Katsuhiko Matsuyama

Sternal closure by rigid plate fixation in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: a comparative study

Sternal instability or dehiscence results in serious sternal wound infection. We sought to assess the early outcomes with such a plating system for sternal closure in comparison to the conventional wiring technique in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Patients who underwent off-pump CABG were enrolled. Thirty-one patients received plate sternal fixation. A total of 64 patients who underwent off-pump CABG by a single surgeon at our hospital from July 2013 to December 2014 were enrolled. Thirty-one patients received plate sternal fixation (Plate group), while 33 received conventional wire closure (Wire group). The early outcomes, including the pain score and analgesic usage count were compared. Dietary intake was also recorded to assess the duration of appetite loss. At discharge, the largest sternal displacement was measured on computed tomography. In the Plate group, the pain scores were significantly lower on post-operative day 5–8 and POD 9–12 from those in the Wire group. The analgesic usage count on POD 9–12 was significantly lower in the Plate group. The duration of appetite loss and hospital stay was significantly shorter in the Plate group. The displacement in both the anterior–posterior and lateral directions was significantly smaller in the Plate group. Sternal closure by rigid plate fixation contributes to a more rapid post-operative recovery through reduced pain.

Effects of short-term administration of tolvaptan after open heart surgery

BACKGROUND Postoperative fluid overload following cardiac surgery is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Unlike loop diuretics, tolvaptan (TLV) promotes aquaretic effect. Relatively little has been documented regarding the efficacy of TLV after cardiac surgery. The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of tolvaptan for the management of immediately postoperative fluid retention following cardiac surgery. METHODS Between January to May 2014, patients undergoing cardiac surgery were randomly assigned to control or TLV group immediately after cardiac surgery. In control group, patients received 20mg of furosemide and 25mg of spironolactone as conventional diuretics. In the TLV group, 7.5mg of TLV was administered in combination with conventional diuretics. RESULTS TLV use was associated with increased urine output from postoperative day 1 to 3.Body weight reduction in the TLV group was significantly greater than the control group from postoperative day 2 to 4, and serum creatinine levels decreased to below preoperative values in the TLV group. CONCLUSIONS The combination of tolvaptan with conventional diuretics increases urine output without renal dysfunction and can be effective for postoperative fluid management and appropriate body weight reduction.

Flanged Elephant Trunk Technique at Distal Anastomosis for Total Arch Replacement With Multibranched Arch Graft

Bleeding from the distal anastomosis suture line in total arch replacement is a serious and major concern for surgeons. We present a simple, flanged elephant trunk technique to reduce or eliminate bleeding from the distal anastomosis suture line in total arch replacement using a multibranched arch graft. This method allows not only a secure and reinforced distal anastomosis, but also simultaneous elephant trunk insertion.

Bilateral coronary ostial stenosis and aortic regurgitation in a patient with cardiovascular syphilis

Cardiovascular syphilis is associated with the tertiary stage of syphilis infection; it involves the ascending aorta and can cause aortic aneurysm, aortic regurgitation, and coronary ostial stenosis. We report a surgical case of bilateral coronary ostial lesion and aortic regurgitation due to syphilitic aortitis. <Learning objective: Syphilitic aortitis involves the ascending aorta, resulting in aortic aneurysm, aortic regurgitation, and coronary ostial stenosis. Unlike atherosclerosis, coronary ostial stenosis is caused by aortic wall thickening, and coronary lesions distal to the ostia occur only rarely. After surgery, long-term follow up is mandatory as a result of aortic dilatation involving the sinuses of Valsalva, occurrence of prosthetic valve dehiscence, or graft failure caused by continuous infection of the aortic wall.>.

A Rare Case of Dacron Graft Rupture due to Friction against a Rib

A 54-year-old man underwent aortic repair for the infected thoracoabdominal aneurysm with a woven Dacron graft (Vascutek, Renfrewshire, Scotland) treated with gentian violet. Four months later, he complained of sudden back pain, resulting in preshock status. Computed tomographic scans showed massive hematoma around the Dacron graft, suggesting graft rupture. Initially, emergency thoracic endovascular aortic repair was performed, which was subsequently followed by open repair. The Dacron graft had a small hole, which was completely compatible with the site contacting with the rib. The graft rupture was considered due to its friction against the rib. We report on a rare event of mechanical Dacron graft rupture after the thoracoabdominal aortic replacement.

A case of ruptured infective coronary artery aneurysm

Infective coronary artery aneurysm is extremely rare and ruptured aneurysm is life-threatening. We report a case of ruptured coronary artery aneurysm, which was successfully treated by the patch closure technique and coronary artery bypass grafting. Pathological examination revealed purulent inflammation in the aneurysmal wall. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment were essential.

Successful treatment using percutaneous drainage for aortic arch prosthetic graft infection

Prosthetic graft infection in the ascending aorta or aortic arch is a life-threatening complication. Redo graft replacement is also associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. Conservative treatments without graft removal recently developed as alternatives to conventional surgical approach have been reported with successful outcomes. We report a case of successful treatment of prosthetic graft infection in the aortic arch, for which percutaneous catheter drainage was initially performed prior to open surgery, followed by graft coverage with an omental flap. <Learning objective: Redo graft replacement for the prosthetic graft infection in the ascending aorta or aortic arch is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. Conservative treatments without graft removal have recently been developed as alternatives to surgical approaches. Less invasive percutaneous drainage and irrigation would be a useful alternative second-line treatment before radical open repairs for the treatment of aortic graft infection.>.

Apicoaortic Valved Conduit Bypass for Progressing Aortic Graft Stenosis Due to Malformation of Repeated Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repairs

Since the first report by Cooley and colleagues in 1975 [Cooley DA, Norman JC, Mullins CE, Grace R. Left ventricle to abdominal aorta conduit for relief of aortic stenosis. Cardiovasc Dis 1975;2:376-83], an apicoaortic valved conduit bypass has been usually administrated to selected patients presenting with certain clinical conditions or complications such as aortic stenosis associated with porcelain aorta, unclampable atherosclerotic aorta, resternotomy, or previous coronary bypass surgery. On the other hand, thoracic endovascular aortic repair for various aortic lesions has become a promising and less invasive therapy. We encountered a critical case of a patient suffering from aortic graft stenosis due to malformation of a previous thoracic endovascular aortic repair procedure originally performed for acute type A aortic dissection. Because of a deep sternal wound infection, apicoaortic valved conduit bypass from the left ventricular apex to the abdominal aorta was successfully performed.

An elderly patient with severe aortic stenosis and myocardial infarction with a huge mobile thrombus as complication in the left ventricle

An 86-year-old woman was admitted for emergency treatment of increasing dyspnea. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed decreased left ventricular systolic function with dyskinesis at the apex, and severe aortic stenosis. The apex of the left ventricle showed a huge mobile thrombus. Coronary angiography revealed total occlusion at the middle portion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Emergency operation was successful, and a partially calcified thrombus was observed at the site of the old myocardial infarction area. In this case, myocardial infarction and elevated intraventricular pressure due to aortic stenosis likely contributed to the wall motion abnormality and thrombus formation.