A case of Kommerell diverticulum in adolescence presented with dysphagia.

BACKGROUND: Kommerell diverticulum (KD) with right aortic arch and aberrant left subclavian artery (ALSCA) is a rare congenital aortic anomaly. To improve organ compression symptoms and avoid rupture of aneurysms in adulthood (19 years old-), surgical treatment is considered the only curative option. However, in childhood (-18 years old), several problems regarding approach and technique selection have been reported. Surgical treatment for KD in infancy (birth-2 years old) has been reported recently, but rarely in adolescence (13-19 years old). We herein report a case of KD in which the patient underwent graft replacement during adolescence. CASE PRESENTATION: A 13-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital presenting with dysphagia and body weight loss. Esophagography showed upper esophageal stenosis caused by extrinsic compression. Contrast-enhanced computer tomography showed saccular aneurysm formation of KD with right aortic arch (RAA) and ALSCA. Elective surgery including KD resection and graft replacement of the descending aorta was performed via right thoracotomy under partial extracorporeal circulation. The ALSCA was reconstructed by graft interposition. No postoperative complication was observed. Follow-up esophagography showed no residual stenosis. CONCLUSION: We experienced a case of KD with dysphagia and weight loss in adolescence, which was successfully treated with surgery. Graft replacement could be an effective treatment option, facilitating recovery even during the growth period.

Long-term results of modified bentall procedures: 18-year experience of the flanged technique.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the early and late outcomes of the modified Bentall procedure with the flanged technique. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 63 patients who had undergone root replacement by the modified Bentall procedure at our institute between January 2001 and December 2018. In most cases, we adopted a composite graft constructed with a mechanical valve or bioprosthesis and a Dacron graft by the flanged technique. Since 2011, we have used Valsalva grafts. RESULTS: Mean age 57 ± 16 years, range 16-80, male 43 cases. The mean follow-up was 75 ± 56 months (range 0-216). Through April 1, 2020, we could follow up on 61 cases (97%) within a six-month period. Hospital mortality was 7.9% (4.8% in elective cases). In late follow-up, eight deaths were observed. In the bio-Bentall group (n=26), no deaths or major adverse valve-related events (MARVEs) occurred. In the mechanical Bentall group (n=37), seven cases of MARVEs, including two cerebral hemorrhages and one cerebral embolism, were observed. All patients were free from MARVEs at 5 years post procedure in the bio-Bentall group, and 93.8% and 76.8% were event-free at 5 years and 10 years, respectively, in the mechanical Bentall group. CONCLUSIONS: The 18-year results of the modified Bentall procedure were acceptable, providing excellent outcomes in the bio-Bentall group. The flanged technique enabled the use of a larger prosthesis, which may have resulted in good durability with the bio-Bentall procedure.

The results of an entry-oriented strategy for acute type A aortic dissection in octogenarians: an 18-year experience.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the 18-year results of emergency operations for acute type A aortic dissection, especially in octogenarians. METHODS: We reviewed 199 patients who underwent surgical aortic repair of an acute type A aortic dissection from January 2001 to December 2018. If the primary entry existed in the ascending aorta, we limited the extent of the replacement to within the ascending aorta. We analysed the early and late outcomes and identified the predictive factors for in-hospital death and difficulty of direct discharge to home. RESULTS: The hospital mortality was 16%. The causes of death were postoperative bleeding (n = 8, 4%), intestinal ischaemia (n = 6, 3%), respiratory failure (n = 5, 3%), systemic inflammatory response syndrome (n = 4, 2%), low output syndrome (n = 3, 2%), sudden death (n = 3, 2%), myonephrotic metabolic syndrome (n = 2, 1%) and stroke (n = 1, 1%). Multivariable analysis revealed that an estimated glomerular filtration rate <30 (P = 0.006), malperfusion (P = 0.001), rupture (P < 0.001) and cross-clamping time (P = 0.003) were independent predictive factors of in-hospital death. Age was not a significant factor for predicting in-hospital death. Ascending aorta replacement (P = 0.013), advanced age (P = 0.002) and prolonged extracorporeal circulation time (P = 0.009) were independent predictive factors of difficulty in direct discharge to home. In the late follow-up period, the 5-year survival and aortic event-free rates were 62.2% and 88.9% in octogenarians, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: From the perspective of saving lives, the results of emergency surgery for octogenarians were acceptable. Avoiding the postoperative decline in activities of daily living in octogenarians is a consideration going forward.

