Pre-emptive Aortic Side Branch Embolization during Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Using the Excluder Stent-Graft System: A Prospective Multicenter study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of pre-emptive transcatheter arterial embolization (P-TAE) for aortic side branches (ASBs) to prevent Type 2 endoleaks (EL2) before endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) using the Excluder stent-graft system (Excluder). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective, multicenter study, 80 patients (mean age, 79.1 years [SD ± 6.7]; 85.0% were men; mean aneurysmal sac diameter, 48.4 mm [SD ± 7.4]) meeting the eligibility criteria were prospectively enrolled from 9 hospitals. Before EVAR, P-TAE was performed to embolize the patent ASBs originating from the abdominal aortic aneurysm. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) was performed at 1 month and 6 months after EVAR. The primary endpoint was EL2 incidence at 6 months, and the secondary endpoints were aneurysmal sac diameter changes at 6 and 12 months, P-TAE outcomes, adverse events related to P-TAE, reintervention, and aneurysm-related mortality. RESULTS: All patients successfully underwent P-TAE without serious. Coil embolization was successful in 81.6% of ASBs. EL2 incidence at 6 months was identified in 18 of 70 (25.7%) patients. Aneurysmal sac diameter shrinkage (≥5 mm) was observed in 30.0% of patients at 6 months and in 40.9% at 12 months. Only 1 patient required reintervention for EL2 within 1 year of EVAR; aneurysm-related deaths were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: P-TAE for ASBs before EVAR using Excluder is a safe and effective strategy. It aids in achieving early aneurysmal sac shrinkage and reduces EL2 reintervention at 1 year after EVAR.

Aortic Remodeling After Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Nonacute Uncomplicated Type B Aortic Dissection.

BACKGROUND: Entry closure with thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for Stanford type B aortic dissection (TBAD) results in aortic remodeling recently. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between aortic diameter or timing of surgical intervention from onset and remodeling after TEVAR for uncomplicated nonacute TBAD. METHODS: Between April 2014 and December 2021, 83 consecutive patients underwent TEVAR for TBAD at our center. Forty patients with subacute and chronic uncomplicated TBADs with a patent false lumen, who could be followed up for at least 6 months, were included in this study. Indications for TEVAR included aortic diameter enlargement and preemptive treatment to prevent future aneurysmal changes in patients at risk of aortic diameter enlargement. Aortic remodeling was accessed, and data between the remodeling and nonremodeling groups were compared. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 97.5%, with a type Ia endoleak remaining in 1 patient. No operative or in-hospital mortality occurred. Paraparesis occurred in only 1 patient (2.5%). Follow-up was completed at a median of 53.5 months. Late death occurred in 3 cases, but there were no aortic-related deaths. Late aortic remodeling was achieved in 22 patients (55%). The preoperative maximum aortic diameter (PMAD) in the thoracic aortic region was 51.5 mm in the nonremodeling group, significantly larger than 42.5 mm in the remodeling group (P < 0.0001). The cutoff value of the PMAD for predicting aortic remodeling was 45 mm (area under the curve, 0.917; P = 0.028). The remodeling group had an earlier time from onset to intervention than the nonremodeling group, with a cutoff value of 6.3 months (area under the curve, 0.743; P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: TEVAR for nonacute uncomplicated TBAD resulted in a late aortic remodeling rate of 55%. This study suggested that a PMAD of >45 mm or a period >6.3 months between dissection onset and surgery hinders aortic remodeling after TEVAR.

Impact of frailty and prefrailty on the mid-term outcomes and rehabilitation course after cardiac surgery.

