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A 53-year-old man who developed coronary artery aneurysm following repeated percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was reported. At the first coronary angiography, the severity of coronary stenosis was 95% at areas #6 and #7. The first PTCA provided sufficient coronary dilatation, but 3 months later, PTCA was needed again because of the recurrence of stenosis. This second PTCA provided sufficient dilatation, but the coronary dissection remained. Eight months after the second PTCA, the patient suffered from recurrent angina. The repeated coronary angiography showed 95% stenosis of the original lesion and coronary aneurysm formation (4 mm in diameter) at the area of dissection which developed at the former PTCA site. Therefore, coronary artery bypass surgery with left internal thoracic artery to area #8 was performed.

A 57-year-old female who had been treated for SLE with prednisolone for 11 years was transferred to our hospital due to unstable angina caused by stenoses of the left main trunk (LMT) and the left anterior descending artery (LAD). She underwent emergency coronary artery bypass grafting of the LAD and the left circumflex artery (LCX) using saphenous vein grafts (SVGs). Since we were afraid the internal thoracic arteries (ITAs) and right gastroepiproic artery were less usable because preoperative angiography showed too small (1.2 mm) ITAs and she had undergone Miles' operation for anal canal cancer, SVG usage seemed more advantageous as an emergency procedure. Pre- and postoperatively, leukocytopenia was treated with granulocyte colony stimulating factor and she was free from infection. She had no chest pain postoperatively. However, postoperative angiography confirmed an occluded SVG to the LCX and a patent SVG to the LAD which supplied blood flow to the LCX area.

Pulmonary lobar transplantation is an option for pediatric lung transplantation, and it has the potential of extended applications. We compared the relationship between segmental blood flow and segmental vascular resistance of the pulmonary lobe with that of the transplanted single lung. Eight of 14 puppies received a left upper pulmonary lobe from double-weighed adult dogs, and the other six puppies received a left lung from puppies. All recipient dogs were treated with oral cyclosporine (15 mg/kg/day) and intramuscular prednisolone (1.0 mg/kg/day), after the operation. Pulmonary arterial and left atrial pressures and segmental flow of the lungs were measured at rest and while the inferior vena cava or right pulmonary artery was clamped, before and 1 hour and 2 weeks after lung transplantation. Vascular resistance of the lung segment was calculated at each hemodynamic state. Segmental resistance of the lung at rest significantly increased from pretransplantation to 1 hour after transplantation (pulmonary lobe group, 2211 +/- 42 to 2555 +/- 61 dyne.sec.cm-5; single lung group, 2126 +/- 56 to 2557 +/- 72 dyne.sec.cm-5) and recovered 2 weeks after transplantation in both groups. However, by means of partial clamp of the right pulmonary artery, segmental resistances of 1 hour after transplantation pulmonary lobe (2248 +/- 37 dyne.sec.cm-5), and single lung (2206 +/- 34 dyne.sec.cm-5) at the same segmental flow of the pretransplantation state (310 to 320 ml/min) were equivalent to those of the pretransplantation lungs. There was no significant difference in the segmental resistance at any segmental flow between the pulmonary lobe and single lung before and after lung transplantation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

We carried out combined operation of coronary artery bypass grafting using the right gastro-epiploic artery (GEA) and other abdominal operation in four patients. The abdominal operation were one total gastrectomy for double early gastric cancer, one bypass with Y-shaped graft for arteriosclerosis obliterans in iliac region and two peritoneal dialysis for chronic renal failure. There were no early death. The postoperative course was uneventful without any mediastinitis or other infectious events. Doing careful maneuver, we can use the GEA for grafts in such cases.

The patient with dilated cardiomyopathy (NYHA grade 4) underwent cardiac transplantation at University of California, Los Angeles. Postoperative management in our institute consisted 1) cardiac biopsy, 2) measurement of blood concentration of cyclosporin, 3) serum anti-CMV titer, 3) echo cardiography, 4) counts of lymphocyte subsets. Cardiac rejection (Ib) was observed 2 months after transplantation and steroid pulse therapy (methylprednisone 500 mg/day) was performed for 3 days. Blood concentration of cyclosporin was decreased with administration of probucol and increased with diltiazem. Presently, the patient is stable and back to normal work.

