We evaluated risk factors for prolonged pleural effusion after surgery in 35 children who underwent total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC). Duration of their chest tube drainage was 5.4±7.0 days (1-41, median 3). In univariate analysis, significant risk factors for prolonged pleural drainage over 7 days were preoperative body weight (p=0.03), preoperative cardiothoracic ratio (p=0.03), cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time (p=0.02), homologous blood transfusion (p=0.03), serum protein concentration at CPB weaning (p=0.04), central venous pressure (CVP) averaged during 3 postoperative days (p=0.01) and body weight change during 3 postoperative days (p=0.01). However multivariate analysis showed only CVP averaged during 3 postoperative days was a significant risk factor for prolonged chest tube drainage (p=0.03, odd's ratio 3.3). In conclusion, to keep the central venous pressure as low as possible during the early postoperative period might decrease the duration of pleural drainage.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of teicoplanin (TEIC) in patients undergoing open heart surgery. We also attemped to define the optimum TEIC therapy protocol for prevention of perioperative infection and for treatment of staphylococcal endocarditis such as that caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Serum TEIC concentrations were measured in 14 patients divided into two groups of 7 patients each undergoing elective open heart surgery. Patients in group I received 400mg of TEIC and patients in group II received 800mg, both administered as a slow intravenous infusion over 20min immediately after induction of anesthesia. The peak serum level (mean±standard error) of TEIC was respectively 57±11 and 139±39μg/ml at 2min after administration and then the TEIC level decreased gradually to 26± 7 and 55±10μg/ml at 60min after administration. The serum level of TEIC decreased rapidly to 17±5 and 31±7μg/ml, respectively, at the start of extracorporeal circulation (ECC), and was 11±2 and 27±6μg/ml after 60min of ECC, 8±2 and 23±7μg/ml at 2min after the termination of ECC, 8±3 and 23±6μg/ml at 60min after the termination of ECC, and 7±2 and 22±5μg/ml on admission to ICU. No side effects were seen during the study, such as red neck syndrome, renal dysfunction, hearing disorders, or postoperative infection. Our results suggested that the optimum dose of TEIC for prevention of perioperative infection was around 400mg, providing levels in excess of the MIC for most pathogens that have been found to cause infection following open heart surgery, including MRSA. In addition, a dose of 800mg was needed to keep trough levels above 20μg/ml for treatment of staphylococcal endocarditis. It was also suggested that half of the initial dose should be administered on admission to ICU and also at the start of ECC if the operation is going to last longer than 7h on the basis of the concentration-time curve.

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The activated clotting time (ACT) is used to assess adequacy of anticoagulation during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). However, ACT values during CPB do not correlate with heparin concentration and are affected by variations of such factors as hypothermia and hemodilution. ACT is also used to estimate protamine doses, because excess protamine may result in hypotension and an increase in bleeding after CPB. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of heparin and protamine administration that were administered based on whole blood heparin concentration using Hepcon/HMS (HC group) on the incidence of bleeding and blood transfusion after CPB. We treated 32 of adult cases and 36 pediatric cases. For the control group (NC group), an initial fixed dose of 300U/kg heparin was administered and if the ACT was less than 400s an additional fixed dose of 100U/kg heparin was administered. Heparin was neutralized with an initial fixed dose of protamine. For the HC group, the initial dose of heparin and the additional dose of heparin were based on an automated heparin dose response assay. The initial dose of protamine was based on the residual heparin concentration. The patients in the HC group received greater doses of heparin and lower doses of protamine than the patients in the NC group. In the pediatric HC group, the amount of TAT, FTC and D-dimer post CPB were smaller than those in the NC group. Operative time and closure time were similar the two groups. Operative bleeding, mediastinal chest tube drainage in the postoperative period were similar in the two groups. The volume of total blood transfusion was also comparable in the two groups. In conclusion, the monitoring of heparin concentration during CPB in children was effective for the maintenance of coagulation factors.

