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Evaluating patients' risk for acute kidney injury (AKI) is crucial for positive outcomes following cardiac surgery. Our aims were first to select candidate risk factors from pre- or intra-operative real-world parameters collected from routine medical care and then evaluate potential associations between those parameters and risk of onset of post-operative cardiac surgery-associated AKI (CSA-AKI).We conducted two cohort studies in Japan. The first was a single-center prospective cohort study (n = 145) to assess potential association between 115 clinical parameters collected from routine medical care and CSA-AKI (≥ Stage1) risk in the population of patients undergoing cardiac surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). To select candidate risk factors, we employed random forest analysis and applied survival analyses to evaluate association strength. In a second retrospective cohort study, we targeted patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB (n = 619) and evaluated potential positive associations between CSA-AKI incidence and risk factors suggested by the first cohort study.Variable selection analysis revealed that parameters in clinical categories such as circulating inflammatory cells, CPB-related parameters, ventilation, or aging were potential CSA-AKI risk factors. Survival analyses revealed that increased counts of pre-operative circulating monocytes and neutrophils were associated with CSA-AKI incidence. Finally, in the second cohort study, we found that increased pre-operative circulating monocyte counts were associated with increased CSA-AKI incidence.Circulating monocyte counts in the pre-operative state are associated with increased risk of CSA-AKI development. This finding may be useful in stratifying patients for risk of developing CSA-AKI in routine clinical practice.

This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) and degree of left ventricular (LV) mass regression after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with small aortic annulus (defined as annular diameter of ≤ 21 mm).We retrospectively analyzed echocardiographic findings in total of 277 patients with aortic stenosis and small aortic annulus (63 underwent SAVR and 214 underwent TAVR) between October 2013 and March 2019. PPM was defined as an effective orifice area index (EOAI) ≤ 0.85 cmThe median EOAI before discharge was slightly larger in the TAVR group than in the SAVR group (1.09 vs. 1.07 cmSAVR provides better LV mass regression than TAVR with a comparable rate of PPM in patients with small aortic annulus.

Pharyngo-esophageal reconstruction using free jejunal grafts has been widely used for the treatment of locally advanced carcinomas of the hypopharynx and cervical esophagus. However, the procedure is technically demanding and requires complex recontractions. The aim of this study was to evaluate our institutional outcomes of reconstruction using a free jejunal graft with vascular reconstruction in patients undergoing pharyngo laryngo esophagectomy with a multidisciplinary surgical team.There were 90 consecutive patients between October 2006 and February 2021. The mean age was 64.6 ± 10.3 years, and there were 76 male patients. Of 90 patients, 49 underwent preoperative chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Jejunal vessels were commonly anastomosed to the common carotid artery and the internal jugular vein (77.8% and 92.2%, respectively). Continuous intravenous infusion of heparin was used postoperatively.Necrosis of the graft was observed in 5 patients. An isolated revision of vein was necessary in 1 patient. In all cases of graft failure, heparin was not used postoperatively. On the other hand, among the patients without graft failure, heparin was used for about two-thirds of the patients and was significantly different (0% vs. 66%, P = 0.01).Free jejunal graft with vessel reconstruction is a safe and effective method for patients undergoing pharyngo laryngo esophagectomy. The position for the prevention of kinking as well anastomosis maneuver of vein is especially important. Moreover, early postoperative anticoagulation is essential.

A 74-year-old man was referred to our department to receive coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) because of severe triple vessel disease. He had undergone a chest wall resection including the right clavicle and the first and second ribs for the fibrosarcoma 40 years ago. The right internal thoracic artery was resected at the operation. Twenty-nine years after the operation, the plate used for the reconstruction of the chest wall was removed because of its infection. Off-pump CABG using left internal thoracic artery and vein grafts with lower partial sternotomy was successfully performed for the complete revascularization. This patient had a high possibility of sternum dehiscence and postoperative mediastinitis due to poor blood flow in the right upper sternum.

