A 68-year-old man with an infrarenal mycotic aneurysm underwent successful in-situ graft reconstruction using a woven Dacron graft. A tissue culture taken from the excised aortic wall revealed Staphylococcus epidermidis, and histological study subsequently showed penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers (PAU) involving all layers of the aortic wall and marked neutrophilic infiltration with abscess formation inside the ulcer. Atherosclerotic aortic lesions such as PAU are considered susceptible to bacterial infection, which may lead to the formation of an aneurysm after destruction of the vessel wall. Hence, elderly hypertensive patients, being at high risk for such aortic pathology, require careful studies performed to assess the aorta. The usefulness of computed tomographic (CT) scans to determine the presence of PAU or surrounding inflammation should be borne in mind even when a small mycotic aneurysm exists.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Axillary artery-coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with atherosclerotic ascending aorta.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Influence of chronic alcohol abuse and liver disease on hepatic aldehyde dehydrogenase activity.

Alcohol metabolism results in the production of acetaldehyde, a compound that is much more toxic than ethanol itself. Hepatic aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) is the main enzymatic system responsible for acetaldehyde clearance from the hepatocyte. The objective of this study was to determine the modifications in ALDH activity due to chronic alcohol abuse and liver disease. ALDH activity was determined in samples of liver tissue from 69 alcoholic and 82 nonalcoholic subjects, with and without liver disease. According to the results of liver pathology examination, alcoholic patients were classified into the following groups: controls, with no liver disease (group 1), noncirrhotic liver disease patients (group 2), and cirrhotics (group 3). Nonalcoholic subjects were categorized, using the same criteria, into groups 4, 5, and 6, respectively. ALDH activity was determined spectrophotometrically at two substrate concentrations: 18 mM for total activity and 180 microM for low Km activity. High Km activity was calculated by subtracting the low Km activity value from that of total ALDH activity. Results obtained in each group were expressed as the mean +/- SD of mU of g of wet weight. There were no significant differences when the total ALDH activity from the alcoholic and the nonalcoholic patients with a similar degree of liver pathology were compared: group 1, 1257 +/- 587 vs. group 4, 1328.1 +/- 546.2 (p: NS); group 2, 919.1 +/- 452.4 vs. group 5, 753.5 +/- 412 (p: NS); and group 3, 430.2 +/- 162.4 vs. group 6, 473.2 +/- 225.3 (p: NS). On the other hand, total ALDH activity was significantly lower in cirrhotics than in controls, both among alcoholics (p < 0.01) and among nondrinkers (p < 0.05). The low Km activity was severely reduced in cirrhotics, both alcoholics and nonalcoholics (p < 0.01). High Km activities in cirrhotic patients were low, compared to controls, both in alcoholics and nonalcoholics, although the difference was nonsignificant. The results of the present study suggests that chronic alcohol abuse does not depress ALDH activity. A reduction in the ALDH activity detected in patients with severe liver disease (cirrhotics) was clearly a consequence of liver damage. This reduction was due mainly to a decrease of the low Km ALDH activity, but a trend to a decrease in the high Km ALDH activity was also detected.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Pedicle transposition of the greater omentum for sternal osteomyelitis and mediastinitis after cardiac operation.

Three patients underwent pedicle transposition of the greater omentum for sternal osteomyelitis and mediastinitis after cardiac operation. These patients were previously operated on with coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic valve replacement and redo Fontan operation in each. This procedure was carried out on 4, 6, 8, and 14th postoperative day. The complications cured within about one month after the procedure in all cases. It is suggested that this maneuver is effective for obtaining healing osteomyelitis and mediastinitis following cardiac operation.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[Late results of emergency operation in acute type A dissection].

