ABSTRACT
A 74-year-old man with pain and swelling of the left thigh was transferred from another hospital for further investigation. On admission, a diagnosis of a left femoral vein thrombosis was made and he continued on anticoagulant therapy. However, three and a half hours after admission he suddenly developed hypotensive shock and became unconscious. Rupture of a peripheral aneurysm was suspected in view of a rapid fall in the hematocrit and the images of vascular echography. Rupture of a left popliteal aneurysm was specifically diagnosed following intraarterial digital subtraction angiography. An emergency aneurysmectomy and vascular reconstruction using the great saphenous vein was performed. Interestingly, <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> was cultured from both the wall of the left popliteal artery and the wound. Antibiotic therapy was therefore changed to flomoxef (FMOX) on the 5th postoperative day (POD 5) and treatment continued for a total of 6 weeks in accordance with the therapy of infectious endocarditis. He returned to the previous hospital on POD 61.
ABSTRACT
A 53-year-old man was admitted to Jichi Medical School Hospital because of low back pain and respiratory distress. Echocardiography revealed mitral valve regurgitation and mitral vegetations, and MR imaging showed destructive change in the lumbar vertebrae. The low back pain and inflammatory activity subsided with administration of antibiotics, but regurgitation-induced heart failure was medically intractable. The patient underwent mitral valve replacement with a bicarbon valve. The mitral valve showed destructive change with infective vegetation. Microbiologic study of preoperative blood samples and resected valve did not show any organism. Antibiotics were given for another 6 weeks. As of the last follow-up observation at 18 months, the patient was doing well.
ABSTRACT
Primary malignant cardiac tumors are extremely rare. Among these, leiomyosarcoma are particularly exceptional and only about 20 surgically treated cases have been extensively described. We describe a case of right atrial leiomyosarcoma which was accidentally found by computed tomography. The tumor was surgically resected under extracorporeal circulation. Two months later the patient had cerebral hemorrhage due to a brain metastasis, which almost completely disappeared after irradiation. There was no other evidence of recurrence for 12 months after operation.
ABSTRACT
We encountered a rare case of aortic regurgitation due to rheumatoid arthritis. A 53-year-old man was admitted with severe heart failure due to aortic regurgitation. He had been treated for rheumatoid arthritis for 5 years with methotrexate. After treatment for heart failure, his aortic valve was successfully replaced with an Omnicarbon prosthetic valve. Histopathological examination of the excised aortic valve showed rheumatoid granuloma. His post-operative course was uneventful.
ABSTRACT
Injury to the thoracic aorta is often fatal. We encountered a case of aortic rupture caused by a traffic accident. A 20-year-old man was transferred to our hospital because of right elbow fracture and enlargement of the upper mediastinum on X-ray. We diagnosed aortic isthmus rupture by chest CT with enhancement. He did not have chest pain, but complained of severe pain in the right elbow. His hemodynamic condition was stable, but his right arm become swollen with increasing sensory disturbance. Chest CT and blood cell count showed no interval change between results at a previous hospital and ours. So we decided to operate on his right arm before aortic rupture. After the open reduction of his fractured elbow, pleural effusion increased although his hemodynamic condition was stable. Then the descending aorta was replaced under partial cardio-pulmonary bypass. His post-operative course was uneventful.
ABSTRACT
We performed surgical correction of a single atrium in a 46-year-old man, who had suffered from congestive heart failure (NYHA II) and pulmonary hypertension (58/23 (36) /mmHg). An intra-atrial shunt (L-R 71%, R-L 14%) due to single atrium and mild mitral and tricuspid regurgitation were detected. The operation consisted of making a new atrial septum with an autologous pericardial patch and direct mitral cleft suture. The post-operative course was uneventful.
ABSTRACT
Injuries to the aorta complicating cardiovascular operations can be very challenging. This type of injury is usually related to manipulation of the aorta during surgical exposure or aortic cannulation. From March 1994 to October 1997, five patients with intraoperative injuries to the thoracic aorta occurred. Their ages ranged from 7 to 71 years old (mean, 43.5 years). Two were male and 3 female. Intraoperatively, trouble occurred suddenly due to acute aortic dissection related to aortic traumatic hemorrhagic disruption in three patients, and aortic cannulation in two patients. The confirmation of the diagnosis was prompted clinically, and all patients immediately underwent further surgical intervention. In terms of technique, we used a cardiopulmonary bypass (mean cardiopulmonary bypass time 239min, range 196 to 367min), and hypothermic circulatory arrest (mean arrest time 34min, range 20 to 44min, at deep hypothermia with 21.0°C urinary bladder temperature) during repair. Retrograde cerebral perfusion was utilized in two cases to assure protection for cerebral damage. Fortunately, there was no postoperative neurological complication and no hospital death in any of the cases. When such intraoperative injuries of the aorta once occur repair using aortic clamps often fail or is not feasible, and in such cases hypothermic circulatory arrest combined with retrograde cerebral perfusion should be applied to resolve this type of the serious troubles.