Current guidelines equally recommend direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and warfarin for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with a bioprosthetic valve (BPV); however, there are limited data comparing DOACs and warfarin in AF patients with an aortic BPV.Methods and Results: This post-hoc subgroup analysis of a multicenter, prospective, observational registry (BPV-AF Registry) aimed to compare DOACs and warfarin in AF patients with an aortic BPV. The primary outcome was a composite of stroke, systemic embolism, major bleeding, heart failure requiring hospitalization, all-cause death, or BPV reoperation. The analysis included 479 patients (warfarin group, n=258; DOAC group, n=221). Surgical aortic valve replacement was performed in 74.4% and 36.7% of patients in the warfarin and DOAC groups, respectively. During a mean follow up of 15.5 months, the primary outcome occurred in 45 (17.4%) and 32 (14.5%) patients in the warfarin and DOAC groups, respectively. No significant difference was found in the primary outcome between the 2 groups (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.88, 95% confidence interval: 0.51-1.50). No significant multiplicative interaction was observed between the anticoagulant effects and type of aortic valve procedure (P=0.577).Among AF patients with an aortic BPV, no significant difference was observed in the composite outcome of adverse clinical events between patients treated with warfarin and those treated with DOACs, suggesting that DOACs can be used as alternatives to warfarin in these patients.

The concept of hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR) combines the advantages of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to improve the treatment of patients with complex multivessel disease. This study aimed to investigate a 1-year clinical follow-up of a prospective multicenter registry of HCR combined with non-saphenous vein graft surgical bypass and PCI using everolimus-eluting metallic stents (the PRIDE-METAL study). From June 2016 to June 2018, a total of 54 patients with multivessel coronary disease from six Japanese institutes were enrolled in this study. The primary endpoint of the study was the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE; all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and repeat revascularization) at 1 year. Three patients declined before complete HCR, and two patients were lost by the 1-year follow-up. All-cause mortality at 30 days and at 1 year was 0% and 4.1%, respectively. The rates of myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, stroke, and MACE were 0% at 30 days, and 0%, 2.0%, 2.0%, and 8.2% at 1-year follow-up, respectively. No occlusion of arterial bypass graft at the 30-day follow-up was observed, and was observed in 1.7% at the 1-year follow-up. HCR was safe and feasible and associated with a low risk of MACE at the 1-year follow-up. Further validation in multicenter and randomized studies is needed.

Because the prognosis of acute aortic dissection will be often poor, early diagnosis and assessing severity at the first visit is important. An 83-year-old woman was admitted to an emergency department (ED) with complaints of sudden bilateral upper and lower jaw pain during dinner. Finally, the oral pain moved back pain and she requested an ambulance. Although her vital signs were preserved, she has a left-right difference in blood pressure in her upper limbs. A contrast media-enhanced computed tomography revealed that dissection was found in the ascending aorta in thoracic aorta, which reached the brachiocephalic artery. Therefore, the main symptom in the present case was diagnosed as acute aortic dissection (Stanford type A), an urgent ascending aortic replacement was successfully performed. We experienced an acute aortic dissection whose initial symptom was oral pain. It is a symptom that physicians and dentists need to be aware of that there is a fatal disease where the pain source is different from the patient complaining of pain.

BACKGROUND Collagen disease is an important cause of aortic regurgitation (AR). Although aortic valve surgery is recommended for patients with AR and depressed left ventricular (LV) function, there have been few reports about risk factors for LV dysfunction in patients with AR concomitant with collagen disease. METHODS AND RESULTS We conducted this study at Kumamoto University Hospital in Japan. A total of 41 patients who had moderate to severe AR and concomitant collagen disease between January 2014 and December 2019 were enrolled. With regard to baseline characteristics, there were no significant differences in the type of collagen disease or El Khoury class between patients with preserved LV function and those with reduced LV function. B-type natriuretic peptide (375.2 [257.9-3852.6]pg/ml vs. 64.0 [33.3-133.6]pg/ml, p