PURPOSE: This study examined the impact of frailty and prefrailty on mid-term outcomes and rehabilitation courses after cardiac surgery. METHODS: A total of 261 patients (median age: 73 years; 30% female) who underwent elective cardiac surgery were enrolled in this study. The Japanese version of the Cardiovascular Health Study Frailty Index classified 86, 131, and 44 patients into frailty, prefrailty, and robust groups, respectively. We examined the recovery of walking ability, outcomes at discharge, mid-term all-cause mortality, and rehospitalization related to major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) across the three cohorts. RESULTS: The 3-year survival rates in the frailty, prefrailty, and robust groups were 87%, 97%, and 100%, respectively (p = 0.003). The free event rates of all-cause mortality and re-hospitalization related to MACCE were 59%, 79%, and 95%, respectively (p < 0.001), with a graded elevation in adjusted morbidity among patients in the prefrailty (hazard ratio [HR], 4.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-19.4) and frailty (HR, 9.29; 95% CI 2.21-39.1) groups. Patients with frailty also experienced a delayed recovery of walking ability and a reduced number of patients with frailty were discharged home. CONCLUSION: Frailty and prefrailty adversely affect the mid-term prognosis and rehabilitation course after cardiac surgery.

Bypass Grafting to Circumflex: Left Internal Thoracic Artery versus Saphenous Vein.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) and in situ left internal thoracic artery (LITA) grafts to the left circumflex artery (LCX) territory. METHODS: This study included 678 patients who underwent LITA-left anterior descending (LAD) + SVG-LCX grafts and 286 patients who underwent right internal thoracic artery (RITA)-LAD + in situ LITA-LCX grafts from January 2002 to December 2020. Short-term and long-term clinical outcomes were compared using inverse probability of treatment weighting adjustment to reduce selection bias. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was significantly higher for the SVG-LCX group (p = 0.008), whereas deep sternal wound infection was significantly higher in the LITA-LCX group (p = 0.013).Survival rates at 5 and 10 years were 83.12 and 71.45% in the SVG-LCX group, whereas 75.24 and 65.54% in the LITA-LCX group (log-rank p = 0.114). Rates of freedom from cardiac events at 5 and 10 years were 92.82 and 85.24% in the SVG-LCX group, whereas 94.89 and 89.46% in the LITA-LCX group (log-rank p = 0.179).Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that proximal severe stenosis was significantly protective against graft dysfunction before discharge (odds ratio, 0.43; 95% confidence interval, 0.23-0.81). CONCLUSION: Deep sternal wound infection was significantly higher for LITA to LCX bypass whereas in-hospital mortality was higher for SVG to LCX. In situ LITA to LCX bypass grafting exhibited similar long-term outcomes with SVG to LCX bypass grafting in adjusted patient cohorts. Proximal severe stenosis of LCX was protective against graft dysfunction.

Association of precursors with invasive adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder: A clinicopathological study.

BACKGROUND: The current WHO classification proposed high-grade biliary intraepithelial neoplasm (BilIN) and intracholecystic papillary neoplasm (ICPN) as precursors of the gallbladder carcinoma (GBC). Herein, conventional GBCs (cGBCs) were pathologically examined with respect to these two precursors. METHODS: Forty-seven cases of GBC with grossly visible invasions were collected from Fukui Saiseikai Hospital. The association of two precursors was analyzed referring to pathologic features of cGBCs and post-operative survival. RESULTS: 20 cGBCa (42.6%) were associated with either of two precursors in the surrounding mucosa: high-grade BilIN in 15 cases (31.9%) or ICPN in 5 cases (10.6%). Association of precursors was not related to gross types of and histological differentiation of cGBC. cGBCs without precursors showed frequent vascular/perineural invasion and lymph node metastasis, though cGBCs with and without precursors presented a similar post-operative survival. High-grade BilIN and ICPN associated with cGBCs showed more complicated cytoarchitectural features compared with those with no or focal invasion. CONCLUSION: More than 40% of cGBCs were associated with high-grade BilIN or ICPN, and the former was a frequent precursor. cGBCs without precursors showed aggressive pathologic features. Clinical detection of these precursors may make early treatment of cGBCs possible.

Pathologic patterns of invasive carcinoma associated with intraductal papillary neoplasms of bile duct (IPNB).

