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ABSTRACT: The optimal timing of surgical intervention for infective endocarditis (IE) with cerebrovascular complications remains controversial because the risk of perioperative intracranial hemorrhage is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of acute cerebral infarction (CI) in patients with IE and its hemorrhagic risk after valve operations.
We retrospectively evaluated 102 consecutive patients (35 with neurologic symptoms; 67 without neurologic symptoms) who underwent diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) before valve operations for left-sided active IE between 2005 and 2010. The prevalence of acute CI and its postoperative neurologic outcome were evaluated.
Acute CI was detected preoperatively in 64 of 102 (62.7%) patients. Of the 64 patients with acute CI, 34 underwent surgical treatment within 14 days after diagnosis of CI (early group), whereas the other 30 patients underwent operation after more than 14 days (delayed group). Postoperative CI deterioration was confirmed in 1 patient in each group. Furthermore, in 43 of the patients with acute CI who were followed with postoperative neuroimaging, hemorrhagic transformation was confirmed in only 1 patient in the delayed group. However new ectopic intracranial hemorrhage was confirmed in 2 patients in the early group and 3 patients in the delayed group.
The risk of postoperative hemorrhagic transformation of preoperative acute CI was low, even in patients who underwent early operation. Our data suggested that there is no benefit for delaying surgical treatment beyond 2 weeks to prevent hemorrhagic transformation in patients with CI. However ectopic intracranial hemorrhage sometimes occurs regardless of the timing of surgical treatment.
The Annals of thoracic surgery 06/2012; 94(2):489-95; discussion 496. · 3.74 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Perioperative risk during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is reportedly high in patients with chronic renal disease. We aimed to determine postoperative mortality and morbidity and identify the perioperative risk factors of mortality during CABG in hemodialysis (HD)-dependent patients.
From the Japan Adult Cardiovascular Surgery Database, we compared 1,300 HD-dependent chronic renal failure patients with 18,387 non-HD patients who all underwent isolated CABG between January 2005 and December 2008. The operative mortality and mortality, including major morbidity, was 4.8% vs. 1.4% and 23.1% vs. 13.7% in the HD and non-HD groups, respectively. Preoperative predictors of operative mortality included age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peripheral arterial disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, preoperative inotropic agent requirement, New York Heart Association class IV, urgent or emergency operation, poor left ventricular function, aortic valve regurgitation (>2), and mitral valve regurgitation (>3). Postoperative predictors of operative mortality included stroke, infection, prolonged ventilation, pneumonia, heart block, and gastrointestinal complications.
Compared with non-HD patients, CABG in HD patients was associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. An appropriate surgical strategy and careful perioperative assessment and management for prevention of respiratory and gastrointestinal complications might contribute to improved clinical outcomes after CABG in these patients.
Circulation Journal 02/2012; 76(5):1115-20. · 3.77 Impact Factor
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Satoshi Kainuma,
Taichi Sakaguchi,
Shunsuke Saito,
Shigeru Miyagawa,
Yasushi Yoshikawa, Takashi Yamauchi,
Yasushi Sakata,
Atsushi Takahashi,
Takuya Uehata,
Toru Kuratani,
Yoshiki Sawa
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ABSTRACT: A 55-year-old man, who previously underwent surgical ventricular restoration and mitral valve surgery, was referred to our department for management of refractory heart and multiple organ failure. At the time of admission to our hospital, he could not be registered as a candidate for heart transplantation because of severe renal failure with a serum creatinine level of 4.6 mg/dl. We considered that he was a marginal candidate for heart transplantation; thus, it was essential to understand the etiology of renal failure and estimate whether it was reversible. Cardiac catheterization revealed poor hemodynamic function with a systemic pressure of 107/60 mmHg, cardiac index of 2.5 l/min/m(2), and pulmonary artery pressure of 63/27 mmHg, despite intense medical treatment. Contrary to biochemical examination findings of blood, renal biopsy findings showed no significant glomerular abnormality. Furthermore, the severity of tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis in the cortex was mild. These pathological findings suggested that the renal dysfunction in this case was possibly attributable to a hemodynamic factor. His symptoms gradually deteriorated despite an increasing dose of inotropic support; thus, we planned implantation of a Jarvik 2000 axial-flow pump (Jarvik Heart Inc., New York, NY, USA) as a bridge to eligibility, and informed consent was obtained. Because of a tight adhesion on the anterior wall, we placed the device on the lateral wall of the left ventricle, making sure not to direct the pump at the septum. Postoperatively, the implantable left ventricular assist device provided relief from heart failure symptoms as well as recovery of renal function, with serum the creatinine level at 1.2 mg/dl, which allowed the patient to become an appropriate candidate for heart transplantation. At an 18-month follow-up examination, his status was uneventful, and he is now at home awaiting heart transplantation.
