[A report of 4 cases of aortic operation using open proximal anastomosis under the hypothermic circulatory arrest and left lateral exposure].

Four cases of aortic operations using open proximal anastomosis (OPA) under the hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) and left lateral approach (LLA) are reported. Three of 4 cases had extensive aortic disease from distal arch to descending thoracic aorta (Stanford type B chronic aortic dissection, double false aneurysms, and double true aneurysms). Another one case had ruptured aneurysm of thoracic aorta. LLA should have been selected in all cases, however, aortic proximal cross-clamp was impossible in them, because of giant pseudolumen, diseased lesion of aortic arch, hemothorax followed rupture of aneurysm. Therefore OPA under the HCA was performed. There were no complication associated with HCA, bleeding, neurological deficiency and respiratory dysfunction. We conclude that, although the HCA may have some problems, if there is the proper indication, OPA under the HCA is useful method at aortic operation for difficult aortic disease.

Early valve failure after aortic valve-sparing root reconstruction.

Aortic valve-sparing root reconstructive surgery has been widely adopted to improve the patient's quality of life. We experienced a patient who required reoperation for progressive aortic regurgitation 17 months after the initial operation of valve-sparing root reconstruction with the reimplantation method in acute aortic dissection. In this study, we were concerned with valve durability because of the absence of sinuses of Valsalva in the new aortic root and the need for careful follow-up after this procedure.

Emergency pulmonary embolectomy with percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND: The management of patients with acute pulmonary embolism remains difficult, particularly when cardiogenic shock is involved. The preoperative incidence of cardiac arrest compromises the results of emergency pulmonary embolectomy. In an attempt to reduce the operative mortality rate, we applied percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support to restore vital organ perfusion before the surgical intervention. METHODS: Percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support was preoperatively instituted in 3 patients with acute cardiopulmonary collapse caused by massive pulmonary embolism. In each patient, cardiac massage and endotracheal intubation were necessary due to loss of consciousness, hypotension, and severe cyanosis. Transesophageal echocardiography was performed to detect any evidence of thrombus in the main pulmonary artery, and each patient underwent the emergency pulmonary embolectomy using conventional cardiopulmonary bypass through a median sternotomy. RESULTS: Percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support immediately provided effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Transesophageal echocardiography clearly demonstrated any evidence of thrombus located in the pulmonary artery. Each patient was discharged from the hospital without any postoperative complication. CONCLUSIONS: The use of percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support immediately resuscitated and stabilized the cardiopulmonary function and allowed for successful emergency pulmonary embolectomy. In each patient, transesophageal echocardiography was useful for prompt and noninvasive diagnosis.

[Surgery for acute type A aortic dissection associated with Marfan syndrome].

Recently, extended operation has been recommended for aortic dissection associated with Marfan syndrome. However, the operation for acute type A aortic dissection associated with Marfan syndrome is controversial. Between May 1985 and July 1994, 5 patients associated with acute type A aortic dissection and Marfan syndrome underwent surgical repair. CT examination on all patients, the survivors of the initial operation, revealed a gradually enlarged residual pseudolumen. 2 patients who underwent aortic root reconstruction and ascending aortic replacement for the initial operation eventually had to undergo aortic arch repair. From the results of this study and the improvements of intraoperative cerebral protection, we recommend aortic arch repair with aortic root reconstruction and ascending aortic replacement on initial emergency operation for acute type A aortic dissection associated with Marfan syndrome.

[Surgical results of elderly patients with valvular heart disease in acute surgical stage and late follow-up].

Surgical and late follow-up results were compared between 40 elderly patients over 70-years-old (group I) and 43 patients aged from 65 to 69-years-old (group II) with acquired valvular heart disease. There was one hospital death in group I, and two hospital deaths in group II. There was no difference between group I and group II in the rate of hospital mortality of the occurrence of the surgical complications. Postoperative respiratory failure did not occur even in the elderly patients with preoperatively impaired vital capacity (%VC below 60%). Postoperative cardiac function after aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis in elderly patients more significantly improved in comparison with preoperative function. Survival rate was 62% in group I and 78% in group II from actual survival curve at 9 year after surgery by Kaplan-Meier method. Late survival rate and cardiac event free rate were not significantly different between group I and II. Surgical results in elderly patients with valvular heart disease were satisfactory.

[Surgical treatment for Stanford type A acute aortic dissection].

