[Caseous Calcification of Mitral Valve Annulus;Report of a Case].

We report a case of an 80-year-old female presenting with a mitral valve tumor. Postoperatively, pathologic diagnosis was caseous calcification of the mitral annulus. In surgery, she successfully underwent a mitral valve replacement with a 20 mm mechanical valve. The importance of correctly making a preoperative diagnosis cannot be over-emphasized. Technical discussion on possibility of mitral valve repair and patient-prosthesis mismatch after mitral valve replacement is also made.

Repetitive contained rupture of an infected abdominal aortic aneurysm with concomitant vertebral erosion.

We describe a rare case of surgical treatment for a repeated contained rupture of an infected abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with concomitant vertebral erosion. A 59-year-old man presented to a nearby hospital with abdominal pain and fever. On admission, computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a contained rupture of AAA, but the patient declined the offer of surgical therapy. Thereafter, the retroperitoneal hematoma gradually reduced in size. The third and fourth lumbar vertebrae were eroded on the CT scan 12 months after the appearance of the first symptom. However, 21 months after the first symptom, he suffered severe lumbago and was diagnosed with recurrence of contained AAA rupture and vertebral body destruction. He underwent debridement of eroded vertebrae and in situ graft replacement of AAA with omentum flap wrapping. Intraoperative microscopic examination of the hematoma revealed gram-positive Streptococcus. His postoperative course was uneventful, and CT 12 months after surgery did not reveal further deterioration of vertebral erosion or fluid accumulation. Repetitive contained AAA rupture may be another entity in contrast to chronic contained AAA rupture. Vertebral erosion could be associated with infection rather than mass effects of the contained hematoma. Surgical treatment is indicated to prevent life-threatening re-rupture and severe spinal instability.

Acute aortic occlusion due to false-lumen expansion after repair of abdominal aortic rupture in type B acute aortic dissection.

We describe a patient with aortic occlusion due to false-lumen expansion after repair of abdominal aortic rupture in acute type B aortic dissection. A 70-year-old man presented to a nearby hospital with severe lower back pain, and was subsequently referred to our hospital with a diagnosis of abdominal aortic rupture. Computed tomography scanning on admission revealed type B aortic dissection with concomitant false-lumen rupture at the level of pre-existing infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. The patient underwent abdominal aortic replacement with the true lumen reconstructed using a bifurcated knitted Dacron graft. On postoperative day 2, the patient developed severe lower body ischemia. Computed tomography scanning revealed complete true-lumen occlusion at the renal artery level because of false-lumen expansion. The patient underwent open fenestration by opening the bulging flap with a transverse graftotomy distal to the proximal graft anastomosis. After fenestration, the patient developed severe metabolic complications (i.e., myonephropathic-metabolic syndrome) and died a day later of cardiac arrest resulting from hyperkalemia. Abdominal aortic replacement with true-lumen reconstruction in patients with abdominal aortic rupture in type B acute aortic dissection could also lead to acute aortic occlusion due to re-dissection or true-lumen compromise accompanying retrograde propagation of false-lumen thrombosis. This lethal sequela after true-lumen reconstruction might be prevented by an adjuvant procedure such as concomitant fenestration.

Right retroperitoneal approach for repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm involving bilateral iliac arteries in a patient with a left-side stoma after abdominoperineal resection.

A 78-year-old woman, who had a history of abdominoperineal resection with the associated left-side stoma for rectal cancer, was diagnosed with an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm involving both common and right internal iliac arteries. She underwent in situ graft (bifurcated Dacron) replacement through a right retroperitoneal approach because of limited accessibility to the aorta and iliac arteries due to the left-side stoma. The distal anastomosis of the bifurcated graft was placed to the right external iliac artery and left femoral artery, and the left common iliac artery was excluded by ligating the branching arteries. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course, and the computed tomography scanning at 13 months after surgery revealed thrombosed occlusion of the excluded left common iliac aneurysm. In conclusion, a right retroperitoneal approach may be an option for abdominal aortic aneurysm patients who had a history of transperitoneal abdominal surgery and an associated left-side stoma.

Ligation-and-bypass technique through the posterior approach for bilateral popliteal aneurysms.

A 56-year-old man with a painful, progressively enlarging pulsatile mass in the bilateral popliteal fossae was diagnosed with a bilateral popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA) and referred to our hospital to undergo surgical therapy. Computed tomographic scanning demonstrated a large, middle-type PAA with a rich mural thrombus in the bilateral popliteal arteries. Following aneurysm exclusion posteriorly, the patient underwent bypass surgery using a ringed polytetrafluoroethylene graft bilaterally. This procedure was chosen to prevent nerve injury caused by mobilization of the adherent nerves and aneurysmal resection. The patient had a satisfactory postoperative course. This procedure may be recommended for large, middle-type PAAs because (1) the adherent tibial nerve trunk and its branch nerves can be protected by aneurysm exclusion with arterial branch ligation and (2) frequently occurring postexclusion expansion of the aneurysm caused by insufficient branch ligation using the medial approach can be avoided.

