Cardiopulmonary Bypass Surgery in a Patient with Unexpected Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia

We report a case of a 77-year-old woman with massive pulmonary embolism associated with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Before developing a pulmonary embolism, the patient underwent gastrectomy due to gastric cancer and received subcutaneous heparin calcium for deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis for 5 d. Then, thrombectomy with cardiopulmonary bypass using full heparinization was successfully performed. The patient was definitively diagnosed with this condition postoperatively, based on elevated serum antibody levels, in addition to pre- and postoperative thrombocytopenia and thrombosis. Intravenous heparin therapy was switched to argatroban. Although it is uncommon, clinicians should consider this condition in patients with a history of heparin exposure.

Strategic 2-step surgery using thoracic endovascular aortic repair for an infected thoracic aortic aneurysm

An 81-year-old man with multiple comorbidities developed infected thoracic aortic aneurysm, and we employed a strategic 2-step surgical approach combining thoracic endovascular aortic repair and local debridement with an omental flap during the active phase of infection. No signs of reinfection were observed at the 1-year follow-up. This strategy can be a safe and less invasive alternative to conventional open surgery in patients with high surgical risk.

[Anomalous Aortic Origin of a Right Coronary Artery:Report of a Case]

An anomalous right coronary artery originating from the left Valsalva is rare, but sometimes causes sudden cardiac death in a healthy young to middle-aged patient. We present a case of 30-year-old male who was suggested from cardiopulmonary arrest, during playing basketball. He was resuscitated using automated external defibrillator, and was brought to the emergency department. Electrocardiogram showed no ST segment elevation. Coronary angiography and computed tomography revealed anomalous right coronary artery, which originated from the left sinus of Valsalva, and ran between the aorta and the pulmonary artery trunk. Coronary artery bypass grafting was performed using the right internal thoracic arterial graft, with proximal native coronary artery ligation. He was discharged on the nineth postoperative day and had no chest symptoms for seven months.

[Successful Surgical Repair of the Aortic Annular Infective Endocarditis with Subvalvular Abscess;Report of a Case]

A 49-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with a history of fever for 2 weeks and consciousness disorder.Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated aortic regurgitation with a mobile fibrous band adhering to the right cusp. Infective endocarditis was diagnosed by positive blood culture and echocardiographic findings. Emergent aortic valve surgery was performed because of uncontrollable infection. A destroyed aortic annulus and subvalvular abscess was found during the operation. Removal of abscess tissue and annuloplasty with self-pericardium were successfully performed.

[Hybrid Repair of Distal Arch Aortic Aneurysm:Total Aortic Arch Repair with the Lupiae Vascular Graft and Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair;Report of Two Cases]

Surgical treatment for distal arch aortic aneurysm is generally invasive, and there is no definitive approach for it. We report 2 cases of men who was admitted for the treatment of aortic aneurysm. First case is a 78-year-old man. Two saccular aneurysm were observed on distal aortic arch and descending aorta by contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Two staged-repair was performed with using the Lupiae vascular graft and thoracic endovascular aortic repair(TEVAR). The postoperative course was uneventful, and he was discharged on day 21 after 1st operation. Second case is a 68-yearold man. Dessecting aneurysm was observed on distal aortic arch and descending aorta 3 months after incidence of type B aortic dissection. Two staged-repair was performed with using the Lupiae vascular graft and TEVAR. However, additional TEVAR was performed for enlargement of descending aorta half a year after 1st operation. Two staged-repair using Lupiae vascular graft and TEVAR was useful for alleviating a burden of a patient and avoiding paraplegia.