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Background: Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is caused by left ventricular (LV) remodeling and subsequent tethering of the mitral valve (MV). If LV remodeling is irreversibly advanced, it could not be attenuated by the MV procedure alone, although the additional subvalvular procedure could induce LV reverse remodeling by forcibly reducing MV tethering. This study aimed to assess the anti-tethering effect of papillary muscle tugging approximation (PMTA) on LV reverse remodeling after mitral valve replacement (MVR) for non-ischemic FMR. Methods: The study subjects were 19 patients who underwent MVR with and without PMTA [MVR + PMTA (n = 11) and MVR alone (n = 8), respectively] for non-ischemic FMR. The tethering distance (TD) and LV end-systolic volume (ESV) at the preoperative, postoperative, and follow-up periods were assessed in terms of their correlation and time-dependent changes. The intra-LV energy efficiency was also evaluated through vector flow mapping analysis. Results: TD and ESV were comparable between both procedures preoperatively and did not change after MVR alone. In MVR + PMTA, however, a significant decrease was identified in TD and ESV at the early postoperative and follow-up periods, respectively [TD = 48, 30, and 31 mm (p < 0.001) and ESV = 159, 133, and 82 mL (p < 0.001) at the preoperative, postoperative, and follow-up periods, respectively]. Finally, at follow-up, the extent of change from the preoperative value in ESV significantly correlated with that in TD (rho = 0.81, p < 0.001 for overall; rho = 0.93, p < 0.001 for MVR + PMTA; rho = 0.86, p = 0.011 for MVR alone). The ratio of TD to ESV was also significantly correlated with systolic energy loss to LV stroke work after MVR + PMTA (rho = 0.81, p = 0.015). Conclusions: PMTA for non-ischemic FMR could induce LV reverse remodeling depending on the extent of postoperative TD reduction. A smaller TD to ESV was associated with a higher intra-LV energy efficiency after PMTA + MVR. (C) 2021 Japanese College of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A 23-year-old man had progressive muscle weakness and Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) due to a LMNA (lamin A/C) mutation. Congestive heart failure diagnosed at 19 years of age. Maximal drug treatment/cardiac resynchronization failed to improve the cardiac function. He was therefore hospitalized due to heart failure. Despite extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, he developed severe right heart dysfunction and died (multiple organ failure). A cardiac lesion's presence determines the prognosis of EDMD. While there are many arrhythmia reports, few reports on heart failure (particularly severe heart failure requiring cardiac transplantation) have been published. Right heart function monitoring and early ventricular-assist device use plus right heart support considering heart transplantation are important.

Objectives While it was reported that patients with residual moderate mitral regurgitation (MR) after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) had a poorer prognosis than those without it, the risk factors for residual MR have not been fully elucidated. The aim of the study was to evaluate risk factors for residual MR after SAVR. Methods Of the 222 patients who underwent isolated SAVR from 2001 to 2018, 33 (11 men; age: 74 +/- 7 years) had functional moderate MR before surgery. The risk factors for residual MR were evaluated by comparing patients with residual moderate MR (n = 11, 33%) with those who exhibited improved post-surgery MR (n = 22, 67%). Results The left atrial diameter was significantly larger in the residual MR group (51 +/- 7 mm) than in the improved MR group (46 +/- 5 mm; P = 0.049). The mean pressure gradient at the aortic valve was significantly smaller in the residual MR group (52 +/- 18 mmHg) than in the improved MR group (69 +/- 22 mmHg; P = 0.043). A ratio of left atrial diameter (mm) and mean aortic valve pressure gradient (mmHg) greater than 0.9 predicted residual MR with a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 74% (area under the ROC curve: 0.779; P = 0.015). Conclusions In patients with severe aortic valve stenosis and moderate MR, a high ratio of preoperative left atrial diameter and mean aortic valve pressure gradient would be a parameter predicting residual moderate MR post-SAVR.

