Release of serum S-100ß protein and neuron-specific enolase after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting with and without intracranial and cervical artery stenosis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to quantify the amount of brain damage suffered by patients who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) in which S-100ß protein and neuron-specific enolase were used. METHODS: Thirty-four patients undergoing scheduled OPCAB were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the results of their magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and cervical ultrasonography: 13 patients had cervical or intracranial arterial stenosis (Group A), and 21 patients did not (Group B). Blood samples were collected from the arterial catheters immediately before surgery, upon arrival to the intensive care unit, and 6 and 24 hours after surgery. RESULTS: In blood samples collected from patients upon arrival to the intensive care unit, the maximum concentration of serum s-100ß protein in Group A was significantly higher than that of Group B (p = 0.029). Though patients in Group A tended to have higher maximum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) concentrations, there were no significant differences in NSE concentrations at any point between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show a correlation between the stenosis detected by MRA or cervical ultrasonography and brain damage after OPCAB.

Improvement of tricuspid regurgitation after pulmonary thromboendarterectomy.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension causes right ventricular dilation with various degrees of tricuspid regurgitation, leading to right heart failure. Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy can substantially improve pulmonary hemodynamics and right ventricular dilation. The aim of this study was to determine whether the reduction of tricuspid regurgitation persists during follow-up. We studied 26 patients undergoing pulmonary thromboendarterectomy without repair of tricuspid regurgitation; 24 were followed up for 7 to 59 months after surgery (mean, 33 months). Echocardiographic and right heart catheterization data were obtained before and early after surgery. Severity of tricuspid regurgitation and tricuspid pressure gradient were evaluated at follow-up. Two patients died early after surgery, but none died during follow-up. Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy substantially improved pulmonary hemodynamics and right ventricular dilation. Tricuspid regurgitation graded severe in 5 patients and moderate in another 5, improved to trivial or mild postoperatively. The decreases in tricuspid pressure gradient and regurgitation early after surgery persisted during follow-up.

Application of Akaike information criterion to evaluate warfarin dosing algorithm.

INTRODUCTION: Several factors responsible for inter-individual differences in response to warfarin have been confirmed; however, unidentified factors appear to remain. The purpose of this study was to examine a simple method to evaluate whether optional variables are appropriate as factors to improve dosing algorithms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients were Japanese. Genotyping of selected genes was conducted, and other information was obtained from medical record. Dosing algorithms were constructed by multivariate linear regression analyses and were evaluated by the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Multivariate analysis showed that white blood-cell count (WBC), concomitant use of allopurinol, and CYP4F2 genotype are apparently involved in warfarin dose variation, in addition to well-known factors, such as age and VKORC1 genotype. We evaluated the adequacy of these variables as factors to improve the dosing algorithm using the AIC. Addition of WBC, allopurinol administration and CYP4F2 genotype to the basal algorithm resulted in decreased AIC, suggesting that these factor candidates may contribute to improving the prediction of warfarin maintenance dose. This study is the first to evaluate the warfarin dosing algorithm by AIC. To further improve the dosing algorithm, AIC may be a simple and useful tool to evaluate both the model itself and factors to be incorporated into the algorithm.

Mid-term results of surgery for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy is an effective surgical treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). In this study, we review our short- and mid-term results in the recent series of patients undergoing pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. Twenty-three patients (54+/-12 years) were re-evaluated 7-59 months (mean, 34 months) after surgery. Nine patients were in New York Heart Association functional class II, 11 patients in class III and three patients in class IV. All patients used supplemental oxygen therapy. After surgery, pulmonary hemodynamics were significantly improved: pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) decreased from 925+/-342 to 337+/-260 dynes x s x cm(-5) (P<0.01); mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) decreased from 47+/-12 to 25+/-10 mmHg (P<0.01). Three patients developed severe residual pulmonary hypertension and one of them died soon after surgery. During the follow-up period there were no deaths, but one recurrence of pulmonary embolism. Nineteen patients (86%) were in New York Heart Association functional class I or II and thirteen patients (59%) were weaned from oxygen therapy. In conclusion, pulmonary thromboendarterectomy provided remarkable early and late results with acceptable hospital mortality rate, normalization of pulmonary hemodynamics, and improvement in clinical functional status with relief of hypoxemia.

