Coronary artery surgery results 2005 in Japan.

This report is focused on the status and outcome of coronary artery surgery performed in Japan, from January 1 to December 31, 2005. A total of 12,207 cases underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), as an isolated or concomitant procedure. Isolated CABG was performed in 9,827 patients. The operative mortality for patients who underwent isolated CABG was 1.91% in 2005. The mortality for initial elective CABG was 0.89%. These are the most improved results obtained since annual surveys started over 30 years ago. Since 1996 the number of off-pump CABG (OPCAB) cases increased year after year. This less-invasive procedure was performed on 4,936 patients in 2005, which is 61.0% the of total number of CABG cases. Mortality improved after complete OPCAB to 0.60%, which is the lowest rate since this procedure has been introduced. More than half (50.6%) of 4 and/or more grafting patients underwent OPCAB, which is higher rate than that (49.7%) in 2004. The percentage of elderly patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery is rising every year. In 2005, 46.5% of patients were aged 70 years or older and 7.8% were aged 80 years or older. The utilization rate of arterial grafts was 70%.

Child with fulminant myocarditis survived by ECMO Support--report of a child case.

A 6-year-old girl had cold-like symptoms. Administration of antibiotics did not improve the symptoms, and the patient had chronic chest pain. Electrocardiogram (ECG) demonstrated ventricular tachycardia (VT) and cardiac enzyme levels were increased. Mexiletine and olprinone were continuously administered, but slow VT and III degrees A-V block repeatedly occurred. Pulse therapy using methyl prednisolone was performed, but hemodynamics did not improve. Ejection fraction (EF) decreased to 20%, and metabolic acidosis occurred. Extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was applied 24 hours after admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). To apply ECMO, a median sternotomy was performed. An in-flow cannula (15 Fr) was inserted into the ascending aorta and an out-flow cannula (19 Fr) was inserted into the right atrium. After returning to the ICU, blood pressure (BP) were stable, and urine volume was maintained at about 100 ml/h. Methyl prednisolone and gamma-globulin were administered during circulatory assisted period. About 24 hours later, sinus rhythm was obtained, and weaning was started after improvement of the EF. BP was maintained at 100 mmHg with low dose catecholamine, which was weaned off 42 hours after commencement. Hemodynamics after this remained stable. EF improved to 54.2%. An ECG demonstrated right bundle branch block (RBBB) at the sinus rhythm. Severe inflammatory changes were pathologically observed, and we diagnosed myocarditis. The patient was discharged from the hospital on 43 days post admission, and currently attends school.

40 Years experience in mitral valve replacement using Starr-Edwards, St. Jude Medical and ATS valves.

BACKGROUND: We have used the Starr-Edwards ball (S-E) valve since 1963, the St. Jude Medical (SJM) valve since 1978, and the ATS valve, since 1993 as the first choice of mechanical valve. In this study, the results with each valve during the 40 years were investigated in single mitral valve replacement (MVR) cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The mean age for S-E valves was 32.8+/-11.1 years old (y.o.), for SJM it was 47.2+/-12.6 y.o. and for ATS it was 56.3+/-11.4 y.o., indicating the aging of patients over time. The operative mortality decreased over the same time from 10.3% to 5.2% then 1.4% respectively. A significant difference was observed among the 3 groups with regards to the valve-related complication-free rate and cardiac event-free rate. However, there was no significant difference among the 3 groups with the other complications. CONCLUSION: Although there are many cases of valve-related complications with S-E valves, they have a role as an initial stage mechanical valve. In view of the long-term results extending over 20 years, the SJM valves is considered as the most reliable valve. The ATS valve is expected to achieve favorable results in the future because it may improve the quality of life (QOL) of patients and produce fewer valve-related complications.

Efficacy of continuous low-dose human atrial natriuretic peptide given from the beginning of cardiopulmonary bypass for thoracic aortic surgery.