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to assess the long-term outcomes and investigate the factors related to left ventricular (LV) reverse remodelling after aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with chronic aortic regurgitation (AR). METHODS A total of 246 patients who underwent AVR for chronic AR at our institution were included in this retrospective study. Primary end-points included all-cause mortality, cardiac mortality and major adverse cerebral and cardiovascular events. Secondary end-points included cardiac function on echocardiography 1 year after surgery. We explored the predictive factors for reverse remodelling 1 year after surgery. RESULTS The 10-year survival rate was 86.0%, with no cardiac deaths in 93.8% and no major adverse cerebral and cardiovascular events in 79.9% of patients. Postoperative LV function and symptoms were significantly improved 1 year after surgery, but 34 patients (13.8%) did not recover normal function and structure. A significant negative correlation was found between the incidence of cardiac death and major adverse cerebral and cardiovascular events and reverse remodelling. Multivariate logistic regression identified preoperative LV ejection fraction (P = 0.001, odds ratio = 1.057) and LV end-systolic dimension index (P = 0.038, odds ratio = 0.912) as significant predictive factors of reverse remodelling 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative LV ejection fraction and LV end-systolic dimension index were predictive factors for reverse remodelling after surgery, which was associated with late outcomes. Earlier surgery may thus help to restore normal LV function and achieve better late outcomes after AVR for AR.

Postoperative delirium is associated with increased mortality. Therefore, it is important to manage delirium during the entire perioperative period. Preoperative anxiety is associated with poor prognosis in postoperative patients who have undergone cardiovascular surgery. This study aims to investigate the relationship between preoperative anxiety and onset of delirium after cardiovascular surgery in elderly patients (aged 65 years or older), considering the individual psychological characteristics, such as personality and stress coping skills in response to anxiety, as confounding factors.This prospective study included patients aged65 years in a preoperative state before undergoing cardiovascular surgery. Subjects were divided into two groups based on whether they experienced postoperative delirium, or not. We compared clinical and demographic factors, preoperative psychiatric and psychological factors, and intraoperative and perioperative physical factors between the control and delirium groups. Multiple imputations were used to account for missing data.Out of 168 subjects enrolled in this study, 26 (15.5%) developed postoperative delirium. Univariate analysis showed significant differences in age (P = 0.027), cognitive function (P = 0.007), agreeableness (P = 0.029), and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-II (APACHE-II) score (P = 0.023) between the delirium and control groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis did not identify a significant association between preoperative anxiety and the onset of postoperative delirium. However, age (odds ratio (OR) = 1.114, P = 0.018), agreeableness (OR = 0.555, P = 0.008), and the APACHE-II score (OR = 1.227, P = 0.008) were identified as risk factors for postoperative delirium.Agreeableness, one of the personality traits associated with preoperative anxiety, appears to be involved in the development of postoperative delirium as an independent psychological factor, regardless of age or physical factors.

We report a 65-year-old man who underwent aortic valve replacement because of severe aortic stenosis associated with de novo iatrogenic variant transthyretin amyloidosis derived from a liver graft extracted from a patient with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis 9 years after the domino liver transplantation. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.), Graphical abstract, We report a 65-year-old man who underwent aortic valve replacement because of severe aortic stenosis associated with de novo iatrogenic variant…

Graphical abstract, Highlights • L-wave is caused by abrupt elevation and gradual decrease of LV diastolic pressure. • Color M-mode echocardiography demonstrates “L” wave of LA slow propagation. • Pulmonary venous reservoir function and LA conduit function caused diastolic LA flow.