From March 1983 to September 1994, 53 consecutive patients underwent an emergency operation for type A acute aortic dissection. Eighteen patients before 1988 (Group I) underwent simple ascending aortic replacement (n = 13) and composite graft replacement (n = 5) by conventional method. Thirty-five patients after 1989 (Group II) underwent extended ascending aortic replacement (n = 17), hemiarch replacement (n = 6), total arch replacement (n = 8) and composite graft replacement (n = 4) using a brief period of circulatory arrest. The overall hospital mortality rate was 36.8% in Group I and 25.7% in Group II. The survivals after initial operation was 47% at 10 years (Kaplan-Meier) and the event free rate was 78% at ten years, respectively. Computed tomographic scanning and aortogram demonstrated the patent false lumen in 20 patients (64.5%) at the descending thoracic aorta. In conclusion, extended ascending aortic replacement is the useful operative technique to perform accurate resection of intimal disruption and clamp-site aorta because the replacement of the entry site could reduce the risk of operative mortality and reoperation. Total arch replacement is not necessarily required, if the entry is properly resected by extended ascending aortic replacement or hemiarch replacement. Close follow-up must be considered at the patients with patent false lumen, especially in patient with Marfan's syndrome.

[Clinical study on the ideal temperature of blood cardioplegic solution in coronary artery bypass graft surgery].

The effect of myocardial protection in coronary artery bypass graft surgery was evaluated from enzymatic examination and cardiac function to clarify the ideal temperature of blood cardioplegic perfusate (BCP). The surgical cases were divided into two groups from the temperature of BCP; 8 degrees C BCP in 64 cases (Group I) and 20 degrees C BCP in 64 cases (Group II). Peak total creatine-Kinase (CK) and CK-MB fraction were significantly elevated in Group I than in Group II. The value of CK-MB was 79 +/- 79 IU/L in Group I and 37 +/- 26 IU/L in Group II (p < 0.01). The parameters of cardiac function were measured from radio-isotope (RI) ventriculography in the 35 cases with depressed ejection fraction and elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (17 cases in Group I and 18 cases in Group II). Postoperative parameters such as ejection fraction, first third ejection fraction, peak ejection rate and early diastolic peak filling rate improved more significantly than preoperative values in Group II, although these parameters did not improve in Group I. From these results, 20 degrees C BCP provided excellent myocardial protection to arrested heart during coronary artery bypass surgery probably because of decreased viscosity of BCP and adequate oxygen carrying capacity to myocardium.

[Combined acute ascending aneurysm and chronic descending thoracic aneurysms].

A 66-year-old woman with a known chronic descending thoracic dissecting aneurysm was admitted following a chest X-ray which revealed a widening in the mediastinum and an increased cardiothoracic ratio. Echocardiography and chest CT showed a combined ascending thoracic dissecting aneurysm with a tripple lumen, pericardial effision, moderate aortic regurgitation, and the chronic descending thoracic dissection with incompletely thrombosed aneurysm. The chest CT also showed a normal aortic arch. The diagnosis was then made as combined acute ascending aortic dissection (DeBakey II) and chronic descending aortic dissection (DeBakey III). A 2-stage operation was planned, involving first a graft replacement of the ascending aorta, and then one month later a graft replacement of the descending aorta.

[A case of chronic traumatic thoracic aneurysm after an injury 18 years ago].

Chronic traumatic thoracic aneurysm which had passed over eighteen years since injury was reported. A 41-year-old man, who was involved in automobile accident 18 years before, complained back pain and was referred to our hospital for an aneurysm at the aortic isthmus. According to his history of trauma and location of aneurysm, it was diagnosed as chronic traumatic thoracic aneurysm. Graft replacement was performed under the left heart bypass by using the BioMedicus centrifugal pump. He has been doing well after the operation.

[Simultaneous operation of gastrectomy, cholecystectomy and coronary artery bypass grafting using right gastroepiploic artery].

We present a case who received the simultaneous surgical corrections of unstable angina, acute gastric ulcer, and cholelithiasis. A 72-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to unstable angina. An emergency coronary angiography was performed and we found severe 2 vessels disease (RCA ostium and proximal LAD lesions). After the admission, the angina was poorly controlled and the surgical treatment had been considered. The patient developed sudden hematemesis due to the uncontrolled bleeding from gastric ulcer. Then the emergency operation was performed. Partial gastrectomy with preservation of RGEA and cholecystectomy were done followed by CABG to RCA with RGEA and to LAD with autologous saphenous vein. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient is in good condition to date.

[Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the heart].

