Influence of suspended inorganic particles (kaolinite) on eggs and larvae of the pelagic shrimp Lucensosergia lucens.

The pelagic shrimp Lucensosergia lucens is a commercially important species in Japan, predominantly harvested in Suruga Bay. It has been suggested that a marked decrease in the wild population over recent years is associated with an increased concentration of suspended particles. We tested the hypothesis that suspended inorganic particles (kaolinite) negatively affect the hatching ratio of fertilized eggs, and the survival, growth, and metamorphosis of nauplius and elaphocaris larvae.

Perforation of the right atrial appendage during implantation of a leadless pacemaker.

We report a case of perforation of the right atrial appendage during implantation of a leadless pacemaker in a 94 years old woman. We performed emergency surgery to repair the perforation site. To our konwledge, there are few reports of right atrial perforation during a leadless pacemaker indwelling.

Dexmedetomidine for dyspnoea.

Dexmedetomidine is a selective α-adrenoreceptor agonist with a broad range of effects, including easily controllable sedation, analgesia and anxiolysis. Because of these favorable features, it has replaced traditional sedatives, such as benzodiazepines, and is becoming the first-line sedative for the patients in intensive care units. Terminally ill patients often need sedatives for symptom management, especially for dyspnoea.

Chimney Endografting for Zone 2 Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair Using The Reorientation Technique.

The purpose of this report was to describe the reorientation of the chimney graft technique to downsize brachial artery access during thoracic endovascular aortic repair and thus preserve left subclavian artery flow. In the case described herein, the chimney graft was advanced not from the brachial or axillary artery, but from the common femoral artery, over a brachiofemoral pull-through wire. The chimney graft was then turned out into the ascending aorta by balloon dilatation via percutaneous brachial access ("reorientation").

[Surgical Experience of Total Arch Replacement Using Frozen Elephant Trunk, for Type B Acute Aortic Dissection].

Recently, advanced technique and device of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) enabled surgical intervention for type B acute aortic dissection (BAD). However, BAD have often serious complications;cerebral infarction, spinal cord infarction, multi-organ ischemia or necrosis, and retrograde type A acute aortic dissection. TEVAR is performed for complicated BAD for the aim of life saving in such a failure case of conservative treatment.

Surgical Experience of a Case of Primary Leiomyosarcoma of the Left Common Iliac Artery That Presented as Acute Heart Failure Involving an Arteriovenous Fistula.

Primary leiomyosarcoma of the left common iliac artery with development of an arteriovenous fistula is extremely rare. Here we report the case of a 78-year-old woman with primary vascular leiomyosarcoma that presented as acute heart failure involving an arteriovenous fistula. She underwent surgery; however, after the diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma, she did not seek active treatment.

Recurrence of cardiac myxoma in the right atrium with Carney complex following resection of myxomas in both ventricles.

We describe a case of Carney complex (CNC), a rare hereditary condition, that resulted in the development of cardiac myxomas. We would like to emphasize that we detected the first myxomas in both ventricles, followed by the second myxoma in the right atrium, although cardiac myxomas often originate in the left atrium. We highlight the heightened risk of recurrence and emphasize the importance of performing regular ultrasonic cardiac echography to preclude such outcomes.

Novel temporary left ventricular assist system with hydrodynamically levitated bearing pump for bridge to decision: initial preclinical assessment in a goat model.

The management of heart failure patients presenting in a moribund state remains challenging, despite significant advances in the field of ventricular assist systems. Bridge to decision involves using temporary devices to stabilize the hemodynamic state of such patients while further assessment is performed and a decision can be made regarding patient management. We developed a new temporary left ventricular assist system employing a disposable centrifugal pump with a hydrodynamically levitated bearing.

Eradication Therapy for Thrombocytopenia after Surgery for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm with Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is known to be rarely accompanied by disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). We report a case of AAA with DIC. An 81-year-old man with abdominal pain referred to our hospital.

Changing pulsatility by delaying the rotational speed phasing of a rotary left ventricular assist device.

Continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have improved the prognosis of end-stage heart failure. However, continuous-flow LVADs diminish pulsatility, which possibly result in bleeding, aortic insufficiency, and other adverse effects. We previously developed a novel control system for a continuous-flow LVAD (EVAHEART; Sun Medical), and demonstrated that we could create sufficient pulsatility by increasing its rotational speed (RS) in the systolic phase (Pulsatile Mode) in the normal heart model.

What Is the Optimal Setting for a Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device in Severe Mitral Regurgitation?

Excessive left ventricular (LV) volume unloading can affect right ventricular (RV) function by causing a leftward shift of the interventricular septum in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) receiving left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support. Optimal settings for the LVAD should be chosen to appropriately control the MR without causing RV dysfunction. In this study, we assessed the utility of our electrocardiogram-synchronized rotational speed (RS) modulation system along with a continuous-flow LVAD in a goat model of MR.

Shifting the pulsatility by increasing the change in rotational speed for a rotary LVAD using a native heart load control system.

