Life-Threatening Mediastinal Teratoma of Infant Requiring Emergency Surgical Removal

Background Teratoma is a tumor derived from fetal germ cells with aberrant differentiation. Case Description A 3-month-old infant with a mediastinal tumor was referred to our heart center. She presented with progressive dyspnea, cyanosis, and the need to be manually ventilated. The computed tomography scan displayed a huge tumor restricting the distal trachea including the bifurcation. An emergent operation was performed and the tumor was completely removed. Histological examination confirmed a mature teratoma. Conclusion In such life-threatening situation, the early detection and the immediate operation are very important for the management of rapidly-progressing mediastinal teratomas compressing the respiratory tract.

Anomalous Origin of the Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery in an Adult

An anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare congenital heart disease. Among the variants, an anomalous origin of the left anterior descending coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALADPA) is extremely rare. Here, we report a case of ALADPA in an adult that was treated with coronary artery bypass grafting using the left internal thoracic artery.

Make Cardiac Surgery Great again: The Perks of Being a Resident

Training in cardiac surgery is a cumbersome topic. Over the last years, major cardiac surgical operations have been found to decrease due to the increasing number in transcatheter interventions. Becoming a cardiac surgeon has become partly a hard task. Since the beginning of 2020, the new coronavirus epidemic has been shaking peoples' lives all over the world, hindering every normal hospital activity including residency programs.

Continuing Education through COVID-19 Crisis in the United Kingdom: A Swiss Trainee Abroad

The work has been awarded in July 2020 with the “Special Swiss Young Cardiac Surgeon Award 2020” by the Swiss Society of Cardiac Surgery (Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Herz- und thorakale Gefässchirurgie [SGHC-SSCC]) and reflects a personal perspective from a Swiss trainee experiencing the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic during her fellowship in London.

Black Aortic Valve: Incidental Finding of Alkaptonuria

Background Alkaptonuria is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder of tyrosine metabolism, which results in accumulation of homogentisic acid in various tissues, including the cardiovascular system. Case Description We report on a 64-year-old man with mixed aortic valve disease who underwent conventional aortic valve replacement. Intraoperative aortotomy revealed black pigmentation of the intima of the ascending aorta and the aortic valve was observed with thickened and calcified dark black leaflets. Histopathological diagnosis of ochronosis of the aortic valve was made. Conclusion Despite several previous signs and symptoms, the diagnosis of alkaptonuria was not established until aortic valve replacement.

Management of Leukemia and Partial Atrioventricular Septal Defect during Pregnancy

Background Pregnancy-associated acute myeloid leukemia (PA-AML) is rare. Cardiac surgery in the context of AML poses challenges that are seldom encountered. Case Description The subject is a 31-year-old woman at 38 weeks' gestational age diagnosed with AML and partial atrioventricular septal defect. After multidisciplinary consulting, an urgent cesarean section was performed, then chemotherapy was initiated, followed by minimally invasive cardiac surgery with an uneventful recovery. Conclusion Efficient multidisciplinary approach is essential in the management of PA-AML and cardiac disease. Minimally invasive cardiac surgery may be safe and useful in patients with AML.

Pleurabrade: A Spiral Brush for Mechanical Pleurodesis and a Review of the Literature

Background While the optimal treatment for primary spontaneous pneumothorax remains unclear, mechanical pleurodesis is a well-established treatment. The Pleurabrade is a spiral brush designed for mechanical pleurodesis during thoracoscopy. We present two patients who underwent mechanical pleurodesis with the Pleurabrade. Case Description Two patients with spontaneous pneumothorax underwent operative intervention including mechanical pleurodesis with the Pleurabrade. Chest tubes were removed within 48 hours postoperatively and they were discharged home. Both patients remain recurrence free at 11 and 22 months, respectively. Conclusion While further testing is needed, these case reports and operative video highlight the Pleurabrade as an efficient device for thoracoscopic mechanical pleurodesis.

Dissection of the Left Coronary Artery after Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement

Our report presents a 73-year-old female patient with severe aortic stenosis who was admitted to our department for a surgical aortic valve replacement. After an uneventful surgery, a worsening low cardiac output syndrome with signs of myocardial ischemia occurred. Immediate angiography revealed a diffuse left coronary dissection starting from the ostium extending to the periphery of the left coronary system. The diffuse nature of the dissection ruled interventional management out and thus has been treated with urgent coronary bypass surgery. However, after an antecedent favorable course, the patient died 2 months later due to pneumonia resulting in septic shock.

CSA-Induced PRES after Heart Transplantation—Report of Two Cases and Review

Background Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare neurological disease possibly associated with the use of calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) like cyclosporine A. Case Description The case of a patient who developed severe PRES under CNI therapy shortly after heart transplantation is presented here. Cerebral computed tomography led to the diagnose of PRES in our patient. New therapy strategy with a quadruple immunosuppressive protocol (cortisone, mycophenolate mofetil, low-dose CNI, and a mechanistic target of rapamycin inhibitor) was started. Conclusion Under the quadruple therapy, a neurologic recovery occurred. In PRES, the presented alternative therapy strategy may lead to improving neurological conditions and preserved transplant organ functions.

A Rare Case of Severe Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Early Infancy

We report the case of a 3-month-old girl presenting with end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy and therapy-resistant cardiogenic shock. A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) Berlin Heart EXCOR was implanted, her organs recovered, and she was listed for heart transplantation. Two months later, while still on the LVAD, she was diagnosed with the rare genetic Alström syndrome. Weaning was no option, and she underwent successful heart transplantation at the age of 9 months. The follow-up 15 months later revealed an uneventful transplant course in a child with Alström syndrome.