In order to avoid the risk of COVID-19 among our clinic staffs, remote medical care using tablet-type devices was conducted in our fever outpatient clinic. In about 5 months, there were 87 patients with COVID-19 diagnosed by PCR test. Among them, 24 patients (15 men and 9 women, average age 36.2 years) were treated with Kampo medicine. Four of 24 patients required hospitalization. All patients, including those hospitalized cases, improved their symptoms during the observation period. We believe that Kampo medicine is effective in the early treatment of COVID-19. In addition, we consider that remote medical care using tablet-type devices is one of the useful methods in the treatment of highly contagious infectious diseases.

Along with clinical practice and education, research is among the most important activities for medical doctors. The same is true in cardiovascular surgery: Young cardiovascular surgeons are expected to improve their surgical techniques and prioritize their clinical practice. However, their perspective on the role of research in their field of expertise is unknown. Therefore, we conducted a survey of and discussion with young cardiovascular surgeons to clarify their thoughts and concerns about performing research. Here we review and report the survey and discussion results.

An 83-year-old woman (BSA 1.36 m2) who had undergone aortic valve replacement (Magna ease 19 mm), mitral valve replacement (Epic mitral 25 mm), tricuspid annuloplasty (De Vega technique), and pulmonary vein isolation eight years earlier was referred to our hospital due to her heart failure symptoms. Ultrasound cardiography revealed severe mitral regurgitation due to perforation of bioprosthetic valve, severe mitral valve stenosis (mean pressure gradient 7.8 mmHg) due to bioprosthetic deterioration, and subsequent pulmonary hypertension (mean pulmonary artery pressure 49 mmHg, tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient 85.5 mmHg). We performed a redo aortic valve (Inspiris 23 mm) and mitral valve (Epic mitral 29 mm) replacement using the Manouguian technique. The postoperative course was uneventful and pulmonary hypertension improved (tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient 39.6 mmHg).