An experience with simultaneous carotid endarterectomy and myocardial revascularization in a patient with calcified ascending aorta

We reported a 65-year-old male with the history of both cerebral and myocardial infarctions. Simultaneous carotid endarterectomy and myocardial revascularization (coronary artery bypass grafting = CABG) were performed. Ascending aorta was severely calcified. CABG was performed without aortic cross clamp under systemic moderate hypothermia and elective ventricular fibrillation. The wean off from extracorporeal circulation was successful. The postoperative course was uneventful. We recommend the simultaneous revascularization for the carotid and coronary artery obstructive diseases. CABG under ventricular fibrillation without aortic cross clamp was useful and unhazardous in patients presenting calcified ascending aorta.     

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with apical aneurysm: left ventricular reconstruction and cryoablation for ventricular tachycardia

This is a case study of a 58-year-old patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, mid-ventricular obstruction, and apical aneurysm who had an episode of syncope due to ventricular tachycardia. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging revealed asymmetrical left ventricular hypertrophy with mid-ventricular obstruction and an apical aneurysm. His coronary angiography was normal, and his ventricular tachycardia was induced by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy without ischemia. Apical aneurysmectomy, left ventricular reconstruction, and cryoablation at the rim of the aneurysm were performed. Fifteen days after the operation, an automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator was implanted. The postoperative course was uneventful, and ventricular tachyarrhythmia did not recur during 18 months of follow-up.     

A simultaneous operation on coronary artery disease and abdominal aortic aneurysm during extracorporeal circulation in patient with impaired left ventricular function

A 74-year-old man had an previous antero-septal and inferior myocardial infarction and an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) 48 mm in diameter. Coronary angiography showed obstruction of the left anterior descending artery and of the right coronary artery, and 95% stenosis of the circumflex artery. The value of an ejection fraction of the left ventricle was 33%, measured by left venticulography. CABG and replacement of the aneurysm were performed simultaneously, because of the necessity of an intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) due to the impaired left ventricular function. First, CABG was performed under cardiac arrest. After declamping the ascending aorta, subsequently, replacement of AAA was performed while extracorporeal circulation (ECC) assisted heart beating. Weaning from ECC was smooth, and the operation was successful without using IABP. The patient was discharged 32 days after the operation. Consequently, cardiopulmonary bypass during AAA operation could decrease heart loads when hemodynamic states change in aortic clamping or after declamping. A simultaneous operation of CABG and AAA using ECC is safe and effective for impaired left ventricular function.     

Extensive endocardial resection for recurrent ventricular tachyarrhythmias

Twenty-two consecutive patients underwent elective map-guided extensive endocardial resection (EER) for recurrent ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT) of whom 20 were male. The ages ranged from 43 to 74 years (mean 57). All arrhythmias were ischaemic in origin. The mean ejection fraction was 29%. The presenting arrhythmias were ventricular tachycardia in 14, ventricular fibrillation (VF) alone in 1 and ventricular tachycardia and VF in 7. Useful additional intraoperative mapping was obtained in 19 patients. Under cardioplegic arrest, the scarred left (22) and where indicated right (4) ventricular endocardium was extensively resected. Resection of scarred papillary muscles was avoided and where indicated, localised cryoablation was performed: 21/22 had concomitant aneurysmectomy and/or coronary artery bypass grafting. There was 1 (4.5%) operative death. All survivors (95.5%) underwent postoperative electrophysiological studies at around 1 week. None had inducible arrhythmias. There were 3 (13.5%) late cardiac deaths, all due to primary cardiac failure without recurrence of arrhythmia. Of 17 (77%) long-term survivors, 16 (94%) are VT-free on no anti-arrhythmic medication at a mean follow-up of 37.2 months. One developed a new arrhythmia at 1 year which is controlled on medication. EER offers a high rate of success in ablating VT in association with a low operative mortality and good prospect of VT-free long-term survival.     

