Clinical and Morphological Outcomes in Endovascular Aortic Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Using GORE C3 EXCLUDER: Comparison between Patients Treated within and Outside Instructions for Use.

BACKGROUND: The goals of this study were to evaluate mid-term outcome in endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) using a GORE C3 EXCLUDER and compare results between patients treated within and outside the instructions for use (IFU). METHODS: Over a 3-year period spanning October 2013 to September 2016, consecutive patients undergoing EVAR for AAA using the C3 EXCLUDER at Tokyo Medical University Hospital were registered on a prospectively maintained database. The data thus obtained were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 109 AAA patients underwent EVAR using the C3 EXCLUDER. The median follow-up duration was 729 days (interquartile range, 542-1,069 days). Technical success was achieved in 98.2% of cases. Adjunctive, unplanned proximal cuff-extender implantation was required in 8 patients (9.2%). Of the total number, 29 (24.8%) were categorized as being treated outside the IFU. No significant difference was observed in freedom from overall mortality or aneurysm-related mortality between patients treated within and outside the IFU. Freedom from reintervention tended to be lower in patients treated outside the IFU. There was aneurysm sac shrinkage (≥5 mm) in 30.3% and 39.1%; stable aneurysm sac in 69.7% and 56.3%; and aneurysm sac expansion (≥5 mm) in 0% and 4.7% of cases at 1 and 2 years, respectively. No significant difference was observed in aneurysm sac shrinkage between patients treated within and outside the IFU. CONCLUSIONS: The C3 EXCLUDER showed good clinical performance and aneurysm sac shrinkage, regardless of whether the patient was treated within or outside the IFU. The results suggest, however, that in those treated outside the IFU, precise planning, careful operative procedure, and subsequent follow-up are required to obtain short-term and mid- to long-term success in EVAR for AAA using the C3 EXCLUDER.

The Role of Common Femoral Artery Endarterectomy in the Endovascular Era.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to review our experiences treating peripheral artery disease (PAD) by common femoral artery endarterectomy (CFE) with and without endovascular therapy (EVT), and to describe the role of CFE in the endovascular era. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a contemporary series of 38 limbs from January 2010 to September 2014. Clinical outcomes of primary patency, assisted primary patency, limb salvage, and survival were analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariable perioperative predictors of primary patency were identified using the stepwise Cox proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS: Hemodynamic success was achieved in 36 of the 38 limbs (95%). The mean ankle brachial pressure index improved significantly, rising from 0.56 ± 0.04 preoperatively to 0.89 ± 0.04 postoperatively (P = 0.0001). Overall primary and assisted primary patency rates, respectively, were 90% and 100% at 12 months and 85% and 94% at 24 months. There was no significant difference in primary patency rate between isolated CFE and hybrid CFE plus EVT. Both limb salvage and survival rates were 97% at 12 months and 97% at 24 months. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that no clinical or perioperative risk factors were predictive of decreased primary patency. CONCLUSIONS: CFE is a safe, effective, and durable procedure for common femoral artery disease, and hybrid CFE plus EVT can be a valid alternative to open surgical bypass for multilevel occlusive artery disease. These observations stress that CFE plays a vital role in the management of PAD even in the endovascular era.

Redo aortic valve replacement due to early structural valve deterioration in a trifecta valve: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: While the number of SAVR cases has been increasing for patients below their sixties due to the improvement of bioprosthetic valves, some early structural valve deterioration (SVD) in Trifecta valves has been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a female who presented with sudden shortness of breath. Ultrasonography diagnosed SVD. We performed redo aortic valve replacement due to SVD in Trifecta valve. With our surgical technique we could remove the bioprosthetic valve easily. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: We could easily remove the mounted prosthetic valve along with the titanium band. These cases may emerge with acute heart failure due to sudden massive aortic regurgitation, not like the gradual progression of stenosis due to calcification. CONCLUSION: The postoperative course in Trifecta recipients must be followed carefully.

Emergency thromboembolectomy for impending paradoxical embolism through a patent foramen ovale owing to venous thromboembolism in a severely obese patient.

A severely obese patient with dyspnea and weighing 197 kg presented to us. He experienced an impending paradoxical embolism in the left ventricle caused by a deep vein thrombosis passing through a patent foramen ovale, as well as an acute massive pulmonary thromboembolism. Emergency thromboembolectomy from the right atrium and the bilateral pulmonary arteries was successfully performed. This is an extremely rare case of a severely obese patient with a body mass index of 66.6 kg/m2 who required emergency cardiac surgery by a cardiopulmonary bypass.

Pulmonary endarterectomy for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension with active Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: Anticoagulation control in active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is challenging because of hypercoagulation and bleeding complications. The strategy for treating chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) in IBD remains controversial because only a few studies have reported its successful treatment (Kim and Lang. Eur Respir Rev 21: 27-31, 2012, Bonderman, et al. Circulation 115: 2153-8, 2007). We describe a case of CTEPH with active Crohn's disease successfully treated with pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA). CASE PRESENTATION: A 49-year-old man with CTEPH had undergone balloon pulmonary angioplasty four times; however, severe pulmonary hypertension remained. Moreover, he had Crohn's disease, and sufficient anticoagulant therapy could not be performed because of frequent melena. He also had frequent episodes of intestinal ileus resulting in malnutrition. After strict anticoagulant control with warfarin, PEA was performed safely with strict control of the activated coagulation time. After PEA, his pulmonary hypertension improved to a normal range, and he underwent abdominal surgery for the recurrent intestinal ileus. CONCLUSION: PEA for CTEPH with active IBD is challenging, but feasible. The strict anticoagulant control is critical for active IBD patients. Safety of taking direct oral anticoagulants is unclear because there are no parameters for monitoring the level of anticoagulation.