Leaflet suspension and subvalvular annuloplasty in aortic valve prolapse.

We have utilized the combined techniques of subvalvular annuloplasty and leaflet suspension since 1999 to repair prolapsing aortic valves. We reviewed our short-term results to assess perioperative echocardiographic changes and repair durability. Nineteen patients (15 men and 4 women; mean age, 60.7 years) underwent this operation between July 1999 and June 2002. All were interviewed to establish their latest functional status, reoperation and survival rates. After a mean follow-up of 40.1 months, all patients were alive and in New York Heart Association functional class I. The echocardiographic grade of aortic regurgitation decreased from 3.2 preoperatively to 1.6 at follow-up. Left ventricular end-diastolic dimension shortened significantly from 6.2 to 5.2 cm. Left ventricular end-systolic dimension decreased from 4.1 to 3.3 cm. Annulus size was also significantly less at 2.2 cm from 2.5 cm preoperatively. At 48 months, freedom from reoperation was 88.9% +/- 7.4%. The follow-up was 100% complete. Repair of a prolapsing aortic valve with leaflet suspension and subvalvular annuloplasty is a good procedure and the short-term results are satisfying.

Individualized off-pump all internal thoracic artery revascularization.

OBJECTIVE: We developed an individualized off-pump approach in an all internal thoracic artery (AITA) composite graft revascularization (AITACR) program to minimize postoperative neurological complications and to obtain the best long-term results possible. Early results of the individualized approach are reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The operative method (on-pump or off-pump) was determined based on institutional selection criteria. Early neurological outcomes were evaluated in 157 men and 42 women; the mean age was 67.3 +/- 9.3 years. RESULTS: Fifty-nine underwent off-pump procedures and 140 on-pump. The off-pump patients were older than the on-pump patients. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus, history of previous cerebral infarction, and atherosclerotic disease in the ascending aorta was more frequent in the off-pump group than in the on-pump group. The total number of distal anastomoses was 3.2 +/- 0.9 per patient. There was no operative mortality. Three patients (1 in the off-pump group and 2 in the on-pump group) had postoperative cerebral infarctions possibly related to postoperative atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSIONS: When patients were allocated to the on-pump group or the off-pump group based on our criteria, excellent results were achieved with acceptable morbidity. An individualized off-pump approach in an AITACR program appears reasonable and safe with excellent early neurological outcomes.

Postoperative treatment with carvedilol, a beta-adrenergic blocker, prevents paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Arrhythmias following cardiovascular surgery lead to unstable hemodynamics, along with myocardial ischemia and decreased cardiac output. The purpose of the present case cohort study compared the control group with no carvedilol administered and the other group of patients given carvedilol and determined whether postoperative treatment with carvedilol, a beta-adrenergic blocker, prevents paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS AND RESULTS: Of 160 patients who underwent scheduled isolated CABG, 80 received postoperative carvedilol and 80 did not. Postoperative paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was defined as episodes of atrial fibrillation persisting for over 10 min and confirmed by 12-lead electrocardiography. The incidence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was significantly lower in patients given carvedilol (12/80:15%) than in those who were not (27/80:34%) (p=0.0094). Logistic regression analysis showed that only postoperative carvedilol was significantly associated with the development of postoperative atrial fibrillation (95% confidence interval, 0.169-0.832; p=0.0159). CONCLUSION: Postoperative treatment with carvedilol prevented paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after CABG.

Apicoaortic bypass using a vascular graft with a bioprosthetic valve.

We report a case of 75-year-old man who underwent an apicoaortic bypass for severe aortic stenosis. The patient had a porcelain aorta accompanied by a severely calcified aortic annulus. We used a woven polyester vascular graft instead of a rigid apical connector because the latter material cannot be obtained in Japan. Postoperative examination showed no compression or stenosis in the apical outflow. A woven polyester vascular graft is therefore considered suitable for an apicoaortic bypass.

Aortic root remodeling with aortic annuloplasty: mid-term results.

