Combined carotid endarterectomy and coronary artery bypass grafting in asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis

The role of combined carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with severe asymptomatic carotid artery disease and concurrent symptomatic coronary artery disease is controversial. The objective of this report is to investigate the safety of combined CEA/CABG. The medical records of 30 patients who underwent combined CEA/CABG for coexistent asymptomatic carotid and symptomatic coronary artery occlusive disease were reviewed. All patients were scheduled for either elective or urgent myocardial revascularization due to their symptomatic coronary artery disease. Color-flow duplex scanning identified internal carotid artery stenosis of 80 to 99 per cent in 28 patients (93%) and 50 to 79 per cent in 2 patients (7%). Seventeen patients (57%) were male. The mean age was 64 +/- 10 years (range, 42-84 years). Contralateral internal carotid artery occlusion was present in four patients. Severe left main coronary artery disease was present in 12 patients (40%) and 7 patients (23%) had an ejection fraction of less than 50 per cent. There were no perioperative deaths or strokes. One patient suffered a myocardial infarction on postoperative day 1. This study demonstrates the safety of combined CEA/CABG for coexistent coronary and asymptomatic carotid disease. Using this surgical approach for critical coexistent disease may minimize the incidence of perioperative cerebrovascular complications in patients undergoing CABG.     

Effects of thought suppression on episodic memory

BACKGROUND: Triple extramammary Paget's disease (TEPD) has been considered to be rare in the English literature, and its incidence and characteristics are unclear. There are many therapeutic options for treating extramammary Paget's disease (EPD). OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate how many TEPD cases have been reported previously and to describe their characteristics. We also describe the effectiveness of radiotherapy for them. METHODS: We report two TEPD cases, and summarize previously reported TEPD cases together with our cases. RESULTS: Twenty-three TEPD cases have been reported previously. Of these, 19 cases have been in Japan. All but one patient with TEPD were male. Their axillary lesions often showed no eruptions or very slight erythema. Radiotherapy for our cases was effective although the effectiveness of radiotherapy is controversial. CONCLUSION: In genital Paget's disease bilateral axillae should be examined histologically, even if they show no or slight eruptions. Radiotherapy may be useful for EPD, particularly axillary Paget's disease.     

A case report of coronary artery bypass grafting in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis

We reported a case of ankylosing spondylitis who successfully underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for unstable angina pectoris. A 67-year-old man was admitted with symptom of anginal pain. Selective coronary angiography revealed coronary artery stenoses; 90% in seg 6, 90% in seg 11, proximal 75%, distal 90% in seg 3, 99% in 4 PD and 99% with delay in 4 AV. The left internal thoracic artery was anastomosed to seg 7 and saphenous vein (SVG) to PL-2, PL-1 sequentially, and another SVG to 4 PD. His postoperative course was uneventful. Cardiac lesions accompanied by ankylosing spondylitis are rare in Japan. Perioperative problems of these lesions therefore, are discussed.     

Extensive endarterectomy of the left anterior descending coronary artery combined with coronary artery bypass grafting

BACKGROUND: Complete revascularization of a diffusely diseased left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery can be accomplished by extensive endarterectomy in conjunction with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The present study was designed to assess the safety of the procedure, and which techniques lead to the best short- and long-term results. METHODS: Between January 1990 and October 1994 106 patients underwent extensive open endarterectomy of the LAD coronary artery combined with CABG at our institution. This group constituted 4.9% of all patients undergoing CABG during this period. The mean age of those studied was 64.4 +/- 9.2 years and 92% were male. In 22 patients (21%) the procedure was a repeat CABG and 12% had had percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty prior to the operation. Ninety-one per cent of the patients were in Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) angina class 3 or 4, 91% had three-vessel disease and 36% had unstable angina at the time of surgery. The mean preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was 53.6 +/- 14.9% (range, 15-80%). The internal mammary artery (IMA) was used to bypass the LAD coronary artery in 40 patients (38%) and a saphenous vein graft (SVG) was used in 66 patients. In 25 of the IMA bypass group an additional venous patch was used (IMA+P). RESULTS: The overall mortality rate was 9.4% (10 patients), including seven immediate postoperative deaths. When the IMA was used as a conduit the mortality rate was only 5.0%. There were seven (6.6%) postoperative non-fatal myocardial infarctions. There was a low incidence of other postoperative complications, similar to that following CABG without endarterectomy performed during the same period. Multivariate analysis identified emergency operation, two-vessel endarterectomy and female sex as independent risk factors for mortality. Upon follow-up study of 94 hospital survivors (98%), at a mean of 26.5 months (range, 1-48 months), all endarterectomy patients were in CCS class 1 or 2. Seventy-eight patients (83%) had an excellent postoperative exercise tolerance and the left ventricular function was preserved. The 4-year survival rates were 88% and 96% and the cardiac event-free survival rates were 74% and 87% in the SVG and IMA groups respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Complete revascularization of the diffusely diseased LAD coronary artery can be accomplished by adjunctive open endarterectomy with a degree of operative risk (mortality 9% and incidence of non-fatal myocardial infarction 7%). The immediate and medium-term results are improved when the IMA is used as a conduit, with or without additional venous patch. Independent risk factors for mortality were two-vessel endarterectomy, female sex and emergency operation. The long-term results revealed an overall survival rate of 92% and a cardiac event-free survival rate of 79% at 4 years, as well as excellent functional results.     

