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Acute coronary syndrome with cardiogenic shock is a life-threatening condition, but with planned staged treatment combined with coronary revascularization and mechanical circulatory supports its management is increasingly possible. Here, we present our successful life-saving case. A 76-year-old male patient was diagnosed with ST-elevation myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock due to severe stenosis of the left main coronary artery based on the severe triple vessel disease. We initially introduced Impella CP and performed a percutaneous coronary intervention without stenting on the patient. We maintained hemodynamics with Impella CP and performed coronary artery bypass grafting after a week. Intraoperatively, Impella CP was left to function as a left ventricular vent. The patient required upgrading to Impella 5.5 plus veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation postoperatively, but his condition gradually improved, all mechanical circulatory supports could be weaned off, and he eventually survived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proper surgical strategy for retrograde type A aortic dissection (RTAD) is still controversial, and some studies have reported the efficacy of frozen elephant trunk and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). A 68-year-old man was diagnosed with acute type A aortic dissection using enhanced computed tomography. The false lumen at the arch and ascending aorta was thrombosed, and the primary entry was placed in the descending aorta. In addition, there were malperfusions of the right renal artery and both iliac arteries. We performed TEVAR using the right femoral artery combined with the petticoat technique. At 11 days postoperatively, we observed rapid aortic remodeling at the arch and ascending aorta. The patient was discharged uneventfully after 14 days. We believe that TEVAR for RTAD is effective in appropriate patients. However, the accumulation of the number of cases and accurate strategies for patient selection are in demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If multiple treatments are performed within a short time, when something occurs, it is difficult to identify its cause. Here, we present a case of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for acute aortic dissection (AAD) after multiple treatments. A 76-year-old woman underwent minimally invasive aortic valve replacement, transcatheter lumbar artery embolism and retroperitoneal tumor resection within a short period of time. After a series of procedures, the patient experienced sudden back pain, and computed tomography revealed an AAD Type B. Her back pain persisted; therefore, we performed TEVAR, and the post-operative course was uneventful. In this case, the relationship between AAD and treatment before AAD was unclear, but AAD should considered when performing treatments that may cause AAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the use of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for the treatment of aortic aneurysm is increasing. Therefore, complications associated with TEVAR are expected to increase. Here, we present a case of thrombus aspiration and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for superior mesenteric artery (SMA) embolism after TEVAR. A 69-year-old male patient with an aortic arch aneurysm received TEVAR. On the fourth post-operative day, he suddenly complained of strong abdominal pain. Since enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed SMA embolism, we urgently performed thrombus aspiration and PTA in two consecutive days. After these operations, almost all revascularization was achieved, although a partial occlusion remained. As a result, his symptoms improved, and no recurrence occurred. With the increased use of TEVAR, associated embolism may also increase. The combination of thrombus aspiration and PTA could be one effective option for such cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This study explored if long-distance transfer was safe for patients suffering from acute aortic dissection type A (AADA) and also analyzed the effectiveness of helicopter transfer and cloud-type imaging transfer systems for such patients in northern Hokkaido, Japan. Methods and Results The study included 112 consecutive patients who underwent emergency surgical treatment for AADA from April 2014 to September 2020. The patients were divided into two groups according to the location of referral source hospitals: the Asahikawa city group (group A, n = 49) and the out-of-the-city group (group O, n = 63). Use of helicopter transfer (n = 13) and cloud-type telemedicine (n = 20) in group O were reviewed as subanalyses. Transfer distance differed between groups (4.2 ± 3.5 km in group A vs 107.3 ± 69.2 km in group O; p = 0.0001), but 30-day mortality (10.2% in group A vs 7.9% in group O; p = 0.676) and hospital mortality (12.2% in group A vs 9.5% in group O; p = 0.687) did not differ. Operative outcomes did not differ with or without helicopter and cloud-type telemedicine, but diagnosis-to-operation time was shorter with helicopter (240.0 ± 70.8 vs 320.0 ± 78.5 minutes; p = 0.031) and telemedicine (242.0 ± 75.2 vs 319.0 ± 83.8 minutes; p = 0.007). Conclusion We found that long-distance transfer did not impair surgical outcomes in AADA patients, and both helicopter transfer and cloud-type telemedicine system could contribute to the reduction of diagnosis-to-operation time in the large Hokkaido area. Further studies are mandatory to investigate if both the systems will improve clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case report details the management of a 79-year-old man who developed massive postoperative pneumothorax following redo coronary artery bypass grafting due to severe lung adhesions. We successfully treated the patient using veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation without femoral cannulation, allowing for early rehabilitation initiation. Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a reasonable option for cases of severe respiratory failure due to pneumothorax with lung destruction caused by re-sternotomy during re-do cardiac surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights from the article: The case of a patient with pacemaker-induced cardiomyopathy in whom left ventricular (LV) function was dramatically Implanted epicardial LV lead on the LV lateral wall can be a good alternative pacing site that preserves LV function, espe- Artificial cardiac pacemaker, ventricular function, left, bacterial endocarditis, cardiomyopathy, left ventricle, heart ventricle, thoracotomy, ventricular pacing.

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) on the aortic valve involves fibrin and platelet aggregate formation, potentially leading to embolic events. We present a case of NBTE on the aortic valve following coronary angiography (CAG) in a 54-year-old man with multiple comorbidities. Surgical thrombectomy was performed owing to acute cerebral infarcts. This case highlights the significance of considering that mechanical trauma from catheterization during CAG can trigger thrombus formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although total arch replacement would be performed in a patient with acute type A aortic dissection and concomitant aortic aneurysm in the distal aortic arch, total arch replacement may be too invasive in elderly patients with significant morbidities. A 92-year-old female with acute type II DeBakey aortic dissection and concomitant distal aortic arch aneurysm was successfully treated with hemi-arch replacement followed by thoracic endovascular aortic repair. Hybrid two-stage repair of DeBakey type II aortic dissection complicated by distal arch aneurysm using thoracic endovascular aortic repair after hemi-arch replacement may be effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]