Outcomes of ascending aorta and partial arch replacement with entry resection for DeBakey type I acute aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated early and late outcomes between ascending aorta/partial arch replacement and total arch replacement with entry resection in DeBakey type I acute aortic dissection (DIAAD) repair. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study included 98 patients who underwent DIAAD repair from January 2005 to December 2020. Seventy-four patients underwent ascending aorta and partial arch replacement with entry resection (Non-TAR group), and 24 underwent total arch replacement with entry resection (TAR group). The mean follow-up period was 4.8 ± 3.2 years. The follow-up rate was 92.3%. The mean age in the Non-TAR and TAR groups was 68.8 ± 10.4 years and 61.6 ± 13.7 years, respectively (P = 0.046). No difference in preoperative shock and malperfusion syndrome was observed between the groups. Hospital death was observed in 5.4% and 12.5% of the Non-TAR and TAR groups, respectively (P = 0.241). Postoperative permanent neurologic deficits and temporary hemodialysis were more frequently seen in the TAR compared to the Non-TAR group (P = 0.03 and 0.003, respectively). The 5-year survival rates were 95.1% ± 3.4% and 89.2% ± 7.2% in the Non-TAR and TAR groups, respectively (Log-rank P = 0.603). Freedom from downstream aorta-related reinterventions at 5 years was 87.8% ± 4.5% and 64.1% ± 11.0% in the Non-TAR and TAR groups, respectively (Log-rank P = 0.007). Three patients in each group underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair for residual aortic dissection. CONCLUSIONS: Early and late outcomes in the Non-TAR group were satisfactory compared to those in the TAR group. Entry resection with graft replacement remains a standard approach in DIAAD repair.

Novel operative technique for Scimitar syndrome: Posterior flap technique.

Various surgical techniques have been reported for Scimitar syndrome, because of the heterogenous anatomy of the disease. We developed a novel surgical method to repair Scimitar syndrome, in which, a new pulmonary venous route is constructed behind the inferior vena cava using autologous flaps of the inferior vena cava and the interatrial septum. An adult case of Scimitar syndrome was repaired by this method with good results.

[Stanford Type A Acute Aortic Dissection Accompanying Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery:Report of a Case].

A 64-year-old man was transferred to our hospital due to a diagnosis of Stanford type A acute aortic dissection complicated by cardiac tamponade. He was in shock status as well. Careful inspection of contrast- enhanced computed tomography revealed Kommerell's diverticulum with the aberrant right subclavian artery running behind the esophagus. The artery connected to the right axillary artery. The left vertebral artery was separately branched from the aortic arch. Primary entry was not detected on the preoperative computed tomography( CT). Left ventricular function was preserved by transthoracic echocardiography. At emergency surgery, total aortic arch replacement with reconstruction of the right axillary artery, both carotid arteries, and the left subclavian artery along with the left vertebral artery was successfully performed. The aberrant right subclavian artery was ligated at the origin. Kommerell' s diverticulum was completely excluded. Postoperative contrast-enhanced CT showed the patency of all reconstructed arteries. Although he suffered from acute cholecystitis and persistent bilateral pleural effusion, he was discharged in a good condition.

Mid-term outcomes and hemodynamic performance of the St Jude Medical Epic aortic bioprosthesis for severe aortic stenosis.

