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The reduction in exercise capacity after mitral valve repair (MVr) for severe degenerative mitral regurgitation is an unsolved issue. This study aimed to evaluate hemodynamics after MVr using a partial semirigid band during exercise stress echocardiography and to identify predictive factors for achieving better exercise capacity after MVr.We retrospectively analyzed 48 patients using exercise stress echocardiography within 5 years of having undergone MVr using a partial semirigid band between 2013 and 2019. Values of maximal workload were converted into numbers of metabolic equivalents (METs) achieved for each patient. Age and sex expected METs (eMETs) were obtained, and percent eMETs (%eMETs [achieved METs / eMETs × 100]) were calculated. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to identify the determinants of %eMETs.Only one third of patients achieved eMETs. Significant determinants of %eMETs were age at exercise stress echocardiography (β coefficient 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.31 to 0.96; P.001), female sex (β coefficient 16.9; 95% confidence interval, 8.58 to 25.17; P.001), and larger indexed device size (device size/body surface area; β coefficient 4.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.74 to 6.46; P = .001). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that a cutoff value of 19.5 mm/mPatients with larger indexed device size achieved greater exercise capacity after MVr using a partial semirigid band. Preoperative evaluation to decide whether we can use an annuloplasty device larger than 19.5 mm/m

In Japan, off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) is more common than on-pump coronary artery bypass. Superior early results of OPCAB have been reported; however, long-term results were still unclear. Purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes of OPCAB in Japan using Japan Adult Cardiovascular Surgery Database. Between 2008 and 2010, 23,633 patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass were reported in database. We selected the cases from the hospital with mean annual coronary surgery volume of more than 50. Among the total of 7724 cases at 41 institutions, 2150 (31.2%) on-pump coronary artery bypass (ONCAB) and 5574 (68.8%) OPCAB cases were included. Propensity score (PS) matching was performed using PS developed from patient characteristics and preoperative factors resulting in 2007 cases matched pairs. Long-term follow-up data on patients’ mortality and stroke were collected. In-hospital mortality was significantly lower in OPCAB (ONCAB 1.1%, OPCAB 0.4% p = 0.01). Stroke was low in OPCAB group (ONCAB 1.7%, OPCAB 0.8%, p = 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between OPCAB and ONCAB regarding 7-year overall survival (86.1% vs 88.1% respectively), composite outcomes (72.0% vs 73.9% respectively), or cardiac deaths (97.3% vs 97.1% respectively). Subgroup analysis (more than 75 years old) showed a worse trend in OPCAB group. Only in OPCAB group, incomplete revascularization significantly influenced 7-year survival. OPCAB is associated with early prognostic benefits; however, it might be less favorable outcomes in the long term when patients are older or with incomplete revascularization.

Purpose:Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) can rapidly improve cardiac sympathetic nervous function (CSNF) within 2 weeks in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). However, it remains unclear whether such short-term improvements will be sustained thereafter. The present study aimed to investigate the mid-term (i.e., 6–12 months) effects of TAVR on CSNF in patients with severe AS using 123I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) imaging.Methods:Patients with severe AS who were scheduled to undergo TAVR between October 2017 and June 2019 were enrolled in this single-centre, prospective, observational study. MIBG imaging was performed at baseline, within 2 weeks after TAVR, and at 6–12 months post-TAVR to evaluate the heart–mediastinum ratio (H/M) and washout rate (WR). Differences between each MIBG parameter at three time points were analysed, and factors involved in the long-term improvement in the late H/M were investigated. Results:Of 183 consecutive patients, 75 (19 men; median age: 86 years) were evaluated. The late H/M significantly improved within 2 weeks after TAVR (P=0.041) and further improved over 6–12 months after TAVR (P=0.041). The WR rapidly improved immediately after TAVR (P=0.003) but remained unchanged at 6–12 months (P=0.827). Multivariate analysis revealed that the baseline mean aortic valve pressure gradient (mPG) was an independent predictor of mid-term improvement in the late H/M (>0.1) (adjusted odds ratio: 0.035; 95% confidence interval: 0.004–0.070; P=0.037). Patients with a high baseline mPG (≥58 mmHg) exhibited a significantly greater increase in the late H/M than those with a low baseline mPG (P=0.029).Conclusions:CSNF, as denoted by the late H/M, demonstrated sustained improvement from within 2 weeks after TAVR until 6–12 months later. Such improvement was related to baseline hemodynamic AS severity.

