[Infective Endocarditis Caused by Abiotrophia defectiva Required Double-valve Replacement Using the Manouguian Procedure].

A 39-year-old man was presented with infective endocarditis caused by Abiotrophia defectiva. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed extensive vegetation and destruction extending from the aortic valve to the aortic-mitral curtain and mitral valve accompanied by severe regurgitation of the aortic and mitral valves. After removal of vegetation, double-valve replacement were performed with double patch and mechanical prosthesis using the manouguian procedure.

[Longitudinal Direct Closure of Mitral Anterior Leaflet Large Perforation for Infective Endocarditis:Report of a Case].

A 65-year-old man was presented with infective endocarditis of mitral valve. Echocardiography revealed severe mitral regurgitation and moderate aortic regurgitation. The aortic regurgitant jet directed toward the mitral anterior leaflet, so thickening and perforation of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve were observed. In addition, Staphylococcus epidermidis was detected in blood culture. After infection control, aortic valve replacement and mitral valve repair was performed. A 17 mm diam-eter perforation of the anterior mitral leaflet were closed directly and longitudinally with 5-0 prolene polypropylene suture and mitral valve regurgitation was controlled. Primary closure was simple and effective for anterior mitral leaflet perforation.

Postoperative Dysphagia in Debranching Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair with Retroesophageal Carotid-Carotid Bypass.

A carotid-carotid bypass is commonly used in debranching thoracic endovascular aortic repair. When the bypass graft is placed in the retroesophageal position, the esophagus may be compressed by the graft from behind. Therefore, dysphagia may occur postoperatively as a serious complication. To avoid this issue, we recommend placing the bypass graft below the cricoid cartilage.

Perioperative anticoagulation management during aortic valve replacement complicated by antiphospholipid syndrome.

Patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) are at high-risk for thrombotic and bleeding complications during cardiopulmonary bypass. We report an APS patient who successfully underwent aortic valve replacement while heparin concentrations were monitored using a patient-specific titration curve using viscoelastic coagulation testing.

Left Ventricular Perforation during Catheter Ablation in a Patient with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura.

Preoperative gamma-globulin therapy was recently performed to prevent bleeding complications in a patient with concomitant idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura undergoing cardiac surgery. Here we report the case of a 75-year-old male patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, chronic aortic dissection, and funnel chest in whom a left ventricular perforation sustained during catheter ablation was repaired during emergent surgery. Despite preoperative gamma-globulin therapy not being performed, bleeding complications were prevented because platelets were preserved by avoidance of cardiopulmonary bypass use. Although the funnel chest made it difficult to secure the operative field, the deep pericardial sutures were effective in repairing the perforation without cardiopulmonary bypass.

Analysis of predictors of fever after aortic valve replacement: Diabetic patients are less likely to develop fever after aortic valve replacement, a single-centre retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative temperature dysregulation affects the length of hospital stay and prognosis. This study evaluated the factors that influence the occurrence of fever in patients after aortic valve replacement surgery. METHODS: Eighty-seven consecutive patients who underwent aortic valve replacement surgery were included. Patients' age, sex and body mass index; presence of diabetes mellitus; operation time; blood loss; blood transfusion volume; preoperative and postoperative laboratory findings; presence or absence of oral function management; and fever >38°C were retrospectively analysed through univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Among the variables, only diabetes mellitus status was significantly associated with fever ⩾38°C. Postoperatively, patients with diabetes mellitus were significantly less likely to develop fever above 38°C and a fever rising to 38°C. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the presence of comorbid diabetes mellitus decreases the frequency of developing fever >38°C after aortic valve replacement surgery.

Surgical removal of infected pacemaker leads without cardiopulmonary bypass after failed extraction using the Excimer Laser Sheath Extraction System.

With the growing number of cardiac pacemakers and internal cardioverter defibrillator implantations, problems with endocardial lead infection have been increasing. The newly developed Excimer Laser Sheath Lead Extraction System has been recognized as being highly useful for removing chronic infected leads. However, serious bleeding complications are a concern when this system is used. Here we report our experience with a 67-year-old man who was diagnosed with pacemaker endocarditis. Initially, lead removal was attempted using the Excimer Laser Sheath Extraction System, though this was abandoned because of severe adhesion of the leads and the junction of the supra vena cava (SVC) with the right atrium. Surgical removal of the leads was performed without using cardiopulmonary bypass and the leads were removed without any complications. During surgery, we found there was a silent perforation of the innominate vein brought about by the Excimer Laser Sheath System. Also, the junction of the SVC with the right atrium was thought to be an area potentially at high risk of perforation, because of a lack of surrounding tissue. It is our opinion that those who carry out procedures with the Excimer Laser Sheath System should understand the potential risk of perforation based on cardiac anatomy and should be prepared for lethal bleeding complications. Also, for emergent situations, we believe that close backup by a cardiovascular surgical team should be considered essential for performing the Excimer Laser Sheath Lead Extraction safely.