Pulmonary Artery Banding for Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries With Hydrops Fetalis: A Case Report.

At 32 weeks of gestation, a male fetus with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries developed hydrops fetalis caused by a combination of mitral valve regurgitation and tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR). We performed a pulmonary artery banding (PAB) at 108 days old for gradually progressing TR, after confirming that a balloon dilatation test in the main pulmonary artery reduced TR. As the patient grew, the PAB became tighter and systolic blood pressure in the morphological left ventricle increased. At present, the patient is waiting for a double switch operation.

Long-Term Outcomes of Spontaneous Isolated Superior Mesenteric Artery Dissection.

Spontaneous isolated dissection of the superior mesenteric artery (SMAD) is not still well known. We retrospectively analyzed our 30 patients with SMAD to elucidate the treatment strategy and long-term follow-up outcomes. Due to severe abdominal symptom we performed a stents deployment and surgical reconstructive surgery for each one case. Anerysmectomy and bypass surgery was performed for a patient with aneurysmal change. Other 27 patients were managed conservatively. SMAD patients had only two vascular events (renal infarction and graft occlusion), and showed good prognosis for 6-146 (mean 69) months follow-up. We found that there is a few SMAD patients necessary of invasive management at acute phase and that most patients are safely conservatively treated with good prognosis. (This is a translation of J Jpn Coll Angiol 2018; 58: 195-199.).

Assessment of deformation of the mitral valve complex during off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery using three-dimensional echocardiography in a porcine model.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the deformation of the mitral valve complex during the displacement of the beating heart by using three-dimensional echocardiography in a porcine off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) model. METHODS: In nine healthy swine, we positioned the beating heart as an OPCAB model, i.e. control, left anterior descending artery (LAD), right coronary artery (RCA), and left circumflex artery (LCX) positions. In each position, three-dimensional echocardiography was performed to assess the mitral valve complex with hemodynamic parameters. We analyzed the deformation of the mitral valve and the three-dimensional coordinates of the papillary muscles. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in maximum tenting length and tenting volume (control 0.70±0.30, LAD 0.65±0.27, RCA 0.79±0.23, LCX 0.95±0.34cm3, p<0.05) in the LCX position compared with the other positions. The posterior papillary muscle (PPM) angle had a significant relationship with the tenting volume (r=-0.643, p<0.001). The PPM was displaced to the medial side in the LAD and LCX positions (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The prime cause of the deformation of the mitral leaflets is suggested to be the displacement of the PPM associated with the change in geometry of the left ventricle in a porcine model.

Observations using Phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (31P-NMR) of structural changes in freeze-thawed hen egg yolk.

Hen egg yolk (EY) has a complicated structure consisting of lipids and proteins, and its structure is deeply related with its functional properties. 31P-NMR is an efficient technique to non-destructively detect the dynamic behaviour of phospholipids, the main component of bio-membranes. We determined conditions for measuring the 31P NMR spectra of EY and identified the components. 31P-NMR was used to detect phosvitin, inorganic phosphate, and lipoprotein as well as structural changes such as granule collapse and freeze-thaw denaturation as signal changes. Freeze-thaw denaturation generated a new denaturation peak. We separated aggregates of LDL from freeze-thawed plasma using centrifugation. TEM and 31P-NMR observations revealed that the denaturation peak corresponded to LDL aggregates. The 31P-NMR spectra suggested the formation of multiple forms of LDL aggregates in which the head groups of phospholipid molecules adopt a face-to-face orientation, similar to that observed following the flocculation of lipoproteins or in the lamellar-like structures of phospholipids.

[Efficacy of Early Surgical Strategy for Active Infective Endocarditis].