The St. Jude Medical Epic Supra valve is a porcine bioprosthesis designed for complete supraannular implantation. No report has shown the hemodynamic performance and clinical outcomes of aortic valve replacement with the Epic Supra valve for severe aortic stenosis in a Japanese cohort. We retrospectively evaluated 65 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement using the Epic Supra valve for aortic stenosis at our department between May, 2011 and October, 2016. The mean follow-up period was 68.7 ± 32.7 months, and the follow-up rate was 89.2%. The mean age was 76.8 ± 5.3 years. The 1-, 5-, and 8-year survival rates were 96.9%, 79.4%, and 60.3%, respectively. The rates of freedom from valve-related events were 96.6% and 81.9% at 5 and 8 years, respectively. Four patients were diagnosed with structural valve deterioration (SVD), and reintervention was performed in two patients. The rates of freedom from SVD were 98.2% and 83.3% at 5 and 8 years, respectively, and the mean time to diagnosis of SVD was 72.5 ± 25.3 months. The mean pressure gradient (MPG) was 16.8 ± 6.0 mmHg postoperatively, 17.5 ± 9.4 mmHg at 5 years, and 21.2 ± 12.4 mmHg at 8 years (p = 0.08). The effective orifice area index (EOAI) was 0.95 ± 0.2 cm2/m2 immediately after surgery, 0.96 ± 0.27 cm2/m2 at 5 years, and 0.84 ± 0.2 cm2/m2 at 8 years (p = 0.10). An increase in MPG and decrease in EOAI were also observed, which may be associated with SVD. Follow-up after 5 years is important to determine if there is an increase.

[Idiopathic Ascending Aortic Thrombosis with Multiple Embolism:Report of a Case].

Ascending aorta thrombosis unaccompanied by an aneurysm or a primary hypercoagulable state is rare. We report a surgical case of ascending aorta thrombosis with multiple emboli. A 44-year-old woman visited the hospital for evaluation of dysarthria and was diagnosed with multiple cerebral infarcts. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed a mass in the ascending aorta and the brachiocephalic artery. We performed emergency removal of the masses and endarterectomy with cardiopulmonary bypass under hypothermic circulatory arrest. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen showed thrombi. The patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged 12 days postoperatively. No recurrent thrombus or hypercoagulable state was observed for 3 years postoperatively.

Coronary artery bypass grafting in children aged under 1 year: a report of three cases.

We performed coronary artery bypass grafting with the internal thoracic artery in three infants. Grafts were patent in all cases. One patient was lost due to chronic heart failure. Coronary artery bypass grafting can be performed even in infancy, and early surgical intervention may be necessary when myocardial ischaemia is recognised.

Tricuspid valve repair with papillary muscle approximation for congenital tricuspid valve regurgitation due to tricuspid valve dysplasia.

We experienced a case of a 1-year-old female with congenital tricuspid valve regurgitation caused by tricuspid valve dysplasia. The anterior and septal leaflets were particularly dysplastic, and leaflet tethering was observed. The anterior papillary muscle was approximated to the interventricular septum, and a commissural edge-to-edge suture was inserted on the anteroseptal commissure. Tricuspid valve regurgitation improved to be trivial after surgery and has not worsened 1 year later. Papillary muscle approximation could be one of the feasible reparative techniques for congenital tricuspid valve regurgitation.

[Surgical Outcomes of Mycotic Aneurysm of the Aortic Arch].

Mycotic aneurysm of the aortic arch is a rare, but critical entity. We reviewed our surgical experience of mycotic aneurysm of the aortic arch. Between January 2007 and December 2015, we operated on six patients who had mycotic aneurysm of the aortic arch. The mean age was 72 years old, and four males were included. Preoperative white blood cell count was 18,266/µl and C-reactive peptide was 18.5 µg/dl, respectively. The initial presentations included fever( n=2), hoarseness( n=2), weakness of a leg( n=1), dyspnea (n=1) and hemoptysis (n=1). Preoperative blood cultures were positive in three patients. All patients underwent a total aortic arch repair with a four-branched vascular tube, and five received pedicled omental grafting. One patient who did not receive pedicled omental grafting died of recurrence of infection on postoperative day 21, and the other died of multi-organ failure on postoperative day 77. We experienced tracheostomy( n=1), minor stroke( n=1), and atrial fibrillation( n=1). During the follow-up period, no recurrence of infection was observed in four survivors. Our surgical strategy is satisfactory to achieve good clinical outcomes.

Pneumatosis intestinalis and hepatic portal venous gas caused by enteral feeding after a heart valve surgery.