Background Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most frequent congenital cardiac anomaly. We report a successful case in which the tricuspidization technique with valve-sparing aortic root replacement was used for BAV with severe aortic regurgitation. Case presentation A 22-year-old man was admitted for progressively worsening aortic regurgitation due to a congenital BAV. Preoperative examination revealed annuloaortic ectasia and left ventricular dilatation with worsening ejection fraction. The right and left coronary cusps of the aortic valve were fused with severe prolapse. During surgery, as there was no obvious calcification or degeneration of each coronary cusp and the commissural orientation was nearly 120°, we judged that tricuspid reconstruction was preferable. Neo-left and right commissure reconstruction by raphe suspension and free margin resuspension of the non-coronary cusp were performed with valve-sparing aortic root replacement (reimplantation technique). Postoperatively, the coaptation height of each coronary cusp was remarkably increased, and aortic regurgitation and left ventricular function improved. The patient was discharged 12 days postoperatively without any complications. Conclusions The tricuspidization technique with valve-sparing aortic root replacement was a valuable strategy for repairing the bicuspid valve (type I) with severe aortic valve regurgitation. Although we believe that our tricuspidization technique has the potential for good durability, further experience is warranted to confirm the safety and efficacy of this technique.

OBJECTIVES It is difficult to estimate the improvement in left ventricular (LV) function after aortic valve replacement (AVR). The present study aimed to evaluate whether energy loss (EL) can predict the postoperative LV function after AVR. METHODS Nine patients who underwent AVR with a bioprosthetic valve were enrolled in the present study. Porcine prostheses were used in 5 patients and bovine pericardial prostheses were used in 4 patients. The aortic flow pattern was visualized and EL and cardiac output (CO) were measured using 4-dimensional flow magnetic resonance imaging from the LV to the descending aorta; the EL/CO ratio in the extracted area was calculated as total EL/CO ratio. RESULTS With a porcine valve, a severe helical flow was observed in the ascending aorta during the holosystolic phase. In contrast, with a bovine pericardial valve, straight transvalvular aortic flow was observed in the early systolic phase and 2 large vortical flows occurred on both sides of the greater and lesser curvature of the ascending aorta after the mid-systolic period. The total EL/CO ratio was strongly correlated with LV ejection fraction improvement after AVR (r = 0.74, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS The aortic flow pattern is different between the porcine valve and bovine pericardial valve. The total EL/CO ratio is a valuable tool for evaluating the postoperative LV ejection fraction improvement after AVR. Optimization of total EL/CO ratio would have potential to improve haemodynamic performances after AVR.

A 72-year-old woman presented with exertional dyspnea. Echocardiography revealed severe mitral valve stenosis; therefore, mitral valve replacement was performed using a bioprosthetic valve. However, left ventricular wall rupture occurred following mitral valve replacement. Under re-cardiac arrest, we found a left ventricular tear under the posterior annulus of the mitral valve. We repaired the left ventricular muscle using a bovine pericardial patch and implanted a bioprosthetic valve again. Postoperatively, we implanted an Impella 5.0 heart pump through the right axillary artery to ensure left ventricular wall unloading. Systemic blood flow depended almost completely on mechanical circulatory assistance until postoperative day 3. After the fourth postoperative day, we started weaning the patient from Impella 5.0. Finally, it was completely discontinued on the sixth postoperative day. After that, the patient's condition was stable, and she was discharged 44 days postoperatively. Impella 5.0 is a potentially beneficial device for left ventricular unloading in patients with left ventricular wall rupture following mitral valve replacement.

We recently established that our digital potential function was globally stable at the point where a virtual liver coincided with its real counterpart. In particular, because three rotational degrees of freedom are frequently used in a surgical operation on a real liver, stability of the potential function concerning three rotational degrees of freedom was carefully verified in the laboratory, using fluorescent lamps and sunlight. We achieved the same stability for several simulated liver operations using a 3D printed viscoelastic liver in a surgical operating room equipped with two light-emitting diode shadowless lamps. As a result, with increasing number of lamps, stability of our depth-depth matching in the steepest descendent algorithm improved because the lamps did not emit an infrared spectrum such as the one emitted by our depth camera. Furthermore, the slower the angular velocity in a surgical sequence, the more overall stability improved.

