Month: May 2026

Ann Surg Oncol. 2026 Apr 3. doi: 10.1245/s10434-026-19618-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Primary leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare malignant smooth muscle tumor, representing fewer than 1 in 100,000 adult cancers and less than 0.5% of soft tissue sarcomas. Despite its rarity, it is the most common primary tumor of the IVC and typically aff ects women in their 50s to 60s. Clinical presentation is often silent or nonspecific, resulting in late diagnosis and poor long-term outcomes. Surgical resection remains the only potentially curative treatment, and IVC reconstruction may be necessary depending on tumor location and extent.

METHODS: We present a video demonstrating robotic resection and reconstruction of the IVC in a 75-year-old patient with a 5.5 cm leiomyosarcoma located below the left renal vein, exhibiting both intraluminal and extraluminal growth. Patient underwent robotic en bloc resection of the tumor and a 6 cm segment of the IVC.

RESULTS: Reconstruction was performed using a tubularized bovine pericardium graft. Total operative time was 440 minutes, with 80 minutes of IVC clamping and 180 mL of blood loss. No transfusion was required, postoperative recovery was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day six. Imaging confi rmed graft patency, and final pathology reported high-grade leiomyosarcoma (T3N0M0).

CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of robotic resection of IVC leiomyosarcoma and only the second reported robotic IVC resection and reconstruction in the English literature. This case supports the feasibility and safety of a minimally invasive robotic approach for complex vascular oncologic surgery.

PMID:41933245 | DOI:10.1245/s10434-026-19618-w

Ann Surg Oncol. 2026 Apr 3. doi: 10.1245/s10434-026-19618-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Primary leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare malignant smooth muscle tumor, representing fewer than 1 in 100,000 adult cancers and less than 0.5% of soft tissue sarcomas. Despite its rarity, it is the most common primary tumor of the IVC and typically aff ects women in their 50s to 60s. Clinical presentation is often silent or nonspecific, resulting in late diagnosis and poor long-term outcomes. Surgical resection remains the only potentially curative treatment, and IVC reconstruction may be necessary depending on tumor location and extent.

METHODS: We present a video demonstrating robotic resection and reconstruction of the IVC in a 75-year-old patient with a 5.5 cm leiomyosarcoma located below the left renal vein, exhibiting both intraluminal and extraluminal growth. Patient underwent robotic en bloc resection of the tumor and a 6 cm segment of the IVC.

RESULTS: Reconstruction was performed using a tubularized bovine pericardium graft. Total operative time was 440 minutes, with 80 minutes of IVC clamping and 180 mL of blood loss. No transfusion was required, postoperative recovery was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day six. Imaging confi rmed graft patency, and final pathology reported high-grade leiomyosarcoma (T3N0M0).

CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of robotic resection of IVC leiomyosarcoma and only the second reported robotic IVC resection and reconstruction in the English literature. This case supports the feasibility and safety of a minimally invasive robotic approach for complex vascular oncologic surgery.

PMID:41933245 | DOI:10.1245/s10434-026-19618-w

Int J Biol Macromol. 2026 May 14;367:152551. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.152551. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The longevity and applicability of glutaraldehyde cross-linked commercial bioprosthetic heart valves (BHVs) that are the first choice for the transcatheter heart valve replacement (THVR) remain limited due to thrombus accumulation, calcification, inflammatory reactions and poor endothelialization. In this study, we first performed the prefunctionalization treatment of dual crosslinking by carboxymethylated λ-carrageenan and 4-pentenoic acid on decellularized bovine pericardium; subsequently, we conducted a post-functionalization treatment by dual modification of immobilizing the cyclodextrin (CD)/rutin and organic selenium onto above-mentioned doubly cross-linked (DC) bovine pericardium through the amidation reaction; finally, we obtained the anticipated bioprosthetic heart valve with multiple functions (DC + CD/Rutin+Se-BP). Uniaxial tensile tests demonstrated that this doubly cross-linked BHV exhibited superior mechanical properties compared with glutaraldehyde-treated bovine pericardium, which is expected to increase its structural stability and service life. By introducing the CD/Rutin complex and organic selenium, DC + CD/Rutin+Se-BP not only exhibited the ability to inhibit the adsorption of plasma proteins, platelet aggregation and thrombosis but also presented the excellent anti-inflammatory and anti-calcification characteristics both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, DC + CD/Rutin+Se-BP also exhibited stable in situ nitric oxide (NO) catalytic release ability due to the immobilization of organic selenium, which endowed bioprosthetic heart valve with excellent compatibility with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and facilitated the long-term promotion of its endothelialization process. In summary, this approach combining dual cross-linking and dual modification provides a promising strategy for future design of BHVs, and DC + CD/Rutin+Se-BP exhibits a bright prospect in the clinical applications of BHVs.