Global ST-segment elevation associated with impending cardiac rupture during diagnostic cardiac catheterization.

Cardiac rupture is a life-threatening complication during diagnostic cardiac catheterization, however, it rarely occurs nowadays. The present case report describes cardiac rupture during diagnostic cardiac catheterization using a 4F pigtail catheter and a 0.035" flexible guidewire, and global ST-segment elevation associated with impending cardiac rupture.

The effect of preoperative aspirin administration on postoperative level of von Willebrand factor in off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.

The effect of preoperative administration of aspirin on endothelial function in the patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery is still unclear. Fifty consecutive patients undergoing OPCAB between May 2006 and May 2007 were equally divided into two groups - one without preoperative aspirin (group A; the first 25 patients) and the other with preoperative aspirin (group B; the next 25 patients). We investigated the degree of postoperative endothelial dysfunction by measuring the von Willebrand factor activity, which is a possible indicator of endothelial damage. The level of von Willebrand factor was not different between groups before surgery (group A 166% +/- 53% vs group B 181% +/- 62%; P = 0.39). Immediately after surgery it was significantly higher than before surgery in group A (231% +/- 79%; rate of increase 1.24 +/- 0.58), but not in group B (183% +/- 77%; rate of increase 1.03 +/- 0.55) (P < 0.02). The level was still significantly higher in group A than in group B on postoperative day 1 (group A 294 +/- 66 vs 254 +/- 51; P = 0.03), but there was no difference between groups on postoperative day 6. Although the frequency of blood transfusion was higher in group B, there was no difference in the amount of intraoperative bleeding between the groups. Preoperative use of aspirin before OPCAB could suppress the postoperative increase in von Willebrand factor, a possible indicator of endothelial damage, only in the early postoperative phase.

Evaluation of early and midterm results of offpump coronary artery bypass in patients with left main disease.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the early and midterm results of offpump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) for left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis. METHODS: Patients treated between November 2001 and December 2006, during which isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was performed without cardiopulmonary bypass in principle, were included. Isolated CABG was performed in 206 patients, of whom 62 (30.1%) had LMCA stenosis >50%. RESULTS: The in-hospital mortality rate (LMCA stenosis > 50%, 1.6%; LMCA stenosis 75% and severe stenosis >90% in the right coronary artery (RCA) trunk. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with LMCA stenosis can undergo OPCAB safely and the midterm results are good. As conversion was significantly frequent in patients with severe LMCA and RCA trunk stenosis, adequate preparation for pump application is necessary.

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting for poorly controlled diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the postoperative outcome of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) for patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus as evaluated by preoperative hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The preoperative value of HbA1c in 101 diabetic patients who had undergone OPCAB from January 2000 to January 2007 was reviewed. A value of 6.5% was used as an indicator of poorly controlled hyperglycemia, and patients were distributed into a well-controlled group (group A: HbA1c <6.5, n = 47) or a poorly controlled group (group B: HbA1c >6.5, n = 54). The average follow-up period was 2.2 +/- 1.3 years. RESULTS: There was no difference in the number of anastomoses (group A: 2.76 +/- 1.00 vs. group B: 2.63 +/- 0.80; p = 0.45) or the use of bilateral internal thoracic arteries (78.7% vs. 81.4%; p = 0.80). Postoperative angiography was carried out in 97 patients. The graft patency rate was 96.9% (126/130) in group A and 99.2% (131/132) in group B (p = 0.37). The stenosis free rate was 92.3% (120/130) in group A and 93.1% (123/132) in group B (p = 0.82). There were no operative deaths, no hospital deaths, and no late cardiac deaths. Postoperative atrial fibrillation occurred in 14 patients (29.7%) of group A and 12 (22.2%) of group B (p = 0.49). Wound dehiscence occurred in 2 patients (4.3%) of group A and 5 (9.3%) of group B (p = 0.44). Postoperative hospital stay lasted 22.1 +/- 9.5 days in group A and 21.7 +/- 9.1 days in group B (p = 0.86). CONCLUSIONS: OPCAB is feasible in patients having poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, and their condition does not compromise the surgical outcome.