Biomechanical analysis and clinical treatment of blunt renal trauma

Moesin, one of the ERM (ezrin; radixin; moesin) family members, is directly associated with the cytoplasmic domain of CD44, which is now thought to be related to the metastatic potential of tumor cells. Using immunohistochemistry we investigated the expression of moesin in normal epidermis and various kinds of epithelial skin tumors: squamous cell carcinoma, verrucous carcinoma, Bowen's disease, solar keratosis, keratoacanthoma, basal cell carcinoma, and extramammary Paget's disease. Normal skin showed positive epidermal staining for moesin with the exception of the stratum corneum. The expression of moesin varied with the type of skin tumor. In basal cell carcinoma, Bowen's disease, and extramammary Paget's disease, moesin expression was either faint or negative. In contrast to Bowen's disease, invasive squamous cell carcinoma showed more intense and heterogeneous staining of the cytoplasm and the cell membrane. Verrucous carcinoma was weakly positive, with a tendency for the moesin to be distributed in the cell membrane. The staining pattern of moesin varied among the different kinds of epithelial skin tumors, and its expression was generally similar to that of the standard form of CD44. These results suggest that moesin is closely inter-related with CD44 in epithelial skin cells as seen in other cellular systems, and that the variable pattern of moesin staining among the skin tumor cells could reflect expression disorders associated with the transformation.     

Improvement in quality of life during 5 years after coronary artery bypass grafting

OBJECTIVE: To describe the changes in various aspects of quality of life (QOL) from before coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to 5 years after the procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent CABG in the western region of Sweden in 1988-1991 were approached with questionnaires evaluating their QOL prior to and 3 months and 1, 2, and 5 years after the operation. Three different instruments were used: the Nottingham Health Profile, the Psychological General Well-Being Index, and the Physical Activity Score. RESULTS: In all 2121 patients underwent CABG, of whom 310 died during 5 years of follow-up. With all three instruments QOL had improved 5 years after CABG compared with prior to the operation. However, all three instruments revealed a slight but significant deterioration in estimated QOL between 2 and 5 years after CABG. CONCLUSIONS: QOL 5 years after CABG is better than that prior to the operation, but between 2 and 5 years after the operation a slight deterioration in QOL is observed.     

Study on risk factors and late results of coronary artery bypass grafting for acute myocardial infarction

Study was made on the operative results, risk factors, and late results of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) conducted at our hospital. The subjects of the present study were 70 cases of AMI who underwent CABG during a period of five years from January 1991 to December 1995. They were composed of 61 males and 9 females whose mean age was 61.9 years. LMT disease was observed in 13 cases and preoperative shock in 18 cases. The mean aortic cross-clamp time was 64 minutes with the mean extracorporeal circulation time being 134 minutes and the mean number of grafts being 2.5. The mean preoperative-postoperative peak creatine kinase was 4479 IU/L. The number of operative deaths was 14 with a mortality rate of 20%. When compared with elective cases of CABG conducted during the same period with a mortality rate of 2.7%, the operative result of AMI was poor. The mortality rate by risk factor was 40% for age of 70 years or more, 46.2% for complication of LMT disease, 52.9% for preoperative shock, 58.3% for preoperative C.I. of less than 2.0, 80% for postoperative C.I. of less than 2.0, 28.2% for conduct of postoperative circulatory support, and 42.1% for peak creatine kinase of 5000 IU/L or more. Aortic cross-clamp time and reperfusion time (interval from onset of AMI to aortic declamp) were found not to be risk factors. Late death accounted for 5 cases including one case of cardiac death due to suspected AMI. Survival rate excluding operative deaths and hospital deaths was 98% in one year and 83.9% in five years. When compared to non cardiacevent cases, the survival rate of positive cardiac event cases was significantly poor. The operative results of severe myocardial ischemia cases represented by cases of complication of LMT disease were poor and it is considered that improvement of intraoperative myocardial protection and aggressive use of postoperative circulatory support are necessary in the future. The survival cases of those who could endure surgery was comparatively satisfactory, but when cardiac event developed, prognosis was poor and thus more rigid follow-up is considered to be necessary.     

