Long-term Outcomes of Surgical Repair for Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the long-term outcomes of physiological and anatomical repair for corrected transposition of the great arteries and double-outlet right ventricle with discordant atrioventricular connection. METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included 146 patients who underwent biventricular repair of corrected transposition of the great arteries or double-outlet right ventricle with discordant atrioventricular connections from 1972 to 2023. Survival rate, freedom from reoperation, New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classification, and incidence of systemic ventricular dysfunction in the long-term were compared between physiological repair (PR) and anatomical repair (AR) groups. RESULTS: The PR group consisted of 55 patients, with median age at repair of 10.3 years. Thirty-one patients underwent conventional Rastelli procedure, and 24 patients underwent atrial and/or ventricular septal defect closure. The AR group consisted of 91 patients, with median age at repair of 5.8 years. Seventy-two patients underwent atrial switch plus Rastelli procedure and 19 patients underwent atrial plus arterial switch operation. The 30-year survival was 63.5% in the PR group and 72.3% in the AR group (P = .448). The 30-year freedom from reoperation was 71.9% in the PR group and 62.2% in the AR group (P = .220). There was a significant difference in the incidence of systemic ventricular dysfunction between the groups (87.5% in the PR group and 35.3% in the AR group, P < .001) and in the NYHA classification of long-term survivors (mean NYHA class of 1.9 in the PR group and 1.5 in the AR group, P = .009). CONCLUSIONS: The systemic ventricular function and general status in the long-term were significantly better in AR patients, suggesting the potential advantage of AR.

The mid-term outcomes of aortic root replacement after surgical repair for CHD.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to assess the mid-term outcomes of aortic root replacement after repair of CHDs. METHOD: This is a single-institutional retrospective, cohort study with consecutive patients undergoing aortic root replacement after surgical repair of CHDs between 1999 and 2022. Operative indications included aortic root dilatation with/without aortic insufficiency, sinus of Valsalva rupture, or aortic dissection involving the root. RESULTS: Forty-four patients (36 male and 8 female) were enrolled. Mean age at the root replacement was 36.6 ± 11.9 years. The most frequent primary diagnosis was congenital aortic stenosis (n = 10) and ventricular septal defect (n = 10). Mean time from the surgical repair to aortic root replacement was 26.6 ± 13.0 years. Operative indications were aortic root enlargement with or without aortic valve aetiology (n = 40), sinus of Valsalva rupture (n = 2), and aortic dissection (n = 2). Forty-two patients underwent valve-replacing aortic root replacement, and two patients underwent valve-sparing, with 40 concomitant procedures. The median follow-up was 3.5 (1.3-7.6) years. There were one early and five late mortalities and five cardiovascular-related reoperations. Actuarial survival at 5-10 years after root replacement was 81.0 ± 6.6%. The cumulative incidence of cardiovascular-related reoperation and aortic root or valve-related reoperation at 5 years after root replacement was 11.9% and 5.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The early and mid-term outcomes of aortic root replacement for patients with a history of repair of CHDs were favourable in terms of survival and aortic root or valve-related reoperation.

Propensity score-matched comparison of total arterial off- and on-pump coronary artery bypass with complete revascularization.

Little is known regarding the long-term (> 10 years) outcomes and risk factors of total arterial coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This study evaluated the long-term outcomes and risk factors for all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) following total arterial on-pump CABG (ONCAB) or off-pump CABG (OPCAB) with complete revascularization. This retrospective cohort analysis enrolled patients with stable angina who underwent total arterial CABG with complete revascularization in our institute between July 2000 and June 2019. The endpoints were all-cause mortality and MACCE incidence, including a comparison between OPCAB and ONCAB. Long-term (10-year) outcomes were analyzed using propensity score-matched pairs, and risk factors were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses. Overall, 401 patients who underwent primary total arterial CABG were classified into the OPCAB (n = 269) and ONCAB (n = 132) groups. Using propensity score matching (PSM), 88 patients who underwent OPCAB were matched with 88 patients who underwent ONCAB. The mean follow-up period was 7.9 ± 6.3 years. No significant difference in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 0.53-2.04; p = 0.9138) and MACCE incidence (hazard ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, 0.68-1.65; p = 0.7901) was observed between the two groups. Renal failure requiring dialysis was a significant risk factor for mortality (p < 0.0001) and MACCEs (p = 0.0003). Long-term outcomes of total arterial OPCAB and ONCAB with complete revascularization showed similar findings using PSM. Renal failure requiring dialysis was a significant risk factor for mortality and morbidity.Journal standard instruction requires an unstructured abstract; hence the headings provided in abstract were deleted. Kindly check and confirm.Thank you for your kindness.Clinical registration number 5598, Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital.

