[Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Traumatic Aortic Injury with Internal Iliac Approach;Report of a Case].

A 40-year-old female was injured in a car accident while driving. Computed tomography confirmed a dissection localized to the distal aortic arch and hematoma around the area. Severe liver damage with surrounding extravasation was also confirmed. Furthermore, multiple rib fractures and lumbar spine fracture were apparent. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair( TEVAR) was performed after transcatheter arterial embolization to treat the liver injury. As both the iliac and femoral arteries were narrow, the internal iliac artery was transected peripherally and used as an access route. This method does not require complex procedures such as artificial vascular anastomosis for vascular repair in the event of injury. Therefore, it may be considered as an option when access from the femoral artery is difficult.

[Surgical Repair for Blunt Cardiac Rupture].

Blunt cardiac injury is a life-threatening condition. We report 3 successful cases in which we performed surgery for blunt cardiac injury. Three individuals were injured, 2 in traffic accidents and the other being caught between a crane and a steel frame. Echocardiograms and computed tomography scans revealed pooling of bloody pericardial fluid in all 3 patients, who underwent emergency surgery. Two patients needed sutures to control persistent bleeding. Although a heart-lung machine was prepared at the start of surgery in all 3 cases, we did not need to use it for any patient. Thus, prior to performing such surgery, it is necessary to ascertain its need.

[Pulmonary Benign Metastasizing Leiomyoma Resected Six Times during Twenty Years;Report of a Case].

Benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML) is a rare condition in which a benign uterine leiomyoma causes metastasis, mainly to the lungs. The patient was a 72-year-old woman who had undergone hysterectomy for an uterine leiomyoma at 37 years of age. Between the ages of 52 and 68 years, she had undergone 5 metastatectomies for 10 BMLs. At the current presentation, 2 nodules located in the right upper lobe of the lung were resected. The histological diagnosis was BML, and immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that the tumor cells were positive for estrogen and progesterone receptors. Two years after surgery, the patient is alive without recurrence or respiratory symptoms. Multiple resections can be a treatment option for BML.

[Solitary pulmonary lesion developed after the resection of primary lung cancer].

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of solitary pulmonary lesion developed after the resection of primary lung cancer and the outcome. Between 1990 and 2011, 1,004 patients underwent complete resection for primary lung cancer in our hospital and we retrospectively analyzed 53 patients with a history of primary lung cancer resection who had a solitary pulmonary lesion. Pulmonary resections were performed in 43 patients. Wedge resection and segmentectomy were performed in 42( 98%) of them. There was no operative death. The diagnosis was 2nd primary lung cancer in 28 patients, recurrent lesion in 9, and benign lesions in 6. Malignant tumor ratio of resected cases was 86%.Other unresected 10 cases were not diagnosed historogically and 9 of them underwent radiation therapy. The 5-year survival rate was 57.3% in those with 2nd primary lung cancer, 55.5% in those with recurrent lesion, and 64.3% in those with undiagnosed-unresected lesions( no significant difference). It is important to take a surgical approach for a diagnosis and to treat with standard therapy for both 2nd primary lung cancer and recurrent lesion. Sublobar resection may be adequate. In patients with a undiagnosed nodule who were not able to have 2nd surgery, radiation therapy may be permitted and effective.

Simple active air evacuation procedure for right ventricular failure caused by intracoronary air embolism.

In cardiac surgical cases such as valve replacement, right ventricular failure caused by intracoronary air embolism sometimes occurs after aortic declamping and during weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The details are reported of a de-airing method which involves simply rotating the arterial cannula towards the base of the heart, with no need for a particular circuit. This method was used in ten patients who, following open-heart surgery, suffered postoperative right ventricular failure due to air embolism in the right coronary artery that did not respond to other de-airing methods. The technique resolved the problem in all patients, who were quickly weaned from CPB and ultimately discharged. Rotation of the arterial cannula may represent a simple means of resuscitating patients who have suffered right ventricular dysfunction that is unrelieved by other, conventional methods.

