[The Strategy for Aortic Root Pathology Due to Stanford Type A Acute Aortic Dissection].

The surgical outcomes of aortic root replacement for Stanford type A acute aortic dissection( AAAD) remain unacceptable with a 30-day mortality rate of 20%. Additionally, in young patients requiring aortic root replacement for AAAD, the preservation of native valve is desirable, yet challenging to achieve in emergent surgery with poor preoperative status. Ideally, we aim to avoid aortic root replacement whenever possible, opting instead for partial remodeling even in cases necessitating incision into the aortic root. We present our surgical outcomes in the strategy for aortic root pathology due to AAAD. We conducted an analysis of 517 cases of AAAD surgery from 2002 to 2023, wherein 499 cases( 96%) underwent aortic root preservation, 10 cases( 1.9%) underwent partial remodeling, and 8 cases( 1.5%)necessitated emergent aortic root replacement. Of these, 13 cases underwent aortic root replacement after AAAD repair( 8 David procedures and 5 Bentall procedures), all demonstrating favorable surgical outcomes, including long-term results. We believe that this strategy for aortic root pathology holds significant merit, particularly in AAAD in young patients with enlarged aortic root.

[The Long Outcome of the Left Atrial Appendage Preserving Maze Procedure].

We retrospectively study the outcome of left atrial appendage (LAA) preserving maze procedure, focus on thrombus formation in left atrium( LA), postoperative stroke, and LA function. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 131 patients (mean age, 68.2y;77 men and 54 women) who underwent maze procedure for atrial fibrillation( Af) between 2008 and 2020. Full maze was performed for 116 patients with long-standing persistent Af or persistent Af. Pulmonary vein isolation alone was performed for 15 patients with paroxysmal Af. The mean follow-up period was 2.9( 10.1-0.4) years. RESULTS: In perioperative results, there were no death, cerebral infarction, and reoperation in this series. At discharge, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, and 10 years after the surgery, sinus rhythm was maintained in 92%, 87%, 83%, 77%. Pacemaker was implanted in 8( early 3, late 5) patients. Despite adequate anticoagulant therapy, one patient developed cerebral infarction a month postoperatively. In other patients, there was no cerebral infarction in short-term nor long-term. CONCLUSIONS: The LAA preserving maze procedure was not a risk factor of cerebral infarction under appropriate medication. However, close follow-up is essential.

[Analysis of Prognostic Factors Considering Absolute Lymphocyte Count of Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients with Eribulin Mesylate Therapy-A Retrospective Study in a Single Institution].

Recently, a study for eribulin mesylate(ERI), which is a useful drug for metastatic and recurrent breast cancer, reported that the absolute lymphocyte count(ALC)before administration is a useful prognostic factor. We retrospectively examined whether the results were reproducible in the patients with ERI. We examined the effect of ERI on the overall survival(OS)in 21 patients with HER2-negative metastatic and recurrent breast cancer who underwent treatment with ERI at our hospital. The clinical benefit ratio(CBR)was 57.1%. The median time to treatment failure(TTF)was 5.8 months and median OS was 19.9 months, showing a positive correlation between the TTF and OS. The factors that significantly prolonged the OS in univariate analysis were the TTF(<3 months vs ≥3 months, p<0.001), NLR(<3 vs ≥3, p=0.037), and ALC(<1,000/ µL vs ≥1,000/µL, p=0.008). In the multivariate analysis, TTF and ALC were the prognostic factors. The ERI outcome at our institution was good regardless of the subtype. The results of the multivariate analysis showed that TTF and ALC were factors that prolonged OS, and patients who received ERI for >3 months had good OS. Long-term administration of ERI was assumed to affect the immune microenvironment and prolong OS. Additionally, our data showed that the lymphocyte count before ERI administration is a simple and useful prognostic factor.