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Recently, ischemic preconditioning (IPC) for myocardial protection in heart surgery, has been used intensively. However, no data are available concerning the effect and influence of reperfusion temperature during IPC. To estimate the effectiveness of re-perfusion temperature during IPC, we performed an experiment using pigs. Twenty male pigs (40-50kg in body weight) were used. After establishing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), IPC was made, cross-clamping the ascending aorta twice for 3min and performing re-perfusion for 5min. According to the re-perfusion temperature, we divided this model into four groups as follows; 37°C of the re-perfusion temperature with IPC (warm IPC, n=5), 37°C without IPC (warm NIPC, n=5), 32°C with IPC (tepid IPC, n=5) and 32°C without IPC (tepid NIPC, n=5). After the IPC procedure, all the hearts underwent global ischemia by cross-clamping for 15min under ventricular fibrillation, and re-perfusion with 32°C blood temperature was done for half hour. We measured myocardial levels of adenosine triphosphate, troponin-T, serum nitrous oxide, and other myocardial enzymes. After sacrificing animals, biopsy of the left ventricular free wall was made, and its histological changes were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Blood sampling was made before CPB, at the end of IPC, end of global ischemia, 10 and 30min after re-perfusion. In warm IPC, adenosine significantly increased, and serum troponin-T was significantly lower than other groups. The myocardium of warm IPC showed a normal SEM image, while ischemic damage was revealed in other groups. These results suggested that warm IPC induced effective myocardial protection. however tepid IPC did not protect the myocardium.

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We treated two cases of Stanford type A acute dissecting aortic aneurysm with the adventitial inversion technique. Both case 1) a 65-year-old woman and 2) a 74-year-old woman underwent emergency operation. After cardiopulmonary bypass was established as usual, the diseased aorta was resected, and the intima was trimmed about 10mm shorter than the transected adventitial line in both proximal and distal ends. After GRF glue was employed, the adventitia was inverted inward over the false-lumen, and then tacked with horizontal continuous mattress sutures using 5-0 polypropylene. The graft was then anastomosed with continuous sutures using 3-0 polypropylene. No bleeding occurred from the anastomosis site in both cases. This method was completed without the use of artificial reinforcement, nevertheless patent anastomosis was possible. This simple method was easily performed and proved to be safe and useful.

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A 62-year-old man was admitted because of cardiac failure caused by mitral valve regurgitation. After his cardiac and general conditions had been evaluated, he underwent an operation. Some of chordae tendineae of both leaflets were ruptured and both leaflets had deformities. Since his mitral valve could not be repaired, it was replaced with a 29mm Hancock II bioprosthesis. Two weeks after operation, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and left ventriculography revealed that one of the three leaflets of the prosthesis was fixed in the closed position, and mild mitral valve stenosis without regurgitation was recognized. But he had no complaints and there were no other major disorders. He was observed every 2 weeks as an outpatient. Six months after operation, TEE showed good opening and closing of all 3 leaflets and showed no major abnormalities, although the cause of the failure was unknown. He is healthy 2 years after operation, but is being observed carefully.

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A 40-year-old man was admitted because of prolonged fever after extraction of teeth. Infective endocarditis, congestive heart failure and hepatorenal failure were diagnosed in a series of examinations. Electrocardiograms showed complete atrio-ventricular block and QT prolongation. After continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF) and high doses of antimicrobials promptly initiated for the treatment of multiple organ failure, the aortic valve with regurgitation and vegetation was replaced with an artificial valve. Serious arrhythmias occurred after the operation, which disappeared by the administration of antiarrhythmic agents. In cases of infective endocarditis with multiple organ failure, preoperative intensive treatment such as CHDF in combination with high doses of antimicrobials and surgical intervention represent a good strategy for successful outcome.

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We report a case of aneurysm localized to the noncoronary sinus of Valsalva with moderate aortic regurgitation (AR). The patient was a 49-year-old woman who had been suspected to have some kind of connective tissue disorders. She underwent an aortic root remodeling procedure to replace the isolated, unruptured and extracardiac aneurysm and the ascending aorta. Postoperative angiogram showed no aneurysm and improved AR. This procedure was able to preserve her own aortic valve and normal sinuses of Valsalva and enable her to obtain better quality of life, although progression of the enlargement of the aorta or AR requires careful follow-up.

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A 52-year-old man who had liver cirrhosis sufferred ruptured thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm. This patient was classified as having Child's class B liver cirrhosis preoperatively. The thoracoabdominal aorta was successfully replaced with reconstruction of the renal arteries, superior mesenteric artery, celiac artery, and 10th intercostal artery. Omentopexy was added. As persistent ascites continued postoperatively, peritoneovenous shunting was performed on the 29th postoperative day. Ascites disappeared and 20 days later the patient was discharged from hospital and has been well for two years.

