Long-term results of the frozen elephant trunk technique in primary chronic type B aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to analyze long-term results of the total aortic arch replacement with the frozen elephant trunk technique for primary chronic type B aortic dissection. METHODS: Among 322 patients who had the frozen elephant trunk technique, 43 (13.4%) patients (median age, 64.0 years) with primary chronic type B aortic dissection were analyzed. The patients underwent surgery at a median of 27.0 months after the onset of aortic dissection. The false lumen was patent in 30 (69.8%) patients preoperatively. RESULTS: Two patients suffered paraplegia and another died of cerebral infarction. Complete thrombosis of the peri-stent false lumen was achieved in 36 (83.7%) patients. Overall survival, freedom from aortic events, and freedom from aortic reintervention were 83.5%, 37.2%, and 42.2% at 5 years, respectively. Survival rates of the patients with or without aortic events were 75.0% and 95.8% at 5 years (Log-rank, p = 0.22). Late aortic events occurred in 19 (44.2%) patients including distal stent graft-induced new entry, type Ib endoleak, and false lumen dilation. The ratio of the stent graft diameter to the preoperative short axis diameter of the true lumen (hazard ratio, 1.90; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-3.59), and the maximal diameter of a postdissection aneurysm (1.07; 1.01-1.12) were the significant multivariate risk predictors of late aortic events. CONCLUSIONS: Late aortic events occurr fairly frequently, and new strategies need to be explored to enhance the effectiveness of this procedure in the future.

Bilateral pulmonary artery banding facilitates the systemic ventricular outflow tract growth for biventricular and univentricular repair candidates of complex arch anomaly.

Various surgical approaches address complex heart disease with arch anomalies. Bilateral pulmonary artery banding (bPAB) is a strategy for critically ill patients with complex arch anomalies. Some reports argued the potential effect of bPAB on the growth of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) during inter-stage after bPAB. This study aimed to analyze the LVOT growth for biventricular repair candidates with arch anomaly and systemic ventricular outflow tract (SVOT) for univentricular repair candidates with arch anomaly. This retrospective study analyzed 17 patients undergoing initial bPAB followed by arch repair. The Z-scores of LVOT and SVOT were compared between pre-bPAB and pre-arch repair. Patient characteristics, transthoracic echocardiogram data, and PAB circumferences were reviewed. The diameter of the minimum LVOT for biventricular repair (BVR) candidates, the pulmonary valve (neo-aortic valve, neo-AoV) and the pulmonary trunk (the neo-ascending aorta, neo-AAo) for univentricular repair (UVR) candidates, and the degree of aortic or neo-aortic insufficiency in each candidate was statistically analyzed. 17 patients were divided into the UVR candidates (group U) with 9 patients and the BVR candidates (group B) with 8 patients. In group B, the median value of the Z-score of the minimum LVOT increased from -3.2 (range: - 4.1 ~ - 1.0) at pre-PAB to -2.8 (range: - 3.6 ~ - 0.3) at pre-arch repair with a significant difference (p = 0.012). In group U, the median value of the Z-score of the neo-AoV increased from 0.5 (range: - 1.0 ~ 1.7) at pre-bPAB to 1.2 (range: 0.2 ~ 1.9) at pre-arch repair with a significant difference (p < 0.01). The median value of the Z-score of the neo-AAo was also increased from 3.1 (range: 1.5 ~ 4.6) to 4.3 (range: 3.1 ~ 5.9) with a significant difference (p = 0.028). The growth of the LVOT for BVR candidates and SVOT for UVR candidates during the inter-stage between bPAB and arch repair was observed. These results suggest the potential advantage of bPAB in surgical strategies. Further research is needed to validate these findings and refine surgical approaches.

Left ventricular mass and valve performance after surgical and transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a single-center experience from Japan.