Background This study aimed to determine the usefulness and limitations of videoassisted thoracoscopic (VATS) lobectomy using one-window and puncture method (1WPM). Methods This study involved 14 patients who underwent lobectomy using the 1WPM at our institute from 2008 to 2017. Results The study patients comprised of 3 men and 11 women with a median age of 10.5 years (range, 0-72 years). There were eight cases in children younger than 18 years old and the youngest patient was 9 days old. The diagnoses were congenital pulmonary cystic disease (n = 7), primary lung cancer (n = 4), metastatic lung tumor (n = 1), and others (n = 2). The 1WPM was successful in 9 of 14 patients (64.3%) and, in 5 cases (35.7%), needed conversion to either two-window method (TWM) using additional port (n = 3) or open thoracotomy (n = 2). The causes for conversion were need for additional bronchoplasty or lymph node dissection (n = 3), failure of one-lung ventilation (n = 1), and presence of a small thoracic cavity that made the procedure extremely difficult (n = 1). In the group that was successfully treated with 1WPM, the median values were as follows: operation time, 193 min (range, 112-480 min); blood loss, 0 ml (range, 0-90 ml); drainage duration, 1 day (range, 1-4 days); and postoperative hospital stay, 7 days (range, 4-13 days). Conclusions Lobectomy by 1WPM can be safely performed and has good postoperative course and this procedure can be applicable and effective in small infants., Highlights • This study describes the novel VATS lobectomy method: the one-window and puncture method (1WPM). • 1WPM is performed using 2–3 cm single incisions and a needle scope for intrathoracic access from other points. • This retrospective study involved 14 patients who underwent lobectomy using the 1WPM. • VATS lobectomy using 1WPM can be safely applied from adult cases to new born cases.

Objective: Operative mortality and morbidity after thoracoabdominal aortic surgery remain high. We report our strategy and outcomes, especially those of spinal cord protection. Methods: Outcomes of 178 patients (age: 26-88 years) who underwent thoracoabdominal aortic replacement were retrospectively analyzed. 65 had aortic dissection, 14 had infected aneurysms, and 22 presented with rupture. Operations were non-elective in 24 and redo through re-thoracotomy in 21. Extent of replacement was Crawford-I in 39, II in 26, III in 78, and IV in 35. Staged repair was recently preferred, which resulted in decrease in extent II repair and increase in redo since 2009. Operations were performed under distal aortic perfusion and multi-segmental sequential repair to maximize collateral blood flow, and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest was preserved for those requiring open aortic anastomosis (n = 20). A total of 166 separate grafts were used for intercostal reconstruction in 88 patients, which was guided by preoperative feeding artery localization. Their patency was studied by postoperative MD-CT in 74 patients for 145 grafts. Results: There were 3.9% hospital mortality and 5.1% spinal cord injury. Preoperative feeding artery localization resulted in reduced number of reconstruction and improved patency, and grafts connecting to the feeding artery were patent in 92%. Results of redo operations were not different (no mortality and spinal cord injury) from the de novo operations. Conclusions: Our concept of spinal cord protection, which was based on selective intercostal reconstruction while maximizing spinal cord collateral blood flow, seems justified.

Background: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy has improved the clinical outcomes in advanced heart failure patients, however, this may differ between countries. We aimed to compare outcomes between Japanese and US LVAD cohorts. Methods: For 416 consecutive LVAD patients who received HeartMate II LVAD implantation and completed a one-year follow-up, age-matched Japanese patients (the Japanese registry for mechanically assisted circulatory support (J-MACS) group) and the US patients were compared for their clinical outcomes. Results: 154 J-MACS patients and 77 US patients were compared. Survival, free from hemocompatibility-related adverse events (HRAEs) in the J-MACS was statistically comparable with the US (75% vs. 63%, p = 0.79). J-MACS had more disabling strokes than the US (0.221 vs. 0.052/patient-year, p = 0.005), whereas there was less nonsurgical bleeding (0.045 vs. 0.117/patient-year, p = 0.024). The net hemocompatibility score was statistically comparable between the groups (1.54 vs. 1.19 points/patient, p = 0.99). Post-LVAD prothrombin time with international normalized ratio (INR) &lt, 1.5 (odds ratio 4.07) was a risk factor for HRAEs in J-MACS, whereas INR &gt, 3.0 (odds ratio 5.71) was a risk factor in the US (p &lt, 0.05 for both). Conclusion: In the age-matched cohorts, the J-MACS group experienced more strokes, while the US group had more bleedings. &ldquo, Tailor-made&rdquo, therapeutic strategy might be required for each country, given the unique variation of HRAE incidence among each country.

