Effect of constipation on readmission for heart failure in patients with acute heart failure.

AIMS: Constipation is a common gastrointestinal disorder that is associated with a high cardiovascular event rate in the general population. Although constipation is common in patients with cardiovascular diseases, only a few studies have examined the relationship between constipation and the prognosis of patients with heart failure. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of constipation on the prognosis of patients with acute heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: We investigated 397 patients admitted to our hospital from December 2020 to December 2022 with acute heart failure (mean age, 81 ± 13 years; 54% men). Patients with constipation were defined as those either taking laxatives regularly or diagnosed with constipation according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. During the follow-up periods (median, 173 days), 35 patients died, and 74 experienced readmission due to heart failure. Kaplan-Meier analysis before and after propensity score matching using 14 variables revealed that the risk of readmission due to heart failure was significantly higher in patients with constipation than in those without (before: log-rank P = 0.014, after: log-rank P = 0.0027). The adjusted Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed that the hazard ratio for readmission due to heart failure was 2.61 (95% confidence interval, 1.38-4.94, P = 0.0032). The risk of all-cause death was not significantly different between the two groups (hazard ratio, 1.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.61-5.06; P = 0.30). CONCLUSIONS: Constipation status was strongly associated with a higher risk of readmission for heart failure in patients with acute heart failure.

[Lactic Acidosis after Cardiac Surgery Treated by Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in a Patient on Metformin;Report of a Case].

Lactic acidosis is a common condition observed in a patient after cardiac surgery. It is important to identify the pathogenesis of lactic acidosis since the delay of an appropriate treatment leads to high mortality. Metformin overdose has been known as a risk of lactic acidosis, and previous reports have demonstrated that continuous renal replacement therapy(CRRT) is effective. However, it has yet to be known if metformin-related lactic acidosis after cardiac surgery is treatable with CRRT. We, herein, report a case of 64-year-old diabetic male who had been on metformin treatment until 1 day before surgery. He presented lactic acidosis postoperatively and was successfully treated with CRRT. This case suggests that it is necessary to discontinue metformin no later than 2 days before surgery and that CRRT is of use for perioperative lactic acidosis in a patient on metformin.

[Surgical Treatment of Giant Coronary Artery Aneurysm Presented as Acute Coronary Syndrome].

Coronary artery aneurysm is rare disease, usually asymptomatic and is often found by chance by echocardiography, computed tomography(CT) and coronary angiography. However, its rupture or thrombotic obstruction to the periphery of the coronary artery leads to cardiac tamponade, angina pectoris, or myocardial infarction. We describe 2 cases of giant coronary artery aneurysm presented as acute coronary syndrome. Surgical resection of the aneurysm and coronary artery bypass grafting were successfully carried out under cardiopulmonary bypass. Postoperative courses of both cases were uneventful, and the patients were free of symptoms.

[Traumatic type A dissection with acute pericarditis 6 weeks after blunt trauma; report of a case].

A 38-year-old man presented with typical symptom of acute pericarditis and chronic cardiac tamponade 6 weeks after blunt trauma. Follow-up computed tomography after 2 weeks revealed a localized dissection at the proximal part of the ascending aorta. This is a rare case of chronic Stanford type A aortic dissection after blunt trauma, a diagnosis of which was established later with consistent suspicion and repeated examination by computed tomography.

[Coronary artery spasm induced by neuroleptic malignant syndrome during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting; report of a case].

A 61-year-old woman with a left main lesion and coronary spastic angina was scheduled for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). She had been orally receiving selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor( SSRI) for the treatment of depression. OPCAB to left anterior discending artery( LAD) and left circumflex branch (LCX) was performed using the bilateral internal thoracic arteries assisted by intra-aortic balloon pumping. When the sternotomy was going to be closed, ST elevation of electrocardiogram (ECG) occurred and was followed by complete atrio-ventricular (AV) block. After returning to intensive care unit (ICU), the patient showed rapid elevation of the body temperature, excessive sweating, progressive metabolic acidosis, and abnormal high levels in white blood cell count and creatine phosphokinase. On suspicion of neuroleptic malignant syndrome(NMS) onset, dantrolene sodium hydrate was administered, resulting in marked improvement of the symptoms. We have concluded that this case was an NMS combined with coronary artery spasm during OPCAB treated successfully with dantrolene sodium hydrate.

