PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T Kazui

Publications and source records attributed to T Kazui.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of interferon alpha improves dimethylnitrosamine-induced liver cirrhosis in rat model.

Several lines of evidence suggest that interferon (IFN)-alpha is effective in suppression of liver cirrhosis (LC) as well as hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, which is a major cause of LC in Japan. However, IFN-alpha often causes systemic toxicity such as flu-like symptoms, which precludes the IFN-alpha dose escalation required for clinical efficacy. Since IFN-alpha is rapidly degraded in the blood circulation, only a small amount of subcutaneously injected IFN-alpha protein can reach the target organ, the liver. It is expected that on-site IFN-alpha production in the liver overcomes the limitation of the conventional parenteral IFN-alpha administration. An adenovirus vector expressing the rat IFN-alpha gene (AxCA-rIFN) was injected intravenously into rats with dimethylnitrosamine-induced LC. While the subcutaneous IFN-alpha protein injection led to a transient elevation of the cytokine both in the liver and serum, the vector-mediated IFN-alpha gene transduction induced a significant amount of IFN-alpha detected in the liver but not in the serum. The injection of AxCA-rIFN prevented the progression of the rat LC, and improved the survival rate of the treated rats. Although no significant toxicity was noted in the animals, we showed that IFN-alpha gene expression in the liver can be efficiently downregulated by the Cre/loxP-mediated shut-off system, in case the IFN-alpha overdose becomes a problem. The study suggested for the first time the advantage and feasibility of IFN-alpha gene therapy for LC.

Adenoviridae↗

[Aortic valve repair with minimal access "J" sternotomy].

Recently many cardiovascular operations have been performed with minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS). It is reported that MICS is superior to standard full sternotomy in regard to cosmetic and post-operative recovery. In our institution, aortic valve repair operations have been performed to aortic valve insufficiency. This time, we performed aortic valve repair by minimal access "J" sternotomy. A 63-year-old male with degenerative aortic regurgitation underwent aortic valve repair by MICS. He had experienced dyspnea on exertion 7 days before admission. Preoperative transthoracic echocardiogram showed the grade of aortic regurgitation (AR) was severe. Surgery was successful and the grade of AR became trivial. This combined procedure have merits for patients because of freedom from anticoagulation and small incision. Such combined surgery may be indicated in the treatment in a subset of patients with degenerative AR.

Aortic Valve↗

[Re-dissection of aortic root without gelatin-resorcin-formalin (GRF) glue effect one year after aortic repair].

A 58-year-old man, who had undergone emergency graft replacement of ascending and total aortic arch using gelatin-resorcin-formalin (GRF) glue 1 year before, complained of progressive shortness of breath. Ultrasound cardiography revealed severe aortic regurgitation and dissecting aneurysm of aortic root. He underwent composite graft replacement with the aid of the right axillary artery perfusion and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. The redissected brownish intima was identified in the area of noncoronary cusp. There was no special finding in the subsequent histopathological examination. The use of GRF glue for reconstructing the dissected aortic root is associated with a certain amount of risk of aortic wall redissection. Therefore, care should be taken to ensure proper use of GRF glue.

Aortic Dissection↗

[Intrathoracic chronic expanding hematoma; report of a case].

A case of a patient with a intrathoracic chronic expanding hematoma presenting as a neoplasm is reported. A chronic encapsulated intrathoracic hematoma is rare condition and is clinically included in a category of chronic hemorrhagic empyemas as a type of chronic empyemas in Japan. The clinical picture of our case suggested a slowly growing tumor. Though needle biopsy was performed, only blood was aspirated. Intraoperative findings revealed a intrathoracic hematoma with a tough capsule. It adhered to the chest wall hardly. Histopathological investigations revealed that the capsule consisted of a collagenous outer layer and a newly vascularized inner layer with fibrosis. Hemosiderin deposits suggested recurrent bleeding from fragile vessels. The mechanisms of hematoma formation and its expanding nature are discussed. The hematoma appeared to have been enlarged by repeated exudation or bleeding from capillaries inside the capsule.

