Radial artery conduits have recently been used more often in coronary artery bypass grafting because of their potentially better long-term patency than saphenous vein conduits. However, vasospasm of the radial artery conduit due to its nature as a muscular artery has always been of concern and a variety of vasodilators ...

Non-invasive tomographic imaging modalities have recently contributed to identifying aortic intramural hematoma, a variant form of classic dissection, which is characterized by the absence of an intimal tear and thus the absence of direct flow communication, and which represents an important disease entity in acute aortic syndrome. Clinical investigations have ...

PURPOSE: Coronary angiography with multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT-CA) allows quantification of coronary artery stenosis with a high level of accuracy; however, a better estimation of stenosis can be achieved by using appropriate reformatting filters, especially in stents and calcified segments. Quantitative computed tomography angiography (QCTA) is intended to overcome the ...

Several techniques are available for aortic arch replacement. We evaluated our experience with total aortic arch replacement using a presewn multibranched graft and right axillary artery cannulation for brain perfusion. Between 2002 and 2010, 88 patients (mean age, 61.5 ± 14.6 years) underwent total aortic arch replacement by midline sternotomy ...

Aim: Inferior vena cava aneurysms (IVCA) are rare, unlike aortic aneurysms. The diagnosis and treatment is challenging. This study defines clinical and echocardiographic findings in a prospective cohort of sixteen patients with fusiform IVCA. Methods and Results: All patients referred to the Mayo Clinic between January 2006 and July 2009 ...

The underlying mechanism of slow coronary flow (SCF) has yet to be elucidated. Increased red cell distribution width (RDW) and uric acid level may be indicative of an underlying inflammatory state. We aimed to investigate RDW and serum uric acid levels in patients with normal coronary arteries and SCF without ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: An infrequent occurrence during endovascular treatment is protusion of detachable coils into the parent lumen with a subsequent thrombosis within in the parent vessel or embolic events. We report the short- and intermediate-term angiographic and clinical outcomes of patients who experience coil or loop protrusions and are ...

: The nasal septal deviation (NSD) increases upper airway obstruction. This study aimed to measure the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) of the patients with markedly deviated nasal septum and to determine the effect of septoplasty on the pulmonary arterial pressure. : Fifty-one patients with NSD (mean age, 37.1 [SD, ...

Transcatheter aortic valves were developed as an alternative to surgery for the one third to two thirds of patients with severe aortic stenosis who do not undergo aortic valve replacement. In this study, we examined reasons for medical management of aortic stenosis in relation to operative risks and outcomes for ...

We report a case of a 77-year-old patient with severe aortic stenosis who underwent transapical aortic valve implantation with a 23-mm Edwards Sapien valve (Edwards Lifesciences Inc, Irvine CA). This procedure was complicated with the occurrence of an acute regurgitation due to entrapment of one of the leaflets that was ...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with systemic inflammation. To evaluate carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and their correlation in newly diagnosed untreated patients with COPD. Post-bronchodilator spirometry, carotid artery IMT and blood tests were measured in patients with COPD (COPD group). Age, sex, ...

A 75-year-old man with gastric cancer underwent preoperative cardiac examination by echocardiography, and an unruptured extracardiac aneurysm was detected in the right sinus of Valsalva. Coronary angiography by multidetector computed tomography demonstrated a single left coronary artery. Patch closure of the orifice of the aneurysm of the right sinus of ...

BACKGROUND:: Although thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps have not gained popularity in the reconstructive era, the results of recent studies regarding the vascularity of thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps are promising. In the present study, the authors aimed to determine the clinical outcomes of free multiple-perforator versus single-perforator thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps. ...

Background and Purpose: Complex cerebral aneurysms may require indirect treatment with revascularization. This manuscript describes various surgical revascularization techniques together with clinical outcomes. Methods: Thirty-two consecutive patients with complex cerebral aneurysm were managed from November 2005 to October 2008. Techniques used for revascularization were high-flow bypass, low-flow bypass, branch artery ...

Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of combined catheter thrombus fragmentation and fibrinolysis for acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Methods: Forty-six patients (19 men and 27 women, average age 52.3 ± 13.4 years) with acute PE and right ventricular dysfunction were treated by mechanical thrombus ...

Renal artery aneurysms (RAA) are extremely rare clinical entities with associated morbidities including hypertension and rupture. Although most RAA can be treated with in vivo repair or endovascular techniques, these may not be possible in patients with complex RAA beyond the renal artery bifurcation. We report a case of RAA ...

SUMMARY: Intracranial dissecting aneurysms constitute rare lesions with complex management and elevated morbidity and mortality. Results of 23 patients harboring such lesions treated with the PED are reported. Standard dual antiplatelet therapy was instituted. Neurologic and angiographic assessments were obtained at 3, 6, and 12 months. Clinical presentation included SAH ...

Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) from the opposite sinus of Valsalva is a rare congenital anomaly with the potential for myocardial ischemia and sudden death. This review evaluated our series of AAOCA patients, who underwent coronary artery unroofing, to test our hypothesis that the intramural length of ...

OBJECTIVE: To compare measurements obtained by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and epicardial echocardiography (EE) for evaluation of the tricuspid valve (TV) and pulmonary valve (PV). DESIGN: Prospective observational. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting with or without aortic valve replacement. INTERVENTIONS: After routine intraoperative TEE, EE ...

The aim of this study was to use coronary computed tomographic (CT) angiography to characterize coronary artery involvement in patients with known Takayasu arteritis who present with anginal chest pain or shortness of breath. Takayasu arteritis is a primary vasculitis of the large vessels, which mainly affects the aorta and ...

Abstract  Two patients with aortic right ventricular tunnel and anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the tunnel are reported. The literature on this condition is reviewed. (J Card Surg 2011;26:521-526).

We describe off-pump wrapping of the ascending aorta in 3 high-risk patients with acute type A aortic dissection when the primary intimal tear was not located in the ascending aorta and in the absence of aortic insufficiency. A Teflon plaque (Bard Inc, Murray Hill, NJ) was tailored to tightly wrap ...

Ascending aortic aneurysm, while usually detected incidentally, is a serious condition that requires close monitoring and timely surgical follow up. Management of patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) is optimally performed in a multidisciplinary manner that prevents or delays the need for surgical intervention. Patients with aneurysmal degeneration should be ...

Aortic stenosis is the most common cause for valvular surgery in the USA. For nearly 50 years, surgical aortic valve replacement has been the standard of care for symptomatic patients; unfortunately, a significant number of patients are not referred to surgery owing to advanced comorbidities and age. Transcatheter aortic valve ...

Endoscopic coronary bypass has been a difficult procedure to perform. The recent introduction of the Intuitive EndoWrist stabilizer (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) has facilitated this procedure robotically on the beating heart. The addition of anastomotic connectors allows a significant improvement in the execution of this technically demanding procedure. We report ...

Lupus anticoagulants (LA) can cause acquired activated protein C resistance (APC-R), but the clinical significance is unclear. To investigate thrombosis and acquired APC-R in patients with LA, we enrolled all 132 patients undergoing hypercoagulability testing with positive LA results and in whom APC-R (with factor V-deficient plasma) was performed during ...

A blood blister-like (BBL) or dissecting aneurysm should be carefully considered if located at a non-branching site of the supra-clinoid internal carotid artery (ICA). Several surgical and endovascular treatment methods have been proposed but they all carry a relatively high risk of morbidity and mortality. This study evaluated the effectiveness ...

Congenital quadricuspid aortic valve is rarely seen during aortic valve replacement (AVR). The diagnosis and treatment of the disease were reported in 11 cases. Eleven patients (nine men and two women, mean age 33.4 years) with quadricuspid aortic valve were retrospectively evaluated. Medical records, echocardiograms and surgical treatment were reviewed. ...

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an inflammatory multiorgan disease of unknown etiology. The most dramatic organ involved is the heart. There were a few studies about cardiac involvement and sterile pyuria. This study guides to determine if sterile pyuria is associated with coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) in KD patients and to ...

A 45-year-old patient presented with fever and pneumococcal bacteremia. Transthoracic echocardiography, performed on the second day of admission, was unremarkable; however, repeat imaging performed only 60 h later showed destruction of posterior mitral valve leaflet with severe mitral regurgitation, and large, newly developed vegetations appearing on the mitral valve and ...

A 36-year-old male patient with no remarkable medical history was admitted to our hospital for a health check up. On chest radiography, bilateral aortic notches at the level of aortic arch were shown suggesting aortic arch anomaly without any clinical symptoms. Two aortic arches were almost same-in-size on suprasternal view ...

OBJECTIVES: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/Smad signaling pathway in aortic dissection patients and normal subjects has not been previously described. The present study was designed to evaluate the TGF-β/Smad signaling expressions in the patients with acute type A aortic dissection in comparison with those in the patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm ...

Bronchopulmonary sequestration is an unusual congenital malformation consisting of abnormal lung tissue that lacks normal communication with the tracheobronchial tree. The diagnosis of pulmonary sequestration is based on identifying this systemic arterial supply. We aimed to evaluate the sensitivity of multidetector computed tomography in demonstrating the feeding artery and draining ...