An 81-year-old female with a history of type I diabetes mellitus underwent mitral valve repair and tricuspid annuloplasty for severe mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. A nasogastric tube was inserted on postoperative day 2, and enteral feeding was initiated. She complained about severe abdominal pain on postoperative day 7. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a massive hepatic portal venous gas and pneumatosis intestinalis of the small intestine. Emergency laparotomy showed no evidence of transmural necrosis. Bowel resection was not performed. On the next day, computed tomography showed an almost complete resolution of the portal venous gas and pneumatosis intestinalis. She was discharged home. Learning objective: Cardiac surgeons should still be aware that enteral feeding is a potential risk factor for pneumatosis intestinalis and hepatic portal venous gas as a sign of non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia due to impaired blood supply, intestinal distension, and toxic mucosal injury.

Midterm Outcomes After Surgical Management for Mitral Valve Regurgitation in Infancy.

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve repair is preferred for pediatric mitral valve disease. However, it is technically difficult because of complex lesions, poor surgical exposure, and tissue fragility, especially in infants. We investigated the midterm outcomes of mitral valve surgery for mitral regurgitation in infancy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 18 patients (aged <12 months old) undergoing mitral valve surgery for mitral regurgitation at our institution between October 2005 and March 2019. The patients had 10 acquired and 8 congenital valve lesions as follows: torn chordae (n = 6), leaflet prolapse (n = 4), posterior leaflet hypoplasia (n = 3), anterior leaflet cleft (n = 2), infective endocarditis (n = 1), papillary muscle rupture (n = 1), and hammock valve (n = 1). RESULTS: All patients initially underwent mitral valve repair. There was no operative mortality, and 1 case of late death. The median follow-up period was 7 years and 9 months. Reoperation was performed in 3 patients, re-repair (twice) in 1 patient with a hammock valve, and mitral valve replacement in 2 patients. Fifteen patients had at most mild mitral regurgitation at the last follow-up. A transmitral mean pressure gradient of over 5 mm Hg was observed in 3 cases, including the patient with a hammock valve. Postoperative mitral annular diameter increased within the normal range in all patients. Survival and reoperation-free rates at 5 and 10 years were 94.4% and 83.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Mitral valve repair for mitral regurgitation in infancy is safe and feasible with satisfactory midterm outcomes, even under serious preoperative conditions.

[Primary Volvulus of the Small Intestine Mimicking Nonocclusive Mesenteric Ischemia Following Open-heart Surgery].

A 73-year-old female who underwent aortic valve replacement with a biological valve, coronary artery bypass, and left atrial appendage closure had sudden onset of nausea and abdominal pain 43 days after surgery. She had a history of nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia on 4th postoperative day, for which conservative management was successfully carried out. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CT) was performed because a recurrence of nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia was suspected. It revealed a whirl sign in the small intestine, suggestive of small intestine volvulus. At the subsequent emergency laparotomy, volvulus caused severe congestion in the small intestine, aproximately 40 cm from the cecum. However, there was no evidence of transmural necrosis, and reduction of torsion notably improved blood supply to the small intestine. Her regular diet was resumed on 4th postoperative day, and her postoperative course was uneventful. Volvulus should be considered as a differential diagnosis in the setting of acute abdominal pain after open-heart surgery.

Surgical strategy for treating mycotic aneurysms of thoracic and abdominal aorta and iliac artery: Analysis of long-term follow-up data.

