Successful surgical treatment of mitral regurgitation for complete rupture of the anterior papillary muscle after acute myocardiAl infarction

Papillary muscle rupture complicating acute myocardial infarction leads to mitral regurgitation and is associated with significant mortality. We experienced a case involving massive mitral regurgitation caused by complete anterior papillary muscle rupture following acute lateral myocardial infarction. A 75-year-old woman developed heart failure shortly after her admission, and the diagnosis was confirmed by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. Under intra-aortic balloon pumping, the patient underwent emergency mitral valve replacement and coronary revascularization. Her postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged on the 40th postoperative day. We believe that prompt surgical treatment should be performed even in stable patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation, given that deterioration may be sudden and unpredictable especially in cases involving complete papillary muscle rupture.     

Cardiac surgery in a patient with multiple myeloma combined with renal amyloidosis

We present a case of a 62-year-old woman who underwent mitral valve and aortic valve replacement owing to infective endocarditis. Previously, the patient had been diagnosed with renal amyloidosis and multiple myeloma. She underwent chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation and has achieved nearly complete remission. The patient’s postoperative course was almost uneventful, and she was discharged on the 22nd postoperative day. This is the first case report about cardiac surgery for the patient with multiple myeloma combined with renal amyloidosis.     

Progressive mitral regurgitation which is necessitated the mitral valve replacement after partial left ventriculectomy (Batista procedure): a case report]

The patient is 61-year-old woman who underwent partial left ventriculectomy, (Batista procedure) due to dilated cardiomyopathy and multiple thromboembolism. Although postoperative course was uneventful, she has had clinical symptoms of the left heart failure due to the increased mitral valve regurgitation at the early postoperative period, gradually. Even though mitral valve regurgitation was severe, it was not apt to re-dilatate the left ventricular capacity evaluated by echocardiography. She underwent the mitral valve replacement on the 92nd postoperative day, and was once possible for weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass under the support of IABP. However, she died on the 19th postoperative day caused by sepsis. It is important to evaluate the accurate mitral valve regurgitation preoperatively for Batista procedure. Although there was the mild mitral valve regurgitation, it is essential to repair or replace the mitral valve for Batista procedure.     

Pacemaker infection developed one month after the surgery for prosthetic valve endocarditis

A 57-year-old man underwent mitral valve replacement and tricuspid annuloplasty for mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. Pacemaker implantation was conducted because of postoperative sick sinus syndrome 2 months after the operation. One year later, the patient was readmitted to the hospital because of high fever. Echocardiography showed 2 vegetations of 10 mm in diameter attached to the mitral mechanical valve. No vegetations were detected on the tricuspid valve or the pacemaker leads. Mitral valve re-replacement was urgently performed under the diagnosis of prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Staphylococcus aureus. One month after the reoperation, pacemaker infection developed in spite of suitable infection control by daily intravenous injection of sensitive antibiotics. We proceeded to place a temporary pacing wire and extracted the entire permanent pacing system. A new permanent pacemaker was implanted 5 days later. The patient was discharged on the 62th postoperative day without recurrence of infection.     

Severe aortic insufficiency after transapical aortic valve implantation

We report the dislocation of a stented aortic valve prosthesis two weeks after the uneventful transapical implantation in a female who had underwent mitral valve replacement and CABG six years before. The initial implantation of the Edwards Sapien aortic valve prosthesis (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA), as well as the postoperative recovery, was uneventfully. At the sixth postoperative day, the patient developed a progressive heart failure due to a severe aortic insufficiency. During conventional aortic valve replacement, the dislocated prosthesis was found in the left ventricle. After uncomplicated postoperative recovery, the patient could be discharged in a good physical condition. Preexisting mitral valve prosthesis seems to be an important, complicating goal for transcatheter aortic valve implantation.     

