Mid-Term Outcomes of Nonoperative Management for Patients with Grade III Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of our study was to assess the mid-term outcomes of the patients with grade III blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) who were treated non-operatively and to determine the specific conditions for successful NOM. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients with grade III BTAI at a single level 1 trauma center between January 2012 and March 2020, and compared the demographics and outcomes of NOM and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). We also examined the factors contributing to the selection of NOM by calculating the odds ratios for age, sex, initial systolic blood pressure, injury severity score, abbreviated injury scale score, pseudoaneurysm/neck (P/N) ratio, and comorbidity. RESULTS: In total, 46 adults were included. Thirty patients underwent NOM and 19 underwent TEVAR. The time from injury to computed tomography, hospital days, intensive care unit length of stay, and follow-up period showed no difference between the two groups. Aorta-related mortality was not observed in either group. Two patients (7.4%) in the NOM group experienced an increase in pseudoaneurysms: one of them underwent delayed surgical repair without complications, and the other maintained regular follow-up. The odds ratio for selecting NOM was significant when the P/N ratio was < 1.30 (OR = 4.687 [95% CI, 1.229-17.882], p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that carefully selected patients with BTAI grade III could be observed nonoperatively or treated by delayed intervention on outpatient basis, and a P/N ratio < 1.30 can be used as a cutoff to decide treatment options for BTAI grade III.

Kidney transplantation from a donor following cardiac death supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

To expand the donor pool, organ donation after cardiac death (DCD) has emerged. However, kidneys from DCD donors have a period of long warm ischemia between cardiac arrest and the harvesting of the organs. Recently, we used extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to minimize ischemic injury during 'no touch' periods in a Maastricht category II DCD donor and performed two successful kidney transplantations. The kidneys were procured from a 49-yr-old male donor. The warm ischemia time was 31 min, and the time of maintained circulation using ECMO was 7 hr 55 min. The cold ischemia time was 9 hr 15 min. The kidneys were transplanted into two recipients and functioned immediately after reperfusion. The grafts showed excellent function at one and three months post-transplantation; serum creatinine (SCr) levels were 1.0 mg/dL and 0.8 mg/dL and the estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) were 63 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and 78 mL/min/1.73 m(2) in the first recipient, and SCr levels were 1.1 mg/dL and 1.0 mg/dL and eGFR were 56 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and 64 mL/min/1.73 m(2) in the second recipient. In conclusion, it is suggested that kidney transplantation from a category II DCD donor assisted by ECMO is a reasonable modality for expanding donor pool.

Acute right ventricular failure evoked by trauma induced thyroid storm supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: A case report.

RATIONALE: Cardiac arrest due to thyroid storm is a very rare clinical feature with high mortality that presents as multiorgan dysfunction. The mortality rate under this condition is close to 30%, even with appropriate treatment. Most thyroid storms occur in patients with long-standing untreated hyperthyroidism. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 67-year-old woman, who had no specific medical history, was admitted with stupor mentality after a pedestrian traffic accident. DIAGNOSIS: The patient had a Burch and Wartofsky score of 80, well beyond the criteria for diagnosis of a thyroid storm (>45 points). INTERVENTIONS: Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was performed due to persistent unstable vital signs and findings of right ventricular dysfunction after return of spontaneous circulation after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Circulatory assist with ECMO was performed for 8 days using a beta blocker, steroids, thionamide, and Lugol iodine solution. OUTCOMES: Myocardial function and thyroid hormone levels were rapidly normalized. The patient's mental state recovered, and patient was discharged on day 36 maintaining medication. LESSONS: Diagnosis of a thyroid storm in patients with multiple trauma is very difficult, because most trauma patients have symptoms of tachycardia, altered mental status, and abdominal pain that appear in thyrotoxic events. However, when unexplained shock without bleeding evidence occurs in patients with multiple trauma, a thyroid function test should be performed to rule out thyroid storm. Moreover, if hyperthyroidism is observed in a trauma patient, even if there is no history of hyperthyroidism, the possibility of a thyroid storm must be considered along with medical support treatment such as ECMO in patient with cardiogenic shock.

