A case of tracheo-bronchial stenosis after extended end-to-end aortic arch anastomosis for interrupted aortic arch treated with suspension of the ascending artery and pulmonary artery

A 9-day-old boy had pulmonary artery banding and extended end-to-end aortic arch anastomosis for ventricular septal defect (VSD) and type A interrupted aortic arch. Severe dyspnea gradually developed. At 3 months of age, intracardiac repair of VSD was performed. Weaning from the ventilator was difficult. Endoscopic examination and chest CT revealed stenosis of the right and left main bronchi and compression of tracheal bifurcation and the right and left main bronchi by the ascending aorta and pulmonary artery. Suspension of the ascending aorta and pulmonary artery was performed 15 days after VSD closure. Nine days after this procedure, the patient was weaned from respirator. Postoperative course was uneventful. Bronchial stenosis may be caused from extended end-to-end aortic arch anastomosis.     

Coronary artery bypass grafting in a patient with right aortic arch; report of a case

A 60-year-old man was admitted to another hospital because of chest oppression on effort. Chest X-ray showed radiographic evidence of a right aortic arch and double vessel coronary artery disease with 50% stenosis in the left main trunk was diagnosed by coronary angiography. He was transferred to our institute for surgical treatment of angina pectoris. Preoperatively, multi-detector row computed tomography (CT) was performed and it revealed a right aortic arch and an aberrant left subclavian artery with narrow left internal thoracic artery. A right internal thoracic artery was well demonstrated. Therefore, conventional coronary artery bypass grafting using a right internal thoracic artery and a saphenous vein graft was performed and his postoperative course was uneventful.     

End-to-side anastomosis for coarctation of the aorta and type a aortic arch interruption with hypoplastic aortic arch

Objective: We investigated the advantages of reconstructing the aortic arch in neonates and infants by end-to-side anastomosis (ESA) in aortic coarctation and type A aortic arch interruption. Subjects and Methods: The patients were 28 neonates and infants who underwent median full sternotomy for correction of aortic coarctation (CoA) and type A interrupted aortic arch (IAA), at our institute, from October 1997 to September 2002. The cases were divided into two groups: ESA was performed in 16 cases (group A) and extended end to end anastomosis in 12 cases (group B). All repairs were made using simple clamping of the descending aorta under cardiac arrest. We compared groups A and B with regard to duration of simple clamping, postoperative blood pressure in the upper and lower extremities, echocardiographic pressure gradient, and the presence or absence of tracheal stenosis as diagnosed by postoperative clinical symptoms and chest radiography. Results: No significant difference between the groups was found in age, gender, body weight, or the ratio of CoA to IAA. In addition, there was no defference between the two groups in the duration of simple clamping or the difference in blood pressure between the lower and upper extremities. However, the echocardiographic pressure gradient at the site of anastomosis in group A was significantly lower than that in group B. There were no cases with symptoms of bronchial stenosis in either group. Conclusion: ESA is a relatively simple method for treating CoA or IAA with hypoplastic aortic arch, and was found to be effective for the elimination of residual stenosis.     

End-to-side anastomosis for coarctation of the aorta and type a aortic arch interruption with hypoplastic aortic arch

Objective: We investigated the advantages of reconstructing the aortic arch in neonates and infants by end-to-side anastomosis (ESA) in aortic coarctation and type A aortic arch interruption. Subjects and Methods: The patients were 28 neonates and infants who underwent median full sternotomy for correction of aortic coarctation (CoA) and type A interrupted aortic arch (IAA), at our institute, from October 1997 to September 2002. The cases were divided into two groups: ESA was performed in 16 cases (group A) and extended end to end anastomosis in 12 cases (group B). All repairs were made using simple clamping of the descending aorta under cardiac arrest. We compared groups A and B with regard to duration of simple clamping, postoperative blood pressure in the upper and lower extremities, echocardiographic pressure gradient, and the presence or absence of tracheal stenosis as diagnosed by postoperative clinical symptoms and chest radiography. Results: No significant difference between the groups was found in age, gender, body weight, or the ratio of CoA to IAA. In addition, there was no defference between the two groups in the duration of simple clamping or the difference in blood pressure between the lower and upper extremities. However, the echocardiographic pressure gradient at the site of anastomosis in group A was significantly lower than that in group B. There were no cases with symptoms of bronchial stenosis in either group. Conclusion: ESA is a relatively simple method for treating CoA or IAA with hypoplastic aortic arch, and was found to be effective for the elimination of residual stenosis.     

Mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the aortic arch with purulent pericardial effusion

A 67-year-old woman presented with dyspnea on exertion and a diminished left radial pulse in comparison with the right. She had signs and symptoms of cardiac tamponade. A computed tomographic (CT) angiogram of the chest revealed an aortic arch pseudoaneurysm along the lesser curvature and a large pericardial effusion with the density of blood. Upon pericardiotomy, a nonhemorrhagic thick purulent effusion (Streptococcus milleri) was discovered in the pericardial space. Replacement of the aortic arch was performed with a rifampin-soaked Dacron tube graft, with the patient under hypothermic circulatory arrest.     

A case report of aortitis syndrome with massive aortic regurgitation (AR), and ostial stenosis of the right coronary artery

A 55-year-old female with massive aortic regurgitation and ostial stenosis of the right coronary artery due to aortitis syndrome was reported. The patient was admitted to the hospital with anterior chest pain and dyspnea on exertion. Retrograde aortogram showed massive aortic regurgitation and selective coronary angiogram revealed ostial stenosis of the right coronary artery. She was treated with aorto-coronary bypass (A-C bypass) and aortic valve replacement (AVR) with St. Jude Medical prosthetic valve. At operation, ostial stenosis of the right coronary artery due to aortitis syndrome was confirmed. Aortic valve replacement with a prosthetic valve and saphenous vein grafting to the distal right coronary artery were performed. Steroid therapy was started immediately after the operation. She recovered well and no complications was recognized after the operation.     

Successful complete repair of interrupted aortic arch and associated with DiGeorge syndrome in neonate]

We report a rare case of interrupted aortic arch and a right aortic arch associated with DiGeorge syndrome, in neonate. Through a median sternotomy bypass was established placing an arterial perfusion cannula both in the ascending aorta, and in the main pulmonary artery. The right and left pulmonary arteries were temporarily occluded, while this pulmonary cannula perfused the lower part of the body. The arch reconstruction was performed during profound hypothermic total circulatory arrest. The right descending aorta had an adequate length and direct anastomosis was carried out without any tension. The VSD was repaired through a right atrial approach. The patient had hypocalcemia and thymic abnormalities which was consistent with the DiGeorge syndrome. He was treated with calcium gluconate and alfacalcidol, but no serious infection due to immunodeficiency was seen after operation. Post operative catheterization revealed no pressure gradient at the site anastomosis of the aortic arch and satisfactory results.     

A Benign Pulmonary Artery Mass

Abstract   We present a case of a benign pulmonary artery mass leading to pulmonary artery stenosis. A 39-year-old male patient had a dyspnea on exertion and chest discomfort four months before admission. Computerized tomographic scan revealed a mass extending 2.1 cm in the right pulmonary artery resulting in pulmonary artery stenosis. He underwent a mass resection and pulmonary artery reconstruction under cardiopulmonary bypass. His symptoms improved postoperatively. Histology revealed it was a reactive lymph node. It is recommended that surgical resection should be the only alternative for complete relief of the symptoms in such patients.     

Coincidence of free-floating thrombus in the aortic arch, severe mitral stenosis, and left atrial appendage clot

We describe the surgical management of a free-floating thrombus in the aortic arch in a patient with severe mitral stenosis, a left atrial appendage (LAA) clot, and an iliac artery thrombus. A 60-year-old woman complaining of dyspnea and pain in her right leg was referred to our multidisciplinary clinic. After a brief history was taken, an electrocardiography evaluation showed atrial fibrillation. Color Doppler sonography of the lower limb arteries showed decreased blood flow in distal branches of the internal iliac artery of the right leg. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography evaluations revealed severe mitral stenosis, a large LAA clot, and a large mobile mass (2 × 1.5 × 1.5 cm) in the distal aortic arch. Additional investigations with computed tomographic angiography revealed that the thrombus extended from the aortic arch to the subclavian artery. Another bulky thrombus in the right iliac artery was also found. Given this complicated medical situation, emergency cardiac surgery was performed, and the clot was removed. The stenotic mitral valve was replaced with a prosthetic valve, The LAA was closed after clot removal, and the bulky thrombus was extracted from the right iliac artery. Transesophageal echocardiographic data were obtained postoperatively, and the patient's course in the intensive care unit was favorable. She was discharged from the hospital in good condition on warfarin, digoxin, aspirin, and metoprolol.     

A case of bronchial anastomotic stenosis after right upper sleeve lobectomy treated with silicone stent]

A case treated with silicone stent for bronchial granulomatous stenosis caused by anastomosis after right upper sleeve lobectomy was reported. A 68-year-old man complained of atelectasis of right upper lobe due to squamous cell carcinoma was admitted to our department. We performed right upper sleeve lobectomy. Four weeks after the operation, hemoptysis and dyspnea appeared with developing local empyema. We performed closure of pleural fistula and thoracoplasty, however, did not improve the symptoms. We performed tracheotomy for deteriorating dyspnea. In addition, granulomatous stenosis of bronchial anastomotic site was observed endoscopically. We tried to insert silicone stent into stenotic site. Although, first trial was in failure, we modified the design of the stent and succeeded in fixation of the stent. The airway was completely re-opened and good patency had been maintained for 7 months until his death due to pneumonia.     

