Project description:Congenital coronary artery fistula is an uncommon anomaly. Transcatheter coil embolization or Amplatzer vascular plug device closure of fistula is often done in symptomatic patients with safe accessibility to the feeding coronary artery. Embolization of Amplatzer vascular plug device is rare. We report an 11-year-old male child who presented to us with increasing shortness of breath for 7 years. He had a history of Amplatzer vascular plug device closure of right coronary-cameral fistula 8 years back. Echocardiography demonstrated a dilated aneurysmal right coronary artery with turbulent jet entering into the right ventricle (RV) and device embolized into the left pulmonary artery (LPA). Cardiac catheterization eventually confirmed the diagnosis. Surgical closure of fistula and retrieval of device was done using cardiopulmonary bypass. Intraoperatively transesophageal echocardiogram helped in localizing fistula opening in the RV below the anterior leaflet of tricuspid valve, continuous monitoring to prevent further distal embolization of the device during surgical handling, and assessment of completeness of repair of the fistula and LPA following retrieval of the device.
Project description:A 59-year-old male with an secundum atrial septal defect status post repair with an Amplatzer occluder in 2001 was admitted with sepsis and MRSA bacteremia. Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) showed presence of an overlying mobile echogenic structure on the left atrial surface of the device suggestive of a vegetation/infected thrombus. This is only the 3rd case description of late endocarditis involving the Amplatzer ASD closure device in an adult.
Project description:BackgroundThe magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) device has become a common option for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Knowledge of MSA-related complications, indications for removal, and techniques are puzzled. With this study, we aimed to evaluate indications, techniques for removal, surgical approach, and outcomes with MSA removal.MethodsThis is an observational singe-center study. Patients were followed up regularly with endoscopy, pH monitoring, and assessed for specific gastroesophageal reflux disease health-related quality of life (GERD-HRQL) and generic short-form 36 (SF-36) quality of life.ResultsFive patients underwent MSA explant. Four patients were males and the median age was 47 years (range 44-55). Heartburn, epigastric/chest pain, and dysphagia were commonly reported. The median implant duration was 46 months (range 31-72). A laparoscopic approach was adopted in all patients. Intraoperative findings included normal anatomy (40%), herniation in the mediastinum (40%), and erosion (20%). The most common anti-reflux procedures were Dor (n = 2), Toupet (n = 2), and anterior partial fundoplication (n = 1). The median operative time was 145 min (range 60-185), and the median hospital length of stay was 4 days (range 3-6). The median postoperative follow-up was 41 months (range 12-51). At the last follow-up, 80% of patients were off PPI; the GERD-HRQL and SF-36 questionnaire were improved with DeMeester score and esophageal acid exposure normalization.ConclusionThe MSA device can be safely explanted through a single-stage laparoscopic procedure. Tailoring a fundoplication, according to preoperative patient symptoms and intraoperative findings, seems feasible and safe with a promising trend toward improved symptoms and quality of life.
Project description:BackgroundBronchopleural fistula (BPF) is a relatively rare complication after various types of pulmonary resection. The double-sided mushroom-shaped occluder (Amplatzer device, AD) has been gradually used for BPF blocking due to its reliable blocking effect. We have improved the existing AD implantation methods to facilitate clinical use and named the new approach Sheath-free method (SFM). The aim of the present report was to explore the reliability and advantages of the SFM in AD implantation.MethodsWe improved the existing implantation methods by abandoning the sheath of the AD and using the working channel of the bronchoscope to directly store or release the AD without general anesthesia, rigid bronchoscopy, fluoroscopy, or bronchography. A total of 6 patients (5 men and 1 woman, aged 66.67 ± 6.19 years [mean ± SD]) had BPF blocking and underwent the SFM in AD implantation.ResultsAD implantation was successfully performed in all 6 patients with the SFM, 4 persons had a successful closure of the fistula, one person died after few days and one person did not have a successful closure of the fistula. The average duration of operation was 16.17 min (16.17 ± 4.67 min [mean ± SD]). No patients died due to operation complications or BPF recurrence. The average follow-up time was 13.2 months (range 10-17 months).ConclusionWe observed that the SFM for AD implantation-with accurate device positioning and a clear field of vision-is efficient and convenient. The AD is effective in BPF blocking, and could contribute to significantly improved symptoms of patients.
