Percutaneous transcatheter closure of ostium secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) has become an alternative to conventional open surgical repair. Cardiac perforation is a rare complication after transcatheter closure of ASD by an Amplatzer Septal Occluder (ASO). We present a patient with hemodynamic collapse secondary to cardiac perforation occurring 5 months after placement of the ASO and discuss the complications of this device. A 14-year-old girl underwent transcatheter closure of ASD by the ASO in our institution. Transesophageal echocardiography showed ASD sized 17.4×15.0mm, with no aortic rim. The placement of the ASO was performed without complications, but 5 months after the procedure she started to complain of chest pain and subsequent syncope. She was brought to a local emergency department. Transthoracic echocardiography showed an important cardiac effusion with signs of cardiac tamponade. Emergency pericardial drainage was performed under echocardiographic control from the subxiphoidal region. Once she was hemodynamically stabilized, the patient was transferred to our institution immediately for the necessary emergency surgical procedure. The operation was performed through a median sternotomy and the bleeding source was identified. The left-side of the ASO disc had cut through the roof of the left atrium between the superior vena cava and the aortic root, creating a 5-mm perforation. There was another perforation at the aortic root in the region of the non-coronary sinus of Valsalva, approximately 5 mm. The metallic rim of the ASO could be easily seen protruding through the roof of the left atrium. Cardiopulmonary bypass was established and cardiac arrest induced. After opening the right atrium we found the ASO, which was positioned well. The ASO was removed and the perforations of the aortic root and the left atrium were closed with 5-0 polypropylene directly. Then the ASD was closed using an autopericardial patch. The patient was weaned off bypass without difficulty. The postoperative course of the patient was uneventful and free of neurologic events. Finally, we conclude that patients with an aortic rim defect may be at higher risk for device perforation. Such a patient should be carefully followed up by echocardiography.

An 81-year-old man underwent aortic valve replacement with a 21-mm Medtronic Mosaic porcine bioprosthesis for the treatment of bicuspid aortic valve stenosis. In addition to the appearance of chest discomfort on effort and a new diastolic murmur, echocardiography performed 2 years and 3 months after the surgery showed a high pressure gradient across the bioprosthetic valve and a reduction in the valve orifice area. Prosthetic valve dysfunction was diagnosed. During a repeat operation, 2 large tears on the left cusp and a subvalvular overgrown abundant pannus were observed, and the bioprosthetic valve was replaced with a 19-mm On-X mechanical heart valve. On analysis of the explant bioprosthesis, the right non-coronary stent post was bent outwards by approximately 9°, it compressed the left cusp by pulling the left right and left non-coronary stent posts closer together, thus altering the leaflet geometry and function. We speculated that pannus formation had resulted from turbulent blood flow caused by impaired or altered leaflet function. The 2 large tears appeared to be the result of contact with the bias cloth secondary to the stent distortion.

A 60 year old man presented with a history of right leg claudication which occurred after walking a distance of 200 m. He had no history of cardiovascular risk factors or trauma in the lower extremities. Palpation disclosed no right popliteal or pedal pulse. Ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI) was 0.60 on the affected side. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated the presence of a highly stenotic lesion in the right popliteal artery due to compression from periarterial polycystic masses. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed no communication to the knee joint bursa. Further, angiography showed a beak-like severe stenosis on the knee of the right popliteal artery. Based on the results of these three imaging techniques we confirmed the diagnosis of cystic adventitial disease (CAD). The patient underwent a surgical exploration of his popliteal artery through a posterior approach. Evacuation of all cysts by longitudinal incision of his adventitia yielded yellow mucoid gelatinous material. The popliteal artery was replaced using the great saphenous vein because the previous imaging showed thrombus formation at the cyst site. He had an uneventful postoperative recovery with ABI of 1.10.