Tricuspid valve replacement provides better long-term survival and tricuspid valve function than repair in patients with systemic right ventricle.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare the long-term outcomes of 2 different tricuspid surgeries including valvuloplasty and replacement for significant tricuspid regurgitation in patients with systemic right ventricle. Method: This is a retrospective study of 34 patients with dextro-transposition of the great arteries or levo-transposition of the great arteries with biventricular circulation and systemic right ventricle undergoing tricuspid valve surgery between April 1979 and April 2022. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the procedure: tricuspid valvuloplasty (n = 11) and tricuspid valve replacement (n = 23). These groups were compared in terms of survival, tricuspid valve dysfunction, and tricuspid valve-related reoperation. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in operative age, body weight, the proportion of dextro-transposition of the great arteries, Ebstein-like tricuspid dysplasia, and preoperative right ventricular volume/function. During the median follow-up of 9.7 years, there was 1 early death (tricuspid valvuloplasty group) and 4 late deaths (3 in tricuspid valvuloplasty group and 1 in tricuspid valve replacement group). There were 7 tricuspid valve dysfunctions, including 6 significant tricuspid regurgitations in the tricuspid valvuloplasty group and 1 prosthetic valve dysfunction in the tricuspid valve replacement group, and 4 tricuspid valve-related reoperations (3 in the tricuspid valvuloplasty group and 1 in the tricuspid valve replacement group) were performed. There were significant differences between the groups in survival (tricuspid valvuloplasty vs tricuspid valve replacement: 72.7 vs 94.7% at 10 years after surgery, P = .0328) and cumulative incidence of tricuspid valve dysfunction at 10 years after tricuspid surgery (tricuspid valvuloplasty vs tricuspid valve replacement: 27.3% vs 0%, P = .0121). Conclusions: Tricuspid valve replacement provided better long-term survival and tricuspid function in patients with systemic right ventricle compared with tricuspid valvuloplasty.

[Distal Anastomosis with Pleural Flap Wrap for Ruptured Acute Aortic Dissection].

A 69-year-old woman developed back pain was brought to our hospital. She was diagnosed with acute Stanford type B aortic dissection, and had a history of ascending aortic replacement for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection at another hospital 10 years before. In three days after admission, enhanced computer tomography (CT) revealed ruptured aortic dissection at the distal arch. Total aortic arch replacement was performed using the frozen elephant trunk technique. The Dacron polyester fabric prosthesis and aorta were anastomosed using the modified turn-up method at the distal anastomosis. Due to the fragility of the oesophageal side, the pleural flap was detached with the surrounding fatty tissue and transection was performed from the elephant trunk to the intima, adventitia, pleural flap, and felt strip. The use of an autologous pleural flap is a simple and effective method for controlling bleeding in a ruptured aortic dissection and for the distal anastomosis of fragile adventitia.

Arteriovenous malformation with pseudoaneurysm on the left upper limb.

A 61-year-old woman developed a pulsatile mass on the left upper limb and was diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation with pseudoaneurysm. A two-stage operation including ligation and resection of the aberrant branches and subsequent resection of the mass with revascularization was performed. Histological analysis suggested arteriovenous malformation and pseudoaneurysm.

