Phlegmasia cerulea dolens after endovenous cyanoacrylate closure of incompetent small saphenous vein.

A previously healthy 70-year-old woman underwent cyanoacrylate closure of an incompetent left small saphenous vein. Six days later, grade 2 treatment-induced thrombosis occurred at the sapheno-popliteal junction. Three days later, the patient presented with pale, cold pain in the left lower extremity. Diffuse thrombosis of the left lower extremity involved the small and great saphenous and deep veins. The patient was admitted and immediately administered heparin with anticoagulant factors, with symptoms began resolving 1 d later. The superficial vein thrombi were resolved. Although a deep venous thrombus remained, symptoms disappeared, and the patient was discharged.

Correlation between the electrocardiogram amplitude detected by an implantable cardiac monitor and the implantation depth.

INTRODUCTION: Implantable cardiac monitors (ICMs) primarily use R-R intervals in subcutaneous electrocardiograms (ECGs) to detect arrhythmias. Therefore, reliable detection of R-wave amplitude by an ICM is vital. Since ICMs detect subcutaneous ECGs, the impact of the implantation depth should be assessed. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study investigated the influence of ICM depth on R-wave (ICM-R) amplitude on an ECG generated by an ICM (JOT Dx; Abbott). Overall, 58 patients who underwent ICM implantation at Kamagaya General Hospital from May 2022 to April 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. The depth-position was measured using ultrasound imaging after implantation. The depth of the ICM did not show any correlation with ICM-R amplitude (r = -.0141, p = .294). However, the distance between the ICM and the heart surface showed a significant correlation with ICM-R amplitude (r = -.581, p < .001). Body weight (r = -.0283, p = .033) and body mass index (r = -.0342, p = .009) were associated with ICM-R amplitude. S wave in the V1 -lead was also associated with ICM-R amplitude (r = .481, p < .001). After multivariate analysis, the distance between the ICM and heart surface and the S wave in V1 were independent determinants for the ICM-R amplitude. CONCLUSION: The ICM-R amplitude may be higher with the ICM implanted deeper.

Torsade de pointes during an oral surgery caused by a combination of herbal medicine-induced pseudoaldosteronism and trigeminocardiac reflex.

Licorice can cause pseudoaldosteronism and QT prolongation as its side effect. Trigeminal nerve stimulation, including surgical intervention involving the face, can cause transient bradycardia, known as the trigeminocardiac reflex. Although rare, a combination of these two etiologies can cause ventricular tachycardia. A 50-year-old female patient with a history of hypertension and intake of an herbal drug containing licorice underwent impacted wisdom tooth extraction under general anesthesia. Immediately after placing a month-long prop for visualization in the oral cavity, sinus bradycardia occurred, followed by ventricular tachycardia and torsade de pointes. Mouth prop was removed and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated, and the arrhythmia was resolved. Hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis and normal aldosterone levels were observed. An inverted T wave and a prominent U-wave were observed on the electrocardiogram. Potassium excretion in urine was normal, although hypokalemia was present. The patient was treated with potassium correction.

Changes in SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers 6 months after the booster dose of BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine among health care workers.

Purpose: In Japan, the data on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody titers after the booster dose of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine are insufficient. The aim of this study is to evaluate changes in SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers before, 1, 3, and 6 months after the booster dose of the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine among health care workers. Materials and Methods: A total of 268 participants who received the booster dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine were analyzed. SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers were measured before (baseline) and at 1, 3, and 6 months after the booster dose. Factors associated with changes in SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers at 1, 3, and 6 months were analyzed. Cutoff values at baseline were calculated to prevent infection of the omicron variant of COVID-19. Results: The SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers at baseline, and 1, 3, and 6 months were 1,018.3 AU/mL, 21,396.5 AU/mL, 13,704.6 AU/mL, and 8,155.6 AU/mL, respectively. Factors associated with changes in SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers at 1 month were age and SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers at baseline, whereas changes in SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers at 3 and 6 months were associated with the SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers at 1 month. The cutoff values of the SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers at baseline were 515.4 AU/mL and 13,602.7 AU/mL at baseline and 1 month after the booster dose, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers increase rapidly at 1 month after the booster dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine and begin to decrease from 1 to 6 months. Hence, another booster may be needed as soon as possible to prevent infection.