Surgical repair for rupture of a chronic traumatic thoracic aneurysm 14 years after injury: report of a case.

Traumatic thoracic aortic injury is a lethal condition. Because its mortality rate is extremely high in the acute phase, these patients rarely survive long enough for a chronic aneurysm to develop. We herein report a case of surgical repair for a ruptured chronic traumatic thoracic aneurysm. A 32-year-old man, who had been involved in a traffic accident 14 years earlier, was diagnosed with a rupture of a chronic traumatic thoracic aneurysm. Preoperative computed tomography showed that the ruptured aneurysm arose from the aortic isthmus and was accompanied by multiple daughter lesions. He underwent an aorta graft replacement with reconstruction of the left subclavian artery using both a median sternotomy and a left thoracotomy. The surgery was successful and the postoperative course was uneventful. Chronic traumatic thoracic aneurysm is usually a single lesion, and cases with daughter aneurysms have rarely been reported. We include a review of the previous literature and also discuss the etiology of this condition.

Experimental validation of left ventricular transmural strain gradient with echocardiographic two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging.

AIMS: To validate intramural strain measured by a speckle tracking imaging (STI) system against that measured by sonomicrometry crystals. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 11 anaesthetized sheep, six sets of three sonomicrometry crystals were implanted in endo-, mid-wall, and epimyocardium on the anterior and lateral walls. Circumferential strain (CS) was calculated at three layers from endo-, mid-wall, and epicardial speckle. Radial strain (RS) was assessed for inner and outer halves of the myocardium. We compared ultrasound-derived strain measurements against those by sonomicrometry at baseline and during pharmacological stress and coronary occlusion. Intraclass correlation coefficients at baseline and during coronary occlusion were as follows: endocardial CS 0.80, 0.97; mid-wall CS 0.58, 0.89; epicardial CS 0.71, 0.81; endocardial RS 0.50, 0.78; epicardial RS 0.35, 0.83; and total RS 0.33, 0.71; respectively. At baseline, endocardial strains were higher than mid-wall and epicardial strains, resulting in an inner/outer wall RS gradient and inner/mid/outer wall CS gradients. Ischaemia caused significant reduction in all strains and disappearance of the strain gradient. CONCLUSION: A newly developed STI system can accurately assess the intramural heterogeneity of CS distribution in normal and ischaemic myocardial segments and has the potential to become a non-invasive bedside tool for characterizing myocardial strain gradient.

Right atrial blood cyst in elderly patient: the timing of surgery.

A regular check up on a 59-year-old man showed a high carcinoembryonic antigen level in his blood. A computed tomography scan showed tumors in the right atrium. We performed tumor resection successfully. The resected specimen was found to be blood cysts that had developed from the right atrium to the inferior vena cava. Intracardiac blood cysts are generally observed in infants, spontaneously disappear during the first 6 months of life, and are located in the left side of heart and on atrioventricular valves. Therefore, this case is extremely rare. Also, it is worth considering the timing of this surgery.

Combined treatment for a large primary cardiac sarcoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) as a primary cardiac tumor is rare, with extremely poor prognosis owing to high recurrence and invasion. We encountered a patient who presented with a primary cardiac tumor incarcerating the mitral valve and who was in a shock state. CASE PRESENTATION: A 41-year-old man was transported emergently to our hospital owing to acute respiratory distress and hemoptysis. He was diagnosed with acute left heart failure caused by a large mass in the left atrium (LA) that obstructed cardiac blood flow, as revealed by imaging study findings, and he underwent an emergency open-heart surgery for tumor resection. He was pathologically diagnosed with UPS invading the muscle layer of the LA. However, after receiving combined therapy for local recurrence and distant metastasis, including proton beam radiotherapy and chemotherapy with molecularly targeted drugs, he could return to work for 2 more years after surgery. CONCLUSION: In this study, we reported the case of a patient who was in a state of shock state owing to the presence of UPS in the LA. The patient underwent an emergency surgery and received combined therapy. He survived for 2 more years after an initial diagnosis, without active local recurrence and distant metastasis.