Journal of Artificial Organs 09/2011; 15(1):83-6. · 1.59 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Emergent left ventricular assist system (LVAS) removal due to device complication is associated with high morbidity and mortality. This report describes a case of a 51-year-old man with dilated cardiomyopathy who successfully underwent emergent LVAS removal after a device-related complication. Although the patient's left ventricular function was still compromised, LVAS removal was indicated secondary to cerebral hemorrhage. Fortunately, the patient had an uneventful course over the ensuing 8 months and maintained good quality of life.
Journal of Artificial Organs 07/2011; 14(4):364-6. · 1.59 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Surgery for retroperitoneal neoplasms with a tumor thrombus extension into the right atrium is challenging. This study reviewed four surgical cases of advanced stage malignant neoplasms with the tumor thrombus extending into the right atrium. The malignant neoplasms involved the kidney in two patients, and the liver and adrenal gland in one each. The tumor thrombus was removed through a longitudinal cavotomy and right atriotomy in all cases. The inferior vena cava reconstruction was performed by directly closing it in one patient and by pericardial patch suturing in another. Cardiopulmonary bypass was used for all procedures and a Pringle maneuver was used to reduce bleeding from the liver in three. There was no perioperative or hospital death. Two of the four with renal cell carcinoma were alive 7 and 13 months after the surgery. One with hepatocellular carcinoma died of recurrent malignancy after 4 months, while the patient with an adrenal carcinoma remained disease free after surgery. These cases indicate the safety of the present procedure. Although the long-term results are still unknown, there were favorable early results and a lack of perioperative complications. Surgical challenges in resecting an intracardiac extension of retroperitoneal malignancy require close cooperation among the attending urologist, and both gastrointestinal and cardiovascular surgeons.
Surgery Today 02/2011; 41(2):262-5. · 1.22 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A 34-year-old woman with fulminant myocarditis underwent emergent implant with the Toyobo (Nipro, Osaka, Japan) paracorporeal biventricular assist device (BiVAD). The patient had been stable for 6 months, until she started to develop heart failure symptoms due to severe pulmonary insufficiency. Pulmonary valve closure and BiVAD conversion to implantable rotary pumps was performed. A DuraHeart centrifugal pump (Terumo Heart Inc., Ann Arbor, MI) was used for left ventricular assist, and a Jarvik 2000 axial-flow pump (Jarvik Heart Inc., New York, NY) was used for right ventricular assist. Although strict management was required to balance the flow rates of the two different types of devices, her postoperative course was uneventful and she was discharged home.
The Journal of heart and lung transplantation: the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation 02/2011; 30(4):475-8. · 3.54 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Atrial dilatation and fibrosis are considered to be important factors in the occurrence and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the relationship between those structural remodeling and postoperative sinus conversions after a maze operation has been rarely studied. The purpose of this study was to determine whether pathological evaluation of atrial tissues was useful for predicting an unsuccessful maze operation in patients with valvular AF.
Between March 2006 and June 2007, left-atrial tissues in the posterior wall and right-atrial appendage were obtained from 47 consecutive patients (24 patients with chronic AF, and 23 with sinus rhythm) undergoing mitral valve surgery (MVS). A concomitant maze operation was performed for all patients with chronic AF. Atrial cell diameters were measured using hematoxylin and eosin staining, and quantitative assessment of atrial fibrosis was performed with Masson trichrome staining using an image analyzer (Image Processor for Analytical Pathology, Sumika Technoservice Co., Hyogo, Japan).
Successful MVS was performed for all patients and there were no complications associated with tissue sampling. Patients with chronic AF had more advanced histological features in both atria as compared with those with sinus rhythm. Sixteen of 24 patients, who underwent a maze operation, had successfully restored sinus rhythm (successful maze group), while that in the remaining eight was not restored (unsuccessful maze group). Patients in the unsuccessful maze group had a larger left-atrial dimension and cardiothoracic ratio as compared with those in the successful group, whereas the duration of AF was not significantly different. Patients in the unsuccessful maze group also had greater hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes and more extensive intercellular fibrosis in the left atrium, while there were no differences for right-atrial pathological features between the groups. Multivariate logistic analysis confirmed that a larger amount of left-atrial fibrosis (>15%) was significantly associated with an unsuccessful maze operation.
