Myocardial bridge (MB), which covers a part of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), is a normal anatomical variant structure (45% in frequency by autopsy) in LAD. MB contraction plays the role of a “double-edged sword” on the coronary events, suppressing coronary atherosclerosis under the MB, yet generating abnormal blood flow associated with coronary heart diseases (CHDs). High shear stress driven by MB compression causes the suppression of vascular permeability and vasoactive protein expression such as e-NOS and endothelin-1, which leads to the suppression of atherosclerosis in the LAD segment under the MB. However, despite the prevalent view of MB as benignancy by conventional coronary angiography (5-6% in frequency), with advance of imaging technique such as multislice spiral computed tomography [(MSCT); 16% in frequency], cardiologists are now frequently aware of symptomatic MB occurring not only in hospitalized patients, but also in young athletes free from atherosclerosis. Moreover, the large mass volume of MB muscle induces atherosclerosis evolution at the settled site in LAD proximal to MB and contributes to the occurrence of myocardial infarction.
These events upon the coronary events result from the different pathophysiological mechanisms induced by contractile force of MB, which is solely determined just by the integration of anatomical properties of MB, such as the location, length and thickness of MB in an individual LAD. A recent MSCT provides the objective quantification of the anatomical variables that correlate with the histopathological results in relation to the occurrence of CHD. In this review, we therefore discuss the necessity to explore MB as a inherent chance anatomical risk factor for CHD.

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Objective: To use intravascular ultrasound to investigate the effects of antiplatelet agents and other factors on neointimal proliferation after stent implantation for iliac artery stenosis.
Patients and methods: The subjects were 109 patients with peripheral arterial disease who underwent stent implantation in the iliac artery. Intravascular ultrasound was performed to evaluate lesion area, stent dilatation and neointimal proliferation before, just after, and six months after stenting. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship of the neointimal proliferation rate with antiplatelet agents and other factors.
Results: At the time of stent implantation, a Palmaz stent resulted in a significant increase in lumen area compared with a Wallstent (p < 0.05). Six months later, self-expanding Wallstent and Luminexx stents showed a significant increase in the stent-lumen area (p < 0.05). The neointimal proliferation rate showed a significant negative correlation with beraprost and cilostazol (p < 0.05) and a significant positive correlation with serum creatinine (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the vessel lumen area including the proliferated intima among the three stents.
Conclusion: Suppression of neointimal proliferation can be achieved with beraprost or cilostazol whereas renal dysfunction may increase neointimal proliferation following stent implantation in iliac artery lesions.

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Objective:This study evaluated the usefulness of elective intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) in high-risk off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB).
Materials and methods:From October 2002 through September 2006, total of 143 patients were operated with OPCAB. These patients were divided into two groups and clinical outcomes were compared: Group E (N = 30): Elective IABP group and Group C (N = 113): Control group, OPCAB without IABP. The criteria of elective application of IABP were severe stenosis of left main coronary artery (LMCA) or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 35%.
Results:No significant difference was noted in the duration of ICU stay (Group E: 1.13 ± 0.43 days; Group C: 1.18 ± 0.60 days, p = 0.710), the number of patients on a respirator for 24 hours or longer after surgery (Group E: 10.0%; Group C: 5.3%, p = 0.397), hospital mortality (Group E: 0%; Group C: 0%), or the frequency of postoperative major complications between two groups.
Conclusions:The outcomes of OPCAB using elective IABP in high-risk patients, such as those with severe LMCA stenosis or left ventricular dysfunction, were similar to those of OPCAB in low-risk patients, suggesting the usefulness of elective IABP in OPCAB.

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A 42-year-old woman complained of a sudden swelling and pain in her left lower extremity. Her lower abdomen was distended, and the thrombosis of iliac vein caused by giant myoma was detected by magnetic resonance imaging. A laparotomy was performed under general anesthesia with positive-pressure ventilation, anterior total hysterectomy and thrombectomy of iliofemoral vein simultaneously were performed. A postoperative venography revealed excellent recanalization of iliofemoral vein and she was subsequently discharged from hospital. Her clinical course has been extremely good, with no symptoms of post-thrombotic syndrome for two years.

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Vasculo-Behçet’s disease mainly affects the venous system and central or peripheral arteries. It is often difficult to diagnosis this due to the complexity of symptoms and the rarity. A 35-year-old man with refractory inguinal lymphadenitis was admitted to our hospital. He was diagnosed with left femoral arterial pseudoaneurysm by enhanced CT scan of the lower legs, and we performed an emergency operation. Seven months postoperatively, he suddenly developed deep venous thrombosis, and then, symptoms such as aphthous stomatitis and pudendal ulcer started to develop progressively, complicating his uveitis. Finally, he was diagnosed with vasculo-Behçet’s disease.

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Objective: To report a successful conservative management in a case of spontaneous rectus sheath hematoma (SRSH) after Endovascular Aneurysmal Repair (EVAR) of infrarenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA).
Case Presentation: An 84-year-old woman with a 6 cm in diameter infrarenal AAA underwent EVAR at our hospital. During the procedure, intravenous heparin was administered to keep the activated clotting time around 300 seconds. One hour after the procedure, the patient complained of pain on her right side abdomen. Physical examination revealed a tender mass in the right lower abdominal wall. Laboratory studies showed a fall in hemoglobin from 12.7 g/dl to 9.3 g/dl. Ultrasound (US) examination demonstrated an 8 × 5 cm hematoma within the right rectus muscle. Follow-up US examination revealed that the hematoma had enlarged and a computed tomography (CT) examination of the lower abdomen was performed. CT scan showed a smooth-shaped mass within the layers of the anterolateral abdominal wall leading to enlargement of the right rectus abdominis muscle without signs of active bleeding. A conservative management was considered.
Result: The clinical course was uneventful with a stable hemodynamic state. The patient was discharged 12 days later and was doing well at the 2 week follow-up.
Conclusion: Spontaneous rectus sheath hematoma is an unusual complication of a patient on anticoagulant therapy during EVAR. A prompt radiological investigation may prevent unnecessary surgical procedures in this unusual complication.

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