Application of ultrasound-guided tumescent local anesthesia in prepectoral pacemaker implantation: A detailed procedural report.

Ultrasound image-guided tumescent local analgesia (TLA) is an effective technique in prepectoral pacemaker implantation surgery. The technique provides enough analgesic effect, at the same time, the pocket creation procedures become easy because of the hydrodissection effect of TLA solution. This technique relieves patients from intra-operative pain and relieves physicians from stresses during pocket creation.

Factors Associated with Change in SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Titers from Three to Six Months after the Administration of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine among Healthcare Workers in Japan: A Prospective Study.

Objective We evaluated the change in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody titers from three to six months after the administration of the BNT162b2 vaccine among healthcare workers. Methods A total of 337 healthcare workers who received 2 doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine were included in this study. Factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers at three and six months and the change in SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers between three and six months after vaccine administration were analyzed using a logistic regression analysis. Results The SARS-CoV-2 antibody titer at 3 months was 4,812.1±3,762.9 AU/mL in all subjects and was lower in older workers than in younger ones. The SARS-CoV-2 antibody titer at 6 months was 1,368.9±1,412.3 AU/mL in all subjects. The SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers that were found to be high at three months were also high at six months. The change in SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers from 3 to 6 months was -68.9%±16.1%. The higher SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers at three months showed a more marked decrease from three to six months than lower titers. Conclusion This study demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers at three months decreased with age and were associated with the antibody titers at six months and the change in titer from three to six months. Older individuals in particular need to be aware of the declining SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers at six months after the BNT162b2 vaccine. The results of this study may provide insight into COVID-19 vaccine booster strategies.

Traumatic brachial artery injury successfully treated with a stent-graft: A case report.

There are few reports on brachial artery injury treated with stent-grafts. A 69-year-old man presented with a crush injury to the left upper arm. Enhanced computed tomography revealed left humerus fracture and disruption of the blood flow of the brachial artery along with paresis of the forearm. Following external fixation of the fracture, we performed endovascular therapy for brachial artery injury. Using real-time ultrasound imaging guidance, the injured lesion was crossed by the wire, and Viabahn endoprosthesis was placed in the left brachial artery. Hemostasis was achieved, and blood flow to the forearm was restored. Subsequently, the paresis improved.

Rare brachial artery injury caused by blunt trauma; a case of the brachial artery laceration in an amateur volleyball player.

Low-energy blunt brachial artery injury is very rare and can be easily missed. Moreover, brachial artery injury in an amateur volleyball player is extremely rare. A 33-year-old woman was referred to our emergency department with swelling on her left upper arm after playing volleyball. Paresis or paralysis was not observed. The pulse of the left brachial artery was palpable, but relatively weak. An ultrasound examination and a computed tomography, both, revealed a pseudoaneurysm on the posterior wall of the left brachial artery in the antecubital fossa. A massive hematoma was also observed beneath the artery. The examination ruled out any concomitant injuries such as fracture and dislocation of the joints. An emergency surgery was performed. A hockey stick skin incision was made from the distal brachium to the antecubital fossa. The left brachial artery was detected in the hematoma. A 15 mm-long laceration was observed on the posterior wall of the artery. The condition of the vessel wall around laceration was poor. Therefore, we resected the injured lesions. The defect was so long that the lesion was interposed by a reversed saphenous vein graft. Heparin was administered one day after the surgery, which was later changed to apixaban on the sixth day after the surgery. Apixaban was discontinued after a month post-surgery. During the follow-up period, the patient did not report any complications and the graft was unobstructed.