Delayed aortic regurgitation after TEVAR procedure: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Acute aortic regurgitation (AR) is uncommon condition and usually results in an emergent situation because the left ventricle does not adapt quickly due to a sudden increase in end-diastolic volume caused by the regurgitant flow. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is a procedure that places a stent-graft on the lesion of thoracic aorta through a minimally invasive approach. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we report that a catheter-induced aortic valve injury associated with TEVAR can cause delayed AR, exemplified by the case of a patient who developed acute AR 42 months after TEVAR. For this, aortic valve replacement was performed and the patient was discharged without complications. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that when a catheter-related procedure is performed around the aortic valve, slight injury of the valve can cause aortic insufficiency even 3 years after surgery. Consequently, when performing a catheter-related procedure around the aortic valve, special attention is always required.

Acute Pulmonary Thromboembolism: 14 Years of Surgical Experience.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a life-threatening disease with high mortality. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of surgical embolectomy and to clarify the sustained long-term effects of surgery by comparing preoperative, postoperative, and long-term follow-up echocardiography outcomes. Of 22 survivors, 21 were followed up for a mean (median) period of 6.8±5.4 years (4.2 years). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 27 surgical embolectomy cases for massive or submassive acute PTE from 2003 to 2016. Immediate and long-term follow-up outcomes of surgical embolectomy were assessed on the basis of 30-day mortality, long-term mortality, postoperative complications, right ventricular systolic pressure, and tricuspid regurgitation grade. RESULTS: The 30-day and long-term mortality rates were 14.8% (4 of 27) and 4.3% (1 of 23), respectively. Three patients had major postoperative complications, including hypoxic brain damage, acute kidney injury, and endobronchial bleeding, respectively (3.7% each). Right ventricular systolic pressure (median [range], mm Hg) decreased from 62.0 (45.5-78.5) to 31.0 (25.7-37.0, p<0.001). The tricuspid valve regurgitation grade (median [range]) decreased from 1.5 (0.63-2.00) to 0.50 (0.50-1.00, p<0.05). The improvement lasted until the last echocardiographic follow-up. CONCLUSION: Surgical embolectomy revealed favorable mortality and morbidity rates in patients with acute massive or submassive PTE, with sustained long-term improvements in cardiac function.

Surgical outcomes and risk factors for postoperative complications in patients with Behcet's disease.

This study aims to investigate surgical outcomes in patients with Behcet's disease (BD) and to identify risk factors for the occurrence of postoperative complications. The medical records of 37 patients with newly diagnosed BD were reviewed retrospectively. All patients fulfilled the International Study Group criteria for diagnosis of BD and underwent surgeries after diagnosis. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data at the time when surgeries were performed were collected and surgical modalities, postoperative complications, and postoperative medical treatments were evaluated. Forty-three surgeries were performed in 37 patients. During mean follow-up duration of 78.2 +/- 50.3 months, 14 surgeries (32.6%) were complicated by wound dehiscence, infection, and graft occlusion or failure with the mean lag time of 6.0 +/- 4.6 months from surgeries. Cumulative incidence of postoperative complications was 7.7% at 3 months, 25.6% at 6 months, 33.3% at 12 months, and 35.9% at 18 months. Postoperative complications occurred more frequently after surgeries that were performed in patients with positive pathergy test (P < 0.001) and after vascular surgeries than after nonvascular surgeries (P < 0.05). Moreover, surgeries that were followed by glucocorticoids with immunosuppressive agents showed a significantly lower postoperative complication rate compared to those that were followed by glucocorticoids alone and those that were not followed by medical treatment (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that a positive pathergic reaction (P < 0.05, hazard ratio = 1.91) at the time of surgery and surgeries that were not followed by treatment with glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive agent (P < 0.01, hazard ratio = 2.11) was an independent risk factor for the occurrence of postoperative complications. Our findings suggest that the occurrence of postoperative complications can be reduced when postsurgical immunosuppressive treatment was implemented and that the pathergy test can be used as screening methods for occurrence of postoperative complications in patients with BD.

