Chikako Ikeda

Use of the Radial Artery Graft After Transradial Catheterization: Is It Suitable as a Bypass Conduit?

BACKGROUND The suitability of the radial artery after transradial catheterization as a bypass conduit has been of great concern to surgeons. METHODS A total of 67 patients underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting using the radial artery: 22 patients received preoperative transradial catheterization (group 1) and 45 patients did not receive transradial catheterization (group 2). Those patients were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS Patient characteristics, operative procedures, and early clinical outcome were not different between groups. The stenosis-free graft patency rates in groups 1 and 2 were 88% (16 of 18 patients) and 90% (38 of 42 patients) in the left internal thoracic artery (p = 0.87); 77% (17 of 22 patients) and 98% (48 of 49 patients) in the radial artery (p = 0.017); and 87% (13 of 15 patients) and 84% (21 of 25 patients) in the saphenous vein (p = 0.42), respectively. Intimal hyperplasia of the radial artery was observed in 68% (11 of 16 patients) in group 1 and in 39% (14 of 34 patients) in group 2 (p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS Transradial catheterization reduced early graft patency and caused intimal hyperplasia, although it did not affect early clinical outcomes. We suggest that the use of the radial artery as a bypass conduit after transradial catheterization should be undertaken cautiously.

Late patency of the left internal thoracic artery graft in patients with and without previous successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

The aim of this study was to compare early and late graft patency in patients with and without previous successful PTCA. Of the 70 patients who received both early and late follow-up angiography, 13 patients who had received successful PTCA at the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) before CABG (group I) and 31 patients who had not received preoperative PTCA in any vessel (group II) were retrospectively reviewed. There were no significant differences in patient characteristics including major coronary risk factors. The mean duration between the operation and control angiography was 35+/-23 months in group I and 36+/-19 months in group II (P=0.90). Occlusions of the LITA graft were observed in four patients of group I and in four patients of group II. Cumulative patencies of the LITA graft were 54% in group I and 83% in group II (P=0.12). The late patency rate of the LITA graft bypassed to the LAD in patients that received previous successful PTCA in the coronary artery tended to be lower than in patients without previous PTCA. This result should be confirmed by further prospective studies.

Left ventricular perforation and dissecting subepicardial hematoma after catheter ablation for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

Radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory bypass tracts has become a widely accepted therapy for Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. The procedure typically has a high success rate with a low incidence of complications. Left ventricular perforation is a rare but serious complication of catheter ablation. Here we describe a patient who developed left ventricular perforation and a dissecting subepicardial hematoma with cardiac tamponade following catheter ablation for WPW syndrome. Immediate hematoma evacuation and direct repair of the fragile myocardium were performed under cardiopulmonary bypass, and the patient survived with no further complications.

Gastroepiploic artery graft angiography via brachial approach using a Yumiko catheter.

We report here our initial experience in angiography of gastroepiploic artery (GEA) grafts via a brachial approach using the Yumiko catheter regarding technical aspect. Good‐quality GEA angiography was obtained in 12 (86%) of 14 patients using our technique. GEA graft angiography can be performed using the Yumiko catheter via a brachial approach. This technique may be less stressful for patients receiving coronary catheterization, including GEA graft angiography. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2004;61:350–353.

Intractable lung abscess successfully treated with cavernostomy and free omental plombage using microvascular surgery

A 68-year-old man, complaining of fever and puriform sputum, was referred to our hospital. A giant abscess was detected in the upper lobe of the right lung. Percutaneous drainage of a lung abscess was carried out. When the pus collected was cultured, Candida was 1+ and Escherichia coli was 2+. Later, it became difficult to control the abscess by drainage, and cavernostomy was selected. The contents of the abscess cavity were removed, and the cavity was opened, followed by exchange of gauze every day. For 14 months after cavernostomy, once-weekly gauze exchange was continued at the outpatient clinic to clean the abscess cavity. Finally, the abscess was filled with a free greater omentum flap, accompanied by microvascular anastomosis. In this way, the intractable lung abscess was successfully cured. Conventionally, surgical treatment, particularly cavernostomy, has been applied only to limited cases when dealing with a lung abscess. Our experience with the present case suggests that surgical treatment, including cavernostomy as one option, should also be considered when dealing with lung abscesses resisting medical treatment and causing compromised respiratory function. To enable maximum utilization of the greater omental flap, which is available in only a limited amount, it seems useful to prepare and graft a free omental flap making use of microvascular surgery.

Modification of the surgical procedure to enable the complete resection of lung cancer with carcinomatous pleuritis.

Carcinomatous pleuritis, accompanied by pleural dissemination or malignant pleural effusion, is listed as one of the factors limiting adequate surgical treatment. It is relatively easy to peel the parietal pleura of the chest wall and mediastinum during a pleuropneumonectomy, but it is quite difficult to peel the parietal pleura of the diaphragm. A pleuropneumonectomy was conducted with the combined resection of the pericardium and all layers of the diaphragm without opening of the peritoneum through a posterolateral subcostal approach. This approach thus made it possible to perform a complete resection of the diaphragm relatively easily in a reliable manner, and also contributed to a more thorough resection of pleural dissemination without a second thoracotomy.

Skeletonized arterial graft holder for coronary artery bypass grafting

A skeletonized arterial graft holder, designed for use during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, is described. This new holder is atraumatic and holds a skeletonized arterial graft securely during anastomosis. It helps the operator to make the first several stitches avoiding graft injuries, and the use of this instrument facilitates the use of skeletonized arterial grafts for coronary artery bypass grafting.