77 cases of acute type A dissection underwent emergency operation during 5 years were studied. There were 37 men and 40 women, and 58 cases in type I, 19 cases in type II on DeBakey type. The grafting for the aorta including the tear was basically performed under selective brain perfusion and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. The overall hospital mortality rate was 24.7%. However, it was 14% after using GRF glue. The overall actuarial survival rate for 58 patients who survived operation was 87% at 5 years after surgery. Late remnant false lumen-related complications were recognized in four patients (6.9%). For two of them, subsequent operations were performed. Another two patients died of rupture of remnant false lumen during observation. Aortic valve regurgitation was recognized preoperatively in 13 patients. None of them required subsequent operation in late phase. Results and countermeasure for late remnant false lumen-related and aortic valve-related complications were investigated.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1997

[Retrieval of intravascular catheter fragment remaining for 15 years--a case report].

A 66-year-old woman was operated on aortic valve replacement, mitral valve replacement, and tricuspid annuloplasty. Retrieval of remaining Swan-Ganz Thermodilution catheter in the superior vena cava and the right atrium for 15 years was also made. Fortunately, contamination and embolism have not occurred for 15 years. Extracted catheter showed to be stiff due to the degradation. It was suggested that the cause of remaining was the thread for closing the left atrium on the previous operation. The explanation to patient and one's recognition are most important. We recommend that retrieval of remaining catheter for a long time and/or after open heart surgery should be made under extracorporeal circulation because that remaining catheter may be involved with the intima, and preventing from bleeding.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

[A surgical case of aortic valve stenosis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus].

A 46-year-old woman was hospitalized for aortic valve stenosis (AS) associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on April 12, 1996. She had a syncopal episode six months before admission. She was found to have thrombocytopenia, and was diagnosed with SLE by further examination. Irregular genital bleeding was also seen on admission while her SLE was being controlled with steroid therapy. Aortic valve replacement was performed after the steroids had been reduced to avoid excessive bleeding. The aortic valve was the bicuspid with raphe. There was much calcification on the cusps and the annulus, but there were no degenerative changes. The postoperative course was uneventful, and her SLE has been in remission two years after the operation. The management of steroid therapy for SLE patients complicated with cardiovascular disease is discussed.

Aortic Valve Stenosis↗

PubMed1996

Right atrial mural thrombus associated with pericarditis.

A 33-year-old man was hospitalized with right heart failure. He was diagnosed as having right atrial mural thrombus complicated with pericarditis on echocardiography, thoracic computed tomography, and cardiac catheterization. Pericardiectomy and thrombectomy with a partial resection of the right atrial wall were performed under extracorporeal circulation. It was suggested that the cause of right atrial thrombus was congestion, atrial fibrillation, and pericarditis. The cause of pericarditis could not be determined by pathologic examination and laboratory data. Surgical treatment should be performed as soon as possible to prevent pulmonary embolism.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[Use of the omentum for infected sternal dehiscence after aortic valve replacement--a case report].

A 68-year-old man had prosthetic valve replacement for aortic stenosis. Unfortunately, sternal dehiscence with osteomyelitis occurred on the fifth postoperative day. Implantation of the pedicled omentum to the wound was carried out three days later. The result was excellent. This is the worthy method to try to such wound of infected sternum with dehiscence. From the point of view of anatomy and physiology, the omentum has a great benefit to repair the infected space and promote the wound healing process.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

[Re-do Fontan operation--a case report].

A 32-year-old woman developed heart failure. She had received Glenn operation 26 years ago and Fontan operation using valved conduit (Björk-Shiley: 21 mm) seven years ago for tricuspid atresia type 1b. She underwent extirpation of the struck prosthetic valve. Neither graft stenosis nor pressure gradient between the right atrium and the pulmonary artery were observed on postoperative right arteriography. Sternotomy on redo Fontan operation should be carefully performed for preventing breaking down the implanted valved conduit. Though the prosthetic valve was not necessary on redo Fontan operation, anticoagulation after operation should be done.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[Perforation and localized dissection of the left common iliac artery during the modified Bentall procedure: a case report].

