ABSTRACT
Mitral valve surgeries for cases with mitral annular calcification (MAC) are challenging because of the operative complications. For a case of MS with MAC, we achieved mitral valve plasty by ultrasonic decalcification alone. An 82-year-old male with edema and dyspnea was diagnosed with AS and MS with MAC. MAC was so severe that MVR was challenging. There were calcifications at the anterior commissure and the anterior mitral leaflet (AML), and removal of them was expected to improve the valve function. Therefore, anterior commissurotomy and ultrasonic decalcification of the anterior commissural annulus was performed using cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspiration (CUSA). Following the resection of the aortic valve, we carried out decalcification of the AML through the aortic valve orifice. After AVR, a trans-esophageal echocardiogram showed MS was ameliorated. Two years after surgery, recurrence of MS was not recognized. Some mitral cases with MAC can be treated by only decalcification to avoid risky valve replacement.
ABSTRACT
We report a patient who underwent an operation for an infectious abdominal aortic aneurysm 10 months after intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy. A 68-year-old man had previous gastrectomy for early gastric cancer and intravesical BCG therapy for early stage urinary bladder cancer. His follow up CT scan revealed an abdominal aorta pseudoaneurysm. We performed aneurysmectomy, omentopexy and bilateral axillo-femoral bypass. The culture of an abscess in the aneurysm identified <i>Mycobacterium bovis</i>. The patients improved clinically with antituberculosis agents after operation. Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy is effective in the treatment of early stage urinary bladder cancer. Although this treatment is generally considered safe, serious complications including vascular complications have been reported.
ABSTRACT
We report 2 patients with unilateral pulmonary edema after heart surgery who were successfully treated using venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO). Case 1 : A 35-year-old woman presented with dyspnea. Echocardiography showed severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and therefore, mitral valve plasty (MVP) and tricuspid annular plasty (TAP) were performed via right thoracotomy. After weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass, respiratory failure occurred with expectoration of foamy sputum and it was difficult to maintain oxygenation. Therefore, we performed VV ECMO to maintain oxygenation. A chest X-ray film after surgery showed ipsilateral pulmonary edema. After weaning from VV ECMO, deep venous thrombosis occurred and therefore we inserted an IVC filter. Case 2 : A 67-year-old man, who had previously received aortic valve replacement experienced dyspnea and visited our hospital. Echocardiography showed an aortic root abscess, and therefore Bentall operation was performed. After weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass, oxygenation was difficult to maintain, and therefore we performed VV ECMO. A chest X-ray film post operatively showed right ipsilateral pulmonary edema. The patient was weaned from VV ECMO 5 days post operatively and was discharged 60 days post operatively. We believe that VV ECMO can be beneficial for patients with respiratory failure after heart surgery, but complications related to this approach such as DVT should also be considered.
ABSTRACT
Between February 1999 and November 1999, 33 patients (age 67.0±7.6 years old) underwent off-pump CABG using coronary shunt tubes. The number of graft anastomoses per patient was 2.8±0.8. The operative mortality was 0%. There was no incidence of on-pump conversion, low cardiac output syndrome, IABP insertion, mediastinitis or stroke. The maximum CPK-MB during the perioperative period was 25.9±18.8IU/<i>l</i>. One patient had perioperative myocardial infarction probably due to native coronary artery spasm. In patients with off-pump CABG, the intubation time, the ICU stay and the hospital stay were shorter. The number of patients who were extubated in the operating room was higher and the cost was lower than those with on-pump CABG. An early phase study revealed patency ratios of 85% (the previous term) and 97% (the latter term). Off-pump CABG is a safe and effective means of revascularization with no mortality, minimal morbidity and good short-term patency.