Use of revascularized artery as a recipient in microvascular reconstruction of the lower leg: An analysis of 62 consecutive free flap transfers.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to demonstrate the safety and reliability of combined preoperative angioplasty and free flap transfer in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) by analyzing the surgical outcomes. METHODS: Between October 2011 and October 2015, patients who had undergone lower extremity angiography and subsequent free flap transfer were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected included demographics, perioperative data, and postoperative outcomes. The cases were divided into two groups: one group with microanastomosis performed on revascularized artery by balloon angioplasty and the other group performed on native artery. Multiple logistic regression model using propensity score and linear regression was computed to determine the association between preoperative angioplasty and the surgical outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 62 lower limb reconstruction cases (19 angioplastied cases and 43 nonangioplastied cases) were included in the study. Complications occurred in 6 cases in the angioplastied group and in 11 cases in the control group. The overall limb salvage rate was 100% during the average follow-up of 29.5 months in the angioplastied group and 97.7% in the nonangioplastied control group during the average follow-up of 31.1 months. Preoperative angioplasty was not a significant predictor of increased complications and longer postoperative downtime in logistic and linear regression model, both in the weighted and unweighted model. CONCLUSIONS: The combined approach of preoperative endovascular revascularization and free flap transfer for limb reconstruction in PAOD patients can be performed safely and effectively with acceptable morbidity.

Clinical results of minimally invasive open-heart surgery in patients with mitral valve disease: comparison of parasternal and low-sternal approach.

Clinical results of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery were retrospectively reviewed, and two different surgical approaches were compared in this study. Between 1997 and 2004, a total of 86 patients with mitral valve disease underwent minimally invasive surgery at the Yonsei University Cardiovascular Center. Age of patients averaged 41.6 +/- 14.0 years and 69 patients were female. Surgical approach included low- sternal incisions with mini-sternotomy, and right parasternal or thoracotomy approach. Either direct aortic or femoral arterial and bicaval cannulations were used in all patients. Patients were divided into two groups according to the method of surgical approach (parasternal (P) vs low-sternal (L)), and the results were compared. Postoperative NYHA functional class improved to 1.1 +/- 0.4 in all patients (no significant statistical difference between two groups). Mean wound length (P: 9.21 +/- 1.10 vs L: 11.24 +/- 0.82 cm, p < 0.05), and mechanical ventilation time (P: 10.42 +/- 4.36 vs L: 12.90 +/- 5.00 min, p=0.04) was significantly shorter in parasternal group, and mean operation time(P:294.74 +/- 59.41 vs. L:259.31 +/- 54.36 min, p=0.03) was significantly shorter in low-sternal group. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass time, and aortic cross clamp time was also shorter in low-sternal group without statistical difference. There were 2 minor wound complications in all patients (p=NS), and no hospital death. Comparing the two different surgical approach of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery, parasternal approach is thought to be more beneficial in reducing postoperative scar, and intubation time.

Clinical experiences of cardiac myxoma.

Although cardiac myxoma is rare, it is the most common primary cardiac tumor. Seventy-four cases of cardiac myxoma that were surgically treated in our center between August 1980 and February 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. The mean patient age was 50.4 +/- 15.0 (range 7-80) years, and 53 patients (71.6%) were female. The most common preoperative symptom, occurring in 44 patients, was dyspnea. The interval from onset of symptoms to surgery was 9 months. Seventy cases were located in the left atrium, 3 in the right atrium and 1 in the right ventricle. The myxoma in the right ventricle could not be resected completely, due to severe infiltration. Cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross clamp times were 100.4 +/- 37.1 and 64.8 +/- 29.8 minutes, respectively. There were no hospital deaths, and 7 patients suffered from postoperative complications including atrial fibrillation in 2 cases. During the follow up period (mean 105.7 +/- 73.6 months), there was no tumor recurrence and 6 late deaths that were not related to the underlying tumor. There was no evidence of tumor growth in the cases with incomplete resection during the 14-month follow-up. In conclusion, in this study there was no recurrence of tumors after complete resection and surgical resection is considered to be the curative method of treatment for cardiac myxoma.

Vanishing Venous Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts after Sepsis.

