A right thoracotomy approach for mitral and tricuspid valve surgery in patients with previous standard sternotomy: comparison with a re-sternotomy approach.

BACKGROUND: To compare the outcomes of mitral and/or tricuspid valve surgery in patients with previous sternotomy between those who underwent a right thoracotomy and those who underwent re-sternotomy. METHODS: Between October 2009 and May 2015, eighteen patients underwent a right thoracotomy (R group) and 28 underwent re-sternotomy (re-S group). The right thoracotomy was prioritized for previous coronary artery bypass grafting. Follow-up was 100 % complete with a mean follow-up of 1.9 ± 1.5 years for the R group and 2.5 ± 1.4 years for the re-S group (p = 0.2137). RESULTS: Hypothermic ventricular fibrillation was applied in 33.3 % in the R group and in 7.1 % in the re-S group (p = 0.0424). Hospital mortality, the median intensive care unit stay, and the median postoperative hospital stay were 0 % versus 7.1 % (p = 0.5130), 3 days versus 2 days (p = 0.2370), and 28 days versus 29.5 days (p = 0.8043) for the R group versus the re-S group, respectively. Although the rate of major complications was comparable (R group 33.3 % versus re-S group 25.0 %, p = 0.5401), those contents were not equal. Deep sternum infection developed only in the re-S group (3.6 %) and reoperation for bleeding was required only in the R group (11.1 %). No significant difference was observed in the 2-year cardiac-related mortality-free rate (R group 93.3 ± 6.4 % versus re-S group 90.8 ± 6.4 %, p = 0.7516). CONCLUSIONS: Given study limitations, the right thoracotomy approach after previous sternotomy provided favorable outcomes as well as re-sternotomy. When selecting a right thoracotomy for re-do mitral and/or tricuspid surgery, the surgical strategy needs to be thoroughly planned.

Successful repair of mesenteric ischemia in acute type A aortic dissection.

A 64-year-old man with acute type A aortic dissection had superior mesenteric artery occlusion and marked metabolic acidosis. By an emergency laparotomy, bypass grafting from the left external iliac artery to the superior mesenteric artery was performed with great saphenous vein. After deep sedation and antihypertensive management in the intensive care unit, the acidosis resolved, and central repair was carried out. At 10 months postoperatively, his course has been uneventful without mesenteric complications.

Outcome of surgical management for active mitral native valve infective endocarditis: a collective review of 57 patients.

OBJECTIVE: At our institutions, mitral valve vegetation with a high risk for embolism is surgically treated as soon as possible to maintain the quality of life of patients, and valve repair has been actively performed. We reviewed the surgical outcome for active mitral infective endocarditis (AMIE) following this treatment policy. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients underwent surgery for native AMIE between April 1999 and December 2012 (repair 36, replacement 21). We retrospectively investigated the risk factors for in-hospital death, the prognosis of patients with cerebral infarction, and the short- and long-term outcomes of valve repair and replacement. RESULTS: The preoperative conditions and the intraoperative findings in the replacement group were more complicated. But, no significant differences were observed in in-hospital mortality, 4-year survival, or 4-year reoperation-free rate between the groups (repair 8, 88.2, and 92.4%; replacement 9, 90.5, and 94.7%, respectively). The incidence of postoperative cardiac-related events including heart failure, thromboembolism, and major bleeding was higher in the replacement group. Although our study failed to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality, uncontrolled and nosocomial infections were responsible for high in-hospital mortality of 17 and 33%, respectively. Nine patients with symptomatic non-hemorrhagic cerebral infarction underwent early surgery within 2 weeks of the onset of stroke (median maximum infarct diameter and volume: 18.2 mm and 0.72 cm(3), respectively). No patients had severe hemorrhagic conversion. CONCLUSION: Mitral valve repair is appropriate to prevent postoperative cardiac-related events. Reducing in-hospital mortality due to uncontrolled infection remains challenging. Early surgery may be reasonable for patients with small non-hemorrhagic infarction.

A rapid structural degeneration of a porcine mitral valve.

