Junji Yunoki

Surgical Revascularization for Acute Coronary Syndrome : Comparative Surgical and Long-term Results

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the adequate timing of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS In our institution, emergency CABG has been avoided when possible for ACS patients favoring stabilization with medical therapies, including intra-aortic balloon pumping or percutaneous coronary intervention. After thorough preoperative examinations, an urgent CABG is performed. A total of 67 patients with ACS underwent CABG, comprised of 33 patients receiving an emergency CABG (emergent group: E-G) and 34 patients receiving an urgent CABG (urgent group: U-G). The early and long-term results were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS Preoperatively, the incidences of acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock were significantly higher in E-G. No significant differences were found in the intraoperative factors except for the number of distal anastomoses (2.5 in E-G vs. 3.1 in U-G, p=0.01). The hospital mortality was 9.1% in E-G, and 2.9% in U-G, with no significant difference between the groups. Moreover, no patient in U-G necessitated emergency CABG while waiting for surgery. The patency rate of the grafts was 100% in E-G, and 96.2% in U-G. The 5-year survival rate excluding in-hospital death was 80.3% in E-G, and 78% in U-G (p>0.05). The 5-year cardiac event-free rate was 80.3% in E-G, and 80.9% in U-G (p>0.05). CONCLUSION An emergency CABG can be reserved for ACS patients when symptoms and hemodynamic state are stabilized with medical therapies. Improvements in long-term results can be expected after high quality and complete surgical revascularization.

Mitral Valve Stenosis Caused by Abnormal Pannus Extension over the Prosthetic Ring and Leaflets After Duran Ring Mitral Annuloplasty

Abstract  We treated a 61‐year‐old woman with mitral stenosis caused by pannus formation after Duran ring annuloplasty. Pannus overgrowth on the ring with extension onto both leaflets narrowed the mitral orifice and severely restricted the mobility of the valve leaflets. Mitral valve replacement with a St. Jude Medical mechanical heart valve prosthesis was successfully performed, and the postoperative course was uneventful. Patients undergoing Duran ring annuloplasty should be followed up with the consideration of possible mitral stenosis caused by pannus extension, as the cause for pannus formation remains unclear.

Preoperative Evaluation of the Right Gastroepiploic Artery on Multidetector Computed Tomography in Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

BACKGROUND The right gastroepiploic artery (GEA) is commonly used in coronary artery bypass grafting, but a method for preoperative assessment of the suitability of the GEA has not been established. Here, we assessed the efficacy of 64-slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) for this purpose. METHODS Multidetector computed tomography was performed for 32 patients (24 males, 8 females; mean age, 65.9 +/- 7.4 years) undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Preoperative MDCT criteria for GEA suitability were no significant stenosis or calcification and a diameter of 2.0 mm or more in the middle portion of the GEA. The skeletonized GEA was inspected in 30 patients to determine the accuracy of evaluation of arteriosclerosis by MDCT (2 patients were excluded owing to severe GEA stenosis). The internal diameter at the anastomotic site was compared with the diameters of the proximal, distal, and middle regions of the GEA on MDCT. RESULTS The GEA was used to bypass a target coronary artery in 30 patients. The diameter of the middle of the GEA on MDCT correlated strongly with the actual internal diameter at the anastomotic site (r = 0.72, p < 0.0001). The diameter at the anastomotic site calculated from MDCT using the distance from the GEA origin to the anastomotic site and the actual diameter did not differ significantly (2.76 +/- 0.6 versus 2.87 +/- 0.5 mm, p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS Preoperative MDCT imaging of the GEA is reliable for diagnosis, and a middle diameter of 2.0 mm or greater can be used to indicate GEA suitability for coronary artery bypass grafting.

Partial Aortic Root Remodeling with an Adventitial Inversion Technique for an Acute Type A Aortic Dissection

Abstract  This case report describes a partial aortic root remodeling, which applied a valve‐sparing technique, with an adventitial inversion technique for an acute type A aortic dissection with intimal tear extending into the noncoronary sinus of Valsalva. Postoperative computed tomography at six months showed no dissection or pseudoaneurysm in the aortic root. (J Card Surg 2010;25:327‐329)

Passing the Right Internal Thoracic Artery Through the Transverse Sinus

We describe a simple reliable method to pass the right internal thoracic artery safely through the transverse sinus. At first, a 4-mm-wide vascular tape is passed through the transverse sinus. The cut end of the right internal thoracic artery is then attached to the right end of the tape with a hemoclip. Pulling the left end of the tape leftwards can ensure the passage of the right internal thoracic artery without any risk of twisting.