Impact of valvuloarterial impedance on left ventricular reverse remodeling after aortic valve neocuspidization.

BACKGROUND: Aortic valve neocuspidization (AVNeo) has emerged as a promising aortic valve procedure, and is expected to have a larger effective orifice area (EOA) than commercially available bioprostheses. It is, however, unclear which indices could facilitate left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling after AVNeo. The aim of this study is to verify the impact of global left ventricular afterload on the LV reverse remodeling following AVNeo. METHODS: Data-available consecutive 38 patients (median age, 77; interquartile range, 72.8-82.0) undergoing AVNeo for severe aortic stenosis were enrolled in this study. Preoperative and the last follow-up echocardiographic data were retrospectively analyzed including the valvuloarterial impedance (Zva), a marker of global LV afterload. Reduction in LV geometry index (LVGI) and relative wall thickness (RWT) were used as an indicator for LV reverse remodeling. RESULTS: The Zva reduced in 24 patients (63.2%) during the follow-up period (median, 12 months). Reduction in Zva significantly correlated to improvement of LV geometry (LVGI (r = 0.400, p = 0.013) and RWT (r = 0.627, p < 0.001)), whereas increase in EOA index did not significantly correlate to LVGI (r = 0.009, p = 0.957), or RWT (r = 0.105, p = 0.529)). The reduction in Zva was the multivariate predictor of LV reverse remodeling. CONCLUSIONS: Low global LV afterload led to significant LV reverse remodeling even after AVNeo, which could achieve better valve performance than the conventional bioprostheses.

Clinical Results 5 Years after Great Saphenous Vein Stripping.

Background: As a standard treatment for the varicose vein of the great saphenous vein (GSV) type, endovenous ablation (EVA) is the main approach. However, as a background to this, in Europe and the United States, neovascularization (Neo) following high ligation (HL) of the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) at the time of GSV stripping has been emphasized as one of the reasons for the high rate of recurrence. However, in Japan, almost no similar mid- or long-term results of GSV stripping have been reported. Patients and Methods: From September 2011 to March 2014 when EVA was not my surgical option, 413 consecutive legs of patients underwent GSV stripping by myself using the same procedure. The patients were contacted by phone 5 years later, and recurrent varices after surgery (REVAS) and reoperation (REDO) were investigated. A total of 270 legs of the 391 living cases (69%) underwent venous ultrasonography (VUS). HL of the SFJ was performed via central flash ligation with towing and pulling out of the peripheral side branches containing the accessory saphenous veins. In principle, GSV stripping was performed using the invagination method in the range of the entire reflux region from the HL cut section to the confluent section of the side branch causing branch varicose veins. The range of stripping was to the upper thigh in 3 legs, to the middle thigh in 3 legs, to the lower thigh in 7 legs, to the knee in 46 legs, to the upper calve in 83 legs, to the middle calve in 52 legs, and over the full length in 76 legs. Stab avulsion was performed as much as possible for the side-branch varices. On VUS, the SFJ's stump of GSV, the presence of side-branch remnants and their reflux, the presence or absence of Neo, and the recurrent lesions in other sites were evaluated. REVAS were classified as follows: Level 1, symptomatic recurrent lesion for which surgery is indicated; Level 2, asymptomatic recurrent lesion possibly requiring future surgery; and Level 3, asymptomatic recurrent lesion that is unlikely to require future surgery. Results: Of the 391 legs of patients who could be contacted, REDO was performed in 23 (6%), including 15 limbs, immediately after this investigation, and symptomatic REVAS were observed in 29 (7%). In 270 legs examined by VUS, REVAS were diagnosed as follows: 29 legs with Level 1 lesion, 40 legs with Level 2 lesion, and 27 legs with Level 3 lesion. Level 1 REVAS that occurred at the SFJ were observed only in 3 legs (1.1%), Level 1 REVAS due to incompetent perforating veins (IPVs) were observed in 14 legs (5%), and Level 1 solitary tributary varices were observed in 9 legs (3%). Conclusion: In this study, REVAS at the SFJ were significantly less than those in the past reports. It has been shown that REVAS due to IPVs or solitary tributary varices were more important than those at the SFJ. (This is a translation of Jpn J Phlebol 2019; 30(3): 259-265.).

[Lung cancer occurring in a left upper division which is mirror imaged to a right upper lobe].

A 55-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of an abnormal shadow in the left upper division on chest computed tomography(CT). Virtual bronchoscopy revealed a displaced anomalous bronchus. Thin sliced CT revealed complete lobulation between the upper division and the lingula. Three dimensional (3D)-CT revealed abnormal distribution of the left pulmonary artery which descended without passing over the left main bronchus. The left upper division was evaluated to be mirror imaged to a right upper lobe. Video assisted thoracoscopic left upper divisionectomy was performed. The tumor was diagnosed as adenocarcinoma( pT1aN0M0:p-stage I A).

Successful treatment for infected aortic aneurysm using endovascular aneurysm repairs as a bridge to delayed open surgery.

Management of infected aortic aneurysms, which can be life-threatening, remains challenging. Open surgical treatments, including debridement of the infected aorta and the surrounding tissue and either in situ reconstruction or extra-anatomic bypass covering with omentum or muscle flap, are the mainstay of therapy. However, increasing advances in technology have made endovascular treatment of infected aneurysms feasible. The present study describes the first clinical report of successful treatment of an infected aneurysm using endovascular techniques in the acute phase, followed by delayed open surgery.

[Successful surgical treatment for Stanford type A acute aortic dissection complicating a loss of consciousness; report of a case].

An 88-year-old man was transfered to our hospital due to loss of consciousness. Intravenous dopamine was initiated for a shock status and endotracheal intubation was performed. Computed tomography with contrast medium showed Stanford type A acute aortic dissection complicating cardiac tamponade. Because cardiac drainage was not effective, we performed an emergent operation. Intrapericardial cavity was filled with clotted blood. Prosthetic graft replacement of ascending aorta was performed successfully under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. His clinical course was uneventful and he was discharged on foot without any neurologic deficits.

[Coronary artery bypass grafting in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma and secondary antiphospholipid syndrome].

A 71-year-old patient with systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma and secondary antiphospholipid syndrome underwent coronary artery bypass grafting using cardiopulmonary bypass for angina pectoris. Postoperatively, new onset of thrombotic complications including neurological deficits was not recognized. She was discharged without any complications.

Mitral valve replacement via right thoracotomy approach for prevention of mediastinitis in a female patient with long-term uncontrolled diabetes mellitus: a case report.

A 76-year-old woman with a history of percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy and repeated hospital admissions due to heart failure was referred for an operation for severe mitral valve stenosis. She presented with hypertension, hyperlipidemia and cerebral infarction with stenosis of right internal carotid artery, retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy caused by long-term uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, hemoglobin A1c of 9.4%, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification of 3/4. Echocardiography revealed severe mitral valve stenosis with mitral valve area of 0.6 cm2, moderate tricuspid valve regurgitation, and dilatation of the left atrium. Taking into consideration the NYHA functional classification and severe mitral valve stenosis, an immediate surgical intervention designed to prevent mediastinitis was performed. The approach was via the right 4th thoracotomy, as conventional sternotomy would raise the risk of mediastinitis. Postoperative antibiotics were administered intravenously for 2 days, and signs of infection were not recognized.In patients with long-term uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, mid-line sternotomy can easily cause mediastinitis. The choice of operative approach plays an important role in preventing this complication. In this report, the importance of the conventional right thoracotomy for prevention for mediastinitis is reviewed.