Type IIIb Endoleak After Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Using the Zenith Stent Graft.

We present 3 cases of type IIIb endoleak after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) using the Zenith stent graft system. Type III endoleak, like type I endoleak, is a high-pressure, high-risk leak that increases sac pressure up to or even above arterial pressure, and is associated with an increased frequency of open conversions or risk of aneurysm rupture. Type IIIb endoleak is rare but there is much concern that the incidence of type IIIb endoleak is likely to increase hereafter; the mechanism of type IIIb endoleak is deterioration of graft fabric in conjunction with stent sutures. Type IIIb endoleak is difficult to diagnose before rupture. The possibility of type IIIb endoleak should be highly suspected when the continued growth of an excluded aneurysm sac without direct radiologic evidence is observed during follow-up. Type IIIb endoleak can be repaired by relining of the stent graft with additional stent grafts.

Four-year experience with the Endurant stent-graft for abdominal aortic and common iliac artery aneurysms in 50 consecutive Japanese patients.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the 4-year results of the Endurant stent-graft in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) or common iliac artery aneurysm (CIAA). METHODS: Between June 2012 and January 2014, 50 consecutive Japanese AAA and CIAA patients were treated with the Endurant stent-graft at Tokyo Medical University Hospital. RESULTS: Estimated freedom from overall mortality, aneurysm-related mortality, and secondary interventions at 4 years was 61.7%, 97.9%, and 78.6%, respectively. At 4 years, the maximum sac diameter decreased by >5 mm in 24% of the patients, remained stable in 52%, and increased by >5 mm in 24%. The average aneurysm sac reduction was 0.4 to 1.3 mm within 5 years. Multivariate analyses detected female gender (HR: 7.40, P=0.021) and type IV endoleak (HR: 5.34, P=0.009) as a significant risk factor for secondary intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Four-year clinical outcomes of the Endurant stent-graft remained positive in Japanese patients with AAA and CIAA, although 24% of the patients needed a secondary intervention. The aneurysm sac was stable in most of the patients, whereas the aneurysm sac reduction was small. These results suggest that careful imaging follow-up must be continued to determine the durability of the Endurant stent-graft in patients with small aneurysm sac reduction.

A case of ruptured infective coronary artery aneurysm.

Infective coronary artery aneurysm is extremely rare and ruptured aneurysm is life-threatening. We report a case of ruptured coronary artery aneurysm, which was successfully treated by the patch closure technique and coronary artery bypass grafting. Pathological examination revealed purulent inflammation in the aneurysmal wall. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment were essential.

Two-year outcome of the Endurant stent graft for endovascular abdominal aortic repair in Japanese patients: incidence of endoleak and aneurysm sac shrinkage.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to review 50 consecutive Japanese abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and common iliac aneurysm (CIAA) patients to evaluate the 2-year outcomes, particularly endoleak and aneurysm sac shrinkage, of the Endurant stent graft. METHODS: Between June 2012 and January 2014, 50 consecutive Japanese AAA and CIAA patients underwent EVAR with the Endurant stent graft. Clinical outcomes of overall survival, aneurysm-related survival, and secondary intervention-free survival were analyzed; endoleaks and aneurysm sac changes were also evaluated. RESULTS: The 2-year Kaplan-Meier estimates for overall survival, aneurysm-related survival, and secondary intervention-free survival were 85.4%, 97.7% with one device-related death, and 84.9%, respectively. Type I, II, and III endoleaks at any one point (all comers) after EVAR were detected in 2 (4%), 6 (12%), and 3 (6%) patients, respectively, whereas type IV endoleak was detected in 19 (38%) patients. The percentage of patients with significant sac shrinkage was only 19% (7/37) of the patients at 2 years. Multivariate analysis detected hypertension as a significant factor affecting aneurysm sac shrinkage (OR: 0.09, 95% CI: 0.001-0.99, P=0.049). CONCLUSIONS: The Endurant stent graft has demonstrated consistently successful clinical performance in Japanese patients for 2 years. However, the incidence of type IV endoleak was high, while the percentage of significant sac shrinkage was low. Careful and longer follow-up is required to determine the durability of the Endurant stent graft in Japanese patients.

Effects of short-term administration of tolvaptan after open heart surgery.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative fluid overload following cardiac surgery is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Unlike loop diuretics, tolvaptan (TLV) promotes aquaretic effect. Relatively little has been documented regarding the efficacy of TLV after cardiac surgery. The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of tolvaptan for the management of immediately postoperative fluid retention following cardiac surgery. METHODS: Between January to May 2014, patients undergoing cardiac surgery were randomly assigned to control or TLV group immediately after cardiac surgery. In control group, patients received 20mg of furosemide and 25mg of spironolactone as conventional diuretics. In the TLV group, 7.5mg of TLV was administered in combination with conventional diuretics. RESULTS: TLV use was associated with increased urine output from postoperative day 1 to 3.Body weight reduction in the TLV group was significantly greater than the control group from postoperative day 2 to 4, and serum creatinine levels decreased to below preoperative values in the TLV group. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of tolvaptan with conventional diuretics increases urine output without renal dysfunction and can be effective for postoperative fluid management and appropriate body weight reduction.

Difficulty in the management of anticoagulation with argatroban during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) can often result in devastating thromboembolic outcomes. Argatroban is frequently administered as an alternative anticoagulant to heparin. We present a complicated case of HIT in which off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting was performed using anticoagulation with argatroban. Although the active clotting time was maintained between 220 and 270 s using argatroban, intraoperative thrombotic complications and postoperative prolonged coagulopathy were encountered. .