Although a high incidence of strut fracture of the Björk-Shiley convexo-concave (C-C) valve prosthesis has been reported, it is still controversial whether the prosthesis functioning normally should be replaced electively. To clarify our policy for this issue, we reviewed 28 patients who had undergone mitral valve replacement with a C-C valve prosthesis, and evaluated long-term results according to STS guidelines. The incidence of valve-related complications expressed as % patient-year were; structural deterioration 0.30, nonstructural dysfunction 0.30, thromboembolism 1.20. There were no thrombosed valves, anticoagulant-related hemorrhage or prosthetic valve endocarditis. The actuarial free rate after valve replacement with the C-C at 10 years, constructed by the Kaplan-Meier method, were compared with those with St. Jude Medical (SJM) valve prosthesis. (1) Actuarial survival: 77.9 vs 87.3 (NS), (2) Reoperation-free: 91.6 vs 98.0 (p0.05), (3) thromboembolism-free: 83.7 vs 83.9 (NS), (4) Event-free (hospital death+reoperation+valve-related complications: 71.2 vs 77.7 (NS). The long-term results with the C-C were compatible to those with a SJM valve prosthesis. However, if a strut fracture occurs, it is very difficult to save the patient's life. The hospital mortality of re-replacement of valve prosthesis during the last 10 years, at our institute, was 2.6%, which is almost equal to the cumulative risk of strut fracture of the C-C valve after 10 years (3.0%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Between August 1985 and December 1992, 298 patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting with two or more distal anastomoses using arterial grafts. There were 279 males and 19 females, with an average age of 58.4 years. Thirty-one patients underwent sequential bypass with the left internal mammary artery. The remaining 267 patients received two or more arterial grafts. The three major combinations were the left and right internal mammary arteries (120 cases), the left internal mammary and right gastroepiploic arteries (100 cases) and the left and right internal mammary and right gastroepiploic arterial (43 cases). An additional saphenous vein bypass was constructed in 113 patients, and the average number of distal anastomoses was 2.70 per patient. The operative mortality rate was 1.0% (three patients), and hospital mortality rate 0.7% (two patients). Angiographic patency rate was 97.9% in arterial grafts and 94.3% in venous grafts. There were seven late deaths (three due to cardiac causes), and the 7-year actuarial survival and event-free rates were 92.8% and 86.6%, respectively. In conclusion, the extensive usage of arterial grafts in Japanese patients was accompanied by excellent long-term results without increased operative mortality and morbidity.

A 43-year-old woman in whom anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery, associated with rheumatic mitral stenosis, was surgically corrected. She underwent aortic implantation of anomalous left coronary artery and mitral valve replacement. It was feasible to obtain a sufficient length of the left main trunk excising a large cuff of pulmonary artery wall surrounding the ostium of anomalous left coronary artery, without transecting pulmonary artery. This surgical case is first reported about BWG syndrome associated with rheumatic valvular disease.

15-Deoxyspergualin (DSG) attracts a lot of attention as an immunosuppressive drug which has less side effects these days. In the present study, we researched the rescue effect of DSG for acute rejection on heart transplantation (HTX) by using rat models. We performed 40 heterotopic heart transplantation models. We injected them DSG (group A: 5 mg/kg/day, group B: 10 mg/kg/day) intravenously through 3 days, starting from the 3rd day the 4th day, and the 5th day after HTX. Our previous study showed the pathology on the 3rd day after HTX corresponded to mild rejection, the 4th day to moderate rejection, and the 5th day to severe rejection. One day after the injection was completed, the recipients were sacrificed. The rescue effect was histopathologically assessed by H-E stain, and the action mechanism of DSG was considered by immunohistochemical stain using monoclonal antibodies, which were against CD4 positive cells, CD8 positive cells, and macrophages. In result, the rescue effect of DSG was significant in all groups, in comparison with controls, which had no immunosuppression. And the rescue effect of group B was superior to group A. We also found using a immunohistochemical technique, that DSG inhibited the accumulation of CD4 and CD8 positive cells. We concluded the rescue effect of DSG for acute rejection on HTX was significant, especially in 10 mg/kg/day even in the severe rejection. And the suppression of helper and cytotoxic T cells accumulation might be one of the action mechanisms of DSG.

For surgical management of Ebstein's anomaly, a new technique of tricuspid valve replacement on the true annulus, avoiding injury to the conduction system, has been developed. At operation, the valve fixation sutures are placed around the true annulus except for a part of Koch's triangle. A 3 x 3 cm xenograft patch is sutured to cover the atrioventricular node and bundle of His. The remainder of the valve fixation sutures in Koch's triangle are placed only on the patch to prevent conduction injury, and the valve fixation annulus is completed. This new technique has been applied to three patients and has preserved atrioventricular conductivity well in all cases. It is concluded that this procedure of tricuspid replacement on the true annulus can be safely applied and is remarkably effective in preventing atrioventricular conduction disturbance.

Japan is still in the midst of confusion the ethical, social and legal standpoints of organ transplantation. We have paid attention and effort to negotiate and reorganize the heart transplantation environment. This paper discusses several problems concerning the criteria, standardization, assessment, evaluation committee and authorization of medical centers to initiate heart transplantation in this country.