Background: There are few reports on the postoperative left ventricular mass (LVM), aortic valve area (AVA), and pressure gradient (PG) after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in Japan. We aimed to compare the postoperative LVM, AVA, stroke volume (SV), PG, and long-term outcomes between patients undergoing SAVR and TAVR procedures from single center in Japan. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. We included 107 patients who underwent simple SAVR between January 2012 and May 2022 (SAVR group, n=107) and 274 who underwent TAVR between January 2016 and May 2022 (TAVR group, n=274). The overall mean follow-up periods was 28.8±25.9 months (median: 24 months; range, 0.03-117 months). Results: The aortic valve mean PG (mmHg) was significantly smaller in the TAVR group than in the SAVR group (P<0.001). The AVA index (cm2/m2) was significantly larger in the TAVR group than in the SAVR group (P<0.001). The SV index (mL/m2) was significantly smaller in the SAVR group than in the TAVR group (P=0.02). The LVM index (LVMI) (g/m2) was significantly smaller in the SAVR group than in the TAVR group (P<0.001). The incidence of mild or higher postoperative paravalvular leak (PVL) and pacemaker implantation were significantly higher in the TAVR group. The 5-year postoperative mortality, re-hospitalization, and major adverse cerebral and cardiovascular events (MACCEs) were significantly better in the SAVR group. Conclusions: The postoperative aortic valve PG, AVA, and SV were better in the TAVR group; however, LVM regression and postoperative outcomes were better in the SAVR group.

Surgically-treated hemoptysis and alveolar hemorrhaging resulting from severe mitral regurgitation: A case report.

Cardiac etiologies of hemoptysis are less common. One such etiology includes mitral regurgitation. In patients with hemoptysis and unilateral consolidation, careful chest auscultation and cardiac assessment may assist in making an early diagnosis.

The effect of posterior pericardiotomy after thoracic aortic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pericardial effusion is common after cardiovascular surgery. We aimed to examine the effectiveness of posterior pericardiotomy in reducing the incidence of postoperative pericardial effusion and postoperative atrial fibrillation after thoracic aortic surgery. METHODS: This study included 201 patients who underwent thoracic aortic open surgery between January 2014 and November 2021. We compared surgical outcomes between patients who underwent posterior pericardiotomy and those who did not. RESULTS: The group that did not undergo posterior pericardiotomy had significantly longer mechanical ventilation duration than the group who did, both in the overall (p = 0.005) and in the propensity-matched cohorts (p = 0.001). The lengths of intensive care unit and hospital stays were significantly longer in the group that did not undergo posterior pericardiotomy compared to the group that did, both in the overall and in the propensity-matched cohorts. The occurrence of postoperative atrial fibrillation and stroke did not differ significantly between the two groups. The amount of pericardial drainage was not significantly lower in the group that underwent posterior pericardiotomy in the overall cohorts (p = 0.09), but the difference was significant in the propensity-matched cohorts (p = 0.04). The amount of mediastinal drainage was significantly lower in the group that underwent posterior pericardiotomy, both in the overall cohorts (< 0.001) and in the propensity-matched cohort (< 0.001). Late pericardial tamponade occurred significantly more frequently in the group that did not undergo posterior pericardiotomy than in the group that did, both in the overall (p = 0.03) and in the propensity-matched cohorts (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Posterior pericardiotomy has no effect on reducing postoperative atrial fibrillation after thoracic aortic surgery. However, posterior pericardiotomy reduced the occurrence of late pericardial tamponade, length of ICU stay, length of hospital stay, and mechanical ventilation duration after surgery.

Transmitral extraction of a huge left ventricular mural thrombus using a novel mitral leaflet retractor.

A 52-year-old woman with a past history of anterior myocardial infarction 15 years previously was found to have a pedunculated mobile thrombus with a narrow stalk originating from the left ventricle, and a huge laminated mural thrombus. Surgical extraction of the two organized thrombi was successfully performed with transmitral approach using a novel, flexible, self-retained, and reusable leaflet retractor, which was originally developed for exposure of the subvalvular apparatus during mitral valve repair. Excellent access, exposure, and visualization of the left ventricle were achieved by this heart valve retractor and an endoscope for removal of a huge mural thrombus.

Utility of Psoas Muscle Area in Selecting Older Patients Feasible for Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair.