Severe aortic insufficiency due to a huge leaflet perforation in Libman-Sacks syndrome: report of a case.

A 40-year-old woman who was diagnosed to have systemic lupus erythematosus developed complications of cerebral infarction and alveolar hemorrhage. Close examination revealed severe aortic insufficiency, and she was diagnosed with Libman-Sacks syndrome. Due to progressive dilatation of the left ventricle and her easily fatigued state, surgery was performed. On pathological examination, holes of 4-mm and 5-mm diameter were detected in the left coronary and noncoronary cusps of the aortic valve, respectively. The morphology of the valve lesions showed a characteristic shape of such huge holes.

[Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting with large cerebral infarction; report of a case].

A 48-year-old male was consulted to our hospital on the next day when he was developed acute myocardial infarction (AMI). He developed cerebral infarction 26 years ago, and had left hemiparesis. Coronary angiogram revealed left main trunk and 2 vessels disease which was not amenable to catheter intervention, and brain computed tomography (CT) showed a very large infarction in right cerebrum. Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) double bypass grafting was performed. The paralysis did not get worse in the post operative course. He was discharged to his home. If the cerebral infarction is chronic phase with preserved neurological function, OPCAB may be recommended, even if it is large infarction.

[Robot assisted tumor resection of an asymptomatic right atrial intracardiac lipoma; report of a case].

Primary cardiac tumors are relatively rare. No therapeutic guidelines have been established for the surgical indications of such cases. This creates therapeutic dilemmas, especially when the patient is asymptomatic. We describe the robot-assisted resection of an asymptomatic right atrial lipoma. A 63-year-old female was diagnosed to have a round mobile lipoma, measuring 27 mm in diameter in the right atrium near the junction with the inferior vena cava (IVC). Although she was asymptomatic, a surgical resection was indicated since the lipoma could cause an embolism or IVC obstruction due to its morbidity and potential to enlarge. Surgery was performed using the da Vinci Surgical System. A right-sided approach was used through 4 ports. The tumor was resected with a small portion of the right atrial wall. The total operation time was 214 minutes, and the total pump time was 84 minutes. The operation was performed while the heart was beating.

Inferior vena cava occluder for remote access perfusion in robotic cardiac surgery.

Robotic cardiac surgery requires remote access perfusion. We have developed an inferior vena cava (IVC) occluder that can safely and conveniently drain blood from the IVC. This device has been clinically applied in one patient, as described herein. The framework for this device is made from a single superelastic nitinol wire, 0.30 mm in diameter. Diameter of the spreading site of the device is decided from computed tomographic images. A polyester fabric membrane (thickness 0.10 mm) is set at the tip of this framework. The occluder is deployed through an 18-F sheath. This device was used in a 64-year-old woman with lipoma in the right atrial wall near the IVC-right atrium interface. In this patient, it might not have been possible to completely reset the tumour by conventional IVC occlusion using a snare. The occluder was smoothly and safely deployed and retracted. During placement of the occluder, blood did not flow from the IVC into the right atrium. During extracorporeal circulation, vacuum drainage was performed with no air contamination. The tumour was resected by a three-arm da Vinci Surgical System. The IVC occluder needs to completely block the IVC and avoid obstructing the inflow region of the hepatic vein. This device obviates the need to place a snare on the IVC, and thus should directly improve the safety of robotic cardiac surgery and shorten the operating time.

[On/off-pump beating coronary artery bypass grafting after thoracoplasty].

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) [OPCAB] or on-pump beating CABG (conventional CABG) was performed in 3 post-thoracoplasty patients. Considering their poor respiratory function after thoracoplasty, OPCAB is considered more suitable than conventional CABG with cardio-pulmonary bypass in such cases with severe coronary lesions. However, because the sternum inclines or the pleural cavity may be polluted in these patients, special care is necessary for the operation. In such cases, it may be impossible to bypass to the circumflex artery in OPCAB, and is necessary to consider the use of percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS), cardio-pulmonary bypass or hybrid therapy before the operation.

