Haruo Yamauchi

Peripartum type B aortic dissection in patients with Marfan syndrome who underwent aortic root replacement: a case series study

To investigate pregnancy outcomes, especially the risk of pregnancy‐related aortic dissection (AD), in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) after prophylactic aortic root replacement (ARR).

Biomechanical Analysis of an Aortic Aneurysm Model and Its Clinical Application to Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms for Defining “Saccular” Aneurysms

Background We aimed to develop a simple structural model of aortic aneurysms using computer‐assisted drafting (CAD) in order to create a basis of definition for saccular aortic aneurysms. Methods and Results We constructed a simple aortic aneurysm model with 2 components: a tube similar to an aorta and an ellipse analogous to a bulging aneurysm. Three parameters, including the vertical and horizontal diameters of the ellipse and the fillet radius, were altered in the model. Using structural analysis with the finite element method, we visualized the distribution of the maximum principal stress (MPS) in the aortic wall and identified the area(s) of prominent stress. We then selected patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms in whom the aneurysm expansion rates were followed up and applied the theoretical results to the raw imaging data. The maximum MPS drastically increased at areas where the aspect ratio (vertical/horizontal) was <1, indicating that “horizontally long” hypothetical ellipses should be defined as “saccular” aneurysms. The aneurysm expansion rate for the patients with thoracic aneurysms conforming to these parameters was significantly high. Further, “vertically long” ellipses with a small fillet might be candidates for saccular aneurysms; however, the clinical data did not support this. Conclusions Based on the biomechanical analysis of a simple aneurysm model and the clinical data of the thoracic aortic aneurysms, we defined “horizontally long” aortic aneurysms with an aspect ratio of <1 as “saccular” aneurysms.

Coronary Artery Perforation During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in a Patient with a Prior Modified Bentall Procedure

The Bentall procedure is a surgical technique for an ascending aortic or aortic aneurysm in combination with valve disease. A well-known uncommon complication of after the Bentall procedure is coronary artery stenosis related to coronary anastomosis of an interposed graft. We report on a 73-year-old woman who presented with heart failure secondary to graft stenosis of the right coronary artery 6 months after undergoing a modified Bentall procedure. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed and type II coronary artery perforation occurred during PCI of the right coronary artery. We used a perfusion balloon and achieved hemostasis successfully. We report a case of coronary artery perforation that was treated with perfusion balloon during PCI in a patient with a prior modified Bentall procedure. In addition, we present a case series of PCI for ostial coronary stenosis after the Bentall procedure.

Successful management of apical abscess after Nipro left ventricular assisted device explantation by removal of apical cuff and omentopexy

Nipro-Toyobo-paracorporeal pulsatile flow VAD (Nipro VAD; Nipro, Osaka, Japan) has been used most commonly as a paracorporeal VAD (p-VAD) in Japan. There are few reports describing clinical course of post LVAD explantation and its complication. We herein present two cases of apical abscess after the explantation of the device. SSI is a main risk factor of formation of the apical abscess at the time of LVAD explantation. It is mandatory to perform sufficient debridement and closure of the layers including abdominal muscle and anterior abdominal fascia at exit sites in the explantation surgery. Omentopexy is also helpful for prevention from infection. Routine removal of apical cuff and outflow graft could be considered as one of the options when LVAD is explanted as bridge to recovery.

Novel driveline route for prevention from driveline infection: Triple tunnel method

BACKGROUND The most prevalent and serious infection related to left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) is driveline infection (DLI). From 2014, we employed a revised surgical technique (triple tunnel method), which deployed a longer subfascial driveline (DL) route. METHODS AND PATIENTS We retrospectively analyzed 34 patients fitted with either of the two types of axial pumps: HeartMate II (n=23) and Jarvik 2000 (n=11). Prior to 2014, the DL proceeded from the pump pocket just above the posterior sheath of the rectus muscle toward a vertical skin incision at the right lateral border of the rectus muscle. Then, DL was turned leftward into the subcutaneous tissue to redirect its exit to the left side [subcutaneous tissue group (Group S): n=14]. From 2014, we made an additional skin incision below the umbilicus with the aim of lengthening the subfascial DL route [muscle group (Group M): n=20]. RESULTS DLI occurred in 10 patients (71.4%) in Group S and in 1 patient (5%) in Group M (p<0.05, Chi-square test). The freedom rate from re-admission at 1 year due to DLI was 64% in Group S and 95% in Group M, respectively (p=0.021, log-rank test). Furthermore, logistic regression analysis revealed that DL route was significantly associated with DLI (odds ratio, 10.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-275.3). CONCLUSION Although a longer follow-up period will be needed, the triple tunnel method may be beneficial in the prevention of DLI.

Single-center experience of the bridge-to-bridge strategy using the Nipro paracorporeal ventricular assist device

Currently, we use the Nipro paracorporeal VAD (p-VAD) for initial short-term ventricular support, as a bridge to decision (BTD) or a bridge to candidacy (BTC) treatment, in Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) levels 1 and 2 patients. However, it is possible that compared to patients with primary implantable-VADs (P-iVAD), the bridge-to-bridge (BTB) patients are more likely to develop complications. This retrospective study used data from 24 consecutive BTB patients who were initially implanted with Nipro p-VAD as BTD or BTC treatments between April 2011 and March 2016, and subsequently underwent conversion to an i-VAD. The data from 72 patients who underwent a primary i-VAD (P-iVAD) procedure were used for comparison. Between the two groups, there was no significant difference in the incidence of infectious events (p = 0.72) or stroke (p = 0.44). Orthotropic heart transplantation was performed in 6 of the 24 patients in the BTB group and in 21 of the 72 patients in the P-iVAD group. The 1- and 2-year survival rates were 95.8% and 95.8% in the BTB group and 91% and 85.8% in the P-iVAD group; these values were not significantly different between groups (p = 0.91). Based on these results we conclude that BTB using Nipro p-VAD is a reasonable strategy for treating patients with severe decompensated end-stage heart failure.

Authors' reply Re: ‘Peripartum type B aortic dissection in patients with Marfan syndrome who underwent aortic root replacement: a case series study’

Sir, We read with interest work published by Sayama et al. illustrating cases of Type B dissection in pregnancies in women with Marfan syndrome with a repaired aortic root. They report a 60% dissection rate in their cohort, which is worryingly high, but we wish to highlight several points. First, their cohort is very small, with only 14 women who met the Ghent criteria for Marfan syndrome; furthermore, only five of these women had an aortic root replacement prior to pregnancy. Secondly, it is unclear whether any of the women received counselling prior to pregnancy and whether the risk of dissection was discussed with them. This is of particular significance given that four of the five women who had a dissection had an aortic diameter greater than 45 mm prior to pregnancy and therefore would be classified as very high risk; indeed, many experts including the European Society of Cardiology would class such pregnancies as being contraindicated. It would be helpful to know whether the pregnancies were planned, whether the women were counselled and, if so, whether termination of pregnancy was considered, as aortic dissection in pregnancy can be fatal. In our practice we place a strong emphasis on preconception counselling that involves both obstetricians and cardiologists, so that women can be made aware of all the possible risks to them and their babies.&