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The aim of this study is to evaluate the rehabilitation of patients based on data related to gait. In this paper, we evaluated the rehabilitation of patients undergone total knee arthroplasty (TKA), total hip arthroplasty (THA) and hemiplegic patients based on gait data such as speed, cadence, stride, and gait cycle during gait training. Statistical analysis, including repeated measures analysis of variance, is employed to examine the characteristics of changes in the data over time. Based on the results of this analysis, the importance of each data is weighted by the paired comparison method. Thereby, we evaluated the effectiveness of patient rehabilitation quantitatively and comprehensively.

We herein report a case of gastric hyperplastic polyps after argon plasma coagulation (APC) for gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) in the antrum of a 65-year-old man with liver cirrhosis and hypergastrinemia induced by long-term proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use. Two years after APC therapy, endoscopy demonstrated multiple gastric polyps in the antrum and angle. A gastric polyp biopsy indicated foveolar epithelium hyperplasia, which was diagnosed as gastric hyperplastic polyps. One year after switching to an H2 blocker antagonist, endoscopy revealed that the polyps and GAVE had disappeared, with normal gastrin levels suggesting that PPI-induced hypergastrinemia had caused gastric hyperplastic polyps after APC therapy, and the polyps had disappeared after discontinuing PPIs.

Background Mitral annuloplasty is a reliable mitral valve repair technique. There are two types of annuloplasy rings: the rigid ring and the flexible ring. This study sought to examine the long-term results of mitral valve repair using a Duran flexible ring. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 226 patients who underwent primary mitral valve repair using the Duran flexible ring for mitral regurgitation between September 1994 and March 2003. Patients' mean age was 56.7 years, and 39% were female. The mean follow-up was 10.6 years (0.04 ∼ 18.3), and echocardiographic follow-up was 83.3% complete. Results There were three early and 25 late deaths. Survival was 89.3 ± 2.2 for 10 years, and 83.5 ± 3.2% for 15 years. The 10- and 15-year freedom from reoperation on the mitral valve were 96.4 ± 1.4 and 95.3 ± 1.7%, respectively. The 10- and 15-year freedom from moderate or severe mitral regurgitation were 92.5 ± 2.2 and 73.7 ± 7.1%, respectively. Cox regression analysis revealed that age, male gender, and isolated anterior leaflet prolapse were predictive of recurrent moderate or severe mitral regurgitation. Conclusions Mitral valve repair for mitral regurgitation using a flexible Duran ring is safe and durable for more than 10 years. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12522 (J Card Surg 2015;30:333–337)

Purpose: We aim to investigate whether the duration of antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) via right axillary artery with an 8-mm prosthetic graft affects early outcomes in a repair of type A acute aortic dissection (AAD). Methods: Over the 24 months from April 2010, a repair of AAD under ACP via the right axillary artery and mild hypothermic circulatory arrest (rectum temperature, 28–30°C) was performed in 34 patients. Mean age was 64.5 ± 13.7 years of age. Preoperative shock status was in three due to cardiac tamponade. Organ malperfusion occurred in 11 patients preoperatively. Mean follow-up period was 9.6 ± 8.4 months and follow-up rate was 100%. Results: Hospital mortality rate was 8.8%. No newly required hemodialysis and new onset of temporary or permanent neurologic deficits were present in survivors. There were no statistically significant differences of mortality rate, new onset of permanent or temporary neurologic deficits and distal organ dysfunction between ACP duration

A 42-year-old woman presented with a 6-month history of palpitations and progressive dyspnea on exertion. She had undergone aortic and mitral valve repair using glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium for active infective endocarditis 5 years prior. Transthoracic echocardiography showed mitral valve stenosis with limited movement of the anterior leaflet. At redo surgery, severe calcification of the glutaraldehyde-treated pericardial patch on the anterior mitral leaflet was observed. Double valve replacement was performed with pulmonary vein isolation. Pathologic examination showed calcification of the glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 11 with oral anticoagulant therapy.

We report the case of a 68-year-old man with progressive heart failure due to effusive-constrictive pericarditis. During approximately 1 month, echocardiography revealed rapid progression from pericarditis with effusion without tamponade to pericardial thickening and diastolic dysfunction. Cardiac catheterization revealed that the pressure in the right heart chambers remained high after pericardiocentesis. The patient was rescued by aggressive pericardiectomy and sharp dissection of the epicardium into small fragments. This on-pump beating-heart surgery is known as the waffle procedure.

A 78-year-old female was referred to our hospital with a diagnosis of type A acute aortic dissection. There was a history of thrombosed aortic dissection six months prior and conservative management has been performed. Enhanced computed tomography showed type A acute aortic dissection with patent false lumen limited to the ascending aorta and ileus of the small intestine. Emergency hemiarch replacement was performed under mild hypothermic circulatory arrest and selective antegrade cerebral perfusion. Due to preoperative paralytic ileus, oral intake was initiated postoperative day four. Postoperative computed tomography revealed improvement of paralytic ileus. J. Med. Invest. 64: 286-287, August, 2017.