The efficacy of retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) method was evaluated in 26 patients who underwent aortic arch reconstruction. Surgical procedures were; ascending-proxymal arch replacement involving Bentall type procedures (17 cases), total arch replacement (4 cases), and distal arch replacement (5 cases). The RCP were performed through selective cannulation on the superior vena cava at 18.4 degrees C of the average rectal temperature. The perfusion pressure was 28.3 (+/- 5.9) cmH2O and flow was 360 (+/- 15.4) ml/min. RCP time was 74.1 (+/- 26.2) min. Twenty-four patients survived among 26 patients and 2 patients died after operation. Postoperative consciousness was confirmed in 25 patients. Postoperative neurological complications were 1) delayed arousal 5 cases, 2) delirium 3 cases, 3) respiratory disorders 5 cases, 4) double vision 2 cases, 5) cerebral infarction (CI) 1 case. These complications except-CI were resolved in early postoperative period. And regarding effective time period of RCP, incidence of neurological complications were significantly higher in cases which received RCP over 80 min. Therefore we consider that 80 min is a safety time period. In conclusion, RCP is a useful step for preserving the brain during the operation of graft replacement of aorta involving aortic arch.

Coronary artery bypass surgery was performed in two patients who had had renal transplantation. They had been taking immunosuppressive therapy. There were some problems in the management of these patients including prevention of postoperative infection, renal damage due to cyclosporin, and rejection of the transplanted kidney. Immunosuppressive therapy was continued under the meticulous monitoring of blood cyclosporin levels, blood T-cell subsets, markers of infection such as antiviral titers. The anticipated problems were not encountered in both cases. This is the first report in Japan which describes successful coronary artery bypass surgery for kidney transplant recipients.

The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of HTK solution in the 120 minutes cross-clamping method in comparison with conventional intermittent cardioplegia using GIK solution. Fifty-four open heart surgery were performed with cardioplegic solution using either HTK solution (HTK) or GIK solution (GIK). In the HTK, HTK (3L) was infused for the initial dose and 1L was added every 60 min after 120 min of cross-clamping. In GIK, 1L of GIK solution was intermittently infused initially and then every 30 min together with continuous cold blood perfusion. The effect of two cardioplegic solution was evaluated by postoperative cardiac function (CI, %SF), released enzymes (CPK), histology and dosage of catecholamine. Postoperative CI was 3.67 +/- 0.76 in HTK, and 4.34 +/- 1.04 in GIK (NS). % SF was 26.0 +/- 5.26 in HTK and 25.6 +/- 0.76 in HTK, and 4.34 +/- 1.04 in GIK (NS). %SF was 26.0 +/- 5.26 in HTK and 25.6 +/- 9.2 in GIK (NS). The CK-MB (IU/dl) level after reperfusion was significantly decreased in HTK at 60 and 180 min after reperfusion. Histology at 60 min of ischemia revealed a significant increase of edema of mitochondria in GIK. Postoperative catecholamine dose was 2.65 +/- 1.3 in HTK and 10.3 +/- 3.4 in GIK (p-0.01). PH of myocardium was well maintained around 7.4 during cross-clamping in HTK, however, it was decreased in GIK. In conclusion, The HTK method offers a reliable cardiac protection due to effective buffering using Histidine in comparison with GIK.

The efficacy of myocardial preservation using GIK solution combined with continuous cold blood perfusion was assessed in patients with prolonged ischemia. Fifteen patients receiving more than 4 hours' ischemia were divided into two groups. In Group A, seven patients were associated with severe aortic regurgitation and showed increased left ventricular volume of more than 60 mm in LVDd and 45 mm in LVDs. In Group B, eight patients had a normal left ventricular volume of less than 60 mm in LVDd and 45 mm in LVDs echocardiographically. There was no significant difference in ischemic time, or preoperative hemodynamic parameters between the two groups. The postoperative cardiac index was 2.93 +/- 0.87 in Group A and 4.3 +/- 0.8 in Group B (p0.01). The postoperative shortening fraction was 0.17 +/- 0.01 in Group A, 0.43 +/- 0.12 in Group B (p0.01). These parameters significantly deteriorated in Group A compared to Group B. Released enzymes (GOT, CK-MB) were significantly increased in Group A with prolonged ischemic time. In conclusion, postoperative cardiac function after 4 hours' ischemia using GIK solution deteriorated in the patients with a dilated heart due to aortic regurgitation.

A new catheter was developed for the cardio-renal assist during intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation. The catheter consists of both a large balloon of conventional IAB (TMP balloon) located at the distal end of the catheter and an additional small balloon 10 cm distant from the large balloon with common lumen and single shaft. Experimental study was carried out in the mock circulatory system simulating the descending aorta employing a conventional IAB catheter as a control. It was demonstrated that the flow in the mid portion between both balloons could be increased maximally by as much as 28% of that of the control under the continuous flow and 214% under the pulsatile flow. The double balloon catheter was considered to improve the renal perfusion as well as the coronary perfusion.