The present results suggested that advanced fibrosis in the left atrium, but not in the right atrium, might be significantly associated with an unsuccessful maze operation in patients with valvular AF.
European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery: official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery 01/2011; 40(1):61-9. · 2.40 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Treatment of heart failure by surgical procedures such as mitral annuloplasty and left ventricular (LV) restoration is increasingly applied to patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) and LV dysfunction. The clinical efficacy of delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI) was studied to predict LV functional recovery and adverse outcomes after these therapies.
In 26 patients with IMR and a LV ejection fraction < 40%, DE-MRI was performed before the operation and the percentage of regional myocardial scarring was quantified at the basal, mid, and apical LV. Calculated percentage of fibrosis was 12 ± 12% at the base, 24 ± 15% at the mid, and 35 ± 31% at the apical LV. The degree of basal fibrosis was a significant predictor of less improvement of LV ejection fraction and postoperative restrictive diastolic filling. A linear correlation was noted between basal fibrosis and postoperative ejection fraction (P = 0.001, R = -0.61), the early to late mitral valve flow ratio (P = 0.0005, R = 0.66), and deceleration time (P = 0.01, R = -0.51). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the percentage of basal fibrosis was the independent predictor of postoperative adverse clinical outcomes (odds ratio, 1.26; P = 0.04).
In patients undergoing surgical heart failure therapy for IMR, the extent of basal fibrosis characterized by DE-MRI might be a useful predictor of postoperative LV systolic and diastolic functional recovery and postoperative adverse outcomes.
Circulation Journal 12/2010; 75(1):148-56. · 3.77 Impact Factor
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Yasuhiro Shudo,
Goro Matsumiya,
Taichi Sakaguchi,
Shigeru Miyagawa,
Yasushi Yoshikawa, Takashi Yamauchi,
Koji Takeda,
Shunsuke Saito,
Satoshi Nakatani,
Kazuhiro Taniguchi,
Hironori Izutani,
Yoshiki Sawa
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ABSTRACT: The optimal surgical procedures in functional mitral regurgitation remain controversial. We applied papillary muscle imbrication (PMI) combined with undersized mitral annuloplasty (UMAP). Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) provides images of different phases of the cardiac cycle, allowing an assessment of the geometry. In the present study, we evaluated the mitral valve configuration and subvalvular apparatus before and after UMAP and/or PMI using MDCT imaging.
We studied 26 patients with functional mitral regurgitation (3+ to 4+) with an ejection fraction ≥35% who underwent diagnostic MDCT examinations before and early after the operation. Of these, 15 underwent UMAP and PMI (UMAP+PMI group) and 11 underwent UMAP (UMAP group). The annular anteroposterior diameter, tenting height, tenting area, and interpapillary muscle distance at end-systole were quantified. The annular anteroposterior diameter, tenting height, and tenting area were significantly decreased after the operation in both groups. Whereas the average change in annular anteroposterior diameter, tenting area, and interpapillary muscle distance did not differ between the 2 groups, the average change in tenting height was greater in the UMAP+PMI group than in the UMAP group (5.1±1.3 versus 3.8±2.3 mm, P=0.036). There was a significant correlation between the change in interpapillary muscle distance and the change in tenting height in the UMAP+PMI group (r=0.788, P=0.0005).
Our results examined with MDCT indicated that UMAP combined with PMI improved leaflet tethering compared with UMAP, reflecting differences in the effects of the surgical procedures used, and suggested that concomitant PMI might be beneficial in some cases.
Circulation 09/2010; 122(11 Suppl):S29-36. · 14.74 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A 73-year-old female with a history of surgical ventricular restoration for ischemic cardiomyopathy presented with biventricular heart failure symptoms. After a Toyobo paracorporeal left ventricular assist device (LVAD) was implanted as a bridge, she underwent successful implantation of a Jarvik 2000 LVAD. This device provided excellent symptomatic improvement. This is the first case in Japan of destination therapy using an implantable LVAD.