Whole-body periodic acceleration (WBPA) has been developed as a passive exercise device capable of improving endothelial function by applying pulsatile shear stress to vascular endothelium. We hypothesized that treatment with WBPA improves exercise capacity, myocardial ischemia, and left ventricular (LV) function because of increased coronary and peripheral vasodilatory reserves in patients with angina. Twenty-six patients with angina who were not indicated for percutaneous coronary intervention and/or coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly assigned to remain sedentary (sedentary group) or undergo 20 sessions of WBPA with the motion platform for 4 weeks (WBPA group) in addition to conventional medical treatment. WBPA was applied at 2 to 3 Hz and approximately ±2.2 m/s(2) for 45 minutes. We repeated the symptom-limited treadmill exercise test and adenosine sestamibi myocardial scintigraphy. In the WBPA group, the exercise time until 0.1-mV ST-segment depression increased by 53% (p

ObjectiveLeft atrial geometry and mechanical functions exert a profound effect on left ventricular filling and overall cardiovascular performance. We sought to investigate the perioperative factors that influence left atrial geometry and mechanical functions after the Maze procedure in patients with refractory atrial fibrillation and left atrial enlargement.MethodsSeventy-four patients with atrial fibrillation and left atrial enlargement (diameter ≥ 60 mm) underwent the Maze procedure in association with mitral valve surgery. The maximum left atrial volume and left atrial mechanical functions (booster pump, reservoir, and conduit function [%]) were calculated from the left atrial volume-cardiac cycle curves obtained by magnetic resonance imaging. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the independent variables that influenced the postoperative left atrial geometry and function.ResultsThe multivariate analysis showed that left atrial reduction surgery concomitant with the Maze procedure and the postoperative maintenance of sinus rhythm were predominant independent variables for postoperative left atrial geometry and mechanical functions. Among the 58 patients who recovered sinus rhythm, the postoperative left atrial geometry and function were compared between patients with (VR group) and without (control group) left atrial volume reduction. At a mean follow-up period of 13.8 months, sinus rhythm recovery rate was better (85% vs 68%, P < .05) in the VR group and maximum left atrial volume was less (116 ± 25 mL vs 287 ± 73 mL, P < .001) than in the control group. The maximum left atrial volume reduced with time only in the VR group (reverse remodeling). Postoperative booster pump and reservoir function in the VR group were better than in the control group (25% ± 6% vs 11% ± 4% and 34% ± 7% vs 16% ± 4%, respectively, P < .001), whereas the conduit function in the VR group was lower than in the control group, indicating that the improvement of the booster pump and reservoir function compensated for the conduit function to left ventricular filling.ConclusionLeft atrial reduction concomitant with the Maze procedure helped restore both contraction (booster pump) and compliance (reservoir) of the left atrium and facilitated left atrial reverse remolding. Left atrial volume reduction and postoperative maintenance of sinus rhythm may be desirable in patients with refractory AF and left atrial enlargement.

Cardiac manifestations of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APLS) comprise a major complication. Herein we report our surgical treatment of aortic regurgitation in a patient with APLS. A 61-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with symptoms of congestive heart failure. Systemic lupus erythematosus had been diagnosed at the age of 36, and immunosuppressive therapy has been continuously performed. APLS was also diagnosed at the age of 55, after which cardiomegaly was noted on chest radiographs and aortic regurgitation was evident on echocardiography. Although immunosuppressive therapy had been continued, cardiac symptoms began to develop. With a presumed diagnosis of valvular disease associated with autoimmune disease, the aortic valve was replaced with a bioprosthesis. Noninfective endocarditis was confirmed in the excised specimen and was likely involved in APLS. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 26 without complications.

Background Limb ischemia remains a challenge. To overcome shortcomings or limitations of gene therapy or cell transplantation, a sustained release system of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) using biodegradable gelatin hydrogel has been developed. Methods and Results A phase I-IIa study was performed, in which 7 patients had critical limb ischemia. They were intramuscularly injected with 200 μg of bFGF-incorporated gelatin hydrogel microspheres into the gastrocnemius of the ischemic limb. End-points were safety and feasibility of treatment after 4 and 24 weeks. One patient was excluded from the study for social reasons, but only after symptomatic improvements. In the evaluation of the other 6 patients, significant improvements were observed in the distance walked in 6 min (295±42 m vs 491±85 m for pretreatment vs after 24 weeks, p=0.023) and in transcutaneous oxygen pressure (53.5±5.2 mmHg vs 65.5±4.0 mmHg, p=0.03). The rest pain scale also improved (3.5±0.2 vs 1.0±0.6, p=0.022). The ankle-brachial pressure index improved at 4 weeks but not at 24 weeks. Among 5 patients who had a non-healing foot ulcer, the ulcer was completely healed in 3 patients, reduced in 1, and there was no change in 1 patient at 24 weeks. The blood levels of bFGF were undetected or within the normal level in all patients. Conclusions The sustained release of bFGF from gelatin hydrogel might be simple, safe, and effective to achieve therapeutic angiogenesis because it did not need genetic materials or collection of implanted cells, and because it did not have any general effects, which was supported by there being no elevation of the bFGF serum level. (Circ J 2007; 71: 1181 - 1186)

Mitral annuloplasty is a reliable mitral valve repair technique. There are two types of annuloplasy rings: the rigid ring and the flexible ring. This study sought to examine the long-term results of mitral valve repair using a Duran flexible ring.We retrospectively reviewed 226 patients who underwent primary mitral valve repair using the Duran flexible ring for mitral regurgitation between September 1994 and March 2003. Patients' mean age was 56.7 years, and 39% were female. The mean follow-up was 10.6 years (0.04 ∼ 18.3), and echocardiographic follow-up was 83.3% complete.There were three early and 25 late deaths. Survival was 89.3 ± 2.2 for 10 years, and 83.5 ± 3.2% for 15 years. The 10- and 15-year freedom from reoperation on the mitral valve were 96.4 ± 1.4 and 95.3 ± 1.7%, respectively. The 10- and 15-year freedom from moderate or severe mitral regurgitation were 92.5 ± 2.2 and 73.7 ± 7.1%, respectively. Cox regression analysis revealed that age, male gender, and isolated anterior leaflet prolapse were predictive of recurrent moderate or severe mitral regurgitation.Mitral valve repair for mitral regurgitation using a flexible Duran ring is safe and durable for more than 10 years.