OBJECTIVES The actual underlying mechanisms of acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) are not well understood. The present study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of AAAD using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis. METHODS We performed CFD analysis using patient-specific computed tomography imaging in 3 healthy control cases and 3 patients with AAAD. From computed tomography images, we made a healthy control model or pre-dissection model for CFD analysis. Pulsatile cardiac flow during one cardiac cycle was simulated, and a three-dimensional flow streamline was visualized to evaluate flow velocity, wall shear stress and oscillatory shear index (OSI). RESULTS In healthy controls, the transvalvular aortic flow was parallel to the ascending aorta. There was no spotty high OSI area at the ascending aorta. In pre-dissection patients, accelerated transvalvular aortic flow was towards the posterolateral ascending aorta. The vortex flow was observed on the side of the lesser curvature in mid-systole and expanded throughout the entire ascending aorta during diastole. Systolic wall shear stress was high due to the accelerated aortic blood flow on the side of the greater curvature of the ascending aorta. On the side of the lesser curvature, high OSI areas were observed around the vortex flow. In all pre-dissection cases, a spotty high OSI area was in close proximity to the actual primary entry site of the future AAAD. CONCLUSIONS The pre-onset high OSI area with vortex flow is closely associated with the future primary entry site. Therefore, we can elucidate the mechanism of AAAD with CFD analysis.

The Japanese Off-Pump Coronary Revascularization Investigation (JOCRI) study reported a non-significant difference in early outcomes and graft patency between off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in 2005. The JOCRIED study aimed to review the long-term outcomes of the JOCRI study participants.The JOCRIED study enrolled 123 of the JOCRI study participants completing the clinical follow-up between August 2018 and August 2020; 61 patients in the off-pump group and 62 patients in the on-pump group. The follow-up period was 13.8 ± 2.8 years. The groups were compared regarding mortality, the incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events and repeat revascularisation. The 15-year cumulative survival rate (off-pump vs on-pump, respectively; 77.7% vs 75.3%; p = 0.85), major adverse events-free survival rate (62.5% vs 55.6%; p = 0.27) and repeat revascularisation-free rate (84.8% vs 78.0%; p = 0.16) were not significantly different between the two groups. Revascularisation was the most common major adverse events in the JOCRIED participants. Although percutaneous coronary intervention was performed in 8 patients (13%) in the off-pump group and in 14 patients (23%) in the on-pump group (p = 0.23), no patients underwent redo coronary artery bypass grafting.Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting provides comparable 15-year outcomes to on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

Combined resection of the superior vena cava is sometimes challenging during radical surgery for malignant mediastinal tumors. We report a case of a 21-year-old man with a malignant mediastinal germ cell tumor who underwent surgical resection with superior vena cava reconstruction involving an extrathoracic temporary bypass from the right brachiocephalic vein to the right atrium using a venous return cannula because of left brachiocephalic vein occlusion. This is a convenient and safe optional technique providing an excellent intrathoracic surgical view for temporary superior vena cava bypass in patients with invasive malignant mediastinal tumor associated with venous return through the hemilateral brachiocephalic vein.

This study was conducted in January 2010 to identify influential factors for utilization of local produce in school lunch services and factor-correlations in terms of employment types and item types and to review the evaluation index for shokuiku. The research participants were 56 nutrition teachers, 91 school principals, and 23 school lunch directors. The study revealed that school lunch staff had high awareness and behavioral motivation for using local ingredients.School lunch directors were concerned about managerial aspects such as “high price” and “not enough variety and quantity” for making lunches with local ingredients only. The principals expressed high opinion on educational or administrative advantages of using local ingredients in “increased number of local cuisine in the menu” and “securing food safety” but showed low awareness on problems related to using local produce to cook for entire student body such as “longer cooking time” and “not enough providers.” Correlation between questionnaire items revealed that there was a strong positive relation between items emphasizing advantages of using local produce. The results showed that using local produce for providing school lunches could induce changes in behaviors, such as frequenting local produce markets, and it is considered to become a good evaluation index for developing shokuiku.

We aimed to investigate cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-derived predictors of a lack of left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling after undersized mitral annuloplasty (uMAP) for moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR). We retrospectively reviewed 31 patients who underwent uMAP for moderate IMR and cardiac MRI evaluation between 2004 and 2017. Cardiac MRI evaluation included cine MRI LV and right ventricular volumetric measurements and gadolinium-enhanced MRI assessment of myocardial scarring. LV dimensions were assessed preoperatively, postoperatively, and at follow-up using serial transthoracic echocardiography, and the mid-term (median, 49 months) predictors of a lack of LV reverse remodeling were analyzed. At the mid-term follow-up (mean follow-up period: 85 ± 40 months), 15 patients exhibited reverse LV remodeling. The relative reduction in LV dimension at follow-up was negatively correlated with the preoperative number of LV segments with myocardial infarction (MI) (defined as an LV segment with25% enhancement). The optimal cut-off for predicting a lack of reverse LV remodeling at follow-up was5 LV segments with MI, with a sensitivity and specificity of 92% and 92%, respectively. This cut-off value also predicted all-cause mortality at follow-up, with a sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 67%, respectively. The presence of5 LV segments with MI on gadolinium-enhanced MRI might be a useful predictor of lack of reverse LV remodeling and all-cause mortality outcomes after undersized mitral annuloplasty for moderate IMR.