The pathologic features of invasive carcinoma associated with IPNB remain to be clarified. By using 82 cases of IPNB, the pathologic spectrum of associated invasive carcinoma and its correlation with their post-operative overall survival (OS) were examined. Invasive carcinoma was found in 52 cases (63 %) of IPNB and was classifiable into three patterns (patterns A, B and C). Pattern A was characterized by microscopic foci of invasive carcinoma in the fibrovascular stalks or confined to the bile duct mucosa and wall beneath the intraluminal pre-invasive neoplastic components of IPNB (23 cases) and pattern B by invasive carcinoma in the periductal connective tissue and in the adjacent organ(s) mainly near or beneath the intraluminal component(s) of IPNB (15 cases). Pattern C showed nodular invasive carcinoma considerably involving the intraluminal pre-invasive components and the bile duct mucosa and wall adjacent to the intraluminal pre-invasive components of IPNB (14 cases). Recognition of these three patterns of invasive carcinoma associated with IPNB may expand the pathologic spectrum of IPNB. IPNBs without invasive carcinoma showed a favorable post-operative-OS compared with those with invasion as a whole and those of pattern B and C, respectively, but showed a similar post-operative-OS to that of pattern A. IPNB of pattern B and C showed an unfavorable post-operative outcome, though there was no difference between pattern B and C. Understanding of the pathologic spectrum of associated invasive carcinoma may facilitate further pathological analysis of IPNB.

Pathological characterization of intracholecystic papillary neoplasm: A recently proposed preinvasive neoplasm of gallbladder.

Intracholecystic papillary neoplasm (ICPN) is a recently proposed gallbladder neoplasm. Its prevalence and pathologies remain to be clarified. A total of 38 ICPN cases (28 ICPNs identified among 1904 cholecystectomies (1.5%) and in 100 surgically resected primary gallbladder neoplasms (28%) in Fukui Prefecture Saiseikai Hospital, Japan, and other 10 ICPNs) were examined pathologically and immunohistochemically. They were composed of 21 males and 17 females with a mean age of 75 years old, and presented intraluminal growth of papillary lesions with fine fibrovascular stalks. ICPNs were relatively frequent in the fundus (n = 11) and body (n = 9). Grossly, the conglomerated sessile type (n = 30) was more frequent than the isolated polypoid type (n = 8). All cases were classified as high-grade dysplasia, and they were further divided into 22 cases presenting irregular structures and 16 cases presenting regular structures. The former showed frequent complicated lesions and stromal invasion (54.5%) compared to the latter (12.5%). Twenty-four cases showed predominantly either of four subtypes (11 gastric, 7 intestinal, 4 biliary and 2 oncocytic subtype), while the remaining14 cases showed mixture of more than two subtypes. In conclusion, ICPN presented unique preinvasive neoplasm with characteristic histopathologies. Irregular histologies and complicated lesions of ICPN were related to stromal invasion.

Management of type II endoleak after endovascular repair of arteriocaval fistula complicating aortoiliac aneurysm: case report and literature review.

Endovascular treatment for arteriocaval fistula (ACF) has become the preferred alternative to open repair. However, endoleaks sometimes occur and maintain the ACF. A 64-year-old man presented with persistent fistula after placement of a bifurcated stent-graft for ACF complicating an aortoiliac aneurysm that was maintained by endoleaks from the inferior mesenteric and lumbar arteries. Transarterial embolization of the aneurysm sac and inferior mesenteric artery successfully resolved the problem without any complications observed over 16 months of follow-up. A literature review and discussion of the management options for this entity are presented. A combination of inflow and outflow control is important to obtain better long-term outcomes.

Hybrid management for spontaneous isolated dissection of the iliofemoral artery.

Acute spontaneous and isolated dissection of the iliofemoral artery is an extremely rare entity. Conservative, surgical, and endovascular treatment have been used to treat such cases. To the best of our knowledge we report the first case of using hybrid management to successfully treat isolated external iliac artery dissection extending to the superficial femoral artery. This method could potentially overcome the limitations of endovascular techniques and minimize use of extensive open surgery.

