Takao Imazeki

Venous drainage method for cardiopulmonary bypass in single-access minimally invasive cardiac surgery: siphon and vacuum-assisted drainage.

Vacuum-assisted venous drainage (VAVD) can facilitate venous drainage in single-access minimally invasive cardiac surgery (SAMICS). We retrospectively examined the use of VAVD in SAMICS in our hospital for this report. VAVD has been performed according to a VAVD protocol since 2000. Data from the 110 patients who underwent SAMICS in our institute from January 2000 to June 2002 were reviewed retrospectively. The total negative pressure was maintained at no greater than −90 mmHg. Indications for use of VAVD (protocol) were: insufficient venous return by siphon drainage alone, persistent elevation of the central venous pressure (CVP), and, insufficient venous drainage in the operative field. Of 110 patients, 97 (88.2%) underwent VAVD. The body surface area was significantly smaller in the group that did not require VAVD (the non-VAVD group) than in the group that did (VAVD group) (VAVD group versus non-VAVD group: 1.586 ± 0.175 versus 1.408 ± 0.153 m2, P < 0.001). Other factors such as cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamp time, postoperative maximum lactate dehydrogenase, postoperative maximum creatinine, postoperative maximum blood urea nitrogen were similar in the two groups. VAVD is necessary in SAMICS except for small patients. A VAVD total negative pressure of −90 mmHg did not hinder operative procedures or cause clinical problems.

Vacuum-assisted venous drainage in single-access minimally invasive cardiac surgery

Abstract This retrospective study evaluated the influence of vacuum-assisted venous drainage in single-access minimally invasive cardiac surgery. A total of 104 patients who underwent cardiac surgery via minimal access incision were included in this study. Cardiopulmonary bypass was initiated with gravity alone, and vacuum-assisted venous drainage was applied only when the bypass flow was 2.2 l/min/m2 or less. We compared intraoperative variables of the patients to whom vacuum-assisted venous drainage (vacuum group) was applied with those who underwent gravity venous drainage alone (gravity group). In the 13 patients who most recently underwent isolated valve operations without maze procedures, free hemoglobin was measured to evaluate hemolysis. Vacuum-assisted venous drainage was required in 77 (72.6%) patients. Except for a smaller body surface area in the gravity group (P = 0.0118), patient characteristics did not differ significantly between the two groups. Free hemoglobin 60 mins after the beginning of cardiopulmonary bypass was higher in the vacuum group than in the gravity group (21.5 ± 7.3 vs 11.1 ± 7.1 mg/dl, P = 0.0284). Operative mortality and morbidity did not differ significantly between the groups. We found vacuum-assisted venous drainage to be a safe, simple, and effective technique in cases of minimally invasive cardiac surgery. However, there is a potential risk of hemolysis and air embolism, as shown in our findings and previous reports.

Trapdoor thoracotomy as a surgical approach for aortic arch aneurysm

Since 1991 ten patients, 9 male and 1 female, with aortic arch aneurysm underwent surgical therapy with trapdoor thoracotomy. The mean age was 67.4 +/- 9.1 (standard deviation) years at operation. In addition to the aortic arch repair, we also performed seven descending aortic replacements. We performed one partial arch replacement, one total arch replacement, and one aneurysmorrhaphy and wrapping of the aortic arch aneurysm. We experienced 1 case of paraplegia, no hospital death, and no long-term mortality.

Multiple papillary fibroelastoma of the left ventricle.

treatment of a brain infarction. The transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) showed a mobile, solitary, intracavitary tumor with a short pedicle arising from the left ventricular outfl ow just below the right coronary cusp (Figure 1). It was considered to be the cause of the brain infarction. To avoid any further embolization, the patient was transferred to our hospital for urgent operation. At surgery, the aortotomy was performed under cardiopulmonary bypass and a 5 mm in diameter video-assisted thoracoscope (Olympus, Japan) was introduced through the aortic valve for inspecting the left ventricular cavity. A tumor measuring IMAGES IN CARDIOTHORACIC MEDICINE AND SURGERY

Safety and Efficacy of Blood Donation Prior to Elective Cardiac Surgery in Anemic Patients

OBJECTIVE To determine the safety and effectiveness of blood donation in anemic patients, we harvested blood from cardiac patients with baseline hemoglobin levels below 11.0 g/dl. METHODS Subjects were 118 patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery between January 1994 and October 1997. We assigned patients to 1 of 2 groups based on their entry hemoglobin level: an anemic group (hemoglobin < 11.0 g/dl, n = 20) and a nonanemic group (hemoglobin > or = 11.0 g/dl, n = 98). All patients received subcutaneous administration of recombinant human erythropoietin, and autologous blood was collected once a week for at least 3 weeks before the scheduled surgery date if the hemoglobin level exceeded 10.5 g/dl. RESULTS No statistically significant differences were seen between the 2 groups in patient profiles or surgical data. The estimated hemoglobin increase did not differ significantly between groups at any time point. The total collected blood volume per patient was greater in the nonanemic group than in the anemic group (1098 +/- 224 ml vs. 712 +/- 334 ml), but the difference in volume was not statistically significant. The percentage of patients who received allogeneic blood did not differ significantly between groups. No side effects were associated with hemoglobin level prior to donation because the incidence of side effects was similar across hemoglobin levels. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that autologous blood donation reduces the need for allogeneic blood in patients with baseline hemoglobin levels below 11.0 g/dl.