OBJECTIVES Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been reported for coronary artery diseases in patients with Kawasaki disease and coronary artery complications after arterial switch operations for transposition of the great arteries. However, only a few studies have explored this modality for congenital coronary artery anomalies. As congenital coronary artery anomalies, particularly left coronary artery atresia and stenosis, are one of the reasons for sudden death, coronary revascularization is often required in infants and young children. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the outcome of CABG for such anomalies in infants and young children. METHODS From 2014 to 2018, 3 infants and 2 children (median age: 10 months; range: 6–40 months) with coronary artery anomalies underwent CABG at our hospital. The indications for the procedure included left main coronary artery atresia and stenosis in 2 and 3 patients, respectively. Graft patency was evaluated postoperatively by contrast-enhanced computed tomography or coronary angiography, and postoperative outcomes (including death and cardiac events) were assessed during the follow-up period. RESULTS No 30-day or in-hospital mortalities were noted. Postoperative examinations revealed patent grafts in all patients. They were discharged without any cardiac complications. Regarding the outcomes at the follow-up period, the graft patency rate was 80.0% (4/5 grafts), with no deaths or cardiac events. CONCLUSIONS CABG is a useful strategy for coronary revascularization in infants and young children with coronary artery anomalies. Although the mid-term outcomes and patency are satisfactory, careful follow-up is necessary because the long-term outcomes remain unknown.

It has been reported that there are some risks of coronary artery graft injury while redo sternotomy was required for valve surgery after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Also it is well known that clinical results after graft injury was poor. For avoiding graft injury, coronary artery graft must be placed away from the sternum at the time of initial CABG. For redo sternotomy, 3-dimensional-computed tomography can be useful. For aortic valve surgery after CABG, treatment of patent in-situ graft have to be discussed. For common practice, dissecting and clamping the patent in-situ graft during cardiac arrest were required. However, there are some reports showing good clinical results with moderate hypothermia, non-dissection and non-clamping graft. Furthermore, less mobidity rate results of transcatheter aortic valve implantation( TAVI) after CABG was reported. For mitral valve surgery after CABG, right mini-thoracotomy was reported as preferred procedure recently. Dissection area could be reduced than re-median sternotomy, although clamping aorta and patent graft were technically difficult. Two procedures were reported such as hypothermia and ventricular fibrillation or normothermia and beating heart. MitraClip procedure can be considered for high risk patients. Newly developed surgical and catheter technique may change the strategy for heart valve disease after CABG.

The effects of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) on cardiac sympathetic nervous (CSN) function have not been fully explored. This study aimed to investigate the early (within 2 weeks) effects of TAVR on CSN function in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) using 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy. Of 143 consecutive patients who were scheduled to undergo TAVR, 67 (18 men; median age 86 years) were evaluated in this single-centre prospective observational study. MIBG scintigraphy was performed at baseline and 3–14 days after the TAVR procedure to evaluate the heart–mediastinum ratio (H/M) and washout rate (WR). Differences between baseline and post-TAVR MIBG parameters were analysed. MIBG parameter changes were compared with echocardiographic parameters. Furthermore, factors involved in the improvement in MIBG parameters were investigated. All patients successfully underwent TAVR with improved echocardiographic parameters, including aortic valve area (AVA; 0.6 cm2 vs. 1.6 cm2), peak velocity (4.5 m/s vs. 2.0 m/s), mean pressure gradient (50 mmHg vs. 9 mmHg), and left ventricular ejection fraction (56% vs. 62%) (all p 3%). Female sex, Clinical Frailty Scale score ≤ 5, baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate, and baseline AVA were predictors of improvement in delayed H/M (> 0.1). Baseline AVA and E/E′ were independent predictors of improvement in both WR and delayed H/M. The CSN function was impaired in patients with AS, as assessed using MIBG scintigraphy. WR and delayed H/M improved immediately after TAVR. Improvement in CSN function may be related to echocardiographic AS severity at baseline before TAVR.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) can rapidly improve cardiac sympathetic nervous function (CSNF) within 2 weeks in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). However, whether such short-term improvements will be sustained thereafter remains unclear.Patients with severe AS who underwent TAVR between October 2017 and June 2019 were enrolled in this single-center, prospective, observational study.sup123/supI-meta-iodobenzylguanidine imaging was performed at baseline, within 2 weeks after TAVR, and at 6 to 12 months post-TAVR to evaluate the heart-mediastinum ratio (H/M) and washout rate.Of 183 consecutive patients, 75 (19 men; median age: 86 years) were evaluated. The late H/M significantly improved within 2 weeks after TAVR (P = .041) and further improved over 6 to 12 months after TAVR (P = .041). Multivariate analysis revealed that the baseline mean aortic valve pressure gradient (mPG) was an independent predictor of mid-term improvement in the late H/M (gt; 0.1) (P = .037). Patients with a high baseline mPG (≥ 58 mmHg) exhibited a significantly greater increase in the late H/M than those with a low baseline mPG (lt; 42 mmHg) (0.24 vs 0.01; P = .029).CSNF demonstrated sustained improvement from within 2 weeks after TAVR until 6 to 12 months later. Such improvement was related to baseline hemodynamic AS severity.