A 59-year-old woman was referred to our hospital by a local cardiologist, with unknown cause of congestive heart failure and respiratory failure. No significant heart murmur was heard and a cardioechogram from the anterior chest was insufficient for diagnosis. On the night of admission, cardio-respiratory shock was found, and Swan-Gantz catheter data showed severe pulmonary hypertension. Transesophageal echo-cardiography (TEE) revealed a left atrial tumor, with wide neck anchored onto the posterior wall of the left atrium, and which was floating into the left ventricle during the diastolic phase. An emergency operation was performed and the tumor, (80 by 50 by 48 mm) was resected. The patient recovered well in the postoperation period. However the residual tumor continued to grow gradually in the pericardial cavity and the patient died 3 months after the operation. Primary MFH of the heart is rare and 29 cases have been reported. The prognosis of MFH is poor despite surgery. Whenever a left atrial tumor with a wide neck is attached to the posterior wall, it must be considered to be possibly malignant and surgical resection is recommended.

Aortic valve replacement for Takayasu's arteritis.

We report 12 cases of aortic valve replacement performed for Takayasu's arteritis and discuss the genesis of aortic regurgitation and the clinical outcome after aortic valve replacement. This group of twelve patients who underwent aortic valve replacement between April 1982 and March 1990 included four male and eight female patients, aged 24 to 67 years (mean age 48 years). Preoperative angiography showed systemic multiple stenoocclusive or aneurysmal dilated vascular lesions in addition to aortic regurgitation. The multiple lesions included a lesion in the aortic arch branch in nine (75%), in the pulmonary artery in seven (58%), an aneurysmal dilation in the ascending aorta of more than 6 cm in four (33%), a coronary lesion in four (33%), a thoracic aortic lesion in six (50%), and a lesion in the abdominal aorta and its visceral branch in six (50%). Simple aortic valve replacement alone was performed in two patients and in combination with another operation in ten patients, with aortic root reconstruction in two, ascending aortic plication in three, coronary artery bypass grafting in two, aortic arch branch bypass grafting in one, aortic arch branch bypass grafting and coronary ostium endarterectomy in one, and mitral valve replacement and ascending aortic plication in one. There was no operative death, and only one patient died later, 18 months after the operation, because of secondary amyloidosis. The postoperative recovery of the clinical status and cardiac function was good. Intraoperative observations suggested that aortic valve regurgitation may be caused by an extension of aortitis, although histopathologic examinations of the valve showed nonspecific findings. One of the characteristic problems in Takayasu's arteritis is the necessity for prednisolone administration in some patients preoperatively or postoperatively, or both. We conclude that aortic valve replacement for patients with Takayasu's arteritis is an effective and safe treatment. Our data related to the genesis of aortic regurgitation in Takayasu's arteritis remain insufficient to draw conclusions, and further analysis is planned.

Surgical treatment of isolated iliac artery aneurysm with ureteral obstruction and/or renal failure.

Three patients with isolated iliac artery aneurysm with ureteral obstruction and/or renal failure are presented. One patient had a stenotic lesion of the right ureter caused by direct compression of common and internal iliac artery aneurysms. Resection of the aneurysms and graft replacement were successfully performed. The other patients, who had hydroureteronephrosis and renal failure caused by entrapment of the ureters in perianeurysmal fibrosis, were treated surgically by ureterolysis, resection with graft replacement of the common iliac artery aneurysms, and endoaneurysmorraphy of the internal iliac artery aneurysms. One has had a good postoperative course, whereas the other died from a rare complication of rectosigmoid colon perforation caused by direct compression by the graft.

Angioscopy in transluminal balloon and laser angioplasty in the management of chronic hemodialysis fistulae.

In chronic hemodialysis patients, there is the major problem of occlusion in the arteriovenous fistulae. To investigate this problem, the authors have developed angioscopy for examination and detection of occlusion developing to allow early use of transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA) or laser angioplasty and prevent occlusions. The authors have examined 27 patients using a 2.7 mm diameter Olympus flexible angioscope and 9F sheath, following-up with a 4 mm balloon catheter (BARD) or SLT Nd-YAG laser. PTA was performed for 25 cases, with 19 demonstrating after one session patency lasting 9 months to date. Three cases revealed restenosis and have each received three PTA sessions. Laser angioplasty was performed in one case of 15 cm chronic occlusion, with subsequent PTA successfully enabling hemodialysis. Angioscopically, the authors were able to observe the various rest-forms within the shunt and detected the mural thrombus attached to the punctured pore. Both circumferential and valvular stenoses were observed. Initially after laser angioplasty, rough irregularity and a mural thrombus in the vessel was observed, but 2 months later, the vessel lumen had become smooth, probably due to intimal growth. Thrombus is acute stenosed cases were clearly observed. Angioplasty enabled new observations in the A-V fistulae, which allows investigation of the mechanism of stenosis or occlusion and enables an extended use of the hemodialysis blood access.