Key Clinical Message Splenic injury is one of the most critical complications of chest tube insertion and often requires invasive emergency management. However, noninvasive management such as delayed removal of the malpositioned tube may be considered for a stable patient without severe adverse event.

Background. Thrombus in the stump of the pulmonary vein (PV) is not a well-known complication after lung resection, and it has the potential to cause embolism to vital organs. To clarify the frequency, risk factors, and cause of this complication, a retrospective clinical study of patients who underwent lobectomy was performed. Methods. The study evaluated 193 patients with primary lung cancer who underwent lobectomy from 2005 to 2011 and contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography (CT) within 2 years after lobectomy. Contrast-enhanced CT was retrospectively interpreted to check for thrombus in the PV stump. Results. The operative procedures were 65 right upper lobectomies, 14 right middle lobectomies, 40 right lower lobectomies, 52 left upper lobectomies (LUL), and 22 left lower lobectomies. Thrombus developed in the PV stump in 7 of the 193 patients (3.6%) after lobectomy. All patients with thrombus had undergone LUL, and 13.5% of those who had undergone LUL developed thrombus. Univariate analyses revealed that LUL and operation time were significant risk factors and that adjuvant chemotherapy was marginally significant. It appears that thrombus may be attributable to the length of the PV stump. Measurement of the length of the PV stump using 3-dimensional CT images of the PV revealed that the stump of the left superior PV was longer than the others. Conclusions. Thrombus in the PV stump occurred in 13.5% of patients after LUL. These findings suggest that contrast-enhanced CT should be recommended for patients after LUL to help identify those with a high risk for thromboembolism. (C) 2013 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

OBJECTIVES: Surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR) for patients with severe left ventricular (LV) remodelling due to ischaemic cardiomyopathy is still controversial, because the Surgical Treatment for Ischaemic Heart Failure (STICH) trial demonstrated that SVR not only has no beneficial effect on survival compared with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) alone, but also is worse for those with a larger LV. Therefore, we assessed the impact of LV remodelling on the outcomes after SVR for ischaemic cardiomyopathy in Japan, using Di Donato’s LV shape classification. METHODS: From 2000 to 2010, 627 patients underwent SVR for ischaemic heart failure in 11 Japanese hospitals. To assess the patients with an LV ejection fraction (LVEF) of ≤35% like the STICH trial, considering the severity of LV remodelling, the patients with a preoperative LVEF of >35%, no preoperative LV volume assessment and no preoperative LV shape classification were excluded. Finally, 323 patients were selected as the study subjects. The LV shape was divided into three types according to Di Donato’s classification. Types 1 and 3 indicate the aneurysmal and globally akinetic LV, respectively. Type 2 is the intermediate shape. RESULTS: Type 1, 2 and 3 LV shapes were observed in 85 (26%), 104 (32%) and 134 (42%) of the patients, respectively. The preoperative LV volume and diameter increased if the LV became more akinetic (Type 3 > 2 > 1, P< 0.001). LVEF was lower in those with more akinetic LV (P= 0.002). The preoperative LV end-diastolic volume index and LVEF in Type 3 patients were 133 ± 47 ml/m 2 and 22 ± 7%, respectively. Mitral valve repair was more frequently performed for patients with the Type 3 LV shape (65%) than for the others (P< 0.001). The hospital mortality rates were 2.4, 2.9 and 7.4% for Type 1, 2 and 3 patients, respectively (P= 0.16). Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated no significant difference in mortality among the three groups (log-rank P= 0.37). The 5-year survival rates were 81, 70 and 73% for Type 1, 2 and 3 patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The severity of LV remodelling did not affect survival after SVR plus CABG. The results of SVR were acceptable even for those with globally akinetic LV due to ischaemic cardiomyopathy.