In Japan, off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) is more common than on-pump coronary artery bypass. Superior early results of OPCAB have been reported; however, long-term results were still unclear. Purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes of OPCAB in Japan using Japan Adult Cardiovascular Surgery Database.Between 2008 and 2010, 23,633 patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass were reported in database. We selected the cases from the hospital with mean annual coronary surgery volume of more than 50. Among the total of 7724 cases at 41 institutions, 2150 (31.2%) on-pump coronary artery bypass (ONCAB) and 5574 (68.8%) OPCAB cases were included. Propensity score (PS) matching was performed using PS developed from patient characteristics and preoperative factors resulting in 2007 cases matched pairs. Long-term follow-up data on patients' mortality and stroke were collected.In-hospital mortality was significantly lower in OPCAB (ONCAB 1.1%, OPCAB 0.4% p = 0.01). Stroke was low in OPCAB group (ONCAB 1.7%, OPCAB 0.8%, p = 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between OPCAB and ONCAB regarding 7-year overall survival (86.1% vs 88.1% respectively), composite outcomes (72.0% vs 73.9% respectively), or cardiac deaths (97.3% vs 97.1% respectively). Subgroup analysis (more than 75 years old) showed a worse trend in OPCAB group. Only in OPCAB group, incomplete revascularization significantly influenced 7-year survival.OPCAB is associated with early prognostic benefits; however, it might be less favorable outcomes in the long term when patients are older or with incomplete revascularization.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis using computed tomography images can reveal the details of the blood flow in cardiovascular disease. In double aortic arch, it is difficult to assess the hemodynamics because of the strong influence of various anatomical features, such as the angle of the aortic bifurcation. In the present study, we reported that CFD analysis is a valuable method for hemodynamic assessment in patients with double aortic arch.

We have developed some liver posture estimation methods for achieving a liver surgical navigation system that can support surgeons who needs to know very precise information about vessels in the liver. Those methods use 3D liver models scanned from patients and 2D images scanned by depth cameras for estimating the liver posture as accurately as possible. Since a new posture estimation method using simple and high-speed image hashing algorithm was developed last year, we are trying to improve the method in accuracy and applicability for the real-time liver posture tracking. In this paper, we examine how deep learning methods can be used for liver posture estimation and its tracking over the 2D images scanned from depth cameras. We study how can a multi-layer perceptron neural network learn and estimate the liver rotation expressed in quaternion form. The real-time surgical navigation system should be efficiently implemented by combining multiple estimation methods including the deep learning method.

BackgroundThere is currently no subjective, definitive evaluation method for therapeutic indication other than symptoms in aortic regurgitation. Energy loss, a novel parameter of cardiac workload, can be visualized and quantified using echocardiography vector flow mapping. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether energy loss in patients with chronic aortic regurgitation can quantify their subjective symptoms more clearly than other conventional metrics.MethodsWe studied 15 patients undergoing elective aortic valve surgery for aortic regurgitation. We divided the patients into symptomatic and asymptomatic groups using their admission records. We analyzed the mean energy loss in one cardiac cycle using transesophageal echocardiography during the preoperative period. The relationships between symptoms, energy loss, and other conventional metrics were statistically analyzed.ResultsThere were seven and eight patients in the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups, respectively. The mean energy loss of one cardiac cycle was higher in the symptomatic group (121 mW/m [96–184]) than in the asymptomatic group (87 mW/m [80–103]) (p = 0.040), whereas the diastolic diameter was higher in the asymptomatic group (65 mm [59–78]) than in the symptomatic group (57 mm [51–57]) (p = 0.040). There was no significant difference between the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups in terms of other conventional metrics.ConclusionsAn energy loss can quantify patients' subjective symptoms more clearly than other conventional metrics. The small sample size is the primary limitation of our study, further studies assessing larger cohort of patients are warranted to validate our findings.

