Impact of frailty on long-term outcomes after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in elderly patients: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: sFrailty affects short-term outcomes after liver resection in elderly patients. However, frailty's effects on long-term outcomes after liver resection in elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are unknown. METHODS: This prospective, single-center study included 81 independently living patients aged ≥65 years scheduled to undergo liver resection for initial HCC. Frailty was evaluated according to the Kihon Checklist, a phenotypic frailty index." We investigated and compared postoperative long-term outcomes after liver resection between patients with and without frailty. RESULTS: Of the 81 patients, 25 (30.9%) were frail. The proportion of patients with cirrhosis, high serum alpha-fetoprotein level (≥200 ng/mL), and poorly differentiated HCC was higher in the frail group than in the nonfrail group (n = 56). Among the patients with postoperative recurrence, the incidence of extrahepatic recurrence was higher in the frail group than in the nonfrail group (30.8% vs. 3.6%, P = 0.028). Moreover, the proportion of patients who underwent repeat liver resection and ablation for recurrence who met the Milan criteria tended to be lower in the frail group than in the nonfrail group. Although there was no difference in disease-free survival between the two groups, the overall survival rate in the frail group was significantly worse than that in the nonfrail group (5-year overall survival: 42.7% vs. 77.2%, P = 0.005). Results of the multivariate analysis indicated that frailty and blood loss were independent prognostic factors for postoperative survival. CONCLUSION: Frailty is associated with unfavorable long-term outcomes after liver resection in elderly patients with HCC.

Vascular access site complications after transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a comparison of open and percutaneous puncture approaches.

Background: In transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TF-TAVI), which approach has lower vascular access site complications between the open puncture (OP) and percutaneous puncture (PP) approaches is still controversial. Moreover, few studies have analyzed risk factors for vascular access site complications in TF-TAVI. This study aimed to compare vascular access site complications between the OP and PP approaches in patients undergoing TF-TAVI and access risk factors for vascular access site complications. Methods: Three hundred fifty-one patients who underwent TF-TAVI via the PP (n=251) and OP (n=100) were retrospectively examined. Results: Incidence of vascular access site complications was 7.0% in the OP group and 8.4% in the PP group (P=0.828). Two deaths from vascular access site complications occurred in the PP group. After performing inverse probability weighting (IPW), regression analysis showed that PP was associated with a significantly higher odds of vascular access site complications [odds ratio =2.033; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.397-2.958; P<0.001]. Common femoral artery (CFA) depth (hazard ratio =1.04; 95% CI: 1.000-1.070; P=0.045) and sheath/CFA diameter ratio (hazard ratio =971; 95% CI: 22.6-41,700; P<0.001) were independent complication risk factors. In patients with CFA depth ≥35 mm, the incidence of vascular access site complications was higher with PP than OP. Sheath/CFA diameter ratio ≥0.9 was associated with increased risk of vascular injury with both approaches. Conclusions: The incidence of vascular access site complications in patients undergoing TF-TAVI was significantly lower with OP than PP after IPW. OP may be preferable when CFA depth is ≥35 mm. When the sheath/CFA diameter ratio is ≥0.9, approaches other than the TF approach should be considered.

Factors associated with the outcome of patients with COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation: A single-center observational study in Japan.

Aim: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread worldwide, and was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Despite numerous studies in the last few years, the factors associated with the outcomes of patients with COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation remain unclear. The prediction of ventilator weaning and mortality using the data obtained at the time of intubation could be beneficial for establishing appropriate treatment strategies and obtaining informed consent. In this study, we aimed to clarify the association between patient information at the time of intubation and the outcomes of intubated COVID-19 patients. Methods: This retrospective observational study used single-center data from patients with COVID-19. Patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2022, and under mechanical ventilation were included. The main outcome was defined as the factors related to ventilator weaning; a multivariate analysis was carried out to evaluate the association between patient information at the time of intubation and the outcome. Results: In total, 146 patients were included in this study. The factors significantly associated with ventilator weaning were age (65-74 years old, adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.168; 75 years and older, adjusted OR, 0.121), vaccination history (adjusted OR, 5.655), and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) respiration score (adjusted OR, 0.007) at the time of intubation. Conclusion: Age, SOFA respiration score, and COVID-19 vaccination history at the time of intubation could be associated with outcomes in patients with COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation.

