• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.267-273
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• 2002

Background: We performed a phase IV clinical trial to examine the usefulness of a continuous infusion of nicardipine hydrochloride to control hypertension in patients with acute aortic dissection. material and Method: Systolic/diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate were monitored before and after the intravenous administration of nicardipine in 31 patients with aortic diseases. The period of nicardipine administration in each patient was from 3 to 14 days. Efficacy was evaluated by determining the average amount of blood pressure reduction on the 3rd day of drug administration. The dosage of another antihypertensive agent was slowly tapered down, and ultimately replaced by the test drug. Result: 28 patients were diagnosed as acute aortic dissection, 2 patients as rupture of the aortic arch aneurysm, and 1 patient as traumatic aortic rupture. Mean age was 53.9 $\pm$ 14.9(29~89) years, and 21 patients(67.7%) were male. 14 patients(32.3%) had complications associated with underlying aortic disease: aortic insufficiency in 7, hemopericardium in 6, acute renal failure in 1, paraplegia in 1, lower extremity ischemia in 1, and hemothorax in 1. The time needed to reach the target blood pressure was within 15 minutes in 16, from 15 to 30 minutes in 10, from 30 to 45 minutes in 3 and from 45 to 60 minutes in 2, and their baseline average systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressures(mmHg) were 147$\pm$23, 82.3$\pm$ 18.6, and 104 $\pm$ 18, respectively. Average systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressures(mmHg) on the third day of nicardipine infusion were 119$\pm$ 12, 69$\pm$9, and 86$\pm$8, and they all showed statistically significant decrease(p<0.05). The average systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure(mmHg) after the discontinuation of the nicardipine infusion were 119 $\pm$ 15, 71 $\pm$ 14, and 86$\pm$ 13, respectively. No significant difference was observed between the average pressures measured on the third day and those measured after the discontinuation of the nicardipine infusion, and no definite side effects were observed during the study period. Conclusion: Nicardipine hydrochloride was both effective and safe at controlling blood pressure in patients with acute aortic dissection.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.10 s.255
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• pp.693-698
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• 2005

Background: Sinus valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is a rare disease, and it is frequently accompanied by ventricular septal defect and aortic valve regurgitaion. For treatment of SVA, several surgical mordalities were applied, but there was no report on the long-term result after surgical repair in Korea. We reviewed our 28 years of experiences and analyzed the long-term results after treatment of sinus valsalva aneurysm with or without rupture. Material and Method: Between March 1974 and February 2002, 81 patients were operated under the impression of sinus valvsalva aneurysm or sinus valsalva aneurym rupture. Retrospectively we reviewed the patients' record. Mean age of patients was $29.2\pm11.5$ and there were 49 males. Accompanyng diseases were as follows: VSD in 50, PDA in 2, Behcet's disease in 2, TOF in 1, RVOTO in 1, AAE in 1. Seventy-seven $(95\%)$ patients had sinus valsalva rupture and in 14 patients, subacute bacterial endocarditis was accompanied. Degree of aortic valve regurgitation was as follows: grade I: 8, II: 10, III: 9, IV: 4. Most common rupture site was right coronary sinus (66 patients, $81\%$) and most common communication site was right ventricle (53 patients). In repair of sinus valsalva rupture, patch was used in 37 patients, and direct suture was done in 38 patients. Result: There was one surgical death $(1.2\%)$. Follow up was done in 78 patients $(97.5\%)$, mean follow up period was $123.3\pm80.9(3\~330\;months)$. During the follow up period, 3 patients died $(3.8\%)$. One patient died of heart failure, another patient died of arrhythmia and the other one died of unknown cause. In two patients, complete atrio-ventricular block was developed during follow up period, and there was no operation related event or complication. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed $92.5\pm3.5\%$ survival at 15 and 27 years and it seems to be satisfactory. Conclusion: Long-term surgical results and survival is satisfactory after repair of sinus valsalva aneurysm with or without rupture.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.481-487
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• 1998

The surgical management of acute type B dissection is controversial. The complexity of the repair usually requires a period of aortic cross-clamping exceeding 30 minutes, which can cause ischemic injury of the spinal cord. Several forms of distal perfusion have been considered for use to prevent this injury. To determine the safety and efficacy of a graft replacement with cardiopulmonary bypass in reparing acute dissection of descending thoracic aorta, we retrospectively reviewed our surgical experience treating 8 patients who had aortic dissection secondary to atherosclerosis, trauma, and carcinoma invasion. Cardiopulmonary bypass was performed with two aortic cannulas for simultaneous perfusion of the upper and lower body and one venous cannula for draining venous blood from the right atrium or inferior vena cava. Although aortic cross-clamp time was relatively long (average, 117.8 minutes; range, 47 to 180 minutes) in all cases, there was no neurologic deficit immediately after graft replacement for the aortic lesion. Two patients(25%) of relatively old age died on the postoperative 31st and 41st days, respectively, because of delayed postoperative complications, such as pulmonary abscess and adult respiratory distress syndrome. Although any of several maneuvers may be appropriate in managing dissection of the descending aorta, graft replacement with cardiopulmonary bypass during aortic cross-clamping may be a safe and effective method for the treatment of acute dissection of the descending thoracic aorta.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.96-99
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• 2009