Journal of Artificial Organs 09/2010; 13(3):170-3. · 1.59 Impact Factor
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Shigeru Miyagawa,
Atsuhiro Saito,
Taichi Sakaguchi,
Yasushi Yoshikawa, Takashi Yamauchi,
Yukiko Imanishi,
Naomasa Kawaguchi,
Noboru Teramoto,
Nariaki Matsuura,
Hidehiro Iida,
Tatsuya Shimizu,
Teruo Okano,
Yoshiki Sawa
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ABSTRACT: We hypothesized that autologous skeletal cell (SC) sheets regenerate the infract myocardium in porcine heart as a preclinical trial.
The impaired heart was created by implantation of ameroid constrictor on left anterior descending for 4 weeks. SCs isolated from leg muscle were cultured and detached from the temperature-responsive domain-coated dishes as single monolayer cell sheet at 20 degrees C. The following therapies were conducted: SC sheets (SC group, n=5); sham (C group n=5). Echocardiography demonstrated that cardiac performance was significantly improved in the SC group 3 and 6 months after operation (fractional area shortening, 3 months; SC vs. C=49.5+/-2.8 vs. 24.6+/-2.0%, P<0.05) and left ventricle dilatation was well attenuated in the SC group. Color kinesis index showed that distressed regional diastolic and systolic function in infarcted anterior wall was significantly recovered (SC vs. C=57.4+/-8.6 vs. 30.2+/-4.7%, P<0.05, diastolic: 58.5+/-4.5 vs. 35.4+/-6.6%, P<0.05, systolic). Factor VIII immunostains demonstrated that vascular density was significantly higher in the SC group than the C group. And % fibrosis and cell diameter were significantly lower in the SC group. And hematoxylin-eosin staining depicted that skeletal origin cells and well-developed-layered smooth muscle cells were detected in the implanted area. Positron emission tomography showed better myocardial perfusion and more viable myocardial tissue in the distressed myocardium receiving SC sheets compared with the myocardium receiving no sheets.
SC sheet implantation improved cardiac function by attenuating the cardiac remodeling in the porcine ischemic myocardium, suggesting a promising strategy for myocardial regeneration therapy in the impaired myocardium.
Transplantation 08/2010; 90(4):364-72. · 4.00 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Little information related to the effects of surgical ventricular reconstruction on left ventricular diastolic function is available. The aims of this study were to examine the effects of surgical ventricular reconstruction on left ventricular diastolic function and assess the predictive significance of that function on clinical outcome in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy due to broad anteroseptal myocardial infarction undergoing surgical ventricular reconstruction.
We studied 21 patients undergoing surgical ventricular reconstruction and combined surgery for ischemic cardiomyopathy with a low ejection fraction (mean ejection fraction 23% +/- 6%). Doppler echocardiography was performed before and 6 +/- 4 months after the operation.
There were no deaths within 30 days. Of the 21 patients, 6 reached the clinical endpoint (cardiac death or hospitalization due to congestive heart failure). The Doppler-derived restrictive filling pattern--defined as the deceleration time (DcT) <140 ms and the mitral peak early/mitral late diastolic filling velocity (E/A) ratio >1.5--was significantly related to reaching the clinical endpoint (P < 0.01). Furthermore, stepwise multivariate analysis showed that a preoperative restrictive filling pattern was the only independent predictor of reaching the clinical endpoint (P < 0.005, F = 11.2).
In patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy undergoing surgical ventricular reconstruction and combined surgery, surgical ventricular reconstruction did not change the restrictive filling pattern, and the preoperative restrictive filling pattern was an important marker of postoperative clinical outcome.
General Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 08/2010; 58(8):399-404.
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ABSTRACT: The impact of untreated mild-to-moderate mitral regurgitation (MR) on patients undergoing isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR) is uncertain. The aim of this study is to investigate its long-term effects on outcomes.
We retrospectively reviewed 193 consecutive patients undergoing isolated AVR between 1993 and 2007. The mean age of the study group was 64+/-12 years, 59% were male and the mean preoperative ejection fraction was 59+/-12%. The pathologic aetiology and degree of MR was determined on preoperative echocardiogram. Patients were stratified into preoperative no/trivial MR (group I; n=134) versus mild-to-moderate MR (group II; n=59). The aetiology of MR in group II was either organic (n=35, 60%) or functional (n=24, 41%). Survival and functional outcome were compared between the two groups and analyses for predictors of adverse events were performed by the Cox proportional hazard model.