Safety of Fibrinogen Concentrate and Cryoprecipitate in Cardiovascular Surgery: Multicenter Database Study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether administering fibrinogen concentrate or cryoprecipitate is associated with increased postoperative thromboembolic events and improved mortality in patients undergoing thoracic aortic surgery. DESIGN: Multicenter retrospective cohort study using propensity-score analyses and multivariate logistic regression analysis to control for confounders. SETTING: Four hospitals (1 national cardiovascular center and 3 university hospitals). PARTICIPANTS: Patients undergoing thoracic aortic surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass between January 2010 and October 2012 (n = 1,047). INTERVENTIONS: Outcomes in patients treated with fibrinogen concentrate or cryoprecipitate (fibrinogen group) were compared with those who did not receive these products (no fibrinogen group) based on propensity-score matching. Multivariate logistic regression analysis then was performed to confirm the results. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Among 1,047 patients enrolled in this study, 247 patients received fibrinogen concentrate or cryoprecipitate. The median amount of administered fibrinogen was 3 g (interquartile range 2-4 g). Eighty-seven patients were excluded from the propensity-score matching because of missing data. Propensity-score-matched analysis showed no significant difference in the incidence of thromboembolic events or 30-day mortality rate between the groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that the fibrinogen group showed no significant difference in thromboembolic events (odds ratio 1.22; 95% confidence interval 0.76-1.95; p = 0.408) or mortality rate (odds ratio 0.44; 95% confidence interval 0.18-1.12; p = 0.081) compared with those in the no fibrinogen group. CONCLUSIONS: Administering fibrinogen concentrate or cryoprecipitate was associated with neither thromboembolic events nor 30-day mortality in patients undergoing thoracic aortic surgery. Administering fibrinogen concentrate or cryoprecipitate is safe and does not appear to increase thromboembolic events and mortality in thoracic aortic surgery patients.

Preoperative chronic kidney disease as a strong predictor of postoperative infection and mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of preoperative kidney dysfunction (ie, chronic kidney disease (CKD)) on postoperative cardiovascular events, infection, acute kidney injury and hospital mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS AND RESULTS: A multi-institutional retrospective study was performed at 14 hospitals of adult patients undergoing isolated CABG from 2007 to 2008 (n=1,522). We classified CKD level according to preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): normal, eGFR >90 ml·min(-1)·1.73 m(-2); mild, eGFR 60-90 ml·min(-1)·1.73 m(-2); moderate, eGFR 30-59 ml·min(-1)·1.73 m(-2); and severe, eGFR <30 ml·min(-1)·1.73 m(-2), and assessed postoperative outcome. Preoperative CKD distribution was as follows: normal, n=121 (8%); mild, n=713 (47%); moderate, n=515 (34%); and severe, n=169 (11%). Risk of infection was strongly correlated with CKD level (normal, 3.3%; mild, 7.0%; moderate, 8.3%; severe, 17.0%; P<0.01). The risk of in-hospital death was also strongly correlated with CKD level (normal, 1.7%; mild, 1.0%; moderate, 1.6%; severe, 5.9%; P<0.01). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, CKD level was identified as a significant risk factor for postoperative infection, acute kidney injury, and in-hospital death. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced preoperative CKD is a strong predictor of postoperative infection, acute kidney injury and in-hospital death after CABG.

[Aortic and mitral valve replacement via right thoracotomy in the case of a patient with severe heart failure following right pneumonectomy].

We report a case of aortic valve replacement (AVR) and mitral valve replacement (MVR) in a patient with severe left ventricular dysfunction who had undergone right pneumonectomy for lung cancer 14 years previously. A 64-year-old man had cathecolamine-dependent heart failure due to bicuspid aortic valve stenosis, functional mitral valve regurgitation and impaired left ventricular function (left ventricular ejection fraction 13%)because of dilated cardiomyopathy. AVR and MVR were performed using St. Jude Medical mechanical valves with right thoracotomy because the heart had shifted to the right side. Poor left ventricular function and postoperative atrial fibrillation made it difficult to control low-output syndrome, but prolonged use of intra-aortic balloon pumping improved it gradually. Intraaortic balloon pumping( IABP) was removed 34 days after the operation, the respirator was removed with tracheotomy 63 days postoperatively, and the patient was discharged on the 177th postoperative day. Careful preoperative assessment and perioperative control of heart failure are important components of successful clinical management.

