A case of deep femoral artery aneurysm under continuous oxygen therapy for chronic respiratory failure was treated successfully by arterial ligation. The ligation of the deep femoral artery was easy and simple. This procedure may be indicated in poor risk patients or cases of ruptured aneurysm.

A 34-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital with sudden onset of severe chest pain. A diagnosis of acute aortic dissection (Stanford type A) was made based on the results of examinations such as CT-scan and angiography. An emergency surgical replacemant of the ascending aorta was carried out. Multiple malperfusion phenomena such as cerebral, renal, right upper extremity and visceral Ischemia appeared postoperatively. With strict conservative therapy and laparotomy (descending colectomy), he survived and was rehabilitated. Acute aortic dissection associated with malperfusion phenomena are frequent and potentially extremely poor complication. Therefore, prognosis is determined by accurate and rapid diagnosis and salvage of the ischemic organs. In treatment of the acute aortic dissection, the control of the blood pressure is important, but also close attention should be paid to sufficient perfusion of the major organs.

A 5-year-old boy with tricuspid atresia who underwent the Björk procedure died due to right atrial thrombus and left pulmonary embolus 37 days after operation. It is suggested that thromboembolism may be a frequent complication after the Björk procedure due to the turbulent blood flow at the right atrio-ventricular anastomosis and also due to congestive blood flow. Anticoagulation therapy seems to be essential for postoperative management.

The cases of neonates and infants who underwent successful delayed sternal closure (DSC) using silastic rubber after open heart surgery were reviewed. The indication for DSC was cardiac dilatation with tamponade-like behavior upon attempted sternal closure in all. In 7 of 10 cases, DSC were possible within 4 days after operation. There were statistical decrease in heart rate (HR), left atrial pressure (LAP), cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) and inspiratory oxygen concentration of the respirator at the time of DSC compared to those in the early postoperative period. None of the patients had mediastinitis or other severe infection in the postoperative course. One patient each died of progressive pulmonary venous obstruction and of non-cardiac disease late postoperatively and 8 patients are long-term survivors. It is concluded that DSC is recommended whenever there is any hemodynamic deterioration due to attempted sternal closure following open heart surgery in infancy as it could be safely performed within 3 to 4 days after operation without any complication.