Efficacy of Elective Intra-aortic Balloon Pump Therapy for High-Risk Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass: A Prospective Comparative Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the usefulness of elective intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) in high-risk off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 2002 through September 2006, total of 143 patients were operated with OPCAB. These patients were divided into two groups and clinical outcomes were compared: Group E (N = 30): Elective IABP group and Group C (N = 113): Control group, OPCAB without IABP. The criteria of elective application of IABP were severe stenosis of left main coronary artery (LMCA) or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 35%. RESULTS: No significant difference was noted in the duration of ICU stay (Group E: 1.13 ± 0.43 days; Group C: 1.18 ± 0.60 days, p = 0.710), the number of patients on a respirator for 24 hours or longer after surgery (Group E: 10.0%; Group C: 5.3%, p = 0.397), hospital mortality (Group E: 0%; Group C: 0%), or the frequency of postoperative major complications between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of OPCAB using elective IABP in high-risk patients, such as those with severe LMCA stenosis or left ventricular dysfunction, were similar to those of OPCAB in low-risk patients, suggesting the usefulness of elective IABP in OPCAB.

Usefulness of intraoperative fluorescence imaging to evaluate local anatomy in hepatobiliary surgery.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: One of the major complications encountered in hepatobiliary surgery is the incidence of bile duct and blood vessel injuries. It is sometimes difficult during surgery to evaluate the local anatomy corresponding to hepatic arteries and bile ducts. We investigated the potential utility of an infrared camera system as a tool for evaluating local anatomy during hepatobiliary surgery. METHODS: An infrared camera system was used to detect indocyanine green fluorescence in vitro. We also employed this system for the intraoperative fluorescence imaging of the arteries and biliary system in a pig. Further, we evaluated blood flow in the hepatic artery, portal vein, and liver parenchyma during a human liver transplant and we investigated local anatomy in patients undergoing cholecystectomy. RESULTS: Fluorescence confirmed that indocyanine green was distributed in serum and bile. In the pig study, we confirmed the fluorescence of the biliary system for more than 1 h. In the liver transplant recipient, blood flow in the hepatic artery and portal vein was confirmed around the anastomosis. In most of the patients undergoing cholecystectomy, fluorescence was observed in the gallbladder, cystic and common bile ducts, and hepatic and cystic arteries. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative fluorescence imaging in hepatobiliary surgery facilitates better understanding of the anatomy of arteries, the portal vein, and bile ducts.

Limitations of right internal thoracic artery to left anterior descending artery bypass: a comparative quantitative study of postoperative angiography of the bilateral internal thoracic artery bypass grafts.

BACKGROUND: It remains controversial whether right internal thoracic artery (RITA) to left anterior descending artery (LAD) bypass has qualitative limitations which cannot be evaluated based on the patency rate alone. METHODS: The 111 subjects underwent graft angiography after bypass grafting of the left or right internal thoracic artery (ITA) to the LAD. The vascular caliber was measured at the origin of the ITA, at an ITA site adjacent to the anastomotic site, and at an LAD site immediately below the anastomotic site, regarding the outer diameter of the catheter as a reference. RESULTS: The caliber of the ITA immediately above the anastomotic site of the LAD was significantly lower in the RITA group. In the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) group, no patient showed a caliber of less than 1.25 mm, but five patients (7.8%) did in the RITA group. The preoperative cardio-thoracic ratio was significantly higher than that in patients in whom the caliber of the ITA immediately above the anastomotic site was 1.25 mm or more, and the height was significantly lower. CONCLUSIONS: In many patients, the RITA is appropriate as a graft material to the LAD. However, in patients with a high cardio-thoracic ratio and those with a low height, the RITA may not reach the LAD in a favorable state, and the LITA should be anastomosed to the LAD in some patients.

