N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and associated factors in the general working population: a baseline survey of the Uranosaki cohort study.

Few data on clinical characteristics associated with N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) or the clinical value of measuring NT-proBNP in the working population are available. The aim of the present study was to investigate the levels of NT-proBNP and their association with clinical variables in the Japanese general working population by using baseline data from the Uranosaki cohort study. In the study, the plasma concentration of NT-proBNP and some biomarkers were measured in addition to the standard health checkups at the workplace.

Nicorandil attenuates reperfusion injury after long cardioplegic arrest.

The cardioprotective efficacy of nicorandil in cardiac surgery was determined using a surgically relevant 4-hr cardioplegic arrest model. Each isolated rabbit heart was parabiotically blood-perfused using a modified Langendorff column. The magnitude of left ventricular developed pressure and rate of change of developed pressure over time were measured before (baseline) and after ischemia.

Surgical repair for entire inferior vena cava occlusion in Budd-Chiari syndrome.

Successful repair of thrombotic occlusion of the entire inferior vena cava, including the iliac and hepatic veins, was performed on a 51-year-old man with Budd-Chiari syndrome associated with severe liver dysfunction.

Direct imaging of bileaflet mechanical valve behavior in the tricuspid position.

Objective: The optimal orientation of a bileaflet mechanical valve for tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) has not yet been determined. The aim of this study was to use fiberoptic cardioscopy to evaluate the effect of orientation of a mechanical valve implanted in the tricuspid position on bileaflet mechanical valve behavior.

Methods: Twelve pigs (50-59 kg) underwent TVR with a St.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the trachea.

We experienced a rare case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) arising in the trachea. A 24-year-old man with severe dyspnea had a well-defined mass in the cervical trachea on chest X-ray examination. Chest computed tomography showed a 2.

Lung adenocarcinoma can be subtyped according to tumor dimension by computed tomography mediastinal-window setting. Additional size criteria for clinical T1 adenocarcinoma.

Objective: We sought to verify that the size of the solid component, which can be evaluated using the computed tomography mediastinal-window setting, provides new criteria for CT classification of lung adenocarcinoma.

Methods: Between 1994 and September 2002, we examined 60 patients who were clinically classified with stage T1 adenocarcinoma of the lung and normal serum CEA, who underwent standard surgical procedures. Tumor maximum dimension was evaluated using two different CT-imaging settings: the lung window (lDmax), and the mediastinal window (mDmax).

Heparinless cardiopulmonary bypass with argatroban in dogs.

Objectives: Systemic heparinization is usually required for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). However, problems such as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, protamine shock, and antithrombin III deficiency exist related to CPB with heparinization. The aim of this study was to evaluate argatroban (ARG) as a substitute for heparin during CPB.

Predictive factors for survival in surgically resected clinical IA peripheral adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Background: Patients with clinical IA (C-IA) lung cancer have a 5-year survival rate of approximately 70% after surgical therapy alone. We attempted to clarify preoperative factors that are predictive for poor prognosis after surgery among patients diagnosed with C-IA adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Methods: Between 1994 and April 2002, 65 patients with C-IA adenocarcinoma of the lung underwent lobectomy + hilar and mediastinal node dissection.

Carcinoembryonic antigen as a predictive factor for postoperative tumor relapse in early-stage lung adenocarcinoma.

Objectives: To clarify the usefulness of measuring serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) preoperatively to detect patients who will have a poor outcome after surgery, and who cannot be selected by conventional staging modalities.

Methods: One hundred patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung underwent standard surgical procedures between 1994 and April 2001 at our institution. Preoperative staging was assessed according to the TNM classification of the International Union Against Cancer.

Improved survival of surgery for acute type A aortic dissection: impact of noninvasive diagnosis and hemostatic surgical management.

Objectives: In the past decade, progress in cardiovascular technology has been incorporated into the surgical treatment of acute type A dissection resulting in remarkable improvement. Factors in this progress encompass rapid noninvasive diagnosis, intraoperative introduction of aprotinine, surgical glue, sealed grafts, and refined surgical technique. The objective of this study is to identify which factors contributed to the improvement of the surgical outcome of acute type A dissections.

Giant cell tumor of the rib.

We experienced a rare case of giant cell tumor (GCT) arising in the 5th rib involving the 5th vertebral body and transverse process. A 57-year-old man presented with a well-defined mass in the left thoracic cavity on chest x ray examination. Chest computed tomography showed a heterogeneous 7cm-diameter mass originating in the posterior segment of the left 5th rib.

