Successful application of the snare technique for the deployment of the proximal portion of a Zenith Alpha Thoracic Endovascular Graft: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Open surgery can be required or even fatal if incomplete deployment of stent graft (SG) occurs. We herein report the first case in which a snare was successfully used to perform endovascular therapeutic troubleshooting on the proximal portion of a Zenith Alpha thoracic endovascular graft proximal component that showed incomplete deployment. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was an 80-year-old woman. She underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for subacute phase Stanford type B ulcer-like projection aortic dissection. Although the ulcer-like projection disappeared, a follow-up computed tomography angiogram (CTA) obtained approximately 1 year postoperatively showed type Ia and Ib endoleaks. Since there is a high risk of rupture as the aneurysm diameter increases, we determined that an additional SG was indicated. An attempt was made to place the SG in Zone 3, but as the lesser curvature side of the proximal portion stopped in a position that was perpendicular to the vascular wall (downward facing), the SG proximal portion did not completely expand. A guiding sheath was inserted into the aortic arch via the left brachial artery, and, using a snare that we inserted via the femoral artery, we grasped the guiding sheath. A catheter and guidewire (GW) were inserted via the guiding sheath and then rotated under the lesser curvature of the SG proximal portion; the GW was then passed through the loop of the snare. This allowed us to insert the hard loop structure under the SG proximal portion, which in turn allowed successful repair of the incomplete deployment of the SG. Type Ia and Ib endoleaks remained but were less than those before additional TEVAR. One week later, she was discharged. One year later, CT showed no interval change in the size of aortic aneurysm with dissection, and she has been followed on an outpatient basis. CONCLUSIONS: When the endovascular diameter of the proximal aortic arch is large, incomplete deployment of the proximal portion of a Zenith Alpha thoracic endovascular graft can occur, but bailout is possible through the use of the snare technique as endovascular therapy.

A case of recurrent constrictive pericarditis induced by pericardial substitution with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane.

A 72-year-old man presented with recurrent constrictive pericarditis, which developed 6 months after pericardiectomy, and pericardial substitution with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane. Re-pericardiectomy was performed. A new thick membranous structure had grown under the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane anterior to the right ventricle, and was firmly adhered to the epicardium. This new structure exhibited collagenous fiber-based fibrotic thickening, and resembled a foreign body reaction. It was surmised that recurrence of constrictive pericarditis may have been induced by the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane. Heart failure resolved after the operation; however, the patient died of respiratory failure on postoperative day 6.

Valve-sparing aortic root re-implantation for commissural detachment with fibrous strand.

Both aortic valve commissural detachment and commissural fenestration are rare causes of aortic regurgitation. In general, aortic valve replacement is the mainstay treatment for aortic regurgitation caused by commissural detachment or commissural fenestration. We herein describe valve-sparing aortic root re-implantation and aortic valve repair for aortic regurgitation and aortic root dilatation in an extremely rare case accompanied by both commissural detachment and commissural fibrous strand of fenestrated cusp.

Afebrile Pannus-Induced Blood Culture-Negative Mechanical Valve Endocarditis.

The diagnosis of prosthetic valve endocarditis may be challenging in patients with an atypical clinical presentation. Virtually all infections associated with mechanical prosthetic valves are localized to the prosthesis-tissue junction at the sewing ring and are accompanied by tissue destruction around the prosthesis. Because the orifice of the mechanical prosthetic valve is made of metal and pyrolytic carbon, which do not enable the adherence of microorganisms, any vegetation originating from the interior of the valve orifice is usually rare. Here we present a rare case of pannus-induced mechanical prosthetic valve endocarditis that was difficult to diagnose.

[Surgical Procedure Using the Elephant Trunk Technique at All Anastomotic Sites for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection].

