Late Dilatation Research Articles

Surgeon-modified fenestrated endovascular grafts and thoracoscope-assisted fixation for treatment of thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Total endovascular technique with fenestrated endovascular graft might be hampered for the late dilatation of proximal landing zone, which may cause endografts migration. We describe a successful urgent hybrid procedure for extent III thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm with aortic intramural hematoma. A 55-year-old female with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm was considered at high surgical risk and unfit for open repair due to multiple comorbidities. Therefore, a hybrid procedure of surgeon-modified fenestrated endovascular graft combined with thoracoscope-assisted Transaortic epicardial fixation of endograft was finally chosen and performed in the endovascular operating room. A 3-port technique was performed through a left video-assisted thoracoscopic approach. After the first tampering stent-graft was deployed, a double-needle suture was penetrated both the aortic wall and stent-graft to fixate it in the proximal descending aorta. Then the second endograft, which had been fenestrated on table, was introduced and oriented extracorporeally by rotating superior mesenteric artery and left renal artery fenestration radiopaque markers and deployed with perfect apposition between the fenestrations and target visceral artery. Each vessel was sequentially stented using Viabahn self-expandable stent to finish target vessel stenting. An Ankura cuff stent was deployed in the distal abdominal aortic artery. Surgeon-modified fenestrated endovascular graft combined with thoracoscope-assisted fixation may be an innovative and viable alternative for selected high-risk patients with extent III thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. A longer follow-up is needed to ascertain the success of this approach.

Multi-constituent simulation of thrombosis in aortic dissection

Aortic dissection is a major aortic catastrophe with a high morbidity and mortality risk, and thoracic endovascular repair (TEVAR) has recently been established as the preferred treatment option for promoting false lumen (FL) remodeling and improving hemodynamics in the true lumen. Complete thrombosis of the FL has been thought to be a prerequisite for healing of the aorta postdissection, whereas flow and pressurization of the FL caused by partial thrombosis are thought to contribute to late dilation and rupture. Therefore, it is important to anticipate FL remodeling outcomes of different TEVAR procedures to determine which one will favor complete FL thrombosis. In this paper, a spatio-temporal mathematical model is proposed to simulate thrombosis in dissection. Blood is treated as a multi-constituent mixture consisting of a linear fluid phase and a thrombus (solid) phase. The transport and reactions of chemical and biological species are incorporated using a system of coupled convection-reaction-diffusion equations to represent two interacting sub-processes in thrombosis: coagulation cascade and platelet activity. Computational fluid dynamic simulations of two in vivo problems were performed using the libraries of OpenFOAM: thrombus growth in an injured straight blood vessel and TEVAR induced thrombosis in a patient-specific acute type B aortic dissection for which multiple follow-up scans are available. For both problems, the simulated thrombus formation was consistent with experimental or clinical observations, indicating the potential applicability of this modeling approach to predict the progression of dissection in patient-specific phantoms and its further use to help surgeons personalize treatment strategy for dissection patients in the future.

Late Balloon Valvuloplasty for Transcatheter Heart Valve Dysfunction

BackgroundTranscatheter heart valve (THV) dysfunction with an elevated gradient or paravalvular leak (PVL) may be documented late after THV implantation. Medical management, paravalvular plugs, redo THV replacement, or surgical valve replacement may be considered. However, late balloon dilatation is rarely utilized because of concerns about safety or lack of efficacy. ObjectivesWe aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of late dilatation in the management of THV dysfunction. MethodsAll patients who underwent late dilatation for symptomatic THV dysfunction at 2 institutions between 2016 and 2021 were identified. Baseline, procedural characteristics, and clinical and echocardiographic outcomes were documented. THV frame expansion was assessed by multislice computed tomography before and after late dilatation. ResultsLate dilatation was performed in 30 patients a median of 4.6 months (IQR: 2.3-11.0 months) after THV implantation in the aortic (n = 25; 83.3%), mitral (n = 2; 6.7%), tricuspid (n = 2; 6.7%) and pulmonary (n = 1; 3.3%) position. THV underexpansion was documented at baseline, and frame expansion substantially improved after late dilatation. The mean transvalvular gradient fell in all patients. For aortic THVs specifically, mean transaortic gradient fell from 25.4 ± 13.9 mm Hg to 10.8 ± 4.1 mm Hg; P < 0.001. PVL was reduced to ≤mild in all 11 patients with a previous >mild PVL. Embolic events, stroke, annular injury, and bioprosthetic leaflet injury were not observed. Symptomatic benefit was durable at 19.6 months (IQR: 14.8-36.1 months) follow-up. ConclusionsBalloon dilatation late after THV implantation appears feasible and safe in appropriately selected patients and may result in THV frame expansion resulting in improvements in hemodynamic performance and PVL.