Arch aneurysm after coronary artery bypass grafting, report of a case

A 63-year-old woman had undergone graft replacement for abdominal aortic aneurysm in 1992, and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using saphenous vein grafts in 1995. At that time arch aneurysm (4.7 cm) was pointed out. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed dilated arch aneurysm (7 cm) in 2000. We performed an operation for arch aneurysm. As the bypass graft to obtuse marginal branch was close to aneurysm, aortic closs clamp was impossible. So we injected potassium chloride to aortic root and cardiac arrest was obtained. Total arch replacement for arch aneurysm was performed and postoperative course was uneventful.     

Endocardial resection in the treatment of ventricular tachycardia secondary to cardiac trauma

Sustained ventricular tachycardia with left ventricular aneurysm formation is a rare complication following penetrating cardiac trauma. We present an unusual case of serious ventricular tachycardia which developed 35 years after a World War II injury and was successfully treated with aneurysmectomy, map-guided subendocardial resection, and cryoablation.     

Congenital atresia of the left main coronary artery ostium--a case suffering from ventricular tachycardia

A case of congenital atresia of the left main coronary ostium suffering from ventricular tachycardia underwent coronary artery bypass operation. The patient was 17 years old boy. When he was 9 years old he visited our department for the purpose of examining cardiac disease. The diagnostic impression was mitral regurgitation. At 16 years old he suddenly complained tachycardia during exercise. He admitted to our hospital and the tachycardia was proved to be ventricular tachycardia. Left ventriculogram demonstrated a small range of akinesis at the left ventricular apex. And coronary cineangiogram revealed atresia of the left main coronary artery. The left coronary artery was perfused with collateral circulations from right coronary artery. Electrophysiological study was performed. The ventricular tachycardia could be reproducibly initiated and terminated by programmed stimulation. The catheter endocardial mapping was also performed. The source of ventricular tachycardia was supposed to be at the left ventricular apex. At 18 years old coronary artery bypass operation was performed. Internal mammary artery graft was placed to the left anterior descending artery and a saphenous vein graft was placed from the ascending aorta to the left circumflex artery. A small size of myocardial infarction was recognized at the left ventricular apex. And epicardial mapping revealed that the source of arrhythmia was the same region as the myocardial infarction was recognized. Endocardial resection or cryoablation was not performed. Post-operative study was performed 8 months after surgery. The graft flow of the internal mammary artery to the left anterior descending artery was not sufficient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

室壁瘤切除左心室几何重建连续42例经验

目的总结42例室壁瘤切除左心室成形加冠状动脉搭桥无死亡的经验. 方法 42例左心室室壁瘤患者,男41例、女1例,平均年龄(55.5±2.4)岁(40～68岁).38例有不稳定性心绞痛,术前合并严重室性心律失常10例,其中有心室颤动病史2例,反复发作室性心动过速8例,合并高血压病26例,糖尿病3例,重症慢性阻塞性肺疾病1例;心功能(NYHA)Ⅲ级32例,Ⅳ级10例;合并二尖瓣轻至中度关闭不全6例.42例经左心室造影和手术证实为解剖性室壁瘤,位于前间壁41例、下壁1例.左心室射血分数(LVEF)平均41%(17%～63%),其中LVEF<40%29例.33例采用Jatene术式,8例Dor术式, 1例Cooley术式,其中10例在心脏跳动下完成左心室成形术.左主干病变7例,3支病变30例,2支病变6例,单纯左前降支病变5例.全部患者同期行冠状动脉搭桥术,乳内动脉使用率100%.术中证实左心室内附壁血栓21例.平均体外循环时间(135±11)min,阻断升主动脉(78±10)min. 结果术后平均住院天数(13.1±1.2)d,住ICU(2.8±0.6)d.使用主动脉内气囊反搏7例(17%),术后发生顽固性室性心动过速1例,胸骨哆开1例,术后早期渗血、二次开胸止血1例.术后左心室前后径、舒张末期和收缩末期容量较术前明显缩小(P<0.05),LVEF有增加趋势(P>0.05).围手术期无死亡,均痊愈出院.术后随访10个月至4年,无死亡. 结论室壁瘤切除左心室几何重建术同期行冠状动脉旁路术,除改善心功能外,可消除室性心动过速,手术安全、可靠,效果良好.     

