Atrial electrical remodeling and function after transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with aortic stenosis.

To examine reverse atrial electrical remodeling in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) after trans-catheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). In 65 consecutive patients with severe AS (83 ± 4 years, 47 (72.3%) females), we analyzed ECG records for the P wave duration (PWD) in lead II and P-terminal force (PTFV1) in V1, and measured cardiac dimensions and function by echocardiography (ECHO) following TAVR. Biomarkers were measured to assess myocardial injury by TAVR. TAVR was successfully performed without major complications: the aortic valve area increased from 0.62 ± 0.14 cm2 to 1.52 ± 0.24cm2, and the trans-aortic pressure gradient decreased from 58.4 ± 15.9 mmHg to 15.0 ± 19.6 mmHg. PWD and PTFV increased immediately after TAVR and returned to the pre-TAVR levels on the next day. Then, the PWD declined toward 6 months after TAVR non-significantly in all patients, but significantly in 25 patients with baseline PWD ≥ 130 ms (P = 0.039). PTFV1 showed no long-term change. Improvement was observed in the ejection fraction, all thickness of the left ventricle and in the left atrial dimensions on ECHO. After recovery from transient aggravation by TAVR procedure, PWD reversed slowly, and the change was significant in those with baseline PWD ≥ 130 ms while change in PTFV1 was not significant at 6 months of follow-up. ECHO showed a reversal of remodeling in the left ventricle and in the left atrial dimension after TAVR.

[Infectious Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Purulent Pericarditis due to Staphylococcus aureus:Report of a Case].

The objective of this case report is to highlight a rare case of infectious thoracic aortic aneurysm and purulent pericarditis simultaneously in a 56-year-old woman. The patient complained of left anterior chest pain and contrast computed tomography (CT) revealed infectious thoracic aortic aneurysm and purulent pericarditis accompanied by massive pericardial effusion. She underwent a pericardial drainage immediately, and antibiotic treatment was initiated. Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus was detected in blood and pericardial fluid cultures. On day eight of hospitalization, contrast CT scan showed enlargement of the aortic aneurysm. Therefore, total arch replacement was performed on day 10 using rifampicin-soaked graft. After surgery, antibiotic treatment was continued, till inflammatory markers became negative. She was discharged on day 66 without developing anastomotic pseudoaneurysms nor constrictive pericarditis.

[Stanford Type A Acute Aortic Dissection with Acute Myocardial Infarction due to Compression of Left Main Coronary Artery:Report of a Case].

A 58-year-old man was admitted to our institution with sudden onset of hypotension and acute ischemia of left lower extremity. Electrocardiography showed ST segment elevation in leads V1~V6 and a transthoracic echocardiogram revealed antero-septal wall hypokinesis. He was given a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction caused by left main coronary artery compression due to acute aortic dissection by enhanced computed tomography. We implanted a stent in the left main coronary artery and performed right external iliac-left femoral arterial bypass under general anesthesia. We performed a conventional total arch replacement and frozen elephant trunk and mitral valve repair at day 16. His postoperative course was good. Implantation of a left main trunk stent is an effective strategy for Stanford type A acute aortic dissection with left main coronary arterial occlusion before surgical repair.

Early and Late Outcomes of Aortic Valve Replacement with Aortic Annular Enlargement: A Propensity Analysis.

Objectives Early and late outcomes were evaluated in Japanese patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) with or without aortic annular enlargement (AAE). Propensity matching adjusted for baseline differences in this study. Methods Between January 2001 and July 2014, 589 patients underwent AVR for aortic stenosis. Of these, 58 patients received AVR with AAE (AAE group), and the others received standard AVR without annular enlargement (sAVR group). Of these 589 patients, 116 patients were selected using propensity score matching analysis. We compared early and late outcomes between the two groups. Results Compared with the sAVR group, cardiopulmonary bypass time (177 ± 42 vs. 157 ± 39 minutes) and aortic cross-clamp time (126 ± 32 vs. 110 ± 34 minutes) were significantly longer in the AAE group. However, there were no significant differences between the AAE group and the sAVR group in 30-day mortality (1.7 vs. 3.4%) and in-hospital mortality (1.7 vs. 3.4%). There was no severe patient-prosthesis mismatch after AVR in the AAE group. The overall survival rate and freedom from cardiac events in the AAE group and in the sAVR group at 10 years were 92.4 versus 75.9% (p = 0.477) and 89.5 versus 82.8% (p = 0.076), respectively. No differences were found between the two groups. Conclusions AAE was performed safely in Japanese patients with small aortic annulus. Surgical outcomes of the AAE group were not inferior to those of sAVR. Using this technique, which did not require advanced skills, it was easy to avoid severe patient-prosthesis mismatch.