UNLABELLED: The aim of study was to analyze the outcome of aggressive, early surgical intervention to active infective endocarditis (IE) complicated by acute congestive heart failure, uncontrollable infection and large, mobile vegetation and to evaluate the validity of current therapeutic strategy on it's long-term outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively investigated surgical outcome of 51 patients who underwent surgical intervention to eradicate intra-cardiac infection and to reconstruct subsequent structural destruction due to active IE performed between 2002 and 2013. Patient's mean age was 56 ± 17 (14~83) years and 36 males, 2 prior cardiac surgery-performed and 2 hemodialysis-dependent renal failure patients were included. All patients were followed on long-term basis. Mean follow up duration was 61 ± 46 (1~164) months. We classified patients into 2 groups according to urgency of surgical intervention:early surgical (ES) group who underwent surgery within 2 weeks from diagnosis of IE and conservative surgical (CS) group who underwent after 2 weeks more from the diagnosis. RESULTS: Two patients died during hospitalization due to low cardiac output syndrome (LOS) for ischemic myopathy after old myocardial infarction and postoperative ischemic colitis (preoperative hemodialysis-dependent patient). Two cerebral infarctions and 1 hemorrhagic transformation of cerebral infarction occurred postoperatively. There was no mediastinal infection and recurrent intracardiac infection postoperatively. On long-term follow up, cumulative survival was 90/79/68% in 1/5/10 years. on ES group and 100/89/79% in 1/5/10 years. on CS group, respectively. Freedom from cardiac death were 100/100/100% in 1/5/10 years. on ES group and 100/100/100% in 1/5/10 years. on CS group, respectively. There were 1 cardiac death(125 months after operation) and 8 non-cardiac deaths on long-term survival. CONCLUSION: Early surgical strategy for active infective endocarditis to prevent IE-related preoperative adverse complications seems to be acceptable.

Acid-Triggered Colorimetric Hydrophobic Benzyl Alcohols for Soluble Tag-Assisted Liquid-Phase Synthesis.

Simple screening of acid-triggered reactions of methoxybenzyl alcohols led to the development of a novel colorimetric hydrophobic benzyl alcohol (HBA) tag. HBA tag-3 (14) retained high solubility in less polar solvents and excellent precipitation properties in polar solvents. Our routine procedure for tag-assisted liquid phase peptide synthesis was applied using HBA tag-3 (14), and an effective synthesis of ß-sheet breaker peptide iAß5 (4) was achieved. The tagged peptides showed a vivid blue color under acidic conditions both on TLC plates and in solution, enabling quantitative assay.

Effects of phenylephrine and noradrenaline on coronary artery motion in an open-chest porcine beating heart model.

PURPOSE: During off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB), surgeons are required to perform a precise anastomosis on the beating heart. The hypotension caused by vertical displacement of the heart during OPCAB is usually treated with vasopressors, such as noradrenaline and phenylephrine. However, the effects of these agents on coronary artery motion are unknown. The present study analyzed the motion of the target coronary arteries during noradrenaline or phenylephrine infusion using three-dimensional motion capture and reconstruction technology. METHODS: The left anterior descending (LAD) artery, left circumflex (LCX) artery and right coronary artery (RCA) of 12 female landrace pigs (weight 50 ± 1 kg) were stabilized using a tissue stabilizer. The motions in the regions were captured before and during noradrenaline (n = 5) and phenylephrine (n = 7) infusion. RESULTS: Noradrenaline (0.15 µg/kg/min) and phenylephrine (1.1 µg/kg/min) significantly increased the blood pressure. Noradrenaline significantly increased the motion parameters, such as the distance moved, maximum velocity, acceleration and deceleration at the LAD (4.2 vs. 7.9 mm, P = 0.025; 95.7 vs. 215.5 mm/s, P = 0.0074; 35.3 vs. 83.6 m/s(2), P = 0.0096 and -35.6 vs. -83.6 m/s(2), P = 0.005, respectively). The values during phenylephrine infusion did not change except for the distance moved at the LAD (3.8 vs. 7.7 mm, P = 0.042). The motion parameters at the LCX and RCA during noradrenaline and phenylephrine infusion did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of phenylephrine on the coronary artery motion was less dramatic than that of noradrenaline.

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair with visceral arteries intermittent clamp technique for descending thoracic aortic aneurysm with shaggy aorta.

