A case of cardiac strangulation following epicardial pacemaker implantation.

An 8-year-old boy had undergone permanent epicardial pacemaker implantation with a Y-shaped bipolar ventricular lead on day 6 after birth for treatment of congenital complete atrioventricular block. He was found to have pulmonary stenosis and mitral stenosis by follow-up echocardiography. Further studies including computed tomography and cardiac catheterization revealed that the pacemaker lead had completely encircled the cardiac silhouette and was in a state of "cardiac strangulation". We removed the previous pacing leads and generator and implanted a new epicardial dual-chamber pacing system in the right atrium and right ventricle. Additionally, an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sheet was placed between the new leads and the heart to prevent recurrence of cardiac strangulation.

Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome following Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA)-related disease that manifests as a triad of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury (AKI) and is caused by uncontrolled activation of the complement system. We report the case of a 61-year-old woman with acute type A aortic dissection that subsequently developed into aHUS. The hematologic disorders underlying aHUS improved after treatment with the complement inhibitor eculizumab. It is important to consider aHUS when a patient clinically develops a triad of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and an increasing creatinine level following cardiovascular surgery.

Use of computed tomography-guided biopsy to detect Peptostreptococcus micros-induced mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm after endovascular repair.

Mycotic aortic aneurysm (MAA) is rare but lethal. Detection of the causative bacteria is important for successful treatment. In some cases, however, no micro-organisms are detected by repeated blood cultures. Open surgery is the standard procedure for MAA, but endovascular intervention is also performed. An aneurysm specimen cannot be taken for culture when using an endovascular approach, decreasing the opportunity to detect the causative organism. We performed successful endovascular repair in a rare case of a Peptostreptococcus micros-induced MAA as detected by postoperative computed tomography-guided biopsy. This case may help to establish appropriate medical treatment for MAAs.

Endovascular Repair for Ruptured Axillary Artery Aneurysm Proximal to Hemodialysis Access.

Axillary artery aneurysms are uncommon and potentially high-risk lesions threatening the upper extremities. In hemodialysis patients, arteriovenous fistulae creation rarely triggers aneurysmal degeneration and arterial aneurysms in inflow arteries. These aneurysms are usually treated by surgical repair. However, this may lead to complications because of the anatomical complexity surrounding aneurysms of axillary arteries. We report a patient undergoing hemodialysis who had a ruptured ipsilateral axillary artery aneurysm proximal to vascular access. We successfully treated it by endovascular repair with the GORE Excluder AAA contralateral leg endoprosthesis, approaching from the left brachial artery proximal to the shunt. No complications occurred during 15 months after the endovascular repair.

Size and Stiffness of the Pulmonary Autograft after the Ross Procedure in Children.

Progressive dilatation of the pulmonary autograft is one of the greatest concerns after the Ross procedure. Increased stress in the arterial wall may cause changes in the elastic properties of the pulmonary autograft, and thus lead to pathological dilatation. The present study aimed to investigate the changes in the autograft diameter and stiffness during follow-up after the Ross procedure. A total of ten patients underwent the Ross procedure at our institution between 2003 and 2011. Echocardiography was used to measure the diameters of the pulmonary autograft at the level of the annulus, sinus of Valsalva, and sinotubular junction. The stiffness index was calculated from the angiographic data, and compared with that of 16 age-matched control children. The diameters of the pulmonary autograft increased throughout the follow-up period, particularly at the level of the sinus of Valsalva and at the sinotubular junction. The aortic root was stiffer in Ross patients compared with control children (7.9 ± 1.8 vs. 3.9 ± 0.7 immediately postoperatively, p < 0.01; 10.1 ± 2.8 vs. 4.2 ± 1.4 at 5 years postoperatively, p < 0.01). Although no significant relationship was found between the stiffness index and the autograft diameter, the stiffness index tended to increase over time. Dilatation of the pulmonary autograft was accompanied by progressive change in aortic stiffness. Longer follow-up is warranted to clarify the impact of this change in aortic stiffness on autograft failure.

Tricuspid regurgitation resulting from acute type A aortic dissection.

Proximal extension of acute type A aortic dissection can affect the aortic valve but seldom affects the tricuspid valve. We report the case of an octogenarian who underwent successful surgical repair of an aortic dissection that was accompanied by tricuspid regurgitation. We believe that the tricuspid regurgitation was attributable to displacement of the valve resulting from aortic dissection.

Aortic valve replacement in a porcelain aorta using endo balloon occlusion.

Aortic valve surgery carries increased risks in patients with an extensively calcified aorta. We describe a technique in which we maintain systemic perfusion via bilateral axillary artery perfusion in conjunction with endoaortic balloon occlusion, and limit the circulatory arrest time.