Early and late arrhythmias in patients in preoperative sinus rhythm submitted to mitral valve surgery through the superior septal approach

BACKGROUND: It has been hypothesized that the use of the superior septal approach to the mitral valve can lead to postoperative loss of sinus rhythm. This study was undertaken to evaluate the early and mid-term alterations of the cardiac rhythm in patients with preoperative sinus rhythm (SR) submitted to mitral valve surgery through the superior septal approach. METHODS: Seventy-five cases in preoperative SR submitted to primary isolated mitral valve surgery through the superior septal approach constitute the study population. All patients underwent 12-lead electrocardiography on admission, every day after surgery until discharge and every year during the follow-up period. RESULTS: On admission in the intensive care unit, 46 cases maintained their preoperative rhythm, whereas 18 developed a junctional rhythm (JR) and 7 had a first- or second-degree atrio-ventricular block (AVB). Four cases arrived in the unit in atrial fibrillation (AF). On the first postoperative day, these proportions were substantially unchanged, with the only exception being a slight increase in the number of patients in AF. The day before discharge, only 35 of the 74 surviving cases maintained the preoperative SR, whereas 13 developed AF, 10 were in JR, and 16 were in AVB. During the follow-up period (mean, 26 +/- 14 months), the majority of cases (47/74) regained SR; 11 patients had AVB, 3 were in JR, and the remaining 13 were in AF. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the superior septal approach for mitral valve procedures in patients in preoperative SR is associated with minor, transient cardiac rhythm disturbances.     

Spontaneous splenic rupture following mitral valve replacement for infective endocarditis successfully managed with splenic artery embolisation

We report a rare case of infective endocarditis complicated by postoperative splenic rupture. A patient underwent urgent mitral valve replacement for infective endocarditis believed to be associated with a recent spinal surgical intervention. The patient developed haemodynamic compromise on the third day postoperatively. Computed tomography showed a splenic rupture as the cause. The patient underwent emergency radiological intervention with coil embolization avoiding the need for a splenectomy and was discharged home.     

Mitral valve repair with concomitant coronary bypass for partial rupture of an anterior papillary muscle

We report a case of severe mitral regurgitation due to partial rupture of an anterior papillary muscle. A 63-year-old man was admitted to a hospital with heart failure. He was treated with diuretic agents effectively. Echocardiography demonstrated severe mitral regurgitation with prolapse of posterior leaflet and small mass-like structure on the prolapsed segment that was diagnosed the thickened leaflet. Coronary angiography revealed total occlusion of left anterior descending artery (LAD) filled with good collateral from right posterior descending artery and severe diffuse stenosis of circumflex artery (Cx). The patient underwent surgery on the 33rd day after admission with heart failure. At surgery, we recognized rupture of one of the heads of anterior papillary muscle that was entangled in chordae of the prolapsed segment. Mitral valve repair and coronary revascularization to LAD and Cx was successfully performed. His postoperative course was uneventful, and he was discharged on the 28th postoperative day.     

Left thoracotomy approach for left ventricular pseudoaneurysm due to myocardial infarction after mitral valve replacement for papillary muscle rupture

A 59-year-old man with acute mitral regurgitation due to papillary muscle rupture after myocardial infarction was admitted to our hospital. He underwent emergent mitral valve replacement with a mechanical valve by median sternotomy. Although postoperative echocardiography showed no sign of a ventricular aneurysm, echocardiography performed 5 weeks after the surgery showed enlarging left ventricular pseudoaneurysm of the inferior to the posterior cardiac wall. He underwent dacron patch closure of the orifice by fifth intercostal left thoracotomy. The postoperative course was uneventful and he was discharged on postoperative day 10. The patient was successfully treated for two life-threatening complications occurring subsequently after myocardial infarction.     

A case report of infective endocarditis with acute pulmonary edema and renal dysfunction treated by emergent mitral valve replacement and postoperative extracorporeal ultrafiltration

A 40-year-old woman with staphylococcus aureus endocarditis of the mitral valve associated with acute pulmonary edema and renal dysfunction is presented. The patient was admitted to Hiroshima University Hospital with infective endocarditis. On the 14th day after admission, she suffered from severe cardiac failure and oligouria, then she was transferred ICU. Chest X-ray film showed pulmonary congestion and echocardiogram revealed 4th grade of mitral valve regurgitation. Emergent mitral valve replacement was performed and rupture of anterior mitral chorda was found as the cause of acute pulmonary edema. Postoperative care was difficult because of advanced renal failure and cardiac failure not responded to diuretics. Extracorporeal ultrafiltration method was effectively used on the 1st and the 2nd postoperative days and 3000 ml of water was filtered without hemodynamic change. Symptoms of renal and cardiac failure recovered promptly after ultrafiltration. Emergent operative and postoperative use of ultrafiltration method is effective in some cases of infective endocarditis complicated with cardiac and renal failure.     