ObjectiveLarge left atrial diameter is reported to be a predictor for recurrent atrial fibrillation after the Cox maze procedure, and left atrial diameter by itself influences the chance of sinus rhythm recovery, as well as maintenance of sinus rhythm. However, additional cut-and-sew procedures to decrease left atrial diameter extend operative time and can cause bleeding. Thus we developed a no-bleeding, faster, and therefore less invasive left atrial volume reduction technique to enhance the Cox maze procedure.MethodsThe modified Cox maze III procedure with cryoablation or the left atrial maze procedure in association with mitral valve surgery was performed in 80 patients with atrial fibrillation and enlarged left atria (≥60 mm). Among them, 44 patients had the concomitant volume reduction technique (VR group); continuous horizontal mattress sutures for left atrial plication were placed on the left atrial wall along the pulmonary vein isolation line. Cryoablation was applied to the suture line so that the plicated left atrium is anatomically and electrically isolated. Another 36 patients did not have the volume reduction technique (control group).ResultsThe VR group had preoperative left atrial diameters similar to those of the control group (67.1 ± 7.8 vs 64.5 ± 6.7 mm) and a longer preoperative duration of atrial fibrillation (14.1 ± 5.4 vs 9.5 ± 5.1 years, P < .05) but had smaller postoperative left atrial diameters (47.6 ± 6.3 vs 62.1 ± 7.9 mm, P < .01). There were no differences in mean crossclamp/bypass time and chest tube drainage for 12 hours between the groups. Twelve months after surgical intervention, the sinus rhythm recovery rate of the VR group was better than that of the control group (90% vs 69%, P < .05).ConclusionsEven in patients with long-standing atrial fibrillation and an enlarged left atrium, maze procedures concomitant with the novel left atrial volume reduction technique improved the sinus rhythm recovery rate without increasing complications. Although further study with a larger number of patients and a longer follow-up period is needed, this safe and thus far potent technique that catheter-based ablation cannot copy might extend indication of the Cox maze procedure for patients with tough atrial fibrillation.

The hemodynamic determination of operability in atrial septal defect (ASD) with severe pulmonary hypertension is problematic. Therefore, we perform an open lung biopsy prior to the corrective surgery in cases with pulmonary vascular resistance greater than 8 units x m2 and/or pulmonary arterial peak pressure greater than 70 mmHg. We present 4 cases showing occlusion of more than 70% of the small pulmonary arteries and arterioles by musculoelastosis, thromboembolism and mixed-type (musculoelastosis and plexogenic arteriopathy) which was considered borderline in terms of operability. After complete closure of the ASD and postoperative long-term oral prostacyclin (PGI2) therapy, pulmonary artery peak pressure decreased from 110-72 (mean 84) to 105-45 (mean 74) mmHg immediately after operation and 65-40 (mean 57) mmHg after PGI2 therapy. The New York Heart Association functional status of the patients improved from class II-III to class I with oral PGI2 only. Our cases demonstrate that despite more than 70% occlusion of the small pulmonary arteries and arterioles, surgery and long-term PGI2 therapy can reduce pulmonary artery pressure and improve the quality of life.

Background. Observation during open heart surgery in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) showed that the activation sequence of the left atrium was regular and that of the right atrium chaotic in most patients. We speculate that the left atrium plays a role as an important electrical driving chamber for AF and by mapping preoperatively, optimal sites for the cryoablation can be determined to minimize the extensiveness of the cryolesions. Methods. Forty patients who underwent cardiac surgery and cryoablation guided by epicardial mapping data to eliminate AF originating from the left atrium were included in this study. Results. Sustained reentrant movement or repetitive firing from foci located in the right atrium was never observed. Foci or reentry circuits located in the left atrium were clearly identified in 11 cases. Nine of the 11 cases resumed sinus rhythm by placing cryolesions at these sites. Two cases needed a pacemaker implantation. The exact site had not been identified in the 29 remaining cases. In these 29 cases a left atrial posterior longitudinal linear cryoablation was placed. Sinus rhythm resumed in 22 cases. Six cases still remained in AF and a pacemaker was implanted in 1 case. Ultimately, in this series of operations sinus rhythm was resumed in 31 of 40 cases; AF remained in 6 of them and pacemaker implantation was required in 3 cases. Conclusions. Mapping was useful to distinguish the two etiologies of the AF to facilitate optimal placement of the cryolesions. Sustained reentrant movement or repetitive firing from foci located in the right atrium was never observed and the left atrium played an important role as the electrical driving chamber for AF.

An 82-year-old man suffered from Candida albicans mediastinitis following emergency aortic valve replacement. After repeated debridement of the anterior portion of the mediastinum, we applied a vacuum assisted closure device with UrgoTul Absorb placed on the right ventricle. Despite relatively short-term application of this device, mediastinitis was cured in combination with transposition of the great omentum.

