The comparison of the clinical outcomes and costs between surgical aortic valve replacement and transcatheter aortic valve implantation based on the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the clinical outcomes and costs of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for aortic stenosis using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) database. METHODS: Using our extraction protocol, we retrospectively analyzed summary tables in the DPC database from 2016 to 2019, which were provided by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. A total of 27,278 patients were available (SAVR, n = 12,534; TAVI, n = 14,744). RESULTS: The TAVI group was older than the SAVR group (SAVR vs. TAVI: 74.6 vs. 84.5 years; P < 0.01), with a lower in-hospital mortality (1.0 vs. 0.6%; P < 0.01) and a shorter hospital stay (26.9 vs. 20.3 days; P < 0.01). TAVI conferred more total medical service reimbursement points than SAVR (493,944 vs. 605,241 points; P < 0.01), especially materials points (147,830 vs. 434,609 points; P < 0.01). Total insurance claims for TAVI were approximately 1 million yen higher than those for SAVR. Regarding the details of costs, only the operation cost was higher, while other costs were lower with TAVI than with SAVR. CONCLUSION: Our analysis revealed that both SAVR and TAVI showed acceptable clinical outcomes. TAVI was associated with higher total insurance claims than SAVR. If the material cost of TAVI operations can be reduced, greater cost-effectiveness can be expected.

Impact of after-hours surgery on outcomes of acute type A aortic dissection repair.

PURPOSE: To establish whether emergency surgery performed outside working hours (after hours) contributed to adverse outcomes for patients with acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). METHODS: We reviewed the operation records of ATAAD repair in our institution from 2004 to 2019 (n = 187). Emergency surgery was performed by one of a few teams of experienced surgeons, regardless of the time of day. Patients were divided into two groups based on the surgery start time: during working hours (n = 65) and after hours (n = 122). A propensity score-matched analysis was performed for 58 pairs of patients. RESULTS: The overall in-hospital mortality was 6.9% for the working-hours group and 13.8% for the after-hours group. There were no significant differences between the groups in the relatively limited study population (n = 187). Surgeon experience and aortic interventions did not differ remarkably between the groups. After-hours repair was not associated with postoperative complications. There were no significant differences in the long-term survival or aortic event-free rates between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: After-hours surgery did not affect the short- or long-term outcomes of ATAAD repair under our backup system, which supports the recommendation of immediate surgical repair. Efforts to minimize the discrepancies between working hours and after hours could help to improve the surgical outcomes of patients undergoing ATAAD repair.

Giant aneurysmal coronary artery fistula originating from the left circumflex artery: Two case reports.

Coronary artery fistula (CAF) is one of the most common coronary artery anomalies. The most common fistulas originate from the right coronary artery and drain into the right heart structures. Due to the variety of coronary fistulas, the surgical treatment strategy is individualized for each case. We report two cases of giant aneurysmal CAF originating from the left circumflex artery. One case required coronary artery bypass grafting, while the other did not.

Early results of expanding the anatomical indications for using a Gore Iliac branch endoprosthesis to treat aortoiliac and iliac aneurysms.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and anatomical suitability of using a Gore Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis (IBE) in aortoiliac and iliac aneurysm repair. METHODS: Between 2017 and 2020, 20 patients underwent endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) with a Gore IBE device (bilateral IBE, n = 1) after expanding the instructions for use (IFU) criteria. We evaluated the early clinical outcomes and suitability of the IFU criteria, retrospectively. RESULTS: Six patients (30%) met all the IFU criteria. Anatomical suitability according to the IFU criteria for the collective total of 21 IBE limbs was confirmed for 10 (47.6%) proximal common iliac arteries, 21 (100%) external iliac arteries, 18 (85.7%) internal iliac arteries, and in the length from the lowest renal artery to the iliac bifurcation in 15 (71.8%) patients. Assisted primary technical success was achieved in all patients with various bail-out techniques. One patient (5%) required a bare-stent insertion 7 days after EVAR for severe stenosis in the ipsilateral limb caused by a small terminal aorta. There was no case of occlusion of an iliac branch component device. CONCLUSIONS: Gore IBEs were implanted safely and effectively with various bail-out techniques to repair aortoiliac and iliac aneurysms in our Japanese patients with a low rate of inclusion IFU criteria.

[Repeated Heart Failure after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Using Self-expandable Bioprosthetic Valve:Report of a Case].

The patient was an 81-year-old man. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation( TAVI) was performed for severe aortic stenosis using Evolut R. The patient moved to intensive care unit without an adverse event after the operation. But repeated acute heart failure occurred several times during hospital stay. Mitral regurgitation (MR) was worsened from mild at baseline to moderate or more by transthoracic echocardiography. Various factors that worsened MR after TAVI have been reported, and treatment strategy for severe aortic stenosis patients with MR should be carefully developed.