OBJECTIVE: We report the use of the elephant trunk technique at all anastomotic sites in acute type A aortic dissection surgery. METHODS: Artificial graft carrying a 2-mm short elephant trunk were prepared for both distal and proximal anastomotic sites. Subjects were 82 patients with acute type A aortic dissection who underwent surgery using this procedure between March 2009 and August 2015. The mean age was 69.6 ±10.7 years( range, 43~89 years). Seventeen patients( 20.7%) had cardiac tamponade or shock, while 8 cases( 9.8%) had organ ischemia due to malperfusion. RESULTS: Total aortic arch replacement was performed in 22 patients (26.8%), while replacement of the ascending aorta was performed in 60( 73.2%). The mean durations of surgery, extracorporeal circulation, and cardiac ischemia were 352 ± 64, 199 ± 37, and 123 ± 26 min, respectively. Five in-hospital deaths( 6.1%) occurred. With respect to early complications, 5 patients( 6.1%) had permanent encephalopathy. Nine (11.0%) had respiratory failure, and 4 (4.9%) required tracheotomy. None of the patients had bleeding requiring additional thoracotomy for hemostasis and none had complications attributed to preparation of the artificial vessels. CONCLUSION: Artificial graft were prepared using the elephant trunk technique for use at all anastomotic sites in acute type A aortic dissection surgery. This procedure, involving stepwise proximal anastomosis, is highly effective for hemostasis and safe.

Comparison of saddle-shape flexibility and elliptical-shape stability between Cosgrove-Edwards and Memo-3D annuloplasty rings using three-dimensional analysis software.

OBJECTIVE: To compare three-dimensional dynamics between implanted Cosgrove-Edwards and Sorin Memo-3D annuloplasty rings during the cardiac cycle. METHODS: We examined 11 Cosgrove-Edwards rings and 20 Sorin Memo-3D rings after mitral plasty using real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography. We evaluated ring height, ellipticity, and geometry during one cardiac cycle. Four evenly spaced phases each selected during systole and diastole were assessed using REAL VIEW software. RESULTS: The height of the Cosgrove-Edwards and Sorin Memo-3D rings was similar (2.3 ± 0.8 vs. 1.9 ± 0.9 mm, p = 0.44). The maximum difference in ring height during one cardiac cycle (change in height) was larger for the Cosgrove-Edwards than the Sorin Memo-3D rings (2.3 ± 0.8 vs. 1.5 ± 0.6 mm, p = 0.014). Ellipticity and the maximum difference in ellipticity during one cardiac cycle (change in ellipticity) were larger for Cosgrove-Edwards than Sorin Memo-3D rings (80.0 ± 9.1 vs. 72.0 ± 4.8 %, p = 0.014, respectively, and 12.0 ± 3.1 vs. 6.0 ± 1.8 %, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Cosgrove-Edwards rings were more flexible, whereas Sorin Memo-3D rings maintained the elliptical shape more effectively.

A right thoracotomy approach for mitral and tricuspid valve surgery in patients with previous standard sternotomy: comparison with a re-sternotomy approach.

BACKGROUND: To compare the outcomes of mitral and/or tricuspid valve surgery in patients with previous sternotomy between those who underwent a right thoracotomy and those who underwent re-sternotomy. METHODS: Between October 2009 and May 2015, eighteen patients underwent a right thoracotomy (R group) and 28 underwent re-sternotomy (re-S group). The right thoracotomy was prioritized for previous coronary artery bypass grafting. Follow-up was 100 % complete with a mean follow-up of 1.9 ± 1.5 years for the R group and 2.5 ± 1.4 years for the re-S group (p = 0.2137). RESULTS: Hypothermic ventricular fibrillation was applied in 33.3 % in the R group and in 7.1 % in the re-S group (p = 0.0424). Hospital mortality, the median intensive care unit stay, and the median postoperative hospital stay were 0 % versus 7.1 % (p = 0.5130), 3 days versus 2 days (p = 0.2370), and 28 days versus 29.5 days (p = 0.8043) for the R group versus the re-S group, respectively. Although the rate of major complications was comparable (R group 33.3 % versus re-S group 25.0 %, p = 0.5401), those contents were not equal. Deep sternum infection developed only in the re-S group (3.6 %) and reoperation for bleeding was required only in the R group (11.1 %). No significant difference was observed in the 2-year cardiac-related mortality-free rate (R group 93.3 ± 6.4 % versus re-S group 90.8 ± 6.4 %, p = 0.7516). CONCLUSIONS: Given study limitations, the right thoracotomy approach after previous sternotomy provided favorable outcomes as well as re-sternotomy. When selecting a right thoracotomy for re-do mitral and/or tricuspid surgery, the surgical strategy needs to be thoroughly planned.