PURPOSE: Cardiac surgery performed under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) causes abnormalities of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, resulting in decreased urine output and an accumulation of water in the third space. We studied the efficacy of continuous low-dose human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP) in patients undergoing thoracic aortic surgery. METHODS: We divided 40 patients undergoing thoracic aortic surgery into two groups: the hANP group, which received 0.02 microg/kg per minute of hANP and the non-hANP group, which did not. The hemodynamics, urine output, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay, bleeding volume, homologous blood transfusion volume, furosemide dose, corrected KCl volume, and postoperative respiratory, hepatic, and renal function were compared in the two groups. RESULTS: The urine output during CPB and from CPB weaning to return to ICU was significantly better in the hANP group. The bleeding volume, homologous blood transfusion volume, furosemide dose, and corrected KCl volume were all significantly less in the hANP group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the consensus that hANP exerts its diuretic effects to their full potential when administered continuously at low doses during thoracic aortic surgery. We found it to be effective for postoperative hemostasis and for preventing ischemic reperfusion injury.

Outcome of emergency conventional coronary surgery for acute coronary syndrome due to left main coronary disease.

BACKGROUND: Outcomes of emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) due to left main coronary (LMT) disease remain unclear. This study aimed to assess prognoses for patients undergoing emergency CABG for ACS due to LMT disease. METHODS: One hundred and four patients undergoing emergency CABG for ACS due to LMT disease were retrospectively reviewed. All patients had intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) support and underwent surgery within 48 hours after onset. We determined predictors for operative mortality and calculated cardiac event free, actuarial survival, and cumulative graft patency rates. RESULTS: We found that 9 patients (8.7%) developed pre-operative cardiogenic shock and 7 of them required percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS). Operative mortality affected 9 patients (8.7%). Cardiac event free rate and actuarial survival rate at 10 years were 80.7 and 75.4%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that pre-operative cardiogenic shock was the only predictor for operative mortality (p = 0.0146, odds 5.96). Cumulative graft patency rates for internal thoracic artery and saphenous vein (SVG) at 5 years were 92.6 and 72.4%, respectively. One year-graft patency rate for the radial artery (RA) was 100%. CONCLUSION: It is still very hard to treat patients with cardiogenic shock. We suggest that immediate percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with mechanical supports is required prior to CABG for survival of patients with left main shock syndrome.

A successfully operated case of prosthetic valve thrombosis during planned pregnancy.

The patient was a 29-year-old woman who, when she was an 8-year-old, had undergone atrial septal defect (ASD) closure and mitral valve replacement (MVR) using a Björk-Shiley valve (25 mm) for Lutembacher syndrome. Because of a planned pregnancy, warfarin had been replaced by heparin. During the 7th week of pregnancy, she was admitted to our hospital because of dyspnea. She was diagnosed with acute heart failure due to prosthetic valve thrombosis. Following termination of pregnancy, the mitral valve was replaced with an ATS valve (25 mm). She was discharged 10 days after surgery without complications.

The possibility of a veno-arterial bypass system using the Abiomed BVS 5000.

Effect of Abiomed BVS 5000 (Cardiovascular Inc., Danvers, MA, U.S.A) has been reported for mechanical assist circulation in cardiogenic shock. However, this pump is generally used as a ventricular assist device, not as a device for veno-arterial bypass. Therefore, we evaluated its effectiveness through an experiment. The left anterior descending branch of pigs' heart was ligated to prepare a model of acute myocardial infarction, and after the onset of cardiogenic shock, circulation was initially supported for 30 min using the BVS 5000, followed by support for another 30 min using a Gyro pump (Gyro, Kyocera, Inc., Kyoto, Japan). Subsequently, circulation was additionally supported for 30 min using both a Gyro and an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) (Tokai Medical Inc., Aichi, Japan) (Gyro + IABP). Circulation was supported in each group at 30-min intervals in the reversed order of assisted circulation. Although the mean aortic pressure, pump flow, and total flow were not significantly different among the three setups, the pulse pressure was 48.2 +/- 3.3, 12.2 +/- 2.2, and 29.9 +/- 3.8 mm Hg in Abiomed, Gyro, and Gyro + IABP, respectively. Although neither coronary arterial nor myocardial blood flow showed significant differences among the three setups, the renal arterial blood flow was significantly larger in BVS 5000 compared to the other two setups. In this study, we selected an alpha-cube (Platium Cube NCVC 6000, Edwards Research Medical Inc., Salt Lake City, UT, U.S.A.), which is considered as an oxygenator that produces minimum pressure loss. Therefore, the pulsatile flow we obtained with the Abiomed was maintained even after we started using the oxygenator. The pulsatile flow had positive effects on renal circulation and peripheral circulation.

