Three-dimensional customized artificial grafts functionalized with biomimetic softness and anticoagulant heparin-dopamine surface modification: Preclinical study for practical applications.

Artificial vascular grafts, as blood vessel substitutes, are a prime challenge in tissue engineering and biomaterial research. An ideal artificial graft must have physiological and mechanical properties similar to those of a natural blood vessel, and hemocompatibility on its surface. We designed and fabricated artificial grafts by applying 3D printing and templated technology, which is endowed with morphologically patient-specific vascular reconstruction.

Comprehensive feasibility evaluation of small-diameter 3D templated vascular graft via physical characterizations andexperiments.

3D printing (3DP) technology for tissue engineering applications has been extensively studied for materials and processes. However, clinical application to the vascular system was limited owing to mechanical inconsistency and toxicity. Here, we characterized 3D templated artificial vascular grafts (3D grafts), which were fabricated by an integrative method involving 3DP, dip coating, and salt leaching method.

Can concomitant above-knee femoropopliteal bypass with artificial graft affect the outcome of femorofemoral bypass with artificial graft?

Objectives: Few have studied the effect of concomitant femoropopliteal (FEM-POP) bypass surgery on the outcome of femorofemoral (FEM-FEM) bypass in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). This study was aimed to analyze the risk relationship of concomitant FEM-POP bypass on the patency of FEM-FEM bypass.

Methods: From March 2009 to April 2020, a total of 27 patients who underwent FEM-FEM bypass surgery using polytetrafluoroethylene grafts were retrospectively analyzed according to concomitant FEM-POP bypass surgery.

Evaluation of 3D Templated Synthetic Vascular Graft Compared with Standard Graft in a Rat Model: Potential Use as an Artificial Vascular Graft in Cardiovascular Disease.

Although the number of vascular surgeries using vascular grafts is increasing, they are limited by vascular graft-related complications and size discrepancy. Current efforts to develop the ideal synthetic vascular graft for clinical application using tissue engineering or 3D printing are far from satisfactory. Therefore, we aimed to re-design the vascular graft with modified materials and 3D printing techniques and also demonstrated the improved applications of our new vascular graft clinically.

Anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory activity of sulodexide compared to aspirin in the rat model.

Background: Although the number of vascular surgeries performed is increasing, the incidence of complications associated with this surgery has not improved and re-operations are frequently required. Thrombosis in a vessel is the most hazardous postoperative complication.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory effects of sulodexide compared to aspirin in a rat model.

Thoracomyoplasty for Chronic Empyema and Osteoradionecrosis of the Chest Wall.

Herein, we report a case in which thoracomyoplasty was performed to manage chronic postlobectomy empyema (PLE). A 54-year-old male patient with a surgical history of right upper lobectomy and thymectomy 35 years previously who had undergone adjuvant radiotherapy presented with purulent discharge on the anterior chest wall. The patient was diagnosed with chronic PLE with ascending infection and concurrent osteonecrosis of the parasternum.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for intrathoracic first rib resection in thoracic outlet syndrome.

Background: First rib resection is a surgical treatment for decompressing the neurovascular structures in thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). Historically, extrathoracic approaches have used a posterior, supraclavicular, or transaxillary incision to remove the first rib. In this report, we demonstrate video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for intrathoracic first rib resection (VATS-IFRR).

Effects of a Proteasome Inhibitor on Cardiomyocytes in a Pressure-Overload Hypertrophy Rat Model: An Animal Study.

Background: The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is an important pathway of proteolysis in pathologic hypertrophic cardiomyocytes. We hypothesize that MG132, a proteasome inhibitor, might prevent hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (CMP) by blocking the UPS. Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and androgen receptor (AR) have been reported to be mediators of CMP and heart failure.

Comparison of clinical outcomes of pharmaco-mechanical thrombectomy in iliac vein thrombosis with and without May-Thurner syndrome.

Background: May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) has a different etiology from that of general deep vein thrombosis (DVT). However, few clinical comparisons of MTS-induced and non-MTS-induced DVT have been reported. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical results of pharmaco-mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) in DVT with and without MTS.

The Role of Pharmacomechanical Endovascular Intervention for Iliofemoral Vein Thrombosis Compared to Conventional Anticoagulation Therapy.

Although anticoagulation therapy is the primary treatment for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), it has not been associated with the rapid recanalization of the venous occlusion. Moreover, it is associated with long-term disability due to post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). In contrast, pharmacomechanical endovascular intervention (PMI) results in more rapid clinical improvement in DVT patients, but there are few reports on its long-term outcomes.

Deep-seated intramuscular lipoma penetrates the intercostal muscle.

Deep-seated intramuscular lipomas are rare, and most exhibit an infiltrating behavior. This study reports serial radiographs of a lipoma in chest wall muscles which penetrated the intercostal muscle for a 6-year period. Although this lipoma did not involve the parietal pleura, it compressed lung.

Gap junction remodelling by chronic pressure overload is related to the increased susceptibility to atrial fibrillation in rat heart.