Operative mortality was 2.6% (n=5). In group II, mean degree of MR significantly decreased from 2.1+/-0.3 to 1.6+/-0.8 during the late period (p=0.003). The improvement in MR grade was more obvious in patients with functional aetiology. Although the actuarial survival was not significantly different between groups, freedom from re-admission for heart failure at 10 years was significantly lower in group II than in group I (23% vs 83%; p=0.002). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that independent predictors of heart failure were presence of mild-to-moderate MR (p=0.012, odds ratio (OR) 3.8) and left ventricular ejection fraction (p=0.004, OR 0.95).
Despite the significant reduction after isolated AVR, preoperative mild-to-moderate MR is an independent risk factor impacting long-term functional outcome. Our results suggested that the concomitant mitral valve surgery for mild-to-moderate MR is warranted, especially in patients with reduced left ventricular function.
European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery: official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery 03/2010; 37(5):1033-8. · 2.40 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study investigated if the degree of cardiac fibrosis and myocyte size at the time of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation predicts the degree of improvement in cardiac function and sustained recovery after LVAD explantation.
The study included 34 patients who underwent LVAD-off test. LV end-diastolic (LVEDD) and end-systolic diameter (LVESD), LV ejection fraction (LVEF), mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), and cardiac index (CI) were measured before LVAD implantation and during LVAD-off test. Myocardial tissue was obtained from the apical core at LVAD implantation.
The degree of cardiac fibrosis had significant correlations with changes in LVEDD (r = -0.725, p < 0.0001), LVESD (r = -0.800, p < 0.0001), LVEF (r = -0.637, p < 0.0001), mPAP (r = -0.569, p = 0.0010), PCWP (r = -0.463, p = 0.0123), and CI (r = -0.544, p = 0.0015). Myocyte size also had significant correlations with changes in LVEDD (r = -0.386, p = 0.0235), LVESD (r = -0.414, p = 0.0141), and LVEF (r = -0.528, p = 0.0015). The LVAD was successfully removed in 9 patients. The degree of cardiac fibrosis and myocyte size in these patients was significantly smaller compared with the patients who did not undergo LVAD removal.
Cardiac fibrosis and myocyte size at the time of LVAD implantation were significant predictors of degree of improvement of cardiac function and the sustained recovery after the LVAD explantation.
The Journal of heart and lung transplantation: the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation 02/2010; 29(6):672-9. · 3.54 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study was designed to elucidate the key factors for successful long-term support with a left ventricular assist system (LVAS) in the situation where heart transplantation is rarely available.
From 1992 to 2008, 106 patients underwent 121 LVAS implantations at Osaka University Hospital (Toyobo: 77; Novacor: 18; HeartMate: 14; Jarvik2000: 8; EvaHeart: 2; DuraHeart: 2). Risk factors for infection were early on the former implanted period (odds ratio (OR) 3.30), Toyobo (OR 2.25), mechanical right heart support (OR 2.30) and cardiopulmonary bypass time (OR 1.01). Left atrium as the inflow site was the risk factor for cerebrovascular events (OR 2.84). Older age (OR 1.04) and mechanical right heart support (OR 4.70) were risk factors for mortality. Risk factors for requiring mechanical right heart support were preoperative extracorporeal membranous oxygenation support (OR 5.641), serum total bilirubin (OR 1.11) and serum creatinine (OR 2.46). On the basis of the risk analysis for mortality, patients were divided into 2 subgroups (low and high risk) and the respective cumulative survival at 1 year after LVAS implantation was 75.2% and 25.0%.
Appropriate selection of device, patient and the timing of implantation and less invasive operation are important for successful long-term LVAS support.
Circulation Journal 02/2010; 74(4):715-22. · 3.77 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) has recently become an accepted modality for the treatment of cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, the clinical outcomes of patients with AMI at the left main trunk (LMT) undergoing PCPS remain unclear.
From January 2000 to September 2007, we experienced 16 cases of AMI at the LMT requiring emergent PCPS. The average age ranged from 56 to 74 (mean 68.8), and 13 were male. All cases underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The maximum creatine kinase leakage ranged from 6,069 to 22,580 IU/l (mean; 12,880 IU/l). The time to revascularization ranged from 30 min to 1,138 min (mean 229 min). An intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) was inserted in all patients.