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We report a successful conversion of atriopulmonary anastomosis to total cavopulmonary connection using an autologous atrial flap. A 28-year-old man after atriopulmonary anastomosis with a valve conduit performed under a diagnosis of double inlet left ventricle (DILV), d-TGA, was admitted with moderate cyanosis and atrial fibliration which he had suffered since age 25. Cardiac catheterization and ultrasonic cardiography revealed regurgitation at the site of tricuspid patch closure, and atrial dilatation. We excised the regurgitated patch, closed tricuspid valve leaflets, and made an atrial lateral tunnel using an autologous atrial flap. In particular we took care of crista terminalis, sinus node arteries, and sinus node at the operation. He recovered his sinus rhythm on the first operative day, but secondary atrial fibrillation developed. Four months later, catheterization showed good hemodynamics with low central venous pressure, and no obstruction of the atrial tunnel.

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A 52-year-old man with annulo-aortic ectasia and DeBakey's type IIIb dissecting aortic aneurysm was successfully treated. Aortography showed moderate to severe aortic regurgitation and enlargement of the ascending aorta, and CT showed a huge type IIIb dissecting aortic aneurysm. We scheduled a two-staged operation because dissection occurred 6 months previously and ECG showed severe LVH and ST-T change. The aortic root replacement using Bentall's procedure was performed, which was followed by arch replacement with an elephant trunk prosthesis on distal aorta. The entry in the distal aortic arch was covered by an elephant trunk prosthesis and postoperative diagnostic images showed thrombo-occlusion of the false lumen in the descending aorta. This operation was safe and might be a useful method for annulo-aortic ectasia with type IIIb dissecting aortic aneurysm.

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A 57-year-old man suffered hemoptysis during an examination for gastric carcinoma. Enhanced computed tomography demonstrated rupture of a thoracic aortic aneurysm to the left pulmonary lower lobe. The lateral segment of the liver was atrophic due to intrahepatic cholelithiasis. Emergency operation was performed after he was transferred to our hospital. The thoracic aorta was reconstructed using a temporary bypass and the pulmonary left lower lobe was resected. The omentum was mobilized and used to cover the prosthesis and bronchial stump. The gastric carcinoma and intrahepatic cholelithiasis with biliary stones in the common bile duct were treated in the next procedure. The pathologic examination revealed lymph node metastasis; thus this operation was recognized to be absolutely noncurative. The treatment of cardiovascular disease concomitant with malignancy remains controversial. The strategy to treat such patients is discussed in this report.

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We encountered a very rare case of a patient with hereditary protein S deficiency who underwent successful coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). A 38-year-old man was admitted for scheduled coronary artery bypass grafting. Preoperative investigation showed protein S deficiency. He underwent two-vessel CABG surgery with regular cardiopulmonary bypass. After hemostasis, intravenous heparin was started. The dose of warfarin was gradually increased until the INR reached about 2.5. Then heparin was stopped. His postoperative course was uneventful. There was no thromboembolic event. Both grafts were patent.

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A 57-year-old female was admitted for severe back pain. CT, aortography and transesophageal echocardiography showed enlargement of the ascending aorta with large entry and dissection of the descending thoracic and abdominal aorta with entry located at the distal arch. She had left leg ischemia due to a narrow true lumen. Using cardiopulmonary bypass with circulatory arrest and cervical perfusion, the ascending aorta and arch were replaced and three cervical vessels were reconstructed. A stent graft was inserted into the descending aorta and anastomosed to the distal end of the graft and native aorta. There were no postoperative complications. Postoperative CT showed no leakage at the stent graft attachment. This surgical stent graft operation for chronic type A and acute type B dissection was a relatively minimal invasive and effective method.

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The case involved a 73-year-old woman who underwent surgical resection for right renal cell carcinoma extending to the inferior vena cava. During surgery the tumor thrombus disappeared from the inferior vena cava. We performed transesophageal echocardiography and detected the tumor thrombus in the right ventricle. Therefore, we immediately tried to remove the thrombus using cardiopulmonary bypass. However, we could not find the tumor thrombus in the right ventricle or in the main pulmonary artery. We used angioscopy of the pulmonary artery and detected the tumor thrombus at the orifice of the inferior pulmonary artery. The tumor thrombus was removed under direct visualization. In the event of an intraoperative pulmonary embolism, simple and safe techniques for exact and rapid diagnosis are needed. Intraoperative angioscopy allows direct visualization of the pulmonary arterial branches and appears to be very useful for detection of tumor thrombi even in emergency cases.

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