A 58-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with progressively increasing breathlessness. She reported a history of bioprosthetic valve implantation for tricuspid valve replacement and direct closure of an atrial septal defect for Ebstein's anomaly, 31 years before presentation. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed prosthetic valve failure, an enlarged coronary sinus, and severe mitral regurgitation. Computed tomography revealed a giant coronary sinus with thrombosis and persistent left superior vena cava. She underwent successful mitral and tricuspid valve replacement; however, severe hemodynamic deterioration necessitated mechanical ventilatory support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Pacemakers are widely used to treat arrhythmia, however, one of problems after implantation of pacemaker is device infection. Total removal of leads and generator is recommended for radical cure. Recently, transvenous laser-assisted extraction of pacemaker leads has been developed and has achieved good results. However, catastrophic complications during pacemaker and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator leads extraction have been reported, and cases requiring surgical reconstruction have been also reported. Most of the repair technique include a direct suturing or a partial repair with patch. We herein report two cases of superior vena cava and innominate vein reconstruction with bovine pericardium during transvenous laser-assisted extraction. A hybrid approach using transvenous laser-assisted extraction and surgical repair through median sternotomy should be considered to perform complete lead extraction in complex cases with pacemaker lead infection.

Background Chronic mitral regurgitation can be primary (degenerative) or secondary (functional); each has its own aetiology, treatment approach, and prognosis. A combination of the two types of regurgitation can lead to unexpected haemodynamic changes. Case summary A 72-year-old woman presented to our hospital with dyspnoea on exertion, moist cough, and orthopnoea. At admission, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) findings revealed severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, dilation of the left ventricle and left atrium, mild mitral regurgitation with prolapse of the posterior leaflet, and bilateral leaflet tethering. She was diagnosed with idiopathic cardiomyopathy with mild mitral regurgitation. After compensation of heart failure, angiotensin-receptor blocker and beta-blocker treatment were initiated, and the dose was subsequently titrated. At 7 months after initiating medical therapy, TTE showed significant improvement of the left ventricular ejection fraction, disappearance of left ventricular dilation (reverse remodelling), and mitral valve tethering. However, posterior leaflet prolapse became apparent, and mitral regurgitation blowing became more severe. Chordal lengthening, leaflet thickening, and degeneration were observed, but there were no ruptured chordae. Successful surgical repair of the mitral and tricuspid valves was performed. Discussion In this unusual mitral regurgitation case, the regurgitation worsened following an improvement of cardiac function due to the loss of tethering from a reduction of the left ventricular diameter and an increase in closing force by increasing the left ventricular contractile force. Eventually, mitral regurgitation prolapse became apparent. Therefore, we should consider that reverse remodelling may exacerbate mitral regurgitation.

BACKGROUND Although bioprosthetic valve (BPV) replacements are becoming more common within our aging society, there are limited prospective data on the appropriate antithrombotic therapy for East Asian patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and BPV replacement. Antithrombotic therapy and thrombotic and hemorrhagic event rates in Japanese patients with AF and BPV replacement are investigated.Methods and Results:This multicenter, prospective, observational study enrolled patients with BPV replacement and AF. The primary efficacy outcome was stroke or systemic embolism, and the primary safety outcome was major bleeding. Of the 894 patients analyzed, 54.7%, 29.4%, and 9.6%, were treated with warfarin-based therapy, direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC)-based therapy, or antiplatelet therapy without anticoagulants, respectively; 6.3% did not receive any antithrombotic drugs. The mean observation period was 15.3±4.0 months. The event rates for stroke or systemic embolism and major bleeding were 1.95%/year and 1.86%/year, respectively. The multivariate adjusted hazard ratios for DOAC vs. warfarin were 1.02 (95% confidence intervals [CI], 0.30-3.41 [P=0.979]) for systemic embolic events and 0.96 (95% CI, 0.29-3.16 [P=0.945]) for major bleeding. CONCLUSIONS Approximately 30% of patients with AF and BPV replacement were treated with DOAC. The risks of major bleeding and stroke or systemic embolism were similar between warfarin- and DOAC-treated patients with AF who had BPV replacement. Treatment with DOACs could be an alternative to warfarin in this population.

