[Pulmonary metastasis from colorectal cancer with hepatic metastasis].

We have investigated cases where pulmonary metastasis from colorectal cancer was resected during the last 15 years, comparing a group with liver metastasis [LM (+)] to a group without liver metastasis [LM (-)]. The following are the characteristics of the LM (+) versus LM (-) groups. Gender: male 6, female 5 versus male 9, female 11, age: 61.4+/-11.4 versus 63.9+/-9.4 years, number of lung metastasis: 1.42 versus 1.29, duration of primary-lung metastasis: 1.59+/-1.02 versus 2.55+/-1.46 years, preoperative CEA: 69.3+/-71.1 versus 8.64+/-5.63 ng/ml, ratio of bilateral lung metastasis: 23.0 versus 4.8%, more than 1 ratio of pulmonary metastasis: 38 versus 19%, complete resection ratio of pulmonary metastasis: 84.6 versus 100%, ratio of thoracoscopic surgery: 69.2 versus 66.7%, and 2-year survival ratio: 63 versus 78%. There were no statistically significant differences in these values between the LM (+) and LM (-) group. A larger number of cases and follow-up duration will be required in the future; we think that the resection of pulmonary metastasis from colorectal cancer with liver metastasis can be supported for the present.

[Esophageal rupture just after the graft replacement of thoracoabdominal aorta for chronic aortic dissection].

A 51-year-old man with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (DeBakey IIIb type chronic aortic dissection) first underwent the graft replacement of thoracic aorta with elephant trunk technique. Postoperatively, the residual false lumen just distal to the inserted graft as an elephant trunk enlarged in a short period, and it compressed the esophagus. He underwent the second graft replacement of thoracoabdominal aorta 2 months after the first surgery. Just after the second surgery, he had the esophageal rupture probably because of direct damage due to the enlarged aneurysm and loss of the arterial blood supply due to the graft replacement. He died of bleeding from the distal anastomosis because of the uncontrolled graft infection. It may have to be kept in mind that the esophageal rupture after the graft replacement could be one of the reason of the graft infection when the aortic aneurysm severely compressed the esophagus preoperatively.

Impending rupture of the descending aorta by enlargement of the false lumen after graft replacement with the elephant trunk technique: report of a case.

We report herein a case of an impending rupture of the descending aorta caused by an enlargement of the false lumen after a graft replacement using the elephant trunk technique. The patient was a 51-year-old woman who had received a graft replacement of the ascending aorta for an acute Stanford type A aortic dissection 6 years previously. An enhanced computed tomographic scan and digital subtraction angiography revealed pseudoaneurysms at the proximal and distal anastomotic site, and a residual dissection of the aortic arch. A graft replacement of the ascending aorta to the aortic arch was performed with the distal site using the elephant trunk technique. Five days after the operation, massive bleeding from the drainage tube occurred. A chest enhanced computed tomographic scan suggested an impending rupture of the descending aorta caused by an enlargement of the false lumen. A graft replacement of the descending aorta was carried out. Postoperatively she had no complications, and digital subtraction angiography showed an excellent reconstruction of the thoracic aorta. One month after the second operation, she was discharged from hospital.

A single-stage operation for bicuspid aortic valve, annulo-aortic ectasia, hypoplastic aortic arch, and coarctation of the aorta: A case report.

The patient was an 18-year-old man who had been diagnosed as having a bicuspid aortic valve and dilatation of the ascending aorta six years previously. As he grew up, aneurysmal change of the ascending aorta and hypertension in the upper body gradually progressed. Preoperative evaluation showed annulo-aortic ectasia and the following congenital abnormalities: bicuspid aortic valve, hypoplastic aortic arch, and coarctation of the aorta. Composite graft replacement and extended total aortic arch replacement were carried out.

[Axillary artery perfusion for the extensive arterial vascular disease].

Usefulness of axillar artery perfusion for the cases with severe systematic atherosclerosis was reported. It is generally accepted that the femoral artery is a common arterial cannulation site when performing the surgery of ascending aorta and total aortic arch. However, atheroembolism is one of the most severe complication for the patients with extensive arterial vascular disease by using femoral arterial perfusion. Axillar artery perfusion can prevent these complications, and the perfusion through the artificial graft anastomosed to the axillar artery can also avoid the malperfusion of the vertebral artery and axillar artery. We concluded that the axillar artery perfusion via artificial graft is useful alternative for aortic surgery.