Mitral valve repair with patch augmentation for atrial functional mitral regurgitation complicated with giant left atrium.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the results of posterior leaflet augmentation with an autologous pericardial patch in atrial functional mitral regurgitation. METHODS: Data of 16 patients with atrial functional mitral regurgitation who underwent posterior leaflet patch augmentation for mitral valve repair were retrospectively analyzed. This procedure was applied to a short posterior leaflet with a height of < 10 mm in P2. The median age was 72.5 [67.8-78.3] years. Preoperative New York Heart Association functional class was II in 7 (43.8%) and III or IV in 9 (56.2%) patients. Mitral regurgitation was moderate in 2 (12.5%) and severe in 14 (87.5%) patients. RESULTS: Operative mortality occurred in 1 (6.2%) patient due to cerebral infarction. One patient required valve replacement because of patch perforation early after operation. Mitral regurgitation was reduced to less than mild in 15 (93.8%) patients and less than trivial in 11 (68.8%) patients (P < 0.01) postoperatively. As for mid-term results, New York Heart Association functional class improved to I or II in 12 (75%) patients (P < 0.01). Two cases of thrombotic complication were observed. Remote recurrent regurgitation occurred in one case due to small patch size. The 3-year free rate of valve-related morbidity and regurgitation recurrence was 65.6% and 87.1%, respectively. The 5-year survival rate was 93.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Pericardial patch augmentation in atrial functional mitral regurgitation leads to good survival and mitral regurgitation recurrence-free rates. Steady anticoagulation and the use of larger patches would be necessary to reduce thrombotic complications and recurrent MR.

Real-World Management of Pharmacological Thromboprophylactic Strategies for COVID-19 Patients in Japan: From the CLOT-COVID Study.

Background: Data on prophylactic anticoagulation are important in understanding the current issues, unmet needs, and optimal management of Japanese COVID-19 patients. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the clinical management strategies for prophylactic anticoagulation of COVID-19 patients in Japan. Methods: The CLOT-COVID study was a multicenter observational study that enrolled 2,894 consecutive hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The study population consisted of 2,889 patients (after excluding 5 patients with missing data); it was divided into 2 groups: patients with pharmacological thromboprophylaxis (n = 1,240) and those without (n = 1,649). Furthermore, we evaluated the 1,233 patients who received prophylactic anticoagulation-excluding 7 patients who could not be classified based on the intensity of their anticoagulants-who were then divided into 2 groups: patients receiving prophylactic anticoagulant doses (n = 889) and therapeutic anticoagulant doses (n = 344). Results: The most common pharmacological thromboprophylaxis anticoagulant was unfractionated heparin (68.2%). The severity of COVID-19 at admission was a predictor of the implementation of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis in the multivariable analysis (moderate vs mild: OR: 16.6; 95% CI:13.2-21.0; P < 0.001, severe vs mild: OR: 342.6, 95% CI: 107.7-1090.2; P < 0.001). It was also a predictor of the usage of anticoagulants of therapeutic doses in the multivariable analysis (moderate vs mild: OR: 2.10; 95% CI: 1.46-3.02; P < 0.001, severe vs mild: OR: 5.96; 95% CI: 3.91-9.09; P < 0.001). Conclusions: In the current real-world Japanese registry, pharmacological thromboprophylaxis, especially anticoagulants at therapeutic doses, was selectively implemented in COVID-19 patients with comorbidities and severe COVID-19 status at admission.

Patch augmentation vs. valve replacement for patients with atrial functional mitral regurgitation and long-standing atrial fibrillation.

Background: Long-standing atrial fibrillation is associated with atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR) with atriogenic tethering. We compared the outcomes of patch augmentation (PA) and valve replacement (VR) for AFMR. Methods: We retrospectively compared the data of 16 patients who underwent PA for AFMR with the data of 15 patients who underwent VR between 2008 and 2021. Patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of <50% were excluded. We also performed atrial plication and left appendage closure if the patients had no weak atrial wall that led to severe bleeding. Results: The median age was 72.5 and 76.0 years in the PA and VR groups, respectively. The PA group had a longer cardiopulmonary bypass time (206 vs. 172 min, P=0.012). Although there were no differences in hospital morbidity and mortality between the PA and VR groups, one patient underwent reoperation for patch perforation in the PA group. The overall 3-year survival rate was 93.8% and 100% in the PA and VR groups, respectively (P=0.878). The 3-year rate of freedom from major adverse cardiac events was 75.0% and 53.6% in the PA and VR groups, respectively (P=0.181). Three and six patients were readmitted for congestive heart failure in the PA and VR groups, respectively. Two patients in the PA group developed severe recurrent regurgitation, including one patient who required reoperation. No patients in the VR group required reoperation. The postoperative left atrial volume index (LAVI) was associated with thromboembolic events (P=0.016). Conclusions: PA may achieve comparable outcomes to those of VR for AFMR. Operative procedures should be chosen based on each patient's background. Atrial reduction could be considered to prevent thromboembolic events.