Swinging Calcified Amorphous Tumors With Related Mitral Annular Calcification.

Among cardiac calcified amorphous tumors, the mitral annular calcification-related calcified amorphous tumor is extremely rare. We herein describe 3 surgical cases of swinging calcified amorphous tumor with related mitral annular calcification. The clinical, echocardiographic, and pathophysiologic features are reported here together with a brief review of the literature.

Asymptomatic and isolated accessory mitral valve tissue in an adult.

Accessory mitral valve (AMV) tissue is a congenital anomaly that occurs in association with other congenital anomalies, and is an uncommon cause of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. It is usually detected in early childhood when accompanied by symptoms of obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract, and is rarely diagnosed in adults. We present a case of a 53-year-old man who was referred to our institution for evaluation of a systolic heart murmur. Echocardiography disclosed a diagnosis of AMV tissue. This case was uncommon because of the lack of severe obstruction of left ventricular outflow, cardiac symptoms, or other cardiac anomalies. We were able to carry out surgical resection of AMV tissue to avert possible progression of aortic insufficiency and the risk of a cerebrovascular embolization. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and postoperative echocardiography showed no residual accessory mitral tissue.

Surgical technique of double valve replacement in a patient with osteogenesis imperfecta.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is an inherited connective tissue disorder. Left ventricle dilation and valve insufficiency are complications in patients with OI and such patients are at high risk of mortality and complications related to bleeding and tissue friability during cardiac surgery. Valve dehiscence due to extreme friability of the annulus is a major complication of cardiac valve replacement with OI. We describe OI in a male patient who underwent double valve replacement with mechanical valves using a tissue protective method to prevent valve dehiscence.

Free-floating left atrial ball thrombus after mitral valve replacement with patent coronary artery bypass grafts: successful removal by a right minithoracotomy approach without aortic cross-clamp.

A free-floating thrombus in the left atrium without attachment to either the atrial wall or the mitral valve is extremely rare. We describe a case in a 79-year-old woman with chronic atrial fibrillation and a recent stroke who had undergone mitral valve replacement 25 years previously and coronary artery bypass grafting 5 years previously. Redo cardiac surgery represents a clinical challenge due to a higher rate of peri-operative morbidity and mortality. Median re-sternotomy can be particularly difficult in patients with functioning coronary artery grafts, where the risk of graft injury is a significant concern. Prompt surgical intervention was carried out, and to avoid the challenge of re-sternotomy in this patient with two prior thoracotomies, we successfully removed the thrombus by a right minithoracotomy approach without aortic cross-clamping. There was no postoperative occurrence of a new stroke or aggravation of the pre-existing stroke.

Surgical repair of pulmonary artery dissection in a patient with 10-year history of Takayasu's arteritis.

Pulmonary artery (PA) dissection is a rare but life-threatening event, predisposing to sudden cardiac death and cardiogenic shock, and generally occurs in patients with underlying pulmonary hypertension. We report a case of surgical repair of PA dissection in a patient with 10-year history of Takayasu's arteritis and with no diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension.

A modified Bentall procedure in a patient with a displaced left coronary ostium.

We encountered a 63-year-old female in whom the left coronary ostium was located close to the commissure between the right and left coronary cusps, and performed aortic root replacement leaving the left coronary artery and surrounding the sinus of Valsalva. The sinus of Valsalva, prosthetic valve cuff, and prosthetic vessel were sutured together when the region other than the left coronary artery-containing sinus of Valsalva was sutured. The hemostatic effect of our procedure, which is for cases in which preparation of a coronary button is difficult, was favorable and antegrade coronary arterial blood flow could be maintained.

Technical aspects of mitral valve repair in Barlow's valve with prolapse of both leaflets: triangular resection for excess tissue, sophisticated chordal replacement, and their combination (the restoration technique).

