Single-Stage Surgical Treatment of Acute Type A Aortic Dissection and Blunt Abdominal Trauma: A Case Report.

A 53-year-old man suddenly developed chest and back pain while driving, resulting in an accident. Computed tomography revealed acute type A aortic dissection with malperfusion of the left lower extremity, retroperitoneal extravasation, hematoma in the anterior mediastinum, and ascites in the rectovesical pouch. Exploratory laparotomy before aortic repair revealed intestinal perforation and retroperitoneal bleeding, which were repaired, and an ascending aortic replacement was performed. Visceral trauma with active bleeding should be treated with priority, even if the need for systemic heparinization accompanies acute type A aortic dissection during surgery for aortic dissection.

Successful Surgical Repair of Type A Acute Aortic Dissection in a Patient with Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

Surgery for vascular complications of a patient with vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS) is challenging due to the fragility of the associated tissues. In this study, we present a type A acute aortic dissection case in a patient with vEDS successfully treated via total arch replacement. A 42-year-old woman was transferred to our hospital 10 days after the onset of symptoms and underwent emergency surgery. Intraoperative findings revealed severe inflammatory changes without tissue fragility that is distinctive of vEDS. The postoperative course was uneventful except for left recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, and 24 months after the operation, the patient has remained free from any arterial event.

Influence of preoperative right ventricular function on left ventricular remodeling and survival after subvalvular repair for functional mitral regurgitation.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to analyze our surgical experiences with mitral valve plasty (MVP) combined with subvalvular procedures (SVPs) for functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) and to determine which preoperative factors affected clinical outcomes. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed 33 patients who underwent MVP combined with SVPs for FMR with a left ventricular ejection fraction lower than 40% and advanced remodeled left ventricles. The mean follow-up period was 49 ± 33 months. RESULTS: The preoperative mean right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC) used to quantify right ventricular (RV) systolic function was 26 ± 11%. Sixteen patients (48%) had an RVFAC < 26%. One patient died during hospital stay, and nine more patients died of cardiac causes during follow-up. The 3- and 5-year rates of freedom from cardiac-related mortality were 78% and 68%, respectively. RVFAC was the significant predictor of cardiac-related mortality in a univariate analysis (risk ratio [RR] = 0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.85-0.99, p = 0.03) and demonstrated a non-significant tendency to predict cardiac-related mortality in the Cox multivariate analysis (RR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.86-1.003, p = 0.08). Continued reverse left ventricular remodeling was associated with an RVFAC ≥ 26%. At 3 years, there was also a significant difference in survival rates of cardiac-related mortality between patients with an RVFAC ≥ 26% and < 26% (94% vs. 61%; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative RV function affected left ventricular remodeling and cardiac-related mortality after MV surgery. MVP combined with SVPs for FMR provided promising results for patients without severe RV dysfunction.

Successful treatment of left ventricular patch infection by latissimus dorsi muscle flap covering without patch removal.

Removal of the infected prosthesis is considered an essential procedure in the treatment of prosthetic graft infection following cardiovascular surgery. Here, we present a case of left ventricular patch infection following repair of left ventricular rupture that was successfully treated by coverage with a latissimus dorsi muscle flap without patch removal. A 61-year-old man underwent double-patch repair for left ventricular-free wall rupture following posterior myocardial infarction. He underwent drainage and omental transposition with re-sternotomy for postoperative mediastinitis by Candida albicans, followed by pericardial fenestration via left thoracotomy for infectious pericarditis; however, left ventricular patch infection was detected. Considering the high invasiveness of a reoperation for patch removal, we preserved and covered the patch using a left pedicled latissimus dorsi muscle flap via left thoracotomy. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was asymptomatic with no signs of recurrence at 30 months.

Clinical Outcomes of a Customized Mitral Valve Plasty for Functional Mitral Regurgitation with a Low Ejection Fraction and Implications for Preoperative Right Ventricular Function.

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical outcomes of customized mitral valve plasty (MVP) for the treatment of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) with a low ejection fraction (EF) and to determine which preoperative factors affected the clinical outcome. METHODS AND RESULTS: MVP was adjusted according to the degree of left ventricle (LV) remodeling. We performed mitral annuloplasty (MAP) alone in 14 patients and added subvalvular procedures (SVPs) in 22 patients at a high risk of recurrent MR. During follow-up, reverse LV remodeling was obtained and the 3-year and 5-year non-recurrence rates of MR grade ≥2 were 94% and 89%, respectively. Two patients died during their hospital stay, and four more patients died of cardiac causes during follow-up. The 3-year and 5-year rates of freedom from cardiac-related mortality were 86% and 81%, respectively; no significant difference was observed between the two treatment groups. Right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC) was a significant predictor of cardiac mortality. Patients with an RVFAC of <26% had significantly poorer cardiac-related mortality (71% at 3 years) than those with an RVFAC of ≥26% (95% at 3 years). CONCLUSION: Customized MVP provided durable mitral competence and reverse LV remodeling. Preoperative RV function was associated with cardiac-related mortality.