Short- and Mid-Term Autograft Outcomes Following the Reinforced Ross Operation

The Ross operation for aortic valve replacement continues to be a controversial option because of concerns related to late autograft dilation and progressive neo-aortic insufficiency. In 2005, the reinforced Ross procedure was described at our institution to address this problem. We aim to analyze the short and mid-term outcomes following this procedure. This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent the reinforced Ross operation between 2004 and 2019. A comprehensive chart review was performed. Echocardiograms were independently reviewed by an adult congenital cardiologist. The time to reintervention was evaluated with a Kaplan-Meier curve. Analysis was conducted in JMP 15.1 (SAS Inc., Cary, NC). Twenty-five patients underwent the reinforced Ross operation. Twenty-three patients (92%) had bicuspid aortic valve and the most common indication for surgery was a combination of aortic insufficiency and stenosis (n = 18, 72%). The mean follow-up was 6.1 ± 5.0 years. All patients were alive at the time of follow-up. Six patients (24%), from early in our experience, required subsequent aortic reintervention. Median time to reintervention was 41.8 months (0-81.5 months). Sixteen (64%) patients had less than moderate aortic insufficiency at last follow-up. Additionally, average aortic root measurements remained unchanged. The reinforced Ross technique was initially proposed as a way to mitigate aortic root dilation seen in the traditional Ross procedure. Our experience suggests an associated learning curve with the majority of aortic reinterventions occurring within the first few years following surgery. Continued follow-up is warranted to assess its long-term durability and functionality.

Five-year outcomes of the modified Ross surgery in adults: experience from one center

Background. The Ross operation was first proposed in 1967 by D. Ross, and numerous studies have shown that it has excellent long-term results. However, in some patients, it can lead to late dilatation of the pulmonary autograft, which in turn can contribute to repeat operations. To avoid this complication, technical modifications of the Ross operation have been proposed.Aim. To evaluate the immediate and five-year outcomes of the modified Ross surgery in adults.Methods. This retrospective study included patients aged 18 years and older with aortic valve lesions who underwent a modified Ross procedure by one surgeon between January 2014 and December 2019. The median follow-up period was 23 (12–68) months.Results. The study included 43 adult patients. The average age of the patients was 40.0 ± 11.7 years, and 33 (76.7%) were men. The main cause of aortic valve dysfunction was severe aortic regurgitation (32 patients, 74.4%). Infective endocarditis was diagnosed as a cause of aortic valve pathology in 13 (30.2%) patients. Bicuspid aortic valve was present in 29 cases (67.4%). In two cases (4.7%), mini-sternotomy (‘T-shape’) was performed. Ten (23.2%) patients underwent combined interventions. The median duration of cardiopulmonary bypass was 143 (129–160) minutes, and duration of aortic cross-clamp was 116 (109–131) minutes. The autologous inclusion technique was used in 22 (51.2%) cases and the Dacron inclusion technique in 21 (48.8%) cases. Outcomes included no in-hospital mortality, acute renal failure requiring haemodialysis in three patients (7%), pacemaker implantation in two (4.7%), resternotomy for bleeding and stroke in one patient (2.3%) and perioperative myocardial injury in two (4.7%). The five-year overall survival, freedom from reoperation and freedom from dilatation of the ascending aorta or pulmonary autograft ≥ 5 cm after the modified Ross operation were 97.4%, 100.0% and 100.0%, respectively.Conclusion. Modified Ross surgery in adults has excellent immediate outcomes with no in-hospital mortality. The five-year overall survival, freedom from reoperation and freedom from aortic dilatation or pulmonary autograft were 97.4%, 100.0% and 100.0%, respectively.Received 15 February 2021. Revised 3 June 2021. Accepted 4 June 2021.Funding: The study did not have sponsorship.Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interests.Contribution of the authorsConception and study design: I.I. Chernov, S.T. Enginoev, D.A. Kondratyev, D.Yu. KozminData collection and analysis: E.R. Aliev, V.V. Demetskaya, D.A. Kondratyev, D.Yu. KozminStatistical analysis: S.T. EnginoevDrafting the article: I.I. Chernov, S.T. EnginoevCritical revision of the article: I.I. Chernov, D.G. TarasovFinal approval of the version to be published: I.I. Chernov, S.T. Enginoev, D.A. Kondratyev, D.Yu. Kozmin, V.V. Demetskaya, E.R. Aliev, D.G. Tarasov

Carotid endarterectomy with saphenous vein patch angioplasty: a single-center experience.