Aortic repair for severely atheromatous aneurysm remains a challenge. We used an intermittent clamp technique for all visceral arteries during thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for a thoracic aortic aneurysm with a "shaggy aorta" to prevent systemic thromboembolism. In addition, we applied an extracorporeal circulation circuit to trap the thrombi during the endovascular repair. Postoperatively, no embolic complications were seen, and microscopic examination showed trapped plaques on the filter. We conclude that this technique is an option for preventing thromboembolism in aortic aneurysm repair in the context of a shaggy aorta when substantial concern of distal diffuse atheromatous emboli is raised based on clinical history or clear evidence on imaging.

Left ventricular noncompaction complicated by mitral valve prolapse: report of a case.

A 31-year-old male was diagnosed with congestive heart failure due to left ventricular noncompaction and coarctation of the aorta by echocardiography and computed tomography. He also developed mitral valve prolapse of the posteromedial commissural leaflet due to rupture of chordae tendineae. Segmental leaflet resection was performed with ring annuloplasty. Aorto-bifemoral bypass was carried out simultaneously to attenuate the ventricular afterload. His postoperative course was uneventful.

Open-stent grafting with a GORE TAG thoracic endoprosthesis for an extended severely atheromatous thoracic aortic aneurysm: report of a case.

An 82-year-old man with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease experienced sudden back pain. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed a thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) 63 mm in maximum diameter, with severe atheromas, representing "shaggy aorta", extending down to the level of the ninth thoracic vertebra. Emergency surgery was necessitated by the impending rupture of the aneurysm. The patient underwent successful total arch replacement with open-stent grafting using a GORE(®) TAG(®) thoracic endoprosthesis. His postoperative course was uneventful and there were no neurological complications. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using the GORE TAG system for an open-stent graft.

Landiolol reduces coronary artery motion in an open-chest porcine model: implications for off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.

Reduction of target coronary artery motion is imperative for successful off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. We hypothesized that landiolol, a novel ultra-short-acting selective ß-1 blocker, would reduce such coronary artery motion. To test this hypothesis, the motion of the left anterior descending artery of the porcine heart (n = 8) was analyzed by three-dimensional digital motion capture and reconstruction technology with or without continuous landiolol infusion. Landiolol (0.12 mg/kg/min) significantly decreased the heart rate (105 ± 16 vs. 90 ± 9 beats/min), three-dimensional distance moved (-20.4% vs. control), maximum velocity (-30.0% vs. control), acceleration (-31.1% vs. control), and deceleration (-28.6% vs. control) without inducing a significant change in the systolic blood pressure (85 ± 18 vs. 81 ± 22 mmHg), cardiac output (4.3 ± 1.4 vs. 4.1 ± 1.3 l/min), or pulmonary wedge pressure (7.8 ± 3.0 vs. 8.7 ± 2.9 mmHg). Landiolol reduces the heart rate and coronary artery motion with stable hemodynamics, which may facilitate performing precise anastomosis on the beating heart.

[Effect of intra-operative low-dose infusion of landiolol hydrochloride on post-operative atrial fibrillation after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of intra-operative low-dose infusion of landiolol hydrochloride, a novel ultra-short acting beta-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist, on post-operative atrial fibrillation after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). METHODS: Ninety-six patients who had undergone OPCAB were retrospectively analyzed. A landiolol group (L-group: n= 59) was compared with a control group (C-group : n= 37); the patients in the L-group were given low-dose (4.7+/- 4.3 microg/kg/min) landiolol intravenously during OPCAB. Results : Postoperative atrial fibrillation occurred in 37.8% (14/37) of C-group and 18.6% (11/59) of L-group (p = 0.037). No side effect such as profound hypotension or bradycardia was noticed during the infusion of landiolol hydrochloride. CONCLUSION: Intra-operative low-dose infusion of landiolol hydrochloride decreases the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation after OPCAB.