The pathological findings of allografts after heart transplantation were assessed in long-term period using a dog model. Eight orthotopic heart transplantations were performed with cross-circulation method using a dog. Two dogs survived over 1 year after heart transplantation. One dog died due to cardiac rejection, and the another dog died due to infection at 14 months and 16 months after the transplantation, respectively. The coronary artery morphologic features were assessed in the allografts. The pathological findings showed fibrous intimal thickening with infiltration of lymphocytes and macrophages. And it was diffusely distributed to each area of transplanted heart. The stenosis of coronary lumen was significantly seen in middle size of coronary arteries which was from 100 microns to 50 microns. The characteristics of these findings in comparison with arteriosclerosis change were 1) rapid progression, 2) diffuse fibrous intimal thickening, 3) preserved internal elastic lamia. These findings might be important for treating this complication.

Several methods have been used for an adjunct to perform operation of aortic arch aneurysms. However, their results were often not so reasonable. Recently retrograde cerebral perfusion was reported as a new adjunctive method. In our institute, for the past 6 and a half years from May 1985 to April 1992, 50 patients underwent reconstruction of the transverse aortic arch by using two methods of artificial cerebral perfusion. One method is continuous antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP, for 32 patients), and the other is continuous retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP, for 18 patients), each technique was combined with deep hypothermia (18-20 degrees C) and low flow perfusion (10-30 ml/kg/min) to lower half body performed from femoral artery. In our RCP circuit, an additional pump was used for cerebral perfusion to superior vena cava, but the circuit was much simpler than the circuit in ACP. We compared the two methods (ACP versus RCP) as regards to the following items and the results were showed in parentheses; hospital death (8/32, 25%: 2/18, 11%), respiratory complication (8.27, 30%: 3/18, 17%), neurological complication (7/29, 24%: 1/18, 5.5%), duration of extracorporeal circulation (306.8 +/- 74.5 min: 260.4 +/- 60.0 min), periods of pre-ECC in the operation (160.3 +/- 69.2 min: 117.7 +/- 35.3 min), duration of cerebral perfusion (113.6 +/- 45.4 min: 74.1 30.5 min) and amount of bleeding (3424 +/- 2881 ml: 1802 +/- 1291 ml). RCP has superior advantages in all of those in comparison with ACP. These results suggest that RCP is a useful adjunctive method for reconstruction of aortic arch with a low operative risk.

A new intraventricular axial flow blood pump has been designed and developed as a totally implantable left ventricular assist device (LVAD). This pump consists of an impeller combined with a guide-vane, a tube housing, and a DC motor. The pump is introduced into the LV cavity through the LV apex, and the outlet cannula is passed antegrade across the aortic valve. Blood is withdrawn from the LV through the inlet ports at the pump base, and discharged to the ascending aorta. Our newly developed axial flow pump system has the following advantages: 1) it is a simple and compact system, 2) minimal blood stasis both in the device and the LV cavity, 3) minimal blood contacting surface of the pump, 4) easy accessibility with a less invasive surgical procedure, and 5) low cost. A pump flow5 L/min was obtained against 100 mmHg differential pressure in the mock circulatory system. The pump could produce a passive pulsatile flow effect with a beating heart more efficiently than other non-pulsatile pumps because of minimal pressure drop and inertia along the bypass tract. Anatomic fit studies using dissected hearts of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) cadavers showed that this pump could smoothly pass through the aortic valve without any interference with mitral valve function. Recently, a dynamic pressure groove bearing and a miniature lip seal have been developed. The dynamic pressure groove bearing has a simple structure and acts as a pressure resistant sealing mechanism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Skeletal muscle has a potential power for cardiac assist. Two approaches have been used to harvest this power: dynamic cardiomyoplasty, which involves the application of muscle directly to the heart to support cardiac contractile function; and the construction of skeletal muscle pouches or ventricles, which are used as separate pumps working either in parallel or in series with the heart. In this study, we evaluated the function of the skeletal muscle ventricles (SMVs) for circulatory assist. In six dogs (18.5 +/- 2.3 kg, mean +/- S.E.M.), SMVs were constructed from the right latissimus dorsi muscle, and placed in the right hemithorax. After a 3-week vascular delay period, the SMVs were preconditioned electrically by 2 Hz continuous stimulation for six weeks. Nine weeks later, SMVs were connected to a mock circulation device for functional evaluation. As right-sided pumps, at a preload of 10 mmHg, SMVs generated stroke work of 0.63 +/- 0.04 x 10(6) ergs with 25 Hz and 0.80 +/- 0.06 x 10(6) ergs with 85 Hz, which exceeded that of the native right ventricle. As left sided pumps, also at a preload of 10 mmHg, SMV stroke work was 0.49 +/- 0.13 x 10(6) with 25 Hz 0.90 +/- 0.09 x 10(6) ergs, which was roughly half that of the left ventricle. These results demonstrate that SMVs have the potential to function as left or right heart assist devices.

A 49-year-old man who had undergone AVR entered our hospital with congestive heart failure and continuing slight fever. By cardiac imaging, he was diagnosed prosthetic valve endocarditis with periannular pseudoaneurysm and perivalvular leakage. He underwent a new translocation method using a composite valve (a prosthetic valve directly sutured a ring prosthesis, which was separated from an intraluminal ringed graft). Post operative course was uneventful. He recovered well after the operation.