Potassium-induced cardiac resetting technique for persistent ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation after aortic declamping.

We report a technique of injecting a high concentration of potassium chloride into the aorta root to resolve refractory ventricular tachycardia after aortic declamping, which occurs occasionally in open heart surgeries. Using this technique, normal sinus rhythm can be restored without the need for defibrillation and aortic clamping.

Awake coronary artery bypass grafting under thoracic epidural anesthesia: great impact on off-pump coronary revascularization and fast-track recovery.

OBJECTIVE: The ultimate goal of minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is day surgery. We evaluated the potential of a new awake CABG protocol using only epidural anesthesia in realizing day surgery. METHODS: Seventy-two patients who underwent awake off-pump CABG (OPCAB) in our institute from March 2003 were studied. One day before surgery, an epidural catheter was placed at the Th1-2 interspace. On the day of surgery, local anesthetics were delivered via the catheter to provide a level of epidural block from C6 to Th8. Among 1260 patients who underwent OPCAB under general anesthesia (GA) during this study period, 67 of them who matched for age and gender with the awake OPCAB group were selected as controls (GA group). Postoperative fast-track recovery was evaluated. RESULTS: In 67 of the 72 patients (93%), awake OPCAB under consciousness and spontaneous breathing was fully accomplished. Five patients had to be administered GA. Ten patients (14.9%) were able to leave the operating room in a wheelchair. The time to drink water, the time to walk, and hospital stay were significantly shorter in awake OPCAB group than in the GA group. There were no operative and postoperative complications or deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the presence of severe preoperative comorbidities in this series, good surgical outcome was obtained. Almost all the patients were able to drink water and walk very soon after surgery, suggesting the potential of this protocol as one-day or day surgery. Awake OPCAB is a promising modality of ultra-minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

Pseudocoarctation of the aorta complicated by thoracic aortic aneurysm.

Pseudocoarctation is a rare anomaly involving kinking or buckling of the aorta without a pressure gradient across the lesion, considered to be a benign entity warranting no specific intervention. An uncommon case of pseudocoarctation associated with aortic aneurysm formation in 21-year-old woman is described. Pathological findings suggested that the etiology was anomalous development of the aorta in association with pseudocoarctation; therefore, careful follow-up of patients affected by pseudocoarctation is mandatory.

Multivessel awake off-pump coronary bypass grafting using median approach: technical considerations.

OBJECTIVE: : Several reports of awake off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (AOCAB) under high thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) for single-vessel grafts have been published, but few have described its application in multiple bypass procedures. We report the procedures and safety of AOCAB for multivessel disease. METHODS: : Fifty-five multivessel AOCAB (52 men, 3 women; aged 68 ± 9.5 years) were performed at our hospital between 2003 and 2010. A medium sternotomy was made after TEA was established. During coronary artery anastomosis, a stabilizer and an apical suction device were used, and a coronary artery active perfusion system was used to maintain flow distal to the anastomosis. Pneumothorax due to pleural opening, when occurred, was repaired using Neoveil sheet and drainage tube. RESULTS: : There was no operative death and no cerebral ischemia, cardiac arrhythmia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Operating time was 177 ± 35 minutes. Left internal thoracic artery was used in 55 anastomoses, right internal thoracic artery in 7, gastroepiploic artery in 17, radial artery in 48, and saphenous vein in 24. Time of anastomosis was 4.93 ± 0.92 minutes for left anterior descending coronary artery, 4.75 ± 1.21 minutes for circumflex artery, and 4.98 ± 1.02 minutes for right coronary artery. Intraprocedural pneumothorax occurred in 17 cases; 14 were repaired and nonintubated AOCAB was accomplished, 1 was intubated, and 2 had temporary assisted ventilation and laryngeal mask. Time to discharge was 15.5 ± 8.4 days. CONCLUSIONS: : Multivessel AOCAB under TEA is not only feasible but also safe. Multiple grafts can be harvested under TEA, and complete vascularization is possible under constant monitoring of blood pressure and consciousness.

