• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.467-473
• /
• 2004

Background: The sinus conversion rate after the maze procedure in chronic atrial fibrillation using radiofrequency energy is lower than with either conventional 'cut and saw' technique or cryothermia. The creation of incomplete transmural lesions due to poor tissue-catheter contact is thought to be the main cause. To address this problem, the current study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a specially constructed compression device designed to enhance tissue catheter contact during unipolar radiofrequency catheter ablation. Material and Method: Circum-ferential right auricular epicardial lesions were created with a linear radiofrequency catheter in 10 anesthetized pigs. A device specially designed to increase contact by compression of the catheter to the atrial wall was used in 5 pigs (study group). This device was not used in the control group (5 pigs). Conduction block across the right auricular lesion was assessed by pacing, and the transmurality of the lesions were confirmed by microscopic examination. Result: Conduction block was observed in a total of 8 pigs; 5 in study group and 3 in control group. Transmural injury was confirmed microscopically by the accumulation of acute inflammatory cells and loss of elastic fibers in the endocardium. In two pigs with failed conduction block, microscopic examination of the endocardium appeared normal. Conclusion: Failed radiofrequency ablation is strongly related to non-transmural energy delivery. The specially constructed compression device in the current study was successful in creating firm tissue-catheter contact and thereby generating transmural lesions during unipolar radiofrequency ablation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.281-286
• /
• 1999

Background: The purpose of this study is to analyze the types of complications, the incidences of complications, and preoperative and postoperative risk factors affecting the incidence of the complication. Material and Method: Between August 1990 and August 1997 in Asan Medical Center, 42 patients(24 men and 18 women) underwent surgical resection for pulmonary aspergilloma. The mean age was 46.6${\pm}$11.5 years(range 29 to 69 years). Hemoptysis(90%) was the most common presentation. Pulmonary tuberculosis was the most common predisposing cause(81%). The associated diseases were bronchiectasis(n=11), active puolmonary tuberculosis(n=9), diabetes mellitus(n=8), lung carcinoid(n=1), and acute myeloblastic leukemia(n=1). Lobectomy was done in 32 cases(76%), segmentectomy or wedge resection in 4, pneumonectomy in 2, and lobectomy combined with segmentectomy in 4. Result: Operative mortality was 2%. The most common postoperative complication was persistent air leakage(n=6). The variables such as age, sex, pulmonary function test, amount and duration of hemoptysis, associated diseases(diabetes mellitus, active pulmonary tuberculosis), mode of preoperative management(steroid, antifungal agent, bronchial arterial embolization), and modes of operative procedures were statistically insignificant. The radiologic extent of infiltration to normal lung parenchyme was statistically significant(p=0.04). Conclusion: We conclude that the extent of the infiltration to normal lung parenchyme in preoperative radiologic studies should be carefully evaluated to reduce the postoperative complications in surgery for pulmonary aspergilloma.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.29 no.6
• /
• pp.639-645
• /
• 1996

A 14-year-old male patient with previous surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot was admitted with hemodynamically significant ventricular tachycardia (VT). On preoperative electrophysiologic study (EPS), the morphology of documented VT was RBBB of vertical axis with 320 msec cycle length. The endocardial mapping during VT delineated the origin of VT at right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), where the patch was attached. The clinical VT had a clockwise reentry circuit around the patch with the earliest activation at the same site seen during the preoperative EPS. The previously placed right ventricular outflow patch and fibrous tissue were removed. During a postoperative EPS, it was no longer possible to induce the VT. Ventricular tachycardia following repair of tetralogy of Fallot seen in this patient was caused by a macro-reentry around the right ventricular outflow patch. We were able to ablate the VT with the aid of a detailed mapping of its epicardial activation sequence.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.1 s.246
• /
• pp.63-66
• /
• 2005

Surgical anterior ventricular endocardial restoration (SAVER) is a technique that improves hemodynamic status by excluding akinetic or dyskinetic portions of the left ventricle, restores the ventricle to normal elliptical shape and reduces ventricular wall tension to normal level in patients with acute anterior wall myocardial infarction that accompanies aneurysm. We performed redo-SAVER procedure in a 40-year old man with remodeled dilated ventricle who had already underwent LV aneurysmectomy 12 years earlier, and the results were satisfactory.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.261-266
• /
• 2002