Spontaneous splenic rupture after mitral valve replacement for infective endocarditis

We report a successful treatment of massive bleeding due to spontaneous splenic rupture after mitral valve replacement. A 61-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for intermittent high fever. An echocardiogram demonstrated a large vegetation on the posterior cusp of the mitral valve and mitral regurgitation of moderate degree. Staphylococcus epidermidis was cultured from his arterial blood. He underwent a mitral valve replacement after 3 weeks of antimicrobiological therapy with penicillin G crystalline and minocycline hydrochloeide. The patient fell into hemorrhagic shock on postoperative day 11 after complaining dull pain on his left upper abdomen for 3 days. A computed tomography demonstrated a splenic rupture and massive hematoma in the retroperitoneum. A splenic arterial embolization was done before splenectomy. The blood and clot of 2800 g were sucked from peritoneal and retroperitoneal cavities. There were no mycotic aneurysms nor abscess but the torn capsule on the swelled and partially necrotic spleen. The patient discharged uneventfully on postoperative day 43. Infective endocarditis frequently causes splenic infarction but rarely splenic rupture. Anticoagulation therapy after mitral valve replacement might have emphasized the bleeding in the patinet.     

Reoperation for a Starr-Edwards ball valve prosthesis implanted in mitral position 31 years ago

The patient is a 61-year-old woman who had undergone mitral valve replacement with the Starr-Edwards cloth-covered ball valve 31 years ago. She had dyspnea on effort 1 month before admission. The echocardiography revealed mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. Re-replacement of the mitral prosthetic valve with an ATS valve and tricuspid annuloplasty were successfully performed without any complication. The cloth wear of the Starr-Edwards ball valve cage was recognized and no thrombus was found at operation. To our knowledge, there has been no such a reoperative case who underwent so long postoperative period after initial implantation of the Starr-Edwards ball valve in Japan. This experience made us realize again the importance of attention to the complications related to a prosthetic valve like a cloth wear during long-term follow-up for the Starr-Edwards ball valve.     

A surgical case for a Carbomedics stuck valve due to thrombotic pannus formation in the mitral position.

The patient was a 61-year-old female. She underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR) with a 27 mm Carbomedics valve and tricuspid valve annuloplasty using the DeVega method in September 1997. She has received anticoagulant therapy by aspirin and warfarin in a nearby hospital. Because of aggravating dyspnea and chest pain after an acute upper respiratory inflammation, she was transferred to our hospital on an emergency basis on April 14, 2003. Upon admission she went into cardiogenic shock and multiple-organ failure. Biolite carbon coating prevents adhesion of thrombus or pannus on the sewing cuff of Carbomedics valve, and there were few reports of Carbomedics valve dysfunction by pannus formation. But in this case cineradiography demonstrated the prosthetic valve was fixed in the closed position. We diagnosed acute heart failure due to a stuck valve in the mitral position, and redo MVR was performed in emergency. Thrombotic pannus extended from the sewing cuff and into the orifice on the inflow and outflow sides of the valve, and fixed both leaflets in a closed position. The postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged on the 20th postoperative day, and now anticoagulant therapy is managed in the outpatient clinic of our hospital. A combination of cineradiography and echocardiography provides a detailed diagnosis of asymptomatic valve dysfunction. Periodical examination by a prosthetic valve specialist is necessary in order to perform adequate anticoagulant therapy, echocardiography and cineradiography after prosthetic valve replacement.     

Mitral valve repair in a patient with a porcelain ascending aorta

A 78-year-old patient with heavily calcified ascending aorta underwent mitral valve repair for mitral valve regurgitation. Chordal replacement with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) loop technique was done under endo aortic clamp with a balloon catheter. He was discharged from the hospital on the 24th postoperative day without any major complications. Endo aortic clamp is thought to be a useful technique for a case with heavily calcified aorta.     

A case report of Candida prosthetic endocarditis: an autopsy review]

Most of the increasing numbers of cases of Candida endocarditis have developed after cardiac surgery. We report a case of Candida parapsilosis endocarditis after mitral valve replacement in a patient with no predisposing factors. In this report we mainly examined the pathological findings in this patient with postmortem examination. A woman, age 55, underwent valve replacement with a Bj?rk-Shiley prosthesis for mitral stenosis. The spike fever occurred on the 22nd postoperative day and Candida parapsilosis was cultured from the blood. On the 76th day, a conscious disturbance with the right side hemiplegia was experienced. A CT scan revealed massive hemorrhagic infarction. Despite the intensive care the patient died of cerebral damage. Pathologic findings showed that the vegetation in the major orifice of the Bj?rk-Shiley valve was composed of both necrotic debris and tissue, with Candida organisms being scattered throughout the interstices. Additionally there were also multiple myocardial abscesses with necrotic tissue.     

