Retrograde cerebral perfusion under hypothermic circulatory arrest is a simple and useful adjunct to avoid cerebral ischemic injury in the treatment of aortic arch pathology. In the surgery of distal aortic arch and proximal descending aortic lesions through the left thoracotomy incision, right atrium-retrograde cerebral perfusion (RA-RCP) through a venous cannula positioned into the right atrium is simpler than retrograde cerebral perfusion through superior vena cava. The time limits for RA-RCP during aortic arch reconstruction have yet to be clarified. We, herein, present a case with uneventful recovery after RA-RCP of 94 minutes during reconstruction of aortic arch and descending aorta. These data suggest that RA-RCP, as an adjunct to hypothermic circulatory arrest, may prolong the circulatory arrest time and thus prevent ischemic injury of the brain, even when RA-RCP exceeds 90 minutes.
Aneurysm, Dissecting ; Aorta, Thoracic* ; Brain ; Brain Ischemia ; Catheters ; Heart Atria ; Pathology ; Perfusion* ; Thoracotomy ; Vena Cava, Superior

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The formation of thrombi on a permanent pacemaker lead has been reported as a rare complication following the implantation of a permanent pacemaker. However, there is little information about the complications related to modern cardiac pacing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors associated with the formation of a lead thrombosis following the implantation of a permanent pacemaker (P-PM). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 14 patients (M:F= 6:8, mean age=46+/-11) with P-PM lead thrombus that were detected with a transthoracic echocardiography. The clinical features, type of pacemaker and echocardiographic findings of these patients were analyzed. RESULTS: All thromb us formations had developed in the right atrium (RA), and/or superior vena cava (SVC)(100%, n=14), were mainly in the proximal portion of the RA (71.4%, n=10) and on the ventricular lead (64.3%, n=9). 12 of 14 patients (85.7%), The lead thromboses were atrial fibrillation, with tachy-brady syndrome or sinus pause. Three of the patients had a total SVC obstruction and 1 a thrombus with aspergillosis. The lead thrombus in one patient was completely resolved after thrombolytic treatment. There were no significant differences in the incidences of lead thrombosis in relation to the number of implanted leads, insulation type, echocardiographic parameters. CONCLUSION: Lead thromboses might not be a rare complication following the implantation of a P-PM, and frequently occur in the right atrium of patients with atrial pathology. The necessity for thrombolytic therapy in patients with a lead thrombus should be further investigated.
Aspergillosis ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Echocardiography ; Heart Atria ; Humans ; Incidence ; Medical Records ; Pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Thrombosis ; Vena Cava, Superior

Cavernous hemangioma in mediastinum is a rare tumor. A 13 year old girl was referred becaused of abnormal mediastinal shadow in simple chest X-ray. Chest CT scan revealed a somewhat inhomogenous cystic legion arround the whole length of SVC. Surgical excision was done through the right posterolateral thorachotomy. The pathology was confirmed as cavernous hemangioma.
Adolescent ; Female ; Hemangioma ; Hemangioma, Cavernous* ; Humans ; Mediastinal Neoplasms ; Mediastinum ; Pathology ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vena Cava, Superior

Angiography ; Computed Tomography Angiography ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Sinus ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Coronary Vessel Anomalies ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Vena Cava, Superior

Arteriovenous Fistula ; complications ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Child ; Contrast Media ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessels ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vena Cava, Superior ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging

This paper introduced surgical treatment of malignancy-related superior vena cava syndrome. Typical cases were presented with diagnostic radiology results. Authors focused on the main approach to the malignancy-related superior vena cava syndrome of surgery. In order to make it simple for junior doctors to learn and practice, all 4 operation methods were described in details. The writer hopes it would be helpful for all the young thoracic surgeons.
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Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; surgery ; Thymoma ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Thymus Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Vena Cava, Superior ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVEWidely pacemaker/implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation is also related to an increasing need for transvenous lead extraction. Understanding the location and extent of pathological changes, including adhesions and fibrous tissue formation along the course of chronic pacemaker/ICD leads, are essential for operators performing lead extraction operations in order to reduce the potential life threatening complications.