In an attempt to avoid the adverse effects of the cardiopulmonary bypass, off pump coronary artery bypass grafting(Off pump CABG) that has recently been rediscovered and refined. We compared the preoperative risk factors and in-hospital outcomes of patients done Off pump with those done On pump CABG. Material na Method: One hundred seventy eight patients was underwent CABG between January 2001 and July 2001 12 patients whom underwent associated valvular or left ventricular volume reduction surgery were excluded in this study Data were collected for 52 Off pump CABG and 114 On pump CABG for patient and disease risk factors, extent of coronary disease, and in-hospital outcomes. Result: Off pump CABG and On pump CABG groups did not show any differences in their patient and disease risk factors, and extent of coronary disease. Off pump CABG group had significantly lower mean operation time(234 $\pm$ 37 min vs 290 $\pm$ 48 min, p<0.001), lower mean CK-MB level(10.1 $\pm$ 13.5 IU/L vs 33.1 $\pm$ 18.2 IU/L, p<0.001) and mean ventilation time(14.8 $\pm$ 3.5 hours vs 16.2 $\pm$ 4.9 hours, p=0.048) than On pump CABG groups. On pump CABG group had significantly more distal grafts(3.4 $\pm$ 0.9 vs 2.6 $\pm$ 0.8, p<0.001) than Off pump CABG groups. There were no operative mortality in two groups. Off pump) CABG and On pump CABG groups did not show any differences in their postoperative complications and outcomes including perioperative myocardial infarction, stroke, respiratory failure, renal failure, reoperation, the amount of bleeding, the need of intraaortic balloon pump, the need of inotropics, and the stay of intensive care unit and hospital. Two patients were converted to On pump CABG. Conclusion: This study showed that patients having Off pump CABG are not exposed to a greater risks of adverse outcomes and also provided evidence that patients having Off pump CABG have significantly lower operation time, CK-MB, ventilation time and less distal grafts. Although there may be potential benefits to Off pump CABG, further studies must be directed to determine those patients who would benefit from Off pump CABG.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.525-531
• /
• 1999

Background: We analyzed five hundred patients who underwent either isolated or concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG) between November 1981 and June 1997. Material and Method: There were 330 males and 170 females with a mean age of 57.4$\pm$8.9 years. To evaluate the preoperative status, we performed electrocardiograghy, echocardiography, MIBI scan, Duplex sonogram, common blood test including CK and LDH and coronary angiography. Result: Preoperative clinical diagnoses were unstable angina in 282 (56.4%), stable angina in 141 (28.2%), postinfarction angina in 58 (11.6%), acute myocardial infarction in 8 (1.6%), variant angina in 7 (1.4%) and failed percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in 4 (0.8%) patients. Preoperative angiographic diagnoses were three-vessel disease in 263 (52.6%), two-vessel disease in 93 (18.6%), one-vessel disease in 71 (14.2%), left main disease in 68 (13.6%), and others in 5 (1.0%) patients. Patients had various risk factors for coronary disease, and the frequency of the risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes and smoking showed increasing tendency year by year. We used saphenous vein grafts in 1143, internal thoracic artery grafts in 442, radial artery graft in 17, and gastroepiploic artery graft in 1 anastomosis. The mean number of grafts was 3.2$\pm$1.2 per patient. Concomitant operations were prosthetic valve replacement or valvuloplasty in 31, coronary endarterectomy and angioplasty in 27, left main coronary angioplasty in 13, carotid endarterectomy in 5, and neurologic problems, bleeding, and perioperative myocardial infarction. The mean follow-up period was 25$\pm$23 months and there were 5 cases of reoperation. Conclusion: We hope that the surgical results would improve with the accumulation of experience, application of new myocardial protection technique, and timely intervention of mechanical assisted devices.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.35 no.7
• /
• pp.542-547
• /
• 2002