Between March 1985 and September 1992, 68 patients underwent the replacement of the arch aorta. To protect the brain we had used selective cerebral perfusion (SCP) in 33 cases, but since October 1990 we have used retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) in 35 cases. Compared with SCP, RCP decreased the incidences of cerebral infarction and irreversible cerebral complications from 27% to 4% (p0.01), and hospital mortality rate from 27% to 14%. However RCP over 80 minutes made complication of transient consciousness disturbance in 4 of 7 cases (57%). We measured cerebral blood flow (CBF) by transcranial Doppler at middle cerebral arteries in 7 cases. After RCP, CBF decreased between 50% and 10% and could not be detected in 3 cases. Reactive hyperemia occurred in all cases after RCP ended. RCP will increased circulatory arrest time by about 30 minutes according to our clinical data.

Coronary-coronary bypass grafting was recently introduced for patients with either calcification of the ascending aorta or an inadequate length of graft. Flow in the coronary-coronary bypass graft and that in aortocoronary bypass to the same coronary bed was compared in eight mongrel dogs. Flow reserve of the proximal right coronary artery as a donor vessel to the coronary-coronary bypass graft was also measured. Both a coronary-coronary and aortocoronary bypass were constructed to the proximally ligated left anterior descending artery. The flow in each graft was measured with the other graft temporarily occluded. Flow reserve of the right coronary artery (mean internal diameter 1.5mm) proximal to the anastomosis was measured before and after opening of the coronary-coronary bypass. Mean(s.d.) flow as 50.0(12.3) ml/min in the coronary-coronary bypass graft and 54.9(14.8) ml/min in the aortocoronary bypass, which was not significantly different. Flow curve studies demonstrated early systolic flow reversal in the aortocoronary bypass, while the coronary-coronary bypass showed only forward flow. Mean(s.d.) flow in the proximal right coronary artery increased from 35.4(11.8) to 76.0(15.3) ml/min after opening the coronary-coronary bypass graft, which had a flow rate of 42.2(10.4) ml/min. It is concluded that the coronary-coronary bypass graft can provide nearly the same flow rate as aortocoronary bypass, and that the proximal right coronary artery has sufficient flow reserve for this technique.

Profound heart failure, such as acute myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock and postcardiotomy ventricular failure, requires mechanical circulatory support when recent medical treatment is ineffective. Intra-aortic balloon pumping, venoarterial bypass, cardiopulmonary bypass, left ventricular bypass, biventricular bypass and left ventricular assist device are commonly used circulatory support methods. Type selection and application timing of circulatory supports, based on the understanding of type of cardiac failure, respiratory function and other organ conditions, appears to be most important for successful treatment of profound heart failure.

We have developed a new technique of cerebral perfusion during operations on the aortic arch. The concept of this technique is as follows. A retrograde cerebral perfusion provides a relative long time to perform the distal aortic repair, and simplifies the operation. To avoid the disadvantages by deep hypothermia, we perfused from SVC cannula with blood cooled at 10-15 degrees C, from femoral artery with blood cooled at 20-26 degrees C. A successful case using this method is as follows. A 68-year-old man was referred to our hospital for aortic arch dissection. He underwent an operation 4 weeks after onset. Graft replacement of ascending aorta and aortic arch was performed under this method. We perfused blood from SVC cannula at an internal jugular vein pressure of 30 cmH2O, and SVC perfusion flow was 600 cc/min. By this separate hypothermia perfusion, the nasopharyngeal temperature is maintained about 15 degrees C, the rectal temperature is maintained 22-24 degrees C. The duration of cerebral perfusion from SVC cannula was 125 min, but prolonged emergence from anesthesia and neurological deficit were not seen.

A 38-year-old man with total repair of tetralogy of Fallot at the age of 16 suffered from paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia. His first attack of sustained ventricular tachycardia was recognized at the age of 37 and it was refractory for medical therapy. Electrophysiologic study demonstrated two morphological types of clinical ventricular tachycardias, one originated from the outflow tract of the right ventricle and the other from the area around the patch for closure of ventricular septal defect. He underwent cryosurgical ablation for ventricular tachycardia and patch-closure for residual shunt of ventricular septal defect following the failure of electrical ablation. All of clinical ventricular tachycardias disappeared postoperatively without antiarrhythmic drugs.

A new low porous vascular prosthesis made of a textile of ultra-fine fiber was used clinically in ten patients for whom replacement of the ascending and/or arch aorta were performed. There were no operative deaths after initial operations, but one patient died after a second operation in which replacement of the thoraco-abdominal aorta was performed. Nine survived patients are well for 50 days to 10 months postoperatively. The new vascular graft prosthesis was very soft and pliable in clinical use, and the surgical needle penetrates easily the prosthesis. Although the new graft prosthesis can be used without preclotting under full heparinization, porosity of the graft, 100 ml/min/cm, revealed initial oozing of blood for a while just after releasing an aortic clamp. Therefore, preclotting of the graft is recommended under full heparinization. Because of rapid, even, and stable formation of neo-intima in the new graft confirmed by experimental studies of Noishiki et al., and soft and pliable characteristics of the graft, a wide-spread clinical use of the new graft is recommended in the surgery of aortic aneurysms as well as reconstruction of the congenital malformations.