Mycotic aneurysms of the aorta and iliac arteries are rare, but life-threatening conditions. We reviewed our experience to determine the best surgical strategy. Between 2007 and 2015, we operated 14 patients with mycotic aneurysms of the aortic arch (n = 6), descending aorta (n = 1), thoracoabdominal aorta (n = 2), abdominal aorta (n = 4), and iliac artery (n = 1). The mean age was 70.4 ± 8.8 years, and 10 males were included. Blood culture, tissue culture, or both were positive in 11 patients. Four of five patients with mycotic aneurysms of the abdominal aorta and iliac artery underwent extra-anatomical bypass. Ten underwent in-situ graft replacement for managing mycotic aneurysms of the thoracic aorta. One patient with a mycotic thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm underwent visceral bypass of the descending aorta and extra-anatomical bypass. Omental pedicle grafting was performed in 10 patients. The mean follow-up period was 8.6 ± 3.1 years. Three patients (21.4%) died. Recurrent infection was observed in one patient with a mycotic aneurysm of iliac artery three months after the initial surgery. The patient underwent extra-anatomical bypass with omental pedicle grafting as a redo. Nine patients were discharged, and no recurrence of infection was observed. Two patients died of cancer and heart failure. The five- and seven-year survival rates were 100% ± 0.0% and 85.7% ± 13.2%, respectively. A combination of radical debridement of the infectious source and omental pedicle grafting with either in-situ graft replacement or extra-anatomical bypass is an effective strategy.

[Surgical Removal of a Fractured Guide Wire for Coronary Angioplasty and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting:Report of a Case].

Guide wire fracture is a rare, yet potentially life-threatening complication of percutaneous coronary intervention. A 65-years old man underwent emergent coronary angioplasty for myocardial ischemia. Percutaneous coronary intervention for the residual lesions of left anterior descending artery (LAD) was planned. The protection guide wire for left circumflex artery( LCx) was entangled in the stent in LAD. Despite many attempts, the wire could not be retrieved. Finally, the wire was fractured and the stent in LAD was deformed. The patient was sent to our service to remove the fractured wire. We performed urgent removal of the guide wire and coronary artery bypass grafting( CABG). The postoperative course was uneventful. The timing of surgical removal of the guide wire and the indication for coronary artery reconstruction should be discussed by heart team.

[Surgery for a Massive Left Atrial Myxoma, Four Hours after a Thrombectomy for a Cerebral Embolism:Report of a Case].

A 48-year-old female patient was transferred with dysarthria and left-sided hemiplegia. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed occlusion of the first branch of the right middle cerebral artery, for which an emergency thrombectomy was successfully performed within 2 hours of patient's initial symptoms. Postoperatively, transthoracic echocardiography revealed a massive mobile left atrial mass, measuring approximately 65×30 mm, a part of which moved in and out of the mitral valve without significant mitral regurgitation. Embolisms to the kidneys and the spleen were demonstrated. Another emergency cardiac surgery was performed, 4 hours after the thrombectomy, to resect the mass from the fossa oval with the atrial septum;the defect was closed using autologous pericardium. The histopathological findings of the specimen were consistent with a myxoma. The patient completely recovered and was discharged when ambulatory. We have discussed the importance of the timing of surgical intervention in the context of patients undergoing cardiac surgery after a cerebral embolism.

Hemodynamic performance of INSPIRIS RESILIA aortic bioprosthesis for severe aortic stenosis: 2-year follow-up in Japanese cohort.

The INSPIRIS RESILIA aortic bioprosthesis (Edwards Lifesciences LLC, Irvine, USA) was fixed in novel tissue preservation technology to ensure long-term durability. Hemodynamic performance after aortic valve replacement (AVR) for severe aortic stenosis (AS) has not been published in the Japanese cohort. Twenty-nine patients underwent AVR with INSPIRIS RESILIA bioprosthesis for severe AS between November 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020. The mean age was 75.1 ± 4.5 years with 19 female patients. Body surface area was 1.58 ± 0.19 m2 and New York Heart Association functional class was 2.2 ± 0.5. Hemodynamic performance was assessed using follow-up transthoracic echocardiographic data collected at 3-6 months, 1 year and 2 years. The mean follow-up time was 19.2 ± 7.2 months, with a 100% follow-up rate. One patient died of postoperative heart failure. The preoperative mean and peak transvalvular pressure gradients (PGs) were 51.9 ± 18.4 mmHg and 89.3 ± 34.9 mmHg, respectively, and effective orifice area 0.72 ± 0.26 cm2. They improved at 10.2 ± 3.5 mmHg (p < 0.0001), 19.3 ± 6.6 mmHg (p < 0.0001) and 1.73 ± 0.47cm2 (p < 0.0001) at discharge. The mean transvalvular PG at 3-6 months (n = 24), 1 year (n = 25) and 2 years (n = 15) was 11.2 ± 3.8 mmHg (p < 0.0001), 11.1 ± 3.2 mmHg (p < 0.0001) and 11.2 ± 3.3 mmHg (p < 0.0001), respectively. Left ventricular mass index decreased from 123.0 ± 35.0 g/m2 before surgery to 113.4 ± 35.0 g/m2 (p = 0.0133) at discharge. It has dropped to 88.0 ± 25.0 g/m2 (p = 0.0007) at 2 years. Constrictive pericarditis caused heart failure in one patient. INSPIRIS RESILIA bioprosthesis showed improved hemodynamic performance in the early postoperative phase. There were fewer valve-related events observed.