Selective beta-1 receptor blockade further reduces the mechanically stabilized target coronary artery motion during beating heart surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Adequate stabilization of anastomosis sites during off-pump coronary artery bypass is essential to obtain excellent graft patency. We examined the effect of beta-1 adrenergic receptor blockade on the target coronary artery motion by three-dimensional (3D) digital motion capture and reconstruction technology. METHODS: Eight pigs underwent a sternotomy. Reflection markers were attached to the surface coronary arteries, followed by a mechanical stabilizer application. Two high-speed digital cameras captured two-dimensional (2D) motion of the markers from different angles. These 2D data were reconstructed into 3D data points, representing the motion of each coronary artery. Landiolol hydrochloride, a novel selective beta-1 receptor blocker, was infused intravenously after acquisition of control data. RESULTS: Beta-1 receptor blockade decreased heart rate (105 ± 16 vs. 90 ± 9 beat/min; P = 0.007) without decreasing arterial blood pressure. The 3D distance moved (millimeter) during one cardiac cycle was significantly reduced on the left anterior descending (9.6 ± 2.8 vs. 6.6 ± 1.9 mm; P = 0.003), left circumflex (10.5 ± 6.3 vs. 6.4 ± 2.6 mm; P = 0.038), and right coronary (8.3 ± 3.6 vs. 6.5 ± 2.1 mm; P = 0.028) arteries. Reduction in the maximal velocity, maximal acceleration, and maximal deceleration of the anastomosis site in all coronary arteries was also found in a quantitative fashion. CONCLUSIONS: Selective beta-1 receptor blockade significantly reduces the 3D motion at anastomosis sites on the beating heart, with stable systemic blood pressure. Further quantitative investigations of pharmacological stabilization are warranted to achieve better outcome of the patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.

Comparison of Endovenous Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins with High Ligation Using Pulse Mode and without High Ligation Using Continuous Mode and Lower Energy.

PURPOSE: To compare two methods of endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) for primary varicose veins of lower extremities: first-EVLT combined with high ligation of great saphenous vein using pulse mode ablation and 12 W laser ; second-EVLT without high ligation and using lower energy (10 W) and continuous mode. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-three limbs of 75 patients were treated by 980 nm diode laser into the great saphenous veins from June, 2003. In the first group of 45 patients, (HL group), we performed a division of the sapheno-femoral junction after high ligation and EVLT was done with a 12 W laser in a pulse mode. In the second group of 30 patients (NL group) EVLT was performed without high ligation with a 10 W laser in a continuous mode using a laser fiber drawing device. RESULTS: Operation time was significantly shorter in the NL group compared to the HL group (p < 0.05), and the early occlusion rates were 100% (HL group) and 97% (NL group). Subcutaneous bleeding occurred in 9 limbs (16%) in the HL group and 2 limbs (6%) in the NL group. In the NL group there was one case complicated with thrombus which extended into the femoral vein. CONCLUSION: High ligation at sapheno-femoral junction is not necessary for EVLT and a lower energy continuous mode laser induces a lower rate of complications compared with a pulse mode ablation at a higher energy level. However, close follow-up with duplex scanning is necessary in early postoperative period.

Aortic arch repair with coronary artery revascularization.

OBJECTIVE: Simultaneous aortic arch repair and coronary artery bypass are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. We retrospectively analyzed our experience with on- and off-pump coronary artery bypass (CAB) combined with aortic arch repair. METHODS: Before aortic arch repair, distal coronary artery anastomosis was constructed on the arrested heart under CAB (ONCAB: n=14), or on the beating heart before CAB (OPCAB: n=18). We also analyzed data from patients after isolated total arch replacement (TAR: n=20). RESULTS: Compared with ONCAB, OPCAB was associated with shorter periods of myocardial ischemia (133 +/- 24 vs. 180 +/- 48 min, P = 0.017) and cardiopulmonary bypass (239 +/- 35 vs. 306 +/- 61 min, P = 0.002), less prolonged postoperative ventilation (33% vs. 79%, P = 0.027) and lower postoperative peak CK-MB levels (35 +/- 19 vs. 99 +/- 124 U/L, P = 0.012). One (6%) patient after OPCAB and 3 (21%) after ONCAB (P = 0.210) died in hospital. Compared with the TAR group, the myocardial ischemic periods after OPCAB (125 +/- 30 vs. 133 +/- 24 min, P = 0.401) and postoperative outcomes were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic arch repair with OPCAB offers an option for treating aortic arch aneurysm accompanied by atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.