Interventional treatment is necessary for fatal drug-refractory tachyarrhythmias. Thirty-three, 33 and 16 patients (pts) with intractable ventricular tachycardia (VT) and/or fibrillation (VF) were managed with cryosurgery (CS), electrical catheter ablation (EA) and implantable pacer-cardioverter-defibrillator (PCD), respectively. Seventy-six and 43 pts with sudden death risk in the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) also underwent CS and EA, respectively. CS success rates were 85% in VT/VF and 95% in WPW. Those of EA were 48% and 81%, respectively. EA success rates were 100% (6/6) in idiopathic verapamil-sensitive VT originated from LV, 0% (0/2) in VT following TOF repair and 0% (0/2) in idiopathic VT originated from right ventricular outflow tract. A new VT developed in 5 of 11 pts with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) following EA. PCD was effective for prevention from sudden death in idiopathic VF and pleomorphic VT. All of pharmacologic, EA and CS therapies were relatively effective in ischemic heart disease without low EF. In conclusion, the decision of VT-VF therapy may be affected by the underlying heart disease and EA may be established as an initial intervention for high risk WPW.

From November 1990 to June 1991, 8 patients underwent surgical repair using continuous retrograde cerebral perfusion (CRCP). We evaluated the effect of CRCP from these 8 cases. As a method of CRCP, we perfused with oxygenated blood from SVC canulae with a internal jugular vein pressure of 30-40 cmH2O. Simultaneously systemic perfusion from femoral arterial canulae was performed. At nasopharyngeal temperature of 15-21 degrees C, CRCP time was 46-115 minute. SVC perfusion flow was 280-900 ml/min, and femoral arterial perfusion flow was 450-1,200 ml/min. At 30 minute after starting CRCP, oxygen tension of the blood which was returned to aortic arch was 11-23 mmHg, whereas oxygen tension of the SVC perfusion blood was 210-398 mmHg. In only one patient, transient involuntary movement was seen after operation, but prolonged emergence from anesthesia was not seen. In conclusion, CRCP is considered as an useful method in the operation of the aortic arch.

We carried out sequential coronary bypass grafting using the gastroepiploic artery (GEA) as an in situ graft in seven patients. Four patients had sequential graft from the right coronary to the circumflex. Three patients were anastomosed to two or three peripheral branches of the right coronary artery. There were no early deaths. Postoperative angiograms revealed that the patency rate was 92.3% (12/13 anastomoses). Sequential GEA grafting is available to anastomose the peripheral branches of the right coronary and the circumflex where the in situ internal thoracic artery is difficult to access. Therefore, this procedure will be indicated for multiple coronary artery bypass grafting.

To analyze and compare the effects of saphenous vein grafts (SVG) and arterial grafts (AG) on the long-term results of the coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), retrospective nonrandomized studies were performed in 1,400 consecutive patients with CABG in terms of reoperation, postoperative transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) to the grafts, actuarial survival rate, and cumulative event free rate. AG was used frequently in recent cases in which more diffuse and multiple vessel disease were encountered. No statistically significant differences were noted in any of the reoperation free rate, actuarial survival rate, success rate of the PTCA, and cumulative event free rate between SVG and AG, because the long-term results of the SVG was apparently better than reported Caucasian's long-term results, while those of the AG were as good as Caucasian's. Reoperation and PTCA for the AG were performed less than one year after the CABG in most cases and restenosis after the PTCA was rare. In contrast, those for the SVG were mainly done late postoperative period, and the incidence of the restenosis after the PTCA was very high. These results indicated that the main cause of the graft failure in the AG was technic-related, and that of the SVG was graft's atherosclerosis. We conclude from this study that AG should be indicated more extensively than SVG, but proper indication and application of the AG in various situations and technical improvement to avoid stenosis at anastomosis are important to improve the long-term results of the CABG.

