[Asymptomatic Congenital Left Ventricular Aneurysm Treated with Endocardial Linear Infarct Exclusion Technique( ELIET):Report of a Case].

Surgical repair of asymptomatic congenital left ventricular aneurysm is poorly reported. A 30-yearold man presented with an asymptomatic abnormal electrocardiogram. Computed tomography (CT) and angiography revealed a congenital left ventricular aneurysm, and surgical repair was conducted with endocardial linear infarct exclusion technique (ELIET). His postoperative course was uneventful. Postoperative CT showed an elliptical cardiac shape with no recurrence of aneurysm. ELIET would serve as a surgical procedure for congenital left ventricular aneurysm.

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.