Histology of the tricuspid valve annulus and right atrioventricular muscle distance.

OBJECTIVES: Histologically, the mitral valve annulus comprises a collection of collagen fibres. However, the existence of collagen fibres in the tricuspid valve annulus has not been elucidated. Our goal was to clarify the histology of the tricuspid annulus. METHODS: Fifty human hearts without heart disease that were autopsied at Osaka City University Hospital between January 2009 and December 2017 were examined. The tricuspid valve was sectioned at 12 sites around the annulus, and the atrioventricular junction distance was measured. RESULTS: None of the tricuspid valve annulus samples had a continuous aggregation of collagen fibres that could be called an annulus. The interventricular space between the right atria and ventricles was composed of adipose tissue only on the anterosuperior and inferior sides, and no adipose tissue was found on the septal side. Comparing the atrioventricular muscle distance of the anterosuperior and inferior sides, the distance at the inferior side was statistically significantly larger than that of the anterosuperior side in 47 cases (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: There was no continuous circumferential aggregation of collagen fibres in the right atrioventricular junction. The distance between the right atrial and ventricular myocardium was greater at the inferior side than that at the anterosuperior side, which might lead to more inferior annular dilation versus anterosuperior dilation. These anatomical features will be fundamental for future discussions of the suturing method used in prosthetic ring annuloplasty for tricuspid regurgitation.

A Novel Ring Knot Pusher With Closed Triangle Tip for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery.

We created a novel ring-type knot pusher with a closed triangle tip, wherein the thread is never detached from the knot pusher head during the ligation process. This knot pusher has a small head and is suitable for complex fields, such as the subvalvular apparatus of the mitral valve, allowing the surgeons to observe the knot itself. Considering that the thread passes through the inner corner of the triangle during the tying-down process without swinging inside the triangle, this knot pusher allows for a stable and secure ligation.

Early outcomes of the Frozenix J-graft with exclusion of the non-stent part at a single center.

Background: The frozen elephant trunk technique is useful in aortic arch repair; however, some adverse events are associated with the Frozenix J-graft. We designed a technique to prevent these adverse events and achieve easy anastomosis (Total Exclusion of the Non-Stent part of Frozenix using an Everting anastomosis [TENSE]), and we assessed the outcomes of this technique in the present study. Methods: From April 2017 to May 2021, 44 patients with aortic arch disease underwent TENSE, in which the proximal stump of the stent part of Frozenix was matched to the distal anastomosis end between the left common carotid and left subclavian arteries. Results: The median age of the patients (35 men, 9 women) was 76.5 years. The predicted mortality and morbidity rates were 10.0% and 40.2%, respectively, according to the JapanSCORE II. Two patients (4.5%) died of aneurysm rupture and interstitial pneumonia, respectively, during hospitalization. Four patients (9.1%) who developed postoperative cerebral infarction had a previous cerebral infarction (P=0.010). No patients developed spinal cord complications or Frozenix kinking. Follow-up computed tomography showed no endoleaks or aneurysmal dilatation, although one patient had possible distal stent graft-induced new entry. Conclusions: Our strategy provided good early outcomes without spinal cord complications or Frozenix kinking in patients with aortic arch disease. Continuous follow-up is needed to avoid missing distal changes.

Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiographic morphological evaluation of the tricuspid valve.

OBJECTIVES: The morphology of the tricuspid valve (TV), particularly valves with two posterior leaflets, is attracting attention. The present study was performed to investigate the usefulness of three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiographic data for morphological evaluation of the TV . METHODS: Sixty patients underwent morphological evaluation of the TV by preoperative transoesophageal echocardiography followed by TV repair with median sternotomy, and each leaflet was measured intraoperatively. We analysed the TV morphology in 51 patients whose preoperative echocardiographic findings were consistent with intraoperative findings. RESULTS: The mid-systolic echo data, which included the annulus diameter of each leaflet, were correlated with the intraoperative evaluation findings compared with those in the mid-diastole. The annulus and area of the posterior leaflet were larger in patients with two than one posterior leaflet valve (42.4 ± 13.5 vs 30.7 ± 9.1 mm, P < 0.001 and 327 ± 185 vs 208 ± 77 mm2, P = 0.006, respectively). In the severe tricuspid regurgitation patients, the annulus of the posterior leaflet was larger and the annulus of the anterior leaflet was smaller in patients with two than one posterior leaflet valve [posterior: 48 mm [95% confidence interval (CI), 41-54 mm] vs 36 mm (95% CI, 27-45 mm), respectively; P = 0.043 and anterior: 38 mm (95% CI, 33-42 mm) vs 46 mm (95% CI, 40-52 mm), respectively; P = 0.025]. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who had a TV with two posterior leaflets had a larger annulus and area of the posterior leaflets. Preoperative three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography is useful for the morphological evaluation of the TV.