Long-term surgical results of transposition of the great arteries with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term surgical results of transposition of the great arteries with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with transposition of the great arteries or double outlet right ventricle with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction undergoing biventricular repair between 1980 and 2017. RESULTS: One hundred and eleven patients were enrolled and classified into five groups: atrial switch (n = 20), arterial switch (n = 12), Nikaidoh (n = 7), Rastelli (n = 48), and REV operation groups (n = 24). Early mortality was highest in Nikaidoh group (29%). Median follow-up was 18.2 years. Long-term survival was by far lowest in Nikaidoh group and comparable among the other 4 groups. Freedom from reoperation at 20 years was lowest in Rastelli group (32.1%) due to right ventricular outflow tract-related reoperations. While having no recurrence of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, the arterial switch operation group had a high proportion of substantial neo-aortic regurgitation (29%). CONCLUSIONS: The long-term survival was satisfactory regardless of the surgical technique except Nikaidoh group. The surgical option for transposition of the great arteries with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction should be selected based on the features of the respective procedures.

Successful one-stage operation for type B acute intramural hematoma with descending aortic rupture.

A 76-year-old man who complained of back pain was referred to our hospital. Computed tomography revealed an intramural hematoma with a descending aortic rupture. Total arch replacement with the frozen elephant trunk technique and thoracic endovascular aortic repair was performed emergently in one stage. The patient was discharged without symptoms.

[Florida Sleeve Technique Concomitant with Total Aortic Arch Replacement].

A 73-year-old man with chest pain was brought to our hospital. He was diagnosed with acute myocardial infraction (AMI) by coronary arteriogram and underwent emergent intervention. Enhanced computer tomography( CT) revealed thoracic aortic aneurysm extending from sinus of Valsalva to proximal aortic arch. Fifty days after the onset of AMI, we performed valve-sparing aortic root replacement with the Florida sleeve technique, total aortic arch replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting. Post operatively, the patient's recovery went well without any complications. In subsequent CT, sinus of Valsalva was shrunk from 47 mm to 38 mm. The Florida sleeve technique is simple, effective and could reduce surgical risks.

Concomitant decalcification of the anterior mitral leaflet via the aortic annulus during aortic valve replacement for significant aortic and mitral stenoses.

An 82-year-old man undergoing regular hemodialysis with substantial aortic and mitral valve stenoses underwent aortic valve replacement with concomitant mitral decalcification via the aortic annulus. Postoperative transthoracic echocardiography showed reduced mitral stenosis. The patient was discharged on the 14th postoperative day uneventfully.

[The Mid-term Results of Transapical Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation for Aortic Stenosis].

We aimed to evaluate the results of transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for aortic stenosis. Thirty patients who had aortic stenosis and underwent transapical TAVI between 2016 and 2020 were enrolled. Medical records were reviewed, and the following data were retrieved and analyzed:basic demographic data, and intraoperative data and postoperative outcomes. Mean age was 85.8 years. There were 3 intraoperative complications (1 apex bleeding, 1 coronary stenosis and 1 mitral regurgitation). Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was initiated due to unstable hemodynamics in two patients. One patient was converted to mitral valve replacement due to severe mitral regurgitation. There were 2 in-hospital complications (1 with sick sinus syndrome and 1 with cerebral infarction). One patient died of cerebral infarction and eventually, the 30-day mortality was 3%. Median observational period was 1.3 years. Three-year survival was 87.3%. Left ventricular ejection fraction increased by six months after the procedure and then, reached plateau. Left ventricular mass index decreased constantly throughout the observational period. Both parameters at one year after the procedure were significantly higher than preoperative ones. In conclusion, survival after transapical TAVI was favorable because of the low critical complication rate. Both left ventricular functional improvement and reverse remodeling were obtained.

Long-term surgical results of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery repair in infants and older patients.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare the long-term surgical results of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery (LCA) from the pulmonary artery repair between infants and older patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients undergoing anomalous origin of the LCA from the pulmonary artery repair between 1982 and 2018. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were enrolled and divided into two groups based on their age: infants (<1 year of age: n = 11) and older patients (>1 year of age: n = 24). Median age was 5.2 months in infants and 6.3 years in older patients. The procedure included 24 LCA implantations and 11 intrapulmonary baffle repairs. Early mortality was recorded only in two infants (18%). Early complications included two low output syndrome (18%). Survival and freedom from reoperation at median follow-up of 17.2 years were not significantly different between groups (survival, 81.8 ± 11.6% vs. 94.1 ± 5.7% [p = .3846]; freedom from reoperation, 77.8 ± 13.9% vs. 90.0 ± 6.8% [p = .1175]). Mitral regurgitation (MR) developed substantially in two older patients in the long-term. In infants, significant improvements of fractional shortening (p = .0252) and left ventricular (LV) end-systolic (p = .0142) and end-diastolic diameter (p = .0157) occurred at 1 month. CONCLUSIONS: Although there was no significant difference in survival and reoperation rate, the postoperative LV remodeling occurred more evident and rapid in infants. Worsening of MR in the long-term was observed only in older patients.