PMID:42140293 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.152551

Ann Surg Oncol. 2026 Apr 3. doi: 10.1245/s10434-026-19618-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Primary leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare malignant smooth muscle tumor, representing fewer than 1 in 100,000 adult cancers and less than 0.5% of soft tissue sarcomas. Despite its rarity, it is the most common primary tumor of the IVC and typically aff ects women in their 50s to 60s. Clinical presentation is often silent or nonspecific, resulting in late diagnosis and poor long-term outcomes. Surgical resection remains the only potentially curative treatment, and IVC reconstruction may be necessary depending on tumor location and extent.

METHODS: We present a video demonstrating robotic resection and reconstruction of the IVC in a 75-year-old patient with a 5.5 cm leiomyosarcoma located below the left renal vein, exhibiting both intraluminal and extraluminal growth. Patient underwent robotic en bloc resection of the tumor and a 6 cm segment of the IVC.

RESULTS: Reconstruction was performed using a tubularized bovine pericardium graft. Total operative time was 440 minutes, with 80 minutes of IVC clamping and 180 mL of blood loss. No transfusion was required, postoperative recovery was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day six. Imaging confi rmed graft patency, and final pathology reported high-grade leiomyosarcoma (T3N0M0).

CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of robotic resection of IVC leiomyosarcoma and only the second reported robotic IVC resection and reconstruction in the English literature. This case supports the feasibility and safety of a minimally invasive robotic approach for complex vascular oncologic surgery.

PMID:41933245 | DOI:10.1245/s10434-026-19618-w

Int J Biol Macromol. 2026 May 14:152551. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.152551. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The longevity and applicability of glutaraldehyde cross-linked commercial bioprosthetic heart valves (BHVs) that are the first choice for the transcatheter heart valve replacement (THVR) remain limited due to thrombus accumulation, calcification, inflammatory reactions and poor endothelialization. In this study, we first performed the prefunctionalization treatment of dual crosslinking by carboxymethylated λ-carrageenan and 4-pentenoic acid on decellularized bovine pericardium; subsequently, we conducted a post-functionalization treatment by dual modification of immobilizing the cyclodextrin (CD)/rutin and organic selenium onto above-mentioned doubly cross-linked (DC) bovine pericardium through the amidation reaction; finally, we obtained the anticipated bioprosthetic heart valve with multiple functions (DC + CD/Rutin+Se-BP). Uniaxial tensile tests demonstrated that this doubly cross-linked BHV exhibited superior mechanical properties compared with glutaraldehyde-treated bovine pericardium, which is expected to increase its structural stability and service life. By introducing the CD/Rutin complex and organic selenium, DC + CD/Rutin+Se-BP not only exhibited the ability to inhibit the adsorption of plasma proteins, platelet aggregation and thrombosis but also presented the excellent anti-inflammatory and anti-calcification characteristics both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, DC + CD/Rutin+Se-BP also exhibited stable in situ nitric oxide (NO) catalytic release ability due to the immobilization of organic selenium, which endowed bioprosthetic heart valve with excellent compatibility with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and facilitated the long-term promotion of its endothelialization process. In summary, this approach combining dual cross-linking and dual modification provides a promising strategy for future design of BHVs, and DC + CD/Rutin+Se-BP exhibits a bright prospect in the clinical applications of BHVs.

PMID:42140293 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.152551

Ann Surg Oncol. 2026 Apr 3. doi: 10.1245/s10434-026-19618-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Primary leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare malignant smooth muscle tumor, representing fewer than 1 in 100,000 adult cancers and less than 0.5% of soft tissue sarcomas. Despite its rarity, it is the most common primary tumor of the IVC and typically aff ects women in their 50s to 60s. Clinical presentation is often silent or nonspecific, resulting in late diagnosis and poor long-term outcomes. Surgical resection remains the only potentially curative treatment, and IVC reconstruction may be necessary depending on tumor location and extent.

METHODS: We present a video demonstrating robotic resection and reconstruction of the IVC in a 75-year-old patient with a 5.5 cm leiomyosarcoma located below the left renal vein, exhibiting both intraluminal and extraluminal growth. Patient underwent robotic en bloc resection of the tumor and a 6 cm segment of the IVC.

RESULTS: Reconstruction was performed using a tubularized bovine pericardium graft. Total operative time was 440 minutes, with 80 minutes of IVC clamping and 180 mL of blood loss. No transfusion was required, postoperative recovery was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day six. Imaging confi rmed graft patency, and final pathology reported high-grade leiomyosarcoma (T3N0M0).

CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of robotic resection of IVC leiomyosarcoma and only the second reported robotic IVC resection and reconstruction in the English literature. This case supports the feasibility and safety of a minimally invasive robotic approach for complex vascular oncologic surgery.

