• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.566-575
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• 2003

We reviewed our 18-year surgical experience of biventricular repair for double-outlet right ventricle. Material and Method: One hundred twelve consecutive patients (80 males and 32 females) who underwent biventricular repair for double-outlet right ventricle between May 1986 and September 2002 were included. We assessed risk factors for early mortality and reoperation. Reoperation-free survival rate and actual survival rate were analysed. Result: Most common type of ventricular septal defect was subaortic (n=58, 52%) and non-committed type was second most common (n=32, 29%). Four different surgical methods were used: intraventricular baffle repair (n=71 , 63%): right ventricle to pulmonary ariery conduit interposition or REV with left ventricle to aorta baffle repair (n=24, 21 .4%): arierial switch operation with left ventricle to pulmonary artery baffle (n=14, 12.5%): Senning atrial switch operation with left ventricle to pulmonary artery baffle (n=3, 2.7%). Thirty four patients(30%) underwent palliative procedures before definite repair. Twenty three patients (21%) required reoperations. There were 12 (10.7%) early deaths and 4 late deaths. Age younger than 3 months at repair (p=0.003), cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross clamp time (p=0.015, p=0.067), type of operation (arterial switch operation) (p <0.001) and type of ventricular septal defect (subpulmonic type) (p=0.002) were revealed as risk factors for early death in univariate analysis, while age under 3 months was the only significant risk factor in multivariate analysis. Patients younger than 1 year of age (p=0.02), pulmonary artery angioplasty at definitive repair (p=0.024), type of ventricular septal defect (non-committed) (p=0.001), type of operation (right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit interposition and REV operation) (p=0.028, p=0.017) were risk factors for reoperation in univariate analysis but there was no significant risk factor in multivariate analysis. Follow-up was available on 91 survivals with a mean duration of 110.8$\pm$56.4 (2~201) months. 5, 10 and 15 year survival rates were 86.5%, 85% and 85% and reoperation free survival were 85%, 71.5%, 70%. Conclusion: Age under 3 months at repair, subpulmonic ventricular septal defect and arterial switch operation were significant risk factors for early mortality. Patients with non-committed ventricular septal defect and who underwent conduit interposition or REV operation were risk factors for reoperation. With careful attention to chose best timing and surgical approach depending on morphologic characteristics, biventricular repair for double outlet right ventricle can be achieved with good long-term outcome.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.428-432
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• 1999

Background: It has been shown that low-grade electrical stimulus can transform fatigue resistant muscles which then can be used to protect the heart. The bulky and cumbersome power sources of the artificial heart or implantable ventricular assist devices are still in need of solution; however, on the other hand, the implantable ventricular assist devices using the resistant muscles as the power source have the advantages of using its own muscle contractions. The purpose of this study was to determine the possibility of a clinical application of the skeletal muscle ventricle. Material and Method: Latissimus dorsi muscles (LDM) of 8 canines were used for skeletal muscle ventricle. A latex chamber was wrapped one and a half times with LDM. The chamber was attached to a pressure transducer via Tygon tube. An electrode stimulator was placed around the thoracodorsal nerve and LDM was stimulated in cyclic bursts of 0.31 sec on time and 6.0 sec off time using 3.0 volt Itrel stimulator. The preload volume was added to the system in 25cc increments. Ejection volumes, pressures, and peak power outputs were measured. Result: Ejection volume was 76.3cc with 0cc of preload. Ejection volumes were less than 70ml with increments of preload over 75cc Pressures were more than 107 mmHg when the preloads were less than 75cc and less than 100 mmHg when the preloads were more than 100cc. Peak power output of 16.6 W/kg was observed at 50cc preload. Conclusion: Depending on the changes of preload, the volumes ejected from skeletal muscle ventricle and pressures from the skeletal muscle contraction surpassed those of the normal heart. These data suggest that there are clinical applications for skeletal muscle ventricular assist system.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.871-875
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• 2002

Despite early aggressive treatment, post myocardial infarction(MI) ventricular septal defect(VSD) revealed high surgical mortality. We reviewed the 10-year experiences of surgically treated post-MI VSD in Yonsei University. Material and Method: From Jan. 1991 to May 2001, 17 patients underwent surgical repair of post-MI VSD. Ages ranged between 47 and 77 years(mean age＝63.2$\pm$9.1). There were 10 males and 7 females. VSD was located at anterior in 16 patients and at posterior in one. IABP was inserted preoperatively in 12 patients due to cardiogenic shock. Mean interval from MI to occurrence of VSD was 5.6 days. Among patients undergoing early surgical correction(n＝13), mean interval from occurrence of VSD to operation was 2.5 days. In 11 patients, concomitant CABG was performed during repair of VSD. Result: Four patients died within 30 days after the operation(30 day mortality＝23.5%). Among 12 patients with preoperative cardiogenic shock, 4 patients died within 30 days(30-day mortality＝33.3%). During mean follow up period of 52 months, one patient died of unknown cause and 10-year survival of discharged patients was 66.7%. All follow-up patients were in NYHA functional class I or II when their last OPD visit. Conclusion: In the treatment of post-MI VSD, aggressive medical treatment with early surgical correction seems to be very important in terms early and long-term survival of patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.10 s.255
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• pp.717-720
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• 2005