Background . Only a few studies have been done on sequential grafting using the right gastroepiploic artery (GEA). Methods . Forty patients (35 males, ages 36 to 74 years) who underwent sequential grafting of the GEA were reviewed. Angiography of the GEA was performed preoperatively in all patients. GEAs with a luminal diameter greater than 2 mm at the presumptive distal anastomosis on the angiogram were used. The dissected GEA was led into the pericardial cavity through the antegastric route. We used GEAs to graft 89 branches (2.2 per patient) in the inferoposterior region. Results . In 24 patients who had angiographic examinations, all the GEAs were patent, although luminal narrowing was noted in the segment between the two anastomoses in 3 patients. Eight-year actuarial survival was 92.5% and the cardiac-related event-free rate was 95%. Conclusions . Sequential grafting of the GEA can be performed effectively in selected patients. Performing preoperative angiography to assess the size of the GEA for sequential grafting is strongly recommended.

Background . The flow capacity of the right gastroepiploic artery graft has not been clarified. Methods . Angiographic and echocardiographic studies were conducted in 30 patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting using both the internal thoracic and right gastroepiploic arteries. The luminal diameter of the arterial grafts was measured from the postoperative angiograms. The adequacy of the myocardial blood supply from the arterial grafts was evaluated by dobutamine stress echocardiography. Results . With echocardiography, 14 patients exhibited an ischemic response in the gastroepiploic artery grafted region, whereas no patients exhibited an ischemic response in the internal thoracic artery grafted area. The luminal diameter of the gastroepiploic artery and a younger age were correlated with the ischemic response observed in the dobutamine stress echocardiography. A luminal diameter of the gastroepiploic artery of greater than 2.6 mm had the highest sensitivity and specificity for a nonischemic change. Conclusions . To generate the maximal flow reserve, the luminal diameter of the gastroepiploic artery when used as a graft should be sufficiently large enough, nearly 3 mm at the anastomosis.

症例は60歳の男性．2008年11月，前立腺癌の手術中に心電図モニター上ST低下を認め，精査を行ったところ，左冠動脈主幹部から前下行枝・回旋枝分岐部に至る高度狭窄を伴う冠動脈瘤と右冠動脈近位部の完全閉塞を認めたため，当科紹介受診となった．冠動脈瘤の形態から，川崎病後遺症による冠動脈瘤を伴う冠動脈狭窄と判断し，2009年3月，冠動脈バイパス術を施行，術後14日目に合併症なく独歩退院となった．川崎病後遺症としての冠動脈瘤の成人例の報告や冠動脈バイパスを施行した報告は少なく，60歳まで無症状で経過した極めて珍しいケースであると考えられた．

The treatment of aortic root dilatation with a leaking valve requires a multimodal approach, including root reimplantation or remodeling with or without tailoring of the sinotubular junction and valvular apparatus. However, valve-sparing procedures are time-consuming, technically demanding, and associated with intraoperative bleeding. Here we report a novel reconstruction method for the treatment of annuloaortic ectasia with a leaking valve. In this method the dilated sinuses were excluded, and the annulus was effectively suspended by suturing a bovine pericardial patch inside the dilated aortic root.

Cardiac myxoma sometimes presents constitutive symptoms such as fever and weight loss because of a production of interleukin-6 (IL-6). Castleman’s disease (CD) presents constitutional symptoms with lymphadenopathy, plasma cell infiltration, polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia, and inflammatory reaction, which has been reported to be caused by an overproduction of IL-6. Here, we report a rare case of IL-6-producing cardiac myxoma resembling multicentric CD with plasma cell infiltration.

We report a successful surgical management of postinfarction ventricular septal perforation by infarction-exclusion technique with the on-pump beating heart approach and concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting. The identification of the suture line by direct inspection and finger palpation could be more accurate in determining contractile, thus viable myocardium supporting the patch, and concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting with on-pump beating heart could minimize the cardioplegia-induced myocardial damage.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change of regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) during percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) in patients with cardiogenic shock. Fifteen patients with cardiogenic shock were evaluated during PCPS by continuous monitoring of rSO2, systemic venous oxygen saturation (Svo2), and hemodynamics. The brain damage of these patients was also evaluated during and after PCPS. There were 10 males and 5 females. Their ages ranged from 57 to 79 years old (average: 60.0 +/- 14). Two patients were unconscious before PCPS, and 11 received intraaortic balloon pumping (IABP) before PCPS. The change of rSO2 was significantly correlated with the change of Svo2. The average of rSO2 was 64 +/- 3% at the stable hemodynamic condition. The rSO2 with pulsatile PCPS was higher than that with nonpulsatile PCPS. There was no correlation between brain damage and rSO2. The patients with low rSO2 (< 50%) that resulted in poor LV function could not be weaned from PCPS. In conclusion, the continuous monitoring of rSO2 during PCPS could be a useful tool.

We report an extremely rare case of a successful treatment of the intracranial hemorrhage after the cardiac surgery for infective endocarditis(IE). A 34-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of active IE due to Staphylococcus aureus, complicated with cerebral infarctions. Preoperative echocardiography showed mobile vegetations on both leaflets of the mitral valve with 15 and 6 mm diameters. Mitral valve repair was performed on hospital day 10. There were mobile vegetations on the A2 and P3. Five days after the cardiac surgery, brain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and angiography demonstrated intracranial hemorrhage due to the rupture of the intracranial aneurysm, which was urgently clipped. No neurological sequel has been noted since the successful treatment.

Intraaortic balloon pumping (IABP) is the most popular circulatory assist device in cardiac surgery. In the development of IABP several modifications have been made. First, reduction in the caliber to 6 Fr is the most important modification of the IABP catheter to relatively small Japanese patients. Second, direct pressure measurement through the tip of the catheter enabled more accurate and real-time assist. Third, a novel balloon pump automatically selects the trigger source, arranges the timing of the IABP inflation/deflation, and detects the arrhythmias. Further development of IABP will bring safer and more reliable hemodynamic management in cardiac surgery.