Total aortic replacement for aortitis syndrome: report of a case.

We report herein the case of a 35-year-old woman who was administered steroid therapy based on a diagnosis of aortitis syndrome. Despite this treatment, the symptoms of cardiac failure gradually progressed, and she was referred to our hospital to undergo surgery. Preoperative evaluations revealed a large aneurysm extending from the ascending aorta to the thoracoabdominal aorta. A two-staged total aortic replacement was carried out and postoperative digital subtraction angiography showed excellent reconstruction of the entire aorta.

[Successful surgical treatment for severe mitral valve annulus enlargement and mitral regurgitation 5 years after aortic root replacement in Marfan syndrome: a case report].

Major cardiovascular lesions associated with Marfan syndrome include aortic diseases such as aortic root dilatation and mitral disease. If untreated, cardiovascular manifestations of the Marfan syndrome cause death in one half of patients during the first four decades of life. Although aortic diseases in the Marfan syndrome are responsible for most of serious morbidity and mortality, 60-80% of patients with Marfan syndrome have mitral valve dysfunction. The results of surgical treatment for aortic diseases in Marfan patients have recently shown significant improvement. However, there is no acceptable consensus about the timing and the technique of surgical intervention for mitral diseases. Especially mitral valve diseases is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in infants with the Marfan syndrome. We report herein a case of Marfan syndrome (21-year-old female) who had undergone two operations for aortic root dilatation five years before she underwent the surgical treatment for progressive heart failure due to severe mitral annulus enlargement and mitral regurgitation.

[Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB) for re-operation in a 85 year-old patient].

An 85-year-old male, who had undergone aorto-coronary bypass grafting to left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) using saphenous vein graft (SVG) seventeen years before, was operated with minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB) without cardiopulmonary bypass. LAD was anastomosed with the in situ left internal thoracic artery through a limited anterior thoracotomy. The postoperative angiography showed patent graft, and the patient has been doing well without any complications. MIDCAB is a useful technique even for re-operation of coronary diseases in selected cases.

[The early results of the minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB)].

The clinical experiences of 29 consecutive MIDCAB procedures performed at our institution between October, 1996, and October, 1997, were analyzed. Preoperative patient's characteristics were as follows; LAD single vessel disease: 25, double vessel disease: 1, triple vessel disease: 1, RC single vessel disease: 1, LMT lesion: 1, concomitant procedures: 2 (ASO: 1, AAA: 1). LITA harvesting was performed using the video-assisted thoracoscopy in initial 4 patients, and in last 10 patients we used the specially designed retractor THORALIFT (Autosuture Co., Ltd.) for harvesting LITA by direct vision. LAD was stabilized mechanically using the stabilizer when we performed the anastomosis in last 10 patients to enhance the quality of the anastomosis. The patency rate was 96%, but there were two patients (6%) who had the stenosis of the anastomosis site. Coronary artery occlusion time was 13.2 minutes in the mean. We also studied the hemodynamics of blood flow in LITA grafts with the aid of 7.5 MHz transthoracic duplex imaging in these MIDCAB patients and compared with the LITA grafts in conventional CABG performed in same periods. There were no statistical differences between the two groups about the graft flow and velocity. We conclude that MIDCAB would be an alternative procedure that can be performed with low risk and acceptable early results in selected patients.

[A case of painless Standford type A acute aortic dissection complicating acute occlusion of the right subclavian artery].

We reported about a rare case of painless Stanford type A acute aortic dissection with the only complaints being numbness and paleness in the right arm. A 68-year-old male who hed been treated in another hospital under the diagnosis of acute occlusion of the right subclavian artery was referred to our hospital because of severe heart failure and shock. After being admitted to our hospital, the patient was diagnosed as Standford type A acute aortic dissection with transesophageal echocardiography and underwent an emergency graft replacement of the ascending aorta and total aortic arch. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged without any complications.

