A Case of Intermediate Type Atrioventricular Septal Defect Associated with a Membranous Ventricular Septal Aneurysm in a 70-Year-Old Female Patient / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

The case was a 70-year-old female. Atrioventricular septal defect was diagnosed in her childhood, however, surgical treatment had not been performed. The patient had suffered from heart failure at the age of 69, and she was referred to our hospital for treatment. Her diagnosis was intermediate type atrioventricular septal defect, moderate left atrioventricular valve regurgitation, membranous ventricular septal aneurysm and atrial flutter. An autologous pericardial patch was used to close the ostium primum type atrial septal defect associated with simultaneous covering of membranous ventricular septal aneurysmal wall. Concomitant left and right atrioventricular valvuloplasty and arrhythmia surgery were performed. Her postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged from our department on the 16th postoperative day. To our knowledge, there are few reports of surgery for incomplete type atrioventricular septal defect in the elderly and no report for intermediate type atrioventricular septal defect in Japan. In incomplete type atrioventricular septal defect, symptoms such as supraventricular arrhythmia and heart failure develop according to aging. Reported surgical results in the elderly are quite good, and improvement of excise tolerance is expected. Precise evaluation and proper indication of surgical treatment is mandatory even in older patients.

A Successful Case of Central ECMO with a Transapical Left Ventricular Vent for Fulminant Myocarditis / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

We report a successful case of fulminant myocarditis treated with central ECMO with a transapical left ventricular vent (TLVV). A 33-year-old man was diagnosed with fulminant myocarditis with acute biventricular failure. Using a cardio-pulmonary bypass, we introduced central ECMO with ascending aortic perfusion, right atrial venous drainage and TLVV. After ancillary circulation, his cardiac function gradually improved. The endotracheal tube was removed 5 days after the surgery (POD 5), and he was weaned from ECMO on POD 7 and discharged on POD 38. Although there are many cases in which peripheral veno-arterial ECMO (VA-ECMO) is used for fulminant myocarditis, there is a drawback to VA-ECMO : left ventricle (LV) unloading may be incomplete. Insufficient LV unloading may cause pulmonary congestion or disadvantage in myocardial recovery. TLVV can be used as a solution to unload the left ventricle. Central ECMO with TLVV should be useful therapy for fulminant myocarditis.

A Successful Case of Bridge-to-Surgery Therapy with IMPELLA 5.0® for Acute Mitral Regurgitation / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

A 76-year-old man with a complaint of dyspnea was diagnosed with acute severe mitral regurgitation due to ruptured chordae tendineae. For improvement of pulmonary congestion, we introduced IMPELLA 5.0® and extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation before valve surgery. After two-days' IMPELLA 5.0® support, mitral valve replacement surgery with a bioprosthetic valve was performed and IMPELLA 5.0® was withdrawn. We report a successful case of a bridge to surgery using IMPELLA 5.0® with mitral valve regurgitation accompanied by acute left heart failure with severe respiratory failure.

Endovascular Repair of a Common Iliac Artery Aneurysm and Arteriovenous Fistula with Congestive Heart Failure / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

<p>We report a case of endovascular surgery in a patient of common iliac artery aneurysm with arteriovenous (A-V) fistula. A 60-year-old woman was admitted because of dyspnea. She had a clinical history of lumbar disk surgery at age of 40. On physical examination, we detected a pulsatile mass and pansystolic murmurs in her left lower abdomen. A chest X-ray film demonstrated severe cardiomegaly with 70% of cardiothoracic ratio. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed left common artery aneurysm with A-V fistula between the left common iliac artery and the left common iliac vein. Three-dimensional CT showed hyper-vascularity in the region from the pelvic vein to IVC. We considered that she had high risk of intraoperative massive bleeding for open abdominal surgery. We conducted endovascular repair for this iliac artery aneurysm with A-V fistula by the GORE EXCLUDER C3^® stent graft system. Postoperative contrast-enhanced CT showed complete exclusion of both left common iliac artery aneurysm and A-V fistula. After surgery, her symptoms improved significantly.</p>

