[Devising a Technique for Distal Anastomosis During Total Arch Replacement Using the Frozen Elephant Trunk Technique:Delayed Deployment Technique].

Frozen elephant trunk( FET) technique is an effective procedure used to repair aortic arch aneurysm and aortic dissection. We modified FET technique in order to reduce bleeding, which we named "delayed deployment technique." This procedure is performed in the following manner: 1. A tube graft is anastomosed to the proximal descending aorta using open distal method. 2. A FET is deployed within the tube graft and the descending aorta. 3. Proximal end of the inner FET and the outer tube graft is trimmed at the same position. 4. A four-branched graft is anastomosed to doubly layered distal grafts. Since the FET is directly connected to the arch graft, anastomotic site in the proximal descending aorta can be free from direct blood flow. In addition, stent portion of the FET supports the aortic anastomosis from inside. We believe this method is useful for hemostasis.

Treatment Strategy of Endovascular versus Open Repair for Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Based on the Fitzgerald Classification.

BACKGROUND: The Fitzgerald classification expresses the extension of hematoma from the ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) and is related to a patient's preoperative status. The objective of this study was to propose a new decision-making method for emergency surgeries, endovascular aortic repair (EVAR), or open repair (OR) for rAAA based on the Fitzgerald classification using preoperative computed tomography images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter observational study was performed with a questionnaire survey of rAAA from August 2010 to July 2015 in Hokkaido, Japan, and sent to 20 institutions participating in the Hokkaido Society of Aortic Stent Graft. We included 205 patients who could be stratified by the Fitzgerald classification as the subjects of this study. We categorized these patients into Fitzgerald classes I and II (first category, n = 72) and classes III and IV (second category, n = 133). The short-term results of both EVAR and OR cases were examined in the 2 categories. RESULTS: In the first category, patients in the EVAR group were older than those in the OR group. Nonetheless, the in-hospital mortality rate was lower in the EVAR group than in the OR group (0% vs. 18%; P = 0.019). In the second category, there was no difference in preoperative factors between the groups. The EVAR group showed a higher incidence rate of postoperative abdominal compartment syndrome than the OR group (12% vs. 2%; P = 0.042). The in-hospital mortality rate was comparable between the groups (24% vs. 25%; P = 0.80). Although there were no deaths in the EVAR group without preoperative shock, in-hospital mortality in the EVAR group of the second category with shock was 41% (vs. 28% in the OR group; P = 0.27). Furthermore, mortality in the EVAR group with Fitzgerald class IV was 100% (vs. 29% in the OR group; P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: EVAR is recommended in Fitzgerald class I or II and also in Fitzgerald class III or IV without shock because the results of EVAR were better than those of OR. Because all patients who underwent EVAR died in Fitzgerald class IV, OR would be beneficial in this patient population.

A surgical case of aortic stenosis with recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding: Heyde syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: The combination of aortic stenosis, acquired coagulopathy, and anemia due to gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is described as Heyde syndrome. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a surgical case of a 77-year-old man who was admitted because of melena and exertional chest compression. GI endoscopy could not reveal the origin of the GI bleeding. Conservative therapy including fasting and transfusion improved the anemia. Echocardiography demonstrated severe aortic stenosis (AS) with a hypertrophied left ventricle. Hematologic examination by gel electrophoresis showed deficiency of high-molecular-weight multimers of von Willebrand factor (vWF), resulting in the diagnosis of Heyde syndrome. He electively underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) with a bioprosthesis using standard cardiopulmonary bypass. In the perioperative period, the patient had no recurrent anemia. He was discharged without subjective symptoms on postoperative day 18. The 20-month follow-up was unremarkable, with no episode of recurrent GI bleeding. DISCUSSION: Heyde syndrome is associated with acquired von Willebrand disease type IIA and AS. The true characteristic of von Willebrand disease type IIA is hemorrhagic diathesis caused by deficiency of high-molecular-weight multimers of vWF. Under the influence of high shear stress caused by AS, vWF is stretched and easily cleaved by vWF-cleaving protease. Consequently, it causes deficiency of high-molecular-weight multimers of vWF and primary hemostasis impairment. Therefore, the most effective treatment for Heyde syndrome is correction of AS. AVR can improve not only the hemodynamic status but also coagulopathy. CONCLUSION: The differential diagnosis of patients with recurrent GI bleeding with concurrent systolic murmur should include Heyde syndrome.