Side branch embolization before endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair to prevent type II endoleak: A prospective multicenter study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pre-emptive transcatheter arterial embolization (P-TAE) of aortic side branches to prevent type II endoleak in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm after endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair (EVAR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multicenter, prospective, single-arm trial enrolled 100 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm from nine hospitals between 2018 and 2021. There were 85 men and 15 women, with a mean age of 79.6 ± 6.0 (standard deviation) years (range: 65-97 years). P-TAE was attempted for patent aortic side branches, including the inferior mesenteric artery, lumbar arteries, and other branches. The primary endpoint was late type II endoleak incidence at 6 months post-repair. Secondary endpoints included changes in aneurysmal sac diameter at 6- and 12 months, complications, re-intervention, and aneurysm-related mortality. Aneurysm sac changes at 6- and 12 months was compared between the late and no-late type II endoleak groups. RESULTS: Coil embolization was successful in 80.9% (321/397) of patent aortic side branches, including 86.3% of the inferior mesenteric arteries, 80.3% of lumbar arteries, and 55.6% of other branches without severe adverse events. Late type II endoleak incidence at 6 months was 8.9% (8/90; 95% confidence interval: 3.9-16.8%). Aneurysm sac shrinkage > 5 mm was observed in 41.1% (37/90) and 55.3% (47/85) of the patients at 6- and 12-months post-EVAR, respectively. Patients with late type II endoleak had less aneurysm sac shrinkage than those without type II endoleak at 12 months (-0.2 mm vs. -6.0 mm; P = 0.040). No patients required re-intervention for type II endoleak, and no aneurysm-related mortalities occurred. CONCLUSION: P-TAE is safe and effective in preventing type II endoleak, leading to early sac shrinkage at 12 months following EVAR.

Impact of postoperative cusp configuration on midterm durability after aortic root reimplantation.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aim was to examine the echocardiographic features associated with recurrent aortic regurgitation (AR) after valve-preserving aortic root reconstruction surgery. METHODS: Echocardiographic data from 86 patients who underwent aortic root replacement with or without cusp repair were retrospectively reviewed. An analysis was conducted of the height difference between the level of the ventriculoaortic junction (VAJ) and the central free margin of the cusp, defined as the effective height (EH), and the length from the aortic annulus to the edge of the body of Arantius, defined as the geometric height (GH), in addition to root dimensions (diameter of VAJ, sinus of Valsalva, and sinotubular junction). RESULTS: All patients presented with < or = mild AR at discharge. After a median follow up duration of 46.4 months, the development of moderate AR or greater was observed in 14 patients. The overall actuarial freedom from moderate AR or greater, and freedom from reoperation at three and five years were 86.2 +/- 4.4% and 81.8 +/- 5.2%, and 94.0 +/- 3.0% and 91.8 +/- 3.6%, respectively. The postoperative EH (7.47 +/- 3.3 mm in > mild AR group, versus 8.81 +/- 2.1 mm in < or = mild AR group, p = 0.049), the incidence of postoperative eccentric jet (57.1% in > mild AR group versus 12.5% in < or = mild AR group, p = 0.0005) and cusp billowing (78.6% in > mild AR group versus 20.8% in < or = mild AR group, p < 0.0001) were significantly correlated with > mild AR in the follow up. There was also correlation between postoperative EH and the severity of recurrent AR at follow up (p = -0.33, p = 0.0019). CONCLUSION: Objective information on cusp configuration, such as EH, should play an important role in stabilizing the outcome of valve-sparing surgery.