ABSTRACT
Retrograde cerebral perfusion has been a useful technique for preventing brain damage during hypothermic circulatory arrest. To determine the optimum conditions for retrograde cerebral perfusion utilizing a fluorescence vital microscope, male Wistar rats weighing 100 to 300g were used for infusing saline with contrast medium (0.01% FITC-albumin) through the external jugular vein. A closed cranial window was prepared over the pial surface of the brain at the medial part of the right parietal cortex in order to observe the blood flow of tributaries from the middle cerebral artery to the superior cerebral vein. Intracranial pressure was controlled at 3±2cmH<sub>2</sub>O for comfortable visualization. The observation of retrograde cerebral perfusion was performed under hypothermic conditions. Cerebral blood flow could not be observed under retrograde pressure of 5-15mmHg, mainly due to venovenous shunt flow. But retrograde cerebral perfusion was observed with a driving pressure of 15-30mmHg, and flow velocity measured by the video tracing method (<i>n</i>=5) in arterioles (mean diameter 37±10μm) was -12±5μm/sec, in venules (mean diameter 64±17μm) was -14±9μm/sec, which was 405±92μm/sec and 220±150μm/ sec under hypothermic beating heart conditions respectively. Under retrograde pressure of 30-50mmHg, cerebral microcirculation was deteriorated with increasing cerebral volume, and cerebral blood flow was consequently interrupted. In conclusion, the optimal condition for retrograde cerebral perfusion was determined under retrograde perfusion pressure of 15-30mmHg and intracranial pressure of 3±2cmH<sub>2</sub>O, whenever cerebral microcirculation from venule to arterioles was best. Retrograde cerebral perfusion has some advantage for cerebral protection compared with hypothermic circulatory arrest, but might not supply sufficient cerebral blood flow to prevent brain damage.
ABSTRACT
Infected abdominal aortic aneurysm is uncommon, but it has a grave prognosis. We report a case of infected abdominal aortic aneurysm with localized dissection that was preoperatively given antibiotics for 1 month, followed by an anatomical vascular reconstruction with a prosthetic graft wrapped with a pedicled omental flap. A 48-year-old man with uncontrolled diabetis mellitus was admitted with fever, appetite loss, and pulsating abdominal pain. Abdominal CT revealed a saccular aneurysmal change in the infrarenal aorta and weakly enhanced surrounding soft tissue density. Two lumens were clearly enhanced in the aneurysm. <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> infection was diagnosed on the basis of blood culture. Pathologically, suppurative inflammation was confirmed in the surrounding tissue and dissection of the media of the saccular aneurysmal wall was indicated. After administration of antibiotics for 1 month, both clinical and laboratory indications of inflammatory reaction improved. The aneurysm was then almost completely resected and replaced with a Y-shaped prosthetic graft covered with a pedicled omental flap. The postoperative course was uneventful. After surgery, antibiotics were administered for 3 more months. The patient is now surviving and has no symptoms 6 months after operaion. Complete removal of the infected lesion and long-term follow-up with antibiotic chemotherapy are important for this situation.
ABSTRACT
A 24-year-old woman with patent ductus arteriosus underwent division of the ductus. On the fifth postoperative day (POD 5), MRSA was detected in pus from the wound. On POD 8, an emergency operation was performed for left tension hemothorax due to a ruptured aorta with MRSA infection. The bleeding site in the descending aorta was covered with a viable omental flap under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Although MRSA was detected in the pleural effusion and the aortic wall, the patient recovered from pyothorax, and pneumonia caused by <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosas</i> and acute renal failure. On POD 37, a pseudoaneurysm of the descending aorta was found and graft replacement was performed on POD 56 due to enlargement of the aneurysm. However, MRSA was not detected in the left pleural effusion. The postoperative course was uneventful. Omental transfer should be considered for the treatment of severe aortic wall infection, even in the presense of MRSA infection.
ABSTRACT
To avoid homologous blood transfusion, the effectiveness of autologous blood predonation was evaluated in patients with elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. From January 1993 to July 1996, 53 patients underwent Y graft replacement by using autologous rapid transfusion device AT1000<sup>®</sup> (Electromedics. Inc, Englewood, CO). The patients were devided in to 3 groups. Thirty one patients had no blood donation (Group A). Twelve patients had 400ml blood donation with administration of an iron preparation (Group B). Ten patients donated the same amount of blood as those in Group B, with administration of both an iron preparation and recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) (Group C). There were no significant differences in terms of age, gender, operating time, intraoperative bleeding, and total amount of homologous and autologous blood transfusion in the 3 groups. In Group A, the mean volume of homologous blood transfusion was 250±370ml and in both Groups B and C, no homologous blood was required and 400ml autologous blood was used. Homologous blood transfusion was avoided in 58.9 (18/31) of patients in Group A and all of the patients in Groups B and C. Due to the blood predonation prior to surgery, a hemoglobin level decreased significantly at the time of operation in Group B (without rHuEPO), but in Group C (with rHuEPO) the hemoglobin level was kept constant. During the first postoperative week, the minimum hemoglobin level in Group C was significantly higher than in the other groups. In conclusion, by donating 400ml autologous blood before surgery and using an intraoperative autotransfusion system, homologous blood transfusion could be avoided in elective AAA repair. With rHuEPO, the hemoglobin level could be maintained, despite predonation and intraoperative blood loss.