Antithrombogenic properties of a monopivot magnetic suspension centrifugal pump for circulatory assist.

The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) monopivot magnetic suspension centrifugal pump (MC105) was developed for open-heart surgery and several weeks of circulatory assist. The monopivot centrifugal pump has a closed impeller of 50 mm in diameter, supported by a single pivot bearing, and is driven through a magnetic coupling to widen the fluid gap. Design parameters such as pivot length and tongue radius were determined through flow visualization experiments, and the effectiveness was verified in preliminary animal experiments. The maximum overall pump efficiency reached 18%, and the normalized index of hemolysis tested with bovine blood was as low as 0.0013 g/100 L. Animal experiments with MC105 were conducted in sheep for 3, 15, 29, and 35 days in a configuration of left ventricle bypass. No thrombus was formed around the pivot bearing except when the pump speed was reduced by 20% of normal operational speed, which reduced the pump flow by 40% to avoid inlet suction. Subsequently, the antithrombogenic design was verified in animal experiments for 5 weeks at a minimum rotational speed of greater than 1500 rpm and a minimum pump flow greater than 1.0 L/min; no thrombus formation was observed under these conditions.

Isolated and Combined Valve Surgery in Elderly Patients: A Comparison of Mid-Term Results.

BACKGROUND: This study examined mid-term outcomes of valve surgery in the elderly, and focused on the difference in outcomes between isolated and combined valve surgery. METHODS: From January 2012 to June 2016, 113 consecutive patients aged 75 years and older underwent valve surgery. In all, 60 underwent isolated valve surgery (Group I), and 53 underwent combined valve surgery (Group C) involving the combination of any valve procedures or valve surgery with concurrent other procedure. Short- and mid-term outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in length of intensive care unit stay (2.8 days in Group S vs. 4.2 days in Group C, p = 0.08), hospital stay (16.2 vs. 18.7 days, p = 0.22), and mechanical ventilation (11.2 vs. 15.0 hours, p = 0.28). Neither was there any significant difference in operative mortality (1.6% vs. 5.6%, p = 0.25) nor morbidity (8.3% vs. 9.4%, p = 0.83) between the two groups. Actuarial survival rates at 1 and 3 years were 98.3% in Group S and 92.0% in Group C (log-rank p = 0.126). CONCLUSION: Once patients have tolerated combined surgery during the early postoperative period, good survival rates equaling those of isolated valve surgery can be expected.

Right Ventricular Deformation Analyses Using a Three-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking Echocardiographic System Specialized for the Right Ventricle.

BACKGROUND: Given the complex morphologic nature of the right ventricle, three-dimensional (3D) approaches would be more appropriate for assessing right ventricular (RV) function than two-dimensional approaches. Thus, the investigators have developed a novel 3D speckle-tracking echocardiographic (STE) system specialized for the right ventricle. The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics of RV global and regional deformation as well as changes on stress tests using the 3D STE system in experimental studies. METHODS: In 10 sheep, sonomicrometry crystals were implanted to validate 3D STE data in the RV endocardium of seven RV segments, including the basal and mid anterior, lateral and inferior wall, and outflow free wall. Full-volume 3D STE data sets and sonomicrometric data were acquired at baseline, during pulmonary artery banding (PAB)-induced moderate (peak RV pressure > 40 mm Hg) and severe (peak RV pressure > 60 mm Hg) RV pressure increases, and during propranolol infusion. The 3D STE area change ratio (ACR), longitudinal strain (LS), and circumferential strain (CS) were measured, and RV global and all segmental deformation data were compared between baseline and stress tests. To assess clinical feasibility, 30 control subjects and 11 patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension were enrolled. RESULTS: All combined 3D STE data were significantly correlated with the sonomicrometric data (ACR, R(2) = 0.88; LS, R(2) = 0.84; CS, R(2) = 0.82; P < .001). In all seven segments, the 3D STE data correlated with the sonomicrometric data (R(2) = 0.72-0.90, P < .001). Global ACR and LS data showed significant differences among baseline, moderate PAB, and severe PAB; however, CS differed only between baseline and severe PAB. The magnitudes of segmental deformation in the free wall were larger than those in the septum and apex under all conditions (P < .05) except LS during severe PAB. Segmental analyses also showed similar responses during stress tests; the ACR in each segment differed significantly between conditions. In all but the apical segments, LS showed significant reductions from moderate PAB; in contrast, CS was significantly reduced with severe PAB in all segments. In this clinical study, the acquisition rate of adequate images for analysis of the RV outflow tract was lower (75.6%) compared with the rate in other segments (from 85.4% to 100%). However, the pulmonary arterial hypertension group had lower RV global deformation values than the control group (ACR and LS, P < .001; CS, P = .003), the ACR and LS in basal and middle segments differed significantly between groups, and the outflow and apex did not differ. CONCLUSIONS: A novel 3D STE system specialized for the right ventricle is reliable for RV deformation analyses and may provide additional information about RV global and segmental function. The clinical feasibility of this system is acceptable.