Upregulated Kynurenine Pathway Enzymes in Aortic Atherosclerotic Aneurysm: Macrophage Kynureninase Downregulates Inflammation.

AIMS: Inflammation and hypertension contribute to the progression of atherosclerotic aneurysm in the aorta. Vascular cell metabolism is regarded to modulate atherogenesis, but the metabolic alterations that occur in atherosclerotic aneurysm remain unknown. The present study aimed to identify metabolic pathways and metabolites in aneurysmal walls and examine their roles in atherogenesis. METHODS: Gene expression using microarray and metabolite levels in the early atherosclerotic lesions and aneurysmal walls obtained from 42 patients undergoing aortic surgery were investigated (early lesion n=11, aneurysm n=35) and capillary electrophoresis-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (early lesion n=14, aneurysm n=38). Using immunohistochemistry, the protein expression and localization of the identified factors were examined (early lesion n=11, non-aneurysmal advanced lesion n=8, aneurysm n=11). The roles of the factors in atherogenesis were analyzed in macrophages derived from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. RESULTS: Enrichment analysis using 35 significantly upregulated genes (log2 ratio, ＞3) revealed the alteration of the kynurenine pathway. Metabolite levels of tryptophan, kynurenine, and quinolinic acid and the kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio were increased in the aneurysmal walls. Gene and protein expression of kynureninase and kynurenine 3-monooxygenase were upregulated and localized in macrophages in the aneurysmal walls. The silencing of kynureninase in the cultured macrophages enhanced the expression of interleukin-6 and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests the upregulation of the kynurenine pathway in macrophages in aortic atherosclerotic aneurysm. Kynureninase may negatively regulate inflammation via the kynurenine pathway itself in macrophages.

Extended sandwich technique via the right atrial approach for post-infarction posterior ventricular septal rupture.

An 84-year-old man who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention for acute inferior myocardial infarction due to occlusion of the mid portion of the right coronary artery was transferred to our hospital because of post-infarction posterior ventricular septal rupture. We performed the extended sandwich technique via the right atrial approach as well as tricuspid and mitral valve replacement and permanent pacemaker implantation. Mild residual shunt was detected post-operatively, but the patient's condition was controlled well with diuretics.

[Multi-Center Joint Study on the Survey of Antiemetic Therapy for the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting in Combination Therapy with a Mild Emetic Antineoplastic Drug].

While many studies have demonstrated the prevention of nausea and vomiting in patients receiving moderately or highly emetogenic anti-cancer agents, there are few reports of mildly emetogenic anti-cancer agents. In the present study, we performed a 2-year multi-center study to determine the types and efficacy of antiemetic therapy administered in a total of 77 cancer patients who received mildly emetogenic anti-cancer agents between September 2015 and August 2017. The effectiveness of antiemetic therapy was evaluated based on the frequency of nausea and vomiting and use of rescue medication. This information was reported by patients and collected every 24 hours for 120 hours after the administration of anti-cancer agents with a mild emetogenic risk. The combination of 5-HT3 receptor antagonist(1 or 3 mg granisetron, 0.75 mg palonosetron) and 6.6 mg dexamethasone was the most common antiemetic therapy used in our patient population. There was no significant difference in the effectiveness of all 5-HT3 receptor antagonists that were evaluated. Gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel were the most commonly used with a total of 64 patients receiving a combination of these mildly emetogenic agents. Poor performance status was associated with failure to achieve total control(TC)of nausea and vomiting(p=0.0304), while habitual alcohol consumption was associated with TC of nausea and vomiting(p=0.0331).

Left Subclavian Artery Revascularization for Delayed Paralysis after Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair.

Spinal cord ischemia (SCI) is a devastating complication following thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). A man with a ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) was transferred to our hospital. Emergency TEVAR, with left subclavian artery (LSA) coverage, was performed for the ruptured TAA. On postoperative day two, the patient had incomplete paralysis in his legs, presumably caused by SCI. We performed LSA revascularization (LSAR) to provide blood supply to the spinal cord; his paralysis improved and almost resolved after surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first report on LSAR's efficacy for delayed paraplegia due to SCI.