BACKGROUND: The impact of psoas muscle area on overall survival is unknown for older patients undergoing elective thoracic endovascular aortic repair. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 105 patients aged 75 years or more who underwent elective thoracic endovascular aortic repair for descending thoracic aortic aneurysm between January 2010 and December 2019. Psoas muscle area was measured at the L3 level with preoperative computed tomography and adjusted by height squared to derive psoas muscle mass index. The patients were stratified into two groups, sarcopenia and nonsarcopenia. sarcopenia was defined as a psoas muscle mass index less than 5.40 cm2/m2 for men and less than 3.56 cm2/m2 for women. The overall survival was compared with the age- and sex-matched general population using the one-sample log rank test. The propensity score adjusted Cox proportional hazards model was applied to determine the hazard ratio for all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients died during the follow-up period (median, 3 years). Thirty-eight patients (36%) were classified as sarcopenia. The 5-year overall survival rate was 46% (95% confidence interval, 29% to 73%) for sarcopenia and 84% (95% confidence interval, 74% to 94%) for nonsarcopenia. The overall survival was significantly lower in the sarcopenia group than in its matched general population (P = .004), whereas no statistically significant difference in overall survival was found between the nonsarcopenia group and its matched general population (P = .417). Sarcopenia was an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 2.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 6.82; P = .045). CONCLUSIONS: Psoas muscle mass index may be a good predictor of mortality among older patients undergoing elective thoracic endovascular aortic repair for descending thoracic aortic aneurysm.

Snake Technique in Osler's Disease-Associated Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

Osler's disease is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by epistaxis, telangiectases, and arteriovenous malformations of the internal organs. Herein, we report the first published case of dissecting thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair in a 66-year-old woman with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia associated with ACVRL1 gene mutations. We maintained the activated clotting time around 400 seconds during cardiopulmonary bypass to avoid lethal hemorrhage from telangiectases or arteriovenous malformations. The Adamkiewicz artery could not be identified on imaging studies preoperatively. Therefore, we used the snake technique for intercostal revascularization, which was effective in preventing paraplegia.

Impact of valvuloarterial impedance on left ventricular reverse remodeling after aortic valve neocuspidization.

BACKGROUND: Aortic valve neocuspidization (AVNeo) has emerged as a promising aortic valve procedure, and is expected to have a larger effective orifice area (EOA) than commercially available bioprostheses. It is, however, unclear which indices could facilitate left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling after AVNeo. The aim of this study is to verify the impact of global left ventricular afterload on the LV reverse remodeling following AVNeo. METHODS: Data-available consecutive 38 patients (median age, 77; interquartile range, 72.8-82.0) undergoing AVNeo for severe aortic stenosis were enrolled in this study. Preoperative and the last follow-up echocardiographic data were retrospectively analyzed including the valvuloarterial impedance (Zva), a marker of global LV afterload. Reduction in LV geometry index (LVGI) and relative wall thickness (RWT) were used as an indicator for LV reverse remodeling. RESULTS: The Zva reduced in 24 patients (63.2%) during the follow-up period (median, 12 months). Reduction in Zva significantly correlated to improvement of LV geometry (LVGI (r = 0.400, p = 0.013) and RWT (r = 0.627, p < 0.001)), whereas increase in EOA index did not significantly correlate to LVGI (r = 0.009, p = 0.957), or RWT (r = 0.105, p = 0.529)). The reduction in Zva was the multivariate predictor of LV reverse remodeling. CONCLUSIONS: Low global LV afterload led to significant LV reverse remodeling even after AVNeo, which could achieve better valve performance than the conventional bioprostheses.

Therapeutic window for obtaining favorable remodeling after thoracic endovascular aortic repair of type B aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to determine the most appropriate timing for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) of type B aortic dissection (TBAD) in terms of remodeling of the aorta. METHODS: A total of 41 patients who had undergone TEVAR for the treatment of aortic dissection were included in the present study. The patients were divided into two groups: those who had undergone TEVAR in the acute or subacute phase (group A) and those who had undergone TEVAR in the chronic phase (group B). The indications for TEVAR as the treatment of TBAD were the presence of aortic rupture or malperfusion of the aortic branches, a maximum aortic diameter of ≥40 mm on the initial diagnostic computed tomography scan, and/or expansion of the aorta of ≥5 mm within 3 months for acute and subacute TBAD. The indication was a maximum aortic diameter of ≥50 mm or expansion of the aorta of ≥5 mm within 1 year for chronic TBAD. The diameters of the aorta, true lumen, and false lumen were measured at the level of the most dilated part of the descending aorta (level M) and at the diaphragm (level D) on the computed tomography scan obtained before TEVAR and at the 2-year follow-up examination. RESULTS: The median interval between TEVAR and the onset of TBAD was 0.2 month (interquartile range, 0.03-0.7 month) in group A (n = 21) and 32 months (interquartile range, 4.7-35.2 months) in group B (n = 20). Except for the aortic diameter at level D in group B, favorable remodeling was obtained at both levels in both groups. The diameter change ratio of the aorta at level D was significantly greater in group A than in group B (P = .02). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of the interval for a significant decrease in the aortic diameter at level D yielded 4.2 months as the optimal threshold for performing TEVAR (area under the curve, 0.859; 95% confidence interval, 0.7-1.0). CONCLUSIONS: TEVAR for TBAD will result in favorable outcomes, irrespective of the timing of the procedure. However, it might be more effective to perform TEVAR within 4.2 months of the onset of TBAD, provided that the TEVAR procedure can be performed safely.