A 73-year-old woman underwent both mitral and aortic valve replacements with porcine heart valve prostheses because of severe mitral regurgitation and severe aortic regurgitation. Ten months after surgery, maximal flow velocity of the aortic valve reached 4.6 m/sec and moderate mitral regurgitation was detected. Repeated mitral and aortic valve replacements with mechanical heart valves were performed. The excised mitral valve showed thinning of the 3 cusps, and 2 of them were perforated. There was pannus overgrowth on the flow surface of the porcine aortic valve. Histologic examination of the excised mitral valve revealed marked inflammatory changes with macrophages.

Systolic anterior motion after mitral valve repair: predicting factors and management.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the mechanism of systolic anterior motion (SAM) after mitral valve (MV) repair by analyzing the clinical data of patients with MV repair. METHODS: A total of 104 MV repairs were performed for patients with isolated degenerative posterior leaflet prolapse. Eight patients (7.7%) developed SAM with severe mitral regurgitation. We compared the preoperative and intraoperative findings of the two groups (8 patients in the SAM group, 96 in the non-SAM group) and reported the clinical courses of the SAM patients. RESULTS: Preoperative left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters were significantly smaller and the preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly greater in the SAM group than in the non-SAM group. The number of patients with a sigmoid septum and the number with anterior leaflet-septal contact (LSC) during diastole were significantly larger in the SAM group. Incidence of billowing posterior leaflet, prolapsed segments, and operative techniques were comparable for the two groups. SAM improved with correction of hemodynamic status in four patients. In four other patients secondary cardiopulmonary bypass was required to resolve SAM. SAM resolved with additional repairs in two patients, whereas the other two required MV replacement. Of the six patients in whom conservative treatment or re-repair was successful, one had recurrent SAM 3 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: The sigmoid septum and LSC may predict SAM after MV repair. A strict follow-up is imperative for patients with persistent or recurrent SAM.

'Clover technique' for tricuspid regurgitation due to pacemaker lead.

Whilst tricuspid regurgitation (TR) secondary to severe mitral regurgitation (MR) is a common problem, organic TR caused by pacemaker leads is also frequently encountered. In a 63-year-old patient who developed TR attributable to both MR and a pacemaker lead inserted 12 years previously, the regurgitation could not be controlled satisfactorily using a normal ring annuloplasty. Consequently, the 'clover technique' provided an efficient correction to the TR.

Double patch technique for closing acute ventricular septal perforation.

PURPOSE: Ventricular septal perforation (VSP) is a rare but life-threatening complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Even with assisted circulation heart failure often progresses quickly, and urgent surgical intervention is required to close the VSP. For several years, we have been performing a double patch closure technique using an equine pericardial patch. In this report, we present details of our patch closure technique and the VSP surgical results; we also examine the problems we encountered. METHODS: The present study was a review of nine patients who underwent our patch closure of VSP secondary to AMI. We used a large double-layered equine pericardial patch to close the VSP and did not exclude the infarction area from the left ventricular cavity. No necrotic myocardium was excised to avoid simultaneous excision of stunned myocardium. RESULTS: No patients died within 30 days of the surgery, and there were no in-hospital deaths. Over a mean clinical follow-up period of 4.5 years, no residual shunts were detected, and all patients were alive and had New York Heart Association functional class II. CONCLUSION: Our patch closure technique was effective for closing VSPs securely. The operating times and cardiopulmonary bypass times were short, and blood loss was minimal. Our patch closure technique may improve the prognosis of VSP.

A rare case of infective endocarditis complicated by Trichosporon asahii fungemia treated by surgery.

The patient was a 58-year-old male. He consulted our hospital because of weight loss and fever. Computed tomography (CT) revealed renal infarction. Nine days after admission, CT showed hemorrhagic cerebral infarction in the right frontal lobe. A blood culture revealed streptococcus oralis, and echocardiography revealed vegetation in the mitral and aortic valves, suggesting infective endocarditis (IE). Fever (39 degrees C or higher) was noted 23 days after admission. A blood culture revealed Trichosporon asahii (T. asahii), suggesting T. asahii fungemia. An intravenous drip of fluconazole at 400 mg/day was initiated, and two-valve replacement was performed 34 days after admission. Following surgery, the patient became negative for beta-D glucan and was discharged 85 days after admission. We report the present case of IE complicated by T. asahii fungemia, which is rare in patients other than malignant blood disease or tumor patients, showing a poor prognosis in which survival was achieved by surgery.

