A sinus of Valsalva aneurysm is a comparatively rare disease, and it has almost no symptoms unless this is rupture, whereas aortic insufficiency, myocardial ischemia and heart failure might be associated with un-ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva. We encountered 2 elderly patients (71 years old and 83 years old) with huge un-ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva which causes right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. The orifice of the aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva was closed using ePTFE patches in the both cases. Plication of aneurysm was attempted in both cases, but it failed in case 1 due to undetermined border of the aneurysm on the right side of the heart. Case 2 was required concomitant aortic valve replacement with a bioprosthesis due to associated aortic regurgitation. The repair of un-ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva associated with right ventricular outflow tract obstruction can be performed safely and effectively even in elderly patients.

We report a case of endovascular surgery in a patient of common iliac artery aneurysm with arteriovenous (A-V) fistula. A 60-year-old woman was admitted because of dyspnea. She had a clinical history of lumbar disk surgery at age of 40. On physical examination, we detected a pulsatile mass and pansystolic murmurs in her left lower abdomen. A chest X-ray film demonstrated severe cardiomegaly with 70% of cardiothoracic ratio. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed left common artery aneurysm with A-V fistula between the left common iliac artery and the left common iliac vein. Three-dimensional CT showed hyper-vascularity in the region from the pelvic vein to IVC. We considered that she had high risk of intraoperative massive bleeding for open abdominal surgery. We conducted endovascular repair for this iliac artery aneurysm with A-V fistula by the GORE EXCLUDER C3^® stent graft system. Postoperative contrast-enhanced CT showed complete exclusion of both left common iliac artery aneurysm and A-V fistula. After surgery, her symptoms improved significantly.

We describe our experience of surgical treatment in a patient with Takayasu's arteritis who required aortic root replacement because of perivalvular aortic regurgitation, developing 2 years after aortic valve replacement. A 65-year-old man underwent aortic valve replacement with a mechanical valve 3 years previously because of serious aortic insufficiency associated with Takayasu's arteritis. No steroids were given postoperatively. Three years after surgery, perivalvular aortic regurgitation developed. Reoperation was scheduled because of increased regurgitation and valve dehiscence. The sinus of Valsalva and the ascending aorta were enlarged, and a false aneurysm was found at the suture line of the aortotomy. Moderate mitral insufficiency was also present. The patient underwent aortic root replacement with a mechanical valve (J-graft Shield^®, 24 mm ; and SJM Regent^®, 21 mm), hemiarch replacement (J-graft Shield^®, 24 mm), and mitral annuloplasty (IMR ET Logix^® ring, 28 mm). Intraoperative examination showed very severe adhesion around the ascending aorta and marked wall thickening extending from the aortic root to the ascending aorta. The annulus was recognized to be very fragile after the mechanical valve was removed. The annulus was reinforced with autologous pericardium patch, furthermore, the subannulus was reinforced with a shortly cut artificial vessel graft. Aortic root replacement was then performed. After surgery, the patient received steroids. Inflammation was improved by steroids and the patient is being followed up on an outpatient basis. In patients with a fragile annulus and severe inflammation associated with aortitis, tissue reinforcement and postoperative management of inflammation are essential.

We report a rare case of aortic root replacement after arterial switch operation (ASO). Ten years after undergoing ASO, a 10-year-old boy underwent a Bentall operation because of progressive aortic valve regurgitation and aortic root dilation. The operation was performed under the division of the right pulmonary artery. This view made it easy and safe to dissect the coronary arteries and to perform aortic root surgery.

A 56-year-old man, who underwent aortic valve replacement with a stentless artificial valve for aortic valve endocarditis at age 52, found to have left ventricular outflow pseudoaneurysm by transthorasic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography and enhanced computed tomography. We repaired the pseudoaneurysm, combined with valve re-replacement. Left ventricular outflow pseudoaneurysm is a rare disease, and is often associated with active endocarditis. Transesophageal echocardiography and CT scan are useful to diagnose this disease, especially to rule out annular abscess. Operative indication is recommended soon after the diagnosis was made to prevent rupture of pseudoaneurysm, or development of either mitral regurgitation or coronary ischemia due to compression from the pseudoaneurysm. Combined aortic valve replacement, with or without mitral valve replacement is necessary to repair the pseudoaneurysm.