The dehiscence of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) is a rare, often fatal, complication of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We present the case of a 57-year-old man who underwent hemiarch graft interposition and CABG for a Stanford type A aortic dissection. Five months after discharge, the patient developed streptococcal sepsis caused by a hemodialysis catheter. Complete rupture of the proximal anastomoses of the saphenous veins and containment by the obliterated pericardial cavity was observed 25 months after the initial operation. The patient was successfully treated surgically. This report describes a patient who developed potentially fatal dehiscence of SVGs secondary to infection and outlines preventive and management strategies for this complication.

Stent Compression in Iliac Vein Compression Syndrome Associated with Acute Ilio-Femoral Deep Vein Thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate stent compression in iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS) and to identify its association with stent patency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2005 and June 2014, after stent placement for the treatment of IVCS with acute ilio-femoral deep vein thrombosis, follow-up CT venography was performed in 48 patients (35 women, 13 men; age range 23-87 years; median age 56 years). Using follow-up CT venography, the degree of the stent compression was calculated and used to divide patients into two groups. Possible factors associated with stent compression and patency were evaluated. The cumulative degree of stent compression and patency rate were analyzed. RESULTS: All of the stents used were laser-cut nitinol stents. The proportion of limbs showing significant stent compression was 33%. Fifty-six percent of limbs in the significant stent compression group developed stent occlusion. On the other hand, only 9% of limbs in the insignificant stent compression group developed stent occlusion. Significant stent compression was inversely correlated with stent patency (p < 0.001). The median patency period evaluated with Kaplan-Meier analysis was 20.0 months for patients with significant stent compression. Other factors including gender, age, and type of stent were not correlated with stent patency. Significant stent compression occurred most frequently (87.5%) at the upper end of the stent (ilio-caval junction). CONCLUSION: Significant compression of nitinol stents placed in IVCS highly affects stent patency. Therefore, in order to prevent stent compression in IVCS, nitinol stents with higher radial resistive force may be required.

Recurrent stent thrombosis in a patient with antiphospholipid syndrome and dual anti-platelet therapy non-responsiveness.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), the most common acquired hypercoagulable condition, is diagnosed by persistent presence of antiphospholipid antibodies and episodes of vascular thrombosis. It may be an important predisposing factor for stent thrombosis, resulting in poor outcomes. Also, anti-platelet therapy non-responsiveness is associated with stent thrombosis. We report a case of a 39-year-old man who after undergoing successful percutaneous coronary intervention for significant coronary artery disease suffered repeated stent thrombosis events leading to ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Eventually, he underwent coronary artery bypass surgery because of uncontrolled thrombosis and was diagnosed as having APS and dual antiplatelet therapy non-responsiveness.

Successful lower extremity salvage with free flap after endovascular angioplasty in peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

OBJECTIVE: Most patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease undergo lower limb amputation due to complex wounds on their lower extremities. We have taken the challenging approach of combining angioplasty and free tissue transfer for limb salvage. METHODS: Between October 2011 and December 2013, 11 patients (average age of 56.8 years; ranged from 43-72 years old) with peripheral arterial occlusive disease of main tibioperoneal arteries underwent preoperative angioplasty. Afterward, free tissue transfers (nine anterolateral thigh free flaps, one vastus lateralis muscle free flap, and one deep femoral artery perforator flap) were performed on these patients for lower extremity salvage and reconstruction. RESULTS: All 11 free tissue transfers after angioplasty were successful without operative mortality or major complications. Minimal wound dehiscence was seen in one case, and partial flap necrosis was seen in the other cases. During the follow-up period, all of the patients had their wounds healed completely and achieved acceptable contour and quality of gait. CONCLUSION: The preoperative angioplasty provides well-vascularized tissue that both controls infection and helps free flaps to survive. Therefore, the patients due to receive leg amputation in spite of the free tissue transfer can achieve limb salvage by using the additional technique of angioplasty. This combined approach was successful in preserving the functional aspects along with the aesthetic results for the lower limb reconstruction.

Pedunculated aortic mural thrombus attached at unusual site of normal aorta presenting with acute myocardial infarction.

