[Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting for Acute Coronary Syndrome].

According to the current guidelines, patients who presented with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are preferably treated with percutaneous coronary intervention( PCI) than with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, despite a higher success rate of complete revascularization especially for patients with multiple vessel disease, CABG seems to be underused after ACS. Recent studies comparing different revascularization strategies( PCI vs CABG) for ACS demonstrated that operative mortality after CABG was comparable to that after primary PCI. Furthermore, long-term survival rate of CABG was significantly better than that of PCI. Therefore, even when a hemodynamically unstable patient with ACS was admitted to hospital, the option of one-stage complete revascularization by CABG should be discussed by heart team.

Prognostic factors in pulmonary metastasectomy and efficacy of repeat pulmonary metastasectomy from colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The rate of pulmonary metastasectomy from colorectal cancer (CRC) has increased with recent advances in chemotherapy, diagnostic techniques, and surgical procedures. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic factors for response to pulmonary metastasectomy and the efficacy of repeat pulmonary metastasectomy. METHODS: This study was a retrospective, single-institution study of 126 CRC patients who underwent pulmonary metastasectomy between 2000 and 2019 at the Gifu University Hospital. RESULTS: The 3- and 5-year survival rates were 84.9% and 60.8%, respectively. Among the 126 patients, 26 (20.6%) underwent a second pulmonary metastasectomy for pulmonary recurrence after initial pulmonary metastasectomy. Univariate analysis of survival identified seven significant factors: (1) gender (p = 0.04), (2) past history of extra-thoracic metastasis (p = 0.04), (3) maximum tumor size (p = 0.002), (4) mediastinal lymph node metastasis (p = 0.02), (5) preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level (p = 0.01), (6) preoperative carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) level (p = 0.03), and (7) repeat pulmonary metastasectomy for pulmonary recurrence (p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, only mediastinal lymph node metastasis (p = 0.02, risk ratio 8.206, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.566-34.962) and repeat pulmonary metastasectomy for pulmonary recurrence (p < 0.001, risk ratio 0.054, 95% CI 0.010-0.202) were significant. Furthermore, in the evaluation of surgical outcomes, the safety of second pulmonary metastasectomy was almost the same as that of initial pulmonary metastasectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Repeat pulmonary metastasectomy is likely to be safe and effective for recurrent cases that meet the surgical criteria. However, mediastinal lymph node metastasis was a significant independent prognostic factor for worse overall survival.

Short- and long-term outcomes after colonic self-expandable metal stent placement for malignant large-bowel obstruction as a bridge to surgery focus on the feasibility of the laparoscopic approach: a retrospective, single center study.

PURPOSE: Malignant large-bowel obstruction (MLBO) is a highly urgent condition in colorectal cancer with high complication rates. Self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) placement in MLBO is a new decompression treatment in Japan. Preoperative stent placement (bridge to surgery: BTS) avoids emergency surgery, but oncological influences of stent placement and post-BTS surgical approach remain unclear. We examined short- and long-term results of surgery for MLBO after SEMS placement in our hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 75 patients with MLBO who underwent resection after SEMS placement at our hospital from June 2013 to December 2018. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were evaluated by comparison with the surgical approach. RESULTS: Tumor location was significantly higher in the left-side colon and rectum (n = 59, 78.7%) than right-side colon (n = 16, 21.3%). Technical and clinical success rates for SEMS placement were 97.3% and 96.0%, respectively. Laparoscopic surgery was performed in 54 patients (69.0%), and one-stage anastomosis was performed in 73 (97.3%). Postoperative complications were similar in the open surgery (open) group (n = 5, 23.8%) and laparoscopic surgery (lap) group (n = 7, 13.0%), with no severe complications requiring reoperation. Three-year overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) rates were not significantly different in the lap vs open group (67.5% vs 66.4%; 82.2% vs 62.5%). CONCLUSION: Preoperative stent treatment avoids stoma construction but allows anastomosis. One-time surgery was performed safely contributing to minimally invasive treatment and acceptable short- and long-term results.

[Coronary Artery Anastomosis].