A Case of Transvalvular Removal of Subvalvular Pannus beneath the Monocusp Tilting-Disk Mechanical Valve at the Aortic Position Using CUSA / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

We describe our surgical treatment in a patient with subvalvular aortic stenosis due to pannus formation beneath a monocusp mechanical valve. In this case, transvalvular removal of subvalvular pannus using a CUSA (Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator) was performed successfully. A 77-year-old woman underwent aortic valve replacement with a monocusp tilting-disk mechanical valve (Björk-Shiley, 23 mm) 30 years previously. Reoperation for severe aortic stenosis due to calcified subvalvular pannus formation was required. Intraoperative findings revealed no limitation of leaflet motion of the valve but presence of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction caused by subvalvular pannus formation under the major orifice of the prosthesis. Because of difficulty of exposure of the prosthetic valve due to severely calcified valsalva sinus wall, simple re-do aortic valve replacement seemed to be almost impossible. Therefore, we tried transvalvular removal of the pannus. A scalpel could not be applied due to severe calcification of the pannus. Then we used CUSA and removed the pannus successfully. Finally, subvalvular stenosis (LVOTO) was ameliorated and a decrease of trans-aortic valve velocity was recognized. She is doing well without recurrence 1.5 years after the surgery.

Total Mitral Annulus Reconstruction with Bovine Pericardial Patch for Active Prosthetic Valve Infection / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

A 79-year-old woman, who had undergone mitral valve replacement with a Björk-Shiley valve 16 years previously, was transferred to our institute due to active prosthetic valve infection associated with severe heart failure on respirator. On admission, her white blood cells and c-reactive protein (CRP) were elevated to 15,700/µl and 7.29 mg/dl, respectively, and she had anemia (hemoglobine 8.1 g/dl), thrombocytopenia (platelets 75,000/µl), and renal dysfunction (blood urea nitrogen 57 mg/dl, creatinine 1.8 mg/dl, estimated glomerular filtration rate 21.5 ml/min/1.73 m²). Her brain natriuretic peptide was elevated to 456.7 pg/dl. Blood culture revealed bacteremia with <i>Streptococcus agalactiae</i>. Though CT scan revealed cerebellum infarction, we decided to perform emergency surgery because of uncontrollable infection and heart failure, even with massive infusion of catecholamine and respiratory support. At surgery, huge vegetation proliferated over the prosthetic valve. The prosthetic valve was detached from approximately two-thirds of the annulus due to an annular abscess. The infected annulus was resected aggressively. Mitral annulus was reconstructed and reinforced with a bovine pericardial patch, and the bioprosthetic valve of 23 mm in size was implanted in an intra-annular position. In the postoperative phase, antibiotics (ampicillin, gentamicin) was given, and CRP became negative 47 days postoperatively, and the patient discharged from the hospital 56 days after the operation.

Aortic Valve Replacement with Annular Enlargement for Congenital Aortic Valve Stenosis / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

<b>Objective</b> : To investigate the efficacy of aortic valve replacement with annular enlargement for congenital aortic valve stenosis. <b>Methods</b> : Eleven patients underwent aortic valve replacement with annular enlargement for congenital aortic valve stenosis in our institute between January 2002 and July 2012. The clinical status of these patients, including preoperative and postoperative echocardiography, was evaluated in this study. <b>Results</b> : The median age of the patients was 15.5 years (range : 9-38 years). The patients had a mean body surface area of 1.48±0.3 m² (range : 1.00-1.92 m²). Mechanical prostheses were used in all patients and the techniques of aortic annular enlargement were the Nick procedure in 4 patients, Manouguian procedure in 3 (modified Manouguian in 2), Yamaguchi procedure in 2, and Konno procedure in 2. The average follow-up period was 32.1 months (range : 1-117 months). There was neither operative death nor late death. The peak/mean pressure gradient of aortic valve improved from 77.9±31.7/46.6±18.0 mmHg preoperatively to 27.9±7.7/14.8±4.7 mmHg postoperatively and to 28.3±11.1/14.1±7.0 mmHg at intermediate-term follow-up. The estimated left ventricular mass also improved from 206.8±93.4 g preoperatively to 179.7±61.1 g postoperatively and to 100.4±76.3 g at intermediate-term follow-up, respectively. <b>Conclusions</b> : Our series shows the efficacy and safety of aortic valve replacement with annular enlargement for congenital aortic valve stenosis.