In the surgical treatment for active infective endocarditis (IE), perivalvular leakage is the most severe complication. We had a 42-year-old man who had active IE and a giant vegetation in the aortic valve, and a small mycotic aneurysm in the left ventricular outflow tract. Other operative observations included slight redness and a decrease in the reflex of the annular endocardium. We made a patch closure of the mycotic aneurysm, and aortic valve replacement using the Teflon felt reinforcing method. In the postoperative course, he had a pacemaker implantation with complete AV block. Postoperative pathological examination revealed inflammatory cells and plasma infiltration, and edematous change of the interstitial tissue around the cusp surface and annular side of the resected valve. These pathological changes could explain the redness and the decrease in the reflex of the annular endocardium. The edematous changes of the annular tissue might be the cause of postoperative perivalvular leakage. Reinforcement of the prosthetic valve with Teflon felt might be a useful method to prevent perivalvular leakage. There is, however, the possibility of acceleration or elongation of infective endocarditis. In our experiences of the surgical treatment for active IE, we performed valve replacement using Teflon felt in 6 patients, and not using in 27 patients. The mean period until CRP had been normalized was no significant difference between both groups (mean days using Teflon felt were 63.5 days, and not using were 75 days).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A method for experimental study for a long small-caliber vascular graft was developed and used to observe the healing process and antithrombogenicity of a high porosity fabric prostheses. Eight rabbits weighing 3 kg were used. A left thoracotomy was performed. The thoracic descending aorta was clamped with two vascular clamps and excised in the middle without temporary shunt. A 15 cm long by 4.0 mm ID segment of a fabric prostheses (porosity: 3000) was implanted end to end. After the blood flow of the aorta was restarted, the graft remained in a big loop shape in the thoracic cavity. Total operating time was less than one hour. Three animals were lost because of bleeding from the anastomotic sites (2) and bleeding from the lung (1) within 12 hrs, but paraplegia was not produced. One animal died because of an occlusion in the graft at 16 days after implantation. The remaining 4 animals survived. In two out of these four animals, an angiography was performed. Two grafts were still patent at four weeks. One of these two was explanted and its smooth surface was observed. The major advantage of this technique is that we could evaluate a long small-caliber vascular graft in a small animal.

It might be difficult during surgery to insert a balloon catheter into the target position of the descending aorta with the blind technique. In order to assist in the guidance and navigation process, we have used transesophageal echocardiography. This guidance system has proven to be both reliable and successful, while its required technique is simple.

A 66-year-old man who had undergone MVR using a ST. Jude Medical valve entered the hospital with acute heart failure and cardiogenic shock 3 months after surgery. He had had a symptom of petechiae due to macrogloburinemia after initial MVR and had been in the poor control of anticoagulation therapy because of presence of petechiae. He was diagnosed as prosthetic valve thrombosis using echocardiography and underwent emergency re-MVR using a Central Open Bioprosthesis (COB) which was developed by our department. He was doing well 8 month after re-MVR. Selection of prosthetic valve should be performed carefully in the patient with hemorrhagic disease, and careful observation and proper anticoagulant therapy should be carried out after valve replacement.

Heart and lung preservation is a significant barrier in clinical heart and lung transplantation. In a previous study, we have shown that UCLA Formula, modified from cardioplegic solution, has a favorable effect on lung preservation. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the simultaneous flushing method using UCLA Formula alone on both heart and lung preservation. We conducted six experiments using 18 mongrel dogs, weighing 20-28 kg. In the donor animals, the heart and lungs were each flushed with 500 ml of cold UCLA Formula, using two catheters, one inserted into the ascending aorta and the other into the main pulmonary artery. After the heart and lung block was trimmed, orthotopic cardiac transplantation and single left lung transplantation were independently performed on different recipients following preservation for 4.3 h in the case of the heart and 7.5 h in the case of the lung. Thus, the function of the preserved organs was independently assessed using cardiac output and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) with constant central venous pressure (CVP) in heart transplantation, and arterial gas analysis and the relationship between inspiratory pressure and expiratory tidal volume in lung transplantation. These measurements were performed before harvesting and 1 h and 4 h after transplantation. After heart transplantation cardiac output showed no significant deterioration. No significant differences in gas analysis and the pressure-volume curve were seen after lung transplantation. In conclusion, the simultaneous flushing method using the UCLA Formula may offer reliable preservation for both heart and lung in preparation for transplantation.

We present a surgical case of 61-year-old man with distal aortic arch aneurysm. Under selective cerebral perfusion in deep hypothermia, we approached to the aneurysm through median sternotomy. Dilated distal aortic arch and proximal descending aorta with mural thrombus in the aneurysmal lumen were found. The aortic occlusion balloon catheter was inserted into the descending aorta. A Cooley woven Dacron graft (26 mm in diameter) was anastomosed at 5 cm above its distal end loosely to the descending aorta with five interrupted mattress sutures, and the distal portion of the graft was pushed down into the distal aorta ("elephant trunk" technique). Postoperative course was uneventful and the dead space around the graft in aneurysm was filled with thrombus. Six months later, however, emergent operation was performed because of compression of the bronchus and the esophagus by enlargement of the aneurysm due to leakage. The second operation was approached through 5th left intercostal thoracotomy and median sternotomy. The aneurysm was opened, and the thrombus was amounted to 500 g. The distal end of the graft was anastomosed end-to-end to the mid-portion of the descending thoracic aorta. Postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged. It is concluded that Elephant trunk technique is effective and the postoperative control of hypertension is very important.

A 63-year-old male, who sustained a blunt chest trauma in a traffic accident, was referred to our hospital for his traumatic aneurysm. An operative repair was undertaken 3 months after the trauma. The descending aorta was dissected along 5 cm, and its diameter was about 6 cm. Graft replacement was performed under the left heart bypass by using the BioMedicus centrifugal pump. He is doing well 3 years after the operation.