[A case of graft replacement of the ascending aorta to the aortic arch and the partial descending aorta in a single stage for thrombosed aortic dissection (DeBakey type II + IIIb)].

We report here a case of graft replacement of the ascending aorta to the aortic arch and the middle portion of the descending aorta in a single stage for thrombosed aortic dissection. The patient was a 53-year-old male who was transferred to our hospital with a diagnosis of thrombosed aortic dissection. Conservative therapy was continued but three weeks after the onset, chest enhanced CT scan and digital subtraction angiography revealed an opacified false lumen in the ascending aorta and a ulcer like projection in the middle portion of the descending aorta. He was therefore diagnosed as having redissecction in DeBakey type II + IIIb thrombosed aortic dissection. Graft replacement of the ascending aorta, the aortic arch, and a part of the descending aorta was performed in a single stage via median stenotomy with the aid of extracorporeal circulation and selective cerebral perfusion. Postoperative digital subtraction angiography showed satisfactory reconstruction of the thoracic aorta. The patient is still leading a normal life two years after the operation.

[Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB) for multivessel disease in a 86 year-old patient].

An 86-year-old male underwent minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB) without cardiopulmonary bypass, for severe triple-vessel coronary disease. Left descending coronary artery was anastomosed with the in situ left internal thoracic artery through a limited anterior thoracotomy, and right coronary artery was anastomosed with the in situ right gastroepiploic artery through a small upper laparotomy. The postoperative angiography showed patent grafts, and the patient has been doing well without any complications. MIDCAB is a useful technique even for multivessel coronary diseases in selected cases.

[A case report of ruptured pseudoaneurysm into the left lung after graft replacement of the descending thoracic aorta].

We report a successful case of total aortic arch replacement using selective cerebral perfusion for ruptured pseudoaneurysm into the left lung after graft replacement of the descending thoracic aorta. A 74-year-old female who had graft replacement of the descending thoracic aorta for ruptured acute type B dissecting aneurysm into the left pleural cavity was admitted with a complaint of severe hemoptysis. Preoperative enhanced computed tomography revealed a large pseudoaneurysm of the aortic arch and massive hematoma around it. She was diagnosed as having a ruptured pseudoaneurysm into the left lung. A graft replacement of the total aortic arch with the aid of selective cerebral perfusion was performed. At the time of operation, a pseudoaneurysm which was from an intimal defect in the aortic wall 2 cm proximal to the suture line was found. It was suspected that the cause of the pseudoaneurysm was due to clamp injury during the initial operation. Postoperatively, she had no cerebral complications, and digital subtraction angiography showed excellent reconstruction of the aortic arch. One month after the operation, she had recovered sufficiently to be discharged from our hospital.

[Total aortic arch replacement for distal aortic arch aneurysms].

Between January 1991 to April 1997, 13 consecutive patients underwent the total aortic arch replacement for distal aortic arch aneurysms. The operation was performed through the median sternotomy and the cardiopulmonary bypass was instituted with the cannulation of ascending aorta for arterial perfusion and of right atrium for venous return. Then the aortic arch was totally replaced with four limbed artificial graft with the aid of selective cerebral perfusion and open distal anastomosis of the distal end of the aneurysm. The mortality was 16% (2 patients) and these cases had ruptured aneurysm and had deep shock preoperatively. There were no severe cerebral complication. Total aortic arch replacement would be the acceptable procedure for the distal aortic arch aneurysm and antegrade ascending aortic perfusion was useful method to avoid the thromboembolic attack due to the retrograde femoral perfusion.

[A case of Stanford type A acute aortic dissection associated with a distal aortic arch atherosclerotic aneurysm].

We report a rare case of Stanford type A acute aortic dissection associated with a distal aortic arch atherosclerotic aneurysm. A 71-year-old female was referred to us with the diagnosis of thrombosed Stanford type A acute aortic dissection, however on the next day transesophageal echocardiography revealed the false lumen has been recanalized. In the operation, there was a distal aortic arch atherosclerotic aneurysm which was unidentified at the preoperation. It is very rare that the dissection originated from atherosclerotic aneurysm and proceeded to proximal and distal portion of the aorta.