Operative technique for tracheo-innominate artery fistula repair.

Tracheo-innominate artery fistula is fatal unless treated surgically. We describe our surgical approach and results in seven patients. The average patient age was 15.7 years; all patients had prior severe neurological deficits. Three of seven patients were in hemorrhagic shock; control of preoperative bleeding was achieved with tracheostomy tube cuff overinflation. The innominate artery and the trachea were exposed through a collar incision and partial upper sternotomy. The innominate artery was divided at the aortic arch and at the bifurcation, with one exception. Cerebral blood flow was monitored by the blood pressure difference in the bilateral upper extremities and by near-infrared spectroscopy. The tracheal fistula was left adherent to the innominate artery in all but one patient. All patients were discharged without new neurologic deficits or severe morbidity. Overall survival was 84% at 37 months, without any vascular, tracheal, or neurological events.

Sex-Related Differences Between Patients Undergoing Surgery for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

Introduction This study aimed to evaluate the sex-specific characteristics and surgical outcomes in patients with acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). Materials and methods We reviewed the surgical records of patients who underwent ATAAD repair at our institution between 2004 and 2020 (n=213). Results Of the 213 patients, 100 (46.9%) were male, and 113 (53.1%) were female. Males were younger than females (62.5 vs. 72.9 years, p<0.0001). Females had more nonspecific symptoms (p=0.04), more frequently developed ATAAD before noon (45.0% vs. 53.1%, p=0.01), and had a significantly longer time from onset to surgery (425.1 vs. 595.8 min, p=0.03). The ascending aorta was replaced more frequently in females than in males (54.5% vs. 72.8%, p<0.01). No significant difference was observed in the in-hospital mortality rate between males and females (9.0% vs. 10.6%, p=0.69). The multivariable logistic analysis demonstrated that being male was not an independent predictor of operative mortality (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.18-5.21; p=0.96). At 10 years, males had significantly better long-term survival rates in the unadjusted cohort than females (79.4% vs. 55.9%, p=0.02). Conclusions Male sex was not an independent predictor of early death in patients with ATAAD after surgery, although significant differences were noted in terms of age, onset time, chief complaint, imaging findings, and surgical procedures. A sex-based management strategy involving specific differences should be considered to improve outcomes.

Endoscopic Pedicle Saphenous Vein Graft Harvesting.

The excellent long-term patency of no-touch (NT) saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) makes the grafts very attractive for coronary artery bypass grafting; however, NT-SVG harvesting has a greater incidence of wound complications than conventional methods. Since 2009, we have performed endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH) in our department with very few major wound complications. Because NT-SVG harvesting is expected to provide long-term patency, if performed with EVH, the incidence of wound complications will be reduced. Thus, we began performing endoscopic pedicle SVG harvesting (Pedicle-EVH) in March 2019. Herein, we report the early results obtained using our current Pedicle-EVH procedure. No major wound complications were reported, and the early results, including patency, were satisfactory. To harvest the pedicle SVG, however, we used a different method than the NT-SVG procedure, so careful monitoring will be needed to assess long-term outcomes.

Late outcomes of the frozen elephant trunk technique for acute and chronic aortic dissection: the angle change of the FROZENIX by "spring-back" force.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcomes of total arch replacement using the frozen elephant trunk technique with a FROZENIX® J Graft for patients with either acute or chronic aortic dissection, and to evaluate the late-phase outcomes. METHODS: Between January 2015 and December 2020, we used the frozen elephant trunk technique in 47 patients with acute aortic dissection and 12 patients with chronic aortic dissection. The primary endpoints were 30-day mortality, late aorta-related death and late aortic events. The secondary endpoints included early surgical complications and any aortic events (e.g. stent graft-induced new entry, frozen elephant trunk angle change). RESULTS: In the acute group, there were no aorta-related deaths, although 13 patients (27.7%) experienced an aortic event; stent graft-induced new entry occurred in 6 patients (12.8%). In the chronic group, 1 patient (9.1%) experienced aorta-related death, and 9 (81.8%) experienced an aortic event; stent graft-induced new entry occurred in 4 patients (36.4%). During the late phase after surgery, there was a significant increase in the frozen elephant trunk angle in both groups. In the AAD group, both the FET angle and spring-back angle were significantly enlarged in the late phase. There were no significant differences between groups in the degree of angle change, the overall survival, or aortic event-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Total arch replacement using the frozen elephant trunk technique affords good early-stage results for both acute and chronic aortic dissection. During follow-up, careful monitoring for aortic events and appropriate therapeutic interventions are required. If surgeons are to use this device, they must have a thorough understanding of its spring back force and other features.