Outcomes of loop technique with ring annuloplasty: a > 10-year experience.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the long-term outcomes of the loop technique with ring annuloplasty for mitral regurgitation from our > 10-year experience. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 362 patients who underwent the loop technique with ring annuloplasty via median sternotomy or right mini-thoracotomy for mitral regurgitation. The median follow-up duration was 4.1 years (interquartile range 2.3-5.8 years). RESULTS: This study involved 147 women and 215 men (median age, 66.5 years). Mitral regurgitation was caused by Barlow's disease in 27 patients. Seven patients required reoperations (recurrent regurgitation caused by technical issues, n = 3; progression of degenerative disease, n = 4). The 5- and 10-year cumulative incidences of reoperation considering death as the competing event were 1.4% and 5.4%, respectively. The 5- and 10-year postoperative cumulative incidences of moderate-to-severe recurrent mitral regurgitation were 4.7% and 13.0%, respectively. Residual regurgitation ≥ mild (hazard ratio, 6.99; 95% confidence interval, 1.520-32.12; P = .012) was an independent risk factor for reoperation. The independent risk factors for moderate-to-severe recurrent regurgitation were residual regurgitation ≥ mild (hazard ratio, 9.60; 95% confidence interval, 3.042-30.31; P < .001) and the loop-in-loop technique (hazard ratio, 3.40; 95% confidence interval, 1.058-10.90; P = .040). The median mean pressure gradient was sustained at almost 3.5 mmHg for > 7 years. CONCLUSIONS: The loop technique with ring annuloplasty provided excellent results with good hemodynamics beyond the mid-term. Residual regurgitation ≥ mild and the loop-in-loop technique may not be preferable for durable outcomes.

Aortomitral angle affects cardiovascular events after mitral valve repair for atrial functional mitral regurgitation.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to elucidate the geometric parameters of the aortomitral (AM) complex affecting postoperative cardiovascular events (CVEs) in patients with atrial functional mitral regurgitation (MR). METHODS: From October 2008 to August 2018, we performed mitral and tricuspid valve repairs in 58 patients with atrial functional MR. We examined the determinants of CVEs using preoperative and postoperative echocardiographic data. Furthermore, we analyzed the effect of left atrial (LA) plication on AM geometries after surgery. The follow-up period ranged from 56 to 3283 days (median, 1073 days). RESULTS: All patients underwent mitral and tricuspid annuloplasty. Seventeen patients (29%) underwent additional LA plication. The AM angle was narrowed after surgery in patients with CVEs (115° ± 6.8° to 106° ± 4.2°, p = .00336), whereas it widened in patients without CVEs (115° ± 7.4° to 118° ± 8.4°, p = .0278). The postoperative AM angle was an independent predictor of postoperative CVEs (p = .000829). LA plication was not a predictor of CVEs; however, it was a predictor of the obtuse postoperative AM angle (p = .0071). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a narrow postoperative AM angle is an independent predictor of postoperative CVEs. Additional LA plication reduces the sharpening of the AM angle, which may prevent CVEs after mitral valve repair for atrial functional MR.