BACKGROUND: Histological degeneration in Barlow's valve mainly starts in the rough zone, frequently expands toward the chordae, and advances to the clear zone, resulting in a saccular aneurysm-like morphology in the prolapsed region. On this basis, we have repaired the prolapsed segment by triangular resection, chordal replacement and the combination (the restoration technique). The aim of this study was to report our initial findings and evaluate the efficacy of our technique. METHODS: Twelve patients diagnosed with Barlow's valve with prolapse of both leaflets (5 women; mean age, 49 years) underwent the restoration technique between January 2008 and March 2013. We retrospectively reviewed short-term clinical outcomes. The mean duration of the clinical follow-up was 2.5 ± 1.7 years. RESULTS: The restoration technique was successfully performed in all patients. Predominant repair techniques were isolated triangular resection (anterior 8, posterior 9), a combination of triangular resection with chordal replacement (anterior 1, posterior 1), and isolated chordal replacement (anterior 3, posterior 1). All patients underwent complete mitral annuloplasty, and the mean ring size was 31 ± 2 mm. In-hospital mortality was not noted. Late transthoracic echocardiography showed no or trace mitral regurgitation without significant systolic anterior motion in all patients. The New York Heart Association functional class was significantly improved from 1.3 ± 0.5 before surgery to 1.0 ± 0.0 after it (p < 0.01). There were no late thromboembolic or bleeding events. CONCLUSIONS: Initial experience with the restoration technique has provided excellent results without significant systolic anterior motion. Our technique may contribute to improve late results in Barlow's valve.

Are octogenarians in good condition after cardiac valvular surgery?

PURPOSE: With the aging of society in developed countries and advances in surgical technology in recent years, surgery is increasing in elderly patients. When performing surgery in older patients, both surgical outcomes and the maintenance of postoperative quality of life (QOL) are important issues. This study investigated surgical outcomes and postoperative QOL in octogenarians who underwent cardiac valvular surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-nine (16 males) octogenarians (80-89 years old, mean age, 82.4 ± 2.4 years) underwent cardiac valvular surgery between August 1999 and June 2011. A QOL questionnaire, which included the Barthel Index (BI), Fillenbaum Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (FIADL), and the Vitality Index (VI), was sent to all survivors. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess survival. Hospital mortality was 1.6% (1 patient). The 3-, 5-, and 7-year survival rates were 81.2%, 75.4%, and 67.8%, respectively. The BI showed that 87.5% of patients did not require caregiving, the FIADL showed that 32.5% were highly independent, and the VI showed that 87.5% were motivated to live. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term outcomes were satisfactory, with low complication and mortality rates. Mid-term outcomes showed maintenance of the minimal required ADL and good motivation for living. However, independence in social activities was decreased, suggesting the need for comprehensive social support.

Which type of secondary tricuspid regurgitation accompanying mitral valve disease should be surgically treated?

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine changes in severity of secondary tricuspid regurgitation (TR) accompanying mitral valve disease, and to identify factors predicting failure of improvement in TR after mitral valve surgery. METHODS: We studied 99 patients who had TR of grade ≥2+ preoperatively, 47 with tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP Group) performed concurrently, and 52 with mitral surgery alone (nTAP Group). Predictors of failure of improvement in TR in the nTAP Group were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 4.6 ± 2.7 years. There was a significant difference between the TAP and nTAP Groups in TR improvement (93.6% vs. 67.3% respectively, p <0.001) and in change of TR grade (-2.1 ± 1.0 vs. -0.9 ± 1.0 respectively, p <0.001). Univariate analysis in the nTAP Group identified rheumatic etiology, atrial fibrillation, mitral stenosis (MS), and large left atrium prior to surgery as risk factors for failure of improvement. In multivariate analysis atrial fibrillation was identified as a predictor of failure of improvement (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that TAP should be performed concurrently with mitral valve surgery in patients with secondary TR of grade ≥2+, especially those having atrial fibrillation, even if TR is not severe.

Surgical experience with chronic constrictive pericarditis.

OBJECTIVE: Constrictive pericarditis is a disease characterized by marked thickening of the pericardium which causes restriction of diastolic cardiac function. The purpose of this report is to review the outcome of pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis and to discuss its problems. METHODS: Sixteen consecutive patients who underwent pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis in our institution between March 2000 and June 2011 were reviewed. All patients underwent decortication including at least the anterior surface from the right atrium to the left phrenic nerve and the diaphragmatic surface of the heart. The epicardium was concomitantly resectioned because it was usually sclerotic and constrictive. RESULTS: Postoperatively, mean central venous pressure decreased to 8.8 ± 3.1 mmHg and was significantly lower than the preoperative value 15.3 ± 3.7 mmHg (p < 0.001). The mean postoperative duration of hospitalization was 25.6 ± 13.5 days. There were 2 in-hospital deaths and early mortality rate was 12.5 %; however, excluding hospital deaths, there were no significant postoperative complications and all survivors recovered and maintained good cardiac function during the mean follow-up period of 3.7 ± 2.8 years. CONCLUSION: For an acceptable outcome, surgical intervention should be performed at an appropriate time and the pericardiectomy should have proper scope and depth to prevent irreversible changes in the heart, liver, and other organs.