Intravenous administration of mesenchymal stem cells prevents angiotensin II-induced aortic aneurysm formation in apolipoprotein E-deficient mouse.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known to be capable of suppressing inflammatory responses. We previously reported that intra-abdominal implantation of bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) sheet by laparotomy attenuated angiotensin II (AngII)-induced aortic aneurysm (AA) growth in apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE-/-) mice through anti-inflammation effects. However, cell delivery by laparotomy is invasive; we here demonstrated the effects of multiple intravenous administrations of BM-MSCs on AngII-induced AA formation. METHODS: BM-MSCs were isolated from femurs and tibiae of male apoE-/- mice. Experimental AA was induced by AngII infusion for 28 days in apoE-/- mice. Mice received weekly intravenous administration of BM-MSCs (n=12) or saline (n=10). After 4 weeks, AA formation incidence, aortic diameter, macrophage accumulation, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)' activity, elastin content, and cytokines were evaluated. RESULTS: AngII induced AA formation in 100% of the mice in the saline group and 50% in the BM-MSCs treatment group (P < 0.05). A significant decrease of aortic diameter was observed in the BM-MSCs treatment group at ascending and infrarenal levels, which was associated with decreased macrophage infiltration and suppressed activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in aortic tissues, as well as a preservation of elastin content of aortic tissues. In addition, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 significantly decreased while insulin-like growth factor-1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 increased in the aortic tissues of BM-MSCs treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple intravenous administrations of BM-MSCs attenuated the development of AngII-induced AA in apoE-/- mice and may become a promising alternative therapeutic strategy for AA progression.

Long-term outcome of complete cardiovascular implantable electronic device removal with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Definitive endovascular techniques have been developed for pacemaker lead extraction; however, a few patients require immediate secondary open heart surgery because of incomplete transvenous lead extraction. This study examined the safety, effectiveness, and long-term outcome of the removal of cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) via median sternotomy under cardiopulmonary bypass. The removal of CIED was performed in 6 patients (mean age 57 ± 16 years, 5 males and 1 female), from September 2000 to April 2011. The reasons for removal included eradication of an infection in 5 patients and elimination of pacemaker component allergy in 1. Positive culture results, including methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA, n = 2), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA, n = 1), coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS, n = 1), and methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE, n = 1) were observed in all 5 infected patients. Mitral annuloplasty (n = 1), mitral valvuloplasty (n = 1), tricuspid annuloplasty (n = 3). Implantation of myocardial pacing leads (n = 5) were performed concomitantly (n = 4), or secondarily (n = 1). All 6 patients were alive in good condition at 72 ± 55 months following CIED removal. New device infection occurred in 1 patient during long-term follow up. Complete surgical removal of pacing systems via median sternotomy with cardiopulmonary bypass is, therefore, considered to be safe and feasible with acceptable long term results.

[Total aortic arch replacement for severe atherosclerotic aortic aneurysms;consecutive 135 cases study].

OBJECTIVE: We study the validity of surgical procedure for total aortic arch replacement according to the atherosclerosis in the aortic arch. METHODS: From 2007 to June 2013, Consecutive 185 patients underwent total aortic arch replacement for thoracic aortic anuerysm. We studied 135 patients[96 males 72.1 year(38~89year)]except emergency operation. We assessed the atherosclerosis in the aortic arch by preoperative enhanced computed tomography (CT)scan and intraoperative epiaortic echocardiography. Based on the degree of atherosclerosis in the aortic arch, we divided into 2 groups:group 1(G1)included 97 patients with mild or moderate atherosclerosis and group 2 (G2) 38 patients with severe atherosclerosis. We used ascending aorta as arterial cannulation site in G1 and axillary artery with 8 mm graft in G2 .We compared with both groups for preoperative comorbidities and outcomes( mortality and stroke). RESULTS: Three patients died in the hospital (2%). In-hospital neurological events occurred in 12 patients, including major stroke in 4 patients, minor stroke in 4 patients and asymptomatic convulsion in 4 patients, although they were transient and clear before discharge except major stroke. There were no statistically significant differences in preoperative characteristics, cardiopulmonary bypass, brain protection, mortality, and neurological events between the 2 groups. There was a statistically difference in operation time( 388.8 minutes vs 448.5 minutes, p<0.01), intensive care unit( ICU) stay( 3.1 day vs 6.5 days, p<0.05) and hospital stay( 19.2 days vs 28.0 days, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We selected surgical procedure for total aortic arch replacement (TAR) according to atherosclerosis in the aortic arch. Although the rate of stroke was largely acceptable, we much need to be improved in prevention of stroke.