Predictors of failure after endocardial resection for sustained ventricular tachycardia

This study was designed to identify characteristics that might be predictors of failure of surgical treatment alone (endocardial resection) for sustained ventricular tachycardia. Thirty-three consecutive patients with sustained ventricular tachycardia were studied by standard techniques preoperatively, intraoperatively, and 7 to 36 days postoperatively. Standard endocardial resection was guided by intraoperative mapping in all patients. Adjuvant cryoablation was used in areas that were not accessible to excision. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of the results of the postoperative electrophysiologic study. Group I (14) were patients who still had ventricular tachycardia (failure) and Group II (19) were those who did not have ventricular tachycardia (success). On the basis of the postoperative electrophysiologic testing, the time from myocardial infarction to surgical treatment (less than 3 months) was a powerful predictor of failure of operation alone to prevent ventricular tachycardia (p less than 0.01). This may indicate a different mechanism of ventricular tachycardia in this group of patients. Another possible predictor of surgical failure was three-vessel disease. The site of origin of ventricular tachycardia, the use of cryoablation, the number of morphologies, and the amount of tissue resected were not significant predictors of success or failure. The result of the postoperative electrophysiologic study was also a strong prognostic predictor of subsequent arrhythmias.     

A successful cryosurgical treatment of malignant ventricular tachycardia following left ventricular aneurysm

A 61-year-old man underwent cryoablation in addition to aneurysmectomy and single aorto-coronary bypass for sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) following left ventricular aneurysm. Two types of VT were observed clinically and electrophysiologically with programmed stimulation. During operation, VT was induced but could not be maintained on normothermic cardio-pulmonary bypass. Therefore cryoablation was performed on the two sites where the delayed potentials were recorded. Postoperatively recurrence of VT was never recognized clinically and electrophysiologically.     

Surgical treatment of ventricular tachycardia in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia and their long follow-up results

We have treated surgically the drug-refractory ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. The early and late results of the cryoablation were studied. We operated 8 patients. They showed 10 clinical VTs. A total of 21 VTs were detected (17 VTs during preoperative EPS, 4 VTs during intraoperative EPS). 19 VTs were operated: the origins of 15 VTs were determined by the intraoperative mapping, while those of 4 VTs were suspected by the preoperative EPS. During the follow-up time (mean 3.25 +/- 1.46 years), no patient died, VTs recurred in 2 patients and a new VT was seen in one patient. No recurrence was recognized in 12 VTs operated with the cryoablation applied from the endocardial side, but 4 out of 7 VTs recurred which were operated from the epicardial side. Cardiac arrest induced by aortic clamping didn't affected the efficacy of the cryoablation in the case of epicardial approach. CTR increased slightly postoperatively, from 49.9 +/- 4.4% to 53.3 +/- 5.3% at the 29.2 +/- 15.9 pom. No patients showed the signs of congestive heart failure postoperatively and required the medication except the patients with VT recurrence and a patient with the atrial flutter-fibrillation. In conclusion, even though this disease has the difficulty in the eradication of arrhythmia, VTs actually threatening the patient life at present could be cured by the cryoablation from the endocardial side.     

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement in left ventricular assist device patient‐overcoming the complications with transapical approach and circulatory arrest

We present the patient with severe aortic insufficiency (AI) 5 years post left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. His management was complicated with unsuccessful percutaneous aortic valve closure attempt, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) implantation with a severe paravalvular leak, eventual valve dislodgment into the left ventricle (LV), and LVAD inflow cannula occlusion. We utilized a mini‐thoracotomy approach to successfully retrieve the dislodged valve through the LV apex while deploying a valve‐in‐valve TAVR under direct visualization and deep hypothermic cardiac arrest. This case can serve as an example of the serious pitfalls and potential resolution strategies when treating LVAD‐associated AI.     