Low systemic vascular resistance state following off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence, hemodynamic characteristics, and risk factors for low systemic vascular resistance (SVR) state following after off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: SVR data could be obtained for 116 OPCAB patients. Low SVR was defined as an indexed systemic vascular resistance (SVRi) of <1,800 dyne x s/cm(5) x m(2) at the end of operation. Hemodynamic data were recorded preoperatively, at the end of operation, just after entering ICU, and the following morning. RESULTS: Low SVR state was noted in 54 of 116 patients (53%). The SVRi values in low-SVR and non-low-SVR patients were 1,406+/-253 and 2,326+/-509 dyne x s/cm(5) x m(2) at the end of operation (p<0.0001). Increased CI level, decreased MAP level, but unchanged CVP level was observed postoperatively in the low-SVR patients. The increase in CI and decrease in MAP were maximal at the end of operation. Patients with low SVR were more likely to have a higher body mass index (24.5+/-3.6 vs. 22.9+/-2.9; p=0.013) and to be male (82% vs. 62%; p=0.036) than no-low-SVR patients. In low-SVR patients, fluid balance was more positive intraoperatively (3,537+/-1,411 vs. 3,068+/-1,597; p=0.09), but more negative at 6 hours postoperatively (-136+/-978 vs. 234+/-844; p=0.034) and 12 h postoperatively (-282+/-1,321 vs. 268+/-1,238; p=0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Low SVR state, a probable manifestation of systemic inflammatory response (SIRS), is common in patients who have undergone OPCAB. For these patients it is more reasonable to maintain MAP with vasopressors by restoring vascular tone, than by volume loading.

A case of pulmonary artery bypass surgery for a patient with isolated Takayasu pulmonary arteritis and a review of the literature.

A 45-year-old female was presented with progressive dyspnea and bilateral leg edema. Pulmonary angiography revealed total occlusion of the right pulmonary artery and significant stenosis of the left pulmonary artery. The inferior lobar artery as well as the segmental arteries were well patent. No pathology was detected elsewhere at the aorta and its branches. The diagnosis of chronic pulmonary arterial occlusion by isolated Takayasu arteritis was made because of the characteristic pattern of angiographic findings and the presence of unusual shunt formation from the coronary artery to the peripheral portion of the pulmonary artery, as well as a characteristic presentation of HLA typing in blood analysis, which strongly suggested the diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis. To restore the pulmonary blood flow, we employed reconstructive surgery by means of bypass procedure, using PTFE graft. Postoperatively there was marked improvement in cardiopulmonary function and the quality of life of the patient. The graft was proved to be patent at long-term follow-up study. An extremely rare case of chronic occlusive pulmonary arteritis, which was surgically treated by means of bypass procedure, is reported herein, and a brief review of previous reports on this subject was attempted.

Pitfalls of skeletonized internal thoracic artery: comparison of graft kinking between skeletonized and pedicled grafts based on postoperative angiography findings.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Skeletonization of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) has several advantages: sequential bypass grafting can be easily performed, and a graft of increased length can make the distal coronary artery accessible. However, kinking of the grafts has been observed on postoperative angiograms in a few cases. We investigated whether there were significant differences in the frequency of graft kinking and stenosis degree at the kink site between pedicled and skeletonized grafts. METHODS: Postoperative angiography was performed for all cases. In pedicled (n = 65) and skeletonized (n = 129) groups, the results of postoperative graft angiography were analyzed to investigate the presence of graft kinking and stenosis degree at the kink site. RESULTS: Kinking was observed in 4 (5.9%) and 9 (3.9%) arteries in the pedicled and skeletonized groups, respectively (p = 0.341). The stenosis degree at the kink site (mean +/- SD) was significantly higher in the skeletonized group (47.2 +/- 16.8%) than in the pedicled group (23.5 +/- 13.7%), (p = 0.032). In four patients in whom early postoperative angiography showed a kink with more than 50% stenosis, late-term angiography was performed. All four cases showed regression of the stenosis degree at the kink site. CONCLUSIONS: When the ITA had a kink, the stenosis degree at the kink site was significantly higher in the skeletonized group than in the pedicled group. Late angiography often reveals regression of stenosis at the kink site. Immediate intervention need not always be performed if the patient has no angina caused by a stenotic lesion at the kink site.

Efficacy and vasodilatory benefit of magnesium prophylaxis for protection against spinal cord ischemia.

