A rare association of divided left atrium with mitral valve prolapse

We hereby present a case of divided left atrium with mitral valve prolapse and discuss the hemodynamic consequences that ensue. This case demonstrates the utility of computed tomography angiography in identifying such associations.     

Free-floating left atrial ball thrombus without mitral valve disease

Reports of left atrial ball thrombus without mitral valve disease are few. We experienced a case of free-floating left atrial ball thrombus that developed in a short period in a patient with atrial fibrillation and dilated left atrium but intact mitral valve. Surgical removal of the thrombus was performed. It was presumed that atrial fibrillation and enlarged left atrium were the contributory factors to thrombus development.     

Free-floating left atrial ball thrombus without mitral valve disease

Reports of left atrial ball thrombus without mitral valve disease are few. We experienced a case of free-floating left atrial ball thrombus that developed in a short period in a patient with atrial fibrillation and dilated left atrium but intact mitral valve. Surgical removal of the thrombus was performed. It was presumed that atrial fibrillation and enlarged left atrium were the contributory factors to thrombus development. (Jpn J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2005;53:52–54)     

左心房折叠术在二尖瓣病变合并巨大左心房治疗中的应用

目的探讨左心房折叠术治疗二尖瓣病变合并巨大左心房的临床应用效果.方法回顾性分析23例收缩末期左心房内径为(129±37)mm (92～250 mm)、行左心房折叠术的二尖瓣手术患者的临床资料.22例选用人工机械瓣膜置换,1例为生物瓣置换,同期行左心房折叠术.术前心功能NYHA分级,Ⅲ级15例,Ⅳ级8例;术前心胸比为0.79±0.10.单纯二尖瓣置换术18例,其中行三尖瓣成形术10例;双瓣膜置换和三尖瓣成形术5例,其中二次手术2例, 术中行心房纤颤射频消融术2例.结果术后低心排出量综合征3例(13%),呼吸衰竭2例(9%).早期死亡3例(13%),其中2例为低心排出量综合征、1例为脑梗死.术后失访2例,术后1年意外死亡1例,平均随访(44±39)个月,17例生存患者心功能Ⅰ级14例、Ⅱ级3例;术后心胸比为0.68±0.11,较术前明显缩小(t=3.80,P=0.000).结论在瓣膜病手术的同时对巨大左心房症行左心房折叠术,可减少术后并发症,术后效果良好.     

Acute left atrial thrombus causing cardiogenic shock following mitral valve replacement: Report of a case

We report herein the rare case of a 53-year-old woman who developed cardiogenic shock due to an acute left atrial thrombus following replacement of the mitral valve. A definitive diagnosis was not able to be made using precordial echocardiography because of the broad, flat shape of the thrombus; however, transesophageal echocardiography imaged the thrombus in detail. The patient was initially stabilized by percutaneous cardiopulmonary support after which a thrombectomy was successfully performed.     

二尖瓣置换术后巨大左室的几何形态学变化及其与左室收缩功能的关系

目的　动态观察二尖瓣置换术后巨大左室的几何形态学变化 ,探讨其与左室收缩功能变化的关系。方法　回顾性分析 1991年 1月至 2 0 0 0年 12月间 2 7例巨大左室病人施行二尖瓣置换术后的超声心动图随访资料。结果　二尖瓣重度关闭不全引起的巨大左室主要以离心性扩大为主 ,换瓣术后左心室显著呈进行性缩小 ,至术后 2年心肌肥厚基本逆转 ,但左心室形态多半仍未能缩小至正常范围。术后 6个月左室射血分数和短轴内径缩短率的变化主要与术中保留瓣下结构和术前左室后壁厚度呈正相关 ,与左室收缩末直径 (LVDs)或容积 (ESV)呈负相关 (P <0 0 1)。结论　对于二尖瓣关闭不全合并巨大左室者 ,争取尽早手术 (LVDs≤ 6 0cm或ESV≤ 15 0ml前 )以及术中保留瓣下结构 ,有利于术后左心室形态的逆转和左心收缩功能的恢复。     

Acute renal failure in patients with malnutrition following mitral valve replacement

A retrospective study of 161 consecutive patients undergoing mitral valve replacement with or without other valve surgery was undertaken to examine the relation between cardiac cachexia and postoperative acute renal failure. The preoperative nutritional state was assessed according to percent of the ideal body weight (W/IW). There were 37 malnourished patients (W/IW<0.80) and 124 normally nourished patients (W/IW>=0.80). In nineteen in the malnourished group (51 per cent) and 37 of normal-nourished (28 per cent), postoperative acute renal failure developed. Malnourished patients showed a severe clinical picture preoperatively a complicated operative procedures had to be carried out. To match these clinical factors between the two groups, the observation was limited to the high risk patients who showed severe New York Heart Association Functional Class (III or IV) large cardiothoracic ratio (more than 65 per cent), and long cardio-pulmonary bypass time (exceeding 120 minutes). Even in this subgroup, malnourished patients were susceptible to renal failure (64 per centVersus 20 per cent, malnourishedversus normalnourished repectively). Thus when malnutrition is superimposed on diminished cardiac performance, acute renal failure may ensure.     