Neomedia Repair of the Valsalva Sinus in the Treatment of Acute Type-A Aortic Dissection: Long-term Effectiveness and a Case of Pathology.

Although numerous surgical techniques are employed to treat acute Stanford type A aortic dissection (ATAAD), controversy remains over which is the best procedure for aortic root reconstruction. Among the various techniques utilized, neomedia repair is considered to be more promising than adhesive-only repair for the treatment of a dissected aortic root. We experienced a series of neomedia sinus Valsalva repair using woven polyester fabric, and evaluated the aortic root diameter by computed tomography and severity of aortic valve insufficiency by transthoracic echocardiography. The aortic root diameter was well preserved with no progress of aortic valve insufficiency in the long-term period. Furthermore, we found that the fabric looked functioning new media in the findings obtained from the pathological examination of a neomedia repaired aortic wall sample that was obtained by chance from a patient during valve replacement surgery performed 10 years after aortic reconstruction for ATAAD. Neomedia repair using woven polyester fabric for ATAAD might facilitate the long-term durability of the surgically treated aortic root. (This is a translation of J Jpn Coll Angiol 2019; 59: 37-43.).

Successful recovery from transcatheter aortic valve embolization by thoracic endovascular stent-graft repair.

We report a case of an 84-year-old Japanese female patient with transcatheter valve embolization treated with thoracic endovascular stenting. She was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis and referred to our hospital. Transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TA-TAVI) was selected because she had multiple comorbidities and peripheral vascular disease. During TA-TAVI, the transcatheter valve (TV) came loose and lodged in the distal aortic arch. The TV was floating and unstable, thereby affecting her hemodynamics. After a second TV was placed in the appropriate position with no trouble, we tried fixing the TV using a thoracic endovascular stent-graft. The procedure was successful, and the patient recovered well. The cause of embolization seemed to be associated with a relatively mild calcification of the native aortic valve. Although this complication is rare, several recovery procedures should be prepared.

Posterior mitral leaflet extension using autologous pericardium to repair a hammock mitral valve associated with severe mitral valve regurgitation in a 4-month-old boy.

We successfully repaired a hammock mitral valve associated with severe mitral valve regurgitation in a 4-month-old boy using posterior leaflet extension along with glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium and the splitting of bilateral papillary muscles. Surgical reinterventions were performed for the bilateral papillary muscles at 14 and 24 months postoperatively. The extended autologous pericardium was still pliable with mild mitral valve regurgitation at 26 months postoperatively.

A Novel Sizing Technique for Mitral Annuloplasty.

Although sizing for mitral annuloplasty (MAP) is a critical part of mitral valve repair, no consistent method is used, and precise size adjustment is done somewhat by intuition. We developed a new original ring size tester and have been applying it to our mitral valve repair procedure. The concept is that the tester shapes the annulus into exactly the same size and form as the target annuloplasty while confirming a good leaflet coaptation with a saline test to simulate annuloplasty. This original tester provides the best ring size for MAP that is neither too large nor too small. In this paper, we introduce our original ring size tester and describe how it is used for MAP.