Efficacy of a proton pump inhibitor given in the early postoperative period to relieve symptoms of hiatal hernia after open heart surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of a proton pump inhibitor, we retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent gastric fiberscopy (GFS) in the early phase after cardiac surgery. METHODS: The subjects were 103 patients who underwent GFS for poor appetite, gastric pain, heartburn, or hematemesis after cardiac surgery. We divided the patients into two groups: group I consisted of 49 patients who received an H2-receptor antagonist (ranitidine hydrochloride 300 mg/day), and group II consisted of 54 patients who received a proton pump inhibitor (PPI; sodium rabeprazole 10 mg/day) as prophylactic treatment. The incidence of upper gastrointestinal (GI) disease was compared in the two groups. RESULTS: Gastric fiberscopy confirmed that 82.5% of the patients had type I hiatal hernia. The incidences of gastric pain and heartburn were significantly higher in group I (12.2% and 83.7%) than in group II (0% and 37.0%). Moreover, gastric bleeding occurred in two patients from group I, one [corrected] of whom died of coagulopathy. The incidences of hemorrhagic gastritis, active ulcer, and reflux esophagitis were significantly higher in group I than in group II, at 22.4%, 22.4%, and 24.5% vs 1.9%, 0%, and 7.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Early postcardiotomy GFS confirmed a high incidence of type I hiatal hernia. However, the proton pump inhibitor given in the early postoperative period proved more effective than the H2-receptor antagonist for relieving GI symptoms and preventing upper GI disorders after cardiac surgery.

A case of aortic valve replacement with St. Jude Medical Regent valve (first implant in Japan).

The St. Jude Medical (SJM) Regent valve was developed as a new mechanical valve by improving the conventional SJM valve. The effective orifice area is wider than that of Hemodynamic Plus (HP) series. The efficacy of the new valve has been reported in Europe and the United States. On October 26, 2004, we first performed aortic valve replacement (AVR) with the SJM Regent valve for aortic valve stenosis in Japan. A 64-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with dyspnea on exertion. She was diagnosed with aortic valve stenosis. She underwent AVR with a 17 mm SJM Regent valve. According to the results of echocardiography conducted two months postoperatively, the peak pressure gradient of the prosthetic valve was 32.0 mmHg, the mean pressure gradient was 13.2 mmHg, and the effective orifice area index (EOAI) was 0.92 cm2/m2. Cinefluoroscopy showed the valve opening angle of 85 degrees indicating full opening. She was discharged 15 days after surgery without complications. As demonstrated by the present case, implantation of a 17 mm SJM Regent valve produced a satisfactory result reflected by lower pressure gradient and absence of patient-prosthetic mismatch. In the future, the new valve is expected to be the optimum mechanical valve for a narrow annulus.

Comparative study of harvest-site complications following coronary artery bypass grafting between the radial artery and the saphenous vein in identical patients.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the early outcome for complications associated with the radial artery harvest site, in comparison to using the saphenous vein, in patients harvested for both vessels. METHODS: During the last 2 years, 134 radial arteries were used in 133 patients, and the saphenous vein was also concomitantly used in 94 patients. We assessed the post-harvest forearm perception using a questionnaire that contained two statements regarding pain and numbness in those 94 patients. The incidences of the harvest-site hematoma and infection were also compared between both the arms and legs where the grafts were harvested. RESULTS: Numbness of the harvest site was indicated in 26.6% (radial artery) and 33.0% (saphenous vein), respectively (P = 0.4252). Hematoma was found in 6.4% and 12.8%, respectively (P = 0.2152). On the other hand, the incidences of pain and wound infection were significantly lower in the radial artery sites (pain: 1.1% vs 23.4%, P = 0.0002; infection: 2.1% vs 11.7%, P = 0.0182). CONCLUSIONS: Our early experience suggests that the use of the radial artery is safe and also demonstrates a lower incidence of harvest-site complications than saphenous vein harvesting in patients where both vessels are used as harvest sites.