Clinical Features of Early Stage COVID-19 in a Primary Care Setting.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic remains a global healthcare crisis. Nevertheless, the majority of COVID-19 cases involve mild to moderate symptoms in the early stages. The lack of information relating to these cases necessitates further investigation. Methods: Patients visiting the outpatient clinic at the Kamagaya General Hospital were screened by interview and body temperature check. After initial screening, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was suspected in 481 patients who then underwent blood tests and the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) test for SARS-CoV-2. Clinical characteristics between positive and negative SARS-CoV-2 groups were compared. Further, the novel predictive value of routine blood test results for SARS-CoV-2 infection was evaluated using ROC analysis. Results: A total of 15,560 patients visited our hospital during the study period. After exclusion and initial screening by interview, 481 patients underwent the LAMP test and routine blood tests. Of these patients, 69 (14.3%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 and diagnosed with COVID-19 (positive group), and 412 (85.7%) were negative (negative group). The median period between the first onset of symptoms and visit to our hospital was 3.4 and 2.9 days in the negative and positive groups, respectively. Cough (p = 0.014), rhinorrhea (p = 0.039), and taste disorders (p < 0.001) were significantly more common in the positive group, while gastrointestinal symptoms in the negative group (p = 0.043). The white blood cell count (p < 0.001), neutrophil count (p < 0.001), and percentage of neutrophils (p < 0.001) were higher in the negative group. The percentage of monocytes (p < 0.001) and the levels of ferritin (p < 0.001) were higher in the positive group. As per the predictive values for COVID-19 using blood tests, the values for the area under the curve for the neutrophil-to-monocyte ratio (NMR), white blood cell-to-hemoglobin ratio (WHR), and the product of the two (NMWH) were 0.857, 0.837, and 0.887, respectively. Conclusion: Symptoms in early stage COVID-19 patients were similar to those in previous reports. Some blood test results were not consistent with previous reports. NMR, WHR, and NMWH are novel diagnostic scores in early-stage mild-symptom COVID-19 patients in primary care settings.

Early and mid-term outcomes of minimally invasive mitral valve repair via right mini-thoracotomy: 5-year experience with 129 consecutive patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study analyzed the experience of a single institution with minimally invasive mitral valve repair (MIMVr) via a right mini-thoracotomy (RT), including short and mid-term morbidity and mortality as surgical outcomes, and rates of reoperation. Late follow-up findings regarding mitral regurgitation (MR) were also assessed. METHODS: Between January 2014 and January 2020, a total of 141 consecutive patients underwent MIMVr for mitral regurgitation at our institution via an RT, with late follow-up results (median 35 ± 15 months) available for 129 (91.4%). Findings regarding surgical approach, complications, reoperations, and late survival were examined. Late echocardiographic results showing recurrence of MR after mitral repair were also noted. Survival, freedom from reoperation, and recurrent MR (grade > 2) were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: Mean age was 63.9 ± 14.3 years, mean ejection fraction was 66.9 ± 10.4%, and 2 patients (1.6%) underwent a reoperation. Concomitant procedures included atrial fibrillation ablation (18%), tricuspid valve surgery (16%). None (0%) experienced intraoperative conversion to sternotomy. A learning curve was observed as the number of cases increased. Overall in-hospital mortality and stroke incidence were both 0%. Freedom from recurrent MR (grade > 2) at 1, 3, and 5 years was 99.2, 94.9, and 94.9%, respectively, while freedom from reoperation at 1, 3, and 5 years after mitral valve repair was 98.4, 98.4, and 98.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Early and mid-term results of MIMVr were satisfactory, with low rates of perioperative morbidity and recurrent MR, as well as reoperation and death. Furthermore, the protocols for patient selection and surgical approach were considered to be appropriate.

Early and midterm results of minimally invasive aortic and mitral valve surgery via right mini-thoracotomy.

OBJECTIVES: There are few reports regarding minimally invasive aortic valve replacement concomitant with mitral valve surgery (MIAMVS). The aim of this study was to evaluate early and midterm MIAMVS results. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 21 consecutive patients (nine females, 43%) who underwent MIAMVS through a right mini-thoracotomy from December 2014 to April 2017. Mean patient age was 73 ± 7.4 years and four (19%) were New York Heart Association Class III or IV. Aortic stenosis and mitral valve insufficiency were the most common pathologies. All patients were followed for a mean period of 30 ± 8.5 months. RESULTS: The types of surgery consisted of aortic valve replacement with mitral valve repair in 11 (52%) patients, and replacement of both aortic and mitral valves in 10 (48%), while a tricuspid valve repair, was performed in four. No conversion to a full sternotomy was necessary in any of the cases. Postoperatively, the median intensive care unit and hospital stays were 4.7 and 11.8 days, respectively, with no in-hospital mortality. Following the initial treatment, all 21 patients were followed for a mean period of 30 ± 8.5 months (14-45 months). All patients returned to NYHA Class I or II following the procedure. During the follow-up period, there was no need for a heart valve reoperation for any of the patients and none showed recurrent mitral regurgitation (>mild), though one died from respiratory failure caused by pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: MIAMVS can be performed via a right mini-thoracotomy, with acceptable early and midterm results expected. This may be a feasible alternative to the standard median sternotomy approach.