The cost-benefit balance of coronary artery bypass grafting: need for hospitalization during the two years before and the two years after

To derive and compare the need for hospitalization during 2 years prior to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and 2 years after, all the patients from western Sweden in whom CABG without simultaneous valve surgery was performed between June 1988 and June 1991 were evaluated. Hospitalization prior to and after surgery was derived via questionnaires sent to the patients and via data from their hospital medical record forms. In all, 2099 patients were studied. The mean total number of days in hospital was 16 during the 2 years before and 24 including surgery and postoperative complications during the 2 years after the operation (p < 0.001). When the days for operation and postoperative complications were excluded, the mean number of days after operation was 7 (p < 0.001). Hospitalization due to myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and other investigations for heart disease were significantly reduced after CABG. On the other hand, hospitalization due to chest pain with causes other than ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, and reoperation was more frequent during the 2 years after surgery. The total number of days in hospital was higher during the 2 years after CABG than during the 2 years before, despite the fact that hospitalization due to ischemic events was significantly reduced after the operation.     

Outcome and cost analysis for outpatient skin grafting

BACKGROUND: To reduce cost, outpatient surgery is advocated when feasible; however, the potential of compromising outcome is a concern. The purpose of this review is to assess patient outcome and cost for managing operative burn injuries without hospitalization. METHODS: During the past 18 months, 54 patients were identified with burns amenable to operative debridement and skin grafting without hospitalization. Twenty patients chose to be hospitalized and underwent prompt skin grafting. Operative skin grafting as an outpatient was chosen by the remaining 34 patients. Of these, four patients were subsequently hospitalized postoperatively (two for pain, one for cellulitis, and one for vomiting). RESULTS: Hospitalized patients and outpatients were similar in age and extent of burn; however, those hospitalized underwent skin grafting sooner after injury (2.1 +/- 0.4 days for inpatients vs. 11.5 +/- 0.8 days for outpatients; mean +/- SEM). Inpatients also had a significantly larger area skin-grafted (286 +/- 24 cm2 for inpatients vs. 178 +/- 14 cm2 for outpatients). Graft take was very good in each group. Cost, as indexed by patient charge, was substantially less for outpatients ($2,397 +/- $222) than for inpatients ($17,220 +/- $410). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate a significant cost reduction with nonhospitalized operative care of burn injuries without any overt detriment in outcome, thus endorsing outpatient skin grafting when amenable. This review also illustrates that delaying operative intervention reduces the burn area required for grafting.     

Genital Paget's disease with clear cells in the epidermis of the axilla

We report an 84-year-old man with extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) involving the genital region. Microscopic examination revealed very few clear cells appearing pagetoid in the lower portion of prickle cell layer of the right axilla epidermis, with no clinically detectable eruption. Their histochemical, immunohistochemical and lectin-binding reactions were almost identical to those in the genital lesion. However, although the axillary lesion was diagnosed as subclinical Paget's condition, the clinical course showed no aggressive or destructive nature. Our case suggests that not all subclinical Paget's conditions become malignant, and that in some cases the clear cells may be precursors of Paget's cells developing multifocally.     

