Coronary artery disease (CAD) was evaluated by noninvasive examination in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patients. A simultaneous operation or a 2-staged operation was performed depending on the seriousness of the condition when both diseases were combined. A total of 36 patients underwent elective repair of AAA between 1996 and 2001. Coronary angiography (CAG) was performed only in patients with suspected CAD by dipyridamole myocardial scintigraphy. Significant CAD was found in 8 patients. Simultaneous operation was performed in 4 patients, and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) was performed in all cases of simultaneous operation. In 4 patients receiving 2-staged operations, 1 standard coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), 1 OPCAB and 2 percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasties (PTCA) were performed prior to AAA surgery. Twenty-eight patients underwent only AAA operation. Though there were no incidents of perioperative myocardial infarction or cardiac related deaths in this group, 2 patients died due to other causes (hemorrhage and duodenal perforation). In the 8 patients associated with CAD, 1 patient died of MNMS after simultaneous operation. The other 7 patients revived their social function soon of the discharge. Dipyridamole cardiac scintigraphy was considered to be an effective examination for evaluation of CAD in AAA patients. There was no need to perform CAG in all AAA patients. The policy of choosing simultaneous operation or 2-staged operation according to the seriousness of the 2 diseases seemed to be appropriate.

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From January 1, 1999 through December 31, 2001, 152 cases of aortic dissection (77 cases of Stanford Type A and 75 Type B) were treated in our department. Among those cases, 25 patients (10 Type A (13.0%) and 15 Type B (20.0%)) were accompanied by atherosclerotic aneurysm. The mean age of onset of those cases was 71.4±9.8 years. Because those patients were older, it is necessary to pay attention to decide on treatment strategy and surgical procedure. In order to prevent atherosclerotic plaque being pumped into the brain vessel, we devised the following surgical procedure and perfusion method of cardiopulmonary bypass as follows; 1. In cases of retrograde perfusion from the femoral artery through the aneurysm, we usually pump the blood more slowly and gently than the antegrade perfusion. 2. We reduce the perfusion pressure after the heart beat changes to ventricular fibrillation. 3. After distal anastomosis of the vascular prosthesis, the blood is pumped from its perfusion branch. An initial tear was located in the spindle-shaped aneurysm in 3 cases (2.0%). Of 11 cases that aortic dissection was in contact with the atherosclerotic aneurysm, 2 cases of saccular shaped aneurysm terminated the dissection. In the 9 cases of spindle shaped aneurysm, however, the dissection involved the aneurysm, suggesting that the effect of aneurysm on the dissection depended on the aneurysmal shape. When the dissection coexists with aneurysm in different portions of the aorta, re-dissection may extend into the aneurysm. Therefore, careful decision making on the timing of surgery is necessary for abdominal aortic aneurysm complicated with aortic dissection, even when treating conservatively.

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Of 225 patients who underwent surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm from April 1995 to June 2002, 8 patients. or 3.6%, aged 90 years or more (mean age 90.8±1.4. range 90 to 94, 7 men and 1 woman) were the subjects of this study. Four of these patients (50%) underwent emergency surgery. Of these 4 patients, preoperative shock was found in 1 patient. Preoperative complications were hypertension in 4 (50%), ischemic heart disease in 1 (13%), disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome in 1 (13%), and pleuritis in 1 (13%). The maximum diameter of AAA was 69.5±16.6mm (range 48 to 100mm). The surgical procedure was median laparotomy. Long-term follow-up by the attending physician, or questionnaire by phone was completed for all patients and range to 6.3 years (median, 2.4 years). There were no hospital deaths. Postoperative complications were delirium in 2 (25%), atelectasis in 1 (13%), and ileus in 1 (13%). There were 5 (63%) late deaths. The causes of death were pneumonia in 2, senescence in 1, cardiac failure in 1, and rupture of a pseudoaneurysm at the anastmotic site in 1. Long-term survivals at 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years were 88±12%, 63±17%, and 20±18%, respectively, whereas expected survivals at 1, 2, and 3 years were 82%, 65%, and 51%, respectively. Longterm survivals were not good, but no significant difference was found between long-term and expected survivals. Therefore, this surgical and long-term treatment can achieve satisfactory results. This result led us to recommend performing the operation for patients aged 90 years or more, except if they were bedridden, had severe dementia, or were at the end stage of a malignant disease.