Cardioplegic arrest has been the main mechanism of myocardial protection during open-heart surgery; however, it causes myocardial injury during ischemia-reperfusion. Free radical scavengers are widely known to attenuate ischemia-reperfusion injury in various settings. We investigated the effects of edaravone, a novel free radical scavenger that was originally used for cerebral protection, on myocardial function during ischemia-reperfusion after cardioplegic arrest. Rat hearts were excised and perfused using Langendorff apparatus. The hearts were cardioplegically arrested for 90 min using St. Thomas' Hospital cardioplegic solution (ST solution) at 4 degrees C every 45 min and then reperfused for 20 min. The hearts were divided into 4 groups (n = 13 in each group). In Group ST, the hearts were arrested using the ST solution alone. In Groups L, M, and H, the hearts were arrested using the ST solution supplemented with a low-dose (1 microM), moderate dose (10 microM), and high dose (100 microM) of edaravone, respectively. Left ventricular function (+dp/dt (max)) and the levels of the cardiac enzymes released were measured before and after cardioplegic arrest. At the end of the study, the water content and the tissue oxidative stress (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine) of the heart were measured. During reperfusion, the edaravone-treated groups showed a greater functional recovery with regard to the +dp/dt (max) (P0.05). The lactate level was the lowest (P0.01) in Group M. The water content of the hearts in the edaravone-treated groups was significantly lower (P0.05) than that in Group ST. Oxidative stress was significantly lower (P0.01) in the edaravone-treated hearts than in Group ST, and it was the lowest in Group M. The addition of edaravone to the cardioplegic solution ameliorates the impairment in myocardial function by reducing the oxidative stress after cardioplegic arrest. In this study, the maximum improvement in the myocardial function was achieved by addition of a moderate dose (10 microM) of edaravone.

We describe a novel suture consisting of a small piece of TachoSil (Nycomed, Copenhagen, Denmark) and a felt pledget-the TachoSil-pledget stitch-which was used to facilitate mechanical and biologic hemostasis in 5 patients undergoing aortic arch aneurysm repair. The TachoSil-pledget stitch achieved good or very good hemostasis at all 56 bleeding points to which it was applied, while 5 of 12 points to which a conventional felt-pledget stitch was applied required additional stitching or an additional hemostatic method.

Limb ischemia remains a challenge. To overcome shortcomings or limitations of gene therapy or cell transplantation, a sustained release system of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) using biodegradable gelatin hydrogel has been developed.A phase I-IIa study was performed, in which 7 patients had critical limb ischemia. They were intramuscularly injected with 200 microg of bFGF-incorporated gelatin hydrogel microspheres into the gastrocnemius of the ischemic limb. End-points were safety and feasibility of treatment after 4 and 24 weeks. One patient was excluded from the study for social reasons, but only after symptomatic improvements. In the evaluation of the other 6 patients, significant improvements were observed in the distance walked in 6 min (295+/-42 m vs 491+/-85 m for pretreatment vs after 24 weeks, p=0.023) and in transcutaneous oxygen pressure (53.5+/-5.2 mmHg vs 65.5+/-4.0 mmHg, p=0.03). The rest pain scale also improved (3.5+/-0.2 vs 1.0+/-0.6, p=0.022). The ankle-brachial pressure index improved at 4 weeks but not at 24 weeks. Among 5 patients who had a non-healing foot ulcer, the ulcer was completely healed in 3 patients, reduced in 1, and there was no change in 1 patient at 24 weeks. The blood levels of bFGF were undetected or within the normal level in all patients.The sustained release of bFGF from gelatin hydrogel might be simple, safe, and effective to achieve therapeutic angiogenesis because it did not need genetic materials or collection of implanted cells, and because it did not have any general effects, which was supported by there being no elevation of the bFGF serum level.