Early and Late Outcomes of Aortic Valve Replacement Using Bioprosthetic Versus Mechanical Valve in Elderly Patients: A Propensity Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: There is still controversy on the use of mechanical valves to treat elderly patients with a small aortic annulus who require aortic valve replacement (AVR). We compared our results in elderly patients who underwent AVR with a bioprosthetic or mechanical valve. Propensity matching adjusted for baseline differences in this study. METHODS: Between January 2001 and July 2014, 277 patients aged ≥75 years old who underwent AVR were enrolled. Of 277 patients, 104 patients were selected using propensity score matching analysis. Out of this cohort, 52 patients underwent AVR with a bioprosthetic valve (B group) and the remainder AVR with a mechanical valve (M group). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the B and M groups in 30 days mortality (1.9% vs. 5.8%, p = 0.618). The incidence of patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) after AVR tended to be lower in the M group than in the B group. The overall survival rates in the B and M groups at eight years were 72.8% and 73.3%, respectively (p = 0.473). No significant differences between the two groups were observed in freedom from valve-related death, cardiac events, bleeding events, or stroke events. CONCLUSIONS: AVR in elderly patients achieved relatively good short-term and long-term outcomes, and the incidence rates of valve-related complications after using a mechanical valve were low. In a selected population of elderly patients, a mechanical valve may be acceptable. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12719 (J Card Surg 2016;31:195-202).

[Early and Late Outcomes of Valve Surgery in Active Infective Endocarditis Patients with Cerebral Complications].

We carried out a retrospective evaluation of the early and late outcomes of valve surgery for acute endocarditis patients with cerebrovascular disease. Between January 2002 and August 2014, a total of 17 patients (early group, n=10;delayed group, n=7) underwent valve surgery with or without an additional procedure. Craniotomy was performed in 1 patient in the early group and 2 patients in the delayed group before valve surgery. There was 1 in-hospital death due to acute respiratory distress syndrome in the early group and 1 death due to intestinal bleeding in the delayed group. Postoperative deterioration was observed in 1 in the delayed group. Overall survival in the early group was 90% and was not significantly different from survival in the delayed group (86%). In conclusion, our study demonstrated good early and mid-term outcomes for valve surgery in active endocarditis patients with cerebrovascular disease. There was no postoperative deterioration in the early group. Thus, an early operation for these patients may be acceptable.

Descending aorta-external iliac artery bypass for middle aortic syndrome.

We encountered a surgical case of middle aortic syndrome (MAS) in a 56-year-old man who had resistant hypertension. Computed tomography showed severe stenosis of the abdominal aorta from below the superior mesenteric artery to above the inferior mesenteric artery. Although bilateral renal artery stenosis was confirmed, renal function was within normal limits. A 10-mm vascular prosthetic graft was used to perform a descending aorta to left external iliac artery bypass. His hypertension was well controlled without medication. This extra-anatomic bypass may be a simple and useful approach for treating MAS if it is not necessary to reconstruct the renal artery or visceral artery.

[Simplified aortic root replacement in the era of complex operation].