When performing a conventional CEA it is recommended the use of patch angioplasty (PA), since previous meta-analyses have shown PA to be superior to primary closure (PRC) in terms of stroke and restenosis rates. Different materials patches can be employed although none of them has been proved to be superior. Although autologous veins are potentially more resistant to immediate thrombosis as well as infection, cons may be represented by patch rupture and late dilatation. Aim of this study is to evaluate immediate and long-term results of CEA with saphenous vein patch angioplasty (SVPA) in a single-center experience. A retrospective study was performed analyzing all patients undergoing CEA with SVPA at our institution from January 2012 to March 2020. CEA was performed in symptomatic patients with 50-99% carotid stenosis degree or asymptomatic patients with 70-99% stenosis degree. Exclusion criteria were critical limb ischemia, varicose disease, unavailability of saphenous veins, vein diameter <3.5 mm. All CEAs were performed under general anesthesia with routine shunting. Primary endpoints were perioperative stroke, death, carotid thrombosis and hematoma requiring surgery rates. Secondary endpoints included the rate of recurrent stenosis >70%, patch aneurysm/rupture/infection at follow-up. Overall, 488 interventions were performed on 461 patients. Most patients were male (77.8%) with a mean age of 71.2±8.3 years. Thirty-day mortality and stroke rates were 0.4% and 1.2% respectively. Carotid thrombosis occurred in five patients (1%). Five patients (1%) developed a surgical site hematoma requiring surgical drainage. At a mean follow-up of 34.4±25.8 months 12 restenoses (2.5%) were detected. Five-year freedom from restenosis rate was 96.7%. Restenosis at follow-up was more frequent in patients who had contralateral carotid stenosis (P=0.019). Two patients (0.4%) developed carotid patch aneurysmal degeneration at a mean follow-up of 78.7 months. No infection nor patch disruption were detected. CEA with SVPA resulted safe and effective in terms of early and late results. The perioperative complications rates we recorded were quite similar to those reported by other larger reviews and meta-analyses.

Pupil dilation signals recognition salience.

Stimuli that are recognized from a prior encounter elicit larger pupil dilations than those that are not. This study tests an account of this recognition dilation response (RDR) that assumes newly encountered recognition signals, like new percepts, elicit attentional orienting responses. Because orienting is moderated by motivational significance and expectation, the RDR was tested for these properties; manipulating incentives for "old" versus "new" judgments, and isolating the effects of runs of "old" versus "new" decisions on the subsequent RDR, in two experiments. Whereas incentivizing "new" decisions largely eliminated the RDR, incentivizing "old" decisions amplified it. Moreover, the RDR was prominent following runs of "new" decisions, yet minimal following runs of "old" decisions. Thus, the pupil dilates more as recognition memory becomes more valuable and/or unexpected. This recognition-orienting response was functionally separate from an additional, late dilation linked to feedback expectancy. Thus, the pupil separately signals the salience of recognition evidence, and the expectation of post-decision feedback.

Prognosis of early pre-discharge and late left ventricular dilatation by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging after acute myocardial infarction

To study the long-term prognosis of early pre-discharge and late left ventricular (LV) dilatation in patients with first ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and contemporary medical therapy. Long-term follow-up > 15 years was available in 53 consecutive patients (55 ± 13 years) with first STEMI. Late gadolinium enhanced (LGE) cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) was obtained at baseline 5 ± 3 days and follow-up 8 ± 3 months after STEMI to measure LV function, volumes and infarct size. Early pre-discharge dilatation was defined as increased left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVi) at baseline CMR with > 97 ml/m2 for males and > 90 ml/m2 for females. Late dilatation was defined as initially normal LVEDVi, which increased ≥ 20% at follow-up. Early dilatation was present in 7 patients (13%), whereas late dilatation occurred in 11 patients (21%). Patients with early LV dilatation had highest mortality (57%), whereas patients with late dilatation had similar mortality (27%) compared to patients without dilatation (26%). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that age (P < 0.001), ejection fraction at baseline (P < 0.01) and early dilatation (P < 0.01) were independent predictors of death. Early dilatation qualified as an exclusive independent predictor of long-term mortality after adjustment for age and ejection fraction (P < 0.05, hazard ratio: 2.2, 95% confidence interval: 1.2 to 7.9). Early pre-discharge LV dilatation by CMR enabled strong long-term risk stratification after STEMI. The high mortality of early LV dilatation underscores the clinical importance of this post-infarction complication, which occurred despite PCI and contemporary medical therapy.