[Giant Left Atrial Myxoma Complicated with Hemorrhagic Cerebral Infarction].

A 48-year-old woman developed paralysis of the left upper limb and dysarthria. Two days later, she was admitted to a local hospital due to no improvement of symptoms. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed acute hemorrhagic cerebral infarction in the left nucleus basalis. Echocardiography demonstrated a large left atrial mass in the left atrium, shuttling between the left atrium and the left ventricle and moderate mitral regurgitation. Then, she was transferred to our hospital for surgery. Five days after the initial symptoms, resection of the left atrial mass was performed under total cardiopulmonary bypass. First, heparin sodium, and then nafamostat mesilate were used as intraoperative anticoagulation treatment. The left mitral mass was removed via an atrial septal incision and the defect was repaired using a bovine pericardium. The mitral valve was intact and there was no regurgitation. The mass was immunohistologically diagnosed as myxoma. Postoperative brain computed tomography scans demonstrated no exacerbation of the cerebral infarction. She was discharged 13 days after surgery without neurological symptoms.

[Missing Floating Mass in the Ascending Aorta;Report of a Case].

A 65-year-old man, with a history of hypertension, presented with dizziness and emesis and was admitted to a local hospital. He was a moderate smoker, but he did not take any hormone-based medication. Magnetic resonance imaging showed scattered cerebral infarction in the bilateral cerebral hemisphere and right cerebellar hemisphere. There were no abnormal findings in Holter monitor and echography of heart, carotid artery, and leg vein and then, antiplatelet therapy was initiated. After that, both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a floating pedunculated mass in the ascending aorta measuring 10×8×14 mm. He was admitted to our hospital 15 days after the symptom onset. Laboratory tests including immunological and coagulation studies were within normal. Computed tomography showed on the second day of the admission that the mass spontaneously disappeared, thus canceling the schedule of surgery. He received an oral anticoagulant and discharged uneventfully. During a follow-up period of 6 months, there is no recurrence of the thrombus in the aorta and thromboembolic events.

The midterm results of thoracic endovascular aortic repair with a precurved fenestrated endograft in zone 0-1.

OBJECTIVES: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for the treatment of aortic arch disease remains challenging due to certain anatomical and haemodynamic features. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the midterm results of TEVAR with a second-generation fenestrated endograft for aortic arch disease. METHODS: This non-randomized, interventional study was part of a multicentre clinical trial conducted between 2010 and 2011 and was designed to assess the effectiveness of a second-generation precurved fenestrated endograft for aortic arch disease. Midterm data collected during the fifth postoperative year from 205 patients treated with this endograft with the proximal landing of zone 0 or 1 were assessed regarding survival, reoperation and complications. RESULTS: The initial and technical success rates were 94% and 91%, respectively. Ninety-seven percent of patients were treated using zone 0. The rate of in-hospital deaths was 3%. Overall survival was 71% at 5 years; thoracic aorta-related death-free survival rates at 1 and 5 years after surgery were 99.5% and 97.8%, respectively. Aneurysm-related event-free survival rates at 1 and 5 years after surgery were 86.8% and 77.1%, respectively. Reoperation-free survival rates at 5 years were 86.6%. The most frequent reason for reoperation was type Ia endoleak (5%), followed by type II endoleak (2%). Incidences of cerebral infarction, device migration, spinal cord ischaemia and supra-aortic branch stenosis were 6%, 1%, 1% and 1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The precurved fenestrated endograft provided appropriate conformability to the aortic arch and made zone 0 landing possible with simplified, less-invasive manipulations. The midterm results of TEVAR with this endograft suggest this method is a valuable endovascular treatment option for aortic arch disease. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UMIN000007213.