Objective: Left atrial (LA) volume reduction surgery concomitant with the maze procedure has been reported to facilitate sinus rhythm recovery even in patients with refractory atrial fibrillation (AF) with an enlarged LA. However, it is unknown whether the procedures can also restore effective atrial function of the enlarged LA with over-stretched myocardium. Methods: The maze procedures in association with mitral valve surgery were performed to 57 AF patients with an enlarged LA (LA diameter � 60 mm). Among them, 32 patients had concomitant LAvolume reduction surgery (VR group). Another 25 patients did not have the volume reduction (control group). Results: Three months postoperatively LA end-diastolic volume (LAEDV, ml) assessed by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was larger in the VR group than that in the control group (291 � 117 vs 223 � 81 ml, p < 0.05). Postoperatively, sinus rhythm recovery rate was better (84 vs 68%, p < 0.05) and LAEDV was drastically smaller (118 � 48 vs 203 � 76 ml, p < 0.001) in the VR group than those in the control group. Among the patients with sinus rhythm recovery in both groups, LA contraction ejection fraction (%) improved in the VR group but not in the control group (22.3 � 7.8 vs 10.3 � 4.7%, p < 0.001). Conclusions:The LAvolume reductionsurgery concomitant with the maze procedurerestored contraction of the enlarged LA;however, the maze procedure alone did not restore LA contraction in spite of successful sinus rhythm recovery. LAvolume reduction surgery may be desirable to the patients with refractory AF with over-stretched LA. # 2007 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Aortic valve stenosis can be complicated by recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding, particularly that due to angiodysplasia, also called Heyde syndrome. Recently, acquired type 2A von Willebrand disease, which is characterized by the loss of the large multimer of von Willebrand factor by the shear stress of aortic valve stenosis, was reported to be associated with this hemorrhagic syndrome. A 78-year-old woman, with severe aortic stenosis, presented with advanced anemia due to recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding and was diagnosed Heyde syndrome. By perioperative supplementation of von Willebrand factor and factor VIII, aortic valve replacement was safely performed without gastrointestinal bleeding. After the operation, the multimer of von Willebrand factor was normalized and thereafter no gastrointestinal bleeding occurred. This case reports the successful aortic valve replacement for Heyde syndrome, with confirmed hematologic recovery.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of the combined growth factor therapy with an omental flap in a rabbit model of chronic myocardial ischemia.MethodsChronic ischemia was created in rabbits by placing a constrictor on the left circumflex artery. Four weeks later the animals were divided into 3 groups: group FG, in which a gelatin hydrogel sheet incorporating 100 μg of basic fibroblast growth factor was placed over the left circumflex region followed by covering with the omental flap including the intact gastroepiploic artery; group F, in which only the basic fibroblast growth factor sheet was placed; and group N, in which no treatment was done.ResultsCine magnetic resonance imaging analysis showed a greater percentage wall thickening in the left circumflex region in group FG than in other groups (group FG, 49.2% ± 4.5%; group F, 41.2% ± 3.8%; group N, 32.1% ± 2.5%, P =.035, group FG vs group F). A colored microsphere assay showed higher perfusion in the left circumflex region in group FG than in group F. Perfusion in the left circumflex region was decreased after clamping the gastroepiploic artery pedicle in group FG (before clamping, 2.83 ± 0.72 mL · min−1 · g−1; after clamping, 1.93 ± 0.59 mL · min−1 · g−1; P < .01). In vivo angiography via gastroepiploic artery showed direct “to-and-fro” visible collaterals between the gastroepiploic and occluded left circumflex coronary arteries in group FG.ConclusionThe combined growth factor therapy with an omental flap induced arteriogenesis and provided additional perfusion via the gastroepiploic artery to ameliorate regional dysfunction in the chronically ischemic myocardium.

A 65-year-old woman with intermediate type atrioventricular septal defect had been undiagnosed until initial presentation with congestive heart failure. She underwent surgery when the ventricular septal defect was found to be restrictive. The atrioventricular valve was similar to the common atrioventricular valve, but was connected to the crest of the ventricular septal defect. Surgery included direct closure of the ventricular septal defect, repair of the cleft in the atrioventricular valve, and ostium primum closure. Postoperative echocardiography indicated successful heart repair. We present a review of rare intermediate type atrioventricular septal defect in the elderly, and we discuss the surgical issues in this case.

The current drive to practice less invasive surgery is changing surgical practice towards safer and simpler procedures. The practice of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on a beating heart without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), off-pump CABG or OPCAB, has been gaining great attention as an alternative approach to conventional CABG. Since the first adoption of OPCAB in 1997 at our department, 181 patients have undergone OPCAB. OPCAB was indicated for patients who were possibly at risk for CPB, i.e., those who were elderly, who had a history of cerebrovascular disease, whose ascending aorta was severely atherosclerotic with calcification, whose respiratory function was compromised, or whose renal function was compromised. A patient with a concomitant malignant neoplastic disorder was also a candidate for OPCAB because of the possible deleterious effect of CPB on the immune system. More recently, when the coronary anatomy was suitable for OPCAB, even in younger or less risky patients, OPCAB was indicated. The OPCAB procedure was performed through a median sternotomy in 146 patients (80.6%), a left thoracotomy in 27 (14.9%), a subxiphoid approach in 6 and a combined one in 2. One hundred and eleven patients (61.3%) received 1 or 2 grafts (Group I) and 70 (38.7%) received 3 or more grafts (Group II). The number of grafted vessels in Group II patients was 3 to 5 with a mean of 3.44. The mean operative time was 163 minutes in Group I and 209.5 minutes in Group II. The frequency of the use of arterial grafts such as LITA, RITA and RA was significantly higher in Group II than in Group I. Death occurred in 3 patients with acute coronary syndrome who had to undergo urgent surgery. Angiographic examination was performed within 3 months, postoperatively, in 98 patients (54.1%) revealing the overall patency rate of each graft: LITA82/83 (98.8%), RITA 33/33 (100%), GEA 15/16 (93.8%), RA 20/20 (100%), and SVG 15/16 (93.8%). We conclude that, in light of our 5-year experience, off-pump CABG on a beating heart can be safely and effectively performed, with acceptable angiographic results even in patients with multi-vessel coronary disease requiring multiple revascularization. This procedure enables us to perform successful coronary bypass surgery for those who otherwise would not have been candidates for conventional CABG.

The presence of occlusive disease of the subclavian artery (SCA) proximal to the origin of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) influences the operative strategy and the outcome of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Of 780 patients who underwent CABG, concomitant SCA occlusive lesions were reconstructed in 13 patients (nine males, four females). The affected SCAs were left-sided in 11 patients, and right-sided and bilateral in one, each. An aortoaxillary bypass utilizing an 8-mm PTFE graft was constructed in nine patients and a carotid-subclavian (C-S) transposition in two, simultaneously with CABG. Percutaneous balloon angioplasty with a stent was performed in two patients prior to CABG. With follow-up periods ranging from 4 to 8.4 years (mean, 6.3 years), aortoaxillary bypass grafts were patent in all patients. Other reconstructive procedures, including a C-S transposition and balloon angioplasty, were performed safely and effectively in off-pump CABG patients. In six patients, the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) could be used as a graft to the coronary artery after SCA reconstruction. Aortoaxillary bypass using an 8-mm PTFE graft is a safe and effective way for simultaneous subclavian reconstruction in patients undergoing CABG. Mid-term patency of the graft is satisfactory. The LITA can be used as a graft to the coronary arteries in selected patients. Preoperative brachial angiography is mandatory in these patients.

