Pulmonary Embolectomy for Acute Pulmonary Embolism: A Word of Caution.

Pulmonary embolectomy is an effective treatment of acute pulmonary embolism (APE) but not for chronic pulmonary thromboembolism. We described surgical experience of two patients with APE in preexistent unidentified chronic pulmonary thromboembolism. One patient who presented with severe hypoxia but stable hemodynamics underwent successful pulmonary endarterectomy for proximal organized thrombus instead of pulmonary embolectomy.

Use of a Smart Watch for Early Detection of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: Validation Study.

Background: Wearable devices with photoplethysmography (PPG) technology can be useful for detecting paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), which often goes uncaptured despite being a leading cause of stroke.

Objective: This study is the first part of a 2-phase study that aimed at developing a method for immediate detection of paroxysmal AF using PPG-integrated wearable devices. In this study, the diagnostic performance of 2 major smart watches, Apple Watch Series 3 and Fitbit (FBT) Charge HR Wireless Activity Wristband, each equipped with a PPG sensor, was compared, and the pulse rate data outputted from those devices were analyzed for precision and accuracy in reference to the heart rate data from electrocardiography (ECG) during AF.

A case of left ventricular assist device application for chemotherapy-related cardiomyopathy caused by trastuzumab and anthracycline.

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is an established therapy for patients with severe heart failure. Because the incidence of cardiotoxicity owing to anticancer agents is low, it is difficult to predict the recovery prospects when the cause of heart failure is due to anticancer agents. In this context, cancer patients who present with severe symptoms of heart failure and who fail medical therapy for heart failure may pose a dilemma, especially in countries such as Japan where implantable LVADs are not approved for purposes other than bridging to transplant.

Does the presence of coronary artery disease affect the outcome of aortic valve replacement?

The purpose of this study is to compare the late outcome of aortic valve replacement with or without preoperative coronary artery disease, and with or without coronary artery bypass. Between 2014 and 2015, 291 patients underwent aortic valve replacement. Average follow-up term was 2.

Endovascular Treatment for Proximal Anastomotic Pseudoaneurysm after Total Arch Replacement in Behcet's Disease.

A 17-year-old patient underwent total arch replacement for aortic arch aneurysm due to vascular Behcet's disease (BD). Follow-up computed tomography, performed 6 months after the operation, demonstrated pseudoaneurysm formation at the proximal anastomotic site. We performed endovascular treatment and used a short stent graft that was originally designed for abdominal aortic aneurysm.

[Discrete type subaortic stenosis disclosed by hemolytic anemia after aortic and mitral valve replacement].

We report a case of discrete type subaortic stenosis disclosed by hemolytic anemia 7 years after aortic and mitral prosthetic valve replacement. A 53-year-old female complained of general fatigue, dyspnea, macrohematuria and hemolysis. She had undergone aortic valve replacement for non-coronary cusp perforation 15 years before, and mitral valve replacement and tricuspid annuloplasty 7 years before.

[Giant pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta following the aortic valve replacement;report of a case].

56-year-old male, who had undergone re-aortic valve replacement (AVR) 33 years ago, received preoperative study for pancreatic surgery. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a giant pseudoaneurysm (7 cm diameter) of the ascending aorta. The ascending aorta was not dilated.

[Ventricular septal rupture and right ventricular free wall rupture after acute myocardial infarction].

Cardiac rupture is a catastrophic complication of acute myocardial infarction with highly mortality rate. Three types of rupture are ventricular free wall rupture( VFR), ventricular septal rupture( VSR), and papillary muscle rupture( PMR). A combination of any 2 types of rupture is called ventricular double rupture (VDR), and very rare.