A Case of Aortic Root Replacement after Arterial Switch Operation for Transposition of the Great Arteries / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

We report a rare case of aortic root replacement after arterial switch operation (ASO). Ten years after undergoing ASO, a 10-year-old boy underwent a Bentall operation because of progressive aortic valve regurgitation and aortic root dilation. The operation was performed under the division of the right pulmonary artery. This view made it easy and safe to dissect the coronary arteries and to perform aortic root surgery.

Specific Treatment Technique of Perivalvular Aortic Regurgitation in a Patient with Takayasu Arteritis / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

We describe our experience of surgical treatment in a patient with Takayasu's arteritis who required aortic root replacement because of perivalvular aortic regurgitation, developing 2 years after aortic valve replacement. A 65-year-old man underwent aortic valve replacement with a mechanical valve 3 years previously because of serious aortic insufficiency associated with Takayasu's arteritis. No steroids were given postoperatively. Three years after surgery, perivalvular aortic regurgitation developed. Reoperation was scheduled because of increased regurgitation and valve dehiscence. The sinus of Valsalva and the ascending aorta were enlarged, and a false aneurysm was found at the suture line of the aortotomy. Moderate mitral insufficiency was also present. The patient underwent aortic root replacement with a mechanical valve (J-graft Shield^®, 24 mm ; and SJM Regent^®, 21 mm), hemiarch replacement (J-graft Shield^®, 24 mm), and mitral annuloplasty (IMR ET Logix^® ring, 28 mm). Intraoperative examination showed very severe adhesion around the ascending aorta and marked wall thickening extending from the aortic root to the ascending aorta. The annulus was recognized to be very fragile after the mechanical valve was removed. The annulus was reinforced with autologous pericardium patch, furthermore, the subannulus was reinforced with a shortly cut artificial vessel graft. Aortic root replacement was then performed. After surgery, the patient received steroids. Inflammation was improved by steroids and the patient is being followed up on an outpatient basis. In patients with a fragile annulus and severe inflammation associated with aortitis, tissue reinforcement and postoperative management of inflammation are essential.

Isolated Intracavitary Metastatic Esophageal Cancer of the Right Atrium and Right Ventricle / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

We report a rare case of isolated intracavitary metastatic esophageal cancer of the right atrium and ventricle. A 67-year old woman had been treated for esophageal carcinoma for three years. Combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy had been performed, and partial remission had been achieved. Recent follow up computed tomography of the chest revealed intracavitary cardiac mass in her right atrium and right ventricle. On echocardiography a mobile, irregularly shaped large mass was detected in her right atrium. She was admitted for emergency operation. We resected the mass under cardiopulmonary bypass. The pathological examination revealed intracavitary metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. She was discharged on the 29th postoperative day. Six months later, she died from multiple metastases of squamous cell carcinoma. Even though the operation was not curative, it might have been effective for preventing tumor embolism to the lung and elongating life expectancy.

Two Cases of Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction after Rastelli Type Operation for Cardiac Anomalies Associated with Transposed Aorta from the Right Ventricle / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