A right aortic arch is a rare congenital anomaly, with a reported incidence of around 0.1%. A patient with a right aortic arch underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery left lower lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection for squamous cell carcinoma. There was no aortic arch or descending aorta in the left thoracic cavity, but the esophagus. There was no anomaly in the location or branching of the pulmonary vessels, the bronchi, and the lobulation of the lungs. The vagus nerve was found at the level of the left pulmonary artery. The arterial ligament was found between the left subclavian artery and the left pulmonary artery. The recurrent laryngeal nerve was recurrent around the left subclavian artery. A Kommerell diverticulum was found at the origin of the left subclavian artery. The patient experienced no complications. We conclude that video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy with mediastinal dissection is feasible for treating lung cancer with a right aortic arch.

Purpose: To determine the predictive value of serum lipid levels on the development of later cardiovascular events after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery. Methods: A total of 101 patients under 70 undergoing an elective AAA surgery were divided into the following two groups: 1) those who developed later cardiovascular events after AAA surgery, including cerebral infarction (n = 4), catheter intervention (PCI) or surgery for coronary artery disease (CAD) (n = 9) and other vascular disease. (CVE group; n = 19); 2) those without later events (NoCVE group: n = 82). Preoperative atherosclerotic risk factors including serum lipid levels were subjected to univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: The CVE group showed a significantly lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level (32.9 ± 6.6 vs 41.6 ± 12.1 mg/dL; p

SummaryA 60-year-old woman with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and congenital bicuspid aortic valve was admitted to our hospital due to cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Noninvasive adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) improved her symptoms and respiratory status. It was associated with favorable hemodynamic effects including an increase in cardiac output and a decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance without alternating systemic blood pressure. An improvement in oxygenation and the favorable hemodynamic effects might lead to the stabilization of clinical status. Noninvasive ventilation with ASV can avert tracheal intubation by improving oxygenation and is expected to be convenient and useful in the treatment of acute pulmonary edema.

We diagnosed unroofed coronary sinus preoperatively by the 3D volume rendering and endocardial views with 64-slice MDCT, and those clearly showed the defect of the roof of the coronary sinus and the relationship with the surrounding structure. MDCT is a good non-invasive tool for the evaluation of unroofed coronary sinus, and the reconstructed endocardial view is useful for preoperative surgical planning.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results of spinal cord protection based on selective reconstruction of the segmental arteries. Methods: Twenty-one patients who underwent repair of aneurysms (nine descending thoracic and 12 thoracoabdominal: three type I, six type II, and three type III) were analyzed. Ten patients had postdissection aneurysms. Operative techniques consisted of evoked spinal cord potential (ESP-dsc) monitoring and femorofemoral bypass in all cases, segmental resection in 12, and mild systemic hypothermia in eight. Arteries critical for cord blood flow were selectively reconstructed; if ESP-dsc showed change after resection of an aortic segment, arteries originating from this segment were reconstructed. Results: ESP-dsc change was observed in 12 patients. Arteries found to be critical were at the T8-L1 level in all but three cases. Selective reconstruction was performed in 10 of these 12 patients. ESP-dsc change could be reversed before reconstruction in four cases, three by control of back-bleeding critical arteries. Selective reconstruction resulted in return of ESP-dsc in seven other patients. Spinal cord injury occurred in five patients, two of whom did not undergo selective reconstruction. Conclusion: These results suggest that our current technique allows determination of critical arteries but does not completely prevent injury. (J VASC SURG 1995;21:970-5.)