General anesthesia in a case of right-sided aortic arch with Kommerell's diverticulum diagnosed on preoperative examination

Kommerell's diverticulum is a rare anomaly of the aortic arch. A 59-year-old man was scheduled for open reduction and internal fixation of his right proximal tibial fracture under general anesthesia. We diagnosed right-sided aortic arch by the chest X-ray and thoracic computed tomography. His trachea and esophagus were compressed by the aortic arch. He had complained of no dyspnea or dysphagia. Respiratory difficulty might be caused by muscle relaxants, intermittent positive pressure ventilation, change of intrathoracic pressure, postural change and overloaded infusion during general anesthesia in a case of right-sided aortic arch. We performed lumbar epidural anesthesia and inserted an i-gel after general anesthesia induction preserving spontaneous respiration in preparation for controlled ventilation or tracheal intubation via an i-gel. We could accomplish the operation uneventfully and he was discharged on POD 53. A supraglottic airway such as an i-gel was a useful device in the present case of right-sided aortic arch with Kommerell's diverticulum.     

Re-do operation for coronary stenosis after Cabrol procedure; report of a case

The Cabrol technique has been used to reimplant coronary arteries at the time of aortic root replacement. We describe a case of coronary stenosis after Cabrol procedure. A 42-year-old female with Marfan syndrome and chronic type B dissection who underwent aortic root replacement with Cabrol procedure complained of chest pain. Computed tomography( CT) showed extended thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm. Angiography revealed bilateral Cabrol limb stenosis at anastomotic sites. Re-do operation was performed under median re-sternotomy. Pannus around the coronary anastomosis was resected and patch extension using bovine pericardium was performed. Reconstruction of coronary arteries was completed by Piehler procedure and total arch replacement with elephant trunk technique was concomitantly performed. Post-operative course was uneventful. CT revealed the release from coronary stenosis.     

Main bronchial sleeve resection with pulmonary conservation.

Twenty-seven main bronchial resections (19 left, 8 right) were performed without pulmonary resection between 1975 and 1991. The patients were 17 men and 9 women with an average age of 35 years (range, 20 to 65 years). Tumors comprised 55% of the lesions, including 9 carcinoid tumors (33%), 2 mucoepidermoid tumors, 2 fibrous histiocytomas, 1 hemangiopericytoma, and 1 large cell carcinoma. Scarring and stenosis secondary to multiple causes occurred in 10 patients (37%). Two patients had miscellaneous lesions. Presenting symptoms included dyspnea (52%), wheezing or stridor (44%), cough (41%), hemoptysis (37%), and pneumonia (18%). Preoperative chest roentgenogram was abnormal in 60% of patients, whereas tomograms delineated the lesion in 94%. All patients had bronchoscopy for lesion evaluation. Anesthesia was accomplished through a long single-lumen endotracheal tube in 19 cases and a double-lumen tube in 8 cases. Mobilization and exposure techniques to create a tension-free anastomosis were critical for left main bronchial resections and included pretracheal mobilization (100%), neck flexion (100%), tracheal and main bronchial retraction (85%), aortic and pulmonary artery retraction (44%), and intrapericardial hilar release (33%). All resections were for cure; there was no operative mortality. Morbidity in 4 patients (15%) included an anastomotic stenosis (successfully reresected), prolonged air leak and pneumonia, transient recurrent nerve palsy, and atelectasis. Median 5-year follow-up revealed 92% of patients alive, with only one of two late deaths being disease-related. Main bronchial resection is an ideal technique for selected benign and malignant lesions, allowing complete pulmonary parenchymal preservation.     

A surgical case of giant mediastinal neurilemmoma]

A 45-year-old male was admitted to Nagoya University Hospital with dyspnea. He was examined by chest X-ray, CT, MRI, and bronchofiberscope. The chest X-ray showed a large abnormal shadow in the right lung field. A large tumor mass pressing the right lung occupied a half of thoracic cavity on a chest CT and MRI. Bronchofiberscopic findings showed a stenosis of the right intermediate bronchus. The clinical diagnosis was posterior mediastinal tumor. He underwent a posterolateral thoracotomy and the tumor was removed smoothly. The size of resected specimen was 15 x 13 x 11 cm. Histopathological examination of the specimen revealed a mediastinal neurilemmoma. He has been well for 4 months postoperatively.     