[Rapid Expansion of Distal Aortic Arch Aneurysm with the Short Elephant Trunk;Report of a Case].

A 78-year-old female patient was introduced to our hospital with chief complaint of massive hemoptysis. She had a history of total arch replacement using a short elephant trunk for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection 3 years before. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed kinking of the short elephant trunk and distal aortic arch aneurysm which caused aortobronchial fistula. She was treated by emergency thoracic endovascular aortic repair and long-term administration of antibiotics. Three years later, distal aortic arch aneurysm disappeared by CT and there was no recurrence of hemoptysis. This is the aortic aneurysm was considered to be caused by the short elephant trunk.

[Surgical Results for Left Ventricular Thrombus Formation after Myocardial Infarction].

We aimed to review the surgical results of left ventricular restoration for left ventricular thrombus after myocardial infarction. A retrospective study was conducted on 5 patients who underwent thrombus removal and left ventricular restoration for left ventricular thrombus after myocardial infarction. Two patients were in an acute phase of myocardial infarction, and 3 in a chronic phase. Cerebral infarction occurred in 3 patients preoperatively. Median observational period was 1.0 year. Left ventricular thrombus removal with septal anterior ventricular exclusion technique was performed. Concomitant procedure included 3 coronary artery bypass graftings and 1 left ventricular apex ablation. There was no perioperative bleeding event. The 30-day mortality occurred in 1 patient. There has been no systemic embolic complication, left ventricular dysfunction, nor recurrence of left ventricular thrombus during the observational period. The postoperative left ventricular volume reduced in 3 of the 4 survivors. The left ventricular ejection fraction increased postoperatively in 3 of the 4 survivors. In conclusion, the septal anterior ventricular exclusion technique is an effective method for controlling perioperative bleeding, removing left ventricular thrombus completely, and preventing a recurrence of left ventricular thrombus and systemic embolism. This procedure also contributed to reducing the left ventricular volume, resulting in the improvement of the left ventricular function.

The interference with transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation by the anterior chordae tendineae preserved at previous mitral valve replacement.

Preserved anterior chordae tendineae is a possible risk factor for disturbing delivery of a transcatheter heart valve. Inserting a sheath just below the aortic valve for delivery of the transcatheter heart valve might be proposed as an alternative to avoid the chordae tendineae.

[Mediastinal Hematoma after Intravenous Thrombolytic Therapy for Cerebral Infarction in a Patient with a History of Total Aortic Arch Replacement].

An 80-year-old male patient with a history of total arch replacement for thoracic aortic aneurysm 5 years before was introduced to our hospital with a chief complaint of chest pain. Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) had been administrated because of acute brain infarction. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a large hematoma in the posterior mediastinum extending from the level of distal aortic arch to the descending aorta together with left pleural effusion. On the next day after admission, CT scan revealed that the hematoma became smaller. This is a rare case of a posterior mediastinal hematoma caused by t-PA with a history of total aortic arch replacement.

Valve-sparing partial root repair for aortic dissection limited to the right coronary sinus of Valsalva.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: To reveal a technical feasibility and safety of valve-sparing partial aortic root repair for spontaneous aortic dissection limited to the right coronary sinus of Valsalva. METHODS: A 68-year-old woman presented with chest pain. Twelve-lead electrocardiogram revealed atrioventricular dissociation and ST-segment elevation on II, III, and aVF. Enhanced computed tomography images showed aortic dissection limited to the right-coronary sinus and the other non-dilated sinuses of Valsalva. Localized aortic dissection was repaired by valve-sparing partial aortic root repair using a trimmed U-shaped Dacron graft and a felt strip, and the right coronary artery was revascularized by coronary artery bypass grafting using saphenous vein graft. RESULTS: The patient was discharged on postoperative day 12 with no complications. CONCLUSION: Valve-sparing partial aortic root repair with the patch and coronary artery bypass grafting for aortic dissection limited to the right coronary sinus of Valsalva were technically feasible and safe.