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) has become a more applicable procedure, even in patients with multi-vessel disease. However, the role of OPCAB for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) requiring emergency revascularization has not been established yet. We reviewed our results of emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for patients with ACS. Seventy-two patients with ACS who underwent emergency CABG were studied. Twenty-five underwent OPCAB and 47 on-pump CABG. OPCAB was mainly indicated for patients who were possibly at risk for cardiopulmonary bypass. When the coronary anatomy was suitable in younger or less risky patients, OPCAB was performed. Patients with multi-vessel disease or with a critical left main trunk lesion were not excluded from OPCAB. The mean number of grafted vessels was 2.6 per patient in the OPCAB group, and 3.8 per patient in the on-pump group (p0.0001). However, none of the patients in either group required postoperative catheter intervention. Mean operative time was 195 minutes in the OPCAB group and 286 minutes in the on-pump group (p0.0001). There were three postoperative deaths in the OPCAB group and four in the on-pump group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that preoperative cardiogenic shock was the only significant predictor for postoperative death (odds ratio, 7.33). The selection of the on-pump procedure or OPCAB did not correlate with operative death. Thus, we conclude that OPCAB can be performed safely and effectively in selected patients with ACS requiring emergency coronary revascularization.

Background: During the early development of the Fontan operation a number of physi‑ ologic and anatomical limits were proposed as selection criteria and two criteria pulmonary vascular resistance and ventricular function have been important in predicting surgical outcome. The use of the bidirectional cavo pulmonary shunt as a staging procedure performed to control the pulmonary blood flow adequately and reduce ventricular volume over load has resulted in marked improvements in the early and late Fontan procedure results. Methods and results: At our hospital we perform systemic pulmonary shunt or pulmo‑ nary artery banding in patients if pulmonary blood flow can not be controlled adequately in the neonatal period and then perform bidirectional cavo pulmonary shunt six months afterwards. During this operation we also performed simultaneous surgical repair for pulmonary artery distortion anomalies of pulmonary venous connection restriction of bulboventricular foramen and atrioventricular valve regurgitation. To determine the efficacy of this staged approach in avoiding increases in pulmonary vascular resistance and impaired ventricular function surgical results were investigated. From February 1995 to May 2001 eighteen patients with cardiac morphology unsuitable for biventricular repair were admitted to our hospital. Twenty‑six palliative procedures were performed including seven pulmonary artery banding three systemic pulmonary shunt thirteen bidirectional cavo pulmonary shunt one original Glenn procedure four repair of coarctation of the aorta two total anomalous pulmonary venous connection repair one mitral valve plasty and two patients required Damus‑Kaye‑Stansel procedure to release restrictive bulboventricular foramen. Fifteen patients underwent a modified Fontan operation（total cavopulmonary connection）after these palliative procedures. The operative mortality rate for these palliative procedures was 3.8％（1 26） . The operative mortality rate for Fontan operation was 7.1％（1 14） . Three patients awaiting the Fontan operation were considered good candidates for a final operation and no patients in this series were considered unsuitable for Fontan completion. Conclusion: Our strategy of staged approach for Fontan procedure offers a good prognosis. （J Nippon Med Sch 2002; 69: 154―159）

Background . With the T graft configuration, multiple arterial revascularization can be accomplished using bilateral internal thoracic arteries. However, concern remains about the flow capacity of the main stem of the left internal thoracic artery (LITA). Methods . Forty patients who underwent multiple revascularization of the entire territory of the left coronary system with a T graft were investigated. Six months after the operation, they were examined angiographically. During the same period, dobutamine stress echocardiography was performed to evaluate the adequacy of the myocardial blood supply from the T graft. The T graft revascularized two branches in 5 patients, three branches in 23, four branches in 11, and five branches in 1 of the left coronary system. Other conduits were used if revascularization was required for the right coronary system. Results . Complete revascularization was achieved in the left coronary territory in all patients. The LITA main stem showed a wide lumen in all patients. Luminal narrowing was present in the distal segment of the LITA in 3 patients. The right internal thoracic artery (RITA) was patent in all patients, whereas luminal narrowing was observed in the distal segment of the RITA in 5 patients. No patient exhibited ischemic wall motion abnormality in the anteroseptal, lateral, or posterolateral region of the left ventricle where the T graft revascularized. Eight patients showed ischemic response in the inferoposterior region, that is, the territory of the right coronary artery. Conclusions . The LITA main stem, forming a T-graft configuration with the free RITA, has an adequate flow reserve to supply at least the entire left coronary arterial system with sufficient blood. Therefore, multiple coronary revascularization using the T-graft technique is feasible.

