1.Surgical Treatment of a Case of Primary Angiosarcoma of the Right Atrium Associated with Cardiac Tamponade.
Yasuhiro Furutani ; Masaki Hamamoto ; Masayuki Sakaki ; Fumikazu Nomura ; Katsuhiko Ihara
Japanese Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery 1999;28(4):278-281
We report a case of angiosarcoma of the right atrium, which manifested as cardiac tamponade. A 50-year-old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of dyspnea on effort. Echocardiography and chest CT revealed massive pericardial effusion and a right atrial tumor mass. An emergency pericardiocentesis was performed to remove massive hemorrhagic fluids. Further examinations revealed primary cardiac neoplasm. Because there was no distant metastasis, the tumor in the right atrium was resected with the right atrial free wall under cardiopulmonary bypass support. The sinus node involved in the tumor was resected, necessitating pacemaker implantation. Microscopic examination of the resected tumor revealed angiosarcoma. As the resection border showed tumor tissue, postoperative radiotherapy was added. There was no evidence of recurrence or metastasis 14 months after surgery. The prognosis for angiosarcoma is very poor, and mean survival is less than 6 months. In cases with no metastases, early resection is the treatment of choice. In spite of incomplete resection, long-term survival may be possible with postoperative radiotherapy.
2.Pitfalls in Open Stent Grafting for Distal Aortic Arch Aneurysm.
Kentaro Tamura ; Fumikazu Nomura ; Shogo Mukai ; Katsuhiko Ihara
Japanese Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery 2002;31(2):139-142
A 72-year-old woman underwent surgical stent graft implantation for a huge distal arch aneurysm (12×11cm). Axillo-bifemoral bypass was added in order to restore visceral perfusion. Severe metabolic acidosis developed after the operation, and the patient died 6 hours after surgery. Autopsy showed thromboembolism of the superior mesenteric artery and aortic dissection in the descending thoracic aorta because of stent graft insertion into a false lumen. To reduce complications like this case, we should consider the peculiar anatomic features and thoroughly evaluate atheromatous changes in the aortic wall with improvement of the shape of the sheath and delivery system.
3.Specificity of the meridians and acupuncture-points. Effects of qiuxu on the gallbladder's form.
Tadashi YANO ; Yoshiki OYAMA ; Nobuyuki YAMADA ; Kazu MORI ; Toshinori YUKIMACHI ; Shinichi FUSHITA ; Kentaro MAEDA ; Ryo KAWAMOTO ; Katsuhiko SHIMOYA ; Takao SHIBATA ; Shigeru IHARA ; Naoto HONTANI ; Katsutoshi GOTO ; Hiroshi NAKATA ; Misao OKIEBISU
Journal of the Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion 1990;40(4):343-350
Objective:
There have been a few reports on the specificity of the meridians and Acupuncture-points. In order to identify the specific effects of the meridians and Acupuncture-points, the functional relations between “the gallbladder Meridian and gallbladder” were investigated using the gallbladder's form as an index.
Materials and Methods:
Ten healthy male adult volunteers participated in the experiments in fasting conditions. The target organ was the gallbladder, and its form was measured with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (Toshiba SSA-90A). The images of the gallbladder form were taken at the point when the major long axis of the cross-section of the gallbladder reached the peak. The cross-sectional area of the gallbladder was measured with the image analyzer. The measurement of the gallbladder form was conducted after 15 minutes lying on the back, taking images for 10 minutes before stimulation, for 30 minutes during and after stimulation, every two to five minutes. The acupuncture stimulation was given at the points of G34, G36, G37, G40 and G44 on the right side of the body. After getting the deqi, 1 minute of sparrow pecking needle technique and 1 minute of leaving needle technique were conducted three times. The effect of the G40 under the egg yolk loading were also investigated.
Results:
1) The stimulation of the G34, G36, G37, and G44 showed no effects on the gallbladder form. 2) The stimulation of the G40 caused the distension of the gallbladder form. 3) The stimulation of the G40 showed the suppressive effect on the contraction of the gallbladder due to the load of egg yolk.
As described above, the results of this study showed that there is an acupuncture-point on the gallbladder meridian to cause the distension of the gallbladder specifically. It suggests the existence of the specificity of acupuncture-point.