Combined blunt aortic and bronchial injury

We report the case of a 29-year-old man with left blunt chest trauma resulting in an intimal tear of the proximal descending aorta, for which he underwent successful thoracic endovascular graft stenting. He subsequently developed progressive left lung collapse, and bronchoscopy revealed left bronchial disruption. A left thoracotomy with end-to-end anastomosis of the left bronchus was performed successfully. The literature from 6 other similar cases of concomitant aortic and bronchial injuries was reviewed.     

Compression of trachea and left main bronchus by arch aneurysm

We report on the case of a 70-year-old woman who presented dyspnea. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the chest revealed the compression of the lower part of the trachea and left main bronchus by an aneurysm of the ascending aorta and aortic arch. Although we performed a replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic arch, we were unable to relieve the stenosis of the trachea and bronchus. By the suspension of the posterior wall of the native aneurysm, we were able to successfully relieve the compression and alleviate the respiratory insufficiency.     

Combined heart transplantation and resection of dissecting aneurysm of ascending aorta and aortic arch: a case report.

A 21-year-old male patient had suffered from palpitation and exertional dyspnea since October, 1997. He was admitted to our hospital, and a series of examinations were performed. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed marked dilatation of the ascending aorta (about 7.5 cm at the proximal portion) and aortic annulus, an intimal flap in the ascending aorta and aortic arch was also noted. Cardiac catheterization revealed the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure was 33 mmHg, pulmonary artery pressure was 47/38 mmHg with a mean of 35.4. The cardiac index was 1.01 l/min/m2. Poor left ventricular contractility was shown by a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 13.8% and a right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) of 5.13% by a radionuclide angiogram (RNA) study. Under the diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy and dissecting aortic aneurysm of the ascending aorta and aortic arch, he was put on a waiting list for heart transplantation. On November 11, 1997 he received heart transplantation. Resection of the dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta and the aortic arch and replacement with a 26 mm Vascutek graft were performed first under deep hypothermia and retrograde cerebral perfusion. Then while he was rewarming up, heart implantation was performed. He was discharged 30 days after surgery and has been doing well since then. As far as we know, no literature regarding combined heart transplantation and resection of a dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta and aortic arch has been reported.     

Ruptured bronchial artery aneurysm with left hemothorax: report of a case

A 74-year-old man was admitted to hospital because of sudden onset of chest pain and dyspnea. The chest X-ray film revealed left hemothorax. Chest computed tomographic (CT) scan confirmed left hemothorax and excluded the possibility of aortic dissection and aneurysm of the aorta. But the presence of some vascular mass, about 20 mm in diameter, was suspected at subcarina. Three-dimensional (3D) -CT confirmed a definitive diagnosis of ruptured bronchial artery aneurysm. Bronchial artery embolization (BAE) was performed. We report a case of ruptured bronchial artery aneurysm complicated by life-threatening massive bleeding and resembling a clinical picture of aortic dissection.     

A combination of reoperation for pseudoaneurysm following the Cabrol procedure and total aortic arch replacement in a patient with Marfan syndrome —A case with an aberrant right subclavian artery—

A 44-year-old male with Marfan’s syndrome had undergone an initial operation for DeBakey type I acute aortic dissection with annulo-aortic ectasia. He had undergone replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic valve with a composite graft and reconstruction of the coronary artery by the Cabrol procedure. At 5 years after the initial surgery he experienced chest pain and was subsequently examined. Computed tomography revealed a pseudoaneurysm in the ascending aorta and the residual aortic dissection. The maximum diameter of the pseudoaneurysm was 85 mm and the maximum diameter of the aortic arch was 55 mm. The aortic arch was associated with an aberrant right subclavian artery. Angiography revealed that the pseudoaneurysm was caused by leakage at the coronary ostium-graft anastomoses. We repaired the anastomoses and performed total aortic arch replacement with reconstruction of four arch branches. The postoperative course was uneventful without any complications. We report this case because there have been few reports regarding arch replacement in cases with an aberrant right subclavian artery.     

Successful implantation of a metal coronary angioplasty stent for bronchomalacia of the right tracheal bronchus associated with right isomerism complex in an early infant

One-month-old boy had severe emphysema of the right upper lobe due to the stenotic tracheal bronchus compressed between the distorted right patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and the right aortic arch associated with right isomerism complex. He underwent a left modified Blalock-Taussig shunt and a division of the PDA on cardiopulmonary bypass. Extracorporeal lung support (ECLS) was introduced because of severe hypoxemia caused by remaining bronchomalacia of the tracheal bronchus. On postoperative day 3, a metal coronary angioplasty stent was implanted at the stenotic lesion under fluoroscopic and bronchoscopic guidance. He was successfully weaned from ECLS and then respirator after the implantation. This simple stenting procedure might be an effective alternate in the treatment of bronchomalacia or bronchial stenosis in early infancy.