Long-term follow-up of repair-like replacement of mitral valve using autologous pericardium.

Objectives: The present study assessed the late results of the operation, which consisted of the construction of a stentless mitral valve using autologous pericardium and valve implantation. Methods: Between 2011 and 2018, among 1617 consecutive patients who underwent mitral valve operation at our institution, 15 adult patients (0.9%) with unrepairable mitral valves who wished to avoid conventional mitral valve replacement underwent this operation. Ten patients (67%) had a history of valve repair. After discharge, patients were prospectively followed-up with a echocardiographic evaluation up to the end point. The mean follow-up term was 70.8 ± 42.5 months. Results: There were no hospital deaths or thromboembolic events and only 1 late noncardiac death. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography of all patients revealed no or trivial mitral regurgitation. Eight patients (53.3%) underwent redo valve replacement within 12 years. Except 1 late death, the postoperative course was divided into 3 groups depending on the occurrence of redo surgery, as follows: an early reoperation group (reoperation within 4 years; n = 4), a late reoperation group (reoperation after 4 years; n = 4), and a free from reoperation group (n = 6). The latest transthoracic echocardiographic examination performed 7.2 ± 2.9 years after the operation revealed the grade of mitral regurgitation to be none in 2 patients, mild in 2 patients, mild to moderate in 1 patients, and moderate in 1 patient in the free from reoperation group. Conclusions: Despite the high incidence of reoperation, Normo operation can be a viable option during valve replacement, especially for young patients.

Cardiac calcified amorphous tumour associated with multiple myeloma.

We report an 86-year-old woman who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (MM) and was receiving chemotherapy since the age of 82. A high echoic mass attached to the mitral valve was observed on transthoracic echocardiography 4 years after the treatment. The possibility of malignancy could not be ruled out, and hence, the mass was excised surgically. Pathologically, most of the mass consisted of calcified lesion without tumour tissue, and these findings were not inconsistent with calcified amorphous tumour (CAT). This case suggests that CAT may be associated with MM and has been reported after a thorough literature review.

Interscallop indentation closure as an adjunctive technique in mitral valve repair for degenerative mitral valve disease.

BACKGROUND: Interscallop indentation closure is a useful adjunctive technique which presents several different effects in repairing degenerative mitral regurgitation. However, there are some concerns that it might reduce mitral valve area by restricting the posterior leaflet mobility. We aim to assess postoperative echocardiographic findings after mitral valve repair using this technique. METHODS: Between January 2009 and December 2015, 897 patients underwent mitral valve repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation at our institutions. We reviewed 98 patients in which we used indentation closure technique, and we analyzed operative and echocardiographic data. RESULTS: Ring annuloplasty and concomitant repair techniques such as leaflet resection and neochordal placement were used in all patients. Specific purposes of indentation closure included gap closure (n = 57), prolapse repair (n = 11), leaflet redundancy repair (n = 16), and leaflet deficiency repair (n = 12). Eleven patients had double indentation closure. Postoperative pre-discharge echocardiography showed no moderate or greater residual mitral regurgitation, mean transmitral pressure gradient of 3.4 ± 1.4 mmHg, and mitral valve area of 2.7 ± 0.7 cm2. Follow-up echocardiography performed at 43.7 ± 23.9 months after surgery showed six cases (6.4%) with recurrent moderate or greater mitral regurgitation, mean transmitral pressure gradient of 3.3 ± 1.3 mmHg, and mitral valve area of 2.5 ± 0.6 cm2. CONCLUSIONS: Interscallop indentation closure is a simple and effective adjunctive technique which can be used for several different purposes. It achieves excellent control of mitral regurgitation with preserved mitral valve area when it is used in addition to standard mitral valve repair techniques in selected cases.