We report here on a case of a ruptured sinus of a valsalva aneurysm into the left ventricle with the rupture site communicating with both the left coronary sinus and the noncoronary sinus in a 37-year-old male who presented with symptoms of congestive heart failure. Echocardiography showed a sac-like structure around the sinus of valsalva, an enlarged left ventricle (LV) and severe aortic regurgitation, which all suggested a ruptured sinus of a valsalva aneurysm or an aortic-left ventricular tunnel. The operative findings revealed that both the left coronary sinus and the noncoronary sinus had an opening into the left ventricle. The proximal opening into the LV was closed with bovine pericardium and the aortic root was replaced with a composite graft (a 21 mm St. Jude Epic Supra tissue valve and a 24 mm Hemashild graft) by the modified Bentall procedure. The patient was discharged on the 15th postoperative day, and he was regularly followed up for 2 months. We report on this case due to its rarity and to describe the surgical repair techniques.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.648-654
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• 2010

Background: This study assessed the early results of endovascular repair of acute type B aortic dissection and the aortic wall changes following endovascular repair. Material and Method: From July 2008 to May 2009, the preoperative and follow-up computed tomography (CT) scans of 5 patients with acute type B aortic dissection were evaluated, and these patients had underwent stent graft implantation within 13 days of the onset of dissection (mean: 7 days; range: 3~13). The whole lumen (WL), true lumen (TL) and false lumen (FL) diameters were measured at the proximal (p), middle (m) and distal (d) third of the descending thoracic aorta. Result: The study included four men and one woman with an average age of $59.4{\pm}20.1$ years (age range: 37~79 years). The follow-up CT was performed and evaluated at 7 days and 6 months. The primary tear was completely sealed in all the patients. No paraplegia, paresis or peripheral ischemia occurred and none of the patients died. No endoleaks developed in any of the patients during follow-up. The TL diameters increased from 20.4 to 33.5 mm in the proximal third (p/3), from 19.5 to 29.8 mm in the middle third (m/3) and from 15.2 to 23.5 mm in the distal third (d/3). The FL diameters decreased from 18.7 to 0 mm in the p/3, from 15.4 to 0 mm in the m/3 and from 21.4 to 8.7 mm in the d/3. The changes in the TL diameter were statistically significant in the middle and distal aorta, and those changes in the FL diameter were not statistically significant. There was a decrease in the WL after repair, but this was not statistically Significant. In three patients, the false lumen disappeared completely on follow-up CT at 6 months. Two patients had patent false lumens and no thrombosis. Conclusion: The early results showed that endovascular repair was effective in treating acute type B aortic dissection, and endovascular repair promoted positive aortic wall changes.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.968-970
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• 2000

26세 남자가 길가다 버스에 치어, 다발성 늑골골절, 흉골골절, 우견갑골골절, 좌쇄골하동맥 폐색, 외상성 기관식도루로 입원 치료 중 이완기 심잡읍이 생겼다. 심초음파 검사에서 심한 대동맥판 폐쇄 부전과 증식물로 진단하였다. 심폐기 운영 하에 좌 우 관상 동맥 첨판에 10mm, 7mm 파열을 발견 5-0 Prolene 연속 봉합하여 좋은 수술 결과를 얻고 환자는 수술 14일에 퇴원하였다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.983-988
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• 1996

Aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva is fairly rare. Between 1987 and 1994, we operated on a total of 12 cases of aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva at the Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital. This represents 0.7% of all cardiac operation under cardiopulmonary bypass. There were eight male and four female patients aged from 8 to 38 years(mean, 19.2 years). 8 of 12 patients had ruptured aneurysms. The origin of aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva was the right coronary sinus in 10(83. 3%), and the noncoronary sinus in 2(16.6%). In ruptured aneurysm, the origin was the right oronary sinus in 6, and the noncoronary sinus in 2. The aneurysms originating from the right coronary sinus ruptured into the right ventricle in 5, and into both the right atrium and right ventricle in 1. The aneurysms originating from the noncoronary sinus ruptured into the right ventricle in 1, and into the right atrium in 1. Associated congenital cardiac defects included ventricular septal defect in 10(83.3%) patients 39 cases of these were associated with the aneurysms of the right coronary sinus), aortic regurgi- tation in 3 (all of these had an additional ventricular septal defect), mitral regurgitation in 1, and double chambered right ventricle in 1. No hospital deaths occurred, although one late death occurred as a result of endocarditis 15 months after the first operation. The mean follow-up period was 29 months, range from 4 to 60 months. Eleven patients except one late death were in New York Heart Association class 1. Due to the low mortality risk o( an operation for aneur sm of the sinus of Valsalva, a ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva should be corrected surgically when the diagnosis is mane, and unruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsava with complication should also be operated. In most cases the aorta was opened to examine the morphology of the aneurysm and the aortic cusps, and an associated aortic valve defect should be corrected simultaneously.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.656-662
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• 1997