We have previously developed a native heart load control system for a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) ((EVAHEART; Sun Medical) and demonstrated that the rotational speed (RS) in synchronization with the cardiac cycle can alter pulsatility and left ventricular (LV) load under general anesthesia. In this study, we assessed the effects of different levels of increase in RS on pulsatility and LV load in the chronic awake phase. We implanted the EVAHEART via left thoracotomy in 7 normal goats (59.

Effects of feeding state on anticoagulation in adult goats treated with warfarin.

For the continued development of improved mechanical circulatory systems, longer term evaluation of new devices in animal model experiments may be critical. The effects of anticoagulants in adult goats have not been well studied. We assessed the effects of oral warfarin in three adult goats during fasting or after feeding.

Influence of a Rotational Speed Modulation System Used With an Implantable Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device on von Willebrand Factor Dynamics.

We have developed a rotational speed (RS) modulation system for a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (EVAHEART) that can change RS in synchronization with a patient's electrocardiogram. Although EVAHEART is considered not to cause significant acquired von Willebrand syndrome, there remains a concern that the repeated acceleration and deceleration of the impeller may degrade von Willebrand factor (vWF) multimers. Accordingly, we evaluated the influence of our RS modulation system on vWF dynamics.

Pulsatile support using a rotary left ventricular assist device with an electrocardiography-synchronized rotational speed control mode for tracking heart rate variability.

We previously developed a novel control system for a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD), the EVAHEART, and demonstrated that sufficient pulsatility can be created by increasing its rotational speed in the systolic phase (pulsatile mode) in a normal heart animal model. In the present study, we assessed this system in its reliability and ability to follow heart rate variability. We implanted an EVAHEART via left thoracotomy into five goats for the Study for Fixed Heart Rate with ventricular pacing at 80, 100, 120 and 140 beats/min and six goats for the Study for native heart rhythm.

Sutureless aortic valve replacement using a novel autologous tissue heart valve with stent (stent biovalve): proof of concept.

We developed an autologous, trileaflet tissue valve ("biovalve") using in-body tissue architecture technology to overcome the disadvantages of current bioprosthetic valves. We designed a novel biovalve with a balloon-expandable stent: the stent biovalve (SBV). This study evaluated the technical feasibility of sutureless aortic valve replacement using the SBV in an orthotopic position, as well as the functionality of the SBV under systemic circulation, in an acute experimental goat model.

Impact of bypass flow rate and catheter position in veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation on gas exchange in vivo.

The clinical use of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VVECMO) in adult patients with respiratory failure is rapidly increasing. However, recirculation of blood oxygenated by ECMO back into the circuit may occur in VVECMO, resulting in insufficient oxygenation. The cannula position and bypass flow rate are two major factors influencing recirculation, but the relationship and ideal configuration of these factors are not fully understood.

[Graft replacement under percutaneous cardiopulmonary system for traumatic aortic rupture with multiple injuries].

We report a case of traumatic aortic rupture with multiple injuries. A 20-year-old man was transferred to our hospital. He was suffering from traumatic thoracic aortic rupture with multiple injuries (femoral fracture, pelvis fracture and so 4th) due to a traffic accident.

Influence of a novel electrocardiogram-synchronized rotational-speed-change system of an implantable continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (EVAHEART) on hemolytic performance.

We developed a novel controller for a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (EVAHEART) that can change the pump's rotational speed (RS) in synchronization with a patient's myocardial electrocardiogram (ECG) with the aim of facilitating cardiac recovery. We previously presented various applications of this system in animal models, but there remained a concern that the repeated acceleration and deceleration of the impeller may induce additional hemolysis. In this study, we evaluated the blood trauma and motor power consumption induced by our system in a mock circulation.

Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair in a patient with a left ventricular assist device.

We report a case of thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair in a 44-year-old man with end-stage heart failure requiring an extracorporeal left ventricular assist device (LVAD). At the age of 31 years, the patient experienced type B acute aortic dissection, which gradually dilated to a maximum dimension of 66 mm at the diaphragm. The aneurysm prevented the patient from meeting heart transplantation criteria.

Aortoiliac aneurysm with congenital right pelvic kidney.

The association of congenital pelvic kidney with abdominal aortoiliac aneurysm is an extremely rare clinical finding. Previous reports have described various methods of aneurysm repair with successful preservation of the function of pelvic kidney. However, to our knowledge, reconstruction of more than two renal arteries has not been established.

[Thoracic endovascular stent graft for late pseudoaneurysm formation after patch aortoplasty; report of a case].

We report a case of a 51-year-old man presenting with pseudoaneurysm associated with a knitted Dacron patch used to repair coarctation of the aorta. At the age of 15 years, he underwent patch angioplasty for coarctation of the aorta. However the computed tomography( CT) scan, taken after 36 years, demonstrated pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta at the anastmotic site.

[Simultaneous coronary artery bypass grafting and the ascending aorta to bifemoral bypass].

Objective: Coronary artery disease and arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) frequently coexist. Concomitant revascularization procedures may be required because harvest of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) in patients with ASO carries a risk of leg ischemia. This study reports our experience with combined coronary and femoral revascularization using the ascending aorta to bifemoral bypass.