Foundational Image Analyses for Ultrasonographic Screening of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

With improved surgical outcomes for non-ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), the primary objective has shifted toward the detection of asymptomatic AAA. Since ultrasonographic visualization from the anterior abdominal wall is often obstructed by intestinal gas, utilizing additional bilateral posterior approaches via the retroperitoneal tissue may be beneficial. This study investigates the feasibility of assessment using three approaches through computed tomography (CT) data analyses.

[System Changes to Carry Out Working-style Reforms at Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the Local University Hospital].

Background: The "work style reform" started in April 2024. Our hospital has actively begun implementing task shifts. This study aimed to investigate changes in the surgical outcomes and work hours of cardiovascular surgeons resulting from the introduction of task shifting.

Triplet-Triplet Annihilation-Based Photon Upconversion with a Macrocyclic Parallel Dimer.

The integration of multiple chromophore units into a single molecule is expected to improve the performance of photon upconversion based on triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA-UC) that can convert low energy photons to higher energy photons at low excitation intensity. In this study, a macrocyclic parallel dimer of 9,10-diphenylanthracene (DPA) with a precisely parallel orientation, named MPD-2, is synthesized, and its TTA-UC properties are investigated. MPD-2 shows a green-to-blue TTA-UC emission in the presence of a triplet sensitizer, platinum octaethylporphyrin (PtOEP).

Effectiveness of rigid plate fixation for sternal closure in patients with a high risk of deep sternal wound infection.

Objective: Median sternotomy is a standard approach in cardiovascular surgery, and wire fixation is commonly used for sternal closure. However, postoperative intermittent stress on the sternum can lead to sternal breakdown, potentially resulting in deep sternal wound infection (DSWI). Sternal closure with rigid plate fixation was recently reported to be effective for preventing DSWI and promoting sternal healing.

Comprehensive Treatment of Total Arch Replacement in a Patient With Liver Cirrhosis: A Case Report.

A 78-year-old woman with liver cirrhosis due to chronic hepatitis C visited our department for treatment of a thoracic aortic aneurysm. Her Child-Pugh classification was class A, and her model for end-stage liver (MELD) disease score was 8. As she also had thrombocytopenia associated with splenomegaly and esophageal varices, endoscopic injection sclerotherapy and partial splenic embolization were performed before total arch replacement surgery for treating esophageal varices to reduce the bleeding risk during transesophageal echocardiography and for thrombocytopenia, respectively.