Aortic valvuloplasty has recently gained attention as an attractive alternative procedure for aortic valvular disease. Between March 1995 to August 1996, 14 patients with pure aortic regurgitation(AR) underwent aortic alvuloplasty using leaflet extension with glutaraldehydepreserved autologous pericardium. There were 11 males and 3 females, and the mean age was 34.8 $\pm$ 15.3 years. Preoperative echocardiography and cardiac catheterization revealed that the degree of AR was mean 3.4$\pm$0.65, and more than moderate degree of mitral regurgitation(MR) were detected in 4 patients. In 12 patients, 3 leaflets were extended and in another 2 patients only one deformed leaflet was extended. Concomitant mitral valvuloplasty (MVP) was performed in 4 patients. The competency of the aortic valve after completion of repair was evaluated by the transesophageal echocardiography in operating theater, and there was no aortic and mitral stenosis or regurgitation. In an early postoperative echocardiography, trivial AR was detected in 3 patients and mild MR in 1 patient. The end-systolic and end-diastolic dimensions of the left ventricle were decreased significantly(p<0.05) as compared with those of preoperative values. T ere was no mortality and no significant postoperative complication encountered. Late complication developed in 2 patients during the follow-up period(mean 7.9$\pm$ 5.9 months). One patient underwent AVR on postoperative 7th month due to endocarditis, and the another patient with Behcet's disease underwent Ross operation at postoperative 4th month. In conclusion, AVP of leaflet extension technique offers an excellent early clinical result and represents a good alterna!ivy surgical treatment for the pure AR especially in young age group, although long-term follow-up is necessary to determine the durability of glutaraldehyde-preserved autologous pericardium as a valve leaflet.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.528-532
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• 1997

After early surgical repair of ventricular septal rupture complicated by myocardial infarction, newly developed ventricular septal defects were discovered on the 7th and the 40th postoperative day in 2 cases. We reoperated these patients for closure of newly developed ventricular septal defects with Dacron patch successfully on the 77th and the loth day after discovery of those defects. From these results we conclude that early surgical rep ir for ruptured ventricular septum following myocardial infarction is an appropriate approach with low risk and that remnant or recurred ventricular septal defect can be corrected rather safely with proper myocardial preservation and unrestricted application of intraaortic balloon pump or other ventricular assist device.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.4 s.261
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• pp.289-297
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• 2006

Background: Surgery for Stanford type A aortic dissection shows a high operative mortality rate and frequent postoperative brain injury. This study was designed to find out the risk factors leading to operative mortality and brain injury after surgical repair in patients with type A aortic dissection. Material and Method: One hundred and eleven patients with type A aortic dissection who underwent surgical repair between February, 1995 and January 2005 were reviewed retrospectively. There were 99 acute dissections and 12 chronic dissections. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to identify risk factors of operative mortality and brain injury. Resuit: Hospital mortality occurred in 6 patients (5.4%). Permanent neurologic deficit occurred in 8 patients (7.2%) and transient neurologic deficit in 4 (3.6%). Overall 1, 5, 7 year survival rate was 94.4, 86.3, and 81.5%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed 4 risk factors to be statistically significant as predictors of mortality: previous chronic type III dissection, emergency operation, intimal tear in aortic arch, and deep hypothemic circulatory arrest (DHCA) for more than 45 minutes. Multivariate analysis revealed previous chronic type III aortic dissection (odds ratio (OR) 52.2), and DHCA for more than 45 minutes (OR 12.0) as risk factors of operative mortality. Pathological obesity (OR 12.9) and total arch replacement (OR 8.5) were statistically significant risk factors of brain injury in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: The result of surgical repair for Stanford type A aortic dissection was good when we took into account the mortality rate, the incidence of neurologic injury, and the long-term survival rate. Surgery of type A aortic dissection in patients with a history of chronic type III dissection may increase the risk of operative mortality. Special care should be taken and efforts to reduce the hypothermic circulatory arrest time should alway: be kept in mind. Surgeons who are planning to operate on patients with pathological obesity, or total arch replacement should be seriously consider for there is a higher risk of brain injury.