Recent progressive application of percutaneous coronary intervention has decreased the number of reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting( CABG), as well as that of primary CABG. Since CABG in patients with previous heart valve surgery is relatively uncommon, it is unfamiliar to many cardiac surgeons. Therefore, in-depth strategy for redo surgery is mandatory to perform the operation safely. This article summarizes the perioperative management and surgical techniques of reoperative CABG in patients with previous heart valve surgery.

A 68-year-old man who had undergone descending thoracic aortic replacement was referred to our hospital with a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. During the original surgery, the Adamkiewicz artery was directly reconstructed. However, multidetector row computed tomography showed occlusion of the reconstructed artery at its orifice, with supply by a collateral vessel from the left lateral thoracic artery. With careful incision to avoid damage to the collateral vessel, no postoperative neurological deficit was observed.

BACKGROUND While there is a concern about the increase in the occurrence of acute aortic dissection (AAD) caused by the worsening of hypertension, mental stress, etc., there is a lack of data regarding the influence of disasters on this event. The aim of this study was to address this issue in the acute–subacute phase after the Kumamoto Earthquake occurred on 14 April 2016. METHODS We retrospectively investigated the impacts of the Kumamoto Earthquake on various cardiovascular diseases, including AAD, utilizing the medical records of patients in 16 hospitals in Kumamoto Prefecture during the period from 14 April to 30 June (78 days) in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. RESULTS The occurrence of heart failure and venous thromboembolism increased significantly in the acute–subacute phase after the earthquake. When comparing the earthquake year (2016) to the non-earthquake years (2014, 2015, and 2017), the difference in the occurrences and mortalities of AADs were not significant. When other characteristics of the patients were compared between the earthquake year and the non-earthquake years, there were no differences. CONCLUSIONS It might be possible that the Kumamoto Earthquake did not affect the incidence of AAD or deaths from AAD, possibly because the climate was mild and the preventive efforts based on previous experience were successful. REGISTRATION University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN)-CTR (http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/). IDENTIFIER UMIN000023864. PUBLIC ACCESS INFORMATION Opt-out materials were available at the following website: http://www.kumadai-junnai.com/home/wp-content/uploads/shinsai.pdf.

Highlights • Recurrent embolism originated from the persistent persistent sciatic artery aneurysm. • Distal bypass was required due to the anomaly position of popliteal artery. • Persistent sciatic artery aneurysm is rare, but remember in especially acute limb ischemia., Introduction Persistent sciatic artery (PSA) is a rare congenital vascular anomaly. It has several clinical features with the formation of aneurysms. Among the complications, leg ischemia is severe problem and the management involves revascularization and prevention of recurrence. We herein describe an anatomically annoying case of PSA aneurysm with recurrent embolism that necessitated thrombectomy and bypass surgery. And this work has been reported in line with the SCARE criteria. Case presentation A 76-year-old woman developed leg embolism twice from PSA aneurysm. PSA was complete type and the popliteal artery ran on the lateral side, which was difficult to approach from the standard medial side. Based on these anatomical conditions, thrombectomy of the posterior-tibial artery (PTA) and femoral-PTA bypass were performed. Additionally, the proximal side of PTA from the anastomosis site was ligated to avoid the recurrence of embolism. Residual PSA aneurysm has not yet been treated, but neither clinical complications nor dilatation have occurred. Discussion PSA is a rare disease, but should be remember in acute limb ischemia. Clear treatments have not yet been established; therefore, its plans need to be considered based on clinical symptoms and anatomical conditions. Conclusion Although there were anatomical issues in the present case, thrombectomy and bypass surgery were successful and no complications have occurred one year after surgery.