A Giant Cardiac Cavernous Hemangioma Involving the Left Atrial Roof in an Elderly Woman.

Cardiac tumors are relatively rare, with primary hemangiomas being a particularly rare benign neoplasm. Herein, we report a case of a symptomatic cardiac tumor detected via echocardiography in an 82-year-old woman. Although we performed advanced imaging examinations for her heart, we could not diagnose the tumor before surgery. Eventually, a tumor involving the left atrial roof was detected, and it was completely resected to relieve her symptoms and establish a precise diagnosis. Histopathological examination indicated a cardiac cavernous hemangioma. The patient exhibited an uneventful recovery without any complications.

Selection of a Surgical Treatment Approach for Aortic Coarctation in Adolescents and Adults.

PURPOSE: Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) in adolescents and adults is relatively rare. Several operative techniques for CoA in adolescents and adults have been reported, but there is still no consensus. This study aims to highlight the use of individual patient characteristics to select optimal treatment strategies for CoA in adolescents and adults. METHODS: Surgical repair of CoA was performed in five patients (mean age: 34 ± 14 years, range: 13-58 years). All patients had primary CoA, and one had aneurysm above the CoA. One patient had undergone previous aortic valve replacement (AVR) and graft replacement of the ascending aorta. One patient underwent resection of the coarctation without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) followed by direct end-to-end anastomosis. Three patients underwent CoA resection with an interposition graft through a lateral thoracotomy with partial CPB. One patient underwent AVR with extra-anatomical bypass (ascending-descending aorta). RESULTS: No in-hospital deaths occurred, and there were no complications. During the follow-up period, there has been no recurrence of CoA. CONCLUSION: CoA in adolescents and adults is associated with different issues from those encountered in infant patients, and comprehensive surgery should be performed in all cases.

Successful Embolization Therapy through Reentry Tear in the Right Subclavian Artery for Treating Patent False Lumen in the Aortic Arch Formed after Type A Dissection Repair.

A 73-year-old woman had undergone hemiarch replacement with primary entry resection for treating acute type A dissection 6 years ago. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) showed a patent false lumen (FL) in the aortic arch and a reentry tear in the right subclavian artery. The remaining aortic arch enlarged, which resulted in formation of a 55-mm-diameter aneurysm. We performed reentry occlusion using embolization with glue and coil. The patient's clinical course after the procedure was uneventful, and subsequent CT showed that FL was thrombosed and had decreased in size.

Aortic Pseudoaneurysm due to Simple Vertebral Compression Fracture Treated with Conservative Management.

Blunt aortic injures are rarely associated with minimal trauma. We present a 78-year-old man with an aortic pseudoaneurysm resulting from a simple vertebral compression fracture, which was conservatively managed. He was diagnosed with a compression fracture from a minor fall 10 days previously, and fortuitously he visited the hospital after which follow-up computed tomography (CT) for previous multiple aortic surgeries was performed. The enhanced CT revealed a pseudoaneurysm on the abdominal aorta, which was bleeding from a pinhole perforation. He was conservatively treated and follow-up CT 9 months later revealed that the pseudoaneurysm had disappeared.

[Aortic Root Reimplantation for Extra-cardiac Unruptured Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm].

Aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva are rare. We report a case of extra-cardiac unruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva with moderate aortic regurgitation (AR). A 57-year-old woman was referred to our institution because of AR. Echocardiography showed moderate AR and computed tomographic scanning demonstrated an extra-cardiac aneurysm of the unruptured sinus of Valsalva, which extended from the right sinus of Valsalva to the non-coronary sinus of Valsalva. She underwent aortic root reimplantation procedure with a Valsalva graft. Although mild AR was observed postoperatively, her postoperative course was uneventful.

Two dehiscences of the aortic valve commissure and cusp with progressive acute aortic regurgitation.

A 54-year-old female with acute heart failure due to aortic regurgitation (AR) was admitted to our hospital. Following admission, her condition worsened progressively; thus, surgery was performed prematurely. During surgery, two dehiscences were visualized in the aortic valve commissure between the right and left cusps and the upper part of the left coronary artery ostium. However we scheduled aortic valve replacement (AVR) at first, we made the shift to perform the aortic root replacement for reinforcement of the aortic wall around the left coronary artery ostium. We describe a rare case of two dehiscences at the aortic root, which is the first report.