Is the Preoperative Prognostic Nutritional Index a Useful Marker for the Decision to Perform Limited Resection in High-risk Patients With Stage I Non-small Cell Lung Cancer?

BACKGROUND/AIM: The indications for limited resection in high-risk patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of the preoperative prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in high-risk patients undergoing limited resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: High-risk patients undergoing limited resection for stage I NSCLC in our institution from 2005 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with clinical/pathological Tis/minimally invasive adenocarcinoma and multiple NSCLC were excluded. A multivariate Cox regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Ninety eligible patients were included in this study. Grade ≥2 postoperative complications were significantly more frequent in the low-PNI group (6 cases, 16.6% vs. 7 cases, 12.9%; p=0.03). The rate of death due to other diseases was significantly higher in the low-PNI group than in the high-PNI group (14 cases, 50.0% vs. 11 cases, 25.0%; p=0.002). The multivariate analysis showed that male sex, Brinkman index ≥400, preoperative low PNI and pathological T factor ≥T1c/T2a were independent prognostic factors for OS. CONCLUSION: In high-risk patients undergoing limited resection for stage I NSCLC, low PNI was a poor prognostic factor, especially in relation to death from other diseases and lung cancer. The results may support thoracic surgeons in decision-making in relation to the indications for surgery.

How to select the optimal size of frozen elephant trunk in total arch replacement for type A acute aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: Total arch replacement (TAR) with a frozen elephant trunk (FET) is a common technique for acute aortic dissection, but there is no consensus on the optimal size of the FET. METHODS: Forty-four patients who underwent TAR with FET for acute aortic dissection at our hospital since 2014 were included. The aortic diameter obtained from FET was measured on postoperative computed tomography (CT) and the estimated oversizing ratio was calculated. We investigated the relationship between the estimated oversizing ratio and postoperative outcomes. We also measured the maximum true lumen diameter, circumference of the true lumen, and total aortic diameter at the same level as the FET end on preoperative CT and examined the correlation with the aortic diameter obtained from FET. RESULTS: The average estimated oversizing ratio was 109%. Early postoperative CT showed complete thrombosis of the false lumen in 41 (93.2%) patients. No distal stent graft-induced new entry occurred during follow-up. The correlation coefficients between the three measurements and aortic diameter obtained from FET were 0.64 (maximum true lumen diameter), 0.76 (true lumen diameter calculated from circumference), and 0.72 (total aortic diameter), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The aortic diameter obtained from FET on postoperative CT was strongly correlated with the true lumen diameter calculated from the circumference and total aortic diameter on preoperative CT. It is reasonable to select a size of approximately 130% of the true lumen diameter calculated from the circumference or 80% to 85% of the total aortic diameter.

[Long-term outcome of repair of prolapsing anterior mitral leaflet with artificial chordae replacement].

OBJECTIVE: We have performed a simple and uniform technique for reconstruction of artificial chordae in patients with anterior mitral prolapse since 1994. In this study, we investigated the long-term clinical and echocardiographic results of chordae replacement with Gore-Tex sutures for anterior mitral leaflet prolapse. METHODS: A pair of Gore-Tex sutures is passed through a small autologous pericardium and tied on one side of the pericardium. Double-armed mattress stitches on the side without a knot are passed through the head of the papillary muscle and another small pericardium and then tied down. Using this simple technique, 2 pairs of artificial chordae are made. The length of the artificial chordae is determined during the leak test. Chordal replacement with this technique was performed in 30 patients (mean age, 59.3 years) with anterior mitral leaflet prolapse. Echocardiography was performed annually in these patients. Follow-up ranged from 0.2~16.2( 8.0±5.1) years. RESULTS: There were no hospital deaths. Twenty-one patients had no mitral regurgitation( MR) and the others had trivial or mild MR. There were 2 reoperations and 4 cases with recurrent moderate MR in this series. Kaplan-Meier survival and freedom from reoperation at 15 years were 84% and 93%,respectively. Overall, freedom from recurrent moderate or severe MR at 15 years was 81%. CONCLUSIONS: Our simple chordae replacement technique with Gore-Tex sutures for anterior mitral prolapse, results in good long-term durability. To avoid recurrence of regurgitation, intraoperative complete repair is essential.

[Total arch replacement using a new sheathless open stent-grafting technique].

