Tadashi Tashiro

Early Outcome of a Randomized Comparison of Off-Pump and On-Pump Multiple Arterial Coronary Revascularization

Background—Previous randomized comparisons of off-pump and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have yielded controversial results about the cardiac and neurological events and graft patency. In addition, these randomized studies were composed of CABG with a few arterial grafts. We performed a prospective randomized controlled study to compare off-pump and on-pump CABG with multiple arterial grafts. Methods and Results—Between July, 2002, and September, 2004, 167 consecutive unselected patients referred for elective primary CABG were randomly assigned to undergo multiple arterial off-pump CABG (n=81) or on-pump CABG (n=86). The clinical outcomes and S-100 protein, neuron-specific enolase, and maximum creatine kinase-MB levels were compared. Early graft patency was examined within 3 weeks after the operation by angiography. The number of grafts performed per patient (3.5±1.0 for off-pump CABG and 3.6±0.9 for on-pump CABG) and the number of arterial grafts performed per patient (3.3±1.0 for off-pump CABG and 3.4±0.9 for on-pump CABG) were similar. Completeness of revascularization (completed grafts/planned grafts) was 98% in both procedures. There were no hospital deaths in either group. The operation time was significantly (P<0.001) shorter in the off-pump group than in the on-pump group (267±60 minutes versus 307±59 minutes). The incidence of perioperative complications was similar. The frequency of no need for transfusion was higher in the off-pump group than in the on-pump group (80% versus 55%, P<0.001). The S-100 protein levels at the admission into the intensive care unit were significantly (P<0.001) lower in the off-pump group than in the on-pump group (0.20±0.11 ng/mL versus 0.34±0.22 ng/mL). The neuron-specific enolase levels at the intensive care unit admission were significantly (P<0.001) lower in the off-pump group than in the on-pump group (10.4±9.0 ng/mL versus 16.9±6.9 ng/mL). Maximum creatine kinase-MB levels were significantly (P=0.046) lower in the off-pump group than in the on-pump group (17.1±16.7 IU/L versus 21.5±10.6 IU/L). The overall early graft patency rate with or without stenosis was the same (98%) in both groups, but the rate without stenosis was slightly worse in the off-pump group (93%) than in the on-pump group (96%) (P=0.093). The stenosis-free patency rate in the right coronary area was significantly (P=0.028) worse in the off-pump CABG group (90%) than in the on-pump group (99%). Conclusions—Off-pump CABG with multiple arterial grafts was as safe as the conventional on-pump CABG, with similar completeness of revascularization and early graft patency.

IgG4-positive plasma cells in inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm: the possibility of an aortic manifestation of IgG4-related sclerosing disease.

Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm (IAA) is associated with autoimmune disease. However, the precise mechanism of IAA remains unclear. There is increasing evidence that IgG4 is involved in the autoimmune mechanism of various idiopathic sclerosing lesions, including sclerosing pancreatitis and retroperitoneal fibrosis. The present study investigated the hypothesis that the IgG4-related autoimmune reaction is involved in the formation of IAA. The study group consisted of 11 cases of IAA (69.2±8.59 y) and 12 age-matched cases of atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA, 69.6±5.94 y), which were used in the previous report. A clinicopathologic examination of these lesions was performed, including histology and immunohistochemistry, in relation to the involvement of IgG4-positive plasma cells in the formation of IAA. No difference in the incidence of risk factors for atherosclerosis was observed between the patients with IAA and AAA. Autoimmune diseases were diagnosed in 2 patients with IAA, including rheumatoid arthritis and polyarteritis nodosa. A patient with IAA had pulmonary fibrosis. In contrast, autoimmune diseases were absent in patients with AAA. However, there was no significant difference in the incidence of autoimmune diseases between the patients with IAA and AAA. Lymphocyte and plasma cell infiltration and fibrosis were significantly more intense and extensive in IAA than in AAA. In addition, lymph follicle formation and vasculitis of small veins and arteries were frequently found in the affected lesions of IAA. Immunohistochemically, IAA showed a significant increase in the number of infiltrating IgG4-positive plasma cells and the incidence of a disrupted follicular dendritic cell network in lymph follicles, in comparison with AAA. These findings suggest that IAA may be an aortic lesion reflecting the presence of IgG4-related sclerosing disease, and not a simple inflammatory aneurysm of the aorta.