Here we report a case of posterior left ventricular (LV) free wall rupture following postinfarct ventricular septal rupture (VSR). A 58-year-old man was transferred to the hospital under the impression of acute myocardial infarction. Posterior VSR was seen on echocardiographic examination. The intraaortic balloon pump catheter was introduced percutaneously and the emergent operation was proposed. Sudden circulatory collapse was developed shortly after the anesthetic induction and the patient's chest was hurriedly opened while on cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The acute cardiac tamponade was seen and the blood was seen pumping from the longitudinal tear at the mid-level of LV posterior wall, measuring 2 cm in length. The cardiopulmonary bypass was set and LV reconstruction was done. The postoperative recovery was delayed due to the brain injury presumably caused by preoperative cardiac arrest.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.885-890
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• 1997

Patients with coronary artery disease and depressed ventricular function have better longterm benefits after coronary artery bypass grafting compared with medical therapy. But operative mortality remains high. This study was designed to identify the risk factors for coronary artery bypass grafting according to ventricular function. The records of 103 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting from truly 1994 to June 1996 were analysed. The patients were divided into two groups based on preoperative ejection fraction: Low EF group(Ejection fraction < 40%, n=24) and Normal EF group(Ejection fraction $\geq$ 40%, n=79). The indication of operation was significantly different between the two groups (p=0.00003). Postinfarction angina was frequent in Low EF group but unstable angina was frequent in Normal EF group. The frequency of cardiomegaly(p=0.0012), serum creatinine abnormality(p=0.0473) and preoperative use of IABP(Intra Aortic Balloon Pump, p=0.0095) were higher in Low EP group. The left internal thoracic artery was used less frequently in Low EP group(p=0.00416). The operative mortality was 8.3% in Low EF group and 5.1% in Normal EF group, but without statistical difference(p=0.5492). In Normal EF group, age (p=0.041) was identified as a significant risk factor for operative mortality. In Low EF group, age(p=0.018), preopertive use of IABP(p=0.0036), hypercholesterolemia(p=0.0007), and emergency of operation(p=0.0037) were identified as significant risk factors. Postoperative morbidity was 50% in Low EF group and 33olo in Normal EP group, but without s atistical significance(p=0.1007). These results suggest that in patients with coronary artery disease and depressed ventricular function, more aggresive coronary artery bypass grafting is needed to improve the symptom and long-term benefit.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 1996

Between May 1991 and September 1995, 7 patients underwent surgical repair of ventricular septal defect (VSD) complicated with myocardial infarction in Asan Medical Center. The patients included two male and five female. The ages of patients were ranged from 54 years to 76 years with a mean of 65 years. The sites of postinfarction ventricular septal defect were consist of anterior septal defect in 6 patients and anteroposterior septal defect in 1 patient. Preoperative 2D-echocardiography & angiography were performed in all patients in order to measure ventricular function and evaluate the extent of coronary artery disease. The operations were delayed till mean 24 $\pm$ 12days after myocardial infarction. All patients underwent infarctectomy and Teflon patch closures through the area of the left ventricle infarction or aneurysm in the anterior or apical aspect of postinfarction ventricular septal defect. The ventricular septal defect repaired simultaneously with coronary artery b pass graft in 3 patients, with ventricular aneurysmectomy in 5 patients, and with left ventricular thrombectomy in 1 patient. Patch fixation in the left side of interventricular septum by tracts-septal interrupted pledget suture reduced the recurrence rate of VSD. There were 2 postoperative complications : One with pneumonia, 1 patient with the skin necrosis of left thigh. There was ilo early death. The 6 patients except for one emigrant were followed up postoperatively between 3 and 63 months(mean .28 months), without any sequelae and late death. They are in New York Heart Association functional class I-II.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1218-1222
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• 1996

