The IFI system enables on-site assessment of graft patency, providing both morphologic and functional information. This technique may help reduce procedure-related, early graft failures in off-pump bypass patients.

No abstract

Essential thrombocythemia ET is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by thrombocytosis and malfunction of platelets. Both thrombosis and bleeding due to thrombocytosis may occur. An 81year-old female patient complicated with ET underwent mitral valve replacement using a bioprosthetic valve due to severe mitral regurgitation. She had been diagnosed and treated with the hydroxycarbamide for ET. The hydroxycarbamide had been interrupted 14 days before the surgery, to prevent infection and delayed wound healing. At hospitalization for surgery, her platelet count rose to 1,290,000 μl from 790,000 μl. Readministration of a half dose of the hydroxycarbamide lowered the platelets to her original level. During the operation, more heparin was necessary to control activated coagulation time for cardiopulmonary bypass. She was discharged unaffectedly on 25 POD.

No abstract

A 49-year-old man presented with subclavian steal phenomenon and severe stenosis of LMT. His SSP was composed of severe stenosis of the innominate artery, and the greater part of the blood supply to the right subclavian artery was through the collateral circuit of the vertebral arteries and the internal thoracic arteries. We performed replacement of the innominate artery with a prosthetic graft and coronary artery bypass using LITA in one-stage surgery.