Morphological diversity of the tricuspid posterior leaflet affects surgical complexity for control of tricuspid regurgitation.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of morphological diversity of the tricuspid valve with multiple posterior leaflets on the technical outcomes of tricuspid valve repair. METHODS: From April 2016 to November 2020, 141 patients were diagnosed with secondary tricuspid regurgitation associated with left heart disease and underwent tricuspid valve repair. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and echocardiographic data of patients who underwent both preoperative and postoperative transthoracic echocardiography. We divided the patients into two groups according to the surgical technique used to treat tricuspid regurgitation: ring annuloplasty alone (Group 1, n = 109) or additional approximation of leaflet edges (edge-to-edge repair) with ring annuloplasty (Group 2, n = 32). We measured the morphological diversity of the tricuspid valve during the operation in all patients. RESULTS: The preoperative tricuspid regurgitation score was higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 (2.1 ± 0.78 vs. 1.6 ± 0.7, respectively; p = 0.0046), and Group 2 contained more patients with two posterior leaflets than Group 1 [20 (63%) vs. 36 (33%), respectively; p = 0.003]. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the presence of two posterior leaflets was an independent risk factor for additional procedures during tricuspid valve repair (odds ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-6.1; p = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: Additional procedures to reduce tricuspid regurgitation were required more frequently in patients with two posterior leaflets of the tricuspid valve. The morphological diversity of two posterior leaflets is a potential risk factor for a more complicated tricuspid repair.

Computed tomography to identify risk factors for left circumflex artery injury during mitral surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Cases in which the left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) runs close to the mitral annulus are considered high risk for LCX injury during mitral surgery. We investigated the anatomical relationship between the LCX and the mitral annulus using 3-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT). METHODS: We constructed 3D-CT images of the LCX and the mitral annulus before surgery in 122 patients with mitral regurgitation (MR). We classified coronary dominance by 3D-CT and MR aetiologies (degenerative, atrial functional MR, ventricular functional MR and Barlow's disease) using echocardiography. We detected the point on the mitral annulus closest to the LCX (X point) and measured the minimum distance from the LCX to the mitral annulus (mCAD). We judged whether atrioventricular disjunction existed using CT. We also investigated the factors affecting mCAD and examined how coronary dominance and MR aetiologies relate to the location of the X point. RESULTS: The median mCAD was 4.2 mm (range 0.9-11.4 mm). Considering coronary dominance and MR aetiologies, mCAD was shorter in patients with left coronary dominance and Barlow's disease. The X point mostly existed on the lateral side of the posterior annulus, but it sometimes existed on the medial side. Multiple regression revealed left dominance and mitral annular disjunction as significant factors affecting mCAD (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The anatomical relationship between the LCX and the mitral annulus can be recognized using superimposed 3D-CT images. This approach is useful to avoid LCX injury in mitral valve surgery since the X point varies between patients.

Loop technique for degenerative mitral regurgitation due to extended prolapse.

PURPOSE: Our study aims to examine the midterm outcomes of the loop technique for extended mitral valve (MV) prolapse patients. METHODS: From October 2008 to August 2020, we performed MV repairs in 407 patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR). Follow-up ranged in duration from 287 to 2899 days (median, 872 days). The prolapse extensiveness (p-score) was determined based on the ratio of prolapsing segment's areas to whole area. We divided the whole MV into 10 segments (A1, A2 medial, A2 lateral, A3, P1, P2 medial, P2 lateral, P3, AC, and PC). Patients were categorized into three groups according to the p-score: simple (0.1-0.2), intermediate (0.3-0.4), and extensive (0.5-0.9). RESULTS: All patients underwent MV repair with the loop technique. The rates of freedom from significant (moderate to severe or severe) MR at 5 and 7 years after surgery were 91% and 91%, respectively. There were 252, 115, and 40 patients in simple group, intermediate group, and extensive group, respectively. The following were significantly increased in extended group: Barlow disease (23/40 patients, p < .001), the number of loops (p for trend < .0001), and the technique score (p for trend < .0001). The rates of freedom from significant MR at 7 years after surgery were 92% in simple group, 87% in intermediate group, and 94% in extended group, respectively (p = .995). Receiver-operating characteristic curves showed a postoperative mild MR with a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 68% for predicting significant MR recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: MV repair using the loop technique was useful even in groups with extended prolapse.

Shrinkage of a Giant Type-B Dissecting Aneurysm Treated by Complete False Lumen Occlusion 20 Years after Presentation: A Case Report.

In this study, we report the case of a 47-year-old female who presented with extensive acute type IIIb aortic dissection and cerebral infarction. At 69 years of age, dilatation of the descending aorta was noted to be more than 70 mm with compression of the left atrium. We performed endovascular repair with distal false lumen occlusion. However, further dilatation of the descending aorta with false lumen flow from the re-entry of the common carotid artery was detected. She subsequently underwent additional proximal false lumen occlusion by embolization at the aortic arch. A year later, as per her computed tomography angiography findings, appreciable shrinkage of the descending aorta without endoleakage was observed.

Surgical considerations for atrial functional regurgitation of the mitral and tricuspid valves based on the etiological mechanism.