Project description:Left ventricular (LV) pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication following free wall rupture post transmural myocardial infarction or left ventricular surgery. A lot of imaging modalities like echocardiography, computerised tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging are available to diagnose it. Echocardiography plays a significant role in delineating the cavity, orifice and impact on the surrounding structures. We present a case of LV pseudoaneurysm recurrence following surgical repair.
Project description:Ventricular access devices (VADs) are commonly placed in the lateral ventricle but rarely placed in other ventricular compartments. This manuscript describes technical aspects of VAD placement into the fourth ventricle for the purpose of treating malignant posterior fossa brain tumors.As part of a pilot clinical trial to treat recurrent malignant brain tumors in children, seven patients underwent posterior fossa craniotomy and placement of a ventricular catheter under direct vision into the fourth ventricle. The catheter was placed without passing through any brain parenchyma. It was then connected to a VAD placed subcutaneously at the inferior aspect of the incision. Three of the seven patients underwent simultaneous subtotal resection of recurrent tumor located in the fourth ventricle or cerebellum, and one patient underwent simultaneous tumor biopsy. The VAD was used to administer chemotherapy (methotrexate) in five of the seven patients.Six patients had no new neurological deficits after surgery, and one patient had partial left-sided facial weakness that was attributed to resection of tumor close to the floor of the fourth ventricle. No new neurological deficits were caused by VAD placement or by methotrexate infusions into the fourth ventricle.A VAD for chemotherapy infusion can be placed safely into the fourth ventricle without damaging the brainstem or cerebellum. Attention to anatomical details specific to the fourth ventricle are important when placing a fourth ventricle VAD and when using it to administer chemotherapy.
Project description:A cat was evaluated for an acute-onset of right pelvic limb paresis. Thoracic radiographs revealed normal cardiac size and tortuous pulmonary arteries. Abdominal ultrasound identified a heartworm (HW) extending from the caudal abdominal aorta into the right external iliac artery and right femoral artery. The cat was HW-antigen positive. Echocardiography revealed a HW within the right branch of the main pulmonary artery and evidence of pulmonary hypertension. An agitated-saline contrast echocardiogram revealed a small right to left intracardiac shunt at the level of the atria. Surgical removal of the HW was performed with no substantial postoperative complications. There was return of blood flow and improved motor function to the limb. The cat remains mildly paretic on the affected limb with no other clinical signs.
Project description:BackgroundInterventricular septal perforation is an extremely rare complication of radiofrequency ablation (RFA), with an incidence of 1%. The most common mechanism is a 'steam pop', which can be described as 'mini-explosions' of gas bubbles. Data for percutaneous repair of cardiac perforations due to RFA are limited.Case summaryA 78-year-old female patient was referred to our department for the treatment of two iatrogenic ventricular septal defects (VSDs) following radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of premature ventricular contractions. One week post-ablation, chest pain and progressive dyspnoea occurred. Transthoracic echocardiography detected a VSD, diameter 10 mm. Hence, iatrogenic, RFA-related myocardial injury was considered the most likely cause of VSD, and the patient was referred to our tertiary care centre for surgical repair. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging demonstrated border-zone oedema of the VSD only and confirmed the absence of necrotic tissue boundaries, and the patient was deemed suitable for percutaneous device closure. Laevocardiography identified an additional, smaller muscular defect that cannot be explained by analysing the Carto-Map. Both defects could be successfully closed percutaneously using two Amplatzer VSD occluder devices.DiscussionIn conclusion, this case demonstrates a successful percutaneous closure of a VSD resulting from RFA using an Amplatzer septal occluder device. CMR might improve tissue characterization of the VSD borders and support the decision if to opt for interventional or surgical closure.