Background: There remains controversy regarding the appropriate surgical treatment of coarctation of the aorta associated with intracardiac anomalies in neonates and infants. Further‑ more the relative benefits of one versus two‑stage repair and subclavian flap aortoplasty versus end‑to‑end anastomosis for some of these lesions remain controversial. The purpose of this paper is to review our experience with two‑stage repair using subclavian flap aortoplasty and to seek an appropriate procedure. Methods and Result: From June 1996 to November 1999 thirteen patients underwent sub‑ clavian flap aortoplasty in our department. The age range was 16 to 101 days （mean 52 days） and the body weight range was 1.9 to 4.5 kg（mean 3.0 kg） . Anatomic diagnosis was coarctation with ventricular septal defect （six patients） double outlet right ventricle （two patients） atrioventricu‑ lar canal defect（one patient） tricuspid atresia（two patients） mitral atresia（one patient） and single atrium and subaortic stenosis（one patient）. There was one hospital death in our series due to the progression of pulmonary hypertension 3 months after the operation. The mean follow up for remaining twelve patients was 28 months（range 7～48 months） . There was one reoperation for recurrent coarctation. Three patients underwent pulmonary artery plasty in a second opera‑ tion because of right pulmonary artery stenosis. We performed the definitive operation for six pa‑ tients with coarctation with ventricular septal defect and two patients with double outlet right ventricle and we performed a bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt for four univentricular hearts who are candidates for the Fontan operation. Two patients required Damus‑Kaye‑Stansel proce‑ dure to release restrictive bulboventricular foramen. Three patients underwent a modified Fon‑ tan operation after these palliations. In our series the intraoperative mortality rate for subclavian flap aortoplasty was 0％ and the post operative mortality rate was 7.7％（1 13） . Ten patients un‑ derwent the final operation successfully and further two patients are considered good candidates for the final operation. The overall mortality was 7.7％（1 13） . Conclusion: Two‑stage repair appears to offer a good prognosis for neonates and infants with a coarctation complex. Subclavian flap aortoplasty showed the lowest rat eo f restenosis. How‑ ever late mortality may be associated with the progression of pulmonary vascular disease and the presence of associated severe cardiac anomalies. Although Fontan candidates need staged operations if biventricular repair is feasible one‑stage repair would be a reasonable procedure considering the progression of the pulmonary vascular disease and the distortion of the pulmo‑ nary artery due to pulmonary artery banding. It would appear to improve the quality of life of those children if a one‑stage operation can be performed with reasonable risk and good midterm outcome． （J Nippon Med Sch 2000; 67: 455―458）

We present two cases with an occluded left subclavian artery requiring coronary artery bypass grafting. A preoperative angiogram confirmed that the subclavian artery, including the internal thoracic artery distal from the occlusion, was thoroughly intact, in both cases. Immediately after reconstructing the subclavian artery using an aortoaxillary bypass with an 8 mm ring-reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene graft, each patient underwent double coronary artery bypass grafting using the affected left internal thoracic artery with either the right internal thoracic artery or a saphenous vein in the same anesthetic setting. Symptomatic relief was excellent. In both cases, a postoperative angiographic study showed good function of the left internal thoracic artery graft supplying blood to the coronary artery through the aortoaxillary bypass graft.

Hybrid therapy administered for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm involves stent grafts and surgical reconstruction. This therapy entails retrograde visceral artery bypass before stent-graft implantation, establishing an inflow from either the distal abdominal aorta or the iliac arteries. Kinking is of great concern since it may cause acute occlusion, especially in grafts to the celiac axis and superior mesenteric artery because these vessels are directed caudally toward the right. Here, we describe a novel technique to achieve good exposure of the visceral vessels and appropriate graft position.

Un aneurisma toracoabdominal (AATA) tipo II de la clasificacion de Crawford, secundario a diseccion cronica, se trato satisfactoriamente con un procedimiento hibrido que incluyo una reconstruccion visceral quirurgica y la implantacion de dos endoprotesis tipo Inoue. La endoprotesis Inoue con rama proximal sello eficazmente la entrada localizada cerca de la arteria subclavia izquierda y excluyo simultaneamente el AATA, mientras que una segunda endoprotesis tubular colocada distalmente sello la reentrada. La arteria de Adamkiewicz se dejo sin excluir e intacta entre ambas endoprotesis. Las arterias viscerales se reconstruyeron mediante un bypass retrogrado con protesis cuadrifurcada, tunelizacion posterior y anastomosis distal terminoterminal de los cuatro vasos.

Crawford type II thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) secondary to chronic dissection was successfully treated with hybrid therapy comprising surgical visceral reconstruction and dual Inoue stent graft implantation. The proximal single-branched Inoue stent graft effectively sealed the entry located near the left subclavian artery and simultaneously excluded the TAAA, while the distal tubular Inoue stent graft sealed the reentry; thus, the artery of Adamkiewicz was left unexcluded and intact between the two Inoue stent grafts. The visceral arteries were reconstructed using a quadrifurcated retrograde bypass with posterior aortic tunneling and end-to-end distal anastomosis to all four vessels to achieve a curved and smooth configuration.

Un anevrysme de l'aorte thoraco-abdominale (AATA) de type II de Crawford, secondaire a une dissection chronique, a ete traite avec succes de maniere hybride par une revascularisation viscerale chirurgicale et une double implantation d'endoprothese d'Inoue. Une endoprothese proximale monobranche a couvert la porte d'entree proche de l'artere sous-claviere gauche et a simultanement exclu l'AATA, tandis qu'une endoprothese tubulaire distale d'Inoue a couvert la reentree. Ainsi, l'artere d'Adamkiewicz n'a pas ete couverte et est restee intacte entre les deux endoprotheses d'Inoue. Les arteres viscerales ont ete reconstruites en utilisant un pontage retrograde quadrifurque tunnellise en arriere de l'aorte et anastomose en distalite de maniere termino-terminale aux quatre vaisseaux, afin d'obtenir une configuration harmonieuse.