Outcome of Mode of Delivery in Nulliparous and Multiparous Women Presenting with Early and Late Cervical Dilatation

Background: Knowledge of the patterns of normal and abnormal labour, and of women’s behavior, is fundamental to the formulation of mode of delivery. It is observed that women admitted to hospital early have a higher frequency of obstetric interventions in labour than those admitted later.&#x0D; Objective: To study the outcome of spontaneous onset of labour in nulliparous and multiparous patients.&#x0D; Materials and method: During the study period of 1st July 2008 to 31st Dec 2008, 568 pregnant women admitted in Kumudini Women’s Medical College were included in this study. Mothers were observed since admission with spontaneous onset of labour and followed up till they were released from the hospital. Labour outcome was measured and mode of delivery was compared among nulliparous and multiparous women.&#x0D; Results: Among the nulliparous women, normal vaginal delivery occurred in 71 (23%) patients presented with early cervical dilatation (0-3 cm) and in 142 (46%) patients presented with late cervical dilatation (&gt;4 cm). In nulliparous women caesarean section were needed in 60 (45.8%) patients in early cervical dilatation group and in 35 (19.8%) patients in late cervical dilatation group. In multiparous women, normal vaginal delivery occurred in 66 (25%) patients presented with early cervical dilatation and in 133 (51%) patients presented with late cervical dilatation whereas cesarean section were done in 35 (34.7%) patients and in 25 (15.8%) patients in the two groups respectively. Duration of labour between nulliparous and multiparous was significantly different (8 hours vs. 6 hours). Indication of caesarean section were, 61 (40%) patients due to prolong labour, 48 (34%) due to foetal distress and 44 (26%) due to cephalopelvic disproportion.&#x0D; Conclusion: Normal vaginal delivery occurred more and duration of labour was shorter in patients admitted with advanced labour (cervical dilatation &gt;4cm).&#x0D; Delta Med Col J. Jan 2019 7(1): 16-20

The UP Trial: A randomized controlled trial of uterotonic prophylaxis with methylergonovine maleate for late dilation and evacuation abortions

The UP Trial: A randomized controlled trial of uterotonic prophylaxis with methylergonovine maleate for late dilation and evacuation abortions

The UP trial: a randomized controlled trial of uterotonic prophylaxis with methylergonovine maleate for late dilation and evacuation abortions

The UP trial: a randomized controlled trial of uterotonic prophylaxis with methylergonovine maleate for late dilation and evacuation abortions

Pupillary autonomic dysfunction in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis.

To assess autonomic function by infrared dynamic pupillometry in patients with ANCA-vasculitis (AAV) in correlation to autonomic symptoms, disease specific clinical parameters and cardiovascular reflex tests. Patients with AAV and healthy controls underwent pupillometry at rest and after sympathetic stimulation (cold pressor test). Three parasympathetic parameters (amplitude, relative amplitude, maximum constriction velocity) and one sympathetic parameter (late dilatation velocity) were assessed. Results were correlated with clinical parameters, symptoms of autonomic dysfunction (COMPASS31 questionnaire), heart rate variability during deep breathing test and blood pressure response to pain. 23 patients and 18 age-matched controls were enrolled. Patients had a smaller amplitude (1.44 vs. 1.70mm; p=0.009) and a slower constriction velocity (4.15 vs. 4.71mm/s; p=0.028) at baseline and after sympathetic stimulation (1.47 vs. 1.81mm, p=0.001; 4.38 vs. 5.19mm/s, p=0.006, respectively). Relative amplitude was significantly smaller in patients after sympathetic stimulation (28.6 vs. 32.5%; p=0.043), but not at baseline. There was no difference in sympathetic pupillary response between the groups. In patients, parasympathetic pupil response was correlated negatively with age and positively with parasympathetic cardiac response. After adjusting for age, no significant correlation was observed with clinical parameters. However, there was a trend towards a negative correlation with disease duration, vasculitis damage index and CRP. Patients with AAV exhibit parasympathetic pupillary autonomic dysfunction. Although correlations were weak and not significant, pupillary autonomic dysfunction is rather linked to chronic damage than to active inflammation or symptoms of autonomic dysfunction.

Pulmonary autograft in aortic position: is everything known?