Preserved Vasoconstriction and Relaxation of Saphenous Vein Grafts Obtained by a No-Touch Technique for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

BACKGROUND: To obtain a saphenous vein graft (SVG) for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), the benefit of using a no-touch (NT) technique in vascular function has not been fully investigated. Methods and Results: The pathological and physiological functions of human SVGs with a NT technique to preserve the perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) and ones obtained by using a conventional (CON) technique removing PVAT, were examined. Immunohistochemistry of the section of SVGs showed that the phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in the endothelium of the NT group was more responsive to vascular endothelial growth factor. A myograph of SVGs showed greater contraction with phenylephrine in the NT group. However, the strong contraction was eliminated in SVGs taken by electrocautery. In the 10 patients whose SVGs were taken without electrocautery, endothelial-dependent relaxation with bradykinin was apparently increased in the CON group more than in the NT group. Smooth muscle relaxation with nitroprusside was higher in the CON group at the lower concentrations; however, the relaxation became greater in the NT group at the high concentrations. Therefore, the effect of neutralizing PVAT-released factors in the both groups was further examined. After medium of NT and CON were exchanged in half, relaxation of SVGs was immediately restored in the NT group. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the NT technique preserves the functions of vasoconstriction and relaxation. Also, the presence of PVAT-released vasoconstrictive factors was suspected.

[Aorta-left Main Trunk Interposition for Adult Anomalous Origin of the Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery Using a Prosthetic Graft;Report of a Case].

A 70-year-old woman with back pain was diagnosed with adult anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery [Bland-White-Garland (BWG) syndrome]. Preoperative transthoracic echocardiography showed diffuse hypokinesia of the left ventricle and mild mitral valve regurgitation. Coronary angiography revealed dilatation of both coronary arteries, but no aneurysms. The left coronary ostium was removed as buttons of the pulmonary arterial wall, and a prosthetic graft (8 mm ePTFE graft) was interposed between the ascending aorta and coronary button. The pulmonary arterial wall was repaired with a bovine pericardium. Postoperative angiography showed good flow of the graft. The antegrade flow provided by this simple technique will allow feasible percutaneous coronary intervention in the future.

Left ventricular free wall rupture after surgery for ventricular septal rupture.

A 67-year-old man presented with late left ventricular free wall rupture 1 month after an extended sandwich technique through a right ventricular incision for ventricular septal rupture following an inferoposterior acute myocardial infarction. We found that residual infarcted myocardium had led to left ventricular aneurysm formation. A pericardial patch on the left ventricular side at the initial operation should have been secured further from the septal defect using a larger needle. A patch on the left ventricular side is important for complete exclusion of a free wall infarction and for decreasing the stress on the suture line securing the patch.

Three-Dimensional Printing of Life-Like Models for Simulation and Training of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: As the use of minimally invasive surgery in cardiothoracic surgery increases, so does the need for simulation and training. We developed a heart model for simulation and training of minimally invasive cardiac surgery, particularly minimally invasive mitral valve repair using our new three-dimensional printing system. METHODS: Digital imaging and communication in medicine data from patient computed tomography, three-dimensional computer-aided design, and three-dimensional printing helped create replicas of the heart and thoracic cavity. A polyvinyl alcohol model material with a texture and physical properties similar to those of heart tissue was initially used in mitral valve replicas to simulate surgical procedures. To develop this material, we mechanically investigated the composition of each part of the porcine heart. RESULTS: We investigated the elastic modulus and breaking strength of the porcine heart. Based on investigation results, the cardiac model was set at rupture strength 20 MPa, elastic modulus 0.17 MPa, and moisture content 85%. This provided a biotexture and feeling exactly like a patient heart. Computed tomography scans confirmed that the model shape was nearly the same as that of a human heart. We simulated minimally invasive mitral valve repair, including ring annuloplasty, chordal reconstruction, resection and suture, and edge-to-edge repair. Full surgery simulations using this model used minimally invasive cardiac surgery tools including a robot. CONCLUSIONS: This life-like model can be used as a standard simulator to train younger, less experienced surgeons to practice minimally invasive cardiac surgery procedures and may help develop new operative tools.

Mitral Valve Surgery in Patients With Severe Mitral Annular Calcification.