Aims: Left atrial (LA) fibrosis caused by various pathological stimuli is a common finding. However, the difference of atrial remodelling via haemodynamic change in diverse cardiomyopathy has not been elucidated.

Methods And Results: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (6-8 weeks, n = 180) were randomly assigned to three groups and corresponding sham control groups: (i) ischaemic cardiomyopathy, (ii) left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and (iii) dilated cardiomyopathy.

The protective effect of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) in atrial fibrillation in various cardiomyopathy conditions.

Heat shock proteins (Hsp) protect myocardial cells from acute stress such as atrial fibrillation (AF) and also from the chronic stress. It is not understood that Hsp70 can prevent AF under cardiomyopathy (CM) conditions. Therefore, we hypothesized that Hsp70 might beneficially influence on the occurrence of AF in CM conditions.

Thrombosis in Behçet's disease: a Behçet's disease patient with complete thrombotic obstruction of IVC and both iliac veins and decreased protein S activity.

Behçet's disease represents a multisystemic inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent oral ulcers, genital ulcers, and uveitis. Although vascular attack and thrombosis are not major complications in Behçet's disease, they can still pose risks that must not be overlooked. In this paper, we reported that a 25-year-old female Behçet's disease patient with complete thrombotic obstruction of the inferior vena cava that was successfully treated by aspiration thrombectomy and balloon angioplasty.

Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum: a novel morphology-tailored, patient-specific approach.

Objective: Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum, introduced by Nuss in 1998, has undergone a serious learning curve because of a lack of understanding on morphologies and repair techniques. To summarize the current status of minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum, we reviewed and appraised our 10-year experience with a novel approach, a morphology-tailored technique, including diverse bar shaping, bar fixation, and techniques for adults.

Methods: We analyzed the data of 1170 consecutive patients with pectus excavatum who underwent minimally invasive repair between August 1999 and September 2008.

Myocardial protective effect of tezosentan, an endothelin receptor antagonist, for ischemia-reperfusion injury in experimental heart failure models.

The myocardial protective effects of endothelin antagonist in ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICMP), doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy (DOX) and pressure-overload hypertrophy by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) models have been predicted to be different. The objective of this experiment, therefore, is to evaluate the myocardial protective effect of tezosentan, an endothelin receptor antagonist, in various experimental heart failure models. Sprague-Dawley rats (6-8 weeks old, 200-300 g) were randomized to three experimental groups (n=30 each): ICMP; DOX; and TAC group.

Unexpected stent thrombus after minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass in hybrid re-vascularisation.

The progress in anti-platelet therapy and percutaneous coronary intervention led to reconfigure indications of hybrid re-vascularisation. However, there are still some controversies over indication, timing and patient management during the procedure. The case discussed here is a patient who was diagnosed with myocardial infarction and treated with hybrid re-vascularisation.

Needlescopic lung biopsy for interstitial lung disease and indeterminate pulmonary nodules: a report on 65 cases.

Background: We evaluated the feasibility and accuracy of a needlescopic procedure for lung biopsies in patients with interstitial lung disease or indeterminate pulmonary nodules.

Methods: Sixty-five patients (36 women; mean age, 51.3 +/- 15.

Effects of additional pleurodesis with dextrose and talc-dextrose solution after video assisted thoracoscopic procedures for primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

Recurrence after thoracoscopic surgery for primary spontaneous pneumothorax is a lingering problem, and many intraoperative methods to induce pleural symphysis have been introduced. We analyzed the effects of chemical pleurodesis during thoracoscopic procedures. Between August 2003 and July 2005, 141 patients among indicated surgical treatment for primary spontaneous pneumothorax in two hospitals of our institution allowed this prospective study.

Modified acellularization for successful vascular xenotransplantation.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the possibilities of an acellular matrix using a modified acellularization protocol, which circumvents immunological, microbiological, and physiological barriers. We treated porcine subclavian arteries with various reagents to construct acellular grafts. Afterwards, these grafts were interposed in a mongrel dogs' abdominal aorta.

Fibromuscular dysplasia of bilateral brachial arteries treated with surgery and consecutive thrombolytic therapy.

A 61-year-old female was admitted to our hospital complaining of paresthesia, pain, and intermittent weakness in the right hand. A pulsating mass with bruits had developed on the patient's upper arm. We also noted an absence of radial artery pulsation.

Successful extracorporeal life support in cardiac arrest with recurrent ventricular fibrillation unresponsive to standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Extracorporeal life support has been used as an extension of conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, the appropriate indications for extracorporeal CPR (ECPR) including the duration of CPR are unknown. We present a case of a male, 37-year-old out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patient who received prolonged CPR followed by ECPR.

Mid-term outcomes of side-to-side stapled anastomosis in cervical esophagogastrostomy.

This study was conducted to evaluate the mid-term results of cervical esophagogastric anastomosis using a side-to-side stapled anastomosis method for treatment of patients with malignant esophageal disease. A total of 13 patients were reviewed retrospectively from January 2001 to November 2005 who underwent total esophagectomy through a right thoracotomy, gastric tube formation through a midline laparotomy and finally a cervical esophagogastric anastomosis. Average patient age was 62.