Successful management of acute pulmonary embolism after surgery for lung cancer.

Objective: Although many case reports of acute pulmonary embolism (APE) have been published, the literature dealing with the management of APE after resection of lung cancer is limited. This report describes seven cases of successful management of APE after surgery for lung cancer and discusses how to manage this problematic complication.

Methods: The medical charts of seven patients with APE after lobectomy and complete mediastinal lymphnode dissection were retrospectively reviewed.

Coronary occlusion using bi-directionally stretched elastic sutures during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objective: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting may be partly invasive, particularly to the coronary endothelium that is snared. Efficacy of a simple technique to occlude a coronary artery with elastic sutures bi-directionally stretched just beneath the artery was evaluated.

Methods: Test subjects were eighteen adult mongrel dogs weighing 20-30 kg.

Clinicopathological analysis of prognostic factors in clinical IA peripheral adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Background: The clinical IA (C-IA) lung cancer patient shows a 5-year survival rate of approximately 70% after surgical therapy alone. We have tried to clarify the prognostic factors in C-IA adenocarcinoma of the lung to identify those candidates who might benefit from preoperative or postoperative adjuvant therapy.

Methods: Between 1994 and June 2001, 54 patients were diagnosed with C-IA adenocarcinoma of the lung and underwent lobectomy and hilar and mediastinal node dissection.

Lymph node metastasis, recurrence, and prognosis in small peripheral lung adenocarcinoma. Analysis based on replacement.

Objective: We studied clinical and pathological features of small peripheral adenocarcinoma of the lung, focusing on tumor typing based on Noguchi's classification of small adenocarcinoma and determining whether these tumors grew by replacing alveolar lining cells.

Methods: Subjects were 51 patients with small peripheral adenocarcinoma 2 cm or less in diameter resected between 1994 and 2001. Mediastinal and hilar lymph node dissection was done in 37 (72.

Influence of St. Jude medical valve in patients with aortic stenosis and small aortic annulus on cardiac function and late survival result.

This clinical study analyzes our experience of postoperative cardiac function and long-term survival rate in patients with aortic stenosis and small-size St. Jude Medical (SJM) valve. Sixty-eight patients who underwent aortic valve replacement by SJM valve were divided into two groups by preoperative aortic annulus diameter.

Coronary arteriovenous fistula presenting as chronic pericardial effusion.

In August 1998, the patient, a 75-year-old woman, was diagnosed with pericardial effusion (PE) during an investigation of cardiomegaly. The PE disappeared after the administration of diuretics, but in February 1999, shortness of breath and general fatigue developed, and PE was again present. Diagnostic pericardiocentesis revealed bloody fluid.

Distensibility of the pulmonary autograft under systemic pressure.

Background And Aims Of The Study: Although the Ross procedure has recently been recognized as one of the best replacements of the aortic valve, regurgitation has occasionally been observed with dilatation of the sinotubular junction (STJ) and/or basal ring (BR). This study was designed to evaluate the native distensibility of the free pulmonary root under systemic pressure.

Methods: Pulmonary arterial grafts (n = 7) were taken from pig hearts and pressurized (20-100 cmH2O) with crystal sensors attached around the STJ and BR.

Arterial embolization to preoperatively manage pulmonary disease associated with inflammation.

Preoperative arterial embolization is used in pulmonary disease to reduce intraoperative blood loss resulting from exposure of extensive adherent pleura due to repeated inflammation. Between January 1996 and February 2001, 5 patients underwent surgery with this procedure. Underlying diseases were 3 cases of aspergilloma and 1 each of chronic expanding hematoma and lung cancer.

Geometrical difference between an ascending aneurysm and a root aneurysm in valve-sparing operations.

Objective: The aortic root geometry of the leaflet size and coaptation in an ascending aortic aneurysm, and in a root aneurysm, may predict the early and late outcomes from valve-sparing surgery.

Methods: The aortic root was investigated using intraoperative endoscopy before and after valve-sparing root reconstruction. The definition of 'root aneurysm' was marked sinus dilatation proximal to the sinotubular junction.

Comparative Hemolysis Study of Clinically Available Centrifugal Pumps.

Centrifugal pumps have become important devices for cardiopulmonary bypass and circulatory assistance. Five types of centrifugal pumps are clinically available in Japan. To evaluate the blood trauma caused by centrifugal pumps, a comparative hemolysis study was performed under identical conditions.