[Mitral valve replacement for a manifesting carrier of duchenne muscular dystrophy].

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked disease, but female carriers infrequently have some symptoms, who are called manifesting carriers. Here we report a case of a manifesting carrier of DMD with skeletal muscle weakness and cardiac abnormalities such as deterioration of cardiac function and left ventricular dilatation, who successfully underwent cardiac surgery. A 79-year-old female with acute heart failure for severe mitral regurgitation was admitted to our hospital. Surgical replacement of the mitral valve was performed under general anesthesia with intravenous anesthetics and non-depolarizing muscle relaxant. Cardiac surgery on a manifesting carrier of DMD is rare and requires a careful preoperative assessment of the heart function and anesthetic management.

Predictors of early and late outcome after total arch replacement for atherosclerotic aortic arch aneurysm.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify predictors of early and late outcome after total arch replacement (TAR) for atherosclerotic aortic arch aneurysm. METHODS: TAR with separate arch vessel grafting and selective cerebral perfusion was performed in 130 patients. The median age at operation was 72.9 ± 6.1 years (57-86 years). Emergency operation was performed in 9 patients (6.9 %) and the frozen elephant trunk technique was used in 51 patients (39.2 %). RESULTS: The in-hospital mortality rate was 3.8 %. Chronic renal failure (CRF) was identified as an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (p = 0.0001). Permanent neurological dysfunction occurred in nine patients (6.9 %). Clot or atheroma in the aneurysm (p = 0.01) and the duration of selective cerebral perfusion (p = 0.011) were identified as independent predictors of permanent neurological dysfunction. Long-term survival rates were 82.0 % at 3 years, 70.0 % at 5 years, and 52.4 % at 8 years postoperatively. CRF (p = 0.0190), age (p = 0.0147), and permanent neurological dysfunction (p = 0.0048) were identified as independent predictors of long-term mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention of permanent neurological dysfunction is crucial for long-term survival after TAR. Older patients with renal dysfunction may have reduced long-term survival after TAR.

Long-term results of endovascular repair for distal arch and descending thoracic aortic aneurysms treated by custom-made endografts: usefulness of fenestrated endografts.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated early and long-term results of atherosclerotic aneurysm repair with custom-made endografts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-one consecutive patients underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair with custom-made endografts. Fenestrated grafts were used in 37 patients (45.7%) to maintain blood flow of the neck and a landing zone for as long as possible for distal arch or proximal descending aneurysms. The rates of perioperative mortality, stroke, paraplegia, and primary endoleaks were assessed to evaluate in-hospital safety. The rates of endoleak development, survival, and freedom from aortic-related death were assessed to evaluate long-term efficiency. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (29.6%) underwent urgent operations, and 38 (46.9%) underwent distal arch or proximal descending aortic aneurysm repair. There was one case (1.2%) of in-hospital mortality and no cases of stroke. Permanent spinal injury occurred in one patient (1.2%). Early and late endoleaks occurred in one and 16 patients, respectively. The actuarial survival rates were 88.9%, 64.9%, and 51.7% at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. The actuarial rates of freedom from endoleaks were 90.1%, 81.3%, and 68.6% at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: Early results of custom-made endografts were excellent, and fenestrated endografts were safe for distal arch and proximal descending aortic aneurysms.

Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm: report of seven cases.

We reviewed 575 cases of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair performed in our institution from 1979 to 2010. In this group, 7 (1.2%) patients (mean age, 72.6 years) had evidence of inflammatory AAA (IAAA). Mean aneurysmal diameter was 70.4 mm as measured on CT, and the mantle sign was present in all cases. They were male smokers. Two patients had hydronephrosis, and required a ureteral stent before surgery. All patients underwent laparotomy, and no perioperative deaths occured. We suggest that operative technique should be modified to avoid excessive dissection on both the proximal and distal sides of the IAAA.

Circumferential dissection of the ascending aorta "intimo-intimal intussusception".

We describe a rare case of acute Stanford type A dissection with "intimo-intimal intussusception." A 38-year-old male with sudden back pain and unconsciousness was admitted to the hospital. A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed the presence of an intimal flap in the aortic root and the aortic arch, absence of an intimal flap in the ascending aorta along with dilatation and occlusion of the brachiocephalic artery. Surgical treatment consisted of ascending aorta replacement under circulatory arrest. During the operation, complete circumferential detachment of the intima at the level of the sinotubular junction with an inverted flap intruding into the brachiocephalic artery was visualized. The surgery was successful with an uneventful postoperative recovery.