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Patients with Stanford A acute aortic dissection who were treated within 48h of onset in our institution between January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2001 were divided into those younger than 70 years and those 70 years or older to compare the results of surgical and conservative therapies and the cause of death. The total number of patients was 74, the age was 33 to 88 years (66.5±11.9 years), and the ratio of men to women was 39:35. Atherosclerotic aortic aneurysm was concurrently observed in 21.1% in those 70 years or older, which was significantly higher than 5.6% in those younger than 70 years. Of 36 patients younger than 70 years, 27 (75.0%) were saved, compared with 18 of 38 patients (47.4%) 70 years or older. Surgical therapy was performed on 46 patients, 62.2%. The percentage of patients who underwent surgery was 69.4% in those younger than 70 years and 55.3% in those 70 years or older with no significant differences. Operative death occurred in 9 of 21 patients (42.9%) 70 years or older, which was significantly higher than the 12.0% (3 of 25) in those younger than 70 years. For 28 patients who did not receive surgical treatment, death occurred in 6 of 11 patients (54.5%) younger than 70 years compared with 10 of 17 (58.8%) 70 years or older with no significant difference: both rates were higher than 50% and 9 patients died of rupture during operative preparation. Since elderly people have a high risk for various complications and have poor operative results, it is important to carefully determine the therapeutic strategy, select a simple operative technique and conduct the operation as soon as possible.

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Postoperative quantitative evaluation of left internal thoracic artery (LITA) grafts is usually performed by angiography, scintigraphy and Doppler flowire. However it is difficult to observe the characteristics of the intima of the LITA graft. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics and quantity of plaque of intima of LITA grafts in 6 cases after coronary artery bypass surgery using an intra-vascular ultrasound device (IVUS). There was no stenosis or calcification of LITA grafts on angiography. However we found atherosclerotic plaque in all LITA grafts by IVUS. Characteristics of plaque were eccentric in all cases, and soft, hard and mixed plaque were found. The average minimal lumen diameter of LITA grafts was 2.6±0.2mm. The average lumen area of LITA grafts was 5.4±0.7mm². The rate of plaque area was 37.1±5.9%. The eccentric arteriosclerotic plaques were seen in all cases, contradicting the established theory that LITA do not form arteriosclerosis easily. We suggest that IVUS is an effective follow-up device for evaluating the morphological findings and quantitative evaluation of LITA graft in a timely manner.

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We evaluated the relation of changes in skin temperature, measured by thermography, to clinical symptoms and findings in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery using the radial artery. All had a negative Allen test before operation. Ten consecutive patients who underwent surgery at least 3 months prior to the study were selected. Left radial artery grafts were harvested in all patients. Skin temperature was measured twice, before and after exercise. Two patients had a cold sensation at the arterial harvest site at rest. Three, including these two, complained of pain along the harvest site after exercise. No differences in temperature were observed before and after exercise in the ulnar aspects of the palm or forearm on either the left or right side. On the other hand, the increase in radial aspect temperature on the left side was smaller than that on the right. Skin temperature was clearly decreased after loaded exercise in 3 patients. We believe that the indications of grafting should be carefully considered because patients can show findings associated with circulatory disturbance at arterial harvest sites.

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We performed endovascular stent-graft placement on 39 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms between 1996 and March 2002-a period of approximately 5 years (first half: until the end of June 1998, second half: July 1998 onward). Three patients in the first half of the period and 8 patients in the second half were 80 years or older. Two cases of mycotic aneurysm were observed. During the second half, we encountered high-risk cases in which the patients had complications such as coronary artery disease (5 patients), COPD (1 patient) and thoracic aortic aneurysm (4 patients). Although we had to switch to surgery in 3 patients during the first half of the period, we successfully placed stent-grafts in the other 36 cases (92%). Endoleaks were observed in 6 patients, and dissection of the iliac artery was observed in 5 patients (stents had been placed in all patients). In 50% of all cases in the first half of the period and 89% of all cases in the second half, stent-graft placement was successful and no endoleak was observed. During the follow-up period, 3 cases required additional treatment, and another 4 cases required surgery. Four patients died in hospital during the first half of the period, and 3 patients died during the following 3 years. The 3-year survival rate was 82%. It was considered that stent-graft placement for abdominal aortic aneurysms is particularly effective for high-risk patients, and that the results of this type of therapy will improve in the future.