Twelve years of experience with the ATS mechanical heart valve prostheses.

OBJECTIVE: The ATS Open Pivot mechanical heart valve has been implanted routinely at our institution since 1999. The objective of this study is to retrospectively analyze our 12-year clinical results with ATS prostheses. METHODS: ATS Open Pivot mechanical valves were implanted in 268 adult patients between May 1999 and August 2010. We selected 259 subjects who could be adequately followed (follow-up rate 96.6 %). Aortic valve replacement was performed in 157 patients, mitral valve replacement (MVR) in 71, and double (aortic and mitral) valve replacements (DVR) in 31. Mean age at the time of implant was 58.8 ± 10.6 years. The gender ratio was 128 males/131 females. Mean follow-up was 4.4 ± 7.8 years, and the cumulative follow-up was 1144 patient-years (pt-yr). RESULTS: Early death within 30 days after the operation occurred in 5 (2.5 %) patients. Late death occurred in 27 patients including valve-related deaths in 13. The 10-year survival rate after the operation was 82.7 ± 2.9 %. The rate of freedom from valve-related death was 92.2 ± 2.2 %. The incidence of valve-related complications was 2.19 %/pt-yr. Of these, the incidence of thromboembolic events and that of bleeding complications were 1.22 and that 0.87 %/pt-yr. The incidence of valve thrombosis was 0.09 %/pt-yr. No structural valve deterioration was observed in any of the three operative procedure groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our 12-year experience with aortic and MVR using the ATS mechanical heart valve demonstrated low incidences of thromboembolic events, bleeding complications, and valve thrombosis.

Time-dependent change in fresh autologous pericardium applied for posterior mitral annuloplasty: degree of calcification and its influence on the repaired mitral valve.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the degree of calcification of fresh autologous pericardium applied for posterior mitral annuloplasty and its influence on the repaired mitral valve. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients (31 degenerative and 8 infective endocarditis; mean age at surgery: 62 ± 11 years) were enrolled in this study. Sixteen-slice multi-detector computed tomography was performed to identify calcification of autologous pericardium. The mean clinical follow-up was 4.6 ± 2.6 years (maximum 8.8 years) and the mean computed tomography follow-up period was 3.6 ± 2.5 years (maximum 7.6 years) after surgery. RESULTS: Pericardial calcification was detected in 15 patients. The earliest detection of calcification was 2.5 years after surgery. There was a weak correlation between pericardial calcification and postoperative years (Pearson's product correlation coefficient: 0.476; p = 0.0019). However, severe calcification of autologous pericardium did not occur in any case. There was no association between pericardial calcification and recurrent mitral regurgitation (p = 0.1145). The mean mitral valve orifice area and the mean transmitral pressure gradient in the 15 patients with calcification were 3.0 ± 0.6 cm(2) and 2.1 ± 1.0 mmHg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Calcification of the fresh autologous pericardium increased with postoperative years. It had no adverse effects on repaired mitral valve in the short-term follow-up period. We will report the findings once again when the follow-up reaches 10 years.

A rapid structural degeneration of a porcine mitral valve.

A 73-year-old woman underwent both mitral and aortic valve replacements with porcine heart valve prostheses because of severe mitral regurgitation and severe aortic regurgitation. Ten months after surgery, maximal flow velocity of the aortic valve reached 4.6 m/sec and moderate mitral regurgitation was detected. Repeated mitral and aortic valve replacements with mechanical heart valves were performed. The excised mitral valve showed thinning of the 3 cusps, and 2 of them were perforated. There was pannus overgrowth on the flow surface of the porcine aortic valve. Histologic examination of the excised mitral valve revealed marked inflammatory changes with macrophages.