Prevention of ischemic mitral regurgitation does not influence the outcome of remodeling after posterolateral myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to test the hypothesis that ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) results from, but does not influence, the progression of left ventricular (LV) remodeling after posterolateral infarction. BACKGROUND: Surgical correction of chronic IMR is being increasingly recommended. METHODS: Three groups of sheep had coronary snares placed around the second and third obtuse marginal coronary arteries. Occlusion of these vessels in the control group resulted in progressive IMR over eight weeks. In a second group, Merseline mesh was fitted to cover the exposed LV before infarction. In a third group, a ring annuloplasty was placed before infarction to prevent IMR. Remodeling and degree of IMR were assessed with echocardiography at baseline and at 30 min and two, five, and eight weeks after infarction. RESULTS: Eight weeks after infarction, mean IMR grade was significantly higher in control animals than mesh and annuloplasty animals. At eight weeks, LV end-systolic volume and end-systolic muscle-to-cavity-area ratio (ESMCAR) were significantly better in mesh-treated sheep than in control sheep; also, at eight weeks, ESMCAR and akinetic segment length were significantly better in mesh-treated sheep than in annuloplasty sheep. Ejection fraction was significantly higher in the mesh than the annuloplasty group. There was no significant difference in any measure of remodeling between the annuloplasty and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic ventricular restraint reduces infarct expansion, attenuates adverse remodeling, and reduces IMR severity. Prevention of IMR by prophylactic ring annuloplasty does not influence remodeling. Ischemic mitral regurgitation is a consequence, not a cause, of postinfarction remodeling; infarct expansion is the more important therapeutic target.

Surgical treatment of ischemic mitral regurgitation might not influence ventricular remodeling.

OBJECTIVES: Surgical treatment for ischemic mitral regurgitation has become more aggressive. However, no clinical study has demonstrated that surgical correction of chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation improves survival. We used 4 well-developed ovine models of postinfarction left ventricular remodeling to test the hypothesis that ischemic mitral regurgitation does not significantly contribute to postinfarction left ventricular remodeling. METHODS: Infarction of 21% to 24% of the left ventricular mass was induced by means of coronary ligation in 77 sheep. Infarctions varied only by anatomic location in the left ventricle: anteroapical, n = 26; anterobasal, n = 16; laterobasal, n = 9; and posterobasal, n = 20. Six additional sheep had ring annuloplasty before posterobasal infarction. End-systolic and end-diastolic left ventricular volume, end-systolic muscle-to-cavity area ratio, left ventricular sphericity, ejection fraction, and degree of ischemic mitral regurgitation, as determined by means of quantitative echocardiography, were assessed before infarction and at 2, 5, and 8 weeks after infarction. RESULTS: All infarcts resulted in significant postinfarction remodeling and decreased ejection fraction. Anteroapical infarcts lead to left ventricular aneurysms. Only posterobasal infarcts caused severe and progressive ischemic mitral regurgitation. Remodeling because of posterobasal infarcts was not more severe than that caused by infarcts at other locations. Furthermore, prophylactic annuloplasty prevented the development of mitral regurgitation after posterobasal infarction but had no effect on remodeling. CONCLUSION: The extent of postinfarction remodeling is determined on the basis of infarct size and location. The development of ischemic mitral regurgitation might not contribute significantly to adverse remodeling. Ischemic mitral regurgitation is likely a manifestation rather than an important impetus for postinfarction remodeling.

The effect of regional ischemia on mitral valve annular saddle shape.