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Myonephropathic metabolic syndrome (MNMS) is a fatal complication following open-heart or aortic surgery. We evaluated 7 cases of MNMS following cardiac or aortic surgery. The patient's ages ranged from 43 to 81 years old. Of the 7 patients, four presented with myocardial infarction, which required coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and three presented with acute aortic dissection. Two patients with Stanford type A underwent total arch replacement and CABG and 1 patient with Stanford type B underwent a left axillo-femoral bypass. MNMS was caused by acute arterial occlusion due to intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) or percutaneous cardio-pulmonary support (PCPS) in patients who experienced myocardial infarction and acute lower limb ischemia in patients who experienced aortic dissection. The ratio of MNMS caused by IABP and PCPS, and acute aortic dissection was 1.4% and 4.2%, respectively. Four patients died; 3 had undergone CABG and 1 had undergone an aortic operation 18.5h after acute dissection. Both IABP and PCPS were removed early in possible cases. Limb wash-out was performed in 1 patient, and 5 were treated with hemodiafiltration. IABP and PCPS should be introduced via a prosthetic graft if limb ischemia is noticed. MNMS should be recognized as a disastrous complication of aortic dissection, and early bypass graft or limb amputation may become the treatment of choice. We emphasize that hemodiafiltration should begin as soon as MNMS is diagnosed.

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Multisite pacing has recently been available as a new treatment for patients with congestive heart failure. This study was intended to evaluate the effects of atrioventricular myocardial pacing on left or biventricular sites. Eleven patients (4 men, 7 women) who had undergone atrioventricular myocardial pacing between January 2000 and April 2002 were selected for this study. They ranged in age from 24 to 74 years (mean age 58.5 years). The diagnosis was dilated cardiomyopathy in 3 patients, ischemic cardiomyopathy in 4, complete atrioventricular heart block in 2, sick sinus syndrome in 1, and atrial fibrillation with bradycardia in 1. The method of pacemaker implantation was atrioventricular myocardial pacing on left or biventricular sites by means of mini-thoracotomy under general anesthesia. A DDD-R pacemaker was used. When biventricular pacing was employed, the ventricular pacing lead was cut, connected with a Y adapter, and implantation was made biventricularly. We analyzed pre- and postoperative hemodynamic states by means of a Swan-Ganz catheter, and clinical course (NYHA class). There was a significant difference between pre- and postoperative clinical course and hemodynamic state. The atrioventricular myocardial pacing on left or biventricular sites was a useful method of improving the clinical course and hemodynamic state. It is concluded that this method is available as a new therapeutic option in patients with congestive heart failure.

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Postoperative hemodynamic performance after aortic valvular replacement using the Carpentier-Edwards pericardial valve of 19-mm (group A, 10 cases) or 21-mm (group B, 5 cases) was compared with that using the 19-mm St. Jude Medical hemodynamic plus (group C, 13 cases). We evaluated hemodynamic performance by measuring the peak pressure gradient via aortic valve using Doppler echocardiography. Preoperative peak pressure gradients were 80±18.5mmHg in A, 81.6±17.5mmHg in B and 87±36.3mmHg in C. Valvular replacement obviously improved the hemodynamic performance by decreasing the postoperative peak pressure gradient to 24.2±7.3mmHg in A, 14.2±6.2mmHg in B and 26.7±19.0mmHg in C, though no statistically significant difference was present among the three groups. We also applied the dobutamine stress test for 5 cases in group A, 4 in B and 4 in C, who could receive the additional examination. The amount of dobutamine given was 8.2±1.6μg/kg/min in A, 7.2±2.0μg/kg/min in B and 7.7±1.5μg/kg/min in C. Before administration of dobutamine, the peak pressure gradient was 18.1±4.3mmHg in A, 14.2±6.2mmHg in B and 20.9±5.7mmHg in C. Although administration of dobutamine increased the peak pressure gradient to 41.1±15.0mmHg in A, 32.2±9.8mmHg in B and 46.8±14.4mmHg in C, there was no significant difference among the groups. The Carpentier-Edwards pericardial valve of 19-mm and 21-mm thus provided satisfactory valvular function compared with the 19-mm St. Jude Medical in terms of hemodynamics. Therefore, it is concluded that the Carpentier-Edward pericardial valve is a reliable alternative for elderly patients.

