A Case of Periaortic Lymphoma Mimicking Complicated Type B Acute Aortic Dissection: A Pitfall in the Endovascular Surgery Era.

We report a case of periaortic lymphoma mimicking Stanford type B acute aortic dissection treated for impending rupture by thoracic endovascular aortic repair. Although no endoleak was detected, the aneurysm enlarged continuously. Repeat computed tomography scans showed that an aortic aneurysm-like structure around the stent graft had enlarged irregularly.

Correction to: Warfarin calcifies human aortic valve interstitial cells at high-phosphate conditions via pregnane X receptor.

In the original publication of the article, part of Fig. 1 was published incorrectly.

Menaquinone-4 Accelerates Calcification of Human Aortic Valve Interstitial Cells in High-Phosphate Medium through PXR.

Recently, we confirmed that in human aortic valve interstitial cells (HAVICs) isolated from patients with aortic valve stenosis (AVS), calcification is induced in high inorganic phosphate (high-Pi) medium by warfarin (WFN). Because WFN is known as a vitamin K antagonist, reducing the formation of blood clots by vitamin K cycle, we hypothesized that vitamin K regulates WFN-induced HAVIC calcification. Here, we sought to determine whether WFN-induced HAVIC calcification in high-Pi medium is inhibited by menaquinone-4 (MK-4), the most common form of vitamin K in animals.

Direct ablation and excision of myocardial scar in post-myocarditis ventricular aneurysm.

The patient was a 34-year-old woman who developed multiple post-myocarditis ventricular aneurysms with ventricular tachyarrhythmia. After implantation of an intracardiac defibrillator, she experienced multiple episodes of counter-shock. An electrophysiological study demonstrated an early excitation circuit entering the septal aneurysm with the right ventricular aneurysm as an exit.

Warfarin calcifies human aortic valve interstitial cells at high-phosphate conditions via pregnane X receptor.

Warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist, is the most common anticoagulant used to prevent thromboembolisms associated with atrial fibrillation or following valvular surgery. Although several studies have revealed that long-term warfarin use accelerates aortic valve calcification and the development of aortic stenosis (AS), the detailed mechanism for this phenomenon remains unclear. Therefore, our aim was twofold: to establish the conditions for warfarin-induced calcification of human aortic valve interstitial cells (HAVICs) using high-inorganic phosphate (Pi) conditions and to investigate the underlying mechanism.

Endovascular Treatment for a Perforated Superficial Femoral Vein Graft for an Infected Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

The patient had an infected abdominal aortic aneurysm. Aneurysmectomy and in situ reconstruction of the abdominal aorta using the bilateral superficial femoral veins with omentopexy were performed. On postoperative day 18, hematemesis and melena occurred.

Two Surgical Patients with Paget-Schroetter Syndrome Presenting with Atypical Pathophysiology: Non-Effort Thrombosis.

Paget-Schroetter syndrome (PSS) is an upper extremity thrombosis occurring in the axillary and subclavian veins. PSS is also known as "effort thrombosis," because it is usually associated with repetitive and strenuous activities of the upper limbs. We present 2 patients with atypical PSS, so-called "non-effort thrombosis," who were not involved in vigorous activities.

Selection and Determination of Treatment for the Spontaneous Isolated Dissection of the Superior Mesenteric Artery.

: This study aimed to clarify the selection and determination of appropriate treatment for acute symptomatic spontaneous isolated dissection of the superior mesenteric artery (SIDSMA). : Data from 10 consecutive patients, who were diagnosed with symptomatic SIDSMA using computed tomography angiography and were managed in our hospital from January 2010 to October 2015, were retrospectively collected and analyzed. : There were nine males and one female; mean patient age was 50.

Matrix Gla protein negatively regulates calcification of human aortic valve interstitial cells isolated from calcified aortic valves.

Calcified aortic valve stenosis (CAS) is a common heart valve disease in elderly people, and is mostly accompanied by ectopic valve calcification. We recently demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induces calcification of human aortic valve interstitial cells (HAVICs) obtained from CAS patients. In this study, we investigated the role of matrix Gla protein (MGP), a known calcification inhibitor that antagonizes bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) in TNF-α-induced calcification of HAVICs.

Management of Pulmonary Thromboembolism Based on Severity and Vulnerability to Thrombolysis.

: The incidence of pulmonary thromboembolism has been considered rare in Japan. However, its occurrence has been increasing because of westernized lifestyle and diet, increased diagnostic technique, and recognition of this disease. : Between January 2003 and September 2014, 179 patients were treated for pulmonary thromboembolism.

1-Methyl-2-undecyl-4(1H)-quinolone, a derivative of quinolone alkaloid evocarpine, attenuates high phosphate-induced calcification of human aortic valve interstitial cells by inhibiting phosphate cotransporter PiT-1.

An abnormally high serum phosphate level induces calcific aortic stenosis (CAS), which is characterized by ectopic valve calcification and stenosis of the orifice area. Inhibition of ectopic calcification is a critical function of any internal medical therapy for CAS disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of several derivatives of evocarpine, methanolic extracts from the fruits of Evodia rutaecarpa Bentham (Japanese name: Go-Shu-Yu) on the high phosphate-induced calcification of human aortic valve interstitial cells (HAVICs) obtained from patients with CAS.

Management of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (venous thromboembolism) during pregnancy.

Purpose: The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is high during pregnancy. Although most patients with VTE are safely treated via medications, the optimal treatment for massive pulmonary embolism remains controversial. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of VTE management during pregnancy, we report our single center experience of treating VTE in pregnant women.

Acute limb ischemia: contemporary approach.

Acute limb ischemia is a critical condition with high mortality and morbidity even after surgical or endovascular intervention. Early recognition is important, but a delayed presentation is not uncommon. Viability of the limb is assessed by motor and sensory function and with interrogating Doppler flow signals in pedal arteries and popliteal veins as categorized by Rutherford.

Reoperative coronary artery bypass surgery: avoiding repeat median sternotomy.

Background: Mortality and morbidity in reoperative coronary artery surgery are considered to be higher than those for initial surgery. Contributing factors include cardiac injury and damage to patent grafts in repeat median sternotomy. To avoid these complications, reoperative cases were performed off pump to avoid repeat median sternotomy.