Current status of surgical treatment for acute aortic dissection in Japan: Nationwide database analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the current status of surgical treatment of acute aortic dissection (AAD) in Japan through the Japan Cardiovascular Database analysis. METHODS: In total, 7194 patients who underwent surgical treatment for AAD in 2021, including type A (TAAAD) (n = 6416) and type B (TBAAD) (n = 778), were investigated. RESULTS: The median age was 70 years, with patients older than age 80 years constituting 21.7% and 23.4% of TAAAD and TBAAD cases. Emergency admission was 88.5% and 78.5%. Shock was found in 11.8% and 6.0%. Rupture/impending rupture occurred in 10.7%/6.0% and 24.0%/11.1%, respectively. Branch malperfusion was complicated in 10.4% and 25.2%. Open repairs were performed in 97.7% and 20.3%, whereas endovascular repairs were performed in 2.3% and 79.7%, respectively. In the increased prevalence of endografting procedures, neurological complications and renal failure occurred frequently after open repair with frozen elephant trunk for 29.9% and 50.3%. The operative mortality rate was 9.8% and 11.5% for open repair and 8.1% and 10.0% for endovascular repair. In patients with TAAAD, age older than 80 years, preoperative critical comorbidities, classical dissection, and coexisting chronic vital organ diseases were independent risk factors for mortality. In frozen elephant trunk procedures, neurologic complications and renal failure were frequent. The operative mortality was higher during the superacute phase within 1 or 2 hours from onset to arrival and between arrival and surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The current status of surgical treatments for AAD including the increased prevalence of endografting of thoracic endovascular aortic repair and frozen elephant trunk were demonstrated with favorable outcomes in the Japan Cardiovascular Database analyses.

Long-term results of tissue-engineered small-caliber vascular grafts in a rat carotid arterial replacement model.

The concept of tissue engineered small-caliber vascular grafts (TE-SCVGs) is theoretically ideal. In this study, we evaluated the long-term (more than 1 year) course of TE-SCVGs using a rat carotid arterial replacement model. We fabricated a TE-SCVG scaffold (0.7 mm in diameter) with electrospun nano-scale fibers. Poly-ε-caprolactone was used as a biodegradable polymer. These artificial vessels were then used in carotid arterial replacement performed on Sprague-Dawley rats. The implanted grafts were removed at an early phase (1, 2, 6 weeks), middle phase (12, 24 weeks), and late phase (48, 72 weeks) after implantation. Twenty-nine patent grafts from among the 40 implanted grafts (patency 72.5 %) could be evaluated. No aneurysm formation was observed during the follow-up period. Endothelial cells positive for immunostaining with von Willebrand factor were found to be already attached to the inner surface of the TE-SCVGs in the early phase. The percentage of smooth muscle cell specific marker (α-smooth muscle actin and calponin with fluorescent immunostaining) positive cells, which seemed to be mesenchymal cells in the graft wall, increased with time, while, in contrast, the scaffold material decreased. Even after 72 weeks, however, although the scaffold material had degraded, it had not disappeared completely. These results show that the novel TE-SCVGs we developed were still functioning in the rat carotid arterial circulation after more than 1 year. However, further investigations will be required with regard to regeneration of the SMC layer and the complete degradation of graft materials.

Early and late outcomes of coronary artery bypass surgery versus percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stents for dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Advances in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using drug-eluting stents (DES) have impacted clinical practice. However, the efficacy of DES for dialysis patients still remains controversial. This study compares the early and long-term clinical outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and PCI with DES in dialysis patients. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed in 125 dialysis patients treated between 2004 and 2007. Fifty-eight patients underwent CABG and 67 underwent PCI with DES. The overall death, cardiac death, and cardiac-related event rates were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. For the risk-adjusted comparisons, multivariable logistic and Cox regression analyses were used. RESULTS: The preoperative characteristics of the patients were similar except for the ejection fraction (p = 0.002) and the number of diseased vessels (p < 0.001). The 30-day mortality was 0 in both groups. The overall survival rates at one, three, and five years were 84.2%, 64.7%, and 56.2% in CABG group and 88.2%, 75.5%, and 61.7% in DES group, respectively (p = 0.202). The rates of freedom from cardiac-related events at one, three, and five years were 76.6%, 68.1%, and 48.6%, and 63.0%, 31.4%, and 0% in CABG and DES groups (p < 0.001), respectively, including seven (10%) late thromboses in the DES group. Although the risk-adjusted analysis showed no significant difference for overall and cardiac death rates, the rates of cardiac-related events and graft/stent failure were significantly higher in the DES group. CONCLUSIONS: CABG is superior for revascularization in dialysis patients compared with PCI using DES in terms of freedom from cardiac-related events.