Pathological survey of precursor lesions in cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: To clarify the pathological significance of two precursors (high-grade biliary intraepithelial neoplasm [BilIN] and intraductal papillary neoplasm of bile duct [IPNB]) in cholangiocarcinomas (CCAs). METHODS: Ninety-one cases of CCA (47 distal CCAs [dCCAs], 31 perihilar CCAs [pCCAs] and 13 intrahepatic CCAs of large duct type [LD-iCCAs]) were examined for their association with precursors. Neoplastic intraepithelial lesions without underlying infiltrating carcinoma in the surrounding mucosa of CCAs were considered to reflect high-grade BilIN. High-grade BilIN and IPNB were subdivided into gastric, biliary, intestinal and oncocytic subtypes, while CCAs were subdivided into gastrobiliary, intestinal and oncocytic subtypes. The postoperative overall survival (OS) was examined. RESULTS: Fifty-four and 8 of 91 CCAs were associated with high-grade BilIN and IPNB, respectively, while these precursors were unidentifiable in the remaining CCAs. A majority of CCAs were of the gastrobiliary subtype, while the intestinal subtype was occasionally detected, and the oncocytic subtype was rare. CCAs with high-grade BilIN showed a similar postoperative OS to CCAs without precursors, while CCAs with IPNB showed a favorable postoperative OS compared to CCAs without precursors. CONCLUSIONS: CCAs were frequently associated with precursors; high-grade BilIN may be a major precursor and IPNB a minor one. CCAs with IPNB showed a favorable postoperative OS compared to CCAs with high-grade BilIN.

Intraepithelial involvement of non-neoplastic glands in papillary preinvasive neoplasms of the biliary tract: a potential diagnostic pitfall.

Intracholecystic papillary neoplasms of the gallbladder (ICPN) and intraductal papillary neoplasms of the bile duct (IPNB) show intramural neoplastic growths in addition to intraluminal papillary or polypoid neoplastic growth. Such intramural growths include intraepithelial involvement of non-neoplastic glands by preinvasive neoplastic epithelia (glandular involvement) as well as stromal invasive carcinoma. A total of 29 ICPN cases and 84 IPNB cases were pathologically examined for their glandular involvement. Glandular involvement was characterized by intramural neoplastic glands (1) showing cytological and phenotypical similarities to intraluminal preinvasive papillary neoplasms and (2) showing reminiscent configurations of non-neoplastic glands, such as (i) a mixture of preinvasive neoplastic epithelia and non-neoplastic epithelia within the same glands, (ii) neoplastic glands close to or within clustered non-neoplastic glands, or (iii) continuous growth of intraluminal preinvasive neoplastic glands into the walls. Such glandular involvement was found in 16 of 29 ICPN and 48 of 84 IPNB, and 15 of the former and 28 of the latter were not associated with invasive carcinoma. Non-invasive ICPN and IPNB with glandular involvement showed a favorable postoperative overall survival (OS). Glandular involvement by preinvasive neoplastic epithelia was frequently found in ICPN and IPNB. Such lesions may be diagnostic pitfalls in ICPN and IPNB referring to invasion. Glandular involvement without invasive carcinoma was not associated with an unfavorable postoperative OS in ICPN and IPNB. Recognition of glandular involvement may thus prevent overestimation of invasive carcinoma in ICPN and IPNB.

Endovascular Repair for Ascending Aortic Graft Side Branch Pseudoaneurysm: A Report of Two Cases.

Introduction: A pseudoaneurysm arising from the side branch of the prosthesis, following ascending aortic replacement, is extremely rare. Re-intervention usually involves open surgery, replacement of the ascending aorta, or ligation of the side branch. Redo surgery with an additional sternotomy carries the risk of cardiac and vascular injuries, and endovascular treatment can reduce such adverse events. Report: This study describes the successful thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) of two cases of pseudoaneurysms arising from the side branch after ascending aortic replacement. Case 1 involved a 79 year old man who underwent ascending aortic replacement and omentopexy for a ruptured tuberculous aortic aneurysm 13 years ago. The pseudoaneurysm was mushroom shaped with a 30 mm protrusion. Case 2 involved an 83 year old man who underwent ascending aortic replacement for Stanford type A acute aortic dissection 11 years ago. The pseudoaneurysm was rod shaped with a 27 mm protrusion. In both cases, the pseudoaneurysm arising from the side branch was not noted on computed tomography (CT) until one year earlier and was first identified at a routine follow up examination. The pseudoaneurysms required surgical repair because of the risk of rupture; however, TEVAR was selected considering the risks of redo surgery and the patients' ages. It was performed via a femoral artery approach without adverse events using a commercially available thoracic aortic device. Post-operative CT scan showed complete exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm. Discussion: Although TEVAR is usually not indicated for ascending aortic pathologies, if there is an anatomical indication and a compatible stent graft, TEVAR for the ascending aorta should be the first choice in patients who are inoperable, at high risk and undergoing redo surgery.