The patient was a 74-year-old woman who had undergone mitral valve replacement with a mechanical valve for rheumatic mitral valve stenosis at age 60. She was scheduled for aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis. However, she had significantly worsening anemia before the operation. Capsule endoscopy showed angiodysplasia with bleeding in her small intestine, which was considered the cause of the anemia. Because of progressive anemia, we tried embolization under angiography. However, there was no evidence of extravasation. Neither melena nor exacerbation of anemia was observed, and she underwent aortic valve replacement. She was discharged on postoperative day 22 without gastrointestinal bleeding. Heyde syndrome is aortic valve stenosis associated with gastrointestinal bleeding induced by von Willebrand disease and angiodysplasia in small intestine. Molecular multimeric analysis of von Willebrand factor and the existence of angiodysplasia with hemorrhage of the digestive tract are important for definitive diagnosis. Capsule endoscopy, which is a general examination, is more useful for diagnosis than molecular multimeric analysis of von Willebrand factor. Aortic valve replacement is the only therapeutic option for Heyde syndrome. It is important to decide the appropriate timing of AVR with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Background : The Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy in 2011 reports that the number of hemodialysis patients has been increasing and that there is an increase in long-term hemodialysis patients and the aging of hemodialysis induction. Therefore, it can be expected that the number of valve surgeries in chronic hemodialysis patients will increase. However, there are many problems between chronic hemodialysis and valve surgery. Objectives : To describe the results of valve surgery in chronic hemodialysis patients at our institution and evaluate the selection of prosthetic valve and associated problems. Methods : Between January 2001 and June 2011, a total of 29 patients on chronic hemodialysis including 3 patients for re-operation, underwent valve replacements. The average age was 67.3±9.3 years and 17 (65%) were men. The average dialysis duration was 7.9±6.4 years. The etiologies of renal failure were 8 for chronic glomerulonephritis (31%), 8 for nephrosclerosis (31%) and 3 for diabetic nephropathy (12%). Results : There were 2 (7.7%) in-hospital deaths, which resulted from ischemia of intestine and multiple organ failure due to heart failure. Twelve (46%) patients died during the follow-up period and the 5-year survival rate after surgery was as poor as another authors have reported previously (30.6%). However, the 5-year survival rate after hemodialysis introduction was 87.1%, which was better than the report of the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy in 2011 (60%). Average age was significantly higher in bioprosthetic valves than in mechanical valves (p=0.02). There was no significant difference in survival rate among mechanical and bioprosthetic valves (p=0.75). There was no significant difference in valve-related complication free rate among mechanical (27.5%) and bioprosthetic valves (23.4%) (p=0.9). Three patients with mechanical valves had cerebral hemorrhage, and 1 patient with bioprosthetic valve had structural valve deterioration. Conclusions : Surgical result of valvular disease in hemodialysis patients was as poor as another authors reported previously (5-year survival rate : 30.6%), but survival rate after hemodialysis introduction was not very poor (87.1%). There was no significant difference in survival rate among mechanical and bioprosthetic valves. Bioprosthetic valve has the risk of reoperation due to early structural valve deterioration, but there was no significant difference in valve-related complication free rates. Therefore, we should select prosthetic valve in consideration of individual cases.

We report a case of chronic mesenteric ischemia associated with severe aortic valve regurgitation and stenosis (ASR). The patient was a 76-year-old man who had been given a diagnosis of ASR in his 40s. He gradually developed heart failure and chronic kidney disorder due to deterioration of ASR. He had started hemodialysis 1 year before admission and had complained of abdominal pain after meals and weight loss during that period. He was admitted to the Department of Cardiology in our hospital for evaluation of ASR. Severe ASR with low output syndrome (C. I. 2.00 L/min/m²) were confirmed by cardiac catheter examination. In addition, abdominal angiography revealed total occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and severe stenosis of the celiac artery (CA). We considered that low cardiac output due to severe ASR had exacerbated the mesenteric ischemia. We performed AVR and abdominal aorta-SMA bypass at the same time to prevent acute mesenteric ischemia in the perioperative period. The combination of valvular disease and CMI is very rare. This is the first report in Japan of simultaneous valve replacement and mesenteric artery revascularization.

A 67-year-old man was admitted to our hospital following cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) during work. After resuscitation, coronary angiography revealed left main coronary artery stenosis and three-vessel disease. We considered that coronary artery revascularization was required, but the neurological prognosis was unknown. Thus, an IMPELLA CP® device was inserted and systemic management, including hypothermic therapy, was initiated. Circulatory conditions were stable during hypothermia therapy. Rewarming was initiated 24 h later, and we confirmed no abnormal neurological findings. Emergency off-pump coronary artery bypass was then performed. During the procedure, hemodynamic status was maintained using the IMPELLA CP® device. After surgery, the patient was discharged without neurological complications. We report the management of a patient with severe three-vessel disease after resuscitation for CPA using an IMPELLA CP® device and hypothermic therapy.

The patient is a 71-year-old man. After receiving chemoradiotherapy (CRTx) for an unresectable esophageal cancer, he developed sudden hematemesis during a follow-up examination. Subsequent imaging via contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed leakage of the contrast medium from the descending aorta into the esophagus. Consequently, an aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) was diagnosed and an emergency thoracic endovascular aortic stent graft repair (TEVAR) was scheduled. However, during the preparation for surgery, the patient vomited a large amount of blood and went into cardiopulmonary arrest. Following the administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube (SB-tube) was inserted intranasally to control bleeding and TEVAR was performed to save his life. Although a gastrostomy was necessary after the surgery, the patient was transferred from the hospital on the 32nd day without any complications. Nonetheless, his general condition deteriorated as the cancer progressed and he died on the 103rd postoperative day. It is generally reported that the risk for esophageal perforation is 10-20% in CRTx for unresectable esophageal cancer. Although issues regarding the long-term prognosis of patients treated with TEVAR have been highlighted in recent years, there have also been reports of life-saving cases following its use; in this case, the patient was discharged home after SB-tube insertion and TEVAR with prompt treatment, resulting in his life being prolonged for an estimated 3 months.