Background Ruptured subvalvular pseudoaneurysm is a rare but significantly fatal complication of infective endocarditis. We report a successful surgical case of ruptured subvalvular pseudoaneurysm with infective endocarditis. Case summary A 46-year-old man presenting with high fever was admitted to a local hospital. Physical examination revealed small erythema and petechiae on his lower limbs. Transthoracic echocardiogram did not show any visible vegetation and valvular disease; however, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multiple acute cerebral infractions, and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus was detected in the blood culture. Infective endocarditis was suspected, and an antibacterial medication was initiated. Twelve days later, he suffered from a sudden cardiogenic shock due to cardiac tamponade. Bloody pericardial effusion (1600 mL) was drained, and his condition improved substantially. Transoesophageal echocardiography after pericardial drainage revealed severe mitral regurgitation and a subvalvular aneurysm at the posteromedial side of the mitral annulus; these were not detected at the time of admission. He was transferred to our hospital for surgery; however, since fresh cerebral bleeding was observed in MRI, the surgery was delayed. Three weeks later, after confirming that the blood culture was negative for any growth, patch repair of the subvalvular pseudoaneurysm and mitral valve repair were performed. Post-operatively, no complication or arrhythmia was observed; he was discharged 25 days later. Discussion We report a rare case of successful delayed surgery for a ruptured subvalvular pseudoaneurysm at the posteromedial side of the mitral annulus, which presented complications for infective endocarditis by S. aureus.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to elucidate the remodelling of the internal mammary artery (IMA)–left anterior descending artery anastomosis and compare 2 different anastomosis techniques (end-to-side versus side-to-side) using computational fluid dynamics. METHODS This study included 9 patients. Computed tomography (CT) angiography was performed immediately after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and at 3–6 months later. The computational fluid dynamics models were made using the CT data. The pulsatile 3-dimensional blood flow was achieved with the finite volume method to evaluate the postoperative morphological and haemodynamic changes at the anastomosis in each patient. Flow velocity distribution, wall shear stress (WSS) and its fluctuation oscillatory shear index were measured. RESULTS No early or mid-term graft occlusion was observed in the study series. In the side-to-side anastomosis, pouch formation at the distal end of IMA caused a vortex flow with low WSS immediately after CABG. However, at 3–6 months after surgery, this pouch disappeared. As a result, the laminar straight flow with uniform WSS distribution was achieved inside the anastomosis. In the end-to-side anastomosis, the anastomosis shape was remodelled, resulting in a laminar flow pattern with uniform WSS distribution. A patchy high oscillatory shear index was detected at the IMA wall on the top of anastomosis in either anastomosis techniques immediately after the surgery, but it disappeared at 3–6 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS Regardless of the anastomosis technique used, a successful remodelling of the IMA–left anterior descending artery anastomosis shape was achieved a few months after surgery, resulting in a straightforward flow streamline, with uniform WSS distribution and minimal oscillatory shear index.

As we have been developing a liver surgical navigation system that uses a scanned 3D liver model of the patient, we have pointed the necessity of the efficient posture estimation from depth images to be matched with the posture of a virtual liver rendered on a computer. We have previously used the technique of calculating the sum of squared errors using whole pixels contained in the depth images, and have compared over nine images simultaneously using the technique for the posture estimation. However, it requires a massive number of calculation repetition and that could be a barrier to the real time navigation through the surgery. In this paper, we propose a new method for comparing depth images and estimating postures by hashing the depth images vertically and horizontally. The liver postures can be identified by calculating 25 dimensional integer hashed values with the accuracy around 90%. By combining the previous posture estimation techniques with this method, the efficiency of the navigation system should be increased for the practical use in the real time surgical environment.