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study is to assess the clinical results of aortic root replacement using the Carbo-Seal composite graft( CS) compared with the other type of homemade composite grafts. Fifty-nine patients who underwent aortic root replacement between January 1998 to December 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. Twenty-six received homemade composite graft( group 1;1998 ~ 2005) and 33 received CS( group 2;2005 ~ 2010). RESULTS: The duration of operation was longer in group 1:469.2±143.5 min versus 380.3±153.9 min (p=0.03). Although there was no statistically significant difference, group 2 had a higher complex operation rate compared with group1(23.1% versus 45.5%, p=0.07). Overall hospital mortality was 11.5% in group1 versus 3.0% in group2. Prevalence of major complication was significantly lower in group 2 (46.2% versus 18.2%, p=0.02).Requirement of intraoperative blood transfusion (group 1;1,130.8±854.7 ml versus group 2;598.2±836.4 ml) and amount of blood loss in the 1st 12 hours post operation (group 1;628.3±474.6 ml versus group 2;447.8±253.2 ml) were significantly lower in group 2. By univariate analysis, duration of operation, duration of cardio-pulmonary bypass (CPB), blood transfusion, acute dissection were independent risk factors and CS use was negative risk factor for major events. Aortic root replacement with use of CS can be performed with a relatively low early mortality and morbidity. Because a complicated operation is increasing in recent years, use of CS graft may simplify a Bentall operation.

[Early and mid-term outcomes of aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis in hemodialysis patients].

We carried out a retrospective evaluation of the early and mid-term outcomes of aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic stenosis in hemodialysis patients. Between 2004 and 2012, a total of 40 dialysis patients underwent AVR with or without an additional procedure. Hemodialysis was performed routinely the day before and during the operation. At surgery, decalcification was performed using a cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator(CUSA) and a high performance mechanical valve was then implanted, with the exception of elderly patients or those in whom use of oral anticoagulation is contraindicated. A mechanical valve was used in 33 patients and a bioprosthetic valve in 7 patients. Hemodialysis was resumed on the 2nd postoperative day in the majority of patients. There was no intra-operative death and in-hospital mortality was 5%, due to sepsis and intestinal ischemia in 2 of the 40 patients. The mean follow-up period was 33 months. There was no structural valve deterioration in patients with the bioprosthetic valve. Of the 8 late deaths, the reason for deaths was cardiac in 4 patients. Overall survival in the 40 patients was 92%, 79%, and 54% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. Our study demonstrated good early and mid-term outcomes for aortic valve replacement in hemodialysis patients. CUSA was useful for patients with a calcified valve and annulus. A bioprosthetic valve was acceptable for use in elderly patients.

Triple patch technique to repair ventricular septal rupture.

Postinfarction ventricular septal rupture (VSR) remains an important and life-threatening complication of myocardial infarction (MI). Although several techniques have improved surgical outcomes of postinfarction VSR, the treatment is still challenging with a high mortality rate. In addition, it is well known that a postoperative residual shunt after VSR repair is associated with poor outcomes; however, late outcomes involving patients with a residual shunt after VSR repair are lacking. This paper presents the early and late outcomes of patients who underwent the triple patch technique to repair a VSR and the usefulness in reducing a postoperative residual shunt. The main process of this technique is that the patch is gently placed on the myocardium with over and over suture and is firmly attached using glue. Therefore, the triple patch technique is simple and easy to perform, and is designed to minimize residual shunt and exclude infarcted myocardium. In the present keynote lecture, we describe our surgical technique and the results of VSR repair.

A case of abdominal aortic aneurysm associated with L-shaped crossed-fused renal ectopia.

Genitourinary anomalies are a tremendous challenge for the vascular surgeon, especially when dealing with an abdominal aortic aneurysm. We report a case of crossed-fused renal ectopia, a rare anomaly accompanied by abdominal aortic aneurysm. Bilateral renal arteries and one aberrant artery from the right common iliac artery supply the ectopic kidney. Because renal ischemia during aortic reconstruction can be a serious problem, we reconstructed a temporary right axillo-left renal artery bypass graft first, then reimplanted the aberrant renal artery. When choosing the procedure for renal preservation, preoperative multidetector-row computed tomography was useful to plan the operative strategy.

[Assessment of pulse wave velocity as a marker of post-operative cardiovascular risk in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting patients].