Background: The O-arm is an intraoperative imaging device that can provide computed tomography images. Surgery for small lung tumors was performed based on intraoperative computed tomography images obtained using the O-arm. This study evaluated the usefulness of the O-arm in thoracic surgery. Methods: From July 2013 to November 2013, 10 patients with small lung nodules or ground glass nodules underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery using the O-arm. A needle was placed on the visceral pleura near the nodules. After the lung was re-expanded, intraoperative computed tomography was performed using the O-arm. Then, the positional relationship between the needle marking and the tumor was recognized based on the intraoperative computed tomography images, and lung resection was performed. Results: In 9 patients, the tumor could be seen on intraoperative computed tomography images using the O-arm. In 1 patient with a ground glass nodule, the lesion could not be seen, but its location could be inferred by comparison between preoperative and intraoperative computed tomography images. In only 1 patient with a ground glass nodule, a pathological complete resection was not performed. There were no complications related to the use of the O-arm. Conclusions: The O-arm may be an additional tool to facilitate intraoperative localization and surgical resection of non-palpable lung lesions.

Background We previously reported that arterial infarction of vital organs after lobectomy might occur only after left upper lobectomy and be caused by thrombosis in the left superior pulmonary vein stump. We hypothesized that changes in blood flow, such as blood stasis and disturbed stagnant flow, in the left superior pulmonary vein stump cause thrombosis, and this was evaluated by intraoperative ultrasonography. Methods From July 2013 to April 2014, 24 patients underwent lobectomy in the Steel Memorial Muroran Hospital. During the procedure, an ultrasound probe was placed at the pulmonary vein stump and the velocity in the stump was recorded with pulse Doppler mode. The peak velocity and the presence of spontaneous echo contrast in the stump were evaluated. After the operation, the patients underwent contrast-enhanced CT within 3 months. Results The operative procedures were seven left upper lobectomies, four left lower lobectomies, seven right upper lobectomies, and six right lower lobectomies. Blood flow was significantly slower in the left superior pulmonary vein stump than in the right pulmonary vein stumps. However, that was not significantly slower than that in the left inferior pulmonary vein stump. Spontaneous echo contrast in the pulmonary vein stump was seen in three patients who underwent left upper lobectomy. Of the three patients with spontaneous echo contrast, two patients developed thrombosis in the left superior vein stump within 3 months after the operation. There was no patient who developed arterial infarction. Conclusions In patients who underwent left upper lobectomy, intraoperative ultrasonography to evaluate blood flow and the presence of spontaneous echo contrast in the left superior pulmonary vein stump may be useful to predict thrombosis that may cause arterial infarction. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13019-014-0159-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background: Chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) is a rare disease; however, symptomatic CMI has a risk of acute exacerbation without timely revascularization. Case presentation: A 54-year-old man who had had postprandial pain for 6 months was admitted to our hospital because of vomiting and diarrhea. Although the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries were occluded at the proximal portion, contrast enhancement of the bowel wall was good in contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT). Endoscopic examination revealed only a healed gastric ulcer and slight mucosal erosions in the colon. He was diagnosed as having acute enteritis or inflammatory digestive disease and observed with conservative therapy, which improved his acute symptoms. On hospitalization day 42, he suddenly complained of lower back pain. CECT showed abdominal free air, which indicated gastrointestinal perforation. Emergency surgery was performed for jejunum resection. Two days later, a second operation was performed for a leak in the anastomotic site of the jejunum. Necrotic change in the small intestinal serosa was also observed and required broad resection of the small intestine. He was diagnosed with acute exacerbation of CMI, and we performed surgical retrograde bypass to the gastroduodenal artery using a saphenous vein graft as the third operation. After the surgery, he was free from digestive symptoms and was discharged. Conclusions: When patients complain of chronic and gradual digestive symptoms, we should always consider symptomatic CMI. Timely mesenteric revascularization is important for symptomatic CMI before severe complications occur.

