We report a case of high-output chylothorax associated with thrombo-occlusion of the superior vena cava (SVC) and left innominate vein (LIV) following an arterial switch operation in a neonate. The chylothorax was resolved by 3 weeks after surgical reconstruction of the SVC and LIV using fresh autologous pericardium. We confirmed the patency of the SVC and LIV with a 1-year follow-up computed tomographic scan at our outpatient clinic.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Arterial Switch Operation ; Brachiocephalic Veins* ; Chylothorax* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Pericardium ; Thrombosis ; Vena Cava, Superior*

No abstract available.
Brachiocephalic Veins

OBJECTIVE: Central venous catheter (CVC) misplacement can result in incorrect readings of the central venous pressure, vascular erosion, and intravascular thrombosis. Several studies have examined the correlation between the guidewire J-tip direction and misplacement rate. This study examined whether the guidewire J-tip direction (cephalad vs. caudad) affects the misplacement rate in right subclavian venous catheterization. METHODS: This prospective randomized controlled study was conducted between February 2016 and February 2017. The subjects were divided into two groups (cephalad group vs. caudad group) and the misplacement rate was compared according to guidewire J-tip direction in each group. RESULTS: Of 100 patients, the cephalad and caudad groups contained 50 patients each. The age, sex, and operator experience were similar in the two groups. In the cephalad group, misplacement of CVC insertion into the ipsilateral internal jugular vein occurred in two cases. In the caudad group, misplacement of CVC insertion into the contralateral subclavian vein occurred in one case, with loop formation in the brachiocephalic trunk in one case. Guidewire J-tip direction showed no significant correlation with CVC misplacement. CONCLUSION: The guidewire J-tip direction does not influence the rate of misplacement.
Brachiocephalic Trunk ; Catheterization* ; Catheters* ; Central Venous Catheters ; Central Venous Pressure ; Humans ; Jugular Veins ; Prospective Studies ; Reading ; Subclavian Vein ; Thrombosis

Angiography ; Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical ; Brachiocephalic Veins ; diagnostic imaging ; Collateral Circulation ; Constriction, Pathologic ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Jugular Veins ; diagnostic imaging ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phlebography ; Renal Dialysis ; methods ; Subclavian Vein ; diagnostic imaging ; Vascular Access Devices

A 56-year-old man on maintenance hemodialysis was admitted to the intensive care unit with septic shock and coagulopathy. As there was a dialysis catheter in the right internal jugular vein, the left internal jugular vein was cannulated with a central venous catheter to initiate vasopressor therapy. A chest X-ray showed formation of a catheter loop inside the left brachiocephalic vein, probably due to hindrance by the dialysis catheter. This report describes the hurdles encountered, repeated cannulation attempts, and serial chest X-ray findings required to obtain acceptable placement of the catheter tip.
Brachiocephalic Veins ; Catheterization ; Catheters* ; Central Venous Catheters* ; Dialysis* ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Jugular Veins ; Middle Aged ; Renal Dialysis ; Shock, Septic ; Thorax

BACKGROUND: We evaluated operative outcomes after third or more cardiac operations for valvular heart disease, and analyzed whether pericardial coverage with artificial membrane is helpful for subsequent reoperation. METHODS: From 2000 to 2012, 149 patients (male:female=70:79; mean age at operation, 57.0+/-11.3 years) underwent their third to fifth operations for valvular heart disease. Early results were compared between patients who underwent their third operation (n=114) and those who underwent fourth or fifth operation (n=35). Outcomes were also compared between 71 patients who had their pericardium open during the previous operation and 27 patients who had artificial membrane coverage. RESULTS: Intraoperative adverse events occurred in 22 patients (14.8%). Right atrium (n=6) and innominate vein (n=5) were most frequently injured. In-hospital mortality rate was 9.4%. Total cardiopulmonary bypass time (225+/-77 minutes vs. 287+/-134 minutes, p=0.012) and the time required to prepare aortic cross clamp (209+/-57 minutes vs. 259+/-68 minutes, p<0.001) increased as reoperations were repeated. However, intraoperative event rate (13.2% vs. 20.0%), in-hospital mortality (9.6% vs. 8.6%) and postoperative complications were not statistically different according to the number of previous operations. Pericardial closure using artificial membrane at previous operation was not beneficial in reducing intraoperative events (25.9% vs. 18.3%) and shortening operation time preparing aortic cross clamp (248+/-64 minutes vs. 225+/-59 minutes) as compared to no-closure. CONCLUSION: Clinical outcomes of the third or more operations for valvular heart disease were acceptable in terms of intraoperative adverse events and in-hospital mortality rates. There were no differences in the incidence of intraoperative adverse events, early mortality and postoperative complications between third cardiac operation and fourth or more.
Brachiocephalic Veins ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Heart Atria ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Heart Valves* ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Incidence ; Membranes, Artificial ; Mortality ; Pericardium ; Postoperative Complications ; Reoperation ; Sternum