[Recurrence of cardiac myxoma in the left atrial after 28 years; report of a case].

We presented a rare surgical case of recurrent multiple left atrial myxomas, who had a history of surgery for multiple left ventricular myxomas 28 years ago. The case was a 42-year-old female. She developed dyspnea, cough, and palpitation due to functional mitral valve obstruction by myxoma. There were a 30 mm large pedunculated tumor on the left atrial septum and 2 small tumors near the orifice of the right upper pulmonary vein. These tumors were excised with the left atrial endothelium and the defect was reconstructed with a bovine pericardium.

[Complete response of advanced breast cancer with lymph node metastases to nab-paclitaxel therapy-report of a case].

We report a case of breast cancer with lymph node metastases. A complete response was recognized in response to nab-paclitaxel as a first-line therapy after recurrence. The patient was a 50-year-old woman who had a tumor in her right breast. We palpated a mass with clear boundaries in her right breast. The tumor was 2 cm in diameter. Core-needle biopsy of the breast tumor led to a diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma (estrogen receptor-, progesterone receptor-, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative). She received 4 cycles of EC (E: 90 mg/m2/tri-weekly; C: 600 mg/m2 /tri-weekly) plus 4 cycles of TC(T: 75 mg/m2/tri-weekly; C: 600 mg/m2/tri-weekly)as preoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. After chemotherapy, she underwent quadrantectomy plus axillary lymph node dissection. Six months after the operation, lymph node metastases were observed in her right supraclavicular lymph nodes. She received 8 cycles of nab-paclitaxel(260 mg/m2/tri-weekly) therapy. After 8 cycles of treatment, ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed the disappearance of the metastatic lymph nodes. Therefore, a clinical complete response was observed.

A case of primary cardiac angiosarcoma with surgical resection and reconstruction.

We report a 52-year-old man with primary cardiac angiosarcoma. He was referred to our hospital with a 3-month history of facial swelling and peripheral edema. Echocardiography and chest computed tomography revealed massive pericardial effusion and a right atrial tumor with a broad base at atrial septum which was extended into superior vena cava. We performed complete resection of the tumor and reconstruction of left atrium, atrial septum, right atrium, and superior vena cava with autologous pericardium and bovine pericardium. Histological examination exhibited angiosarcoma and a sign of radical excision. The patient, who made an uneventful recovery, was given postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy for liver metastasis 4 months postoperatively. The patient remains well without any signs of other metastasis for 2 years. We consider that an aggressive approach to resection with extensive reconstruction and multidisciplinary treatment can improve survival. Learning objective: Primary cardiac angiosarcoma is the most common primary malignant heart tumor with poor prognosis. We report a case of a 52-year-old man with primary cardiac angiosarcoma. We performed complete resection of the tumor and reconstruction of left atrium, atrial septum, right atrium, and superior vena cava with autologous pericardium and bovine pericardium. We think aggressive surgical resection with reconstruction is a feasible option.>.

A rare case of synchronous multiple primary malignancies of breast cancer and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma that responded to multidisciplinary treatment: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Multiple primary malignancies of breast cancer and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are rare. Here, we report a case of advanced breast cancer and DLBCL managed with multidisciplinary therapy preceded by surgery with a successful outcome. CASE PRESENTATION: During a medical examination, a 71-year-old woman was diagnosed with a right breast mass, enlarged lymph nodes throughout the body, and a splenic tumor. The results of the clinical examination and imaging were suggestive of widely spread breast cancer with lymph node metastasis and malignant lymphoma with systemic metastasis. The histological evaluation of the biopsied breast tissue revealed human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer, whereas the histological evaluation of the excised inguinal lymph node revealed DLBCL. 18F-FDG PET/computed tomography was performed, and it was determined that both breast cancer and DLBCL were in an advanced stage. Thus, mastectomy was performed, and the axillary lymph nodes showed mixed metastasis of breast cancer and DLBCL. Soon after, the R-CHOP therapy was initiated (375-mg/m2 rituximab, 2-mg/m2 vincristine, 50-mg/m2 doxorubicin, 750-mg/m2 cyclophosphamide, and 125-mg methylprednisolone). After irradiation of the spleen, trastuzumab was administered for 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: We experienced a case of combined breast cancer and DLBCL, which was difficult to treat because both were in advanced stages. Thorough staging of the malignancy and discussion by a multidisciplinary team are necessary to determine the optimal treatment strategy.