Chronic Disease↗

[Selections of aortic reconstruction procedures and brain protection methods during aortic arch repairs; including mid-term survival and freedom from cerebral infarction].

Aortic reconstruction procedures and brain protection methods are very important among operative factors that have direct influence on surgical results. We nowadays use hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) with or without retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) as brain protection methods during hemiarch replacement (HAR) and selective cerebral perfusion (SCP) during total arch replacement (TAR) using 4-branched arch graft. The purpose of this study was to verify the appropriateness of this strategy. From April 1997 to August 2001, we performed 120 TAR assisted by SCP and 30 HAR assisted by HCA with or without RCP. Incidences of in-hospital death and postoperative neurological dysfunction were compared between the 2 groups. In-hospital deaths were 4 (3.3%) and 1 (3.3%), permanent neurological dysfunction were 3 (2.5%) and 1 (3.3%), temporary neurological dysfunction were 4 (3.3%) and 1 (3.3%), 3-year survival were 92 +/- 3% and 97 +/- 3% and cerebral infarctions after discharge were 2 and 0 in TAR and HAR, respectively. Appropriate selections of aortic reconstruction procedures and brain protection methods lead to good operative results in aortic arch repairs.

Aged↗

[Mediastinal signet-ring cell carcinoma of unknown primary site; report of a case].

The question whether the tumor is primary or metastatic sometimes arises in patients with intrathoracic tumor. Especially, adenocarcinoma presents more difficulties in distinguishing primary tumors from secondary or deciding its origin. We reported a case of mediastinal signet-ring cell carcinoma. A 51-year-old female was admitted because of an abnormal shadow during mass screening. Chest X-ray showed a semicircular, well-demarcated shadow on right cardiophrenic angle. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed a homogeneous mass, approximately 4 cm in diameter. The investigations of whole body failed to reveal any other tumor. At operation, the tumor was adherent to the esophagus but easily resected. Histologically, the tumor was mainly composed of signet-ring cells. Immunohistochemically, surfactant apoprotein (SPA) was strongly demonstrated in tumor cells. SPA is specific to the lung and the tumor was diagnosed as the metastasis in mediastinal lymph nodes. The primary site was considered to exist in lung. But the primary site was not found over 46 months in spite of repeated further examinations.

Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell↗

[Surgical treatment for proximal ascending aortic lesion in Marfan syndrome; retrospective evaluation of the initial surgical technique at late reoperation].

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate the initial surgical technique for proximal ascending aortic lesion in Marfan syndrome at late reoperation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen Marfan patients who were operated on for annuloaortic ectasia (AAE) with or without type A aortic dissection required reoperation through re-median sternotomy for various reasons in the late postoperative period. Average time interval between the initial operation and the late reoperation was 8.4 years. Reoperative procedures used in this series included re-composite graft replacement in 1 patient, total arch replacement (TAR) in 1, and re-composite graft replacement with TAR in 12. RESULTS: There were 2 in-hospital deaths (14.3%); one patient died of low output syndrome (LOS) after combined Bentall and TAR while the other suffered a sudden death probably due to acute myocardial infarction after combined Cabrol and TAR procedure. Eight patients underwent additional descending or thoracoabdominal aortic replacement in the late postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: Button technique (Carrel patch technique) with small side hole in the composite graft is the operative procedure of choice for AAE to reduce the risk of complications related to coronary artery anastomosis. Button technique and concomitant TAR that helps to avoid the possibility of reoperation on the aortic arch through re-median sternotomy, is the preferred technique for AAE with type A aortic dissection.

Adult↗

[Cardiovascular surgery in patients with Marfan syndrome].