To evaluate the status of surgical training in Japan through a national-level needs assessment. A survey was sent to all 909 graduating residents (GRs) and their 611 program directors (PDs) for the year 2016. A working group of surgical educators from around the country was formed under the education committee of the Japan Surgical Society. The survey items were developed by consensus of this working group. The survey investigated the knowledge and problems of the current curriculum, and the status of the current residency training. The response rates were 56.3% of the GRs and 76.8% of the PDs. Among the participants, 47.6% of the GRs and 29.4% of the PDs believed that the residency curriculum did not match the clinical experience. Over 80% of the GRs and PDs agreed on the importance of training outside of the OR, whereas only 13% of the GRs had received such training regularly. Trainees also reported a lower satisfaction rate about the opportunity to train outside of the OR. This national-level needs assessment of surgical training in Japan identified several gaps in the curriculum. These results provide valuable data to assist the ongoing efforts for surgical residency curriculum improvement.

Left atrial intramural hematoma is a rare complication of percutaneous coronary intervention. The combination treatment with surgery and interventional therapy is one of therapeutic options.

Objective Because the presence of immunocompetent cells in the myocardium is associated with the pathological stage and/or myocardial viability, we explored relationships between functional recovery after left ventricular assist device implantation and the distribution of immunocompetent cells in non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy patients. Methods We reviewed 50 consecutive dilated cardiomyopathy patients implanted with HeartMate II at our institute between April 2013 and December 2018 who were treated with optimal medical therapy during left ventricular assist device support. Patients were stratified by improvement of the left ventricular ejection fraction at 6 months after implantation: ≥ 10% increase (Gr ≥ 10%), 5–10% (Gr 5–10%), and ≤ 5% (Gr ≤ 5%). T cells and macrophages were evaluated in the apical myocardium after left ventricular assist device implantation. Results During left ventricular assist device support, 12 patients underwent heart transplantation and 2 patients died. Four patients with Gr ≤ 5% were readmitted because of congestive heart failure, but none with Gr ≥ 10%. Macrophages and T cells in the left ventricular myocardium with Gr ≥ 10% were significantly more present compared to those in other groups. Conclusions The distribution of immunocompetent cells in the left ventricular myocardium might predict myocardial viability of this pathology after implantation.

Coronary endarterectomy (CE) is one of the surgical methods for the treatment of diffusely diseased coronary arteries. However, it is technically demanding and has been historically associated with high morbidity and mortality rate. Recent developments in surgical techniques and postoperative management have resulted in improved outcomes after CE. There are two technical methods for endarterectomy: open and closed. Each method has several merits and demerits. In this chapter, we review the technical aspects and outcomes of CE for the diffusely diseased coronary artery.

With the recent and rapid advances in percutaneous coronary intervention, the rate of high-risk patients with diffusely diseased coronary arteries including severe calcifications or soft plaques in the vessel wall has been increasing. Long segmental reconstruction with or without endarterectomy is a surgical method for the treatment of diffusely diseased coronary arteries. However, it has been historically associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, and has not gained widespread acceptance. Recent developments in surgical techniques have resulted in improved outcomes after long segmental reconstruction grafting with or without endarterectomy. In patients with a diffusely diseased left anterior descending artery, this method has the advantage of enhancing the blood supply to the diagonal and septal arteries, thus relieving ischaemia in the anterior and septal territories of the heart. This benefit cannot be obtained with conventional bypass grafting to the distal left anterior descending artery alone, as diffusely diseased segments are left untreated. This chapter reviews the technical aspects and outcomes of long segmental reconstruction with or without endarterectomy of the left anterior descending artery using the left internal thoracic artery.

We aimed to investigate the correlation of graft flow measurements between transit-time flow measurement (TTFM) during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery and dynamic cardiac CT after the surgery. Fourteen patients underwent CABG with TTFM and postoperative dynamic cardiac CT; 11 internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts and 15 saphenous venous grafts (SVGs) were included for analysis. Pearsons correlation analysis was performed for the comparisons of the TTFM and cardiac dynamic CT flow parameters. TTFM was not significantly correlated with the CT flow of the ITA grafts (r = −0.23, P = .49), but it had a very strong correlation with the CT flow of the SVGs (r = 0.83, P