Dor operation for left ventricular aneurysm with sustained ventricular tachycardia

A 60-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of syncope attack due to sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT). She was treated medically after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Coronary arteriography revealed a 99% stenosis of right coronary artery (posterior descending artery: # 4 PD), a 90% stenosis of left descending artery (# 6) and left akinetic aneurysm was demonstrated. The patient successfully underwent Dor operation with endocardial cryoablation. The postoperative course was uneventful and the recurrence of VT was never recognized clinically.     

Ventricular tachycardia associated with transmyocardial migration of an epicardial pacing wire

A 66-year-old man who had undergone a three-vessel coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedure 3 years previously presented with ventricular tachycardia (VT) and cardiac arrest. Echocardiography demonstrated a wire coursing through the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery. The wire was removed with a snare and confirmed to be an epicardial temporary pacing wire placed during the CABG operation. We suspect that the epicardial pacing wire eroded through the right atrium and migrated into the right ventricle, contributing to the VT. Complications due to temporary epicardial pacing wires placed during CABG are discussed.     

Left ventricular free wall rupture possibly induced by coronary spasm

A 68-year-old woman complained of chest discomfort after a traffic accident in which she driving hit a child. At about twenty-five minutes later, she went into sudden cardiogenic shock due to acute myocardial infarction caused by non-occlusive intracoronary thrombosis without significant organic coronary stenosis and without any sign of extraluminal contrast pooling on coronary angiography. She was transported to our emergency room by ambulance because of cardiac tamponade caused by a left ventricular free wall rupture following the acute myocardial infarction. On arrival, she was near cardio-pulmonary arrest on intraaortic balloon pumping. We performed emergency open cardiac massage and pericardiotomy. The hairline perforation responsible for the blowout-type left ventricular free wall rupture was successfully closed with Teflon-reinforced sutures. In conclusion, it was strongly suspected that the present case of left ventricular free wall rupture was caused by acute myocardial infarction due to intracoronary thrombosis following coronary spasm without significant organic coronary stenosis or rupture of atheromatous plaque.     

Surgical treatment of tachyarrhythmias due to postinfarction left ventricular aneurysm with endoaneurysmorrhaphy and cryoablation.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the efficacy of left ventricular (LV) endoaneurysmorrhaphy and cryoablation without intraoperative electrophysiologic mapping was evaluated in patients with postinfarction LV aneurysm and sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT). METHODS: A prospective study was performed on all patients operated with malignant VT in the presence of a resectable LV aneurysm between July 1990 and February 2001. RESULTS: The study included 31 patients, 20 men and 11 women, with a mean age of 65.5 years (47-84). Monomorphic, polymorphic VT or ventricular fibrillation was present in all patients prospectively, and VT was incessant in 11. Twenty-six patients had an anterior, four patients had an inferior and one patient a posterolateral myocardial wall infarction. All patients had a well-limited ventricular aneurysm. Ten patients had three, eight patients two and 13 patients had single vessel coronary artery disease. Mean preoperative ejection fraction was 34.8 +/- 14.5% (8-62) and mean end-diastolic volume index was 141.5 +/- 51.8 ml/m(2) (57-288). Six patients had mitral regurgitation grade III or IV. All patients underwent extensive cryoablation at the transition zone of scar and viable tissue and LV remodelling with prosthetic patch in 26 patients. Associated procedures were CABG in 19 patients (61%) and mitral valve reconstruction in six patients (19%). Postoperative electrophysiologic study (EPS) revealed freedom from VT induction in 25 patients and inducible VT in five patients. One patient had inducible polymorphic VT. Five patients received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and three patients had a permanent pacemaker implanted. After a mean follow-up of 30 +/- 27 months (6-132) there was one arrhythmia-related death. There was one early hospital readmission for clinical VT and no need for late ICD implantation. CONCLUSIONS: In patients suffering from ventricular arrhythmias in the presence of a complicated postinfarction LV aneurysm, combined 'blind' cryoablation and endoaneurysmorrhaphy offers excellent arrhythmia control and clinical and haemodynamic outcome.     