OBJECTIVE: Pulse wave velocity is widely used as an index of arterial stiffness. The aim of this study is to assess the usefulness of pulse wave velocity as a risk factor in patients who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) [OPCAB]. METHODS AND RESULTS: Arterial stiffness was measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and the ratio of patient's baPWV to age-matched normal value was calculated in 90 OPCAB patients. The mean age and male/female ratio were 69.1 years old and 68/22, respectively. baPWV was higher in CABG patients (1,891 +/- 511 cm/s) than that in age-matched normal value (p<0.01). Preoperatively, baPWV ratio did not correlate to the severity of coronary artery diseases. There were 1 (1.1%) in-hospital death and 48 incidences of postoperative complication in 38 patients. The baPWV ratio in the group with postoperative major complications except atrial fibrillation tended to be higher than that in the non-complication group (1.38 +/- 0.36 vs 1.26 +/- 0.30, p = 0.09). CONCLUSION: The elevated baPWV may be a useful predictor of operative risk in patients who undergo CABG.

Platypnea-orthodeoxia Syndrome in a Patient with an Atrial Septal Defect: The Diagnosis and Choice of Treatment.

A 77-year-old woman developed dyspnea over three years which occurred during sitting, standing or walking. Her physical examination, chest X-ray, ECG and cardiac catheterization results were all normal. A marked fall in arterial oxygen saturation was observed on sitting or standing. Transesophageal echocardiography showed an increase of right to left shunt flow on sitting. The patient was diagnosed with platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome and underwent the surgical closure of an atrial septal defect of 19 mm in diameter. After the surgery, the patient's POS symptoms were completely resolved. She was discharged and followed at the outpatient clinic. Her post-treatment course was uneventful.

Large saphenous vein graft aneurysm with a fistula to the right atrium.

We report on a case of a 65-year-old man who was admitted for anterior chest pain on effort. He had received coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery 20 years ago with saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and right coronary artery (RCA). An angiography demonstrated large aneurysmal dilatation of both grafts and a fistulous communication between the middle portion of the right SVG and the right atrium (RA). The aneurysm was excised surgically, and the fistula was closed with the right atrial wall with additional bypass grafts of the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) and gastroepiploic artery (GEA).

Lower limits of hematocrit and mixed venous oxygen saturation ensuring sufficient cerebral oxygenation during hemodilution in rabbits.

OBJECTIVES: We have assessed clinically systemic tissue oxygenation by monitoring mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) in addition to hematocrit (Hct) during cardiopulmonary bypass. Based on results of experimental studies together with clinical experience, we previously defined the lower limits of the critical range as an Hct of 12% and an SvO2 of 46%. However, these values do not provide direct information about cerebral oxygenation. This study was performed to identify critical values for these variables that would be able to ensure sufficient jugular venous oxygen saturation (SjO2), which reflects global cerebral oxygenation. METHODS: Normovolemic hemodilution was performed in ten rabbits. Hct, SvO2 and SjO2 were measured every 7 minutes. The safety limit for cerebral oxygenation was defined as an SjO2 of 50% based on studies of Croughwell et al. and Cook et al. The limit point was defined as 7 minutes before the time that the SjO2 decreased below 50% for the first time. RESULTS: Minimal values for Hct and SvO2 to maintain SjO2 at 50% or more during normovolemic normothermic hemodilution, expressed as the 95% confidence interval, were Hct of 7.4% to 10.0% and SvO2 of 41.8% to 51.4%. CONCLUSION: Adopting the higher values of these pairs, safety limits for cerebral oxygenation would be an Hct of 10.0% and an SvO2 of 51.4%. In conclusion, our experiments in rabbits suggest new safety limits during normovolemic normothermic hemodilution of Hct of 12% and SvO2 of 52%, taking both whole-body and cerebral oxygenation into consideration.

Early and midterm outcomes of triple patch technique for postinfarction ventricular septal defects.