Intracardiac repair for cardiac anomalies associated with a transposed aorta from the right ventricle is a technically demanding operation. We present two cases of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction after the use of an ePTFE flat patch to reconstruct the LVOT. Case 1 : A 10-year-old boy had undergone the Rastelli operation, VSD enlargement, and intraventricular re-routing using an ePTFE flat patch for repair of the DORV with noncommitted VSD and pulmonary stenosis at the age of 5. Five years later, catheter examination revealed severe LVOT obstruction. Intraventricular re-routing using a part of the ePTFE graft concomitant with re-replacement of an extracardiac conduit was successfully performed. Case 2 : A 13-year-old girl had undergone a double-switch operation (Senning operation, the Rastelli operation, and intraventricular re-routing by the use of an ePTFE flat patch) for the repair of corrected TGA, PA and VSD at the age of 7. Six years later, catheter examination revealed severe LVOT obstruction. Intraventricular re-routing using part of the ePTFE graft concomitant with re-replacement of an extracardiac conduit was successfully performed. We consider that the use of a flat patch for reconstruction of a left ventricular out flow tract in cases with transposition of the aorta from the right ventricle involves a risk of future development of LVOT obstruction.

Right Ventricular Outflow Obstruction due to Huge Un-ruptured Aneurysm of the Sinus of Valsalva in Two Elderly Patients / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

A sinus of Valsalva aneurysm is a comparatively rare disease, and it has almost no symptoms unless this is rupture, whereas aortic insufficiency, myocardial ischemia and heart failure might be associated with un-ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva. We encountered 2 elderly patients (71 years old and 83 years old) with huge un-ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva which causes right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. The orifice of the aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva was closed using ePTFE patches in the both cases. Plication of aneurysm was attempted in both cases, but it failed in case 1 due to undetermined border of the aneurysm on the right side of the heart. Case 2 was required concomitant aortic valve replacement with a bioprosthesis due to associated aortic regurgitation. The repair of un-ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva associated with right ventricular outflow tract obstruction can be performed safely and effectively even in elderly patients.

Left Ventricular Outflow Pseudoaneurysm after Aortic Valve Replacement for Active Infective Endocarditis / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

A 56-year-old man, who underwent aortic valve replacement with a stentless artificial valve for aortic valve endocarditis at age 52, found to have left ventricular outflow pseudoaneurysm by transthorasic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography and enhanced computed tomography. We repaired the pseudoaneurysm, combined with valve re-replacement. Left ventricular outflow pseudoaneurysm is a rare disease, and is often associated with active endocarditis. Transesophageal echocardiography and CT scan are useful to diagnose this disease, especially to rule out annular abscess. Operative indication is recommended soon after the diagnosis was made to prevent rupture of pseudoaneurysm, or development of either mitral regurgitation or coronary ischemia due to compression from the pseudoaneurysm. Combined aortic valve replacement, with or without mitral valve replacement is necessary to repair the pseudoaneurysm.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in a Patient with Malignant Rheumatoid Arthritis / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

The patient was a 39 -year-old woman. Malignant rheumatoid arthritis was diagnosed when she was 32 years old, and the patient was treated with oral steroids. She presented at our center with sudden precordial pain. Coronary angiography revealed severe stenosis of the left main coronary artery (segment 5, 99%). Acute myocardial infarction and pulmonary edema were diagnosed. The patient underwent off-pump coronary-artery bypass grafting, with anastomosis of the left internal thoracic artery to the left anterior descending artery. One year 3 months later, the patient was readmitted to the hospital because of recurrent angina pectoris and heart failure. Coronary angiography showed patency of the left internal thoracic artery and severe stenoses of the left main coronary artery(segment 5, 100%), circumflex artery (segment 11, 99%), and right coronary artery (segment 1, 90%), suggesting angiitis. On-pump coronary-artery bypass grafting was done, with anastomosis of the right internal thoracic artery to the right coronary artery (segment 2) and the gastro-omental artery to the obtuse marginal branch (segment 12). The patient is being followed up on an outpatient basis. There are few reports describing patients with rheumatoid arthritis who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery. However, the most common cause of death in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is coronary-artery disease. Although the patient was still young, coronary-artery disease progressed rapidly. Such rapid progression was attributed to difficulty in controlling the inflammatory response after initial surgery, as well as to changes in vascular endothelial cells caused directly by treatment with steroids. Possible adverse effects of such treatment should be carefully considered.