Liver surgery is typically performed to dissect part of the liver to remove a malignant tumor. The role of technology is to assist the surgeon to swiftly navigate to the area of interest. Our work involved the development of a liver surgery navigation system in which a steepest descent liver tracking algorithm is used to accurately track the real liver with a virtual liver. We recently demonstrated that our digital potential function was globally stable at the point at which the virtual liver coincided with its real counterpart. The same stability was achieved for several actual surgeries using 3D printed viscoelastic liver in an operating room with two light-emitting diode (LED) shadowless lamps. Increasing the number of lamps improved the stability of depth-depth matching in the steepest descent algorithm because the lamps did not emit in the infrared wavelength region unlike the depth cameras. Furthermore, the use of the characteristic uneven shape of the liver has greatly improved liver tracking accuracy. The complex and asymmetric shape of the upper part of the liver during surgery plays a key role in the liver in depth and depth matching. In this study, we experimentally investigated the stability of a virtual liver dissection configuration following a real liver in an operating room equipped with two LED shadowless lamps. As a result, deeply incised livers have superior depth-depth matching stability. In addition, even when using occlusion to simulate actual surgery, the convergence stability of the experimental performance is improved.

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate whether cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-derived right ventricular (RV) assessment can facilitate risk stratification among patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy who underwent surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR). Methods We retrospectively analysed 53 patients who underwent SVR. The patients were preoperatively evaluated using cardiac MRI. Cine-MRI was acquired for left ventricular (LV) and RV volume. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI was performed to evaluate LV scarring. The mid-term (median, 58 months) risk factors of all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiac events were analysed. Results A significant reduction in LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volume index and an increase in LV ejection fraction were observed early after SVR. RV end-diastolic volume index (RVEDVI) and RV end-systolic volume index (RVESVI) decreased after SVR (preoperative versus postoperative: RVEDVI, 71 ± 24 vs 62 ± 17 ml/m2, P = 0.006; RVESVI, 44 ± 26 vs 37 ± 16 ml/m2, P = 0.033), but RV ejection fraction did not change (preoperative versus postoperative: RV ejection fraction 40.8±14.6 vs 42.0±11.0%, P = 0.067). At follow-up, 25 deaths and 31 major adverse cardiac events occurred. After adjustment for age, creatinine level and preoperative mitral regurgitation grade, the Cox-hazard model indicated that RVEDVI [P = 0.006, hazard ratio (HR) 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.05] and RVESVI [P = 0.007, HR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.04] were significant predictors for all-cause mortality. As for major adverse cardiac events, RVEDVI (P = 0.007, HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.05), RVESVI (P = 0.002, HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.04) and RV ejection fraction (P = 0.018, HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.94-0.99) were significant. Conclusions RV parameters were more sensitive than LV parameters for predicting worse outcomes following SVR. Preoperative assessment of RV volume and function using cardiac MRI may improve the risk stratification of SVR.

A 75-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for dyspnea and edema of the lower limbs. Computed tomography angiography revealed a dilated left coronary artery from the left main trunk to the left circumflex branch and a dilated fistula originating from the left circumflex branch and draining into the persistent left superior vena cava. Physical examination revealed pulmonary hypertension and congestive heart failure. We performed closure of the fistula and left main coronary artery orifice and coronary artery bypass grafting. Postoperative computed tomography angiography showed patency of all grafts and progression of thrombosis in the dilated abnormal vessels.

Objectives We assessed the influence of annuloplasty procedures in mitral repair on left ventricular (LV) vortex flow patterns and aortic outflow patterns, and flow energy loss (EL). Methods Twenty healthy volunteers and 14 patients who had undergone mitral valve repair were examined using 3-dimensional cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging. A band group included 7 patients with semi-rigid and 2 with flexible partial bands. The ring group included 5 patients with semi-rigid complete rings. LV vortex flow patterns, aortic outflow patterns, EL, and aortic annulus changes during one cardiac cycle were evaluated. Results Mitral repair induced different vortex flow patterns compared with that of healthy volunteers. The vortex beneath the anterior mitral leaflet with semi-rigid devices was double-stranded in early diastole, and it was single-stranded with flexible bands with a large shift toward the apex during diastole. LVEL in patients who underwent mitral repair (0.84 ± 0.42 mW) was greater than that in healthy volunteers (0.47 ± 0.10 mW). Complete rings disturbed aortic outflow patterns, with EL distribution changes. Smaller devices relative to patient body size disturbed LV flow patterns and caused high EL. No significant relationship was found between indexed ring orifice area and transmitral mean pressure gradient (r = −0.25, P = .414), but a negative relationship exists between indexed ring orifice area and LVEL (r = −0.84, P Conclusions Mitral repair, especially with relatively small annuloplasty rings, induced abnormal LV flow patterns and EL elevation, which have the potential to be a novel hemodynamic evaluation method after mitral repair.

