[A case of adenocarcinoma of the lung with malignant pleural effusion in elderly patient treated effectively by pemetrexed and carboplatin].

An 83-year-old male with left chest pain and dyspnea was referred to our hospital. A left upper lung tumor(f3. 6 cm in diameter)and pleural effusion in enhanced thoracic CT with suspicion of malignant pleural effusion were pointed out in June, 2009.

Increase in circulating endothelial progenitor cells after aortic aneurysm repair.

Rapid endothelialization of prosthetic vessels is essential to avoid fatal complications. We hypothesized that there may be mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in patients who received aortic aneurysm repair, and measured the number of CD34-expressing EPCs (CD34(+) cells) in these patients. Blood samples were taken preoperatively, 6, 24, and 48 h, and 7 days after surgery in 13 patients with aortic aneurysm.

[Spinal cord ischemia after surgery for arch and aortic valve replacement with elephant trunk for plural thoracic aneurysms].

A 62-years old man had plural aneurysms from the aortic arch to the descending aorta. Y-grafting had been performed twice for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. We performed the first operation which involved aortic valve and arch replacement under deep hypothermia with selective cerebral perfusion.

When and how does nonstructural mechanical prosthetic heart valve dysfunction occur?

Objective: We discuss the clinical aspects related to mechanical valve dysfunction based upon 20 years' experience of our cases.

Methods: Between January 1982 and December 2001, 21 patients underwent surgical interventions because of mechanical valve dysfunction. Thirteen men and 8 women (mean age 47 +/- 20, range 3-75 years-old), were included.