OBJECTIVE: Early and midterm outcomes were evaluated in patients who had postinfarction ventricular septal defect (VSD) and underwent VSD repair using the triple patch technique. METHODS: Twenty-one patients underwent VSD repair for postinfarction VSD between April 2004 and September 2015. A retrospective analysis of all in-hospital and postdischarge data was performed. In addition, we compared pre- and perioperative variables between survivors and nonsurvivors. RESULTS: Thirty-day mortality was 23.8% (5 patients). Three patients died due to low output syndrome and 2 patients died due to sepsis. All of these patients were in cardiogenic shock preoperatively. Although 3 patients had a small residual shunt after surgery, the residual shunt disappeared 6 months after surgery in 1 patient and has been decreasing gradually in another. The mean follow-up was 43.5 ± 36.1 months. Overall survival rates (Kaplan-Meier method) at 3 and 8 years were 70.8% and 57.9%, respectively. Compared with survivors, nonsurvivors had a higher incidence of preoperative cardiogenic shock, higher incidence of chronic kidney disease and end-organ failure, and longer aortic crossclamp times during surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Early and midterm outcomes of modified infarct exclusion using the triple patch technique are acceptable. This technique is safe and simple, and may be useful for reducing postoperative residual shunt.

Topical spraying of cefazolin and gentamicin reduces deep sternal wound infections after heart surgery: a multicenter, large volume, retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The use of topical antimicrobials applied to the sternum during cardiac procedures in combination with intravenous agents to prevent mediastinitis has been reported to yield good results. The objective of this study is to provide optimal method of topical antimicrobials for the prevention of sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the patients undergoing adult cardiac surgery at five institutions between January 1994 and August 2013 for the incidence of deep sternal wound infection (DSWI). The patients were sprayed with a solution of cefazolin and gentamicin into the surgical site several times during surgery. The incidence of DSWI was evaluated. Four major risk factors [diabetes mellitus (DM), emergency operation, dialysis and prolonged operation] were also evaluated for their implications in the outcome with the antimicrobial spraying. RESULTS: Totally, 6960 patients were analyzed. The incidence of DSWI was 0.46% in the spraying group versus 1.7% in control group (p < 0.0001). There is no significant difference of the incidence of DSWI between DM and non-DM groups (p = 1.00), emergency and elective operation groups (p = 0.25) under usage of antimicrobial spraying. However, there is significant difference of the incidence of DSWI between dialysis and non-dialysis groups (p = 0.0222), longer than six-hour duration and lesser than six-hour duration operation groups (p = 0.0269). CONCLUSION: Topical spraying of cefazolin and gentamicin reduces deep sternal wound infections after cardiac surgery. DM and emergency operation were not the risk factors of DSWI when antimicrobial spraying is administered. Considering the benefits, antimicrobial spraying could be used intermittently during such procedures.

Early and late outcomes of AVR with aortic annular enlargement in octogenarian.

OBJECTIVE: There is no clear consensus on the procedures for octogenarians with a small aortic annulus who require aortic valve replacement (AVR). We evaluated surgical results in octogenarians who underwent AVR with aortic annular enlargement, Nicks procedure, for aortic stenosis with a small aortic annulus. METHODS: Between January 2001 and March 2014, 131 octogenarian patients were treated at our institution. Nineteen patients received AVR with aortic annular enlargement (AAE group), and the others received standard AVR without annular enlargement (sAVR group). We compared early and late outcomes between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in early complications between the groups. The rates for use of a mechanical valve (32 vs 22 %, p = 0.590), in-hospital mortality (5.3 vs 5.4 %, p = 1.000), and severe patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) (0 vs 6.3 %, p = 0.593) were also similar between the AAE and sAVR group. In the AAE group, there was no cardiac-related death, bleeding event, thromboembolism, or stroke during the follow-up period (mean 37.6 months). The rates of freedom from cardiac events at 8 years were 94 % in the AAE group and 57 % in the sAVR group (p = 0.292). The overall survival rates at 8 years were 77 % in the AAE group and 77 % in sAVR group (p = 0.462). There were no significant differences in these rates between the groups. CONCLUSION: AVR with aortic annular enlargement in octogenarians with small aortic annulus was safe and led to good operative and long-term outcomes.