombosis to originate from the axillary-iliac artery bypass graft, we disconnected the occluded graft from the native arteries. Six months after surgery, she was doing well without recurrence of thromboembolism. We report here the successful treatment of a case of AxSS that developed in both the upper and lower extremities.

A Case of Concomitant Extra-Anatomic Bypass to Both Femoral Arteries with Central Repair in a Patient with Aortic Dissection Complicated Ischemia in the Lower Extremities / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

We report a case of aortic arch replacement and extraanatomic bypass from a branched graft to both bifemoral arteries in a patient with aortic dissection complicated by ischemia in the lower extremities. A 61-year-old woman was found to have thrombosed type II aortic dissection by enhanced computed tomography (CT). Because she had no clinical symptoms, we chose conservative pharmacotherapy. A year later, she suddenly felt severe back pain and dyspnea. CT demonstrated type IIIb aortic dissection. She developed lower extremity ischemia because the true lumen in the abdominal aorta was severely compressed by the false lumen. Two weeks after onset, we planned a bilateral axillo-femoral bypass because the right lower limb ischemia had worsened, with severe pain. However, CT showed ascending aortic dissection. Hence, emergency graft replacement of aortic arch was required. A T-shaped graft was anastomosed to the bilateral femoral arteries, and was used as a delivery line during cardiopulmonary bypass. Although distal anastomosis of the arch was constructed only to the true lumen, leg ischemia persisted. Therefore, the T-shaped graft was connected to the branched graft used for antegrade systemic perfusion. We used INVOS as an indicator of intraoperative lower limb ischemia, which was useful for judging whether or not revascularization of lower extremity was achieved. After the operation, the bypass graft was patent, and ischemia in the lower extremities disappeared.

A Surgical Case of Residual Axillary Artery Aneurysm Associated with Kawasaki Disease / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

<p>We herein report on a case in which we conducted bypass surgery for occlusion of a left axillary artery aneurysm with ischemic symptoms 21 years after the contraction of Kawasaki disease and achieved symptomatic improvement. The case involved a 22-year-old man who had been suffering from Kawasaki disease since the age of one. He had been undergoing antiplatelet therapy for bilateral axillary artery aneurysms by orally taking aspirin for 20 years. He suffered from symptoms of upper limb ischemia 21 years after receiving a diagnosis of peripheral aneurysms and occlusion of a left axillary artery aneurysm upon 3DCTA. We conducted aneurysmotomy, plication, and bypass surgery between the axillary and brachial arteries via the autologous vein. Pathological examination revealed due to the formation of atheroma in the tunica intima and disarrangement of the layer structure in the tunica media : thickening of the tunica media was partially observed. His fatigue upon exertion of his left upper extremity remarkably improved following surgery. Although peripheral aneurysms associated with Kawasaki disease are rare, as seen in this case, peripheral arterial disease remains and progresses even after long periods of time. It is believed necessary to carry out long term follow-up and examine the approaches to therapy including surgery in accordance with the site and degree of the disease.</p>

Popliteal Artery Adventitia Cyst / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

<p>A 60 year old man presented with a history of right leg claudication which occurred after walking a distance of 200 m. He had no history of cardiovascular risk factors or trauma in the lower extremities. Palpation disclosed no right popliteal or pedal pulse. Ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI) was 0.60 on the affected side. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated the presence of a highly stenotic lesion in the right popliteal artery due to compression from periarterial polycystic masses. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed no communication to the knee joint bursa. Further, angiography showed a beak-like severe stenosis on the knee of the right popliteal artery. Based on the results of these three imaging techniques we confirmed the diagnosis of cystic adventitial disease (CAD). The patient underwent a surgical exploration of his popliteal artery through a posterior approach. Evacuation of all cysts by longitudinal incision of his adventitia yielded yellow mucoid gelatinous material. The popliteal artery was replaced using the great saphenous vein because the previous imaging showed thrombus formation at the cyst site. He had an uneventful postoperative recovery with ABI of 1.10.</p>

Infected Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm with a Previous History of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting with the Right Gastroepiploic Artery / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

We report a case of successful anatomical reconstruction with omentopexy of an infected abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in a patient with a previous history of coronary artery bypass grafting with the right gastroepiploic artery. A 60-year-old man was referred to our institute because of fever and abdominal pain during hemodialysis for chronic renal failure. Antibiotic therapy was started after computed tomography revealed an infected abdominal aortic aneurysm. After infection control, surgical treatment was scheduled. At surgery, left axillo-bifemoral bypass was performed first, because it was unclear whether the omentum was large enough for omentopexy. At laparotomy, adequate omentum and infective AAA were confirmed. AAA repair using a rifampicin-soaked graft, and omentopexy were performed. <i>Enterobacter aerogenes </i>was detected from the resected aortic wall. After the operation, intravenous antibiotic was used for 25 days until CRP was normalized. One year follow-up showed no sign of re-infection.