PURPOSE: To report a case of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) caused by internal jugular vein thrombosis. CASE SUMMARY: A 58-year-old male diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy visited our clinic for a regular checkup. On ophthalmic examination, IOP was 30 mm Hg in the right eye and 28 mm Hg in the left eye. Slit lamp examination showed chemosis, conjunctival injection and slight corneal edema in both eyes. Additionally, gonioscopic examination showed open angle. We observed face edema that started 1 month prior and he was diagnosed with internal jugular vein thrombosis on the right side, internal jugular vein and innominate vein stenosis on the left side approximately 2 months ago. The patient underwent percutanoeus transluminal angioplasty for dilating stenosed vessel. Four days after the procedure, his IOP was 15 mm Hg in the right eye and 12 mm Hg in the left eye based on Goldman applanation tonometer and was well maintained. CONCLUSIONS: Internal jugular vein thrombosis on both sides can cause an increase in IOP.
Angioplasty ; Brachiocephalic Veins ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Corneal Edema ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Edema ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure* ; Jugular Veins* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thrombosis*

A 56-year-old man was admitted for pacemaker generator replacement. We identified a partial fracture in the proximal part of the lead just after the conjunction of the atrial and ventricular leads. The atrial lead sensitivity was stable even under intentional pulling and twisting. We deployed a splint made of a suture-sleeve in the fracture site. After burying the malfunctioning ventricular connector behind the pocket, we inserted only a new ventricular lead. However, another complication existed. Venogram showed a total occlusion between the brachiocephalic vein and superior vena cava. After meticulous wiring, we passed the target and dilated the vessel with 8 and 9 Fr dilators. Finally, a new ventricular lead and generator were inserted via a long peel-away sheath. In conclusion, we successfully treated a patient with a partial lead fracture and a brachiocephalic vein occlusion using splinting and venoplasty.
Angioplasty ; Brachiocephalic Veins ; Equipment Failure ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Splints* ; Vena Cava, Superior

We experienced a case in which a central venous catheter (CVC) was misplaced into the wrong vein, which was mistaken for the internal jugular vein (IJV), identified by chest x-ray and ultrasound. The vertebral vein passes through the transverse foramina from the atlas to the 6th cervical vertebra. After exiting the transverse foramen of the 6th vertebra, the vein subsequently runs anterolateral to the vertebral artery and posterior to the IJV and drains the innominate vein. In this case, chest x-ray and ultrasound revealed that the inserted CVC had a course very similar to the vertebral vein. The misplacement of a CVC into the vertebral vein might occur from excessive rotation of the patient's head, which leads to alterations in the cervical vascular anatomy, and from deep insertion of the puncture needle. Therefore, it is advised, for safe CVC insertion, to minimize a patient's head rotation and to make use of ultrasound when the anatomical structures cannot be clearly identified.
Brachiocephalic Veins ; Central Venous Catheters* ; Head ; Jugular Veins ; Needles ; Punctures ; Spine ; Thorax ; Ultrasonography ; Veins* ; Vertebral Artery

We report an extraordinary case in which the venous route for pulmonary artery catheterization was unusual. A 41 year-old woman with an end-stage liver disease underwent a living-donor liver transplantation. After induction of anesthesia, the pulmonary artery catheter was revealed to be advanced into the left brachiocephalic vein and then slipped into another vein that drains into the left brachiocephalic vein. In this case, we assumed that the catheter had most likely slipped into the left pericardiophrenic vein since the catheter follows the left heart border similarly to the route of this vein according to the chest X-ray. Patients with liver cirrhosis develop many collateral vessels and have enlarged veins due to portal hypertension, which makes this vascular route possible. We present this case for anesthesiologists to be aware of the possibilities of unusual venous route due to dilated collateral vessels especially in liver transplant patients.
Anesthesia ; Brachiocephalic Veins ; Catheterization, Swan-Ganz ; Catheters* ; Female ; Heart ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver Diseases ; Liver Transplantation ; Liver* ; Pulmonary Artery* ; Thorax ; Transplantation* ; Veins*