Kenji Kusuhara

Mitral Valve Replacement with Preservation of Chordae Tendineae and Papillary Muscles

An operative technique for mitral valve replacement (MVR) with preservation of the chordae tendineae to the anterior leaflet as well as the posterior leaflet is reported. This technique consists of the division of the anterior leaflet into anterior and posterior segments, the shifting and reattachment of the divided segments to the mitral ring of the respective commissural areas, and the use of a low-profile bileaflet prosthetic valve. A comparison of left ventricular function data between patients having operation with this technique and those having operation with the conventional method of MVR revealed significantly better improvement in cardiac index (p less than 0.06), left ventricular end-systolic volume index (p less than 0.05), and left ventricular ejection fraction (p less than 0.10) in the former group. Left ventricular wall motion improved in the anterolateral (p less than 0.01) and apical areas (p less than 0.02) in patients operated on with our technique. Maintenance of continuity between the mitral annulus and papillary muscles is expected to have a beneficial effect on postoperative left ventricular performance in spite of increased afterload.

Deep Hypothermic systemic circulatory arrest and continuous retrograde cerebral perfusion for surgery of aortic arch aneurysm

From 1987 to February 1991, we have repaired or replaced the aortic arch in ten patients using deep hypothermic systemic circulatory arrest with continuous retrograde cerebral perfusion (CRCP). CRCP can be implemented using the bypass connecting the arterial and venous lines of the extracorporeal circuit to reverse the flow into the superior vena cava cannula after induction of circulatory arrest. CRCP flow required to maintain an internal jugular vein pressure of 20 mmHg ranged from 100 to 500 ml/min. After completion of suturing of the aortic arch graft, air is evacuated retrogradely from the open arch vessels prior to reestablishing the usual arterial return. Two patients died, one from sepsis and the other from liver cirrhosis 1 month postoperatively. CRCP times ranged from 11 to 56 min, and minimal nasopharyngeal temperatures ranged from 16 degrees to 18 degrees C. The difference in oxygen content between the perfused blood and the blood draining from the arch vessels during CRCP most likely reflected the steady-state metabolism of the brain during the deep hypothermic state. This technique offers advantages including the need for dissecting and clamping the arch branches, providing sufficient metabolic support to the brain during deep hypothermia, and eliminating embolism of particulate debris from the aortic arch.

Intractable Hemolysis Caused by Perivalvular Leakage Following Mitral Valve Replacement with St. Jude Medical Prosthesis

Nine patients with intractable hemolysis caused by perivalvular leakage following mitral valve replacement with a St. Jude Medical prosthesis are presented. All patients had dark-colored hemoglobinuria, which appeared from 1 day to 44 days after the operation, with moderate or severe hepatorenal insufficiency. One patient died of multiorgan failure. The other 8 patients underwent reoperation, and all survived. Reoperation revealed that all leakages were tiny and had no adverse effect on hemodynamics. In all the patients having reoperation, hemoglobinuria disappeared immediately after the procedure. Surface-scanning electron microscopy of the sewing cuff of the St. Jude Medical prosthesis revealed the rough surface structure of the sewing ring. Because of this irregular, shaggy surface structure, greater shearing forces against erythrocytes can be generated when there is perivalvular leakage.

Aneurysm of coronary arteriovenous fistula presenting as a calcified mediastinal mass

A 61-year-old woman with a giant aneurysm of the coronary arterial fistula between the left anterior descending coronary artery and the main pulmonary artery underwent aneurysmal resection and closure of the fistula. This was a very unusual case with rare congenital malformation with secondary atherosclerotic change.

Annuloplastic reconstruction for common atrioventricular valvular regurgitation in right isomerism

Two patients who had common atrioventricular valvular regurgitation associated with right isomerism, univentricular heart of the right ventricular type, transposition of the great arteries, pulmonary stenosis, and both systemic and pulmonary venous anomalies underwent common atrioventricular valvular annuloplasty. They also underwent bilateral, bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt. A Carpentiers ring was used in patient 1 and a polytetrafluoroethylene tube was used in patient 2 to reduce the diameter of the common atrioventricular annuli. Postoperative catheterization confirmed complete elimination of regurgitation of the common atrioventricular valve in both patients.

Propranolol for intractable hemolysis after open heart operation

Postoperative intravascular hemolysis occurring in 2 patients was alleviated by propranolol. One patient underwent mitral valve replacement and had development of intractable hemolysis due to a paravalvular leak. The other patient underwent ventricular septal defect closure and had hemolysis caused by the Dacron patch. Both patients were given oral propranolol, and the degree of hemolysis decreased substantially. Although the exact mechanism of the propranolol effect on mechanical intravascular hemolysis is unclear, propranolol is thought to reduce the shearing stress between erythrocytes and the foreign material by slowing the velocity of the circulation.

Venous Aneurysms of the Upper Extremity A Case Report

Venous aneurysms are a rare clinical entity, especially in upper extremities. A 35-year-old Japanese woman was diagnosed as having venous aneurysms in her left arm. The lesions were excised, and microscopic examination revealed a lack of smooth muscle, media, and elastic fibers in the aneurysmal wall, with partial hyperplasia of smooth muscle.

Reoperation after Aortic Valvuloplasty for Aortic Regurgitation Associated with Ventricular Septal Defect

Five patients underwent reoperations because residual or recurrent aortic regurgitation occurred after aortic valvuloplasty for aortic regurgitation associated with ventricular septal defect. The mean age at reoperation was 22 years old, and the mean time interval between initial and second operation was 6 years, 10 months. The pathological findings of the aortic valves showed tears and perforation of repaired leaflets in four patients and a giant pseudoaneurysm of the Valsalva sinus in one. Aortic valvuloplasties were performed again in three patients, and aortic valves were replaced with prosthetic valves in two. Slight to moderate regurgitant murmurs are still audible in patients who underwent these valvuloplasties. Ventricular septal defects should be closed before aortic regurgitation develops. If it has developed, however, valvuloplasty should be considered as a first choice in young patients. For adult patients, aortic valve replacement is recommended.

Bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis using vertical vein for right isomerism, pulmonary atresia, and TAPVR

An 8-year-old girl who was diagnosed as having right atrial isomerism, pulmonary atresia, butterfly-shaped juxtaductal pulmonary arterial stenosis, total anomalous pulmonary venous return of the supracardiac type, regurgitant common atrioventricular valve, and univentricular heart of the right ventricular type underwent bilateral, bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis using a vertical vein and anastomosis between the common pulmonary venous trunk and atrium. The surgical procedure in this patient is described.

A new staged operation for extensive aortic aneurysm by means of the modified “Elephant trunk” technique

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