ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Mitral stenosis (MS) remains one of the important heart diseases. There are many factors that influence the clinical outcomes, and little is known about how left ventricular (LV) dysfunction clinically affects the prognosis of the patient with MS after mitral valve replacement (MVR). We reviewed our clinical experiences of MVR in patients with MS who had LV dysfunction. METHODS: Between January 1991 and January 2013, 110 patients with MS who underwent MVR were analyzed and divided into two groups according to ejection fraction (EF). Group 1 (EF≤45%) included 13 patients and group 2 (EF>45%) included 97 patients. RESULTS: Thromboembolism occurred in 8 patients after MVR (group 1: n=3, 23.1%; group 2: n=5, 5.2%) and its incidence was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (p=0.014). There were 3 deaths each in groups 1 and 2 during follow-up. The overall rate of cardiac-related death in group 1 was significantly higher than in group 2 (group 1: n=3, 23.1%; group 2: n=3, 3.1%; p=0.007). The cumulative survival rate at 1 and 15 years was 83.9% and 69.9% in group 1 and 97.9% and 96.3% in group 2 (p=0.004). The Cox regression analysis revealed that survival was significantly associated with postoperative stroke (p=0.011, odds ratio=10.304). CONCLUSION: This study identified postoperative stroke as an adverse prognostic factor in patients with MS after MVR, and as more prevalent in patients with LV dysfunction. Postoperative stroke should be reduced to improve clinical outcomes for patients. Preventive care should be made in multiple ways, such as management of LV dysfunction, atrial fibrillation, and anticoagulation.
ABSTRACT
Reninoma is a rare, renin-secreting, benign renal neoplasm that can cause secondary hypertension. We report a case of a 21-year-old man who suffered from progressively worsening headache for 2 months with a history of hypertension for 7 years. Laboratory studies showed normal potassium level, increased basal plasma renin activity, and normal serum aldosterone level. Abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a small mass in the middle region of the right kidney. Partial nephrectomy was performed; immunohistochemical results demonstrated typical features of reninoma. Postoperatively, blood pressure and potassium level were normal at the 2-month follow-up.
ABSTRACT
Cardiac myxomas are the most common primary benign tumors of uncertain etiology. They usually present as polypoid or oval-shaped masses projecting into a heart chamber from the interatrial septum and have a soft, gelatinous consistency without a cystic structure. We report a case of left atrial myxoma with a single cystic form.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Mitral valve repair for posterior mitral leaflet (PML) prolapse has been considered to be a standard treatment because of its high success rate and high level of patient satisfaction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of two different techniques of PML prolapse, quadrangular resection (QR) and chordal replacement (CR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects consisted of 56 patients who had undergone mitral valve repair for PML prolapse between November 1997 and December 2010. The patients were divided into two groups according to surgical technique. Among them, 31 patients underwent QR (group QR) and 25 patients had CR (group CR). We reviewed the medical records of the patients retrospectively to compare the clinical outcomes of both groups. RESULTS: After mitral valve repair, the degree of mitral regurgitation (MR) in both groups decreased to the to a mild degree or less and the amount of remnant MR was slightly higher in the CR group but it was not statistically different. Three patients received mitral valve-related reoperation (2 in the QR group and 1 in the CR group). Freedom from mitral valve-related reoperation at 7 years was 93% for the QR group and 96% for the CR group and was not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Both QR and CR showed excellent long-term results and were considered equally effective methods for PML prolapse.
ABSTRACT
Aorto-right ventricular fistula is a very rare complication of aortic dissection. We report a case of acute aortic dissection extending into the right ventricle as documented by echocardiography. The patient survived after successful surgical repair.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: A ring implantation in the tricuspid annulus requires many interrupted mattress sutures for correction of tricuspid regurgitation (TR). In this study, tricuspid ring annuloplasty was performed by 2-0 polypropylene continuous suture instead of multiple interrupted 2-0 polyester mattress sutures, and the efficacy of the method was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 20 patients who underwent tricuspid ring annuloplasty by continuous suture between May 2009 and July 2010. Four of the patients had an isolated TR, and the rest had a left-sided cardiac lesion. The concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty was performed after the left-sided heart surgery was completed and a Duran flexible ring prosthesis was used. RESULTS: There was no perioperative mortality or conduction problem. More than a moderate degree of TR was improved to less than a mild degree after the procedure. After the ring annuloplasty, the right atrial volume decreased from 123.7±69.2 mL to 74.5±37.4 mL, and the mean right atrial pressure was lowered from 18.7±12.2 mmHg to 8.9±5.5 mmHg. CONCLUSION: The continuous "over and over" suture may be a useful procedure for fixing the ring to the annulus and making an intentional annular placation in performing tricuspid ring annuloplasty.
ABSTRACT
In the case of multiple trabecular ventricular septal defects, it is difficult to identify the exact locations and margins because of trabeculations of the right ventricle. It is also well known that ventriculotomy for closure of ventricular septal defects sometimes causes postoperative ventricular dysfunction or arrhythmia. To overcome these problems, we used the 'sandwich patch technique' to repair multiple trabecular ventricular septal defects.
