Keiichiro Tayama

Aneurysm of aberrant right subdavian artery arising from diverticulum of kommerell. Report of a case with tracheal compression

A 74-year-old woman presented with severe dyspnea without dysphagia. Computed tomographic scans and Digital subtraction angiography revealed the left aortic arch with an aberrant right subclavian artery arising from the Kommerells diverticulum and tracheal compression. The aortic arch and the Kommerells diverticulum were aneurysmal and were responsible for this compression. Surgical relief was accomplished by replacement of the aortic arch and reconstruction of the four brachiocephalic vessels with vascular prostheses through a median sternotomy incision extending into the right supraclavicular region.

High-dose cimetidine reduces proinflammatory reaction after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass

BACKGROUND Cimetidine, which is usually used for gastric ulcer, enhances cellular immunity. The effect of cimetidine on perioperative proinflammatory response after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass was investigated. METHODS Elective coronary artery bypass graft cases in which CPB was performed were placed randomly in a cimetidine (C) group (n = 20) or a no-treatment (N) group (n = 20). The time course of plasma levels of neutrophil elastase, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, leukocyte counts, lymphocyte recovery ratio, C-reactive protein, creatine-kinase-MB, and oxygenation index were analyzed. RESULTS The plasma levels of neutrophil elastase and IL-8 were inhibited in the C groups at 2 hours after CPB termination. In a comparison of the two groups, the C group demonstrated higher lymphocyte recovery ratio and lower C-reactive protein on postoperative day 5 and shorter intubation time. No intergroup differences were observed in IL-6, leukocyte counts, creatine-kinase-MB levels, or oxygenation index. CONCLUSIONS Cimetidine may reduce surgical stress and augment the immune system after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Cerebral protection selection in aortic arch surgery for patients with preoperative complications of cerebrovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE Retrograde perfusion is gaining acceptance as a means of cerebral protection, but it remains unclear how long the brain is protected and whether it is effective in patients with preoperative cerebrovascular disease. METHODS From January 1989 to August 1999, 205 patients--118 male and 87 female patients who ranged 12 to 86 years old, mean: 65.5 years old--underwent surgery at our hospital for aortic arch aneurysm using cerebral protection. We focused on mortality, stroke incidence and perioperative risk factor between 2 groups--selective cerebral and retrograde cerebral perfusion--also studying patients with preoperative cerebrovascular disease that influenced postoperative stroke. RESULTS The hospital mortality was 11.7% (selective cerebral perfusion group: 12%, retrograde group: 10.9%). Stroke occurred in 11 patients (5.3%), 4.7% in the selective cerebral perfusion group and 7.3% in the retrograde group. Preoperative cerebrovascular disease does not appear to be a risk factor for postoperative brain damage in aortic arch surgery. Regarding total replacement of the aortic arch, the incidence of postoperative brain damage in the retrograde group with preoperative cerebrovascular disease was higher than that in another group (p = 0.072). Cardiopulmonary bypass time and selective cerebral perfusion time in the patients with postoperative stroke were significantly longer than that in non-stroke group. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative cerebrovascular disease did not appear to be a risk factor in postoperative neurological deficit in the selective cerebral perfusion group. Prolonged selective cerebral perfusion time and cardiopulmonary bypass time may, however, lead to brain edema and cause neurological deficit.

Postoperative Left Ventricular Mass Regression After Aortic Valve Replacement for Aortic Stenosis

BACKGROUND Small valve size and prosthetic patient mismatch are both considered to have harmful effects on residual left ventricular hypertrophy after aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis. In general, it is believed that the effective orifice area index of the prosthesis must not be less than 0.85 cm(2)/m(2) in order to avoid prosthetic patient mismatch. On the other hand, studies have shown that valve type and valve size had no effects on postoperative left ventricular mass (LVM). The objective of this report was to examine the relationships between patient characteristics or the prosthetic valve and postoperative LVM. METHODS To evaluate the factors that influence postoperative LVM, we formulated the hypothesis that postoperative LVM is proportional to the sum total of pressure at the prosthetic valve orifice and inner surface area of the left ventricle in systole. We present a conceptually new index for postoperative LVM and compare the index with postoperative LVM. RESULTS The results indicated a strong correlation between the new index and postoperative LVM six years after surgery (r(2) =0.67, p < 0.0001). As might be expected, LVM increased gradually as the value of the new index increased. CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study indicate that postoperative left ventricular hypertrophy can be avoided by preventing postoperative hypertension in patients without left ventricular dilatation and an effective orifice area index is greater than 0.77 cm(2)/m(2).