Left atrial thrombus without mitral valve disease in a patient with nephrotic syndrome: report of a case

Left atrial (LA) thrombi are rarely seen in patients without mitral valve disease. We report the case of a 71-year-old man found to have a large LA thrombus without mitral valve disease. The patient also suffered from atrial fibrillation and nephrotic syndrome (NS), and had a history of transient ischemic attack. Transesophageal echocardiography showed an LA thrombus attached to the LA wall, and a normal mitral valve. Blood chemistry revealed a total serum protein of 4.6 g/dl, with 2.0 g/dl of albumin and a total cholesterol level of 453 mg/dl. The plasma fibrinogen level was 366 mg/dl and the antithrombin III was 103%. An emergency operation was performed to remove the LA thrombus and a normal mitral valve was confirmed. We believe that several factors, including changes in coagulability related to the NS, steroid therapy, and diuretics, in addition to the dilated LA with atrial fibrillation, may have caused the LA thrombus formation in this patient. Received: December 21, 2001 / Accepted: May 7, 2002 Reprint request to: S. Aoyagi     

The outcome and criteria for mitral valve surgery in patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation

Objectives: Mitral valve surgery for the correction of mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients with ischemic heart disease has been associated with poor prognosis. The criteria for selecting an appropriate surgical procedure are not clearly defined. The objectives of this study were to clarify the criteria for mitral valve manipulation and the outcome in patients with ischemic MR.Methods: Twenty patients with ischemic MR were proposed for surgery. Ten of them (group A) had grade II MR and underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The remaining 10 patients with grade III or more MR underwent both CABG and mitral valve repair (group B). Postoperative left ventricular function and outcome were compared.Results: Preoperative left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI) in group A was significantly smaller, while preoperative ejection fraction (EF) was almost equal between the groups. EF demonstrated a significant improvement in group A postoperatively, but no changes in group B. Two of group B died following surgery. The other patients were successfully treated with surgery which diminished MR. Congestive heart failure (CHF) developed in 2 patients of group B during follow-up and in none of group A. The 5-year freedom from CHF and the 5-year survival rate in group A were significantly greater than those in group B.Conclusions: Deterioration of mitral valve function, which necessitated mitral valve repair, was more frequent in the impaired and enlarged hearts. Although mitral repair was beneficial for diminishing MR and New York Heart Association, postoperative course in patients with ischemic MR depended on the preoperative LVESVI.     

Concomitant mitral valve repair and left ventricular reconstruction in a patient with chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation and inferior left ventricular aneurysm

The surgical approach to ischemic mitral regurgitation with concomitant inferior left ventricular aneurysm remains uncertain in terms of the indication for operation and the short-and long-term outcomes. We performed concomitant mitral valve repair, left ventricular reconstruction, and aortic valve replacement on a 71-year-old male with severe ischemic mitral regurgitation, inferior left ventricular aneurysm, and degenerative aortic regurgitation. Postoperative status was in New York Heart Association functional class I without mitral regurgitation 8 months after operation. We discuss, and review the procedures reported in the literature.     

The successful surgical repair of a left ventricular-right atrial communication and aneurysm of the mitral valve caused by infective endocarditis: Report of a case

We report herein the case of a 42-year-old man who developed a left ventricular-right atrial communication and aneurysm of the mitral valve caused by infective endocarditis, which was associated with aortic regurgitation. Based on the findings of congestive heart failure, prolongation of the PR interval, and the added threat of rupture of the mitral aneurysm, surgical treatment was decided upon as the best course of action. The aortic and mitral valves were replaced with prosthetic mechanical valves, and the septal communication was simultaneously closed with a patch. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful and he has been in good health since. Thus, we believe that aggressive surgical intervention for complicated lesions such as those seen in our patient may be life-saving, even in the presence of inflammatory signs.     

A new technique for performing mitral valve repair in a small left atrium

A simple approach for exposing a difficult mitral valve within a small left atrium is described herein through the report of case. Mobilization of the superior vena cava with direct venous cannulation and extended dissection of the interatrial groove provide excellent mitral valve exposure, even in patients with a small left atrium.     

Cor triatriatum in adulthood with mitral valve regurgitation and atrial fibrillation

Cor triatriatum is a rare congenital heart disease. A 57‐year‐old woman had cor triatriatum with severe mitral valve regurgitation (MR) and atrial fibrillation (AF). We performed mitral valve repair, left atrial appendage resection, and maze procedure by resection of the anomalous septum in the left atrium. As a result, MR was controllable and AF disappeared after the operation. Although there is no established maze procedure with cor triatriatum, removing the septum was effective to complete it.     

Infected left atrial myxoma with mitral valve endocarditis

We report a rare case of infected left atrial myxoma associated with mitral valve endocarditis. The tumor and a small amount of vegetative growth on the anterior mitral leaflet were surgically excised. Subsequent antibiotic therapy may have prevented the infection from recurring. Histological findings showed myxoma cells embedded in mucinous stroma at the tumor base and an organized thrombus with bacterial colonization at the tumor tip.