Background: Thrombosis in the left upper pulmonary vein stump after left upper lobectomy is a very rare but important complication because it occurs in the systemic circulation system. We previously made the first ever report on the frequency and risk factors of thrombosis in the pulmonary vein stump after lobectomy. In this study, we conducted an investigation in a different hospital to determine whether this was a common complication. Methods: From 2008 to 2012, 151 patients who underwent lobectomy and following enhanced CT within 2 years after the operation were studied. Postoperative contrast-enhanced CT imaging was retrospectively checked. Results: We found thrombosis in the pulmonary vein stump in 5 of the 151 patients (3.3%). All 5 patients underwent left upper lobectomy (17.9% of the patients who underwent left upper lobectomy). These 5 patients did not have infarction of any vital organ. The thrombus was disappeared several months later on contrast-enhanced CT in 3 patients and followed in 2 patients. On univariate analysis, there was a significant difference only in the operative procedure (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Thrombosis in the pulmonary vein stump occurred with high frequency in patients who underwent left upper lobectomy. Because the frequency of thrombosis in this study was the same as in our previous report, this might be a common complication.

With increasing frequency, hypothermic total cardiopulmonary bypass with or without periods of circulatory arrest has been used for aortic reconstruction through a left thoracotomy. ~'2 In these cases, arterial return is usually by the femoral artery. However, total bypass with retrograde femoral arterial perfusion may be hazardous or impossible in the presence of severe downstream atherosclerotic disease. It also can result in malperfusion of the vital organs when aortic dissection is present. Although the aortic arch has been described as an alternative cannulation site, 3 the limitation is obvious, because the indication for hypothermic circulatory arrest is frequently proximal aortic involvement or technical difficulties during the operation.1 We used transapical aortic cannulation as an alternative cannulation technique for hypothermic total cardiopulmonary bypass through a left thoracotomy. The patient and technical detail are described. Clinical summary. The technique was applied in a 60-year-old man with chronic expanding type B aortic dissection. In June 1994, he was referred for treatment of an acute type A aortic dissection and occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery. Because dissection in the ascending aorta and aortic arch was retrograde and completely thrombosed, the patient was treated by infrarenal fenestration with Y grafting alone. The thrombosed false lumen in the ascending aorta and aortic arch completely disappeared subsequently. In November 1996, he was readmitted to our service for surgical treatment of aneurysmal expansion of the dissected thoracoabdominal aorta. The left subclavian artery was also dilated and required a separate graft for reconstruction. An echocardiogram revealed no regurgitation on the aortic valve. To avoid placing a clamp on the previously dissected aortic arch and to protect the spinal cord from ischemia during reconstruction of the intercostal arteries, 2 we planned to use profound hypothermia for the operation. However, because the true lumen was narrow in the thoracoabdominal portion and the superior mesenteric artery was also dissected, retrograde arterial perfusion was considered to carry the risk of malperfusion of the superior mesenteric artery. Therefore a technique that provided antegrade blood flow was considered necessary. The operation was performed on November 20, 1996. The entire thoracoabdominal aorta was exposed through a thoracoabdominal incision with the left hemidiaphragm divided circumferentially. The pleural cavity was entered through the fifth intercostal space. At first, partial cardiopulmonary bypass was initiated from the right femoral vein to the right femoral artery. A second venous cannula was placed into the right ventricle through the pulmonary artery, because the femoral venous cannula was a smallbore (23F) cannula. Then a 24F straight venous cannula (Polystan, Copenhagen, Denmark) was introduced into the ascending aorta through the ventricular apex across the aortic valve, and total cardiopulmonary bypass was established through it (Fig. 1). Correct positioning of the cannula could be confirmed either by palpation from the transverse sinus or by transesophageal echocardiography.