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve surgery in patients with severe mitral annular calcification can be challenging. We investigated surgical outcomes of mitral valve surgery with complete annular decalcification and reconstruction. METHODS: Between January 2004 and December 2013, 2,104 patients underwent mitral valve surgery at our institution. Of these, 61 patients (mean age 70 years) with severe mitral annular calcification were reviewed. Valve lesions were stenosis in 20 patients (32.8%), regurgitation in 16 (26.2%), mixed in 19 (31.1%), and prosthetic valve dehiscence in 6 (9.8%). Calcified annulus was resected completely and reconstructed with equine pericardium in 48 patients (78.7%), autologous pericardium in 10 (16.4%), and polytetrafluoroethylene felt pledgets in 3 (4.9%). Mitral valve repair was attempted in 4 patients (6.6%) and mitral valve replacement in 57 (93.4%). One patient (1.6%) had conversion from repair to replacement due to cardiac rupture. Concomitant procedures included aortic valve replacement in 36 patients (56.3%), tricuspid valve surgery in 28 (43.8%), and coronary artery bypass graft surgery in 18 (28.1%). Mean follow-up was 3.5 ± 2.5 years. RESULTS: There was no 30-day hospital death. Early complications were left ventricular pseudoaneurysm in 1 patient, pericardial patch dehiscence in 1, severe arrhythmia in 6, and stroke in 2. At 5 years, rates of survival and freedom from cardiac death and major adverse valve-related events were 75.6%, 79.7%, and 72.7%, respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated coronary artery disease as an independent predictor of cardiac death. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with severe mitral annular calcification undergoing mitral valve surgery, complete annular decalcification and reconstruction yields favorable outcomes.

EuroSCORE II with SYNTAX score to assess risks of coronary artery bypass grafting outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the usefulness of the combination of European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation score (EuroSCORE II) and SYNergy between percutaneous intervention with TAXus drug-eluting stents and cardiac surgery (SYNTAX) score in predicting risks associated with early and late outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: Between January 2010 and April 2012, 412 patients underwent isolated CABG at our institution. EuroSCORE II and SYNTAX score were calculated retrospectively, and their ability to predict early and long-term outcomes was evaluated. Patients were divided into four groups according to median EuroSCORE II and SYNTAX score: Group 1, low EuroSCORE II, low SYNTAX (n=103); Group 2, low EuroSCORE II, high SYNTAX (n=103); Group 3, high EuroSCORE II, low SYNTAX (n=99); and Group 4, high EuroSCORE II, high SYNTAX (n=107). RESULTS: Operative death was not different among the groups; however, Group 4 had the highest major complication rate of the four groups (0 in Group 1, 2.9% in Group 2, 3.0% in Group 3 and 8.4% in Group 4; P=0.011). Multivariate analyses revealed that both high EuroSCORE II (odds ratio [OR]: 4.154; P=0.030) and high SYNTAX score (OR: 3.988; P=0.035) were independent predictors of postoperative major complications and that high EuroSCORE II was an independent predictor of late mortality (OR: 4.673; P=0.016) but high SYNTAX score was not (OR: 0.808; P=0.662). Actuarial survival rate at 3 years was the lowest in Group 4 (99.0±1.0% in Group 1, 97.7±1.6% in Group 2, 91.9±2.7% in Group 3 and 90.5±4.7% in Group 4; P=0.045). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of EuroSCORE II and SYNTAX score was useful in predicting early major complications after CABG. In the long term, EuroSCORE II continued to be associated with late mortality, but SYNTAX score did not.

Thoracoabdominal aortic repair in a patient with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Type IV Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a life-threatening inherited disorder of connective tissue associated with multiple aneurysm formation. Thoracoabdominal aortic repair in these patients has rarely been performed. We report the case of a 13-year-old patient with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome who had multiple aortic operations from the ascending aorta to the thoracoabdominal aorta.

Early and mid-term outcomes of combined aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting in elderly patients.