Triple-valve treatment for prosthetic valve endocarditis occurring 20 years after implantation of a Carpentier-Edwards pericardial bioprosthesis in the aortic valve.

A 68-year-old woman had undergone aortic valve replacement and open commissurotomy 20 years previously. At the beginning of 2008, fever, cold, and heart failure symptoms were noted. On blood culture, Streptococcus oralis was detected three times. Surgery was performed under a diagnoses of prosthetic valve endocarditis in the aortic valve, mitral stenosis and insufficiency, and tricuspid insufficiency. Techniques consisted of additional aortic valve replacement, mitral valve replacement, and tricuspid annuloplasty. Vegetation was macroscopically and pathologically observed in the extirpated Carpentier-Edwards pericardial bioprosthesis that had been placed in the aortic valve. There was no postoperative recurrent inflammatory response. The patient was discharged 32 days after surgery.

Perioperative and mid-term results of coronary bypass surgery in patients undergoing chronic dialysis.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to evaluate perioperative and mid-term results of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). METHODS: Thirty-five consecutive dialysis patients who required CABG over a 5-year period were investigated retrospectively. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 62.5+/-11.5 years. The mean number of diseased vessels was 2.3W0.8. Off-pump CABG (OPCAB) was performed in 12 patients. The mean number of anastomoses per patient was 2.5+/-1.1. The perioperative mortality was 5.7%, and the average duration of hospitalization was 25.3+/-13.4 days. Overall 5-year survival rates were 63.7%. The cardiac-related 5-year survival rate was 89.3%, and the cardiac event-free rate was 51.7%. Multivariate analysis failed to identify any significant prognosticators for perioperative or long-term outcomes. The morbidity rate was significantly lower in patients undergoing OPCAB than in patients undergoing conventional CABG (8.3 vs. 47.8%; p=0.03). Perioperative mortality in the OPCAB group was 0%, and the average duration of hospitalization was shorter in the OPCAB group than in the conventional CABG group (19.7 days vs. 28.5 days; p=0.1). CONCLUSION: In the context of coronary artery bypass surgery, OPCAB produced better outcomes than conventional CABG procedure in patients undergoing chronic dialysis. Further-more, OPCAB procedure seems to offer a greater benefit to dialysis patients than non-dialysis patients.

Saccular aneurysm of the aortic cusp associated with discrete subaortic stenosis.

A 54-year-old male who experienced a syncopal episode underwent aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis and regurgitation. The aortic valve was incompetent as a result of thickening of the left coronary cusp and noncoronary cusp. In addition a saccular aneurysm was indicated on the left coronary cusp. A shelf of tissue protruding at right angles from the ventricular septum was particularly prominent below the right coronary cusp, resulting in subvalvular stenosis. The cause of the saccular aneurysm was most likely caused by the long-term effects of the jet stream instigated by discrete subaortic stenosis.

Endovascular treatment of iliac artery aneurysms.

Endovascular treatment is now an alternative to surgery for the treatment of iliac artery aneurysms (IAAs). A variety of minimally invasive therapeutic options are available (eg, coil embolization, stent-graft placement), and choosing an appropriate option is essential for achieving excellent long-term results and reducing potential complications. Preprocedural imaging with multi-detector row computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging is necessary for evaluating patient eligibility and planning the interventional procedure. An imaging classification system for IAAs that is based on anatomic features and endovascular treatment options has been developed and may help determine therapeutic strategies for affected patients. Early experience indicates that endovascular treatment is safe and effective in treating IAAs, and it is expected that various devices that will make endovascular treatment easier to perform will soon become commercially available. However, large, long-term follow-up studies will be needed to determine whether this approach is a practical alternative to open surgery.

Demonstration and operative influence of low prime volume closed pump.