A previously healthy young man sustained a chest injury. During hospital admission following the accident, he exhibited progressive deterioration in blood gases. The chest X-ray showed pulmonary venous congestion. Positive pressure ventilation was required with a tentative diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome. However, he remained in NYHA class IV. Trans-esophageal cross-sectional echocardiography showed prolapse of the anterior mitral leaflet with papillary muscle rupture. Mitral valve replacement was performed successfully.

We have experienced a surgical correction of a 63-year-old female patient with ECD, who had suffered from severe congestive heart failure. Massive left to right shunt and severe mitral and tricuspid regurgitation were noted. The correction consisted of mitral valve replacement, patch closure of the ostium primum defect and annuloplasty of tricuspid valve. Postoperative course was uneventful. Surgical correction should be recommended even in old patient.

A 66-year-old man had a CABG with a saphenous vein graft. During the surgery, oxidized cellulose and fibrin glue were used and left in place for hemostasis. Six months after the surgery, the first postoperative CAG was performed and a stenosis of the coronary bypass graft near the proximal anastomosis was found. The first PTCA was done and the stenosis was released. Re-stenosis was observed at the same site one year after the first PTCA and a second one was performed. Five years and nine months after the surgery, the patient started complaining of severe chest pain even though he was receiving medication. Graft stenosis at the same site was observed by CAG. A cyst 3 cm in diameter, with irregular wall thickness was found near the proximal portion of the bypass graft. Resection of the cyst and re-CABG was performed uneventfully. Microscopically, the cyst consisted of fibroblasts, small vessels, collagen fiber and giant cells and was diagnosed as granuloma. In the giant cells, oxidized cellulose fiber was observed. No comparable cases have been reported in the literature. Topical hemostatic agents were discussed.

The use of controlled aortic root reperfusion (CARP) as additional myocardial protection in cardiac surgery has been employed at University of Alabama at Birmingham Since 1986. This technique has been applied to a patient in Japan undergoing mitral valve replacement and tricuspid annuloplasty and favorable results were obtained. The CARP method consists of two consecutive procedures following global myocardial ischemia, that is, terminal warm blood cardioplegic reperfusion and selective controlled coronary perfusion. When the repair was almost completed, the CARP technique was initiated with warm blood (37 degrees C) from an oxygenator, and the initial phase was hyperkalemic (K+ 20 mEq/1, 3 min). [Terminal warm blood cardioplegic reperfusion] This was followed by normokalemic warm blood (without interruption) from the pump oxygenator infused through a cardioplegic needle into the isolated aortic root with the aortic cross-clamp still in place (10 to 20 min). [Selective controlled coronary perfusion] Terminal warm blood cardioplegic reperfusion induced electromechanical quiescence initially which allowed rapid repletion of adenosine triphosphate and improved cardiac function. Selective controlled coronary perfusion with normokalemic warm blood permits necessary and sufficient coronary blood flow following global ischemia even when systemic arterial pressure fell and coronary vascular resistance rose. On considering these two points, we consider that the CARP technique offers excellent myocardial protection in accelerating the recovery of myocardial function following global ischemic damage. The CARP method offers useful assistance in cardiac surgery particularly for patients who have abnormal preoperative cardiac function and who have experienced long periods of global myocardial ischemia.

A new procedure of "intra-arterial aorto-infundibuloplasty" for the narrowed aortic annulus is described. Aortic valve replacement can be performed through the aorto-pulmonary and infundibular septal incision which is eventually enlarged by a single patch.

Healing characteristics in a highly porous fabric prosthesis are better than in a porous low one. However, bleeding from the highly porous graft wall after implantation has been a very big problem for surgeons, preventing them from using this prosthesis. When a small-caliber graft is pre-clotted and implanted, the condition of the inner surface, such as smoothness, enhances patency and anti-thrombogenicity. We developed a method for pre-clotting a highly porous small-caliber fabric prosthesis using Teflon Mandril. Before pre-clotting, a fabric vascular prosthesis was held end-to-end and stretched to make the crimp shallow. Teflon stick, which outer diameter was 0.5 mm smaller than the graft, was used to pre-clot. Fresh blood was poured into the space between the stick and the vascular graft. After 3 to 5 minutes, when the blood coagulated, the vascular graft with the stick inside was squeezed with a dry towel. Care was taken not to peel the fibrin attached to the graft. With this method, a smooth and tight fibrin meshwork was obtained at the inner surface. This procedure was repeated five times. As a control, pre-clotting was induced according to Yate's method using the same fabric prosthesis. Two groups of pre-clotted grafts were examined macroscopically and in a perfusion model. Macroscopically, the inside of the graft in the developed method was smooth and without thrombus. On the other hand, in the control grafts, the fibrin meshwork was observed and thrombus at the crimp was noticed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)