Increased Chymase Activity in Internal Thoracic Artery of Patients With Hypercholesterolemia

Apart from ACE, various angiotensin II (Ang II)-forming serine proteinases (eg, chymase, kallikrein, and cathepsin G) are known to exist in human tissues, but their clinical significance or the regulatory mechanisms that control their activities are not well established. A recent clinical study has shown that chymase activity was significantly increased in human atherosclerotic or aneurysmal aorta. The association between vascular Ang II-forming activities (AIIFAs) in the human internal thoracic artery (ITA) and various clinical parameters was studied with the use of ITAs obtained from 32 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Total and ACE- and chymase-dependent AIIFAs in homogenates of ITAs were determined. Total AIIFA was 8.67+/-0.86 (nmol Ang II formed. min(-1). mg protein(-1) [U]), and approximately 95% of the activities were due to chymase. Serum total cholesterol level, but no other risk factors, significantly correlated with chymase- (r=0. 60, P<0.001) and ACE- (r=0.35, P<0.05) dependent AIIFAs, respectively. LDL cholesterol level was also correlated with chymase-dependent AIIFAs (r=0.47, P<0.05). Mast cells identified through the use of toluidine blue or immunohistochemical staining appeared in the adventitia but not in the intima or media of ITAs. Our results suggest that an increased plasma LDL cholesterol level may induce increased arterial chymase and ACE activity.

Off‐Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Patients with End‐Stage Renal Disease on Hemodialysis

Abstract  Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for hemodialysis patients is high risk compared with other patient groups. The aim of this study was to analyze the potential benefits of off‐pump CABG for hemodialysis patients. Methods: From April 1994 through December 2000, 26 hemodialysis patients underwent CABG. The off‐pump group consisted of 15 patients operated on without a pump and the on‐pump group consisted of 11 patients operated on with a pump. Results: There was no difference between the two groups with regard to mean age, mean number of diseased vessels and mean number of anastomoses per patient. No patient died in either group during hospitalization. The postoperative complication rate was low in both groups. The postoperative ventilation time was shorter in the off‐pump group (8.5 vs 26.1 hours, p < 0.001, respectively [off‐pump group vs on‐pump group]). The length of ICU stay was shorter in the off‐pump group (1.7 vs 3.5 days, p # 0.01, respectively [off‐pump group vs on‐pump group]). The medial cost was lower in the off‐pump group (

Calcification of the Medial Layer of the Internal Thoracic Artery in Diabetic Patients: Relevance of Glycoxidation

26,200.80 versus

Coronary artery bypass grafting without cardiopulmonary bypass for high-risk patients☆

44,024.10 p # 0.0001 respectively [off‐pump group vs on‐pump group]). Conclusions: Off‐pump CABG provided excellent less‐invasive cardiac surgical results for dialysis patients.

Extended Endocardial Repair of Postinfarction Ventricular Septal Rupture: New Operative Technique—Modification of the Komeda-David Operation

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of glycoxidation in the calcification of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) in diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: ITA samples were obtained from 17 patients with type 2 DM (age 62.9 ± 10.5 years) and 12 age-matched, nondiabetic patients (age 62.5 ± 10.2 years) who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. These samples were analyzed histopathologically and assessed for calcification by von Kossa staining and for glycoxidation by immunohistochemistry using anti-NΕ-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) antibody. Morphometric evaluation of calcification of the medial layer, intimal thickness and intima-to-media ratio was performed using NIH image software. To evaluate the mechanism of the interaction between calcification and glycoxidation, we developed an in vitro model of calcification of collagen that was chemically modified by glucose, glutaraldehyde or epoxy compound. The calcium-binding activity of these collagens was determined in hydrolysates using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results: ITAs of both diabetic and nondiabetic patients were free of atherosclerosis, and no differences were found between the two groups with regard to intimal thickness and intima-to-media ratio. Areas of calcification were noticed in both groups in the tunica media, but not in the tunica intima. Calcium deposits were localized within the extracellular matrix, which was immunohistochemically positive for CML. The extent of medial layer calcification was significantly greater in diabetic patients than nondiabetic subjects, but was independent of known risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity and history of old myocardial infarction. The binding activity of collagen was time-dependently increased with in vitro incubation of glucose. A significant increase in the calcium-binding ability was observed in glucose- and glutaraldehyde-modified collagens, but not in epoxy compound-modified collagen. Conclusion: Our results suggest that glycoxidative modification of the extracellular matrix, in particular collagen, of the vascular wall may enhance the development of ITA calcification in diabetic patients.