The reported incidence of postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock not responding to conventional therapy is still 0.1 to 0.8%. For this group of patients, more aggressive form of circulatory support must be employed. Centrifugal pumps are a ventricular assist device most commonly used on this purpose, due to low cost and easy availability. Currently, however, clinical experience of centrifugal pumps as a ventricular assist device is rarely reported in Korea. From January 1992 to January 1996, 2986 patients underwent cardiac operations on cardiopulmonary bypass at Seoul National University Hospital. Refractory postcardiotomy cardiac failure requring ventricular support with a Biomedicus centrifugal pump developed in ten of these patients. There were eight men and two women, ranged in age from nine years to 77 years with a mean of 50$\pm$20 years. The primary surgical procedures consisted of isolated coronary revascularization in four patients, combined coronary revascularization and aortic valve replacement in two, aortic dissection repair in two, pulmonary embolectomy in one, and heart transplantation in one. Of the ten patients, five had left ventricular assistance, one had right ventricular assistance, and four had biventricular assistance. Duration of ventricular assistance ranged from 24 to 175 hours, with a mean of 76$\pm$51 hours. Seven patients were weaned from ventricular assistance, and four of them discharged. The causes of death for nonsurvivors were progressive cardiac failure in two patients and multiorgan failure, intractable ventricular fibrillation, irreversible brain injury, and mechanical problem, respectively, in the other four. Survival was not predicted by time on cardiopulmonary bypass, aortic cross-clamp time, or duration of ventricular support. Major complications included bleeding(7), renal failure(6), infection(3) and neurologic complication(2). These results indicate that a centrifugal pump can provide reasonably satisfactory short-term circulatory support.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.486-492
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• 1997

We r viewed a policy of primary surgical closure of large ventricular septal defects in small infants. Sixty-three infants met criteria for inclusion in the study, and were divided into two groups based on age: group 1 infants aged less than 5 months(n = 31), and group 2 infants aged 5 months or more(n = 32). Both groups had similar variation in ventricular septal defect location(paramembranous versus muscular), and showed no significant difference in left to right shunt and in ratio of systemic and pulmonary vascualr resistance. Three early deaths(9.7%) occurred in group 1, but no death(0%) in group 2. The causes of death were preoperative cardiac arrest and cerebral injury followed by postoperative respiratory insufficiency in two patients, and preoperative tracheomalacia followed by laryngeal edema and respiratory arrest in one Two patients in group 1 showed postoperative low cardiac output syndrome(6.5% in group 1 versus 0% in group 2). There was no late death during the follow-up per od in both groups. No surviving patients had postoperative patch leakage, or required a second operation. These results indicate that primary surgical closure of large ventricular septal defects, if logical perioperative care is accompanied, can be saefly performed in small infants aged less than 5 months with low postoperative mortality or morbidity rates.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.12 s.269
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• pp.906-912
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• 2006

Background: Ventricular septal defect(VSD) is rare but feared complication after acute myocardial infarction. The patient could survive by surgery only, but the surgical mortality is still high. We investigate the surgical result and predictors for early surgical mortality. Material and Method: Between August 1993 and February 2006, 8 patients (male, 2: female, 6) with postinfarct VSD underwent surgical repair. Seven patients had one-vessel disease of left anterior descending artery, and 6 of them had wide extension of infarction to posterior septal wall as well as anterior septal wall of both ventricles. One patient had concomitant coronary bypass grafting to a coronary lesion unrelated to the infarction. Two patients had concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty and 1 patient mitral valvuloplasty. Result: Surgical mortality was 37.5%(3 patients). They all had only one-vessel disease of left anterior descending artery, which made extended posterior septal wall infarction as well as anterior septal wall infarction of both ventricles. In preoperative M-mode echocardiographic study of left ventricle, they had lower ejection fraction than survivors($34.9{\pm}4.2\;vs.\;54.8{\pm}12.3$; p=0.036). Conclusion: Most of patients with postinfarction VSD had one-vessel disease of left anterior descending artery. Early surgical mortality occurred in the patients with poor ejection fraction of left ventricle and the wide anterior septal wall infarction extending to the posterior septum.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.641-646
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• 1997

Understanding of the surgical anatomy of patients with double outlet right ventricle (DORV) is important in the planning of biventricular repair From May 1995 to September 1996, 7 patients underwent biventricular repair for DORV with remote ventricular septal defect. There were 5 males and 2 (tamales. Age at operation varied from 2 to 9 years(mean 3.4$\pm$ 2.7years). Preoperative diagnostic assessment was made by two-dimensional echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. Ventricular septal defect was perimembranous inlet type in all patients. Associated cardiac anomalies were pulmonary atresia in two, pulmonary stenosis in five and tricuspid chordal attachment to zonal septum in five. The operations were performed intraventricular repair and pulmonary enlargement in two, REV operation in two, and Rastelli operation in three. There was no early postoperative deaths and complications. The follow-up period war from 1 month to 18mon1hs, averaging 10: 6.1 months. In the past, we considered the Fontal operation indicative as primary choice when DORV was associated with abnormal tricuspid chordal attachment to the zonal septum, but now we believe that biventricular repair is feasible for those cases by making conal flap or reattachment method. Biventricular repair has theoretic advantages because it estabilishes normal anatomy and physiology, and it was concluded that the precise preoperative evaluation using both echocardiography and cardiac catheterization was essential to the successful surgery.