A Patient Who Underwent Mitral Annuloplasty for Mitral-Valve Insufficiency due to Calcification of the Mitral-Valve Annulus / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

A 74-year-old woman presented with shortness of breath. Cardiac ultrasonography showed that left-ventricular-wall motion was good (left ventricular ejection fraction, 70.2%). The left atrium and ventricle were enlarged (left anterior dimension, 53.4mm; left ventricular enddiastolic dimension, 58.5mm). The posterior cusp of the mitral valve was thickened; the flexibility was decreased. Color Doppler ultrasonography revealed a regurgitant jet toward the posterior cusp of the left atrium. However, there was no deviation of the anterior cusp. Severe mitral-valve insufficiency was diagnosed, and surgery was performed. The second heart sound (P2) of the posterior cusp was shortened because of localized calcification of the posterior mitral annulus. This site may have caused the regurgitation. Mitral annuloplasty with rectangular resection of the valve cusps and annulorrhaphy was performed. The patient had an uneventful recovery after surgery. Postoperative cardiac ultrasonography showed that mitral-valve insufficiency had improved and was regarded as trivial. Mitral annuloplasty is generally considered unsuitable for mitral-valve insufficiency with calcification of the valve annulus. In patients such as the present case who have localized calcification, however, mitral annuloplasty can be performed by resection of the valve cusps with annulorrhaphy.

Selection of Candidates for Circulatory Support Devices as a Bridge to Heart Transplantation / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

Circulatory support devices have become an important component for transplantation programs as they successfully bridge unsalvageable patients who would otherwise die. Between October 1997 and April 2001, 6 patients in profound heart failure were treated with a percutaneous cardiopulmonary support system (PCPS), or with ventricular assist device (VAD), or with both PCPS and VAD. Two patients were treated only with a PCPS, and one weaned case survived. Another 2 patients, who had dilated cardiomyopathy, was treated with VAD. They improved hemodynamically, and their general conditions made them fit to be candidates for heart transplantation. Two other patients who had PCPS insertion before VAD died due to multiple organ failure. Before the application of VAD, the levels of total bilirubin were 14.9 and 20.9mg/dl respectively. In acute worsening of hemodynamics, PCPS is useful to maintain total circulation by quick application. However, long-term support with VAD should be considered to resuscitate impaired end-organ function by carefully selecting the timing of a VAD implantation.

Extension of the indications for operation and up-to date problems in the surgical therapy of acquired valvular disease. Analysis of 581 consecutive prosthetic valve replacement / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

To evaluate the extension of the indications for operation and up-to-date problems in the surgical therapy of the acquired valvular disease, 581 consecutive patients of prosthetic valve replacement from January 1974 through December 1987 were analysed. The age at operation was 39.1 years (range 22 to 68) at 1974, but increased to 51.9 years (range 9 to 75) at 1987 (p<0.05). Early mortality was 3 deaths in 9 patients (33.3%) who were older than 70 years old, but its range was 0% through 7.7% in the younger patient group (p<0.05). Hospital mortality of the combined valve procedure for aortic, miral and tricuspid valvular disease was analysed. It was higher in the group of tricuspid valve replacement (30.0%) than the group of tricuspid annuloplasty (8.3%) (p<0.01). The former group was in poor preoperative state (cachexia, total bilirubin>2mg/dl, mean right atrial pressure>10mmHg and systolic pulmonary artery pressure >75mmHg), compared to the latter group. The cases of re-replacement of the prosthetic valve increased since 1985. The incidence of poor prognosis after operation, that included early death, late death and retire from society, was 47.1% in NYHA Class TV, and from 0 to 15.8% in NYHA Class I to Class III (p<0.01). 60 cases underwent valve replacement for infective endo-carditis, and 16 urgent operations were required in 23 active stage operations. Total early and late mortality was higher in active stage operation (30.0%) than in healed stage operation (2.7%) (p<0.01). In these way, the extension of the indications for operation was carried on the patients of advanced age, combined valve procedure for multiple valve disease, valve re-replacement and infective endocarditis. The operative risk was high in the patients older than 70 years old, the patients who had the risk factors of multiple organ failure after operation, valve re-replacement in NYHA Class IV, and the urgent operation at active stage of infective endocarditis.