OBJECTIVES: Although the number of elderly patients undergoing combined aortic valve replacement (AVR) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is increasing, the early and mid-term outcomes of this combined procedure remain to be determined. We sought to elucidate the early and mid-term outcomes of elderly (≥75 years) vs non-elderly (<75 years) patients who underwent combined AVR and CABG. METHODS: Between September 2004 and September 2011, 259 patients underwent combined AVR and CABG at our institute, including 155 elderly patients (59.8%; Elderly group) with a mean age of 79.8 ± 3.6 years and 104 non-elderly patients (40.2%; Non-elderly group) with a mean age of 67.3±5.8 years. Early and mid-term outcomes were compared, and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the risk factors for morbidity and mortality. The mean follow-up times were 33.1±21.7 and 37.4±22.2 months in the Elderly and Non-elderly groups, respectively. RESULTS: The mean number of anastomoses and the frequency of use of the internal thoracic artery were similar between the two groups. The use of a mechanical valve was less frequent in the Elderly group than in the Non-elderly group (11.6 vs 60.6%, P<0.001). The Elderly and Non-elderly groups had similar rates of operative death (1.9 vs 1.0%, P=0.651), early stroke (2.6 vs 1.0%, P=0.651), 5-year overall survival (83.1±4.8 vs 87.2±5.2%, P=0.358), 5-year freedom from cardiac death (92.3±2.7 vs 94.8±3.4%, P=0.570) and 5-year freedom from stroke (94.0±2.6 vs 99.0±1.0%, P=0.097). Cox proportional hazards analyses identified diabetes, creatinine level and EuroSCORE II, but not age, as independent predictors of overall mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: Early and mid-term outcomes of combined AVR and CABG were similar between elderly and non-elderly patients. Older age was not a risk factor for mortality in patients undergoing combined AVR plus CABG, and this procedure should be recommended in properly selected elderly patients.

Post-repair coaptation length and durability of mitral valve repair for posterior mitral valve prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: Chordal placement with no or minimal leaflet resection has been suggested as the preferred technique for mitral valve repair for posterior leaflet prolapse, because it creates a longer coaptation zone. However, whether or not a long coaptation zone improves the durability of mitral valve repairs remains unclear. METHODS: We reviewed 119 patients with chronic degenerative mitral regurgitation including posterior middle scallop prolapse who underwent mitral valve repair between June 2004 and July 2008. We divided them into two groups according to post-repair coaptation length ≥8 mm (group A) or <8 mm (group B). We assessed whether coaptation length is associated with recurrent mitral regurgitation at 1 year after surgery and increase in the regurgitant jet area over 1 year. RESULTS: The group A had a lower incidence of recurrent mitral regurgitation (4.7 vs 9.2%, p = 0.30), smaller increase in mitral regurgitant jet area over 1 year (0.29 vs 0.40 cm(2), p = 0.43), and higher 5-year freedom from recurrent mitral regurgitation (85.6 vs 76.1%, p = 0.76), although the differences were not statistically significant. The multivariate analysis showed that large coaptation length tends to be associated with decreased recurrent mitral regurgitation at 1 year (odds ratio 0.02, 95% confidence interval 0.00-3.67, p = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: This study did not confirm the association between coaptation length and durability of mitral valve repair for posterior middle scallop prolapse. However, there was a trend towards decreased recurrent mitral regurgitation with larger coaptation length.

[Mitral valve replacement in dextrocardia and situs inversus].

Cardiac surgery for acquired valvular diseases in patients with dextrocardia is extremely rare. We report a surgical case of mitral valve replacement and tricuspid annuloplasty in a patient with dextrocardia and situs inversus. A 74-year-old man with dextrocardia and situs inversus, who had undergone patch closure of atrial septal defect 25 years before, was referred for surgical treatment of severe mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation. Preoperative computed tomography( CT) showed dextrocardia, situs inversus, interruption of the inferior vena cava with an azygos vein continuation, and drainage of the hepatic vein into the right atrium. Under redo-median sternotomoy, cardiopulmonary bypass was established by cannulating the ascending aorta, the superior vena cava, the right femoral and the hepatic veins. The surgeon operated from the left side of the operating table, and had an excellent exposure to the mitral and tricuspid valves during the operation. Mitral valve replacement and tricuspid annuloplasty were performed successfully. The postoperative course was uneventful.