Effects of pulsatile CPB on interleukin-8 and endothelin-1 levels.

Studies on pulsatile and nonpulsatile perfusion have long been performed. However, investigators have not reached a conclusion on which is more effective. In the present study, pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was investigated in terms of the effects on cytokines, endothelin, catecholamine, and pulmonary and renal functions. Twenty-four patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting were divided into a pulsatile CPB group and a nonpulsatile CPB group. Parameters examined were hemodynamics, interleukin-8 (IL-8), endothelin-1 (ET-1), epinephrine, norepinephrine, lactate, arterial ketone body ratio, urine volume, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, renin activity, angiotensin-II, lactate dehydrogenase, plasma-free hemoglobin, tracheal intubation time, and respiratory index. The IL-8 at 0.5, 3, and 6 h after CPB, and ET-1 at 3, 6, 9, and 18 h after CPB were significantly lower in the pulsatile group. Both epinephrine and norepinephrine were significantly lower in the pulsatile group. The respiratory index was significantly higher in the pulsatile group. In the present study, inhibitory effects on cytokine activity, edema in pulmonary alveoli, and endothelial damage were shown in addition to the favorable effects on catecholamine level, renal function, and peripheral circulation that have already been documented.

Valve dysfunction of the cloth-covered Starr-Edwards ball valve.

BACKGROUND: Between June 1968 and March 1977, Starr-Edwards cloth-covered ball valves were used for valve replacement on a routine basis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Among the 66 operative survivors who underwent an isolated aortic or mitral valve replacement, 20 patients required reoperation 22 times because of valve dysfunction, thromboembolic complication, paravalvular leakage, hemolytic anemia, and/or prosthetic valve endocarditis. Reoperation was performed at a mean of 15.9+/-9.8 years after initial replacement. Excised valves were examined and reoperation after initial operation was reviewed. Operative mortality was 10.0%. Freedom from reoperation for aortic valve replacement and mitral valve replacement was 56.2% at 34 years and 61.0% at 37 years after initial operation, respectively. Cloth wear or pannus formation were observed in all excised prostheses. Orifice cloth was more markedly worn in mitral valves than in aortic valves, particularly in mitral valves of more than 20 years old. Pannus overgrowth contributed to valve regurgitation in the older valves. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis of valve dysfunction and reoperation are recommended as soon as symptoms appear.

Reoperation for ascending aortic aneurysm, coronary ostial aneurysm and patent Cabrol trick after bentall operation for aortitis syndrome.

A 38-year-old woman who had undergone an original Bentall operation in December 1995 for annuloaortic ectasia associated with ulcerative colitis required reoperation for ascending aortic aneurysm, coronary ostial aneurysm, and patent Cabrol trick. The initial Bentall operation included aortic root replacement using a valved conduit and reconstruction of the coronary arteries. Both coronary ostia were directly anastomosed to the composite valved graft, which was wrapped with the dilated aortic wall, and a Cabrol trick was added at the same time. She underwent reoperation for a 60 mm ascending aortic aneurysm which had been used for wrapping at the initial operation. The findings at reoperation were a patent Cabrol trick, leakage from the distal anastomosis, aneurysm of both coronary ostia, and paravalvular leakage. The repairs included graft replacement, leaving the valvular prosthesis, reconstruction of both coronary arteries by the Piehler method and Carrel patch technique, repair of the paravalvular leakage, and closure of the Cabrol trick. Her postoperative course was uneventful, and the serum concentration of C-reactive protein remained within normal limits. Strict follow-up care is required to avoid further anastomotic dehiscence.

Long-term results of the cloth-covered Starr-Edwards ball valve.