We performed the modified Bentall procedure for annuloaortic ectasia in a 41-year-old man with Marfan's syndrome. Approximately 15 minutes after initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass with an arterial delivery via the left common femoral artery, perfusion volume gradually decreased and the abdomen of the patient was distended. Retrograde dissection was strongly suggested. Perforation and localized dissection of the left common iliac artery were recognized. Following repair of the lesion, the modified Bentall operation was carried out. Postoperative course was uneventful. The patient has been well for 22 months after the operation.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[Surgical results of valve replacement with porcine bioprostheses].

We evaluated the 80 cases of porcine valve replacement, accomplished between April 1975 and December 1980. There were 48 males and 32 females aged between 16 and 60 years old with a mean of 37.4 +/- 11.4. Ten patients underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR), 63 mitral valve (MVR), and 7 AVR plus MVR. Twenty-seven Hancock valves (H) were implanted in aortic (3) and mitral (24) position and 61 Carpentier-Edwards valves (CE) were used in aortic (14), mitral (46), and tricuspid (1) position. The mean duration of follow-up was 9.3 years (0.2-19.2 years) and cumulative follow-up was 747.2 patient years (py). The late mortality was 3.3%/py (25 patients). Actuarial survival rates for all patients at 10 and 15 years were 67%, and 49% respectively. The linearized rates (LR) of structural valve deterioration (SVD) was 7.0%/py. The freedom from SVD for all patients at 10, and 15 years were 47.1%, and 12.4% respectively. There were no differences of free rates of SVD between H and CE. between valve sites implated, and among age at operation. The incidence of occurrence of SVD was gradually increased 6 years after operation. The LR of thromboembolism (TE), anticoagulant-related hemorrhage (ACH), prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE), nonfunctional valve dysfunction (NVD), and reoperation (RO) were 0.7%/py, 0.1%/py, 0.3%/py, 0.1%/py and 7.4%/py, respectively. The freedom from TE, ACH, PVE, NVD, and RO for all patients at 15 years were 91.3%, 98.1%, 95.6%, 80%, and 6.5%, respectively. The surgical results of glutaraldehyde-preserved porcine bioprostheses was excellent during the first 5 years after operation. A high incidence of SVD has been occurred thereafter. According the indication for valve replacement with bioprotheses is now strictly limited for elderly, child bearing female case, contraindition for therapy of anticoagulants, and some social condition.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

[Surgical results of valve replacement with the Björk-Shiley tilting disc valves].

We evaluated the Björk-Shiley tilting-disc (BS) valve replacement up to the longest duration for about 12 years. The study was started in November 1982 and ended in September 1991. There were total number of 206 with 117 males and 89 females aged between 18 and 71 with a mean of 51.6. Eighty three patients had isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR), 92 had isolated mitral valve replacement (MVR), and 31 had AVR plus MVR. One hundred and fourteen spherical-disc valves were replaced in the aortic, 112 spherical and 11 monostrut in the mitral position. The mean duration of follow up was 6.5 years for a total of 1330.6 patient years (PY). Forty-one patients (3.8%/PY) died later, and 14 out of 41 died of valve-related complications. Actuarial survival rates for all, AVR, MVR and DVR at 10 years after operation were 71.2%, 73.5%, 73.9% and 55.4%, respectively. The linearized rates of thromboembolism (TE), thrombosed valve (TV), anticoagulant-related hemorrhage (ACH), prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE), hemolysis (H), and reoperation (RO) were 1.2%/PY, 0.2%/PY, 0.7%/PY, 0.2%/PY, 0.1%/PY, and 0.2%/PY, respectively. The rates of freedom from TE, TV, ACH, PVE, H, and RO and 10 years after operation were 83.5%, 98.5%, 94.0%, 98.4%, 99.0% and 95.6%, respectively. The major causes of postoperative mortality and morbidity were TE, TV, and ACH. One hundred and fifty-six out of 161 patients showed an improvement in NYHA functional class post operatively. The surgical results of valve replacement with the BS valve was excellent and acceptable one. Intensive management with a special reference of anticoagulant therapy is necessary for a long-term management of the patients with mechanical valve replacement.

Adolescent↗