BACKGROUND: A retrospective study was performed to determine the appropriateness of aortic root remodeling with aortic annuloplasty (m-Yacoub operation). METHODS AND RESULTS: A group of 60 patients with aortic valve disease with concomitant dilated or dissected ascending aorta, who underwent surgery between 1997 and 2003, were evaluated. Nineteen patients whose aortic valves were well preserved (mean age: 57.8+/-13.2 years) underwent the m-Yacoub operation with or without aortic valve leaflet suspension. The average follow-up period was 34.5+/-19.0 months. There were no operative or hospital deaths. Preoperatively, 16 patients had grade 4 aortic regurgitation (AR), 2 had grade 3 AR, and 1 had grade 1 AR. At the latest follow-up, 1 patient had grade 2 AR, 11 had grade 1, and 7 had grade 0. At 5-year follow-up the survival rate was 100+/-0.0%, and the reoperation-free rate was 82.5+/-11.3%. CONCLUSION: Where it is possible to preserve the aortic valve, the m-Yacoub operation is an attractive option.

Dynamic morphologic changes in the normal aortic annulus during systole and diastole.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The three-dimensional motion of semilunar attachment of the leaflet 'annulus' remains obscure. It has been suggested that the aortic root is distensible and moves during the cardiac cycle. In the present study, the aortic root was evaluated using two dimensions. The aortic root, notably motion of the aortic annulus, was evaluated using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), and a three-dimensional reconstruction of the aortic annulus was performed. METHODS: Twenty-five patients (17 males, eight females) underwent MDCT. None of the patients had aortic root disease, aortic valve disease, bicuspid valve, myocardial infarction or atrial fibrillation. The aortic annulus was measured in systole and diastole, and divided into three parts: the right coronary cusp (RCC), left coronary cusp (LCC) and non-coronary cusp (NCC). The lengths of the aortic annulus, sinus of Valsalva and sinotubular junction (STJ) were also measured in systole and diastole on longitudinal views. RESULTS: The lengths of each aortic annulus part in systole and diastole were as follows. In systole: RCC 41.8 +/- 8.1 mm; LCC 39.3 +/- 5.9 mm; NCC 43.7 +/- 7.1 mm. In diastole: RCC 42.4 +/- 7.0 mm; LCC 38.6 +/- 7.8 mm; NCC 41.5 +/- 7.8 mm. No statistically significant differences were observed between lengths in systole and diastole. The longitudinal lengths of aortic annulus, sinus of Valsalva and STJ at each period were as follows. In systole: aortic annulus 22.5 +/- 2.2 mm; sinus of Valsalva 34.9 +/- 4.3 mm; STJ 28.1 +/- 3.2 mm. In diastole: aortic annulus 22.1 +/- 2.2 mm; sinus of Valsalva 34.4 +/- 4.7 mm; STJ 27.2 +/- 3.1 mm. The length of the STJ in systole was significantly greater than that in diastole. CONCLUSION: In the normal aortic root, no part of the aortic annulus changed length during the cardiac cycle. According to changes in aortic root dimensions, the commissures move outwards during the systolic phase.

Risk factors for hypoxemia after surgery for acute type A aortic dissection.

PURPOSE: Postoperative hypoxemia is a frequent complication of surgery for acute type A aortic dissection. We tried to determine the factors associated with postoperative hypoxemia. METHODS: Between 1997 and 2003, 114 patients underwent surgery for acute type A aortic dissection. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to identify the independent predictors of postoperative hypoxemia, defined by an arterial partial oxygen/inspired oxygen fraction (PaO(2)/FiO(2)) ratio of 200 or lower. RESULTS: The overall in-hospital mortality was 6.1% (7 of 114 patients), being 5.2% in the hypoxemia group and 6.9% in the non-hypoxemia group. The ventilation time and intensive care unit stay were significantly longer in the hypoxemia group than in the non-hypoxemia group (P = 0.0044, P = 0.038, respectively). Logistic regression identified the following variables as predictors for postoperative hypoxemia: body mass index > or = 25 (odds ratio [OR], 5.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1-15.01; P < 0.001), preoperative PaO(2)/FiO(2) ratio < or = 300 (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.09-6.13; P = 0.031), and the volume of transfused blood (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.01-1.18; P = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Initiating early treatment for hypoxemia and reducing the volume of blood transfused intraoperatively may improve the postoperative clinical course of obese patients with preoperative hypoxemia.

Aortic valve repair for aortic regurgitation: intermediate-term results in patients with tricuspid morphology.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Surgical results after aortic valve repair in patients with aortic regurgitation (AR) of tricuspid valve morphology and with no evidence of aortic root disease have not yet been clarified. METHODS: Between January 1994 and June 2001, aortic valve repair was performed in 40 patients (eight females, 32 males; mean age 61.0 +/- 10.5 years) of this type. Surgical results and follow up data were summarized after aortic valve repair (for AR) in these patients. RESULTS: One patient died in hospital (mortality 2.5%). The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 143.5 +/- 47.4 min, and mean aortic cross-clamp time 99.8 +/- 34.3 min. At follow up, the mean AR grade was 1.5 +/- 0.8 and mean NYHA class 1.0 +/- 0; both parameters showed significant improvement compared to preoperative status (p < 0.0001). Survival was 94.9% at one year and 82.6% at five years. The five-year reoperation-free rate was 87%. CONCLUSION: Aortic valve repair for AR in patients with tricuspid valve morphology is a safe procedure that provides good intermediate-term results.