Tepid hypothermic (32° C) circulatory arrest for total aortic arch replacement: a paradigm shift from profound hypothermic surgery.

In total aortic arch replacement (TARCH) using hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) and selective cerebral perfusion (SCP), postoperative cerebral complications, including metabolic abnormalities, are by no means rare. Furthermore, there is a lack of international guidelines for the optimal perfusion temperature and flow for SCP. Starting in 2008, TARCH was performed using tepid HCA at 32 °C. In the present study, 27 patients (group C) who underwent TARCH with deep hypothermia at the lowest rectal temperatures of 20-25 °C were retrospectively reviewed and compared with 23 patients (group W) who underwent TARCH with 32 °C tepid hypothermia. Preoperative patient characteristics and intraoperative and postoperative parameters were compared. Preoperative patient characteristics did not differ significantly between the two groups. Circulatory arrest time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, operating time, amount of blood transfused and postoperative neurological complications were significantly reduced in group W compared with group C. Our procedure of TARCH using tepid hypothermia at 32 °C was safe, and it significantly reduced all parameters of extracorporeal circulation time. However, this study has several limitations. To indicate the safety and usefulness of tepid HCA for TARCH, a further multifaceted study should be performed with a greater number of patients.

Multivisceral fibromuscular dysplasia: an unusual case of renal and superior mesenteric involvement.

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), a disease process which leads to arterial stenosis and aneurysm formation, has been reported to occur in almost every arterial bed in the body. However, multivisceral FMD is rare, and we report a 43-year-old woman with hypertension who had incidental finding of FMD of both renal arteries and the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). The left renal aneurysms and right renal stenosis were successfully treated by aneurysm resection and aortorenal bypass and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, respectively. The asymptomatic FMD of the SMA was treated conservatively. The indications for intervention in patients with asymptomatic FMD have not been clarified till date, and we therefore advise a close surveillance program.

Minimally invasive cardiac surgery for a young woman with Marfan syndrome and mitral regurgitation.

The case involved a 26-year-old woman with Marfan syndrome (MFS) and severe mitral valve regurgitation who hoped to bear a child. Anticipating future surgery to treat cardiovascular disease via a median sternotomy, we performed mitral annuloplasty via a right anterior thoracotomy. Mitral valve repair for mitral valve regurgitation via a right anterior thoracotomy is one of the most beneficial procedures for patients with MFS.

Thoracic epidural anesthesia for coronary bypass surgery affects autonomic neural function and arrhythmias.

BACKGROUND: : In recent years, the invasiveness of coronary reconstruction has been markedly reduced. Awake off-pump coronary artery bypass (AOCAB), coronary bypass surgery with thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) without general anesthesia and cardiopulmonary bypass), has been reported in the literature. Because the details of this technique are still unclear, we evaluated its usefulness by examining the autonomic neural state and the incidence of arrhythmia. METHODS: : Fifty-five patients who underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) between April and December 2003 were included in the study. Patients who underwent CABG under high TEA alone comprised group A, those who underwent CABG under general anesthesia combined with TEA comprised group B, and those who underwent CABG under general anesthesia alone comprised group C. Holter electrocardiography was performed before and after surgery, and perioperative electrocardiograms were recorded (before surgery and during surgery, postoperative days 0-3, and postoperative day 7). On obtained electrocardiograms, the autonomic neural state was evaluated by analysis of heart rate variability, and the incidence of atrial fibrillation. RESULTS: : Concerning the autonomic neural state, sympathetic inhibition was observed during TEA in both groups A and B. After discontinuation of TEA, sympathetic activity recovered. Vagal activity was not inhibited in group A, but decreased during surgery and gradually recovered after surgery in group B. Evaluation of the balance between sympathetic and vagal activities showed that sympathetic activity became predominant rapidly on postoperative day 2 in group B but gradually after surgery in group A. The incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation was the highest in group B. CONCLUSIONS: : In AOCAB, because there is no vagal inhibition, vagal dominance can be maintained after surgery. This may be associated with the lower incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation in group A compared with group B. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the details of AOCAB.