Various improvements have been made in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in the past few decades. We designed a new type of CPB to reduce the secretion of systemic inflammatory markers. We used a low prime volume pump (LPVP), completely closed CPB circuit and examined coagulant factors and inflammatory cytokines. In this study, we demonstrate the efficacy of LPVP using molecular biological data. Fourteen patients were randomized prospectively into two groups: Group L patients underwent LPVP (n = 8) and Group N patients underwent normal prime volume CPB (n = 6). We measured thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT), complement factor (C3a), and interleukin (IL)-10 levels at four time points. TAT (66.1 +/- 15.1 ng.mL(-1)), C3a (1895 +/- 282 ng.mL(-1)) and IL-10 (486 +/- 114 pg.mL(-1)) levels in Group N were significantly higher than in Group L (TAT, 19.5 +/- 4.4 ng.mL(-1); IL-10, 105 +/- 24.6 pg.mL(-1); C3a, 1349 +/- 369 ng.mL(-1)) immediately following CPB. LPVP demonstrated a lower systemic inflammatory response compared to normal prime volume CPB, as assessed using a molecular biological approach.

Endovascular surgery using an original occluder for patent ductus arteriosus in an adult patient.

The patient was a 67-year-old woman in whom patent ductus arteriosus was diagnosed in childhood but not treated. In April 2000, she was hospitalized for exacerbation of heart failure. Marked restrictive impairment was seen: %VC was 36.1%, and FEV1% was 77.0% (respiratory function tests). As calcification was present, and since the aortic opening measured 20 mm, coil occlusion or thoracoscopic surgical interruption were considered difficult to perform. Because of concerns about postoperative respiratory complications associated with thoracotomy, the ductus was occluded under local anesthesia using an original occluder consisting of a vascular graft and modified Z-stent. Postoperatively, during more than three years of follow-up, the patient has remained well with no residual shunt or occluder migration. Consequently, patent ductus arteriosus occlusion using an original occluder appears to be a superior, minimally invasive technique that can successfully treat large ductus arteriosus complicated by calcification.

Posterior mitral annuloplasty using autologous pericardium in the repair of posterior leaflet prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: Mitral valve repair is frequently performed now because it produces a favorable postoperative quality of life, as well as improved cardiac function. For the treatment of posterior leaflet prolapse, we perform a posterior mitral annuloplasty using an autologous pericardium. The present study assessed the efficacy of this operation. METHODS: From April 1999 to October 2003, 42 patients underwent a posterior mitral annuloplasty using autologous pericardium for the treatment of posterior leaflet prolapse. There were 15 men and 27 women with an average age of 63.9 +/- 11.8 years. The length of the autologous pericardium matched the length of the posterior leaflet annulus as measured with Carpentier-Edwards ring sizer that was chosen based on the area of the anterior leaflet. RESULTS: The average size of the Carpentier-Edwards ring sizer that was used to determine the length of the autologous pericardium was 27.7 +/- 13 mm, and the absolute length of the pericardium was 50.9 +/- 1.8 mm, and the average intraoperative jet area, as assessed by transesophageal echocardiography, was 0.36 +/- 0.47 cm2. The five-year freedom from reoperation was 97.1%, while the freedom from significant residual mitral regurgitation (> or = 3+/4+) was 92.0%. Two patients (4.8%) developed systolic anterior motion, and one patient (2.4%) had a cerebral infarction. None of the patients died after surgery, and no patients developed complications such as hemolysis or ring detachment. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior mitral annuloplasty using an autologous pericardium was shown to be a superior technique because it allows a sufficient annular repair with no complications such as hemolysis or ring detachment.

Partial left ventriculectomy for end-stage cardiomyopathy: report of a case.

Cardiac transplantation is an established treatment for end-stage heart failure, but its use is very limited. Partial left ventriculectomy has been reported as an alternative treatment for end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy. However, it has been well recognized that emergency partial left ventriculectomy for intractable decompensation is associated with poor survival. We report a case of a 68-year-old man with a left ventricular end-diastolic diameter of 108 mm, who underwent emergency extended partial left ventriculectomy, without papillary muscle resection, and mitral valve replacement with chordae preservation to deal with ongoing cardiogenic shock caused by end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy. The patient's cardiac status and general condition improved after the operation, and he survived the crisis. This operation should be considered as an alternative strategy for patients with septal motion and very large left ventricle. Thus, we report a successful extended partial left ventriculectomy and mitral valve replacement for end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy with very large left ventricular end-diastolic diameter.