Intracardiac repair for cardiac anomalies associated with a transposed aorta from the right ventricle is a technically demanding operation. We present two cases of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction after the use of an ePTFE flat patch to reconstruct the LVOT. Case 1 : A 10-year-old boy had undergone the Rastelli operation, VSD enlargement, and intraventricular re-routing using an ePTFE flat patch for repair of the DORV with noncommitted VSD and pulmonary stenosis at the age of 5. Five years later, catheter examination revealed severe LVOT obstruction. Intraventricular re-routing using a part of the ePTFE graft concomitant with re-replacement of an extracardiac conduit was successfully performed. Case 2 : A 13-year-old girl had undergone a double-switch operation (Senning operation, the Rastelli operation, and intraventricular re-routing by the use of an ePTFE flat patch) for the repair of corrected TGA, PA and VSD at the age of 7. Six years later, catheter examination revealed severe LVOT obstruction. Intraventricular re-routing using part of the ePTFE graft concomitant with re-replacement of an extracardiac conduit was successfully performed. We consider that the use of a flat patch for reconstruction of a left ventricular out flow tract in cases with transposition of the aorta from the right ventricle involves a risk of future development of LVOT obstruction.

We report a rare case of isolated intracavitary metastatic esophageal cancer of the right atrium and ventricle. A 67-year old woman had been treated for esophageal carcinoma for three years. Combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy had been performed, and partial remission had been achieved. Recent follow up computed tomography of the chest revealed intracavitary cardiac mass in her right atrium and right ventricle. On echocardiography a mobile, irregularly shaped large mass was detected in her right atrium. She was admitted for emergency operation. We resected the mass under cardiopulmonary bypass. The pathological examination revealed intracavitary metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. She was discharged on the 29th postoperative day. Six months later, she died from multiple metastases of squamous cell carcinoma. Even though the operation was not curative, it might have been effective for preventing tumor embolism to the lung and elongating life expectancy.

Objective : To investigate the efficacy of aortic valve replacement with annular enlargement for congenital aortic valve stenosis. Methods : Eleven patients underwent aortic valve replacement with annular enlargement for congenital aortic valve stenosis in our institute between January 2002 and July 2012. The clinical status of these patients, including preoperative and postoperative echocardiography, was evaluated in this study. Results : The median age of the patients was 15.5 years (range : 9-38 years). The patients had a mean body surface area of 1.48±0.3 m² (range : 1.00-1.92 m²). Mechanical prostheses were used in all patients and the techniques of aortic annular enlargement were the Nick procedure in 4 patients, Manouguian procedure in 3 (modified Manouguian in 2), Yamaguchi procedure in 2, and Konno procedure in 2. The average follow-up period was 32.1 months (range : 1-117 months). There was neither operative death nor late death. The peak/mean pressure gradient of aortic valve improved from 77.9±31.7/46.6±18.0 mmHg preoperatively to 27.9±7.7/14.8±4.7 mmHg postoperatively and to 28.3±11.1/14.1±7.0 mmHg at intermediate-term follow-up. The estimated left ventricular mass also improved from 206.8±93.4 g preoperatively to 179.7±61.1 g postoperatively and to 100.4±76.3 g at intermediate-term follow-up, respectively. Conclusions : Our series shows the efficacy and safety of aortic valve replacement with annular enlargement for congenital aortic valve stenosis.

We describe our surgical treatment in a patient with subvalvular aortic stenosis due to pannus formation beneath a monocusp mechanical valve. In this case, transvalvular removal of subvalvular pannus using a CUSA (Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator) was performed successfully. A 77-year-old woman underwent aortic valve replacement with a monocusp tilting-disk mechanical valve (Björk-Shiley, 23 mm) 30 years previously. Reoperation for severe aortic stenosis due to calcified subvalvular pannus formation was required. Intraoperative findings revealed no limitation of leaflet motion of the valve but presence of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction caused by subvalvular pannus formation under the major orifice of the prosthesis. Because of difficulty of exposure of the prosthetic valve due to severely calcified valsalva sinus wall, simple re-do aortic valve replacement seemed to be almost impossible. Therefore, we tried transvalvular removal of the pannus. A scalpel could not be applied due to severe calcification of the pannus. Then we used CUSA and removed the pannus successfully. Finally, subvalvular stenosis (LVOTO) was ameliorated and a decrease of trans-aortic valve velocity was recognized. She is doing well without recurrence 1.5 years after the surgery.

Circulatory support devices have become an important component for transplantation programs as they successfully bridge unsalvageable patients who would otherwise die. Between October 1997 and April 2001, 6 patients in profound heart failure were treated with a percutaneous cardiopulmonary support system (PCPS), or with ventricular assist device (VAD), or with both PCPS and VAD. Two patients were treated only with a PCPS, and one weaned case survived. Another 2 patients, who had dilated cardiomyopathy, was treated with VAD. They improved hemodynamically, and their general conditions made them fit to be candidates for heart transplantation. Two other patients who had PCPS insertion before VAD died due to multiple organ failure. Before the application of VAD, the levels of total bilirubin were 14.9 and 20.9mg/dl respectively. In acute worsening of hemodynamics, PCPS is useful to maintain total circulation by quick application. However, long-term support with VAD should be considered to resuscitate impaired end-organ function by carefully selecting the timing of a VAD implantation.