A case of pulmonary thromboembolism after cardiac surgery

It has been reported that pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a major complication in the post-operative period. However, there have been few reports on PTE after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We report a case of PTE that occurred after cardiac surgery using CPB. A 76-year-old female patient underwent aorto-coronary graft bypass and mitral valve plasty because of ischemic heart disease and mitral valve regurgitation, respectively. The results of blood gas analysis after cardiopulmonary bypass showed no abnormalities. Immediately after ICU admission, the oxygenation index (PaO2/FIO2) of the patient was below 100, and the low level persisted despite decrease in interstitial fluid volume of the lung. Evaluations of hemodynamics using ultrasound echography and a Swan-Ganz catheter showed no findings associated with right heart failure. The results of lung perfusion scintigraphy performed on the 6th postoperative day (POD), revealed the decline in radioactivities in the upper and middle lobe areas of the right lung. Urokinase was therefore administered intravenously from the 6th to 9th POD. The oxygenation index increased dramatically after urokinase administration. Although the use of thrombolytic therapy in an early postoperative period is controversial, our patient was successfully treated with urokinase without a life-threatening bleeding tendency.     

Infective endocarditis caused by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus following corticosteroid pulse therapy; report of a case

A 51-year-old man, with a history of corticosteroid pulse therapy 3 weeks previously, developed infective endocarditis of the mitral valve due to methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and underwent mitral valve replacement. Since the second postoperative day, clinical course was seriously complicated because of recurrent abdominal pain corresponding with commencement of oral intake, unremitting spike fever, and renal and hepatic dysfunction. Various examinations except angiography failed to demonstrate the etiology. Two months later, the patient developed panperitonitis due to perforation of ischemic ulcer of the cecum and underwent ileo-cecal resection. After this operation, he convalesced very quickly. Ischemia is one of the main causes of abdominal complication following cardiac surgery. Angiography should be positively considered in cases like the present one.     

Successful emergency surgery for acute mitral regurgitation due to total rupture in the anterior papillary muscle after acute myocardial infarction; report of a case

A 32-year-old male was admitted with dyspnea Severe dyspnea and hypoxemia developed the next day and blood examination indicated acute myocardial infarction. Echocardiogram revealed massive mitral regurgitation with prolapse of the anterior mitral leaflet due to rupture in the papillary muscle. Percutaneous coronary intervention for total occlusion in the right coronary artery was successfully performed, but progressive heart failure continued to develop. Surgery for the papillary muscle rupture was performed on the 3rd day. Complete head rupture of the anterior papillary muscle was found and the mitral valve was replaced with a prosthetic valve (St. Jude Medical valve: #31). Pathological findings showed necrosis in the papillary muscle with inflammatory changes. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the 43rd day after surgery.     

Successful mitral valve surgery in a patient with myasthenia gravis

Abstract   Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease characterized by a weakness of the muscles with remissions and exacerbations due to antibodies against acetylcholine receptors. Most of the patients die because of a respiratory failure toward the end of the disease. A 49-year-old male patient with MG in whom a thymectomy operation had been performed five years ago had dyspnea, palpitation, and chest pain during his admission. After his examination, a severe mitral regurgitation was detected, and he underwent a successful mitral valve replacement. A general anesthesia management was performed using sufentanyl and propophol without any muscle relaxant agent. He was extubated seven hours after the surgery. He had difficulty in swallowing at postoperative day three, and his medication doses were increased. He was discharged from the hospital at postoperative day seven without any complication. MG is a rare disease and may cause morbid complications during the cardiac surgery, but can be successfully managed.     

A case report of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy after the correction of atrioventricular septal defect

A 47-year-old woman who had closure of an atrioventricular septal defect and repair of mitral cleft developed severe dyspnea on effort 6 years after surgery. An echocardiography showed asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy and a left cardiac catheterization revealed marked intraventricular pressure gradient and moderately severe mitral regurgitation. The patient underwent mitral valve replacement through transseptal approach during empty beating heart. Symptomatic relief was obtained and marked reduction of intraventricular systolic pressure gradient was noted in postoperative cardiac catheterization about 40 days after the operation. Mitral valve replacement should be considered for the treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy in severe cases with associated morphological abnormality of mitral leaflet or severe mitral regurgitation.