METHODSThree parts are included in the research, pathological examination on 83 extracted pacemaker/ICD leads using excimer laser technique from March 2008 to March 2011, autopsy examination of one died patient during lead extraction for lead-related infective endocarditis, and anatomical analysis on pacemaker/ICD leads from 10 patients died of other non-cardiac causes.

RESULTSExtensive encapsulated fibrous tissue around the leads and extensive adhesion/fibrosis along the course of the leads from venous entry site to the lead/myocardial interface could be detected on transvenous pacemaker/ICD leads. Since the tissue at the junction between superior vena cava (SVC) and right atrium (RA) is very thin, free of pericardium, thus, this is a common place for extensive adhesion/fibrosis and myocardial perforation/tear during lead extraction, which accounted for one death during extraction in our cohort. Extensive adhesion and fibrosis were also observed at the tricuspid valve and subvalvular structures. Leads implanted to the right ventricular apex were close to the epicardial surface and prone to perforation through myocardium. It is common to observe thrombus on the leads or at the interface between leads and myocardial tissue, especially at right atrial appendage (RAA) at the site of lead insertion.

CONCLUSIONExtensive adhesions and fibrosis can be commonly seen along the course of pacemaker/ICD leads, and at SVC to RA junction, the tricuspid valve/subvalvular structures, and RA/RV lead interface. The tissue at SVC to RA junction is very thin, making it vulnerable for myocardial perforation/tear during lead extraction. Thrombus is commonly seen along the leads or at the lead-tissue interface.

Defibrillators, Implantable ; adverse effects ; Device Removal ; Fibrosis ; Heart Atria ; pathology ; Heart Ventricles ; pathology ; Humans ; Lasers, Excimer ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Pacemaker, Artificial ; adverse effects ; Thrombosis ; pathology ; Vena Cava, Superior ; pathology

Atrial Fibrillation ; pathology ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; pathology ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Veins ; pathology ; Vena Cava, Superior ; pathology

BACKGROUNDEndovascular recanalization (EVR) is becoming the primary therapy for patients with central venous (brachiocephalic, subclavian, and superior vena cava) occlusion (CVO) caused by benign etiology. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed our experience in using EVR to treat benign CVO in 10 patients between April 2005 and September 2010.

METHODSThe mean age of the patients was 65.3 years, 2/10 cases were female, and the origin of cause of CVO in 7/10 cases was the hemodialysis access in the upper extremity. The patients were treated with primary stent placement and evaluated with immediate technical success rate and post-interventional patency rate after the procedure.

RESULTSEight patients were treated successfully with stent placement and experienced symptomatic relief immediately. No technical complications were observed during EVR treatment. Patients were followed up by ultrasonography and venography. Median follow-up was 13 months. Three patients required secondary procedures to maintain patency.

CONCLUSIONSEVR is an effective and safe treatment in patients with benign CVO. It provides immediate symptom relief and maintains a continuous access for hemodialysis.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brachiocephalic Veins ; pathology ; Endovascular Procedures ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Subclavian Vein ; pathology ; Vascular Diseases ; therapy ; Vena Cava, Superior ; pathology

To assess the effectiveness of endovascular stenting for the palliation of superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome, endovascular stent insertion was attempted in 10 patients with symptomatic occlusion of the SVC. All the patients had known malignant disease of the thorax. Eight patients had been treated previously with chemotherapy and radiotherapy (n=5), chemotherapy alone (n=2), or pneumonectomy and radiotherapy (n=1). After developing SVC syndrome, all the patients were stented before receiving any other treatment. After single or multiple endovascular stents were inserted, five of eight patients were treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy (n=2) or chemotherapy alone (n=3). Resolution of symptoms was achieved in nine patients within 72 hr (90%). In one patient, the symptoms did not disappear until a second intervention. At follow up, symptoms had recurred in two of ten patients (20%) after intervals of 15 and 60 days. Five patients have died from their cancers, although they remained free of symptoms of SVC occlusion until death. In conclusion, endovascular stent insertion is an effective treatment for palliation of SVC syndrome. Endovascular stent insertion can be considered the first choice of treatment, due to the immediate relief of symptoms and excellent sustained symptomatic relief.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Palliative Care ; Retrospective Studies ; *Stents ; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome/etiology/pathology/*therapy ; Thoracic Neoplasms/complications/pathology ; Treatment Outcome