Vascular endothelial growth factor-C derived from CD11b+ cells induces therapeutic improvements in a murine model of hind limb ischemia

Between January 1991 and June 1993, coronary artery bypass grafting was performed without either cardiopulmonary bypass or cardiac arrest in 23 patients. Most patients had several surgical risk factors, including age > or = 70 years, poor left ventricular function, left main coronary artery stenosis, chronic renal failure, and aortic aneurysm. Distal anastomoses were made under temporary interruption of coronary flow. A total of 37 distal anastomoses to the left anterior descending coronary artery and/or right coronary artery (mean 1.6 per patient) were made, 24 of which were internal thoracic arteries. The coronary occlusion time ranged from 7-14 min (mean 9.8 min). Combined cardiac or vascular operations were carried out in six patients (abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, thoracic aortic aneurysm repair, carotid endarterectomy, and coronary endarterectomy). There was one hospital death. Postoperative angiography was performed in 22 patients and showed a patency rate of 89%. In summary, coronary artery bypass grafting without cardiopulmonary bypass may improve the postoperative outcome of high-risk patients.

Midterm Results of Free Internal Thoracic Artery Grafting for Myocardial Revascularization

Between January 1992 and November 1992, four consecutive patients (ages 53 to 81 years) underwent early surgical repair of postinfarction ventricular septal ruptures using a new simple operative technique. The principles of the technique are longitudinal incision of the infarcted left anterior ventricular wall, placement of a saccular patch of single equine pericardium that covers the infarcted left ventricular wall, and large buttressed suture closure of the left ventriculotomy. The infarcted septum and infarcted left ventricular wall are completely separated from the left ventricular cavity. In this procedure, the infarcted myocardium is not resected, and left and right ventricular muscles are preserved. This technique is simple and safe for use in the acute phase of myocardial infarction, and it preserves ventricular function after surgery. (J Card Surg 1994;9:97–102)

Age-related distensibility and histology of the ascending aorta in elderly patients with acute aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVE The use of bone marrow cells (BMCs) in therapeutic angiogenesis has been studied extensively. However, the critical paracrine effects of this treatment are still unclear. Therefore, we studied autotransfusable cells that produce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), especially VEGF-C. METHODS Male C57BL/6 mice with hind limb ischemia were administered intramuscular injections of phosphate-buffered saline as controls, or unsorted BMCs, sorted CD11b(+), or CD11b(-) cells from BMCs, and recombinant VEGF-C. To evaluate the treatments, perfusion was measured by laser Doppler scanning performed on days 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28. A functional assay was performed in parallel, with mice traversing an enclosed walkway. Capillary density was determined by directly counting vessels stained positive with von Willebrand factor at individual time points. Lymphangiogenesis was assessed by LYVE-1 positive cells. RESULTS Postischemic recovery of hind limb perfusion significantly improved in BMC, CD11b(+), and VEGF-C treatment groups compared with the control groups, as assessed by laser Doppler scanning. On early operative days 1 and 3, the blood flow recovery ratio was higher in the CD11b(+)-treated group compared with BMC and VEGF-C treatment groups. In the functional assay, the VEGF-C group dramatically recovered compared with the control group. The capillary/myofiber ratio in the thigh muscle and number of LYVE-1 positive cells was higher in the CD11b(+) and VEGF-C groups than in controls. Furthermore, expression of VEGF-A, VEGF-C, and VEGF receptor messenger ribonucleic acid and protein was observed in CD11b(+) cells. CONCLUSIONS The VEGF-C derived from CD11b(+) cells play a critical role in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in a murine model of hind limb ischemia. Consequently, treatment with self-CD11b(+) cells accelerated recovery from ischemia and may be a promising therapeutic strategy for peripheral arterial disease patients.