Mesenchymal stem cells attenuate angiotensin II-induced aortic aneurysm growth in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

OBJECTIVE: Aortic aneurysm (AA) is associated with loss of elastin and structural integrity, accompanied by increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression. These processes are supported by inflammatory macrophages, with mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) contribute to aortic remodeling. Therefore, to clarify whether MSCs might be useful for AA cell therapy, we examined the effect of MSCs on vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and macrophages in vitro, on aortic tissue ex vivo, and on aorta in vivo. METHODS: Murine macrophages and SMCs were cultured, with or without bone marrow-derived murine MSCs, for 96 hours in vitro. Gene expression of MMPs and TNF-α from macrophages and that of elastin from SMCs were measured. The murine aortic tissues were cultured with or without MSCs for up to 14 days, followed by measurement of MMP enzyme activity and elastin content. The in vivo aneurysm model used apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE(-/-)) male mice receiving angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion for 28 days. MSCs were implanted by laparotomy to the abdominal aortic adventitial surface from the superior mesenteric artery origin to the left renal artery. Age-matched apoE(-/-) mice with or without Ang II infusion were used for control groups. At the end point, aortic diameter, elastin content, MMPs' activity, and cytokines expressed, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), TNF-α, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) were quantified. RESULTS: MSCs suppressed MMP-2 with or without MSCs (2.59 vs 3.94, P < .05), MMP-9 (5.83 vs 9.70, P < .05), and TNF-α (2.79 vs 3.38, P < .05) expression in macrophages, and promoted elastin expression in SMCs (19.35 vs 3.23, P < .05) in vitro. MSCs also decreased active MMP-2 activity (0.310 vs 0.0609 U/µL, P < .05) and preserved elastin content (68.05 vs 40.29 µg/mg, P < .05) ex vivo. AA development was site-specifically inhibited (0.73 vs 1.04 mm aortic diameter, P < .05) and elastin content was preserved (46.9 vs 25.6 µg/mg, P < .05) at 4 weeks. Downregulation of MMPs and IL-6, MCP-1, and TNF-α, and upregulation of IGF-1 and TIMP-1 were demonstrated with MSC implantation in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: MSC implantation inhibits Ang II-induced AA development in apoE(-/-) mice through elastin preservation in the aortic wall and is associated with attenuated levels of MMPs and inflammatory cytokines.

Pathogenesis of paravalvular leakage as a complication occurring in the late phase after surgery.

Paravalvular leakage (PVL) remains an unavoidable late complication after valve surgery. We indicate surgery only cases with progressive congestive heart failure and/or hemolytic anemia. We review our clinical experiences of PVL surgery. Between 1992 and 2009 we experienced 8 cases of aortic PVL-6 subjects after primary aortic valve replacement (AVR) and 2 subjects after re-AVR-and 10 subjects with mitral PVL-5 cases after primary mitral valve replacement (MVR) and 5 cases after re-MVR. Mitral PVL began in the later phases after surgery and had more severe symptoms, because of heart failure and/or hemolytic anemia, than aortic PVL. Aortic PVL occurred more frequently because of laxation of sutured threads without frequent sites. Conversely, mitral PVL was mainly caused by cutting annulus tissue around the anterior commisurae after primary MVR, and by a valve-on-valve structure on the middle scallop of the posterior leaflet or circumferentially after re-MVR. All operations were performed safely and all patients were discharged uneventfully. No cases experienced recurrence of PVL in the follow-up period. The symptoms of PVL became exacerbated, and our surgical indications based on these symptoms were validated. Valve-on-valve replacement, which was a major cause of PVL after re-MVR, should be avoided in a re-MVR procedure. Cautious follow-up is necessary, even in the late phase after surgery, especially for patients who have undergone MVR.