It is well known that proximal part of a sequential bypass grafting often demonstrates better patency than distal part does due to more favorable hemodynamics of side-to-side anastomosis. Therefore, we adopt side-to-side anastomosis( parallel fashion) even for most distal part of bypass grafting. In addition to superiority in hemodynamics, side-to-side anastomosis (parallel fashion) provides a couple of advantages such as ① easiness in creating a very long opening of the anastomosis, ② compatibility in size (diameter) mismatch between graft conduit and coronary artery, and ③ excellent hemostasis from the suture line. This article describes technical details and tips of side-to-side anastomosis in both parallel fashion and diamond( cross direction) fashion.

Suppression of aortic expansion and contractile recovery in a rat abdominal aortic aneurysm model by biodegradable gelatin hydrogel sheet incorporating basic fibroblast growth factor.

Biodegradable gelatin hydrogel sheet (BGHS) incorporating basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) may inhibit the progression of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). We investigated whether AAA in a rat model treated with BGHS soaked with bFGF can suppress aortic expansion and recover the contractile response of aneurysmal aortic wall. Experimental AAA was induced in 10-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats with intra-aortic elastase infusion. Aortas of these rats were assigned to 4 groups (n = 6 each) as follows: Control group, aortas infused with saline; Elastase only group, aortas infused with elastase; Hydrogel group, aortas wrapped with saline-soaked BGHS after elastase infusion; and bFGF group, aortas wrapped with bFGF (100 µg)-soaked BGHS after elastase infusion. Preoperatively and on postoperative day (POD)7 and POD14, mean aortic maximal diameter was measured ultrasonographically. Aortic expansion ratio was calculated as: (post-infusion aortic diameter on POD14/pre-infusion aortic diameter × 100). Aortas were stained with Elastica van Gieson and α-smooth muscle actin to measure the ratio of elastic fibers and α-smooth muscle actin-positive cells area to the media area. Aortas on POD14 were cut into 2-mm rings and treated with contractile agent, then tension was recorded using myography. Maximum aorta diameters were significantly greater in Elastase only group, Hydrogel group, and bFGF group than in Control group (on POD14). Maximum diameter was significantly lower in bFGF group (3.52 ± 0.4 mm) than in Elastase only group (6.21 ± 1.4 mm on POD14, P < .05). On histological analysis, ratio of the area staining positively for elastic fibers was significantly greater in bFGF group (7.43 ± 1.8%) than in Elastase only group (3.76 ± 2.9%, P < .05). The ratio for α-smooth muscle actin-positive cells was significantly lower in Elastase only group (38.3 ± 5.1%) than in Control group (49.8 ± 6.7%, P < .05). No significant differences were seen between Elastase only group and bFGF group, but ratios tended to be increased in bFGF group. Consecutive mean contractile tensions were significantly higher in bFGF group than in Elastase only group. Maximum contractile tension was significantly higher in bFGF group (1.3 ± 0.4 mN) than in Elastase only group (0.4 ± 0.2 mN, P < .05). Aortic expansion can be suppressed and contractile responses of aneurysmal aortic wall recovered using BGHS incorporating bFGF.

Single-Centre Experience of Off-Pump Multi-Vessel Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Using Proximal Suture Device.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the results of off-pump coronary artery grafting (OPCAB) with the proximal suture device (PSD) regarding postoperative stroke and graft patency. METHODS: The PSD was used in 376 patients (32.0%), aorta-no-touch OPCAB was performed in 523 patients (45.2%), on-pump beating coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) (on-beat group) in 125 patients (10.6%) including 51 conversions (conversion rate: 5.4%), and CABG with aortic clamp use (clamp group) in 152 patients. In the PSD group, Enclose II was used in 267 patients (71.0%). RESULTS: The hospital mortality rate was 1.95%. There was no early stroke in the OPCAB group, whereas the early-stroke rate was 0.8% in the on-beat group and 2.6% in the clamp group. The incidences of stroke at one month were: PSD group, 1.6%; no-touch group, 1.1%; on-beat group, 1.6%; and clamp group, 4.6% (p=0.014). The rates of complete revascularisation were higher in the PSD and clamp groups (94.7 and 94.0%, respectively) compared with the no-touch and on-beat groups (81.5 and 84.9%, respectively; p<0.001). The vein graft patency rates were comparable between the PSD and clamp groups. In multiple logistic regression analysis, OPCAB using the PSD did not increase the risk of stroke compared with the no-touch group (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.40; p=0.594) or on-beat group (AOR: 0.99; p=0.206), but reduced the risk of stroke compared with the clamp group (AOR: 0.19; p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Off-pump coronary artery grafting using the PSD was a safe and effective procedure. It led to lower incidences of postoperative stroke and excellent rates of graft patency and complete revascularisation compared with conventional CABG.