Assessment of Pseudocoarctation of the Aorta with Saccular Aneurysms by Four-Dimensional Flow Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Histological Analysis.

In this study, we present the case of a 21-year-old woman with pseudocoarctation of the aorta with saccular aneurysms that were evaluated by four-dimensional flow magnetic resonance imaging and histological analysis. We observed complete occupation of the aneurysm sacs by vortex flow and high peak wall shear stress in the proximal region of the kinked aorta. The aortic replacement was performed for the thoracic aortic aneurysms and the clinical course was uneventful. The aneurysms were histopathologically diagnosed as pseudoaneurysms based on the disappearance of all three layers and their replacement with collagen-rich connective tissues. These findings indicate that abnormal flow dynamics and the resulting abnormal shear stress in the aorta may play central roles in the formation and development of a saccular aneurysm.

Ischemic hepatitis with infectious endocarditis: A case report.

A 58-year-old woman was admitted to Suzuka General Hospital with fever. She was diagnosed with infectious endocarditis based on the presence of anterior mitral leaflet vegetation on the echocardiography analysis and isolation of Pseudomonas guariconensis by blood culture. During treatment, the hepatic enzymes levels, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were increased without any abdominal symptoms. Prolonged prothrombin time (PT) and prothrombin time international normalized ratio were observed, and acute hepatic failure was diagnosed. However, the hepatic injury resolved spontaneously with restoration of the PT value after the hepatic enzymes (AST, ALT, LDH and ALP) peaked. Diffusion-weighted imaging of hepatic magnetic resonance imaging showed diffuse high intensity of the entire liver except for part of the left lobe. The hepatic injury was diagnosed as ischemic hepatitis caused by embolization from the vegetation associated with infectious endocarditis. The recovery from hepatic ischemia was thought to be due to hepatic blood supply from extrahepatic collateral blood. After antibiotic treatment, the patient underwent resection of the vegetation on the anterior mitral valve leaflet. Hepatic artery occlusion is rare, but it may cause severe hepatic complications. During follow-up of infectious endocarditis, clinicians should be aware of the potential for whole organ ischemic damage caused by vessel occlusion, as well as hepatic ischemic damage.

Cerebral Embolism Associated with Calcified Amorphous Tumor: A Review of Cerebral Infarction Cases.

Calcified amorphous tumor (CAT) is a non-neoplastic tumor composed of calcified nodules consisting of amorphous fibrous material, and it may eventually cause cerebral infarction (CI). We experienced a 67-year-old woman with CAT who had recurrent CI. After excision of the CAT, the CI did not show recurrence. A review of previous papers on CI due to CAT in Pubmed revealed that 7 of 13 studies originated in Japan and that CI can occur even with small CAT. Surgical treatment is recommended to prevent CI recurrence, especially when CAT is accompanied by mitral annular calcification or has marked mobility.

Venopulmonary artery extracorporeal lung assist in repair of traumatic aortic injury via left thoracotomy.

An urgent surgery was performed for a 28-year-old man who sustained a traumatic descending thoracic aortic injury in an automobile collision. Severe respiratory failure was encountered during surgery, which did not allow for single-lung ventilation for adequate exposure of the descending aorta. We used venopulmonary artery extracorporeal lung assist by main pulmonary artery cannulation with concurrent distal aortic perfusion using a single centrifugal pump. Cannulating the easily accessible main pulmonary artery for venopulmonary artery extracorporeal lung assist is a safe and feasible technique in patients complicated with profound respiratory failure undergoing aortic surgery via left thoracotomy.

Mitral valve repair for infective endocarditis: Kobe experience.