A surgical case of inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm that responded remarkably to preoperative steroid therapy.

We describe the surgical management of a 58-year-old man with inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm (IAAA) following treatment with preoperative steroids. The patient was transferred to our institution for abdominal pain and fever. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm surrounded by dense perianeurysmal fibrous tissue. Under a diagnosis of IAAA, steroid therapy with prednisolone was initiated to control the perianeurysmal inflammation. It continued for 3 weeks with a decreasing dose schedule, with remarkable decrease in the soft tissue mass. The patient underwent elective surgery 21 days after commencing steroid therapy. During surgery, adjacent organs were adherent to the aneurysmal wall, but fibrotic change to the retroperitoneum was very limited. He recovered uneventfully, and was discharged on postoperative Day 10. Therefore, it can be concluded that preoperative steroid therapy could minimize the operative risk for IAAAs, and improve surgical outcome.

Coil embolization of symptomatic persistent sciatic artery aneurysm: a case report.

Persistent sciatic artery is a rare congenital vascular anomaly of the lower extremity. This artery is predisposed to atherosclerosis or aneurysm formation. Persistent sciatic artery aneurysm often causes limb-threatening ischemia owing to its thrombosis or its mural thrombus. We report a case of successful transcatheter coil embolization for persistent sciatic artery aneurysm. An 89-year-old woman presented to our hospital, suffering from severe ischemia of the right leg and a pulsatile mass in the right buttock. Angiography and enhanced computed tomography revealed right persistent sciatic artery aneurysm with mural thrombus and complete occlusion of the distal end. After she underwent major amputation because of the advanced ischemia following unsuccessful thrombectomy, we performed coil embolization for the aneurysm successfully. Endovascular treatment including transcatheter embolization for persistent sciatic artery aneurysm is safe, effective, and less invasive than surgery. Its application gives various therapeutic options for the treatment of persistent sciatic artery aneurysm.

Cardiopulmonary bypass influences the plasma levels of calcitonin gene-related peptides in dogs: effects of hemofiltration and hemodilution.

Calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRP), which are potent vasodilators, are elevated during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in humans. We evaluated the plasma levels of CGRP in dogs during CPB with hemofiltration with and without hemodilution. Female beagles were divided into control (n=5) and hemodilution (n=5) groups. The CPB with hemofiltration was performed with or without hemodilution. For the measurement of CGRP, blood samples were collected pre-CPB, during CPB, and post-CPB. The concentrations of CGRP in the hemofiltration solution were measured. Although the CPB elevated the plasma CGRP levels in both groups, its elevation was significant in the hemodilution group when compared to the pre-CPB levels. CGRP levels returned to normal post-CPB. Significant differences were found between the two groups in the CGRP amount in hemofiltration. The results show that hemofiltration should be used during CPB to decrease the plasma levels of CGRP.

Long-term outcome after resection of non-small cell lung carcinoma complicated by pneumoconiosis.

PURPOSE: Lung cancer resection in patients with respiratory complications is associated with a high surgical risk and the operative indications are usually serious. Consequently, the long-term results are unclear. We aimed to clarify the validity of surgery for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients with pneumoconiosis. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical and pathological data of 122 patients undergoing resection of NSCLC with pneumoconiosis (n = 34: group A) or without pneumoconiosis (n = 88: group B) to assess treatment outcomes and prognostic factors. RESULTS: Among the treatment factors, intraoperative blood loss was significantly greater in group A (723.2 +/- 647.3 ml) than in group B (466.4 +/- 450.7 ml) (P = 0.0067), although the operative times (207 +/- 103.4 min vs 196.1 +/- 53.5 min, respectively) and postoperative drainage period (8.3 +/- 4.2 days vs 8.5 +/- 5.7 days, respectively) did not differ significantly between the two groups (P = 0.9466 and P = 0.6355, respectively). Among the postoperative complications, the incidence of hemorrhage was significantly higher in group A (29.4%) than in group B (7.9%) (P = 0.0022). The 5-year survival rates did not differ significantly between the two groups, (45.9% and 55.7% for groups A and B respectively) (P = 0.9424). CONCLUSIONS: The coexistence of pneumoconiosis does not adversely affect postoperative survival or the treatment of NSCLC, although it is associated with increased intraoperative blood loss and postoperative hemorrhage. Thus, if precautions are taken to minimize hemorrhage, surgery cannot be excluded as a treatment option for NSCLC in patients with pneumoconiosis.