Polypoid invasive carcinoma of bile duct: report of four cases.

Recently, "polypoid invasive carcinoma (PICA)" showing grossly visible polypoid, invasive carcinoma with no adenoma component was proposed as a neoplastic polyp of the gallbladder. Herein, we report four cases of PICA of the bile duct. PICA cases of bile duct showed single, sessile polypoid growth grossly, and polypoid components were composed of invasive carcinoma of papillary/tubular patterns with active desmoplasia, and invaded directly and continuously into the bile duct wall and periductal tissue. While PICA and other intraductal papillary neoplasm of bile duct (IPNB) shared several features, PICA showed an invasive carcinoma growing in the duct lumen and also invading into the bile duct wall, thus different from IPNB which is the intraluminal polypoid, preinvasive epithelial neoplasia with back-to-back epithelial units. Taken together, PICA and IPNB could be differentiated from each other.

Polypoid invasive carcinoma of the gallbladder-Another challenging polypoid neoplasm.

BACKGROUND: Invasive gallbladder carcinoma generally presents as nodular-sclerosing growth. Recently, "polypoid invasive carcinoma (PICA)" showing grossly visible polypoid neoplasm and histologically invasive carcinoma with no adenomatous components was proposed as a neoplastic polyp of the gallbladder. METHODS: We herein report five cases of PICA collected from 49 cases of invasive gallbladder carcinoma in comparison with another polypoid preinvasive neoplasm of gallbladder, intracholecystic papillary neoplasm (ICPN). RESULTS: Polypoid invasive carcinomas were composed of four males and one female with an average age of 74 years. Polypoid lesions were sessile (height ranging from 6 to 10 mm and the largest diameter ranging from 12 to 40 mm), and histologically, polypoid neoplasms presented papillary configuration containing tubular and cribriform components with thin inflammatory, fibrotic stroma. Polypoid carcinoma invaded directly and continuously into the gallbladder wall with destruction of the muscle layer. These patterns of PICA were different from ICPN, showing papillary patterns containing tubular components with fine fibrovascular stalks and with occasional focal stromal invasion but with preserved muscle layer. Post-operative outcome was not favorable in PICA but was favorable in ICPN. CONCLUSIONS: Polypoid invasive carcinoma shared several pathological features with ICPN, such as intraluminal polypoid pattern with papillary configurations, but PICAs were invasive adenocarcinoma with destruction of muscle layer while ICPNs were preinvasive neoplasm with occasional focal stromal invasion, thus both should be differentiated from each other.

Complete resection and arterial reconstruction for primary sarcoma arising from superior mesenteric artery.

In the treatment of retroperitoneal sarcoma involving major vessels, complete resection with vascular reconstruction is challenging. We describe the case of a 72-year-old man who presented with 8 months of abdominal pain. Diagnostic workup revealed occlusion of the celiac trunk and the origin of the superior mesenteric artery due to a soft tissue sarcoma. Radical resection of the tumor and vessels was performed. Guided by intraoperative angiography, arterial reconstruction was performed without mesenteric ischemia. All arterial margins were negative. At the 6-year follow-up, the patient was alive with no evidence of recurrence.