The learning curve of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement for aortic valve stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: Few clinical studies have been conducted to evaluate the learning curve of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively analyze the learning curve of initial and isolated minimally invasive aortic valve replacement for aortic valve stenosis which performed at our institution. METHODS: This study included 126 patients who underwent initial and isolated minimally invasive aortic valve replacement via right infra-axillary mini thoracotomy for aortic valve stenosis. Patients were divided into the first 50 patients [1-50 cases: E group (n = 50)] and the last 76 patients [51-126 cases: L group (n = 76)]. RESULTS: A significantly shorter operative time (239.4 ± 35.2 min vs. 206.5 ± 25.5 min, P < 0.001), cardiopulmonary bypass time (151.1 ± 27.4 min vs. 126.9 ± 20.2 min, P < 0.001) and aortic cross-clamp time (115.2 ± 19.0 min vs. 93.9 ± 14.7 min, P < 0.001) were found in the L group. The learning curves of operative time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and aortic cross-clamp time plateaued after 40 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Learning curves were observed in surgical processes such as operative time. A total of 40-50 cases are required to achieve a stable operative time. However, patient outcomes were not significantly different between the groups. This study could be helpful in introducing minimally invasive aortic valve replacement and designing training programs.

The Utility of a 3D Endoscope and Robot-Assisted System for MIDCAB.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) has been revived with new techniques and hybrid procedures for MIDCAB and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We reviewed the midterm results of MIDCAB with a three-dimensional (3D) endoscope in our institution. METHODS: Of the 359 patients who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) from December 2013 to March 2017, 54 had MIDCAB with the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) to left anterior descending (LAD) artery through a small left thoracotomy with a 3D endoscope. The same intercostal space was used for the main surgical incision and the insertion site of the 3D endoscope. In all, 22 patients had hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR), combined PCI and MIDCAB. RESULTS: There was no operative death. One patient had cerebral infarction without disability. No cases showed significant increases in CKMB. In all, 34 patients commenced ambulation on postoperative day 1. The postoperative hospital stay was 9.1 ± 5.0 days. In total, 37 patients had coronary computed tomography (CT), and their patency of LITA was 100%. In HCR, there was no mortality and major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE). Target lesion revascularization among 12 months was 1.6%. CONCLUSION: The midterm results of MIDCAB with 3D endoscope-assisted LITA harvesting were satisfactory. MIDCAB, including HCR, is a good alternative for selected high-risk patients.

A case of nickel allergy after endovascular aortic repair.

A 78-year-old man with no history of allergy, underwent endovascular aortic repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture. Postoperatively, he had low-grade fever and persistently raised white blood cell counts, but tests showed no infection. A skin rash appeared on the trunk and upper arms; we suspected a drug allergy. Despite withdrawal and/or change of medications, the symptoms remained. Finally, a patch test for nickel showed a strongly positive result. Oral prednisone 5 mg·day-1 was started, and the clinical findings resolved thereafter. No recurrence of allergy, infection, or exacerbation of the treated abdominal aortic aneurysm was noted at the 2-year follow-up.

Treatment of malignant primary cardiac lymphoma with tumor resection using minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Primary cardiac lymphoma (PCL) is extremely rare and progresses rapidly. The treatment of PCL has not yet been established. Unlike lymphoma that arises from other organs, PCL causes cardiovascular events. We report the complete remission (CR) of PCL after tumor resection using minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) and chemotherapy. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was a 79-year-old man who visited our hospital with chief complaints of weight loss and leg edema. A 40 × 30 mm mobile pedunculated tumor continuous with the right ventricular heart muscle was present in the right atrium upon echocardiography and extended cardiac surgery was difficult to perform. Tumor embolism-induced sudden death was prevented and a pathological diagnosis was obtained by making a 4-cm skin incision, and tumor resection with MICS was performed through a right fourth intercostal thoracotomy with a cardiopulmonary system. The histopathological diagnosis was diffuse large B cell malignant lymphoma. Eight cycles of postoperative rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) therapy were performed. Three years after surgery, the tumor was not visible on imaging and CR was maintained. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights that tumor resection using MICS is effective for avoiding the risk of sudden death. This technique was useful for the diagnosis and treatment of a malignant cardiac tumor in an elderly patient that required a difficult extended cardiac surgery.

Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury: A Report of Three Cases in Which Surgeries Were Performed at Different Timings.

INTRODUCTION: Blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) is a critical condition. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is considered a surgical treatment for BTAI. Reports reveal that some patients benefit from conservative and delayed operation rather than emergency operative therapy. Here, we present three BTAI cases that were treated with TEVAR using different timings. CASE PRESENTATION: Case 1 involved a 49-year-old man injured in a car accident and who went into shock. After stabilization with Advanced Trauma Life Support in the emergency room, TEVAR was performed immediately. Case 2 involved a 69-year-old man who was injured after falling. His hemodynamic status was stable and enhanced computed tomography revealed intraluminal hematoma. He underwent TEVAR 15 days after the injury occurred, following conservative therapy. Case 3 involved a 60-year-old man who was injured in a car accident and presented BTAI with subarachnoid hemorrhage and diaphragm tear. A pseudoaneurysm was observed in the distal aortic arch. After open abdominal exploration, diaphragm repair, and observation for subarachnoid hemorrhage, TEVAR was performed 8 hours after arrival. All three patients survived. CONCLUSIONS: We treated BTAI successfully. We suggest that TEVAR is useful for BTAI. The timing of the operation and therapeutic option, including conservative therapy, should be decided for each patient.

The ratio of contrast medium volume to estimated glomerular filtration rate as a predictor of contrast-induced nephropathy after endovascular aortic repair.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the perioperative predictors of contrast medium-induced nephropathy (CIN) after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of 203 consecutive patients who underwent elective EVAR for thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysm between January 2014 and September 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. CIN was defined according to the diagnostic criteria of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (6.9%) developed CIN after EVAR. Contrast medium volume (CV), preoperative serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and the CV/eGFR ratio were significantly related with CIN development after EVAR. The CV/eGFR ratio was significantly higher in patients with CIN than those without CIN. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of the CV/eGFR ratio was 0.782, indicating that it was the most important predictor. The appropriate CV/eGFR ratio cutoff was 1.62. Sensitivity and specificity were 85.7% and 65.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The CV/eGFR ratio was a useful predictor of contrast medium-induced nephropathy after EVAR. It is possible that the score can be used in patients when managing the EVAR techniques and contrast medium volume. J. Med. Invest. 65:116-121, February, 2018.

A case of chronic left main trunk occlusion treated with off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

Ischemic heart disease presents with various symptoms, and chest pain is a chief complaint. Occlusion of the left main trunk often results in serious symptoms such as cardiogenic shock. However, while extremely rare, left main trunk occlusion can present with only slight chronic symptoms. In the present case, a 62-year-old woman with few risk factors for ischemic heart disease visited our hospital complaining of exertional chest pain, which had gradually intensified over the past several years. Coronary artery computed tomography revealed total occlusion of the left main trunk, which was examined closely using coronary angiography. Coronary angiography showed that the left coronary artery was perfused by collateral pathways from the right coronary artery. The patient was thus diagnosed with chronic occlusion of the left main trunk. She underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, which proved to be an effective treatment.

Valve-sparing aortic root replacement for extremely localized circumferential aortic dissection associated with intimo-intimal intussusception.

Circumferential dissection is a rare clinical condition of aortic dissection, which is also known as intimo-intimal intussusception. In patients with type A aortic dissection with intimo-intimal intussusception, disruption and prolapse of the intimal flap into the left ventricle may occur and cause severe aortic regurgitation or blockage of the coronary artery ostium. A 43-year-old man presented with sudden dyspnea. Echocardiography revealed severe aortic insufficiency. Acute coronary syndrome was also suspected, but coronary angiography showed normal coronary arteries. After medical treatment, elective surgery was performed. The distal aorta beyond the circumferential dissection was intact, and only the aortic root was dissected. The aortic valve could be preserved, because there was little degeneration of the cusps. Here, we report the case of a patient who underwent successful valve-sparing aortic root replacement for extremely localized aortic dissection with intimo-intimal intussusception.