Impact of Chronic Kidney Disease on Long-Term Outcome of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of CABG in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients according to eGFR. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 573 DM patients receiving CABG between 1997 and 2012 were stratified according to preoperative eGFR: normal or mild chronic kidney disease (CKD), eGFR ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m(2); moderate CKD, eGFR 30-60 ml/min/1.73 m(2); severe CKD, eGFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m(2); and severe CKD requiring hemodialysis (HD). Off-pump and bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafting rates were 83.4 and 62.3%, respectively. Mediastinitis and in-hospital mortality rates were both 1.4%. On logistic regression analysis, preoperative congestive heart failure and CKD severity were independent predictors of postoperative renal failure and major complications. The mean follow-up period was 5.7 years (range, 0-15.5 years). Estimated 5-year survival (92.9±1.6%, 82.8±3.3%, and 47.3±7.0%, respectively, P<0.001) significantly decreased with declining kidney function. On Cox hazard modeling, CKD severity was an independent predictor of major cerebrocardiovascular events (normal/mild: hazard ratio [HR], 1; moderate: HR, 1.35; severe: HR, 1.83; HD: HR, 2.0, P=0.016) and of overall survival (normal/mild: HR, 1; moderate: HR, 1.65; severe: HR, 5.96; HD: HR, 10.93, P<0.001). BITA grafting was a strong protective factor for overall survival (HR, 0.63; P=0.022). CONCLUSIONS: In DM patients, early- and long-term outcomes after CABG are strongly influenced by CKD progression.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting for an Anomalous Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery in a 73-Year-Old Female.

Anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) in adults is a rare congenital coronary abnormality. We report a case of ALCAPA in a 73-year-old female managed by total arterial revascularization. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12755 (J Card Surg 2016;31:380-382).

Sutureless Technique to Fix the Great Saphenous Vein along the Atrioventricular Groove Using Fibrin Glue in Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

We describe a simple method to fix the great saphenous vein graft (SVG) to the right coronary artery along the atrioventricular groove using fibrin glue in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). After completion of the proximal anastomosis, the SVG was placed along the atrioventricular groove to the acute margin. Fibrin glue was sprayed using pressurized carbon dioxide gas. A distal anastomosis was subsequently performed after rotating the heart to expose the posterior descending artery. It is a straightforward and reproducible technique to determine the optimal length of the SVG and prevent kinking or stretching of the graft, especially in OPCAB.

Transaortic Repair as Bailout Procedure for Left Atrial Tear in Redo Mitral Valve Surgery via Superior Transseptal Approach.

We encountered a tear of the left atrium with severe calcification during redo mitral surgery, and report a technique for its repair. An 82-year-old woman underwent redo mitral valve replacement. The mitral valve was performed via a superior transseptal approach. The atriotomy was closed directly. The roof of the left atrium was found to be torn after aortic de-clamping. There was no remaining intact left atrial tissue on the aortic side. Patch closure was performed using transaortic stitches passing through the subaortic curtain to fix the patch. The left atrial roof and atrial septum were closed with the same patch.

Does Age at Operation Influence the Short- and Long-Term Outcomes of Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting?