Experimental studies on artificial blood usage for hemodilution during cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND: Although hemodilution is usually utilized during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), hemodilution can cause adverse effects such as hypotension and hypoxia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a novel perfluoro-octyl bromide (PFOB) emulsion, one of perfluorochemicals (PFCs) emulsions, administered during hemodilution CPB. METHODS: Fifteen dogs were subjected to CPB for 2 hours under mild hypothermia. Animals were divided into three groups; control group, hemodilution group and PFOB group. During the experiment, hemodynamics, complete blood count and blood chemistry were monitored. In addition, serum complement titer (CH50), bradykinin and histamine concentrations were also measured. RESULTS: Heart rate (HR) was markedly elevated in the hemodilution groups (p<0.05). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) did not change in the three groups. White blood cell (WBC) and platelet (PLT) count did not significantly differ among the three groups. Plasma lactate concentration was markedly elevated only in hemodilution group during late phase of CPB (p<0.05). In the hemodilution group, CH50, bradykinin and histamine, were markedly elevated during the CPB and just after CPB (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated possible benefits of the new PFC emulsion during cardiac surgery by counteracting the adverse effects of hemodilution during CPB.

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in a patient with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria has not been described in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. A 65-year-old man who underwent percutaneous coronary stenting to the proximal left anterior descending artery for unstable angina was readmitted to our hospital complaining of recurrent chest pains. A coronary angiography revealed in-stent restenosis and new lesions of the distal left anterior descending artery as well as the left circumflex artery branch. He was found to have paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria which contributes to serious surgical complications including infection, bleeding, hemolysis and acute renal failure. After pancytopenia was treated with administration of granulocyte colony stimulating factor and transfusion of the washed red blood cells preoperatively, off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting was performed. Cardiopulmonary bypass was avoided in order to reduce activation of complements. His postoperative course was uneventful. Combination of appropriate perioperative management and off-pump cardiac surgery yielded an effective result in treating this patient without major complications.

Quantitative gated myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography improves the prediction of regional functional recovery in akinetic areas after coronary bypass surgery: useful tool for evaluation of myocardial viability.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of myocardial viability in akinetic areas is essential in surgery for ischemic heart disease, including coronary artery bypass grafting and left ventriculoplasty. The aim of this study is to evaluate the utility of quantitative indices of perfusion uptake, wall motion, and wall thickening of each region calculated by quantitative electrocardiogram-gated single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for prediction of functional recovery after coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: Forty patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting were prospectively included. Electrocardiogram-gated SPECT was performed before and 1 week and 3 months after operation, and coronary angiography was performed before and after operation. The myocardium was divided into 9 segments and myocardial viability, assessed by improvement of the wall motion score using a cine mode display, and evaluated by radionuclide criteria (perfusion uptake, wall motion, wall thickening). Twenty-four segments with moderate hypokinesis and 14 segments with akinesis with patent grafts were assessed. RESULTS: All segments with moderate hypokinesis except 1 (96%) had improved wall motion scores postoperatively, whereas of 14 segments with akinesis only 7 segments (50%) had improved wall motion scores. The preoperative perfusion uptake in the improved segments was significantly higher than in the nonimproved segments (62.7% +/- 15.6% vs 46.4% +/- 24.5%, P =.01). There was a significant difference in wall motion between the improved and nonimproved segments (3.8 +/- 2.2 mm vs 1.4 +/- 1.4 mm, P =.001), and the preoperative wall thickening of the improved segments was significantly higher than in the nonimproved segments (27.2% +/- 14.1% vs 8.2% +/- 10.3%, P <.0001). The optimal cutoff level of perfusion uptake was 50%, with the highest accuracy of 72%, and the optimal cutoff levels of wall thickening and wall motion were 10% and 1.5 mm, with the highest accuracies of 76% and 85%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The regional functional index calculated by electrocardiogram-gated SPECT indicated that wall thickening was well correlated with functional recovery compared with wall motion or perfusion uptake. This suggests that the wall thickening calculated by electrocardiogram-gated SPECT may be more useful to predict functional recovery than regional myocardial perfusion. Or, it could suggest that in addition to perfusion uptake, wall thickening could enhance the objective assessment of myocardial viability.