OBJECTIVES: We retrospectively analyzed our experience of mitral valve repair for native mitral valve endocarditis in a single institution. METHODS: From January 1991 to October 2011, 171 consecutive patients underwent surgery for infective endocarditis. Of these, 147 (86%) had mitral valve repair. At the time of surgery, 98 patients had healed (group A) and 49 had active infective endocarditis (group B). Repair procedures included resection of all infected tissue and thick restricted post-infection tissue, leaflet and annulus reconstruction with treated autologous pericardium, chordal reconstruction with polytetrafluoroethylene sutures, and ring annuloplasty if necessary. Fifty-two (35%) patients required concomitant procedures. The study endpoints were overall survival, freedom from reoperation, and freedom from valve-related events. The median follow-up was 78 months. RESULTS: There was one hospital death (hospital mortality 0.7%). Survival at 10 years was 88.5% ± 3.5% with no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.052). Early reoperation was required in 4 patients in group B due to persistent infection or procedure failure. Freedom from reoperation at 5 years was 99% ± 1.0% in group A and 89.6 ± 4.0% in group B (p = 0.024). Event-free survival at 10 years was 79.3% ± 4.8% (group A: 83.4% ± 5.9%, group B: 72.6% ± 6.9%, p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: Mitral valve repair was highly successful using autologous pericardium, chordal reconstruction, and ring annuloplasty if required. Long-term results were acceptable in terms survival, freedom from reoperation, and event-free survival. Mitral valve repair is recommended for mitral infective endocarditis in most patients.

Relevance of Aortic Dissection Chronicity to the Development of Stent Graft-induced New Entry.

BACKGROUND: The relevance of aortic dissection chronicity to the development of stent graft-induced new entry (SINE) is unknown. METHODS: This study enrolled 69 patients who underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for chronic aortic dissection from January 2006 to December 2017 and were followed up for ≥6 months. Their medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were stratified according to TEVAR timing into an early group (≤6 months from the onset of aortic dissection) and a late group (>6 months after the onset). The incidence of SINE as well as the interval between TEVAR and the development of SINE was compared between these groups. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, SINE occurred in 12% (3/26) and 35% (15/43) of patients in the early and late groups, respectively (P = .029). The interval between TEVAR and SINE development was significantly longer in the late group than the early group (median, 92 days vs 1144 days, respectively; P = .002). According to the multivariate analysis results, the late group (hazard ratio, 3.667; 95% confidence interval, 1.037-12.968; P = .044) and the distal oversizing ratio (hazard ratio, 1.492; 95% confidence interval, 1.071-2.080; P = .018) were the independent predictors for SINE development. CONCLUSIONS: TEVAR should be performed in the early period of the chronic phase to prevent SINE. Close and lifelong follow-up is mandatory for patients who undergo TEVAR >6 months after onset because SINE can develop several years after TEVAR in those patients.

Calcified amorphous tumor with caseous calcification of mitral annulus in hemodialysis patients.

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is a common finding, especially among the elderly. Caseous calcification of the mitral annulus (CCMA) is a rare variant of MAC. Calcified amorphous tumor (CAT) is an extremely rare non-neoplastic cardiac tumor accompanied by calcification and is often associated with MAC. We encountered two patients with end-stage renal failure in whom a cardiac CAT developed on the mitral annulus. In both patients, preoperative examination showed MAC of the posterior mitral annulus and a mobile mass attached to the MAC. CAT and CCMA were considered, and surgical resection was performed because of a high risk of systemic embolization. Intraoperatively, the mobile mass was associated with the CCMA. The CCMA with the mass was entirely removed, and the diagnosis of CAT was histologically confirmed. We herein report these two cases of CAT arising from CCMA in patients undergoing hemodialysis and propose the characteristic imaging features and operative findings.

Bidirectional coronary venous return in the partial unroofed coronary sinus syndrome complicated by coronary sinus orifice atresia.

Unroofed coronary sinus syndrome complicated by coronary sinus orifice atresia is a rare congenital anomaly. There are two alternate exits for coronary venous return: unroofed coronary sinus and persistent left superior caval vein. The coronary venous direction could be bidirectional depending on the pressure balance between the left atrium and the systemic vein. This anomaly has the risk of heart failure, paradoxical embolism, and cyanosis.