Post-parturition infectious endocarditis in a patient with a normal mitral valve.

A 29-year-old woman with no history of heart disease was admitted for the treatment of congestive heart failure. Six months earlier, she had given birth, then 20 days later developed a fever and cardiac failure ensued. An echocardiogram demonstrated severe mitral valve regurgitation. Her blood cultures were positive, and we made a diagnosis of mitral valve regurgitation due to infectious endocarditis. Despite treatment for congestive heart failure and antibiotic therapy, resulting in negative blood cultures, her congestive heart failure did not improve, and vegetation on the mitral valve was observed by echocardiography. We successfully removed the infected tissue with mitral valve plasty.

Thyroid Hormone and Myocardial Metabolism after Heart Surgery in Dogs

Recent studies have demonstrated that thyroid hormone improves hemodynamics following open-heart surgery, through unknown mechanisms. The effect of triiodothyronine on myocardial metabolism was studied in dogs undergoing normothermic crystalloid cardioplegic arrest. Seven animals in group 0 served as controls, 8 in group 1 received 0.1μg·kg−1·min−1 triiodothyronine intravenously after aortic cross-clamping, and 3 dogs in group 2 received triiodothyronine 150 μg per day orally for 7 days preoperatively and intravenously (0.1 μg·kg−1·min−1) after aortic cross-clamping. Myocardial carbon dioxide production and the uptake of oxygen, lactate, glucose, and free fatty acids were determined before aortic cross-clamping and at 10, 30, 60, and 120 minutes after declamping. After aortic cross-clamping, increased myocardial uptake of oxygen, lactate, and glucose were observed in group 1 compared with group 0. Myocardial free fatty acid uptake decreased in all groups. Carbon dioxide production correlated with myocardial oxygen uptake. These findings suggest that intraoperative triiodothyronine supplementation improves myocardial metabolism but preoperative administration is ineffective.

Pulmonary artery sarcoma successfully treated by right pneumonectomy after definitive diagnosis

Pulmonary artery sarcoma (PAS) is a rare and lethal neoplasm that is usually diagnosed during surgery or autopsy. Early diagnosis and radical surgical resection offer the only chance for survival. However, making a preoperative histopathological diagnosis is quite difficult. We encountered a 57-year-old woman presenting a PAS that mimicked a pulmonary thromboembolism. After confirming a definitive diagnosis using a catheter suction biopsy, we successfully performed a right pneumonectomy via a median sternotomy without cardiopulmonary bypass. Eighteen months after surgery, no recurrence was observed.

Usefulness of Lower Ministernotomy in Aortic Valve Replacement (AVR) by Minimary Invasive Cardiac Surgery (MICS)

Minimary invasive cardiac surgery (MICS)による大動脈弁置換術(AVR)においては一般的にupper ministernotomyが選択されることが多い.しかし,retograde cardioplegia cannulaが挿入できないことなどがある.当科でCTをもとに検討したところ日本人の大動脈弁の位置はlower ministernotomyでも手術可能な場合が多いことがわかった.そこでこの2種のアプローチの有用性について検討した.1997年1月から2002年3月までに大動脈弁疾患に対しMICSによるAVRを施行した68症例を対象としupper ministernotomy施行症例をU群,lower ministernotomy施行症例をL群とした.Retrograde cardioplegiaは一般にAVRでの心筋保護法として頻用されている.L群は心筋保護および術野確保の点でもfull sternotomyへの移行した症例はなく有効であった.L群ではMAZE手術も施行でき大動脈遮断時間,人工心肺時間,手術時間,出血量,そのほかの因子でも有意差を認めなかった.Lower ministernotomyはupper ministernotomyと比較しMICS AVRにおいてretrograde cardioplegiaによる心筋保護および術野確保に有効であった.

Staged Surgery for Treatment of Three-Channeled Aortic Dissection

Dissection of the wall of an aortic dissection results in a three-channeled aorta. This particular entity creates many problems in the diagnosis and surgical treatment. A 42-year-old male with this lesion underwent successful surgical repair. Fenestration of the abdominal aorta below the renal arteries using a Y-graft was undertaken as the first step, without bypass. This was followed by total replacement of the thoracoabdominal aorta. The patient recovered satisfactorily and remains well. The technique of reconstruction of the splanchnic arteries and the artery to the spinal cord is described.