ABSTRACT
The effectiveness of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) was evaluated in elderly patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. A total of 133 patients were divided into three groups: those who were 70 years of age or older and received rHuEPO (group I; <i>n</i>=32), those who were also 70 years of age or older but did not receive rHuEPO (group II; <i>n</i>=35), and those who were 60 years or younger and received rHuEPO (group III; <i>n</i>=66). In 87.5% of group I, 42.9% of group II, and 98.5% of group III, homologous blood transfusion could be avoided. The percentage of patients without homologous blood transfusion was significantly higher in group I than in group II (<i>p</i><0.001). The rate of homologous blood transfusion was significantly higher in group I than in group III (<i>p</i><0.05), but rHuEPO had equal effects in terms of increase in hemoglobin level in the two groups. Furthermore, in patients without anemia, the rate of homologous blood transfusion was almost the same in the two groups. In conclusion, the administration of rHuEPO enables even elderly patients to undergo coronary artery bypass grafting without homologous blood transfusion.
ABSTRACT
Coronary artery bypass grafting using hypothermic circulatory arrest and ventricular fibrillation without aortic cross clamping in 6 patients with severely calcified aortas is described. The use of hypothermic circulatory arrest or ventricular fibrillation has not been established in coronary artery bypass grafting. We recently used aortic no-touch technique in 6 patients. All patients were supported and cooled with cardiopulmonary bypass, and circulatory arrest was performed in 3 patients. With the exception of one hemodialysis patient, 5 patients survived without neurological deficit. We think the aortic no-touch technique is safe and reliable in coronary artery bypass grafting with severe calcified aortas.
ABSTRACT
A total of 961 patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) between 1982 and 1991, and we investigated perioperative cerebral infarction. The average age of operation in these case was 65±4 years. There was 9 patients with hypertension, 7 with diabetes mellitus and 5 with hyperlipidemia. Concerning cerebral infarction, there were 3 patients with multiple infarction, 6 with infarction of the mid cerebral artery area, 1 with infarction of posterior cerebral artery area, 1 with infarction of posterior cerebral artery area, 1 with infarction of pons and 1 with infarction of the ophthalmic artery. The courses of infarction involved atherosclerosis, hypoperfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass, thrombosis due to arterial fibrillation and thrombus on the left ventricular wall. Three patients who had critical cerebral infarction died after CABG. We consider that avoid perioperative cerebral infarction preoperative atherosclerosis, thrombus and to choose the proper procedure of the operation.
ABSTRACT
A 72 year-old man underwent coronary angiography (CAG) with a diagnosis of unstable angina pectoris, and 90% stenosis of the LMT was found. Since idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) had been diagnosed previously, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was performed. However, his unstable angina recurred after about 2 months restenosis of the LMT to 90% was shown by CAG, and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was performed. In the preoperative chest X-ray, diffuse granular opacities were seen in both lower lungfields, and Velcro rales were heard by ausculation. A spirogram could not be obtained because of his unstable angina, but the PaO<sub>2</sub> was a reasonable 70mmHg when breathing room air. In consideration of the age of the patient, a double coronary artery bypass grafting using a saphenous vein graft (SVG) was performed to minimize duration of anesthesia. His PaO<sub>2</sub> showed a transient decrease after the end of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), but the perioperative hemodynamics and respiratory status were stable and extubation was performed on the 1st postoperative day. No aggravation of his IIP occurred postoperatively and he was discharged on the 29th postoperative day.
ABSTRACT
Coronary artery bypass surgery in a 54-year-old female with severe calcified ascending aorta was performed with aortic no touch technique, Extracorporeal circulation with femoral cannulation was performed, and bilateral internal thoracic acteries and gastroepiploic artery were used as grafts under ventricular fibrillation and hypothermia without aortic cross-clamping. No neurological complication was observed and postoperative course was uneventful. We think the aortic no touch technique is safe and reliable in the coronary revascularization with severe calcified aorta.
ABSTRACT
A case of 38-year-old woman with corrected transposition of great arteries is reported. She was admitted for acute cardiac failure caused by not only the left-side atrioventricular regurgitation for the ruptured chordae tendineae, but also the right-side one. We have to perform double valve replacement emergently due to the progression of biventricular failure. Very few reports have described a surgical repair of the right-sided valve replacement. The postoperative course was favorable.