The natural history of patients with Marfan syndrome is depressing, however, cardiovascular surgery can improve the prognosis. We reviewed the results of this surgical procedure for 10 years. Fourteen Marfan patients underwent cardiovascular surgery for a total of 21 times. Hospital mortality was 4.8% (1 case died on the 105th day after entire thoraco-abdominal aortic replacement because of pyothorax and sepsis), and the 5- and 10-year Kaplan-Meier survival was 92.9% and 77.4% respectively. Reoperation free rate was 51.4% and 38.6% respectively. Cardiovascular surgery in Marfan syndrome can be performed with good result. Aggressive surgical management and close follow-up of patients who undergo surgery is important.

Acute Disease↗

[Redo coronary artery bypass grafting using the patent left internal thoracic artery graft as an in flow with composite internal thoracic artery Y grafting; report of a case].

In redo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), graft selection and revascularization methods are major problems. We experienced a redo-CABG with occluded previous vein grafts. These grafts were to the circumflex artery and right coronary artery. We conducted operation using cardiopulmonary bypass. We at this operation, chose right internal thoracic artery (RITA) as a conduit and anastomosed it to the side of functioning left internal thoracic artery (LITA) graft, and then diogonal branch, posterolateral branch, and atrioventricular branch were revascularized with the RITA. Post operative course was uneventful. Internal thoracic artery (ITA) is superior to vein graft and other arterial graft as to long term patency. We believe composite Y graft with the use of bilateral ITA can be one of the revascularization strategy in redo CABG.

Coronary Artery Bypass↗

Simultaneous total arch replacement and abdominal aortic surgery.

It is common to encounter patients with coexisting aortic arch aneurysm and abdominal aortic lesions. We conducted simultaneous total arch replacement and abdominal aortic surgery in 3 patients having such lesions. Mean operative time was 511 minutes and no in-hospital mortality occurred. Postoperative respiratory failure was observed in an 80-year-old patient who recovered and all three patients were discharged in good condition. No other postoperative complication was seen. Simultaneous total arch replacement and abdominal aortic surgery may thus offer advantages to patients with such double aortic lesions if it can be conducted safely.

Aged↗

New cerebral monitoring using optical topography during total arch replacement.

We investigated the levels of oxygenation in the extended cerebral regions, including the middle cerebral artery region, using optical topography in two patients who underwent total arch replacement assisted by selective cerebral perfusion. During the cooling phase, the oxyhemoglobin levels were almost homogenous. During selective cerebral perfusion, when 18 French and 16 French cannulae were used for the innominate and the left common carotid artery respectively, the oxyhemoglobin levels in the left hemisphere were consistently greater than those in the right. After the 16 French cannula was replaced with a 14 French in the left common carotid artery, then no difference between the hemispheres was found. During the rewarming phase, the increase in the oxyhemoglobin levels in the parietal region was consistently more delayed than that in the temporal region, in both patients. Optical topography might be useful for more precise monitoring of the cerebral circulatory status during an aortic arch operation.

Aorta, Thoracic↗

Aortic regurgitation with dilation of ascending aorta and right coronary artery occlusion by a rudimentary aortic cusp.

Occlusion of a coronary artery ostium, especially that of the right by an aortic cusp, is a rare congenital anomaly. We had the experience of dealing with an adult patient with aortic regurgitation due to a rudimentary aortic cusp that also occluded the right coronary ostium. We performed composite graft replacement because the patient also had coexistent dilation of the ascending aorta. Postoperative course was uneventful.

Adult↗

Surgical treatment of annuloaortic ectasia with coronary aneurysm and fistula.

Annuloaortic ectasia associated with a giant aneurysm of the left coronary artery and a coronary artery fistula is extremely rare, and it is difficult to decide how to repair this complex lesion. The cause of the huge aneurysm of the left coronary artery in our patient was thought to be cystic medial necrosis, the coronary artery fistula, or both. The surgical management of this extremely rare pathological combination is described.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction↗