Three cases of ischemic ulcer due to arteriosclerosis obliterans responding to basic fibroblast growth factor spray.

The management of the chronically ischemic leg with ulcer formation that is not suitable for either surgical or interventional treatment is still a matter of controversy. We describe three cases of ischemic ulcer treated with basic fibroblast growth factor spray. Ulcer healing was accelerated and complete epithelialization was achieved in all cases. Basic fibroblast growth factor spray is useful in the treatment of the ischemic ulcer in patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans, especially in high-risk surgical patients.

The efficacy of low prime volume completely closed cardiopulmonary bypass in coronary artery revascularization.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate and demonstrate the efficacy of low prime volume completely closed cardiopulmonary bypass (LPVP) in arrested coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We improved the percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) circuit to reduce the deleterious effects of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). METHODS: Between April 1999 and May 2003, among 228 isolated CABG procedures, 47 procedures using LPVP (group L) and 86 procedures using standard prime volume open CPB (group S) were compared. The LPVP priming volume was 590 mL; the circuit was completely closed with a soft reservoir. Cardiac arrest was obtained by warm blood cardioplegia. RESULTS: The following average values were obtained: packed red blood cell transfusions, 0.88 +/- 1.4 U (group L) vs. 2.1 +/- 2.5 U (group S); intraoperative lowest hematocrit value, 28.7 +/- 4.6% (group L) vs. 22.4 +/- 3.3% (group S); blood loss over first 24 hours, 439 +/- 242 mL (group L) vs. 599 +/- 409 mL (group S); ventilation time, 5.1 +/- 3.1 hours (group L) vs. 10.4 +/- 14.9 hours (group S). CONCLUSION: Compared to standard prime volume open CPB, LPVP resulted in fewer deleterious operative effects. Less blood loss, fewer blood transfusions, and earlier patient recovery was noted with LPVP. Thus, LPVP is a very efficient form of CPB.

Inflammatory response after coronary revascularization: off-pump versus on-pump (heparin-coated circuits and poly2methoxyethylacrylate-coated circuits).

OBJECTIVE: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) may reduce the inflammatory response associated with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and contribute to minimizing postoperative complications. Heparin-coated circuits and poly2methoxyethylacrylate (PMEA)-coated circuits were developed to reduce such complications. We compared the postoperative inflammatory response with or without CPB. METHODS: Eighteen consecutive patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were divided into three groups: OPCAB group (n=6), heparin-coated circuits group (n=6), PMEA-coated circuits group (n=6). The plasma concentrations of the following inflammatory markers were measured: cytokines [interleukin (IL-10)], polymorphonuclear elastase (PMNE), coagulofibrinolytic factor [thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT)], complement factor (C3a). RESULTS: At the end of CPB, IL-10 and TAT concentrations were significantly different among the three groups (OPCAB group < PMEA-coated group < heparin-coated group). The PMNE concentration was significantly lower in the OPCAB group and the heparin-coated group as compared to the PMEA-coated group both at the end of CPB and 4 hours after CPB. C3a concentration was significantly lower in the OPCAB group than in the CPB groups at the end of CPB. Clinical variables did not differ significantly among the three groups. CONCLUSION: Off-pump CABG is associated with a reduction in the inflammatory response when compared with on-pump CABG, using either PMEA-coated or heparin-coated circuits.

Iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm in a hemodialysis patient: the hidden hazard of a high radial artery origin.

High origin of the radial artery is the most common variation in the arterial network of the upper extremities in humans. A 36-year-old Japanese woman undergoing chronic hemodialysis presented with a pseudoaneurysm originating from the brachial portion of the radial artery and associated with a high radial artery origin. Recognition of variants of the arterial network in the upper extremities is crucial for clinicians because their superficial position at the elbow joint may make these vessels vulnerable to injury.