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We encountered a case of Dor's operation for left ventricular aneurysm with cardiac failure 19 years after operation for post-infarction ventricular septal perforation. A 70-year-old man, who had undergone patch closure for ventricular septum perforation due to acute anteroseptal myocardial infarction, was admitted for congestive heart failure. Preoperative left ventriculography (LVG) revealed large anteroseptal and ventricular septal aneurysm. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 39%, and the left ventricular end diastolic volume (LVEDV) was 200ml. Dor's operation and coronary artery bypass grafting to the left circumflex branch was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged 33 days after the operation. Postoperative LVG revealed improved left ventricular function and showed that LVEF was 45% and LVEDV was 171ml. The large akinetic aneurysm was formed 19 years after operation following the linear closure method. LVG after Dor's operation showed remarkable improvement for left ventricular function. These findings indicated that Dor's operation is superior to the linear method.

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A 47-year-old man suffered an idiopathic esophageal rupture and an emergency operation was performed. Postoperative CT revealed an aortic dissection at the level of the infra-renal aorta and the right common iliac artery. The maximum diameter of the aorta was 3.0cm, and that of the right common iliac artery was 2.5cm with a patent false lumen. The operation was done using the right extra-peritoneal approach. When the infra-renal aorta was clamped and opened, the false lumen was located on the right anterior wall of the aorta. There were 3 communicating holes presumably being the points of entry or re-entry. A bifurcation Dacron graft was put into the aorta and the bilateral iliac artery. His postoperative course was good and he was discharged on the 15th day after surgery. In this case, since the patient had no history of severe pain except for the time of esophageal rupture, the localized abdominal aortic dissection was suspected to have simultaneously occurred with the idiopathic esophageal rupture.

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This paper reports on a case in which a heavily-calcified so-called “porcelain aorta” (including the ductus arteriosus) was observed, together with a patent ductus arteriosus and aortic stenosis associated with a bicuspid aortic valve. A 76-year-old man had been referred to our hospital on a diagnosis of aortic stenosis. Since angiography revealed slight contrast in an area on the right side of the heart, echocardiography was performed and revealed patent ductus arteriosus. Severe circumferential calcification of the ascending aorta and aortic arch was observed on CT scans. Almost no calcification was observed in other areas. Aortic valve replacement and closure of the ductus arteriosus (transpulmonary approach) were performed by means of a balloon to temporarily occlude the aorta, as surgical clamping was impossible due to calcification. Hypothermic systemic perfusion and antegrade selective cerebral perfusion were used. The postoperative progress of the patient was good. Bicuspid aortic valve and patent ductus arteriosus are highly likely to be present in combination in cases of congenital cardiac anomaly, and it is therefore necessary to be particularly attentive when diagnosing such cases. It was considered that our patient, an adult suffering patent ductus arteriosus, was a rare case in which the calcified ductus arteriosus was observed and the calcification had spread to the ascending aorta.

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A 85-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a right iliac artery anastomotic pseudoaneurysm after aorto-biiliac Y-shaped graft replacement for the treatment of abdominal aortic and biiliac aneurysms. We performed an endovascular intervention of this anastomotic pseudoaneurysm with an ePTFE-covered stent-graft. This method seemed to be very useful even in such a high-risk patient, because it can be done under local anesthesia.

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Adventitial cystic disease of the popliteal artery is a rare condition of uncertain etiology. A 32-year-old sportsman had sudden claudication in the left leg. Arteriography demonstrated smooth narrowing of the left popliteal artery. Treatment consisted of surgical removal of the cyst and patch angioplasty. He had no signs of recurrence at one year after treatment. Now, he enjoys sports again.

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