Magnetic resonance angiography in coronary artery bypass grafting.

An attempt was made to reduce the incidence of perioperative stroke by detecting cerebrovascular disease with preoperative head and neck magnetic resonance angiography and by selecting the coronary artery bypass grafting technique. This strategy was used in 268 patients with ischemic heart disease who had undergone both head and neck magnetic resonance angiography before elective coronary artery bypass in our hospital between May 1997 and April 2001. In patients with significant stenosis or obstruction detected by head and neck magnetic resonance angiography, the findings were evaluated and cerebral blood flow was examined using brain single-photon emission computed tomography. In those with a high risk of cerebrovascular ischemia, off-pump coronary artery bypass was performed to maintain cerebral blood flow. No stroke occurred during surgery, and hemodynamic cerebrovascular ischemia was prevented in all 268 patients. Postoperative stroke occurred in 3 patients (1.1%), but the incidence of perioperative stroke was reduced.

Three-dimensional recovery time dispersion map by 64-channel magnetocardiography may demonstrate the location of a myocardial injury and heterogeneity of repolarization.

BACKGROUND: QT dispersion reveals heterogeneities in the repolarization time in the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the ventricular myocardium. In this study, we report on a 3D function map of recovery time (RT) dispersions as measured by 64-channel magnetocardiography (MCG). METHODS: MCG were simultaneously recorded in 29 controls and 21 patients with previous myocardial infarction (MI). The 3D current density was calculated from 64-channel MCG data in the Bz component using a space filter. The heart outline, reconstructed from the integrated the current density, revealed both the atrium and ventricle. The RT for the intervals between QRS onset and the time of the maximum dT/dt of T wave, and the peak to the end of the T wave (T(peak)-negative dT/dt) were automatically measured by means of a computer from 3D MCG data. The corrected RT (RTc) and corrected T(peak)-negative dT/dt were then calculated using Bazett's formula. The 3D RTc and the corrected T(peak)-negative dT/dt dispersion map were superimposed on the heart outline generated by MCG. RESULTS: The RTc was significantly longer for the MI group than in the control group (67+/-25 ms1/2 vs. 16+/-6 ms1/2) (p<0.0001). The corrected T(peak)-negative dT/dt dispersions in each patient was also significantly longer for the MI group than in the control group (35+/-27 ms1/2 vs. 10+/-5 ms1/2) (p<0.0001). Furthermore, the 3D RTc and T(peak)-negative dT/dt dispersion maps corresponded with the space location of MI, as defined by Tc-99m tetrofosmin myocardial imaging CONCLUSIONS: 3D RTc and T(peak)-negative dT/dt dispersion maps in the ST segment, obtained by 64-channel MCG may be used demonstrate the location of a myocardial injury and heterogeneities of repolarization.

All internal thoracic artery composite graft revascularization.

The aim of this study was to determine the most efficient design of composite grafts and clarify the technical feasibility rate of composite grafting using internal thoracic artery exclusively in patients undergoing triple-vessel revascularization. Retrospective analysis of 104 consecutive patients was carried out. An in situ left internal thoracic artery graft for the left anterior descending artery area, with attachment of the right internal thoracic artery to the side of the left internal thoracic artery to revascularize the circumflex and right coronary vessels, was the most efficient graft design. The technical feasibility rate was 80% (83/104 patients). The mean number of distal anastomoses for the entire group was 3.8+/-0.8 per patient. Intraoperative left internal thoracic artery flow rate was 91.6+/-37.8 mL.min-1. With more experience, it is thought that the technical feasibility rate could be increased.

Late complications following surgery for type A acute aortic dissection using gelatin-resorcin-formaldehyde glue: report of two cases.

Gelatin-resorcin-formaldehyde (GRF) glue has been widely applied during operations for acute aortic dissection (AAD). At our institution, GRF glue was applied in 40 patients who underwent surgical procedures for AAD from 1995, two of whom needed a reoperation because of the development of a redissection and/or a pseudoaneurysm at the anastomotic sites. The operative findings and histological examinations suggested that the application of GRF glue during the initial operations might be related to the development of a redissection and/or a pseudoaneurysm.