Prevention of paraplegia remains an imperative issue in thoracoabdominal aortic surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a prophylactic magnesium infusion in a rat spinal cord ischemia model and to demonstrate spinal blood flow increase caused by the infusion. The study was conducted in two parts. Firstly, the neuroprotective effect of magnesium was assessed using a rat model with two different ischemic times: 10 min and 14 min. Spinal cord ischemia was induced by occlusion of the descending aorta. Rats in the treatment group were given a 100 mg/kg magnesium sulfate infusion before ischemia. Secondly, relative changes in spinal cord blood flow before and during ischemia were recorded using the laser Doppler flowmetry technique. Changes in blood flow were compared between the magnesium and control groups. Rats pretreated with magnesium showed good overall recovery after both 10 min (incidence of paraplegia 62.5% control vs. 37.5% Mg, n = 8 each) and 14 min (85.7% control vs. 57.1% Mg, n = 7 each) of ischemia, although the differences compared with controls were statistically insignificant. However, the magnesium group showed significantly better neurological performance during the early postischemic period. Comparison of changes in spinal circulation revealed less reduction in blood flow during ischemia in the magnesium-treated group. In conclusion, magnesium may have potential prophylactic benefits during ischemia by exerting a neuroprotective effect through vasodilation of the spinal cord vasculature. To our knowledge, this vasodilatory effect on the spinal cord has not previously been investigated. Optimization of the treatment regimen, however, is required.

A case complicated with Horner's syndrome after off-pump coronary artery bypass.

In the present report, a case complicated with Horner's syndrome after off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) was presented. This case showed ptosis and miosis in the left eye promptly after OPCAB. No abnormal neurological findings other than Horner's syndrome were observed in postoperative examinations including head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and this case was thought to have Horner's syndrome as a complication after cardiac surgery through median sternotomy.

Relation of inflammatory cytokines to atrial fibrillation after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVE: It has been observed that a systemic inflammatory response after on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) participates in the pathogenesis of postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF). In patients undergoing off-pump CABG, it is plausible that inflammation is associated with the development of postoperative AF. The present study examined relation of proinflammatory cytokines, which play an important role in the upstream of inflammatory cascade, to the development of AF after off-pump CABG. METHODS: The present study included 39 patients undergoing off-pump CABG. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-8, were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, on anesthetic induction, after sternotomy before anastomoses, at the completion of anastomoses, 3 and 6h thereafter, and on postoperative days (POD) 1-4. C-reactive protein (CRP) was also measured by turbidimetric immunoassay, preoperatively, and on POD 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 13. RESULTS: Eleven patients (28%) developed postoperative AF. Patients with postoperative AF were older (70+/-6.4 years vs 60+/-8.8 years, P=0.001); however, there was no difference in other pre- and perioperative variables. TNF-alpha level did not change during the study period. However, IL-8 and CRP levels significantly increased after the surgery, although there was no significant difference between the two groups. IL-6 level also increased after the surgery with its peak at 6h after the completion of anastomoses. IL-6 levels of 3 and 6h after anastomoses were significantly higher in patients with postoperative AF (360+/-143 pg/ml vs 230+/-94 pg/ml, P=0.0047, 435+/-175 pg/ml vs 247+/-102 pg/ml, P=0.0005, respectively). Logistic regression analysis indicated that the highest quartile of IL-6 level immediately after the surgery (odds ratio 7.63; 95% CI, 1.06-54.9; P=0.04) and age (odds ratio 1.18; 95% CI, 1.01-1.39; P=0.04) independently predict postoperative AF. Furthermore, the maximum level of IL-6 immediately after the surgery significantly correlated to age and intraoperative blood loss (r=0.04, P=0.01, and r=0.47, P=0.04, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Advanced age was a major risk factor for postoperative AF. Furthermore, inflammatory response induced by surgical trauma was also associated with the development of AF after off-pump CABG.

Late-term regression of stenosis at the kink site in the internal thoracic artery in two cases.

A kink in the internal thoracic artery (ITA) is a rare postoperative complication after coronary artery bypass surgery. The kink can be accompanied by significant stenosis and has been observed after the ITAs are harvested by the skeletonization method. In this report, we present two cases in which early postoperative angiography showed the kink accompanied by significant stenosis, and late angiography revealed regression of stenosis at the kink site. Immediate intervention is not always necessary even when the kink, accompanied by significant stenosis was observed on early postoperative angiography.

A ruptured aneurysm in persistent sciatic artery: a case report.

Persistent sciatic artery (PSA) is a rare congenital anomaly, but in many cases it is a clinically important condition. PSA is susceptible to atherosclerotic degeneration, resulting in aneurysmal dilatation, occlusive thrombosis, or thromboembolization. PSA aneurysm is associated with distal embolization, sciatic neuropathy, or rupture. We describe a case of a patient with a ruptured PSA aneurysm treated by exclusion of the aneurysm and bypass between the common iliac artery and the PSA distal to the aneurysm, and discuss treatment of PSA aneurysm.