Background Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has improved prognosis and quality of life of patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) who had been considered inoperable or at high risk for surgical aortic valve replacement reflecting their age, frailty, and comorbidities. However, less is known about changes in cardiac geometry after TAVI procedure, and predictors of them. Purpose To clarify changes in cardiac geometry after TAVI, and their predictors. Methods We retrospectively analyzed patients with severe AS who underwent TAVI in our institute between May 2016 and June 2018. Of the 117 consecutive patients enrolled to this study, 12 patients died before six-month follow up, and finally 88 patients received follow up exams including echocardiography at six months after TAVI procedure. Results The analysis of echocardiographic data at the baseline and the six-month follow up of the 88 patients (age 86.2±4.0 years, male 19.3%, STS-PROM 6.76±3.28%, peak aortic jet velocity 4.67±0.75m/s) revealed that left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVi) (from 80.1±20.9ml/m2to 74.2±15.9ml/m2, p=0.011), and left ventricular mass index (LVMi) (from 116.0±32.7g/m2to 93.6±25.6g/m2, p Conclusion TAVI resulted in reverse remodeling and regression of hypertrophy in left ventricle. And these improvement were grater in patients with more advanced left ventricular remodeling and hypertrophy, and higher severity of AS at the baseline, however, less in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation and worse diastolic dysfunction.

Background Mechanism of acute aortic dissection still is not well understood. It is very difficult to predict where, when, and how acute aortic dissection occurs. This time we focused on blood flow velocity (FV), wall shear stress (WSS), and oscillatory shear index (OSI) which is three dimensional fluctuations of WSS inside ascending aorta. It is well recognized that a higher or lower WSS may cause intimal dysfunction, which could result in the progression of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, because of the non-slip boundary mechanical equilibrium of forces, WSS will separate the inner and outer layers of the aorta. This sheer force could stress the medial tissue and result in degeneration. OSI has been reported as important hemodynamic parameter that is highly associated with the progression of atherosclerosis by inducing radical oxygen production of the endothelial cells. Therefore, OSI may be more closely associated with the degeneration of the media in comparison with WSS. This time FV, WSS, and OSI was evaluated using computational fluid dynamics to identify the location of acute aortic dissection entry. Method Using computed tomography data of three patients (Case A, B, C) who had acute aortic dissection, each three pre-dissection aorta model was made. Computer simulation images of four dimensional pulsatile blood flow was made and pulsatile cardiac flow from one cardiac cycle was simulated. A three-dimensional movie was made to evaluate FV, WSS, and OSI. One normal size aorta was evaluated as a control. Results In control, blood flow inside ascending aorta was laminar, on the contrary, spiral flow was observed in three dissection cases. FV was slightly higher in dissection case (control: 0.56m/s, A: 0.77m/s, B: 1.05m/s, C: 0.35m/s). Maximum WSS in ascending aorta was 3.24Pa in control. In dissection cases, there was patchy high (A: 18.6Pa, B: 25.6Pa, C: 4.0Pa,) WSS lesion in ascending aorta. In case A and B, these patchy high lesions are close to the entry site. In all three dissection case, OSI was high around entry site. Figure 1 Conclusion According to our computer simulation, patchy high WSS and high OSI lesion is related with acute dissection entry site at the ascending aorta. Acknowledgement/Funding None

The effects of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) on cardiac sympathetic nervous (CSN) function have not been fully explored. This study aimed to investigate the early (within 2 weeks) effects of TAVR on CSN function in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) usingOf 143 consecutive patients who were scheduled to undergo TAVR, 67 (18 men; median age 86 years) were evaluated in this single-centre prospective observational study. MIBG scintigraphy was performed at baseline and 3-14 days after the TAVR procedure to evaluate the heart-mediastinum ratio (H/M) and washout rate (WR). Differences between baseline and post-TAVR MIBG parameters were analysed. MIBG parameter changes were compared with echocardiographic parameters. Furthermore, factors involved in the improvement in MIBG parameters were investigated.All patients successfully underwent TAVR with improved echocardiographic parameters, including aortic valve area (AVA; 0.6 cmThe CSN function was impaired in patients with AS, as assessed using MIBG scintigraphy. WR and delayed H/M improved immediately after TAVR. Improvement in CSN function may be related to echocardiographic AS severity at baseline before TAVR.