Repair of a ductal aneurysm using a hemi-clamshell incision in an elderly patient.

Spontaneous ductal aneurysm is rare in adults, although it is diagnosed sporadically, even in the elderly. Commonly, patients with a ductal aneurysm undergo an aneurysmectomy followed by patch-plasty through a lateral thoracotomy. However in older patients, more extensive surgery is often required due to more developed atherosclerotic lesions, requiring total arch replacement. Here, we describe the repair of a ductal aneurysm through a hemi-clamshell incision in an elderly patient. This method enabled excellent exposure of the entire aneurysm and, most importantly, adaptability in performing either an aneurysmectomy followed by patch closure, or total aortic arch replacement, dependent on the extent of the atherosclerotic disease once surgically exposed.

Cor triatriatum repair to eliminate suffering from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Development of atrial fibrillation is one of the primary indicators of cor triatriatum in adults. Here we describe a case of a patient suffering cor triatriatum coexistent with frequent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Paroxysms of arrhythmia were not encountered after surgical correction. Resection of an anomalous membranous septum may have contributed to interrupting the development of ectopic beats, eliminating paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Nifekalant hydrochloride terminated electrical storms after coronary surgery.

An "electrical storm" is a life-threatening condition defined as a recurrent attack of ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. The current report is a case study of a patient who had electrical storms developing unexpectedly after undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. The electrical storms were terminated dramatically by the administration of nifekalant hydrochloride. We suggest that nifekalant hydrochloride has great therapeutic potential for the suppression of intractable ventricular tachyarrhythmias refractory to amiodarone.

Multiple infected aortic aneurysms repaired by staged in situ graft replacement.

The development of multiple infected aortic aneurysms is extremely rare, and treatment remains challenging. We report here a 72-year-old man with multiple infected aortic aneurysms in whom a staged in situ graft replacement for the aortic arch and pararenal abdominal aorta was successfully performed. A rifampicin-bonded graft seemed to be effective in preventing postoperative infection. Perioperative control of infection played a key role in the patient's surviving this critical condition.

Bilateral axillary artery perfusion to reduce brain damage during cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND: Theoretically, a multiple perfusion approach, reducing detachment of atheromatous debris from the aortic intima and its flow into the cerebral circulation, should contribute to lessen a stroke, and may be applied to complex cardiac surgery with extensive aortic disease. The aim of the present study was to examine the value of bilateral axillary artery perfusion during thoracic aortic and cardiac surgery, and to evaluate the clinical results with a particular focus on cerebral damage. METHODS: From March 2002 through December 2007, 24 patients (16 male and eight female; age range, 43 to 84 years) underwent bilateral axillary artery perfusion through side grafts during cardiopulmonary bypass. Aortic surgery, including total arch replacement, hemiarch replacement, and ascending aortic replacement, was performed in 21 patients. Bilateral axillary artery perfusion was also used in three complicated valve surgeries after expanding its indication to cardiac pathology with a diseased aorta, two redo cases with severe atherosclerotic vascular disease, and one case with a porcelain aorta. RESULTS: Bilateral axillary artery perfusion was successful in all patients. There were no complications related to this procedure except in one patient, who suffered from a local fluid retention in one wound, requiring puncture drainage. There was no hospital mortality. No strokes were identified by either clinical assessments or diagnostic imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral axillary artery perfusion is a useful method for protection of the brain during either thoracic aortic or cardiac surgery when the patients have an extensively diseased aorta.

Missing left atrial thrombus: dislodgement or artifact?

Patients with a left atrial thrombus are considered at high risk of thromboembolism. Surgical treatment is generally recommended. We experienced a case of a patient with a history of cerebral embolism related to chronic atrial fibrillation in whom, unexpectedly, no thrombi were found at thrombectomy. Although echocardiography is a useful method for detection of a thrombus in the left atrium, the possibility of a reverberation artifact should be routinely explored.

Aortic valve replacement in a patient with a brain tumor.

We report a case of aortic stenosis with a brain tumor in a 67-year-old man. Although he showed no clinical neurological abnormality, a computed tomography scan revealed a brain tumor. We performed aortic valve replacement under several management techniques to avoid cerebral injury. Two biochemical markers for brain injury, S-100beta and neuron-specific enolase, were measured perioperatively. The postoperative course was uneventful without neurological complication, and the biochemical markers were within the control ranges.

An unusual manifestation of brain tumor: development of delayed hemiplegia after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Cerebral swelling after cardiopulmonary bypass might trigger a critical cerebral consequence resulting from intracranial space-occupying lesion. We experienced a 75-year-old woman who suffered from a delayed left hemiplegia after mitral valve replacement. Urgent diagnostic imaging revealed the presence of a brain tumor with perifocal cerebral edema. Fluid shifts occurring within a few days after the cardiopulmonary bypass, manifesting the focal cerebral edema, played a key role in this unique clinical course.