BACKGROUND: To investigate the relationship between age and both short- and long-term outcomes of off-pump coronary bypass grafting (OPCAB). METHODS AND RESULTS: The 780 patients undergoing OPCAB were divided into 3 groups: 262 aged <65 years (young), 329 aged 65-74 years (early elderly), and 189 aged >75 years (late elderly), and retrospectively analyzed. The follow-up rate was 94.9%, and mean follow-up period was 5.6±3.4 years. In-hospital mortality rates were similar among the groups (0.8% in young, 1.2% in early elderly, and 1.1% in late elderly; P=0.862). In logistic regression analysis, the risk factor for predicting major complications was the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification (odds ratio: 1.555, P=0.001), and not age. The 10-year estimated rates free from cardiac death (89.6±3.2, 95.0±2.1, and 96.5±2.1%, log rank, P=0.16) and cardiac events (71.8±3.8, 66.8±4.3, and 59.9±7.7%, P=0.61) were not significantly different among the groups. In multivariate Cox models, independent risk factors predicting cardiac events were the NYHA classification (hazard ratio (HR): 1.265, P=0.009), and ejection fraction (HR: 0.986, P=0.016), but not age (young HR: 1.0, early elderly HR: 1.276; P=0.210, late elderly HR: 0.910; P=0.707). CONCLUSIONS: Both short- and long-term cardiac outcomes of OPCAB are not influenced by age at operation.

Annuloplasty Ring Size Determines Exercise-Induced Mitral Stenosis Severity after Valve Repair.

BACKGROUND: Patients are occasionally encountered with high mitral pressure gradients after mitral valve repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR), despite the use of a 'truesized' ring based on the anterior leaflet dimension. The study aim was to assess these patients at rest and during exercise, using echocardiography. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients who underwent mitral repair for degenerative disease using a semi-rigid, complete annuloplasty ring were assessed. A truesized ring was always selected for the annuloplasty. Of these patients, 20 were enrolled for exercise stress echocardiography. The indexed ring orifice area (iROA) was calculated by dividing the geometric orifice area of the annuloplasty ring by the patient's body surface area (BSA). Postoperatively, the patients were in sinus rhythm and had less than moderate MR. RESULTS: During peak exercise, seven patients were considered to have severe mitral stenosis (MS), with a mean pressure gradient (mPG) >15 mmHg. The annuloplasty rings used in these seven patients were significantly smaller than those used in the other 13 patients (28.6 ± 1.9 mm versus 33.1 ± 3.1 mm; p = 0.003). The mPG at peak exercise was strongly correlated with the iROA (r = -0.767, p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Mitral repair, even following the use of a true-sized ring, may be associated with severe MS when the ring size is relatively small for the patient's BSA. This association was shown to become more prominent during exercise.

Bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting during David procedure complicated with coronary insufficiency.

A 47-year-old woman diagnosed with Marfan syndrome underwent valve-sparing aortic root replacement for aortic regurgitation and annulo-aortic ectasia. Her cardiac function was normal. Preoperative coronary angiography did not demonstrate any stenosis. The David reimplantation procedure with a 28-mm Valsalva graft was performed. Both coronary orifices were reconstructed in a button fashion with Teflon felt reinforcement. After aortic declamping, marked bleeding was noted from the left coronary button, requiring a second pump run. Graft interposition using the great saphenous vein was performed for left coronary artery reconstruction. The reconstructed right coronary button was also damaged due to the fragile tissue, and interposed by the vein graft in the same fashion. After the aorta was declamped, the global left ventricular wall motion was significantly impaired, and did not improve with time. Coronary insufficiency was considered. Beating-heart coronary artery bypass grafting with the in-situ bilateral internal thoracic arteries was performed. After revascularization, the left ventricular function was improved. In certain emergent situations compromised with coronary insufficiency, this procedure could be an option to revascularize the coronary arteries.

[Ventricular Free Wall Rupture].

Ventricular free wall rupture is an infrequent complication after acute myocardial infarction. However, it carries a high mortality rate. More than moderate amount of pericardial effusion (≥10 mm) is associated with an increased risk of free wall rupture. Surgery is superior to conservative treatment. Recently sutureless techniques, avoiding cardiopulmonary bypass, demonstrated relatively good survival rates.

Intramural hematoma and oozing rupture of left atrium after resection of wide-based left atrial myxoma.

We describe a rare complication after the resection of the left atrial (LA) myxoma. After tumor resection, a large defect of the endocardium was reinforced with an autologous pericardial patch. Transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated a hematoma and pulsatile flow beneath the patch, without patch perforation or detachment. Bleeding increased after closure of the sternum. Intramural hematoma and oozing rupture of the LA were diagnosed. A small intramural vessel of the LA was identified as the main causative site of bleeding. The pericardial patch was repositioned with fibrin glue. Fibrin sheets and glue were applied for reinforcement of the LA from outside.