Coronary arterial compression caused by an aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva with aortic prosthetic valve endocarditis.

Myocardial ischemia caused by coronary arterial compression by an aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva is a particularly unusual complication. We describe a patient with aortic prosthetic valve endocarditis complicated with an aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva. An 82-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a high fever and chest discomfort. She had undergone aortic valve replacement 3 years earlier. Computed tomography showed an aneurysm originating from the left and right aortic sinus that was compressing the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery. The aortic root was successfully replaced and antibiotic treatment was continued for 6 weeks after surgery.

Acute thrombosis after endarterectomy of stented left anterior descending artery.

Acute thrombosis of the endarterectomized coronary artery is a serious complication after coronary endarterectomy. Herein, we describe a case of a 65-year-old man who had undergone percutaneous stent implantation in the left anterior descending artery, then after he received an endarterectomy with the removal of stents severe in-stent restenosis occurred. Three days after the operation, sick sinus syndrome developed with acute myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography revealed thrombosis at the reconstructed site of the left anterior descending artery. Pacemaker implantation, intra-aortic balloon pumping, and aggressive anticoagulation produced recanalization of the left anterior descending artery.

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with renal dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Renal dysfunction is a predictor of increased morbidity and mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting, whether it is dialysis-dependent or not. Several studies have shown the efficacy of off-pump technique in reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with renal dysfunction. However, the actual effect of renal dysfunction in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting has not been well understood. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 402 consecutive patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting from April 2001 to June 2003. Sixty-eight patients had chronic renal dysfunction (group A); 19 patients were dialysis-dependent; 334 patients had normal renal function (group B). Operative variables, morbidity, and mortality were compared between the two groups. Furthermore, multivariable analysis was performed to identify predictors for short-term survival. RESULTS: Preoperative characteristics were similar in the two groups. Blood transfusion rate was higher in group A than group B (57.4% and 25.7%, respectively; p < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was similar (1.5% and 1.2% in group A and B, respectively; p = 0.853). Multivariable analysis revealed that unstable angina, low ejection fraction, peripheral vascular disease and redo surgery are significant risk factors for poor early result of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. CONCLUSIONS: Early outcomes of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with renal dysfunction were comparable to those in patients with normal renal function. Renal dysfunction is not a predictor of poor early outcomes after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

Effectiveness of right or left radial approach for coronary angiography.

The transradial approach for catheterization is becoming increasingly more popular. At present, the choice of the right or left radial artery depends on the operator's preference. We examined how the laterality influenced the effectiveness of the approach. Employing Judkins-type catheters, we performed coronary angiography in 232 patients with the left approach and in 205 patients with the right approach. Although access time did not differ between the two groups of patients, the duration of catheter manipulation was shorter in the left- than in the right-approach group (11.7 +/- 5.9 vs. 9.8 +/- 4.4 min; P < 0.001). Because of the shorter duration of catheter manipulation, the total procedural duration was shorter in the left-approach group (13.7 +/- 6.4 vs. 11.4 +/- 4.8 min; P < 0.001). The fluoroscopy time was shorter in the left- than in the right-approach group (3.7 +/- 2.5 vs. 5.0 +/- 3.3 min; P < 0.001). The amount of contrast material did not differ between the groups (79 +/- 27 vs. 83 +/- 25 ml). The rate of guidewire usage to engage the coronary ostium was higher in the right- than in the left-approach group because of the severe tortuosity of the right subclavian artery (20/205 vs. 0/232; P < 0.001). Thus, for operators with significant experience, the left radial approach may provide increased procedural efficacy for coronary angiography compared to the right radial approach.