Background: Postpneumonectomy empyema(PPE) is an infrequent but potentially life-threatening complication. To date, various surgical efforts have been made to manage this complication. We reviewed our 20-year surgical experience of PPE and long-term follow-up data. Material and Method: Total of 37 patients who were treated for PPE between fan, 1980 and Jun, 2000 were included. Various clinical factors such as micro-organism, operative method and timing, presence of bronchopleural fistula(BPF), underlying disease and fate of empyema cavity were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Result: Majority of patients(34) underwent Eloesser operation for effective drainage. There was only one operative mortality. The causative organisms were Staphylococcus species and Pseudomonas species in 46% BPF was found in 20 cases, among which spontaneous closures took place in 4 cases. The chest wall was closed in 40%(8/20) of patients with BPF, compared to 59%(10/17) without BPF. The closure rate was statistically better in patients without BPF(p=0.006). Even though the patients with benign disease showed higher closure rate(50%) than those with lung cancer (31%), the difference was not significant(p=0.25). Conclusion: Eloesser procedure was an effective method for initial drainage of PPE cavity with low operative mortality. Given the findings of low spontaneous closure rate of BPF, aggressive approach to close the BPF is mandatory to achieve the final goal of chest wall closure. It was found that majority of patients still left their chest cavity opened, even after controlling the active inflammation of the empyema cavity. More aggnessive approach for chest wall closure is recommended in all patents with benign disease and in selective patients with lung cancer if there is no evidence of recurrence at several years after the initial operation.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.85-88
• /
• 1994

근래 골조직에 있어서 자율신경의 기능에 대하여 많은 연구가 이루어지고 있으며, 골내의 자율신경의 해부학적 분포는 많이 알려져 있다. 그러나 임상적으로 반사적 교감신경 이상이나 레이노드 현상등과 같은 교감신경의 기능이상증에서나, 버거씨병 등의 치료 목적으로 시행되고 있는 교감신경 절제술 후, 자율신경기능의 변화가 사지골의 혈류나 골대사에 미치는 영향에 대하여는 아직도 논란의 여지가 있다. 저자들은 교감신경절제술 후 시간 경과에 따른 골에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위하여 흰쥐에서 골대사와 혈류상태를 비교적 충실히 반영하는 정량적 골스캔을 시행하였다. 체중 $300{\sim}400g$의 수컷 흰쥐 10마리에서 복강을 통한 편측 요추부 교감신경절제술을 시행하였고, 수술 전과 후 1일, 3일, 1주, 2주, 3주, 4주에 양측 하지에서 각각 골스캔을 시행하고 교감신경 절제측 하지와 정상 하지에 대칭적으로 관심구역을 정하여 양측의 골스캔상 섭취계수를 비교하였다. 측정부위는 각 하지의 대퇴골간, 경골간 및 중족골로 하였다. 교감신경 절제술을 시행한 하지에서는 골스캔 소견상 수술 후 1일 또는 3일부터 동위원소 집적이 유의하게 증가되었으며 원위부로 갈수록 더욱 증가되었다. 그러나 3주 이후에는 정상측 수준으로 환원되었다. 교감신경절제술 후 골스캔상 동위원소집적이 증가되는 것은 골자체의 혈류가 증가되기 때문이며 이차적으로 골의 흡수를 유발하여 골밀도가 감소하는 것으로 생각되는데 이러한 변화는 시술 후 1일 째부터 관찰되어 사지골이 교감신경 절제에 매우 민감하게 반응하는 것을 알 수 있었다.9m}Tc$-MAA를 이용한 간 동맥 혈류 검사는 간암에서 색전술의 효과를 정확히 평가할 수 있는 유용한 검사법으로 이용될 수 있으리라 생각한다. 활성화 과정을 알아볼 수 있었으며 위상영상히스토그램을 통하여 이를 정량화하여 심실내 전기적 활성의 비동시성 여부를 추적관찰 할 수 있는 비관혈적검사임을 확인하였다.며, 3. $^{99m}Tc$으로 표지된 avidin과 streptavidin은 먼저 간으로 흡수된 후 대사된 다음 신장으로 배설된다는 사실을 알았다.damole에 의한 부작용은 흉통, 두통, 복통 등의 순이었고 전예에서 호전되었으며 생명에 위험을 초래할 수 있는 정도의 심장마비나 심부정맥은 한 예에서도 없었다. 결론적으로 dipyridamole은 약물부하 심근 SPECT 검사에 안전하게 사용할 수 있는 약물로 사료된다. 미소핵 빈도수가 증가하는 경향을 보였으나, 각 군간에 통계학적으로 유의한 차이는 없었다(p>0.05). 결론 : 임상적으로 치료를 중단하게 되는 1000mCi/60 Kg(16.67 mCi/Kg)를 투여한 군에서도 생쥐 골수내 미소핵이 발현되지 않는 것으로 보아, 방사성옥소는 비교적 안심하고 치료에 사용할 수 있는 제제로 사료되었다.반드시 비례하지만은 않아서 시간경과에 따른 추후 검사가 필요하리라 생각된다. 또한 방광요관역류가 있는 환아에서 DMSA 섭취율로 신기능을 평가할 때, 특히 영유아에서 연령에 따른 고려가 있어야 할 것으로 보인다.었다. 4) $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ hepatobiliary scintigram 음성율을

