[Does the bilateral internal thoracic artery harvesting increase wound infection?].

The aim of this study is to compare the frequency of wound infection between bilateral and single internal thoracic artery (ITA) harvesting in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) cases. Two hundreds and thirty-four consecutive CABG cases performed harvesting either bilateral ITA (BITA) or single ITA (SITA) from January 2004 to December 2008, with or without concomitant surgery were studied. Harmonic Scalpel was used for the harvesting with skeletonization technique. The cases were divided into 2 groups: BITA group (n = 180) and SITA group (n = 54). The frequencies of wound infection were 3.7% in SITA group and 6.1% in BITA group. As to deep sternal infection, they were 1.9% in SITA group and 1.1% in BITA group. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups. Multivariate analysis of all patients showed that emergency cases, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and reopening for bleeding were identified as independent risk factors for wound infection. There were 113 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients out of all patients ; SITA group (n = 22) and BITA group (n = 91). Their wound infection rates were 4.5% and 6.6%, and those of deep sternal infection were 0% and 2.2%, respectively. There was no significant difference between them. In conclusion, BITA harvesting with skeletonized technique may be used as safely as SITA harvesting even in DM patients.

[Intraoperative graft assessment using fluorescent imaging system (SPY)].

We investigated the efficacy of intraoperative fluorescent imaging system for the assessment of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We used SPY imaging system in 100 CABG (57 off-pump and 43 on-pump CABG), totalling 287 distal anastomoses. The total graft patency rate on postoperative angiography in this series was 96.2% (276/287). Graft revision was done in 10 cases (10.0%) and 13 anastomoses (4.5%) by SPY imaging, which all resulted in good patency at postoperative angiography. On the other hand, 7 distal anastomoses and 1 mammary graft (2.8%) appeared to be successful on intraoperative SPY imaging, but were revealed to be occluded by postoperative angiography. SPY imaging system is useful for graft validation, and may contribute to improvement of coronary bypass graft patency.

[Intraoperative recanalization of type A chronic aortic dissection with a thrombosed false lumen].

A woman of 75 years old urgently admitted to our hospital for type A acute aortic dissection with a thrombosed false lumen, which had ulcer like projection (ULP) on enhanced computed tomography (CT) in the ascending aorta Aortic recanalization occurred in the operating room along with the establishment of extra corporeal circulation. Right axillar arterial perfusion directly struck the intimal tear site equaled to ULP, which caused intraoperative aortic recanalization. Graft replacement of the ascending aorta was successfully performed with the aid of hypothermic circulatory arrest and selective cerebral perfusion.

[Coronary revascularization in patients with preoperative electrical storm].

We report 5 cases who underwent surgical coronary revascularization for subacute myocardial ischemia with preoperative electrical storm. All patients showed severe left ventricular dysfunction. Mean ejection fraction was 24.4 +/- 7.6%. Three patients had already had implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy. Procedures were on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and mitral valvuloplasty (MVP) [case 1], on-pump CABG, MVP, left ventricular restoration (LVR) and cryoablation (case 2), and off-pump CABG (case 3-5). Case 5 necessitated conversion to on-pump for electrical storm during left circumflex artery (LCx) anastomosis. Case 3 suddenly died on the 2nd postoperative day due to electrical storm. Case 1 had recurrent attack of electrical storm postoperatively, treated by ICD, overdrive pacing, repeated intraaortic balloon pumping (IABP), deep sedation with endotracheal intubation, and finally catheter ablation. Four patients have survived 2 years (mean) postoperatively without any arrhythmia, and are all in good condition [New York Heart Association (NYHA) I] now. It was concluded that off-pump procedure was not suitable for subacute myocardial ischemia with electrical storm and that LVR with surgical cryoablation would be effective if indicated.

[H-graft minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass for coronary artery disease complicated with Leriche syndrome].

We present a case of Leriche syndrome, requiring coronary revascularization and both lower extremities. Leriche syndrome shows high aortic occlusion, which has occasionally large collateral pathways from the internal thoracic artery (ITA) to the femoral artery via superior and inferior epigastric arteries. Usual usage of ITA may lead to deterioration of blood supply to lower extremities at surgical coronary revascularization. H-graft minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB), which puts arterial graft horizontally between in situ left ITA (LITA) and left anterior descending (LAD) through small incision approach, enables surgical LAD revascularization and keeps blood supply to lower extremities. H-graft MIDCAB contributed to two-stage surgery in a patient with Leriche syndrome complicated with coronary artery disease.

Significance of distal fenestration in graft replacement for chronic aortic dissection.

It is recently controversial whether distal fenestration is necessary in graft replacement for chronic aortic dissection. Several groups started to try the exclusion of intimal entry by the insertion of a stent-graft as a treatment for chronic aortic dissection, while conventional surgical techniques consisted of graft replacement with distal anastomosis to both the true and false channels. It should be kept in mind that the resultant occlusion of the false lumen after obliteration of the false channel could promote spinal cord ischemia. We report a patient with delayed paraplegia after graft replacement without distal fenestration for chronic type B aortic dissection. It is possible that not all cases of chronic aortic dissection are good for stent-grafting.