Occlusion of the abdominal aorta caused by enlargement of the false lumen after graft replacement for a DeBakey type IIIb dissecting aneurysm: report of a case.

We report herein a case of abdominal aorta occlusion caused by enlargement of the false lumen after a graft replacement. The patient was a 70-year-old man who underwent a graft replacement of the descending thoracic aorta for a DeBakey type IIIb dissecting aneurysm. Digital subtraction angiography performed on postoperative day 18 revealed an abdominal aorta occlusion caused by enlargement of the false lumen. A new intimal defect was found in the aortic wall 2 cm distal to the suture line, the cause of which was suspected to be clamp injury during the initial operation. Graft replacement of the abdominal aorta was subsequently carried out. Postoperatively, he had no complications, and digital subtraction angiography showed excellent reconstruction of the abdominal aorta. The patient was discharged from hospital 1 month after his second operation.

[A case of paraplegia after graft replacement of the ascending aorta and the total aortic arch for the DeBakey type I acute aortic dissection].

A rare case of paraplegia after an emergency operation for DeBakey type I acute aortic dissection was reported. The patient was a 52-year-old female who complained of severe chest and back pain. She underwent graft replacement of the ascending aorta and the total aortic arch. No neurological symptoms were observed before the operation. The cause of the paraplegia was assumed to be a thrombotic occlusion of costal arteries which originated from the false lumen.

[Clinical evaluation of heparin concentration and activated clotting time monitoring (HEPCON HMS) system].

The HEPCON HMS system provides both activated clotting time (ACT) and accurate whole blood heparin concentration measurements. We evaluated the impact of heparin and protamine administration using this system on the incidence and treatment of bleeding after performing a cardiopulmonary bypass. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Heparin and protamine administration during extracorporeal circulation was determined by classical ACT management in Group A (n = 15) and by HEPCON HMS system in Group H (n = 19). There were no statistical differences in the coagulation factor, the postoperative chest tube drainage or the blood products used between the two groups. Patients in Group H received a higher dosage of heparin and a lower dosage of protamine compared with Group A. By facilitating the maintenance of a therapeutic heparin concentration and by determining an appropriate protamine dosage, the HEPCON HMS system may be useful in managing extracorporeal circulation.

[Surgical strategy for Stanford type A aortic dissection with Marfan syndrome].

Between January 1979 and May 1996, 23 Marfan patients underwent surgeries for type A aortic dissection; 8 patients with localized type dissection and 15 with extensive type. All of the 23 patients suffered from annuloaortic ectasia (AAE) which was treated by composite graft replacement, 10 of these patients had a concomitant replacement of the aortic arch. The operative mortality rate was 8.7%, and the causes were associated with the methods of coronary artery reattachment to the graft. Of the 15 patients with the extensive type dissection, there were 11 patients who had a non-thrombotic communicating false lumen in the untreated segments of the distal dissected aorta after the first operation and from this group there were seven patients who had anastomotic leakage around the distal suture line of the graft replacement that was demonstrated by aortography. Extensive graft replacement ranging from the entire thoracic aorta to the total aorta were performed in 10 (43.5%). Late deaths occurred in three patients (13.0%) and these causes were LOS and graft infection after the second operation and prosthetic valve endcarditis 6 months after the first operation. The present data indicate that Stanford type A aortic dissection with Marfan syndrome should be undertaken on the basis of a prior achievable plan to perform an entire aortic replacement. The dissection should also be performed using a procedure which doesn't leave distal anastomotic leakage.

[A case report of ruptured distal aortic arch aneurysm into pericardial space].

We report a case of successful total aortic arch replacement using selected cerebral perfusion for ruptured distal aortic arch aneurysm (DAAA) into the pericardial space. A 75 year-old man who had preoperative episode of severe chest pain and tachycardia was transferred to our hospital. Computed tomography showed saccular DAAA and pericardial effusion, so the patient was diagnosed as ruptured DAAA into pericardial space. Immediately after CT-scanning, urgent operation of a graft replacement of aortic arch with selective cerebral perfusion was carried out. Postoperatively, he had no cerebral complication, but develop transient respiratory failure and renal dysfunction. Three months after the operation he was discharged from the hospital. The patient is now leading a normal life.