Modes of the bioprosthetic valve failure of the porcine and pericardial valves in the mitral position.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to examine the incidence and modes of the bioprosthetic valve failure of the porcine valve in the mitral position and compare them with those of the pericardial valve. METHODS: This study included 240 patients (116 men [48.3%]; mean age, 74.87 ± 6.61 years) who underwent mitral valve replacement using the St. Jude Medical Epic bioprosthesis (Epic) (N = 125) or Carpentier-Edwards Perimount (CEP) pericardial valve (N = 115) from January 2000 to December 2020. RESULTS: The median clinical follow-up durations in the Epic and CEP groups were 54.5 months (range, 0-111 months) and 81.5 months (range, 0-194 months), respectively. Structural valve degeneration (SVD) was observed in 9 patients (7.2%) in the Epic group and 11 patients (9.6%) in the CEP group. The rates of freedom from SVD at 3, 5 and 7 years were 97.7%, 90.5% and 75.5% in the Epic group and 100.0%, 96.1% and 90.0% in the CEP group, respectively. SVD reoperation was performed for 7 patients (5.6%) in the Epic group and 6 patients (5.2%) in the CEP group. The rates of freedom from SVD reoperation at 3, 5 and 7 years were 97.7%, 90.5% and 75.5% in the Epic group and 100%, 96.1% and 90.0% in the CEP group, respectively. Epic SVD was predominantly due to leaflet tearing, whereas CEP SVD was predominantly due to leaflet calcification and adhesion to the subvalvular apparatus. CONCLUSIONS: SVD of the porcine valve was predominantly due to leaflet tearing. The rate of reoperation for SVD was slightly higher for the porcine valve in the mitral position than for the pericardial valve at adjusted survival analysis.

Very-long-term outcomes of mechanical valves in mitral position focusing on valve-related complications.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine very-long-term outcomes of a mechanical valve at the mitral position. METHODS: This study included all patients who underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR) using a mechanical valve including urgent operation at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hyogo Brain and Heart Center, Himeji, from January 1987 to December 2015. RESULTS: Five hundred and eighty-three patients (277 men [47.51%]; age, 61 [54-67] years) were included in this study. The implanted valve models were as follows: SJM, 221 (37.91%); ATS, 35 (6.00%); On-X, 68 (11.66%); and Carbomedics 194, (33.28%).The median clinical follow-up duration was 13.3 (7.4-19.6) years. The survival rates at 10, 15, 20 and 25 years were 81.42%, 69.27%, 56.34% and 45.03%, respectively. Thromboembolism was observed in 38 patients, and the linearized ratio for each event was 0.626%/patient-year [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.443-0.859%]. Intracranial haemorrhage and gastrointestinal bleeding were observed in 26 and 9 patients, and the linearized ratio for each event was 0.425%/patient-year (95% CI, 0.277-0.006%) and 0.145%/patient-year (95% CI, 0.067-0.276%), respectively. Major paravalvular leak was observed in 32 patients, and the linearized ratio was 0.532%/patient-year (95% CI, 0.364%-0.751%). The cumulative incidence rate of major paravalvular leak at 10, 15, 20 and 25 years was 3.7%, 5.6%, 6.4% and 10.4%, respectively. Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that repeated MVR and male gender were associated with major paravalvular leak. CONCLUSIONS: Male gender and repeated MVR were risk factors for paravalvular leak after mechanical MVR. Paravalvular leak could have occurred regardless of postoperative period even at 25 years after implantation. Lifelong clinical follow-up is considered necessary.

Non-surgical management of an acute decompensated heart failure patient with severe aortic stenosis and concomitant left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) due to severe aortic stenosis (AS) and concomitant left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction is a serious condition. Treatment with medication alone is sometimes difficult, and the efficacy of further interventional strategies has not been fully elucidated. In patients with high surgical risks, combination therapy using transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and percutaneous alcohol septal ablation (ASA) is used as a non-surgical intervention. However, this treatment cannot be performed under unstable hemodynamic conditions. This report highlights the utility and efficacy of emergent balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) in controlling heart failure and its potential to serve as a bridge to curative therapy, even in older patients with ADHF due to severe AS with concomitant LVOT obstruction. Furthermore, combination therapy with TAVR and percutaneous ASA could be safely performed after controlling for ADHF using BAV. Non-surgical management is a more feasible treatment option in older patients with ADHF who are at higher risk of complications during surgical intervention. .