Single-patch fold-back technique for augmentation of the superior vena cava in sinus venosus atrial septal defect associated with partial anomalous pulmonary venous return.

Sinus venosus atrial septal defect (ASD) is usually associated with partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR) of the right pulmonary veins to the superior vena cava (SVC), or to the SVC-right atrial junction. Standard procedure for repair of this defect is a patch roofing of the sinus venosus ASD and rerouting of pulmonary veins. However, the presence of SVC stenosis is a complication of this technique, and SVC augmentation is necessary in some cases. We present a simple technique for concomitant closure of sinus venosus ASD associated with PAPVR and augmentation of the SVC with a single autologous pericardial patch.

Subxiphoid pericardial drainage for gastric tube ulcer penetrating the pericardium after esophagectomy: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Reconstructed gastric tube ulcers are common complications of esophagectomy. When the pericardium is penetrated, digestive juices can cause severe cardiac inflammation, leading to an extremely poor prognosis. We report the first case of pericardial penetration of a constructed stomach tube via the posterior mediastinal route and the first use of subxiphoid pericardial drainage and continuous irrigation lavage. PRESENTATION OF CASE: This case involved a 50-year-old woman who underwent an esophagectomy for esophageal cancer nine years prior with gastric tube reconstruction via the posterior mediastinal route. She developed pericardial penetration due to a gastric tube ulcer. Her respiratory and circulatory condition worsened, and pericardial drainage and a prophylactic tracheostomy were performed to prevent septic shock. A 5-cm longitudinal incision was made in the epigastric region, and a 4-cm T-shaped incision was made through the pericardium. Two double-lumen drainage tubes were placed in the anterior and posterior pericardium, and continuous irrigation was initiated via each tube. We successfully treated the patient without complications using subxiphoid pericardial drainage and continuous irrigation lavage, and she was discharged on postoperative day 23. DISCUSSION: We presented this case to discuss surgical techniques and optimal treatment strategies. CONCLUSION: Subxiphoid pericardial drainage and continuous irrigational lavage are effective for pericardial penetration of a constructed stomach tube via the posterior mediastinal route.

Rapid expansion of a left atrial myxoma caused by acute multiple internal hemorrhages: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial myxoma is the most common benign tumor, with the growth rate remaining unknown because specific symptoms do not present until the tumor grows to a certain size. Early surgical management is performed in most cases once it is detected by physicians. Despite cardiac myxomas commonly being perceived as slow-growing tumors, rapid enlargement of myxomas has been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: A 64-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a diagnosis of a left atrial tumor. The pointed tumor changed morphologically in a few hours, and her respiratory condition, which had been normal at admission, suddenly deteriorated. Emergent surgery was performed, and the diagnosis was myxoma with multiple intratumor massive hematomas. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged on postoperative day 12 without any complications. CONCLUSIONS: We report an extremely rare case of left atrial myxoma rapidly expanded due to acute multiple hemorrhages within itself. Massive internal hemorrhage alters the size, shape, and fragility of the tumor. We should recognize the potential risk of internal hemorrhage that may lead to acute deterioration of the so-called "slow-growing benign" tumors, such as myxomas.

Delayed-onset systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve after aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis.

Systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the mitral valve after aortic valve replacement (AVR) for severe aortic stenosis (AS) is one of the causes of perioperative left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction in older patients. A 90-year-old woman underwent AVR with a 19-mm bioprosthesis for symptomatic aortic valve stenosis. Preoperative transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed left ventricular hypertrophy, with LVOT obstruction and mild mitral regurgitation (MR). Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography and postoperative TTE showed that the degree of MR was unchanged after surgery. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. However, she developed shortness of breath 6 months after discharge. A subsequent TTE showed significant LVOT obstruction and SAM, which resulted in moderate to severe MR. Because of the patient's advanced age, cibenzoline was administered to decrease the left ventricular pressure gradient (LVPG) and improve the left ventricular diastolic function. Two months after administration of cibenzoline, a TTE showed decreased LVPG, trivial MR, and the absence of SAM. This case clearly demonstrated that cibenzoline improved the SAM of the mitral valve that arose after AVR for AS in a remote postoperative period.