Tamizo Kimura

Prognostic Factors in the Surgical Treatment of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Abstract Although the operative mortality following elective aneurysmectomy has achieved satisfactory results, that following surgery for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) remains high. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors affecting the mortality rate associated with the treatment of ruptured AAAs. Between 1978 and 1999, 33 patients underwent emergency surgery for a ruptured AAA. The operative mortality was 33.3% and in-hospital mortality was 6.0%. Hypotension, defined as a systolic blood pressure <80 mmHg, was seen in 19 patients at the time of presentation, 9 of whom underwent surgery in this state. In the remaining 10 patients, it was possible to increase the systolic blood pressure to ≥80 mmHg preoperatively. Of the 11 patients who died within 30 days of surgery, 9 had hypotension at the time of induction of anesthesia and only 2 had a systolic blood pressure of ≥80 mmHg. A satisfactory outcome was achieved in patients whose condition met the following criteria: a systolic blood pressure ≥80 mmHg at the time of operation, minimal aortic cross-clamping time, less blood loss and blood transfusions, and a shorter operation time to repair the ruptured AAA. Concomitant heart disease was also found to be an important prognostic factor.

Three-year follow-up of an atrial septal aneurysm.

This is a 3-year follow-up of a gradually ballooning atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) which developed a spontaneous echo contrast and later a mobile thrombus in the aneurysm. This clearly demonstrates one of the pathogenetic mechanisms of systemic thromboembolism associated with ASA. In view of the risk of systemic thromboembolism or the need for lifelong anticoagulation treatment, the aneurysm was excised and an atrial septal patch was fashioned to close the resultant defect.

Off-Pump Multilayered Sutureless Repair for a Left Ventricular Blowout Rupture Caused by Myocardial Infarction in the Second Diagonal Branch Territory

A left ventricular (LV) free wall rupture is a highly lethal condition. A 78-year-old female, who collapsed while riding a bike, was admitted to our emergency service 7 days after experiencing chest pain. During admission, she had cardiopulmonary arrest. Though cardiopulmonary resuscitation was successful, computed tomography (CT) showed cardiac tamponade. Emergency surgery was then performed. Pericardiotomy revealed a postinfarction blowout rupture of an aneurysm (2 × 3 × 1 cm) on the anterolateral wall of the LV. The top of the aneurysm had a 2-mm wide blowing blood column. Intra-aortic balloon pumping was initiated. An off-pump multilayered sutureless repair using squares of collagen fleece with fibrinogen-based impregnation (i.e., TachoComb) and gelatin-resorcin-formalin glue (GRF glue) was performed. Postoperative coronary angiography revealed occlusion of the second diagonal branch. The patient was free from re-rupture or aneurysm enlargement. An LV blowout rupture, which was caused by myocardial infarction with a limited tear and necrotic area at the second diagonal branch territory, was successfully treated with an off-pump multilayered sutureless repair by using a TachoComb and GRF glue patch. The thickness of the hemostatic material seemed to help control the bulging of the aneurysm and to prevent further LV aneurysm enlargement and re-rupture.

Occupational true aneurysm of the ulnar artery: a case report of hypothenar hammer syndrome.

A 32-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital with a pulsing mass of the right palm. He was an electrical construction engineer who frequently used a screwdriver. Computed tomography (CT) examination revealed a 22- × 30-mm saccular aneurysm of the right ulnar artery. The ulnar artery aneurysm was resected, and we could perform direct anastomosis of the ulnar artery. The dilated true aneurysm was compatible with a traumatic origin. A postoperative enhanced CT examination showed smooth reconstruction of the palmar arch. An occupational true aneurysm of the ulnar artery could be treated by resection and direct anastomosis.

A Case Report of Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy for Chronic Thromboembolism in a Patient with Protein C Deficiency

The patient was a 41-year-old female with chronic thromboembolism. She was admitted to an affiliated hospital with exertional dyspnea, leg swelling, and hemoptysis, and she was treated medically with tissue plasminogen activator and warfarin therapy. When transferred to our hospital, she was oxygen-dependent with severe dyspnea. A pulmonary arteriogram showed occlusion and stenosis of the pulmonary arteries. Cardiac catheterization revealed marked pulmonary hypertension. The lung perfusion scintigram showedmultiple defects in the right and left lungs. Preoperative laboratory data showed a markedly decreased protein C antigen level. Magnetic resonance angiography showed that a myoma uteri compressed the pelvic vein and that she had deep vein occlusion of the left leg. After the administration of an epoprostenol infusion and the insertion of an inferior vena cava filter, she underwent an operation. Under deep hypothermia, the bilateral pulmonary artery was opened and an endarterectomy was performed during intermittent circulatory arrest. After surgery, her pulmonary vascular resistance was in the normal range. Her New York Heart Association functional classification changed from class IV to class I. She has been in good condition for 7 years since the surgery.

Papillary muscle approximation and relocation with a loop technique for mitral complex repair

Undersized mitral annuloplasty alone is not always sufficient to repair functional mitral regurgitation resulting from left ventricular enlargement; the repair requires a three-dimensional approach to the mitral complex. We introduce a surgical procedure that combines papillary muscle approximation to correct lateral shift and papillary muscle relocation using the loop technique to correct the apical shift with accuracy and technical ease.

Pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis after surgery for rupture of the aortic arch.

Vertebral osteomyelitis is a very rare and intractable complication after vascular surgery. We describe a case of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis induced by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus sepsis following surgery for traumatic rupture of the aortic arch, successfully managed with long-term antibiotic therapy for 75 weeks.