Infective Endocarditis with Intermittent Atrioventricular Block and Pseudoaneurysm of the Mitral-aortic Intervalvular Fibrosa in a Patient with Severe Aortic Stenosis.

Atrioventricular (AV) block and pseudoaneurysm of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa (P-MAIVF) are rare complications of infective endocarditis (IE). A 72-year-old man with severe aortic stenosis was hospitalized due to IE. After admission, intermittent AV block and P-MAIVF were noted. Interestingly, an accelerated junctional rhythm was observed during the process of AV block resolution. Elective surgery, which included patch closure of the fistula and replacement of the aortic valve, was successfully performed. The patient has remained in good condition without the recurrence of AV block. This case report describes a rare comorbidity of AV block and P-MAIVF in a patient with aortic valve IE.

Acute heart failure due to chronic juxtarenal aortic occlusion in a patient with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.

Abdominal aortic occlusions are rare, but occasionally life threatening. A 48-year-old man was hospitalized due to acute heart failure accompanied by acute kidney injury (AKI). Abdominal ultrasound revealed deteriorating blood flow in the bilateral renal arteries. Subsequent abdominal aortography showed abdominal aortic occlusion just below the right renal artery and an occluded left renal artery. Dilated superior and inferior mesenteric arteries functioning as collateral feeding arteries suggested chronic occlusion. A hypercoagulation workup led to a diagnosis of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS). This case report describes rare chronic juxtarenal abdominal occlusion in a patient with APS. .

[Recurrence of cardiac myxoma in the left atrial after 28 years; report of a case].

We presented a rare surgical case of recurrent multiple left atrial myxomas, who had a history of surgery for multiple left ventricular myxomas 28 years ago. The case was a 42-year-old female. She developed dyspnea, cough, and palpitation due to functional mitral valve obstruction by myxoma. There were a 30 mm large pedunculated tumor on the left atrial septum and 2 small tumors near the orifice of the right upper pulmonary vein. These tumors were excised with the left atrial endothelium and the defect was reconstructed with a bovine pericardium.

Clinical outcomes of medical treatment of acute type A intramural hematoma.

A retrospective study was performed in 30 patients who were treated for type A intramural hematoma from 1999 to 2008, of whom 24 were initially treated without surgical intervention. These 24 patients were followed up for 3.3 +/- 3.5 years (range, 0 days to 10.0 years). Four hospital deaths occurred (hospital mortality, 16.7%), there were 2 late deaths, and 2 other patients needed an operation during the follow-up period. The event-free survival rate (freedom from death or surgery) at 5 years was significantly lower in patients with maximal aortic diameter > or =48 mm than in those with diameters <48 mm (28.6% +/- 17.1% vs. 88.2% +/- 7.8%). Maximal aortic diameter > or =48 mm and computed tomography findings of a small intimal defect were significant predictors of rupture or progression of ascending aortic dissection. The outcome of medical treatment for type A intramural hematoma was acceptable during both the early and late periods, but patients with a relatively large aortic diameter or an intimal defect in the ascending aorta have a high probability of adverse outcome, and must be considered for surgery.

[Severe coronary artery spasm immediately after aortic valve replacement].

We report a case of 72-year-old man with severe manifestations of coronary artery spasm immediately after aortic valve replacement (AVR), which was associated with hemodynamic and arrhythmic instability. The AVR was performed under mild hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (34 degrees C), and retrograde blood cardioplegia was intermittently delivered at the same temperature. Immediately after the operation, the patient suddenly developed severe bradycardia and hypotension, and repeated ventricular fibrillation. Percutaneous cardiopulmonary support system (PCPS) and intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) were required for this circulatory collapse. Echocardiography revealed left ventricular segmental dysfunction, and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to the right coronary artery and the left ascending artery was performed [during CABG, coronary spasm was strongly suspected by repetitive ST elevation and depression on electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor]. Eventually, the spasm subsided with the intravenous infusion of nitrates, nicorandil, and diltiazem. The remaining postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the 24th postoperative day in good clinical condition.