A case of ligating both upper and anomalous lower left pulmonary veins in the left upper lobectomy

A 53-year-old male was anesthetized for left upper lobectomy under one-lung ventilation using a double-lumen endobronchial tube in the lateral position. When the upper left pulmonary vein was ligated, Pao2/FIo2 ratio (PF ratio) was elevated despite the one-lung ventilation. After the operation, the patient was repositioned onto spine position and massive bleeding occurred from the anomalous lower left pulmonary vein, which was ligated during the operation. The lower left pulmonary vein was restored and the bleeding stopped. Because the pulmonary shunt flow from the lower left pulmonary vein had stopped, the PF ratio was unusually elevated. We urge anesthesiologists to pay attention to the arterial blood gas data even when it is better than expected.     

A case of left atrial ball thrombus without mitral disease

A 65-year-old man who had a left atrial ball thrombus without mitral disease is reported. Ultrasonic cardiogram gave this diagnosis. His ECG showed atrial fibrillation and severe bradycardia. Thrombus attached to the left appendage with short stalk was removed under extracorporeal circulation and a pacemaker (VVI mode) was implanted. Postoperative course was not eventful.     

Dangerous mediastinal basal pulmonary artery during left upper lobectomy

Anatomical variations in the pulmonary vessels present a potential risk for intraoperative bleeding and damage to the pulmonary circulation during pulmonary resection. Here, we present a patient who underwent left upper lobectomy for lung cancer. The patient had a dangerous mediastinal basal pulmonary artery variation that could be mistaken for the mediastinal lingular pulmonary artery and be divided during left upper lobectomy.     

Diaphragmatic elevation of a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after left upper lobectomy

Among postoperative pleural space problems after pulmonary resections, it is more difficult and troublesome to manage this space after left upper lobectomy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We performed a retrospective study focusing on the elevation of ipsilateral hemidiaphragm of the 36 patients with or without COPD after left upper lobectomies, by measuring diaphragmatic dome length (DDL) with a plain posteroanterior roentgenogram. They were divided into two groups: group I (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) % predicted < 70%, n = 5); and group II (FEV1) % predicted > or = 70%, n = 31). Of each group, we investigated the trend of both left and right DDLs perioperatively, calculating DDL index (DDL divided by height, DDLI), and also analyzed several perioperative parameters. The trend of left DDLI after surgery was different in the two groups (P=0.012). In group I, left DDLI became larger gradually in proportion to the postoperative weeks, while in group II it became the largest 2 weeks after surgery and decreased gradually. Left DDLI in group I was smaller than that in group II 2 weeks after surgery (P=0.007). We found that the diaphragm of COPD patients does not elongate easily after left upper lobectomy.     

A right atrial thrombus after Fontan procedure--a case report

A 17-year-old male with tricuspid atresia who underwent a modified Fontan procedure died due to heart failure 4 years and 6 months after operation. At autopsy a thrombus was found in the right atrial appendage. From the experience, it might be recommended to excise the appendage when the modified Fontan procedure leaving the appendage was employed. In addition, anticoagulation therapy as well as regular echocardiographic examination for detecting thrombus formation should be considered after the operation.     

Conservative treatment of a left atrial intramural hematoma after left atrial thrombus resection and concomitant mitral valve replacement - case report

Left atrial intramural hematoma is a seldom cause of left atrial mass. It has been described to occur spontaneously, after interventional procedures, after blunt chest trauma, or after aortocoronary bypass surgery. We present a case of mitral valve replacement together with the removal of a large intraatrial space-occupying lesion. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography confirmed a successful resection of this mass. Surprisingly, upon admission to ICU, transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography revealed a recurrence of an intramural lesion, closest matching a hematoma, which was confirmed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Surgical intervention was thoroughly discussed but a conservative management was favoured. 3 months after surgery, a reassessed transthoracic echocardiography and computed tomography demonstrated an almost complete resolution of the pre-existing hematoma.     

A case of left atrial thrombus complicated with coarctation of the aorta]

The case was a sixty one year old female who was diagnosed as having acute arterial embolism of right upper arm and underwent embectomy. The detailed examination which followed revealed left atrial myxoma and coarctation of the aorta. Due to the risk of embolism, an emergency operation was performed to install a right axillofemoral bypass with an 8 mm artificial graft. Left atrial myxoma was then excised in an operation using an artificial heart-lung apparatus. Pathological examinations of excised tumor offered no trace of tumor but only of left atrial thrombus. Postoperative results were satisfactory. The pressure difference between upper and lower arms was improved to 0.8 in pressure index from preoperative 0.5 and it became possible to control the blood pressure of upper arm within the level of 130 to 150 mmHg. Axillofemoral bypass is an effective method for a case like the above where a site of coarctation of the aorta cannot be directly repaired.     

Asymptomatic renal infarction after left upper lobectomy: Case report

BackgroundRenal infarction after pulmonary resection is relatively rare; however, it is associated with severe morbidity.Case presentationAn 80-year-old woman without any severe comorbidity or smoking history underwent left upper lobectomy (LUL) concomitant with mediastinal lymph node dissection for lung adenocarcinoma. She did not show fever, flank pain, and/or nausea; however, laboratory data revealed an elevated white blood cell count (WBC) (13,460 cells/mm³) and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (670 IU/L) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (23.6 mg/dL) levels on the fifth postoperative day. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography from the thorax to the pelvic cavity revealed a partial defect of the right kidney without any indication of infection and no pulmonary vein stump thrombosis. We diagnosed the patient with partial right renal infarction, and heparin (10,000 IU/day) was initiated. Laboratory data showed gradual reduction in the WBC (7700 cells/mm³), as well as in the serum LDH (355 IU/L) and CRP (0.76 mg/dL) levels, 7 days after heparin initiation. Anticoagulation therapy including heparin administration was discontinued because renal function remained, and we observed no pulmonary vein stump thrombosis. Laboratory data remained within normal limits, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 15.ConclusionsLUL is considered a risk factor for this condition, and elevated WBC, as well as serum LDH and CRP levels are useful diagnostic indicators.     

Spontaneous intramural left atrial haematoma masquerading as left atrial thrombus

Spontaneous left atrial intramural haematoma is rare. We got one such case which gave rise to cardiac tamponade. This presentation is to increase awareness about its evaluation and management.