Aortic valve replacement after previous coronary artery bypass grafting

BACKGROUND: As the population ages, an increasing number of patients with previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) will require subsequent aortic valve replacement (AVR). This study examined outcome of AVR after previous CABG and reviewed possible indications for valve replacement at the time of initial myocardial revascularization. METHODS: Between March 1975 and December 1994, 145 patients had AVR after previous CABG. Sixty-three patients (43%) had their initial CABG elsewhere. Reoperation for AVR was the second cardiac procedure in 137 patients and the third in 8. Redo CABG with AVR was done in 66 (46%). There were 118 men and 27 women. The mean age at CABG was 64 +/- 7.9 years; for AVR this was 71 +/- 7.6 years. RESULTS: In 2 young patients accelerated calcific aortic stenosis occurred in the setting of renal failure. Significant aortic stenosis did not appear to be addressed at initial CABG in 3 patients. Transaortic valvular gradient, as measured by cardiac catheterization, increased by 10.4 +/- 7.0 mm Hg/y. Twenty-four patients (16.6%) died. The mortality for AVR alone or for AVR + redo-CABG was 15 of 125 patients (12%). For patients having more complicated procedures, the mortality was 9 of 20 (45%). Nine patients (6.2%) suffered a postoperative cerebrovascular accident. Low preoperative ejection fraction measured by echocardiography, sternal reentry problems, complexity of operation, and prolonged cross-clamp and bypass times were significant factors associated with mortality. Age at AVR, interval between operations, the extent of underlying native coronary artery disease, the state of the previously placed bypass conduits, and methods of myocardial preservation were not significant predictors of operative mortality. On multivariate analysis there was only one significant value: prolonged cross-clamp time. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic valve replacement after previous CABG is associated with a mortality that is higher than that seen after repeat CABG or repeat AVR. It seems prudent, therefore, to use liberal criteria for AVR in those patients who require coronary revascularization and who, at the same time, have mild or moderate aortic valve disease.     

Long-term results of RITA-1 trial: clinical and cost comparisons of coronary angioplasty and coronary-artery bypass grafting. Randomised Intervention Treatment of Angina

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) are both effective intervention strategies for patients with coronary heart disease. We report comparative long-term clinical and health-service cost findings for these interventions in the first Randomised Intervention Treatment of Angina (RITA-1) trial. METHODS: 1011 patients with coronary heart disease (45% single-vessel, 55% multivessel) were randomly assigned initial treatment strategies of PTCA or CABG. Information on clinical events, subsequent intervention, symptomatic status, exercise testing, and use of health-care resources is available for a median 6.5 years of follow-up. Analyses were by intention to treat. FINDINGS: The predefined primary endpoint of death or nonfatal myocardial infarction occurred in 87 (17%) PTCA-group patients and 80 (16%) CABG-group patients (p=0.64). Similarly, there was no significant treatment difference in deaths alone (39 PTCA, 45 CABG), of which 46% were cardiac related. In both groups, the risk of cardiac death or myocardial infarction was more than five times higher in the first year than in subsequent years of follow-up. 26% of patients assigned PTCA subsequently also had CABG, and a further 19% required additional nonrandomised PTCA. Most of these reinterventions occurred within a year of randomisation, and from 3 years onwards the reintervention rate averaged 4% per year. In the CABG group the reintervention rate averaged 2% per year. The prevalence of angina was consistently higher in the PTCA group, with an absolute average 10% excess compared with the CABG group (p<0.001). Total health-service costs over 5 years showed no significant difference between initial strategies of PTCA and CABG (mean difference pounds sterling 426 [95% Cl -pounds sterling 383 to pounds sterling 1235]; p=0.30). The clinical and cost comparisons showed similar patterns for patients with single-vessel and multivessel disease. INTERPRETATION: Initial strategies of PTCA and CABG led to similar long-term results in terms of survival and avoidance of myocardial infarction and to similar long-term health-care costs. Choice of approach, therefore, rests on weighing the more invasive nature of CABG against the greater risk of recurrent angina and reintervention over many years after PTCA.     

Urgent coronary reoperation under the beating heart via the left thoracotomy

An 80-year-old female, who had received coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) 12 years ago was admitted to our hospital because of unstable angina. The vein grafts to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and circumflex artery (Cx) were both occluded. Chest computerized tomography showed a severely calcified aorta. An intra-aortic balloon pump was inserted and an urgent reoperation was performed. The patient was positioned for an anterolateral left thoracotomy. The chest was entered through the forth intercostal space. The pericardium was opened parallel to the phrenic nerve. Femorofemoral bypass was instituted. Anastomosis of the saphenous vein graft and the diagonal branch and anastomosis of a second saphenous vein to the old SVG just proximal to the anastomotic site of Cx were performed under a beating heart. Proximal anastomosis of the two saphenous veins and the left subclavian artery was then performed. The patient had an uncomplicated postoperative recovery. A postoperative angiogram showed that the new SVG anastomosed to the diagonal branch was patent while the other new SVG anastomosed to the old SVG/Cx was occluded. The patient was discharged and is now free from angina.     