BACKGROUND: The mitral valve annulus has a distinctive saddle shape. Recent finite element analysis indicates this shape may contribute to normal valve function by increasing leaflet curvature and reducing leaflet stress. This study tests the hypothesis that acute ischemic mitral regurgitation (AIMR) is associated with loss of annular saddle shape. METHODS: Sonomicrometry array localization (SAL) measured the three-dimensional geometry of the mitral annulus in 6 sheep before and after 30 min of posterior ischemia that produced severe AIMR. Using this SAL data the annular height to commissural width ratio (AHCWR), a measure of annular saddle shape, was calculated throughout the cardiac cycle and reported as a percentage. RESULTS: The normal mitral annulus accentuated its saddle shape rapidly during isovolemic contraction: AHCWR increased from 11.6% +/- 1.1%-13.9% +/- 1.6% (p < 0.001). During ejection AHCWR remained relatively constant ranging from a minimum of 14.1% +/- 1.5% to a maximum of 14.9% +/- 1.3%. During ischemia AHCWR was found to be significantly smaller (p < 0.05) during isovolemic contraction, ejection, and isovolemic relaxation, but not during diastolic filling. Whereas ischemia did not affect AHCWR at end diastole (11.6% +/- 2.8%), the isovolemic accentuation of the saddle shape was lost. CONCLUSIONS: The normal mitral annulus accentuates its saddle shape during systole. This accentuation is eliminated during ischemia that causes AIMR. These data suggest an association between annular saddle shape and valve competency.

Influence of inotropy and chronotropy on the mitral valve sphincter mechanism.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to isolate and quantify the effects of ventricular inotropic and chronotropic state on the normal mitral valve annular sphincter mechanism. METHODS: Sonomicrometry tansducers were placed around the mitral annulus in six sheep; atrial pacing wires were also placed. One week later, esmolol was titrated to produce a baseline hemodynamic state with a heart rate of 90 bpm; hemodynamic and sonomicrometry data were recorded. Then animals were paced at 120 bpm and 150 bpm; data were recorded at each heart rate. Isoproterenol infusion was titrated to achieve a heart rate, without pacing, of 120 and 150 bpm; again, data were recorded. Annular area was calculated at end diastole (ED) and end systole (ES) for all experiments using sonomicrometry array localization. Analysis of variance was used to assess the independent effects of heart rate and inotropic state on annular area. RESULTS: Atrial pacing at 120 bpm produced ES and ED annular areas of 777 +/- 150 mm(2) and 748.8 +/- 140.1 mm(2), respectively. At the same heart rate, isoproterenol-treatment resulted in significantly smaller ES and ED areas: 699 +/- 160 mm(2) and 641.9 +/- 156.5 mm(2), respectively. Atrial pacing at 150 bpm produced ES and ED annular areas of 745.2 +/- 131.3 mm(2) and 723.7 +/- 141.3 mm(2), respectively. At the same heart rate, isoproterenol-treatment resulted in significantly smaller ES and ED areas: 652.8 +/- 146.4 mm(2) and 569.7 +/- 155.9 mm(2), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The inotropic state of the left ventricle directly affects the mitral valve annular orifice area, independent of heart rate. This inotropic effect on valve size is more pronounced at ED than at ES in the sheep.

ONO-6818, a novel, potent neutrophil elastase inhibitor, reduces inflammatory mediators during simulated extracorporeal circulation.

BACKGROUND: Among the serine proteases, neutrophil elastase is a powerful cytotoxic enzyme and plays a pivotal role in the inflammatory response associated with cardiopulmonary bypass. This study assesses the effects of the specific inhibition of neutrophil elastase by a novel, potent, low-molecular-weight neutrophil elastase inhibitor, ONO-6818. We hypothesized that ONO-6818 reduces inflammatory mediators and modulates adhesion molecules and the deformability of neutrophils during simulated extracorporeal circulation. METHODS: Simulated extracorporeal circulation was established by recirculating fresh heparinized (3.75 U/mL) human blood for 120 minutes in a membrane oxygenator and a roller pump with and without 1.0 micromol/L of ONO-6818 (n = 9 for control group, n = 7 for ONO-6818 group). The neutrophil adhesion molecules, CD11b and L-selectin, and the cytoplasmic F-actin of neutrophils were measured by flow cytometry. Neutrophil deformability was evaluated using simulated silicon microcapillaries. Neutrophil elastase, interleukin 8, and C5b-9 were measured using enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Neutrophil elastase levels were significantly lower in the ONO-6818 group. ONO-6818 significantly reduced interleukin 8 and C5b-9 production. ONO-6818 did not modulate changes of CD11b and L-selectin during recirculation. Cytoplasmic F-actin content and changes of neutrophil deformability did not significantly differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibition of neutrophil elastase activity with ONO-6818 reduces further interleukin 8 production and the formation of the complement membrane attack complex, and this results in a reduction of neutrophil elastase levels during simulated extracorporeal circulation. This study suggests that specific neutrophil elastase inhibition with ONO-6818 is a feasible therapeutic option to attenuate the exaggerated inflammatory response associated with cardiopulmonary bypass.