Surgery for distal aortic arch aneurysm with a patent left internal mammary-to-coronary artery graft; report of a case

We report a case of 62-year-old male who suffered from a distal aortic arch aneurysm developed 5 years after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Preoperative angiography revealed a distal arch aneurysm and a patent left internal mammary artery (LIMA) graft. Graft replacement of the total aortic arch was performed using a 4 branched graft. After the re-median sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass was established with ascending aortic perfusion and right atrium (RA) drainage. Myocardial protection was achieved with root cold blood cardioplegia and LIMA continuous cold blood perfusion. Distal anastomosis was performed under selective cerebral perfusion and during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Postoperative course was satisfactory and the patient was discharged without complications.     

An evaluation of coronary artery bypass grafting without aortic cross-clamping due to severely atherosclerotic ascending aorta

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in which aortic cross-clamping is not done due to severe atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta. METHODS: Subjects were 51 patients undergoing CABG without aortic cross-clamping during cardiopulmonary bypass under moderately hypothermic ventricular fibrillation in the 12 years from June 1988 to October 1999 (Group N). In some cases, empty beating or moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest was used. We compared these 51 with 1104 subjects undergoing conventional CABG with aortic cross-clamping and cardioplegic cardiac arrest in the 9 years from June 1988 to December 1997 (Group A). RESULTS: In all 6 cases with neurologic deficits, moderately hypothermic circulatory arrest was used during proximal anastomosis of saphenous vein grafts. Postoperative computed tomography scan showed them to have suffered infarction due to embolization. Multivariate analysis identified proximal saphenous vein grafting under moderately hypothermic circulatory arrest as a predictor of neurologic deficit. Complete revascularization was significantly lower in Group N. Actual survival and freedom from cardiac death were significantly lower in Group N. CONCLUSION: Manipulation of the atherosclerotic ascending aorta under moderately hypothermic circulatory arrest or ventricular fibrillation generates the highest risk of perioperative neurologic deficit and should thus be avoided. In-situ arterial grafting should be conducted with utmost care.     

Nifekalant hydrochloride as an effective treatment for postoperative ischemic heart disease

We experienced 2 effective cases of nifekalant hydrochloride. One patient was 76-year-old female who underwent emergent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) because of unstable angina pectoris (AP) and ventricular fibrillation (Vf). Her cardiac function had been decreased preoperatively due to old myocardial infarction (OMI). One day after CABG, she revealed sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) and Vf. Although administrations of neither lidocaine hydrochloride nor magnesium sulfate were effective, nifekalant hydrochloride finally stopped the life-threatening arrhythmia without hypotension. Another patient was 77-year-old male who underwent CABG and Dor operation. His cardiac function also had been decreased due to OMI. He revealed VT attack at midnight 3 days after operation. VT attack still appeared at next 2 midnight under lidocaine hydrochloride infusion, but finally it has disappeared after starting a drip infusion of nifekalant hydrochloride. Nifekalant hydrochloride is quite useful as a new therapeutic strategy for uncontrollable VT and Vf and for the patient who has a reduced left ventricular function because it has an inotropic effect.     

Successful repair of left ventricular free wall rupture with repeated mydriasis and loss of light reflex

A 73-year-old woman was transferred to our hospital because of loss of consciousness. Cardiac catheterization showed a left ventricular free wall rupture (LVFWR) due to acute myocardial infarction at the posterolateral region. Shortly after cardiac catheterization, she lost her consciousness again and went into cardiogenic shock. Repeated mydriasis and loss of light reflex was recognized during establishment of cardiopulmonary bypass. Direct suture closure using equine pericardial strips and 4-0 polypropylene mattress sutures was performed under cardiac arrest. The suture site was covered with TachoComb and fibrin glue. Post-cardiac arrest brain injury was prevented by postoperative mild hypothermia. Surgical repair of LVFWR should be performed even when the signs of severe cerebral ischemia are apparent.