Comparison of long-term efficacy of medical treatment versus coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in multivessel coronary artery disease

The long-term results of medical therapy and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were compared in patients with multivessel disease. All patients were confirmed to have > or = 75% luminal narrowing of major coronary arteries by coronary arteriogram. When multivessel disease was stratified into double- and triple- vessel disease, the outcomes varied. In triple-vessel disease, the outcome with CABG was good, but the outcome was unfavorable in those employing medical therapy, particularly in patients with decreased left ventricular (LV) function. In patients with double-vessel disease with good LV function, the long-term results with medical therapy were just as favorable as those with CABG. However, double-vessel disease complicated by reduced LV function (ejection faction < or = 40%) had a clearly less favorable outcome when treated with medical therapy than with CABG. Thus, it is important for patients with multivessel disease to undergo revascularization if indicated, to improve their prognosis. On the other hand, the incidence of cardiac events arising from vein graft occlusions tended to increase in CABG patients after 5 years or more following surgery.     

TC findings in a case of Castleman''s disease with subclavian localization

An 85-year-old Japanese woman had noticed erythema on her vulvar region 3 years before. The erythema gradually increased in size and followed erosion and ulceration with pigmentation on the edge of the erythema. A skin biopsy from the pigmented area showed large round cells with ample cytoplasm, which formed nests or glandular structures. In the dermis there was mass formation of basophilic cells and peripheral cells in a palisade arrangement. The tumor cells in the epidermis showed positive immunoreactivity for carcinoembryonic antigen; on the other hand, the dermal tumor was negative. We diagnosed that the tumor in the epidermis was vulvar Paget's disease, and the dermal tumor was a solid type of basal cell carcinoma. We speculate that the vulvar Paget's disease preceded and then the basal cell carcinoma developed in the area of Paget's disease. This is the first report in which basal cell carcinoma in the area of Paget's disease was documented.     

Coronary angioplasty versus repeat coronary artery bypass grafting for patients with previous bypass surgery

OBJECTIVES: We attempted to determine the relative risks and benefits of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and repeat coronary artery bypass grafting (re-CABG) in patients with previous coronary bypass surgery (CABG). BACKGROUND: Due to an expanding population of patients with surgically treated coronary artery disease and the natural progression of atherosclerosis, an increasing number of patients with previous CABG require repeat revascularization procedures. Although there are randomized comparative data for CABG versus medical therapy and, more recently, versus PTCA, these studies have excluded patients with previous CABG. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from 632 patients with previous CABG who required either elective re-CABG (n = 164) or PTCA (n = 468) at a single center during 1987 through 1988. The PTCA and re-CABG groups were similar with respect to gender (83% vs. 85% male), age > 70 years (21% vs. 23%), mean left ventricular ejection fraction (46% vs. 48%), presence of class III or IV angina (70% vs. 63%) and three-vessel coronary artery disease (77% vs. 74%). RESULTS: Complete revascularization was achieved in 38% of patients with PTCA and 92% of those with re-CABG (p < 0.0001). The in-hospital complication rates were significantly lower in the PTCA group: death (0.3% vs. 7.3%, p < 0.0001) and Q wave myocardial infarction (MI) (0.9% vs. 6.1%, p < 0.0001). Actuarial survival was equivalent at 1 year (PTCA 95% vs. re-CABG 91%) and 6 years (PTCA 74% vs. re-CABG 73%) of follow-up (p = 0.32). Both procedures resulted in equivalent event-free survival (freedom from dealth or Q wave MI) and relief of angina; however, the need for repeat percutaneous or surgical revascularization, or both, by 6 years was significantly higher in the PTCA group (PTCA 64% vs. re-CABG 8%, p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis identified age > 70 years, left ventricular ejection fraction < 40%, unstable angina, number of diseased vessels and diabetes mellitus as independent correlates of mortality for the entire group. CONCLUSIONS: In this nonrandomized series of patients with previous CABG requiring revascularization, an initial stategy of either PTCA or re-CABG resulted in equivalent overall survival, event-free survival and relief of angina. PTCA offers lower procedural morbidity and mortality risks, although it is associated with less complete revascularization and a greater need for subsequent revascularization procedures.     

