Junichiro Nishizawa

Predictors of residual tricuspid regurgitation after mitral valve surgery.

BACKGROUND Whether preoperative tricuspid regurgitation (TR) will regress or progress late after surgery is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate predictors of significant TR late after mitral valve surgery. METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on a total of 174 patients who underwent mitral valve surgery without tricuspid valve surgery. Preoperatively, 46 patients (26%) had 2+ TR, and 128 patients (74%) had 1+ or less TR. Postoperative 3+ TR was considered significant TR. Variables were used to evaluate predictors of TR development by univariate or multivariate analysis. RESULTS The mean follow-up was 8.2 years (range 1.0 to 14.5 years) after surgery. There was progressive TR (3+ or more) in 28 patients (16%) during the follow-up period. In univariate analysis, atrial fibrillation, rheumatic etiology, huge left atrium, left ventricular dysfunction, and preoperative 2+ TR were significant risk factors for TR development. Multivariate analysis identified preoperative 2+ TR, atrial fibrillation, and huge left atrium as statistically significant predictors for late TR after surgery. CONCLUSIONS Aggressive repair of accompanying TR should be undertaken at the time of initial surgery in patients with huge left atrium or atrial fibrillation, even if preoperative TR is 2+.

Surgical treatment of five patients with aortobronchial fistula in the aortic arch

Aortobronchial fistula (ABF) is a rare condition that is almost always fatal in the absence of prompt and proper treatment. However, treatment remains challenging, particularly in the aortic arch. We present six operations for 5 such patients, in which no in-hospital deaths occurred. One patient with mycotic aneurysm died suddenly 10 months postoperatively. Another patient required reoperation 5-months after operation due to additional ABF. No pseudoaneurysms or graft-related complications were observed in the remaining patients. In patients with ABF, performance of operations as soon as possible after onset and minimal dissection of adherent lung tissue appear to improve outcomes.

Successful repair of an aortoesophageal fistula caused by a thoracic aortic aneurysm: Report of a case

Aortoesophageal fistula occurring as a complication of a thoracic aortic aneurysm is difficult to repair because of the contaminated surgical field. We report the case of a 67-year-old man in whom an aortoesophageal fistula developed secondary to a dissecting thoracic aortic aneurysm. We performed in situ graft repair of the aneurysm, then covered the site with omentum and resected the esophagus to prevent graft infection. About 5 months later, the esophagus was reconstructed subcutaneously using an ascending colon pedicle. The patient recovered well and has resumed leading a normal life.

Long-term results of reoperative mitral valve surgery in patients with rheumatic disease

BACKGROUND Reoperative (redo) mitral valve surgery is still a continuing challenge to surgeons. The aim of this study was to detect the factors that affect late mortality or morbidity after redo mitral valve surgery in patients with rheumatic disease. METHODS Between May 1983 and February 2003, 92 patients who underwent redo mitral valve surgery for rheumatic disease were enrolled. Risk factors influencing survival or cardiac events were investigated with univariate analysis and a Cox model. RESULTS Operative mortality rate was 4.2%. Kaplan-Meier actuarial analysis demonstrated an 84.7% 5-year, a 69.5% 10-year, and a 65.9% 15-year survival. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age at surgery and preoperative New York Heart Association (NYHA) class were found to be independent predictors of late deaths, and that higher age, advanced NYHA class, and previous mitral valve replacement were independent predictors of cardiac events. CONCLUSIONS Redo mitral valve surgery can be achieved with low early mortality. However, long-term results of redo mitral surgery are not necessarily satisfactory in patients with preoperative advanced NYHA class or with a previous mechanical heart valve, and especially in 60 years or older age.

Coronary artery bypass grafting for patients with an atherosclerotic ascending aorta.

OBJECTIVES We review the outcome of coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with a severe atherosclerotic ascending aorta. METHODS Subjects were 31 patients averaging 69.4 +/- 6.9 years old studied from 1990 through 1998. Ascending aortic lesions were assessed using epiaortic echo and 2 types of aortic nonclamping techniques applied. In 29 patients operated on in the early years, bypass grafting was conducted on the hypothermic fibrillated heart in 22 and on the beating heart in 7. The remaining 2 underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting more recently. For cases with multivessel disease, we used composite grafting. RESULTS Three patients developed mild stroke and 5 died within 30 days of surgery--4 from multiple emboli (1 accompanied by a stroke) and 1 from perioperative myocardial infarction. One hospital death occurred due to brain damage and multiorgan failure following unexpected rupture of a saphenous vein graft. No cardiac deaths occurred in the late stage of our series. Actuarial survival was 73.0% for 3 years and 68.0% for 5 years. Freedom from cardiac events was favorable in the remaining 25 survivors. CONCLUSIONS Outcome was suboptimal for the risks involved. Recent technical advances, including coronary surgery on the beating heart with or without cardiopulmonary bypass using variable in-situ or free arterial grafts, associated with adequate evaluation of systemic atherosclerosis, should improve this outcome.

Mini-Incision Midline Approach for Infrarenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

A small (13.1 ± 1.3 cm) anterior midline incision is described for graft replacement of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms. Stoney vasculature retractors were employed to achieve sufficient exposure. The operative outcome was satisfactory in 33 elective cases.