BACKGROUND: Between June 1968 and March 1977, Starr-Edwards cloth-covered ball valves were exclusively implanted, in a total of 74 patients at our institution, on a routine basis. METHODS: The retrospective postoperative follow-up rate was 84.5%, for up to 36 years in mitral valve patients (982.5 patient-years); and 81.3%, for up to 34 years in aortic valve patients (282.0 patient-years). Among 66 operative survivors, 20 patients required reoperation due to valve-related complications. Mortality and morbidity after valve replacement was reviewed, and excised valves were examined. RESULTS: Survival rates after 10, 20, and 30 years were 74.6%, 64.1%, and 31.2%, respectively, after mitral valve replacement, and 62.5%, 50.0%, and 43.8%, respectively, after aortic valve replacement. Freedom from all valve-related complications, respectively after 10, 20, and 30 years, was 70.5%, 55.9%, and 46.4% after mitral valve replacement, and 56.2%, 37.5%, and 31.2% after aortic valve replacement. Cloth wear or pannus overgrowth was observed in all excised prostheses. Remarkable orifice tear was observed in mitral valves that were more than 20 years old. Pannus overgrowth on the studs contributed to prosthetic regurgitation in the older valves. Concomitant valve procedures were frequently required for valve-related complications or other aggravated valve lesions in the mitral position during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis of valve dysfunction and the decision to reoperate are important to improve the long-term results for surviving patients who have received a cloth-covered Starr-Edwards valve, especially in the mitral position.

Determining the best procedure for radial artery harvest: prospective randomized trial for early postharvest complications.

OBJECTIVE: Although useful procedures for radial artery harvest have been reported, forearm circulation and collateral perfusion after radial artery harvesting remain unknown. To assess an optimal radial artery harvest technique for forearm circulation, we designed a prospective randomized trial. METHODS: Ninety patients were divided into 3 groups of 30 patients. Electrocautery, an ultrasonic scalpel, or sharp scissors and hemoclips were used to harvest radial arteries in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The incidences of harvest site pain, numbness, swelling, discomfort, hematoma, and infection were compared. With forearm thermography, recovery times from cooled down 5 degrees back to rest temperature were compared between groups. All patients had postoperative forearm angiography at 1 and 12 months. RESULTS: Although there were no differences in the incidences of pain, swelling, and discomfort, the incidence of numbness was significantly lower in group 3 (P = .003). The temperature recovery time was significantly shorter in group 3 (P = .0009). On postoperative angiography at 1 month, the incidence of the development of interosseous arteries was significantly higher in group 3 (86.7%) than in groups 1 (23.3%) and 2 (36.7%). The 12-month study, however, showed that there was no difference among groups (73.3%, 80.0%, and 93.3% in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that sharp dissection with scissors and clips may be better for early postharvest forearm circulation and can decrease the incidence of hand numbness. However, there were no differences among the 3 methods with respect to forearm circulation 12 months after radial artery harvest.

Surgical results in acute type A aortic dissection.

Currently international registry data present the patient mortality with acute type A aortic dissection managed non-surgically to be 58%, and managed surgically to be 26%. Many articles consistently report the hospital mortality exceeding 20% in western countries. Many factors, such as cardiac tamponade and dissection-related organ malperfusion, contribute to hospital mortality and morbidity. In Japan, the number of patients enrolled in the annual reports has been increasing and the surgical results have been improving year by year. In-hospital mortality has decreased to less than 20% since 1999. Since the beginning of our aortic program, a total of 98 patients underwent emergency operations, and the operative mortality and in-hospital mortality were 5.1% and 6.1%, respectively. In a recent series since 2001, the operative and in-hospital mortalities were remarkably low; 2.8% and 3.2% respectively. We were able to benefit greatly by various innovative technologies which include open distal anastomosis using hypothermic circulatory arrest with antegrade cerebral perfusion, gelatin-resorcin-formaldehyde (GRF) glue, branched presealed Dacron graft, and antegrade arterial perfusion. Our tear-oriented surgery could be justified in many patients in order to improve the surgical results. In patients with preoperative organ malperfusion, it is still challenging to improve the mortality and morbidity.