The Ross operation provides several advantages compared to other valve substitutes to manage aortic valve disease, such as growth potential, excellent hemodynamics, freedom from oral anticoagulation and hemolysis, and better durability. However, progressive dilatation of the pulmonary autografts after Ross operation reflects the inadequate remodeling of the native pulmonary root in the systemic circulation, which results in impaired adaptability to systemic pressure and risk of reoperation after the first decade. A recently published article showed that remodeling increased wall thickness and decreased stiffness in the failed specimens after Ross operation, and the increased compliance might play a key role in determining the progressive long-term autograft root dilatation. Late dilatation can be counteracted by an external barrier which prevents failure. Therefore, an inclusion cylinder technique with a native aorta or a synthetic external support, such as Dacron, might stabilize the autograft root and improve long-term outcomes. In this article, we offer a prospective about the importance of biomechanical features in future developments of the Ross operation. Pre-clinical and clinical evaluations of the biomechanical properties of these reinforced pulmonary autografts might shed new light on the current debate about the long-term fate of the pulmonary autograft after Ross procedure.

Predictors of patent false lumen of the aortic arch after hemiarch replacement.

Hemiarch replacement for acute type A aortic dissection is less invasive than total arch replacement but involves increased risk of late aortic arch dilation because of patent false lumen of the aortic arch. If we can predict this risk, it may be a valuable prognostic indicator for selecting surgical procedures for acute type A aortic dissection. We reviewed our surgical experience to predict patent false lumen. From January 2009 to November 2014, we performed 108 hemiarch replacement procedures for acute type A aortic dissection that had patent false lumen of the ascending aortic arch. We identified 56 patients who had preoperative and postoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Patients' preoperative characteristics, preoperative and postoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography findings, intraoperative findings and postoperative course were investigated. Of the 56 patients, 32 (57.1%) were men and their mean age at surgery was 63.7±11.8years. Overall in-hospital mortality rate was 7.1% (4 patients). According to postoperative imaging findings, 56 patients were classified into two groups: group A (39 patients), with patent false lumen, and group B (17 patients), with thrombosed false lumen. Logistic regression analysis revealed that brachiocephalic artery dissection and no tear resection contributed to postoperative patent false lumen of the aortic arch more strongly than did other factors. Brachiocephalic artery dissection and no tear resection are potential predictors of patent false lumen of the aortic arch after hemiarch replacement.

The Gastric Remnant in Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Challenges and Possibilities.

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is widely applied in the treatment of morbid obesity. Health personnel meeting these patients should thus be familiar with the potential clinical consequences of the modified anatomy induced by the surgery. After a RYGB, the stomach is left in situ after the closure of the upper part of the organ. This blind-ended gastric remnant may cause complications and surgical emergencies, but also opportunities for diagnostic and therapeutic intervention. The present review focuses on complications related to the gastric remnant including bleeding and acute dilatation in the early postoperative period and later adverse events such as gastroduodenal peptic disease, tumors, gastrogastric fistulas, and late dilatation. Opportunities offered by the remnant, including minimal invasive or open access for enteral nutrition, and therapeutic and diagnostic access to the bile ducts, the duodenum, and the gastric remnant, which is challenged by the modified anatomy, are discussed. Reversal of the gastric bypass and gastrointestinal reconstruction after esophageal resection have been commented on. The review aims to improve the awareness of issues related to the gastric remnant for physicians involved in the treatment and the follow-up of patients after a RYGB.

Pupil dilation during recognition memory: Isolating unexpected recognition from judgment uncertainty

Optimally discriminating familiar from novel stimuli demands a decision-making process informed by prior expectations. Here we demonstrate that pupillary dilation (PD) responses during recognition memory decisions are modulated by expectations, and more specifically, that pupil dilation increases for unexpected compared to expected recognition. Furthermore, multi-level modeling demonstrated that the time course of the dilation during each individual trial contains separable early and late dilation components, with the early amplitude capturing unexpected recognition, and the later trailing slope reflecting general judgment uncertainty or effort. This is the first demonstration that the early dilation response during recognition is dependent upon observer expectations and that separate recognition expectation and judgment uncertainty components are present in the dilation time course of every trial. The findings provide novel insights into adaptive memory-linked orienting mechanisms as well as the general cognitive underpinnings of the pupillary index of autonomic nervous system activity.

Long-Term Clinical and Imaging Follow-Up After Reinforced Pulmonary Autograft Ross Procedure.