Atrial functional mitral regurgitation is a hot research topic in the field of mitral valve disease. Atrial functional mitral regurgitation is distinctly different from ventricular functional mitral regurgitation. The surgical indications for atrial functional mitral regurgitation have not been well established because of the small amount of evidence gathered to date. Mitral annular plication with an artificial ring is an essential surgical procedure because dilatation of the mitral valve annulus is a main factor underlying this pathology. Most of these cases can be treated by mitral annuloplasty alone. However, additional procedures, such as application of artificial chordae to the anterior leaflet for pseudo-prolapse, and posterior leaflet augmentation with a pericardial patch, are required in advanced cases with a giant left atrium and extremely enlarged mitral annulus. Chronic atrial fibrillation causes enlargement of the right and left atria. This pathology is a bilateral atrioventricular valve disease (dual-valve disease). Therefore, the conventional guidelines of single-valve disease should not be applied. Although atrial functional tricuspid regurgitation is underappreciated, tricuspid annuloplasty should be considered for most patients to prevent future regurgitation. In addition to the mitral and tricuspid valve procedure, integrated surgical management, including plication of the atrium and left appendage closure, is required. This review summarizes the current considerations of surgical treatment for atrial functional regurgitation of the mitral and tricuspid valves based on the etiological mechanism.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with a tumor thrombus extending from the inferior vena cava to the right atrium: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Vascular invasion involving a tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava and/or right atrium is an unfavorable prognostic factor after intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma resection. We report an intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma case with a tumor thrombus extending from the left hepatic vein via the inferior vena cava to the right atrium. CASE PRESENTATION: A 58-year-old man with epigastralgia was referred to our hospital after an emergent transcatheter arterial embolization was done following the radiological diagnosis of a ruptured hepatic tumor. The serum concentrations of carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate 19-9, duke pancreatic monoclonal antigen type 2, and cytokeratin-19 fragments were elevated; meanwhile those of alfa-fetoprotein and des-γ-carboxy prothrombin were within normal ranges. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan showed a heterogeneously enhanced tumor, 13 cm in diameter, in the left lobe of the liver, enlarged lymph nodes along the lesser curvature of the stomach, and a tumor thrombus extending from the left hepatic vein via the inferior vena cava to the right atrium. We performed a left hemihepatectomy and tumor thrombectomy under total hepatic vascular exclusion to reduce the risk of sudden death. After dissection of the liver parenchyma along the left side of the middle hepatic vein, except for the left hepatic vein, the inferior vena cava just below the right atrium could be clamped by pulling down the left lobe of the liver toward the caudal side. The thrombus could be removed by incising the inferior vena cava under total hepatic vascular exclusion. Microscopic examination showed a tubular adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for cytokeratin-7, cytokeratin-19, and epithelial membrane antigen, but negative for arginase-1, glypican-3, and hepatocyte. The patient was pathologically diagnosed with an intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with a tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava. Adjuvant chemotherapy with tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil was administered for 1 year. The patient remained in good health without cancer recurrence for over 4 years after the operation. CONCLUSION: An aggressive surgical approach may be indicated for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with a tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava and/or right atrium to avoid the risk of impending death.

Minimally invasive dual-valve repair in situs inversus totalis: strategy for tricuspid valve.

A 70-year-old man, diagnosed with severe mitral regurgitation and moderate tricuspid regurgitation with situs inversus totalis, was referred to our hospital. A minimally invasive approach via a minithoracotomy was performed. The mitral valve was repaired with the loop technique and ring annuloplasty. With an asymmetric shape of the tricuspid valve, the use of a conventional rigid ring was not feasible. Therefore, flexible ring annuloplasty had to be performed. The minimally invasive approach for mirror-image anatomy did not pose an unusual technical challenge. It was safely performed in the context of situs inversus totalis.

Successful Treatment of Staphylococcus schleiferi Infection after Aortic Arch Repair: In Situ Aortic Arch Replacement and Domino Reconstruction of the Debranching Graft using Autologous Iliac Artery.

A 62-year-old Japanese male presented with graft infection by Staphylococcus schleiferi 50 days after debranching of the left subclavian artery and frozen elephant trunk repair for the entry closure of a Stanford type B aortic dissection. The graft was removed, and the patient was successfully treated using in situ reconstruction of the arch with omental flap coverage, removal of the debranching graft, autologous iliac artery grafting, and longterm antibiotics. Domino reconstruction of the infected debranching graft using autologous external iliac artery and a Dacron graft can thus be a good option in similar cases.