Total arch replacement for extended distal arch aneurysm has been known to have a poor outcome because of a limited view on the distal side. An open stent-grafting technique has been employed in many institutions, but several complications have been reported. Specifically, embolism of the distal artery from aneurysm debris and injury to the aortic wall are serious complications. Therefore, we have developed and tested a new sheathless stent-grafting system. We use a small-sized sheath (12 Fr) as an inner cylinder and a stainless-steel Z-shaped stent (Gianturco:William Cook Europe A/S) in the distal part of the graft. This system is deployed by releasing 3-0 polypropylene suture after inserting the full-length graft. The major advantages of this system, compared with other devices, include flexibility, less invasiveness to the aortic wall and low potential for graft migration. This new system may be feasible and clinically effective in the surgical treatment of extended distal arch aneurysm.

[Primary cardiac leiomyosarcoma originating from the left atrium].

Primary malignant cardiac tumors occur extremely rarely. Among these, leiomyosarcomas are exceptionally rare. We described a case of left atrial leiomyosarcoma in which surgical intervention was followed by adjuvant radiation therapy. A 74-year-old male was admitted for dyspnea. Chest X-ray showed severe pulmonary congestion. Echocardiography revealed large tumor in the left atrium. Emergency operation was performed. The tumor invaded the left atrial wall and the mitral valve, and the lesion was resected as extensively as possible. Postoperative pathologic examination confirmed leiomyosarcoma. He underwent adjuvant radiotherapy postoperatively. However, early local recurrence was recognized. He died due to sudden circulatory collapse in 8th postoperative month. As cardiac leiomyosarcomas have extremely poor prognosis, complete resection and effective postoperative adjuvant therapy are necessary.

A useful exercise test for detecting leg malperfusion due to aortic dissection.

We herein report a case of leg malperfusion caused by dynamic obstruction after aortic dissection diagnosed by the exercise ankle brachial pressure index test that could not be diagnosed solely by examining the symptoms and investigations at rest. This case suggests that exercise can be a key factor in the diagnosis of this complication. Furthermore, blood pressure elevation can be an exacerbating factor in dynamic obstruction. We recommend conducting an aggressive evaluation of the symptoms and medical examinations not only at rest but also under stress. .

Novel technique in frozen elephant trunk positioning method using the ostium of the coronary artery on transesophageal echocardiography as an index.

The frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique is useful in the single-stage treatment of aortic arch aneurysms. Since there is no established implantation method for evaluating the distal end of the FET during surgery, we propose the FET positioning method using the ostium of the coronary artery on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) as an index. We performed 11 total arch replacement operations using an FET for aortic arch aneurysm. The planned position of the FET was determined by computed tomography (CT), and the distance to the ostium of the coronary artery was measured. Intraoperatively, using TEE as a guide, the FET was implanted using our method. Postoperative CT was evaluated the distance from the planned FET position, and the average and median difference was only 0.96 cm and 0.6 cm, respectively. TEE-guided FET deployment using the coronary artery ostium as an index is a simple and reproducible technique.

Efficacy of Cardiac Computed Tomography for Obstructive Mechanical Valve Thrombosis Under Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

We encountered a patient in a state of shock who required venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in whom cardiac computed tomography was instrumental in diagnosing obstructive mechanical mitral valve thrombosis as well as in the differentiation of other probable diseases. Because the patient was on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, computed tomography imaging required some ingenuity. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

Acute type A aortic dissection with a tear in the posterior wall of the ascending aorta early after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

The patient was a 68-year-old man who underwent triple-vessel OPCAB uneventfully with aortic proximal anastomosis at one site using the saphenous vein with a mechanical device, not a side clamp, with mild traction of the ascending aorta by aortic taping. On postoperative day 7, computed tomography revealed extremely localized AAD with a tear on the posterior wall of the ascending aorta. Emergent ascending aortic replacement was successfully performed. Surprisingly, the tear extended laterally along the traction site of the tape. To our knowledge, this is the first report of AAD early after OPCAB originating at a location other than the sites of proximal anastomosis or side clamping. Proximal anastomosis with a mechanical device to the towed aorta may indirectly or directly injure the intima of the posterior wall, causing this complication. Manipulating the aorta under abnormal pressure should be avoided.

Effect of Noncompacted Myocardial Resection on Isolated Left Ventricular Noncompaction.

Isolated left ventricular noncompaction, where broad trabeculae and deep intertrabecular recesses are observed in the left ventricular myocardium resulting from an arrest in normal embryogenesis, is a rare cardiomyopathy. We present a report on isolated trabeculectomy and postoperative echocardiographic follow-up showing recovery of cardiac function for isolated left ventricular noncompaction.