Preoperative Computed Tomography of the Right Gastroepiploic Artery for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Background: Grafting the right gastroepiploic artery (GEA) to the right coronary artery (RCA) is effective, but preoperative evaluation of arterial conduit availability has not been established. By comparing the midterm graft results, we aimed to assess the efficacy of preoperative evaluation of the GEA using computed tomography (CT).

Methods and results: We retrospectively examined patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting surgery between April 2010 and December 2020, and those whose GEA was grafted to the RCA were selected: 55 patients were included in the study analysis.

A prospective randomized controlled study to assess the effectiveness of super FIXSORB WAVE for sternal stabilization after sternotomy.

Background: We developed a new sternal fixation device, Super FIXSORB WAVE, a corrugated plate made of u-HA/PLLA, to improve sternal stability after sternotomy. This present study aimed to evaluate the new device clinically.

Methods: This prospective, single-blinded, multicenter trial randomized 69 patients to either wire cerclage only (group C, n = 30) or wire cerclage plus Super FIXSORB WAVE (group W, n = 39).

Therapeutic-Dose Warfarin (International Normalized Ratio >1.6) Plus Aspirin Improved Long-Term Patency of Saphenous Vein Graft without Bleeding Complication.

Purpose: Saphenous vein graft (SVG) is the most commonly used conduits in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), but the disadvantage of SVG is its tendency for progressive failure. We hypothesized that therapeutic-dose warfarin (international normalized ratio [INR] >1.6) plus aspirin improve SVG patency.

Multiple mycotic aneurysms with infective endocarditis: A case report.

Mycotic aneurysms are sometimes seen in patients with infective endocarditis. We report a case of infective endocarditis with multiple mycotic aneurysms. Although antibiotics were effective, mycotic aneurysms appeared in the cerebral, hepatic, and gastroepiploic arteries.

Left atrial schwannoma in schwannomatosis: a case report.

Background: Primary cardiac schwannoma in the left atrium and schwannomatosis are rare diseases.

Case Presentation: We report the case of a 46-year-old asymptomatic man who had tumor resection for parapharyngeal schwannoma at another institute 1 year ago. He was presented to our hospital for further evaluation of an abnormal cardiac shadow that was found incidentally.

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Very Late Intrapericardial Hematoma 8 Years after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

A 55-year-old man presented with dyspnea, edema, and appetite loss. He had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting 8 years previously. He had jugular venous distention and Kussmaul's sign.

Analysis of pulmonary nodules in patients with high-grade soft tissue sarcomas.

Nowadays, small pulmonary nodules are easily detectable in patients with soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) because of highly improved computed tomography (CT) technologies. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and significance of the pulmonary nodules detected by CT in high-grade STS patients. 124 patients with high-grade STS were retrospectively reviewed.

Retrograde ascending aortic dissection after thoracic endovascular aortic repair.

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair is a valuable alternative treatment option for patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms and type B dissections. However, thoracic endovascular aortic repair is associated with the risk of previously unanticipated severe complications including retrograde ascending aortic dissection. We report the case of an 86-year-old man who developed retrograde ascending aortic dissection as a delayed complication of thoracic endovascular aortic repair.

Long-term outcome of active infective endocarditis with renal insufficiency in cardiac surgery.

Background: The relation between infective endocarditis (IE) and renal insufficiency is uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate active IE with renal insufficiency in cardiac surgery.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective record review was conducted of all cases with IE from January 1998 to July 2009.

A case of abdominal aortic aneurysm with horseshoe kidney.

A 69-year-old male who had an abdominal aortic aneurysm with horseshoe kidney is reported. Preoperative 3-dimensional computed tomoangiography (3DCTA) images confirmed two accessory renal arteries diverging from the aneurysm to the isthmus. We operated on the abdominal aortic aneurysm using the left retroperitoneal approach, which provided excellent exposure of the aneurysm without dividing the renal isthmus.

Verapamil and nitroglycerin improves the patency rate of radial artery grafts.

The best way to prevent spasm of the radial artery is still under investigation. We retrospectively compared the effectiveness of topical verapamil-nitroglycerin with papaverine in preventing graft spasm in 215 patients who underwent isolated conventional coronary artery bypass using a radial artery. Postoperative angiographic data were successfully collected in 116 patients.

Inferior vena cava occlusion secondary to an inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms (IAAAs) represent 3% to 10% of all AAAs. However, inferior vena cava occlusion secondary to an IAAA is rarely reported. We report a case of inferior vena cava occlusion secondary to an IAAA presenting deep venous thrombosis.

[Endoscopic radial artery harvesting].

The radial artery is a popular arterial conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, the traditional open harvesting technique requires a long incision, and is therefore associated with some wound complications and cosmetic problems. In order to solve them, we introduced the endoscopic radial artery harvesting (ERAH) at our institution in February 2004 utilizing the VasoView system.

A new multisuction cardiac positioner for multivessel off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objective: : To accomplish successful multivessel off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, safe, reproducible, and effective exposure of all coronary territories is essential. For this purpose, we developed a new, simple, multisuction cardiac positioner.

Methods: : This new cardiac positioner consists of 3 small independent suction cups and suction tubes made of silicone.

Endoscopic radial artery harvesting: our initial experience and results of the first 25 patients.

Background: The radial artery has become an increasingly popular arterial conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, the traditional open harvesting technique requires a long incision, and is therefore associated with some wound complications and cosmetic problems. Here, we describe our experience of endoscopic radial artery harvesting (ERAH) through a small incision in 25 patients who underwent CABG.

Effects of the postoperative administration of diltiazem on renal function after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: Radial artery grafts are used for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and postoperative antispasm therapy with diltiazem is performed widely. Some investigators have warned that diltiazem administration after cardiac surgery is harmful to renal function. We designed a retrospective study to investigate the renal and hemodynamic effects of the postoperative administration of diltiazem in patients undergoing CABG.

Oxygen pressure measurement during grip exercise reveals exercise intolerance after radial harvest.

Background: Exercise intolerance of the hand after harvest of the radial artery is not well understood, although mild reductions of blood flow to the hand are reported. To ascertain its prevalence, patient symptoms implying potential exercise intolerance were evaluated by measuring transcutaneous oxygen pressure of the hand during grip exercise. For ascertaining predictive values, we verified ulnar flow reserve measured by Doppler ultrasonography before the harvest of radial artery.