We report a rare case of thrombus formation in normal aorta causing myocardial infarction. A 44-year-old man who had no prothrombotic risk factors presented with acute myocardial infarction. Two-dimensional echocardiography revealed a hypoechoic homogenous mass occupying the left coronary sinus and attached at the nonatherosclerotic aorta. The mass seemed to cause myocardial infarction by occluding the left anterior descending artery with oscillating movement according to the cardiac cycles. After surgical resection, the histopathologic examination revealed the mass as an organized thrombus. This case implies that an aortic mural thrombus can form in a nonatherosclerotic aorta without any prothrombotic risk factors.

Perioperative psycho-educational intervention can reduce postoperative delirium in patients after cardiac surgery: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery is associated with many consequences such as poorer functional recovery, more frequent postoperative complications, higher mortality, increased length of hospital stay, and higher hospital costs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of perioperative psycho-educational intervention in preventing postoperative delirium in post cardiac surgery patients. METHOD: We conducted a comparative retrospective study between 49 patients who had received perioperative psycho-educational intervention and 46 patients who had received standard care. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative delirium. Secondary outcomes included length of ICU stay, and severity and duration of postoperative delirium among the patients who had developed delirium. RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative delirium was significantly lower in the intervention group than that in the control group (12.24% vs. 34.78%, P = 0.009). Among the patients who had developed postoperative delirium, there was no statistical difference between the two groups regarding secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the patients who received perioperative psycho-educational intervention were associated with a lower incidence of postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery than those who received standard care. Clinicians would be able to implement this psycho-educational intervention as part of routine practice to reduce delirium.

Successful surgical treatment of a right atrial myxoma complicated by pulmonary embolism.

A 76-year-old woman with hypertension was admitted to the hospital with complaints of chest pain and dyspnea. An echocardiogram and pulmonary computed tomography angiography showed right atrial myxoma complicated with pulmonary thromboembolism. An operation to resect the right atrial myxoma and pulmonary embolism was recommended; however, the patient refused and was discharged with anticoagulation therapy. Two years later, she developed dyspnea. Radiological studies and echocardiography showed similar results with the previous findings. The patient underwent mediastinotomy with resection of the right atrial myxoma and pulmonary embolectomy. As there are few reports on right atrial myxoma complicated with pulmonary embolism, we report a successful case of surgical removal of right atrial myxoma and pulmonary embolism.

Use of a valved-conduit for exclusion of the infected portion in the prosthetic pulmonary valve endocarditis.

A 51-year-old male was admitted to the hospital with complaints of fever and hemoptysis. After evaluation of the fever focus, he was diagnosed with pulmonary valve infective endocarditis. Thus pulmonary valve replacement and antibiotics therapy were performed and discharged. He was brought to the emergency unit presenting with a high fever (>39℃) and general weakness 6 months after the initial operation. The echocardiography revealed prosthetic pulmonary valve endocarditis. Therefore, redo-pulmonary valve replacement using valved conduit was performed in the Rastelli fashion because of the risk of pulmonary arterial wall injury and recurrent endocarditis from the remnant inflammatory tissue. We report here on the successful surgical treatment of prosthetic pulmonary valve endocarditis with an alternative surgical method.

Endovascular revascularization for patients with critical limb ischemia: impact on wound healing and long term clinical results in 189 limbs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact on wound healing and long-term clinical outcomes of endovascular revascularization in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study on 189 limbs with CLI treated with endovascular revascularization between 2008 and 2010 and followed for a mean 21 months. Angiographic outcome was graded to technical success (TS), partial failure (PF) and complete technical failure. The impact on wound healing of revascularization was assessed with univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression models. Analysis of long-term event-free limb survival, and limb salvage rate (LSR) was performed by Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: TS was achieved in 89% of treated limbs, whereas PF and CF were achieved in 9% and 2% of the limbs, respectively. Major complications occurred in 6% of treated limbs. The 30-day mortality was 2%. Wound healing was successful in 85% and failed in 15%. Impact of angiographic outcome on wound healing was statistically significant. The event-free limb survival was 79.3% and 69.5% at 1- and 3-years, respectively. The LSR was 94.8% and 92.0% at 1- and 3-years, respectively. CONCLUSION: Endovascular revascularization improve wound healing rate and provide good long-term LSRs in CLI.