Simultaneous coronary artery bypass grafting and abdominal aneurysm repair decreases stay and costs

BACKGROUND: Patients with large (> or = 5.0 cm) abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) frequently have marked associated coronary artery disease. We hypothesized that a single operation for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)/AAA would provide equivalent, if not improved, patient care while decreasing postoperative length of stay and hospital costs compared with staged procedures. METHODS: Eleven patients to date have undergone a combined procedure at our institution. Ten underwent CABG followed by AAA repair, whereas one patient received an aortic valve replacement before aneurysm repair. We performed a retrospective analysis comparing the postoperative length of stay and hospital costs for this single procedure to a combined cohort of 20 randomly selected patients who either received AAA repair (n = 10) or standard CABG (n = 10) during the same time period. RESULTS: No operative mortality has been reported. There were no episodes of neurologic deficit or cardiac complication after these procedures. The postoperative length of stay was significantly decreased for the CABG/AAA group compared with the combined postoperative length of stay for the AAA plus CABG group (7.44+/-0.88 days versus 14.10+/-2.00; p = 0.012). Total hospital costs were also significantly decreased for the CABG/AAA group compared with total hospital costs for the AAA plus CABG group ($22,941+/-$1,933 versus $34,076+/-$2,534; p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: A single operation for coronary revascularization and AAA repair is safe and effective. Simultaneous CABG and AAA repair substantially decreases postoperative length of stay and hospital costs while avoiding possible interim aneurysm rupture and repeat anesthesia.     

Mortality and morbidity among patients who undergo combined valve and coronary artery bypass surgery: early and late results

AIM: To describe mortality and morbidity early and late after combined valve surgery and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) as compared with CABG alone. PATIENTS and METHODS: All patients from western Sweden in whom CABG in combination with valve surgery or CABG alone was carried out in 1988-1991. RESULTS: Among 2116 patients who underwent CABG, 35 (2%) had this combined with mitral valve surgery and 134 (6%) had this combined with aortic valve surgery, whereas the remaining 92% underwent CABG alone. Patients who underwent combined valve surgery and CABG were older, included more women and had a higher prevalence of previous congestive heart failure and renal dysfunction but on the other hand a less severe coronary artery disease. Among patients who underwent mitral valve surgery in combination with CABG the mortality over the subsequent 5 years was 45%). The corresponding figure for patients who underwent aortic valve surgery in combination with CABG was 24%. Both were higher than for CABG alone (14%; P < 0.0001 and P = 0.003, respectively). In a stepwise multiple regression model mitral valve surgery in combination with CABG was found to be an independent significant predictor for death but aortic valve surgery in combination with CABG was not. Among patients who underwent mitral valve surgery in combination with CABG and were discharged alive from hospital 77% were rehospitalized during the 2 years following the operation as compared with 48% among patients who underwent aortic valve surgery in combination with CABG and 43% among patients with CABG alone. Multiple regression identified mitral valve surgery in combination with CABG as a significant independent predictor for rehospitalization but not aortic valve plus CABG. CONCLUSION: Among patients who either underwent CABG in combination with mitral valve surgery or aortic valve surgery or CABG alone, mitral valve surgery in combination with CABG was independently associated with death and rehospitalization, but the combination of aortic valve surgery and CABG was not.     

Cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus in pathogenesis and progression of native arteriosclerosis and recurrent stenosis after intervention]

Recently, the number of patients with atherosclerosis has been rapidly increased in Japan. However, there are many kinds of resolving problems for management of those patients. Here history and current topics of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in Japan are clearly documented. That is, CABG could be done in 48,612 cases during the past 5 years (1991-1995). And its mortality rate was 2.3% approximately. On the other hand, 12,025 underwent CABG in 1996 in Japan. Further several kinds of operative methods including MIDCAB have been carried out with the number of the patients with ischemic heart diseases. Excellent results have been obtained respectively.     

Bile duct cancer associated with extramammary Paget's disease

We report a case of bile duct cancer associated with anogenital Paget's disease. The patient was a 80-yr-old Japanese woman whose chief complaint was exanthema from the left vulva to the anus for the previous 4 yr. Histological examination of the skin biopsy of the vulva showed numerous Paget's cells. Resection of the lesion and the rectum were performed, and a permanent colostomy was created. More than 1 month after the operation, the patient suddenly developed obstructive jaundice. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography performed simultaneously with endoscopic retrograde cholangiography showed complete obstruction of the middle part of the bile duct. Bile cytology was class V. On the basis of these results, bile duct cancer associated with extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) was diagnosed. About 5 months after the operation, the patient died of liver failure. Microscopically the tumor in the bile duct was poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Although EMPD has a tendency to be associated with underlying internal malignancies, this is the first reported case, to our knowledge, of bile duct cancer associated with EMPD.