Axillary artery cannulation improves operative results for acute type a aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to identify preoperative and postoperative predictors of hospital death of patients with acute type A aortic dissection. METHODS: Between May 1,1992, and July 31, 2004, 106 consecutive patients (59 male and 47 female, mean age 62.2 +/- 12.1 years) with acute type A aortic dissection underwent surgery with open technique and cerebral protection by antegrade selective cerebral perfusion. The external iliac artery or femoral artery alone was used for arterial cannulation in 37 patients; however, the right axillary artery was cannulated in 69 patients. Univariate analysis of potential risk factors was performed to identify risk factors for hospital death and was followed by multivariate analysis by a stepwise logistic regression model to identify independent risk factors. RESULTS: Sixteen patients died postoperatively, and the overall hospital mortality rate was 15.1%. Univariate analysis revealed shock (p = 0.020), visceral ischemia (p = 0.007), root replacement (p = 0.041), and absence of axillary artery perfusion (p = 0.003) as significant risk factors for hospital death. Multivariate analysis revealed visceral ischemia (p = 0.0028, odds ratio 18.4) and absence of axillary artery perfusion (p = 0.0014, odds ratio 8.2) as independent preoperative and intraoperative predictors of hospital death. CONCLUSIONS: Achievement of greater success in the surgical treatment of acute type A dissection will require axillary artery cannulation and measures to prevent visceral malperfusion.

Anterior spinal artery syndrome after minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting under general combined epidural anesthesia.

A 65-year-old patient with ischemic heart disease and severe diabetes mellitus underwent minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting under general combined with epidural anesthesia. Paraplegia developed after surgery and the diagnosis of anterior spinal artery syndrome was made based on the patient's neurological condition and magnetic resonance imaging findings. Paraplegia following epidural anesthesia is a rare but recognized complication and this complication should be taken into account, especially in patients at risk, when considering epidural analgesia techniques in the minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

A successful management of concomitant renovascular hypertension and symptomatic subclavian steal syndrome due to Takayasu's arteritis using balloon angioplasty and axillo-axillary bypass grafting.

We present a case of Takayasu's arteritis with severe renovascular hypertension and symptomatic subclavian steal syndrome. A 60-year-old woman underwent successful percutaneous balloon renal angioplasty and axillo-axillary bypass grafting. The role of hybrid therapy, angioplasty and extra-anatomical bypass grafting for revascularization of symptomatic ischemia in this disease is reviewed. (Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2003: 9; 334-6)

Acute mitral regurgitation due to total rupture in the anterior papillary muscle after acute myocardial infarction successfully treated by emergency surgery.

A 68-year-old female was admitted for sudden onset of chest pain. She received a successful percutaneus coronary intervension for total occlusion in the diagonal artery, but continued to develop progressive heart failure. A chest X-ray showed right pulmonary edema without cardiomegaly, and an echocardiogram revealed massive mitral regurgitation with prolapse in the anterior mitral leaflet due to a rupture in the papillary muscle. An emergency operation was conducted using routine cardiopulmonary bypass. There was complete rupture in the anterior papillary muscle. Mitral valve replacement with posterior mitral leaflet preservation was performed using a size 25 mm Carbomedics prosthetic valve. The postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged on postoperative day 29 in New York Heart Association class I. Postoperative pathological findings showed necrosis in the papillary muscle with inflammatory changes. Early diagnosis, prompt medical stabilization, and aggressive surgical intervention are essential to save such a group of patient.