Among our 16 patients, 10 (62.5%) could be successfully weaned off PCPS, and 6 (37.5%) could be weaned off both PCPS and IABP and discharged. Three patients underwent left ventricular assist system (LVAS) implantation. Two of them, without preoperative severe systemic complications, survived more than 100 days after implantation, whereas the third died perioperatively because of a systemic complication from the preoperative period. Eight patients died of low output syndrome or brain death. Cardiac function did not recover in patients in whom the time to revascularization was more than 4 hours and PCPS support duration more than 3 days.
The clinical outcomes of patients with LMT disease requiring PCPS is not satisfactory. In order to improve clinical outcomes of these patients, a strategy involving a timely insertion of LVAS before the onset of complications might be necessary.
Annals of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery : official journal of the Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia. 05/2009; 15(2):93-7.
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ABSTRACT: The aims of this study were to quantify the microcirculatory dysfunction in aortic stenosis (AS) and to measure the changes in transmural perfusion after aortic valve replacement (AVR), using quantitative myocardial contrast echocardiography.
Myocardial contrast echocardiography was used to quantify the myocardial blood flow in both the subendocardium and subepicardium in 22 patients with AS (A group), before, 2 weeks after, and 1 year after AVR. Healthy volunteers (C group, n = 10) and patients with mitral regurgitation (M group, n = 10) were included as controls. Triggered myocardial contrast echocardiography was performed, and the endosystolic 1.5 harmonic images were recorded.
The myocardial contrast echocardiography study showed that, before AVR, the myocardial blood flow in the subendocardium was significantly lower in the A group than in the other groups (CI = -18.6 +/- 3.0 dB, -11.8 +/- 4.1 dB, and -12.7 +/- 4.1 dB, respectively, in A, M, and C groups; p < 0.05), whereas there was no significant difference in blood flow in the subepicardium. In the A group, the myocardial blood flow in the subendocardium was significantly improved 2 weeks after AVR (-13.1 +/- 3.5 dB after AVR), and this improvement was preserved 1 year after AVR.
In patients with AS, the myocardial blood flow in the subendocardium declined preoperatively, and the coronary microcirculatory function was recovered after AVR in both the short and long term.
The Annals of thoracic surgery 04/2009; 87(3):715-9. · 3.74 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A 55-year-old man with a history of pericardiocentesis for massive pericardial effusion of unknown etiology was admitted to our hospital because of shortness of breath and systemic edema in September 2005. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated the massive PE 2 cm in diameter and with several areas of thick hyperrefractile echoes arising from the pericardium. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a large mediastinal mass encasing the heart; a pressure of the right ventricle (RV) showed a pattern of dips and plateaus on cardiac catheterization. Pericardiocentesis was attempted, but no fluid could be aspirated. The patient's symptoms progressed day by day despite maximum pharmacological support with catecholamines and diuretics. Surgical treatment was planned to relieve the symptoms and confirm the definitive diagnosis. Pericardiectomy and partial resection of the tumor under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) could be performed, and this resulted in a marked relief of symptoms. Histological examination confirmed the malignant pericardial mesothelioma. In conclusion, pericardiectomy and resection of the tumor might be indicated for the relief of symptoms in a critical case presenting as pericardial constriction associated with malignant pericardial mesothelioma.
Annals of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery : official journal of the Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia. 01/2009; 14(6):396-8.
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ABSTRACT: A 78-year-old cachectic woman who previously had repair of atrial septal defect was admitted to the hospital for congestive heart failure. Cardiac workup revealed chronic constrictive pericarditis; no evidence of coronary or valvular disease was found. She underwent corrective surgery for pericardiectomy. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography after pericardiectomy demonstrated acute development of severe mitral regurgitation, which was not preoperatively observed. She eventually required mitral valve replacement and tricuspid valve repair after conservative management failed. She recovered from the operation and was discharged. We believe that this is the first report of successful surgical management of mitral regurgitation that developed acutely after pericardiectomy.
The Annals of thoracic surgery 01/2009; 86(6):1994-6. · 3.74 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A 14-year-old boy undergoing long-term mechanical circulatory support with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) developed myocardial abscess resulting from cannula exit-site infection. This critically ill patient was successfully treated with LVAD replacement and omentopexy following extensive myocardial debridement. Although the use of artificial materials in the face of active infection is not ideal, other options including LVAD explantation or urgent heart transplantation are not always feasible depending on the patient's cardiac function and the availability of a donor heart. Under such circumstances, LVAD replacement might be the only measure available that could save patients who otherwise would not survive.
Journal of Artificial Organs 01/2009; 12(4):271-3. · 1.59 Impact Factor