To investigate the efficacy of extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass surgery using a radial artery interposition graft (RAIG) for surgical management of cerebrovascular diseases. The study involved a retrospective analysis of 13 patients who underwent EC-IC bypass surgery using RAIG at a single neurosurgical institute between 2003 and 2009. The diseases comprised ...

We would like to present a case of patient with a transudative pleural effusion as a result of atherosclerotic occlusion of renal arteries. About 50 liters of fluid were drained from the right pleural cavity during 10 months period of observation. Successful revascularization of kidneys improved left ventricular function, stabilized ...

A reduction in diaphragm mobility has been identified in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and has been associated with a decline in pulmonary function parameters. However, little information exists regarding the potential role of diaphragm mobility on hypercapnia in COPD. A new method of assessing the mobility of ...

Abstract  Circumflex aortic arch aneurysm is a rare condition. We report a 9-year-old female with this anomaly who underwent resection of the aneurysmal segment and reconstruction of aortic arch anterior to trachea under cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. The patient was completely relieved of dysphagia and recovered without ...

BACKGROUND: Preventing pulmonary embolism is a priority after major musculoskeletal surgery. The literature contains discrepant data regarding the influence of anticoagulation on the incidence of pulmonary embolism after joint arthroplasty. The American College of Chest Physicians guidelines recommend administration of oral anticoagulants (warfarin), aiming for an international normalized ratio (INR) ...

Abstract  Background and aim of the study: We have presented the results of pulmonary arterial aneurysm repairs performed over eight years. Methods: From 2002 to December 2010, we performed nine operations for pulmonary artery aneurysms in our department. The mean age of the patients was 37.8 ± 17.1 years and ...

OBJECTIVES: Repeat sternotomy is associated with a substantial risk of cardiovascular injury. We evaluated the feasibility and clinical outcome of a transabdominal approach without sternotomy and without cardiopulmonary bypass in repeat coronary artery bypass grafting, using the right gastroepiploic artery to graft vessels of the inferior wall of the heart. ...

BACKGROUND: The perioperative risk for redo surgical aortic valve replacement (S-AVR) in patients with severe aortic stenosis and prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is increased. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) represents an alternative. We assessed the perioperative and mid-term clinical outcome of patients undergoing S-AVR or TAVI. METHODS: In ...

Background: Cardiovascular disease in chronic kidney disease (CKD) has peculiar characteristics. The aim of this study was to analyze atherosclerosis, vascular calcification and nitration in arteries from CKD patients. Methods: External iliac and renal artery segments from 27 stage 5 CKD patients and 25 donor controls, respectively, were collected during ...

Object Evidence of better outcomes in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage treated at higher-volume centers might be expected to result in more of these patients being referred to such centers. The authors evaluated the US National Inpatient Sample for the years 2001 to 2008 for trends in patient admissions for ...

Concomitant coronary artery disease and mitral valve disease are rare in Takayasu's Arteritis. Our patient had Takayasu's Arteritis diagnosed 9 years ago. She had an inferior myocardial infarction and double stent implantation 8 months ago. She was admitted to the hospital for chest pain, and 3 vessel diseases were diagnosed ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients with acute stroke within 3 hours of onset who were treated with tPA were studied prospectively. Patients with internal carotid artery, M1, and M2 occlusion were enrolled, and independent clinical and MRI factors associated with no early recanalization within 1 hour after tPA administration were examined ...

Background: Various cerebral pathological changes have been reported to cause leukoaraiosis (LA). We hypothesized that circle of Willis (CoW) anomalies may contribute to LA in severe carotid artery stenosis victims through impaired cerebral autoregulation. We conducted a retrospective review on cerebral magnetic resonance (MR) patterns in patients with severe symptomatic ...

BACKGROUND: There is a high incidence of cardiovascular reinterventions in patients undergoing a Norwood procedure (NP). The goal of this study was to analyze the rate of pulmonary artery (PA) and conduit stenosis using the right ventricle (RV)-to-PA modification of the NP. METHODS: Patients who underwent a NP January 2005 ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients harboring nongiant cerebral aneurysms may rarely present with an ischemic infarct distal to the aneurysm. The aim of this case series was to report clinical and radiologic characteristics of these patients, their management, and outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We undertook a single-center retrospective analysis of consecutive ...

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of diffuse interstitial lung disease (DILD) on the image quality of computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group comprised 130 patients with DILD who underwent CTPA between April 2005 and April 2009. One hundred and thirty patients without significant parenchymal lung ...

Patients with bicuspid aortic valves (BAV) are at increased risk of ascending aortic dilatation, dissection, and rupture. We hypothesized that ascending aortic wall stress may be increased in patients with BAV compared with patients with tricuspid aortic valves (TAV). Twenty patients with BAV and 20 patients with TAV underwent electrocardiogram-gated ...