Vasa vasorum of the no-touch saphenous vein graft observed using frequency-domain optical coherence tomography.

Objectives: One possible reason for the long-term patency of no-touch (NT) saphenous vein grafts (SVG) is the preservation of the vasa vasorum in the adventitia/perivascular adipose tissue (PAT). We investigated the vasa vasorum of the NT SVG in vivo using frequency-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT), performed qualitative and quantitative analyses and compared them with the conventional SVG.

Methods: An FD-OCT study was performed on 14 SVG at the postoperative coronary angiography 1-2 weeks postoperatively (NT group, n = 9; conventional group, n = 5).

[Coagulation Management During Open Heart Surgery Based on a Heparin Dose Sensitivity Test for Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome].

A 63-year-old woman with severe aortic regurgitation was admitted to our hospital due to congestive heart failure. She also had antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), necessitating strict coagulation management. Given her history of cerebellar infarction, deep vein thrombosis, and recurrent miscarriages, her thrombosis risk was higher, with all three types of antiphospholipid antibodies testing positive.

[Incidentally Detected Right Atrial Blood Cyst].

A 48-year-old man underwent computed tomography for the examination of lower back pain, which incidentally detected a cardiac tumor in the right atrium. On echocardiography, the tumor was identified as a 30 mm round mass with a thin wall and iso- and hyper-echogenic contents that originated from the atrial septum. The tumor was successfully removed under cardiopulmonary bypass, and the patient was discharged in good health.

Accuracy and dimensional reproducibility by model scanning, intraoral scanning, and CBCT imaging for digital implant dentistry.

Background: Recently, it has become possible to analyze implant placement position using the digital matching data of optical impression data of the oral cavity or plaster models with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data, and create a highly accurate surgical guide. It has been reported that CBCT measurements were smaller than the actual values, termed shrinkage. Matching of digital data is reliable when the plaster model or intraoral impression values show shrinkage at the same rate as the CBCT data.

Artificial endocrine pancreas with a closed-loop system effectively suppresses the accelerated hyperglycemic status after reperfusion during aortic surgery.

Objectives: To control intraoperative hyperglycemia in patients who underwent aortic surgery using STG-55 artificial endocrine pancreas and clarify the effectiveness of this device.

Methods: Blood glucose control using the STG-55 was performed in 18 patients (15 men and 3 women; age, 66 ± 10 years) who required hypothermic circulatory arrest (STG-55 group). Seventeen patients (10 men and 7 women; age, 71 ± 8 years) whose blood glucose was controlled using the conventional method were included in the control group.

A case of immunoglobulin G4-related aortic diseases.

A 65-year-old man had histories of retroperitoneal fibrosis, membranous nephropathy, and acute coronary syndrome. Chest computed tomography showed an enlarged ascending aorta and type B aortic dissection, and he underwent ascending aorta and arch replacement. A pathological examination of the resected aorta showed immunoglobulin G4-positive plasma cell infiltration.

[Prophylactic Effectiveness of Vacuum-assisted Closure for High-risk Patients Undergoing Cardiovascular Surgery through Median Sternotomy].

Vacuum-assisted closure(VAC) therapy is mainly used for tissue defects. VAC therapy can remove exudate that could impair the healing process. We applied VAC therapy in patients considered at high risk of surgical site infection who underwent cardiovascular surgery via standard median sternotomy.

[Rupture of an Aneurysm of the Right Sinus of Valsalva Into the Pericardium;Report of a Case].

A sinus of Valsalva aneurysm is an uncommon cardiac anomaly. The aneurysm usually ruptures into the cardiac cavity, and rupture into the pericardial cavity is unusual. A 69-year-old man was admitted to our hospital after collapse due to cardiac tamponade.