The Ross operation remains a controversially discussed procedure when performed in the full root technique because concern exists regarding late dilatation of the pulmonary autograft and regurgitation of the neo-aortic valve. In 2008, we published our short-term experience when using external reinforcement of the autograft, which was inserted into a prosthetic Dacron graft. This detail was thought to prevent neoaortic root dilatation. Since 2006, 22 adult patients have undergone a Ross procedure using this technique. Indications were aortic regurgitation (n = 2), aortic stenosis (n = 15), and combined aortic stenosis and insufficiency (n = 5). A bicuspid aortic valve was present in 10 patients. Prior balloon valvuloplasty had been performed in seven patients. No early or late deaths occurred in this small series. One patient required aortic valve replacement early postoperatively, but freedom from late reoperation is 100% in the 21 remaining patients. Echocardiography confirmed the absence of more than trivial aortic insufficiency in 15 patients after a mean of 70 months (range, 14 to 108 months). No autograft dilatation was observed during follow-up and all patients are in New York Heart Association Class I. Autograft reinforcement is a simple and reproducible technical adjunct that may be especially useful in situations known for late autograft dilatation, namely, bicuspid aortic valve, predominant aortic insufficiency, and ascending aortic enlargement. The mid- to long-term results are encouraging because no late aortic root enlargement has been observed and the autograft valve is well functioning in all cases.

EARLY CHANGES IN AUTOGRAFT ROOT DIMENSIONS FOLLOWING THE ROSS PROCEDURE: ROLE OF SURGICAL ETIOLOGY

EARLY CHANGES IN AUTOGRAFT ROOT DIMENSIONS FOLLOWING THE ROSS PROCEDURE: ROLE OF SURGICAL ETIOLOGY

Effect of Banded Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy on Weight Loss Maintenance: Comparative Study Between Banded and Non-Banded Sleeve on Weight Loss

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is presently one of the most popular surgical procedures for obesity. One of the possible long-term problems is weight regain, usually after a period of successful weight loss. Weight regain after LSG can be due to new eating habits, such as sweet eating or eating snacks, or volume eating because of impaired restriction. This study was done to determine the potential benefit of placing a band of double layer mesh (Gortex mesh) around the upper portion of a sleeved stomach to prevent late dilatation and weight gain. Methods: From June 2011 to July 2012, 24 patients underwent a LSG followed by placement of a band of double layer mesh (Gortex mesh) 6 cm from the gastro-esophageal junction. The results were compared with 24 patients undergoing non-banded sleeve gastrectomy (NBSG) during the same period. Outcome measures included postoperative morbidity and mortality, and weight loss in terms of initial body mass index, percentage weight loss through the following 12–18 months (from July 2012 to January 2014), weight loss maintenance, and weight regain. Results: All 48 patients showed weight loss, with improvement or resolution of their diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and sleep apnea after banded sleeve gastrectomy (BSG) similar to the NBSG group. However, the curve of weight loss was steeper in the group of BSG, and weight loss maintenance was remarkable in this group compared with the NBSG group. There were no deaths in either group. Conclusion: BSG provides better results in the curve of losing weight and weight loss maintenance. While this study documents the feasibility and possible benefits of this modification, other prospective studies with long-term follow-up are needed to establish its role in surgical weight loss procedures.

Surgery for aortic regurgitation and aortic root dilatation in Takayasu arteritis.

Special consideration may be required for surgical treatment in Takayasu arteritis because inflammation may cause serious complications such as valve detachment or dilatation of the residual aorta. We evaluated our surgical outcome of treatment for aortic regurgitation and aortic root dilatation in Takayasu arteritis. Between December 1983 and January 2013, 22 cardiac operations were performed in 20 patients with aortic regurgitation due to Takayasu arteritis. Aortic valve replacement was carried out in 6 patients, and aortic root replacement in 16. Of these 16 patients, composite graft replacement was undertaken in 6, composite graft replacement plus coronary artery bypass grafting in 2, composite graft replacement plus total or partial arch replacement in 7, and valve-sparing aortic root replacement with hemiarch replacement in one. The operative mortality (within 30 days) was 4.5% and the 5-year survival rate was 90.9%. Early surgical reintervention was not required in any patient. Neither valve detachment nor composite graft detachment was noted. Two patients required redo aortic root replacement due to pseudoaneurysm formation and severe aortic regurgitation during follow-up. Late dilatation of the residual thoracoabdominal or abdominal aorta was observed in 2 patients, and both were treated surgically. The early surgical outcome was acceptable but surgical reintervention was required because of late dilatation of the residual aorta or recurrent aortic regurgitation due to annular dilatation, and longstanding careful follow-up will be needed.