Surgical treatment for innominate artery aneurysm with a coronary pulmonary artery fistula: a case report.

A 50-year-old woman complained of hoarseness and chest X-ray demonstrated a widening of the superior mediastinum. Computed tomography scanning and aortography demonstrated aneurysmal dilatation at the innominate artery. Coronary arteriography showed a coronary pulmonary artery fistula originating from the left anterior descending artery. The surgical procedure was prosthetic bifurcated bypass grafting from the ascending aorta to the right common carotid artery and right subclavian artery. During the period of innominate artery occlusion, the patient was cooled to 25 degrees C with selective cerebroperfusion and circulatory arrest. Pathologic diagnosis of the specimen was that of a true aneurysm with atherosclerotic plaque and calcification. The coronary pulmonary artery fistula was closed inside the pulmonary artery. There were no signs of neurologic deficit noted. Innominate artery aneurysm is uncommon and the surgical approach varies in each case. A coronary artery fistula is also an uncommon congenital malformation but has been recognized more often with the improvement in diagnostic techniques such as selective coronary arteriography. We performed successful surgical treatment for a rare case of innominate artery aneurysm with a coronary pulmonary artery fistula.

Prospective randomized trial for optimal prophylactic treatment of the upper gastrointestinal complications after open heart surgery.

BACKGROUND: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a lethal complication after open heart surgery. We designed a prospective randomized trial to test the efficacy of different antisecretory agents to prevent upper gastrointestinal disease after operation. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 210 patients were divided into 3 groups: group I had 70 patients who had mucosal protection (teprenone 150 mg/day), group II had 70 patients who had histamine2-receptor antagonist (ranitidine 300 mg/day), and group III included 70 patients who had a proton pump inhibitor (rabeprazole 10 mg/day). Gastric fiberscopy was used in all patients postoperatively during days 5 to 7. We compared the 3 groups in terms of endoscopic findings. Four patients (5.7%) had gastric bleeding complications in each of groups I and II; 2 died of coagulopathy. In group III no patients had gastric bleeding. The incidence of hemorrhagic gastritis was significantly higher in groups I (22.9%) and II (15.7%) than in III (2.9%) (p=0.0003). The incidence of active ulcers was also significantly higher in groups I (28.6%) and II (21.4%) than in III (4.3%) (p=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Early medication postoperative by a proton pump inhibitor was shown to be the most effective treatment and indeed might be described as mandatory to prevent upper gastrointestinal diseases after open heart surgery.

A case of transient bioprosthetic valve regurgitation and hemolysis devoloping early after surgery using Carpentier-Edwards valve.

The Carpentier-Edwards pericardial bioprosthesis has been markedly improved in the long-term results and valve-related complications including valve dysfunction, compared to the previous generation bioprosthesis. We report a patient in whom transient prosthetic valve regurgitation and hemolysis occurred early after mitral valve replacement using a Carpentier-Edwards pericardial bioprosthesis and were resolved by preservative therapy. The patient was a 77-year-old female diagnosed with severe mitral valve stenosis and insufficiency. She underwent mitral valve replacement with a Carpentier-Edwards pericardial bioprosthesis. Opening and closing of the three leaflets looked good on intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The only prosthetic valve regurgitation was evident at the central region where the leaflets form coaptation, and no abnormal findings were seen. Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was decreased to 405 U/l after surgery. However, LDH again began to increase on the 3rd day after surgery and it increased to 1,830 U/l on the 14th day after surgery. Hemolytic urine was detected on 10th day after surgery. PVL was not detected, but moderate abnormal regurgitation from the outside of the stent pocket was detected on TEE. Revision of valve replacement was considered, but LDH thereafter to 393 U/l on 41st day after surgery. The TEE was repeated, and only a trace of central jet was detected without abnormal regurgitation, unlike the previous examination. The patient did not develop any complications thereafter and was discharged on 47th day after surgery. LDH was nearly normal at the time of discharge.