Results of intra-wound continuous negative pressure irrigation treatment for mediastinitis

Abstract Intra-wound continuous negative pressure irrigation treatment (IW-CONPIT) was administered to cases of mediastinitis as the therapy of choice, with satisfactory results being obtained in terms of improved survival rates and quick healing of wounds. Accordingly, these treatment results and efficacy were evaluated. After debridement, a sponge was trimmed to conform to the shape of the wound and then it was attached to the surface of the wound. Two tubes with several side holes were placed within the sponge. In cases in which the blood vessels and/or the heart are exposed, an artificial dermis was attached to cover the blood vessels and/or the heart in order to not come in direct contact with the sponge. Next, the top of the wound was covered with polyethylene film to create an air-tight wound seal. A bottle of saline solution was connected to one of the tubes and a continuous aspirator to the other, and continuous negative pressure irrigation of the wound was thus carried out. After performing this treatment for 2–3 weeks, and when wound granulation improved, either skin grafts or the transplantation of muscle flaps was performed as necessary to achieve wound healing. A combination of the continuous negative pressure method and the continuous irrigation method resulted in improved healing rates and lower mortality rates for mediastinitis. It also significantly reduced the number of dressings, as well as the degree of labour and medical materials required; therefore, a reduced hospital stay and shorter treatment period was thus achieved using this treatment method.

Concentric wear of the Delrin disc in a Bjork-Shiley heart valve prosthesis: report of two cases.

We report herein the cases of two patients who received replacement of aortic Bjork-Shiley Delrin (BSD) valves that had been implanted for over 20 years following the development of aortic regurgitation (AR) resulting from wear of a Delrin disc. Case 1 was a 61-year-old woman in whom echocardiography revealed marked left ventricular dilatation and moderate AR 23 years after an aortic valve replacement (AVR) with a 21-mm BSD valve. Case 2 was a 51-year-old woman in whom echocardiography revealed marked dilation of the right atrium and moderate AR 23 years and 8 months after an AVR with a 21-mm BSD valve, as well as a mitral valve replacement with a 3M Starr-Edwards (SE) ball valve and tricuspid annuloplasty. In both patients, the BSD valves were replaced with other mechanical valves at reoperation. Examination of the explanted BSD valves showed that the Delrin discs contained increases in the radial gaps and strut indentation grooves on the inflow and outflow surfaces. The type and magnitude of the wear on the Delrin discs in these valves were consistent with data reported in the literature for this valve design after similar implant duration.

Clinical benefits of deep sedation with a supraglottic airway while monitoring the bispectral index during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation

Pulmonary vein antrum isolation (PVAI) under sedation has proven to be a useful strategy for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Surgical management of a graftenteric fistula: a modified method of in situ reconstruction.

Abstract Between December 1989 and May 1998, we performed a modified method of in situ reconstruction on three of seven patients with graftenteric fistulas (GEFs) at the Kurume University Hospital. The modification involved performing an anastomosis of the infrarenal abdominal aorta and running a new prosthesis through the left side of the descending colon in the retroperitoneal cavity, and wrapping the proximal anastomosis and the proximal site of the prosthesis in the greater omentum. Good results were achieved in all three patients. We describe herein this modified method of in situ reconstruction for a GEF and summarize the case reports of these three patients.

Reoperations for Aneurysmal Disease of the Ascending Aorta, Aortic Arch, and Descending Aorta: Their Causes and Operative Results

Between 1984 and 1993, 20 patients underwent reoperation for the thoracic aorta or ascending aorta and aortic valve. There were 14 male and 6 female patients who ranged in age from 28 to 70 years with a mean of 53.2 years. The mean interval between initial operation and the 2nd operation was 70.4 months. Of the 20 patients, 6 had stigmata of Marfans syndrome. The primary aortic pathology requiring initial operation was annuloaortic ectasia in 10 patients, aortic valvular disease in 5, aortic dissection in 3, and mega aorta syndrome, aortic aneurysm in multiple segments, or aortic arch aneurysm in 1 each. Cause of reoperation was pseudoaneurysm formation at suture lines in the ascending aorta in 6 patients, new or progressive dilatation in the remaining aortic segment in 5, new or persistent aortic dissection in 4, graft infection in 2, and recurrent aortic arch aneurysm in 1. The remaining 2 patients received a planned two-stage operation for multiple aneurysms or mega aorta syndrome. Six patients died early after reoperation, yielding a hospital mortality rate of 30%; however, 3 of the 6 deaths were related to a compromised preoperative clinical condition and 1 to perioperative contamination. Two operative deaths (10%) were related to operative techniques. Results suggest application of separate grafts for coronary artery reattachment, as in the Cabrol or Piehler techniques, or the aortic button technique for aortic root replacement, may help eliminate pseudoaneurysm formation, which is one of the major complications after operations on the ascending aorta. It is also suggested that early diagnosis and prompt operative treatment for recurrent or residual aneurysmal diseases of the aorta may be essential for successful definitive treatment.

A case of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in a patient successfully treated by radiofrequency catheter ablation with a severely right-sided dislocation of the heart after a total right lung excision

A 72‐year‐old woman with symptomatic and drug‐refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). She had a history of a total right lung excision. Her chest X‐ray and computed tomography (CT) revealed a severely sight‐sided dislocation of the heart. Thus, the procedure was carefully performed under guidance of a CT, intracardiac echogram, atriography, and 3D mapping system. Finally, the AF was successfully treated by RFCA without any complications.