PMID:41933245 | DOI:10.1245/s10434-026-19618-w

Interdiscip Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2026 Apr 1;41(4):ivag084. doi: 10.1093/icvts/ivag084.

ABSTRACT

Cardiac hemangiomas are rare benign tumours that may cause significant haemodynamic compromise when reaching large dimensions. We report a case of a giant right atrial cavernous hemangioma occupying almost the entire atrial cavity and involving multiple adjacent structures. A 55-year-old woman presented with progressive symptoms and was found to have a large right atrial mass on echocardiography and computed tomography. Urgent surgical resection was performed under mild hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. The tumour involved the right atrial free wall, interatrial septum, inferior vena cava, coronary sinus, and posterior wall of the left atrium, requiring radical excision and atrial reconstruction using bovine pericardial patches. Tricuspid annuloplasty was performed due to annular dilatation and moderate regurgitation. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, with preserved venous drainage and no new rhythm disturbances. Histopathology confirmed cavernous hemangioma. This case demonstrates that even extremely large benign atrial tumours can be successfully managed with radical resection and tailored reconstruction.

PMID:41863326 | PMC:PMC13070375 | DOI:10.1093/icvts/ivag084

BMJ Case Rep. 2026 Mar 25;19(3):e272043. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2026-272043.

ABSTRACT

We report the case of a man in his mid 70s with a history of coronary artery bypass grafting and prior surgical repair of an ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm using a bovine pericardial patch. He was subsequently found to have a persistent pseudoaneurysm adjacent to the right coronary ostium. In view of his prior sternotomy and the close proximity of the lesion to the coronary ostium, a transcatheter approach was selected. The pseudoaneurysm was successfully excluded using a duct occluder device, followed by deployment of a covered Papyrus coronary stent to reinforce the neck seal while preserving coronary flow. This case underscores the importance of multimodality imaging for diagnosis and procedural planning in complex, high-risk patients and demonstrates the feasibility of a dual-device transcatheter strategy for managing persistent aortic pseudoaneurysms in anatomically challenging locations.

PMID:41881477 | DOI:10.1136/bcr-2026-272043

Interdiscip Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2026 Mar 12;41(3):ivag044. doi: 10.1093/icvts/ivag044.

ABSTRACT

We present a novel technique for tricuspidation of the very asymmetrical bicuspid aortic valve (AV) with commissural orientation of about 120-140, via replacement of the fused AV cusp with 2 neo-cusps. The neo-cusps are fashioned from bovine pericardium and sutured to the annulus. Successful repair using the described technique requires good quality and adequate commissure height of the non-fused cusp. Since 2020, this technique has been applied to 15 patients. To date, all patients are alive with well-functioning AVs, presenting no or trivial insufficiency, large orifice areas, and nearly physiological transvalvular gradients.

PMID:41840768 | PMC:PMC13098162 | DOI:10.1093/icvts/ivag044

Yonsei Med J. 2026 Apr;67(4):297-305. doi: 10.3349/ymj.2025.0174.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Aortic prostheses are used in pulmonary positions due to structural similarities between the pulmonary and aortic valves. However, there are no available studies that have comprehensively evaluated the mechanism of bioprosthetic aortic valves under pulmonary conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a mock circulatory system, we evaluated the hydrodynamic characteristics of bovine pericardial and porcine valves. Geometric orifice area, regurgitant and leakage volume, regurgitant fraction, peak pressure gradient, and forward flow volume were evaluated in different pulmonary pressure conditions (from 15/5 mm Hg to 75/35 mm Hg) and normal aortic pressure (110/80 mm Hg).

RESULTS: Bovine pericardial valves were associated with larger opening area (0.93±0.01 vs.1.70±0.01 for 23-mm valve; 0.99±0.01 vs.1.75±0.01 for 25-mm valve; 1.58±0.01 vs. 2.25±0.02 for 27-mm valve; all p<0.01) and forward flow volume (42.27±0.05 vs. 64.79±0.14 for 23-mm valve; 46.41±0.06 vs. 64.28±0.18 for 25-mm valve; 72.64±0.17 vs.73.25±0.07 for 27-mm valve; all p<0.01). Porcine valves were associated with incomplete opening, smaller opening area, and lower regurgitant fraction. Bovine pericardial valves demonstrated lower peak pressure gradients (15.75±0.14 vs. 12.57±0.47 for 23-mm valve; 14.85±0.05 vs. 12.87±0.28 for 25-mm valve; 15.72±0.32 vs. 7.91±0.03 for 27-mm valve).

CONCLUSION: Bovine pericardial and porcine bioprosthetic valves has different hydrodynamic characteristics under various pulmonary pressure conditions.

PMID:41914313 | PMC:PMC13040176 | DOI:10.3349/ymj.2025.0174