Coronary artery bypass grafting in cerebral palsy with severe contractures of extremities.

We report on a 76-year-old man suffering from cerebral palsy who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. Limitation of available bypass grafts and the approach of intra-aortic balloon pump insertion are of great concern because of his specific posture resulting from multiple articular contractures. We describe our planning to survive coronary surgery in this specific situation.

Bilateral axillary arterial perfusion in surgery on thoracic aorta.

Bilateral axillary arterial cannulation for selective cerebral perfusion might minimize cerebral embolic complications during surgery on the ascending aorta and aortic arch. From March 2002 through February 2004, bilateral axillary arterial perfusion was applied in 12 consecutive patients (mean age, 61.3 years). Operative procedures were total arch replacement in 8 patients, hemiarch replacement in 1, and ascending aorta replacement in 3. Antegrade selective cerebral perfusion was established through vascular grafts anastomosed to the bilateral axillary arteries and a perfusion catheter placed directly into the left carotid artery. Bilateral axillary arterial perfusion through the grafts was successful in all patients. There were no early or late deaths and no incidence of neurologic deficit. There were no complications related to cannulation of the axillary arteries. Bleeding, temporary renal failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and graft infection occurred in one patient each; all recovered from these complications. Bilateral axillary arterial perfusion is feasible and effective for brain protection during surgery on the ascending aorta and aortic arch.

Acute volume reduction with aortic valve replacement immediately improves ventricular mechanics in patients with aortic regurgitation.

OBJECTIVES: Few data have been available regarding the immediate response in ventricular mechanics to acute volume reduction caused by aortic valve replacement for aortic regurgitation. METHODS: We studied 9 patients in the operating room immediately before and after the institution of cardiopulmonary bypass. Left ventricular pressure and cross-sectional area (a surrogate of left ventricular volume) were measured with a catheter-tip manometer and a transesophageal echocardiographic system equipped with automated border-detection technology. Left ventricular pressure-area loops were constructed, and the caval occlusion method was used to obtain the slope of the end-systolic pressure-area relationship and the end-systolic area associated with 100 mm Hg. From the steady-state beats, stroke area was obtained by subtracting the minimum area from the maximum area. Effective arterial elastance, a measure of ventricular afterload, was calculated from end-systolic pressure, and stroke area as follows: effective arterial elastance equals end-systolic pressure divided by stroke area. RESULTS: Reductions in maximum area (21.0 +/- 8.5 to 16.0 +/- 6.8 cm(2) [SD])and minimum area (15.3 +/- 8.4 to 12.0 +/- 6.1 m(2)) shifted the baseline pressure-area loops to the left. The slope of the end-systolic pressure-area relationship (11.6 +/- 4.8 to 16.0 +/- 7.5 mm Hg/cm(2)) and afterload (effective arterial elastance, 17.9 +/- 11.6 to 26.3 +/- 16.4 mm Hg/cm(2)) were increased, and the end-systolic area associated with 100 mm Hg was reduced (18.3 +/- 10.0 to 13.7 +/- 5.8 cm(2)). CONCLUSION: Correction of volume overload reduced preload (minimum area), shifted the end-systolic pressure-area relationship to the left (decreased end-systolic area), and improved ventricular contractility (increased slope of the end-systolic pressure-area relationship). The result indicated that acute volume reduction favorably influenced ventricular mechanical parameters immediately after the operation.

Evidence-based infection control in thoracic surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) continues to pose a major threat to the lung and cardiovascular surgery patients. We propose evidence-based infection control (EBIC) against MRSA. METHODS: We conducted a basic study comparing genotyping to cluster analysis using minimal inhibition concentration on 17 drugs for 21 MRSA strains. With or without EBIC using cluster analysis and global evidence, we compared the incidence of postoperative MRSA infection. Notably, we eliminated tweezers stands and emesis basins. RESULTS: Cluster analysis showed a typing sensitivity of 72%. The use of EBIC decreased MRSA cross-infection in the recovery room. A lung surgery series showed an MRSA incidence of 1/190 before and 0/200 after EBIC was introduced. For a cardiovascular surgery series, the MRSA incidence was 2/169 before and 0/84 after EBIC was introduced. Across wards, MRSA among Staphylococcus aureus in patient fell from 68% in 1999 to 57% in 2000. CONCLUSIONS: EBIC consisting of global guidelines and cluster analysis was useful in controlling MRSA in lung and cardiovascular surgery patients.