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.35 no.9
• /
• pp.643-652
• /
• 2002

As the prevalence of coronay artery disease is increasing, the surgical treatment has been universalized and operative outcome has been improved. We analyzed the short and mid-term results of 292 CABGs performed in Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital. Material and Method: From June 1994 to December 2001, 292 patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. There were 173 men and 119 women and their ages ranged from 39 to 84 years with a mean of $61.8{\pm}9.1$ years. We analyzed the preoperative risk factors, operative procedures and operative outcome. In addition, we analyzed the recurrence of symptoms, long-term mortality and complications via out-patient follow-up for discharged patients. Result: Preoperative clinical diagnoses were unstable angina in 137(46.9%), stable angina in 34(11.6%), acute myocardial infarction in 40(13.7%), non-Q myocardial infarction in 25(8.6%), postinfarction angina in 22(7.5%), cardiogenic shock in 30(10.3%) and PTCA failure in 4(1.4%) patients. Preoperative angiographic diagnoses were three-vessel disease in 157(53.8%), two-vessel disease in 35 (12.0%), one-vessel disease in 11(3.8%) and left main disease in 89(30.5%) patients. We used saphenous veins in 630, internal thoracic arteries in 257, radial arteries in 50, and right gastoepiploic arteries in 2 distal anastomoses. The mean number of distal anastomoses per patient was $3.2{\pm}1.0$ There were 18 concomitant procedures ; valve replacement in 8(2.7%), left main coronary artery angioplasty in 6(2.1%), patch closure of postinfarction ventricular septal defect(PMI-VSD) in 2(0.7%), replacement of ascending aorta in 1(0.3%) and coronary endarterectomy in 1(0.3%) patient. The mean ACC time was $96.6{\pm}35.3 $ minutes and the mean CPB time was $179.2{\pm}94.6$ minutes. Total early mortality was 8.6%, but it was 3.1% in elective operations. The most common cause of early mortality was low cardiac output syndrome in 6(2.1%) patients. The stastistically significant risk factors for early mortality were hypertension, old age($\geq$ 70 years), poor LV function(EF＜40%), congestive heart failure, preoperative intraaortic balloon pump, emergency operation and chronic renal failure. The most common complication was arrhythmia in 52(17.8%) patients. The mean follow-up period was $39.0{\pm}27.0$ months. Most patients were free of symptoms during follow-up. Fourteen patients(5.8 %) had recurrent symptoms and 7 patients(2.9%) died during follow-up period. Follow-up coronary angiography was performed in 13 patients with recurrent symptoms and they were managed by surgical and medical treatment according to the coronary angiographic result. Conclusion: The operative and late results of CABG in our hospital, was acceptable. However, There should be more refinement in operative technique and postoperative management to improve the results.