• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.394-398
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• 2010

Background: The overexpression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 receptor II (TGF-${\beta}1$RII) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-${\beta}1$) ligand may be involved in the formation of a bulla. In this study, we tested if serum TGF-${\beta}1$ ligand levels correlated with the expression level of TGF-${\beta}1$RII and TGF-${\beta}1$ in bullous tissues from patients with spontaneous pneumothorax. Material and Method: Bullous lung tissues and blood samples were obtained from 19 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax, 18 males and 1 female, aged 17 to 35 years old. The bullous tissues were obtained by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), fixed in formalin, embedded in paraffin, and cut into $5{\sim}6{\mu}m$ thick slices. Sections were immunohistochemically stained with primary antibodies against TGF-${\beta}1$ or TGF-${\beta}1$RII, and serum levels of TGF-${\beta}1$ in patients and normal controls was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Result: Of the 19 patients, 16 were TGF-${\beta}1$ positive and 10 were TGF-${\beta}1$RII positive. Among the 16 TGF-${\beta}1$ positives, 9 were also TGF-${\beta}1RII$ positive. As seen previously, strong immunohistochemical staining of TGF-${\beta}1$RII and TGF-${\beta}$ was detected in the boundary region between the bullous and normal lung tissues. Average TGF-${\beta}1$ blood levels of both TGF-${\beta}1$ and TGF-${\beta}1$RII positive patients was $38.36{\pm}16.2ng/mL$, and that of five controls was $54.06{\pm}15ng/mL$. Conclusion: These results suggest that overexpression of TGF-${\beta}1$ and TGF-${\beta}1$RII expression may be involved in the formation of bullae. TGF-${\beta}1$ blood levels in patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax is lower than normal people, suggesting that the high level of local TGF-${\beta}1$ expression in the bullous tissue region, but not in the whole blood, may contribute more in the formation of bullae.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.7 s.276
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• pp.480-484
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• 2007

Background: Major vascular injuries can jeopardize a patient's life or imperil limb survival. We performed this study to establish an optimal management plan for vascular injuries. Material and Method: We retrospectively reviewed 26 cases of vascular injury that were treated at Pusan National University Hospital from May, 1999 to September, 2004. The age and sex distribution, the locations and causes of vascular injury, the diagnostic tools, the degree of injuries, clinical manifestations, the treatment modality and complications were reviewed. Result: The mean age was 39.5 years (range: $12{\sim}86$) and the male to female ratio was 22 : 4. The injuries were in 6 descending thoracic aortas, 4 femoral arteries, 4 popliteal veins and so on. The causes of injury were iatrogenic in 8 cases, traffic accident in 7, stab injury in 6 and industrial accident in 5. The most commonly used diagnostic tools were CT and angiography. The degrees of arterial injury were pseudoaneurysm in 10 cases, partial severance in 5, complete severance in 3 and thrombosis in 3. The degrees of venous injury were partial severance in 6 cases, complete severance in 2 and arteriovenous fistula in 2. The clinical manifestations were absence of pulse in 8 cases, coldness in 7, chest pain in 6, swelling in 5, bleeding in 5 and so on. The most frequently used type of revascularization was graft interposition in 11 cases. Two arteriovenous fistulae were repaired by endovascular procedure. There was one case of mortality due to multi-organ failure after hemorrhagic shock, There were three major amputations, and two of them were due to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Conclusion: A system for the early diagnosis and treatment is essential for improving limb salvage and patient mortality. As a consequence of the widespread application of endovascular procedures, the incidence of iatrogenic injuries has recently increased. Educating physicians is important for the prevention of iatrogenic injury. Easy communication and cooperation for earlier involvement of a vascular surgeon is also an important factor.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.193-204
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• 1998

The single crystal of the $LiTaO_3$has large electro-optic effects, so it is applied to optical switch, acousto-optic deflector, and optical memory device as hologram using photorefractive effect. In this study, optic-grade undoped $LiTaO_3$and Fe:LiTaO$LiTaO_3$single crystals were grown by the Czochralski method and optical transmission and absorption spectrums were measured in the wavelength of UV-VIS range. The curie temperature was determined with DSC and by measuring capacitance for the grown undoped crystal and ceramic powder samples of various Li/Ta ratio. In case of having a 48.6 mol% $Li_2O$ as a starting Li/Ta ratio, the results of concentration variations were below 0.01 mol% $Li_2O$ all over the crystal, so it was confirmed that $LiTaO_3$single crystals were grown under congruent melting composition having optical homogeneity. The curie temperature of the Fe:$LiTaO_3$crystal was increased with increased with increased doped Fe concentrations;by the ratio of $7.5^{\circ}C$ increase per Fe 0.1 wt%. Also, the optical transmittance was about 78 %, which was sufficient for optical device.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.653-661
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• 2001

Background: Retrograde cerebral perfusion(RCP) is one of the methods used for brain protection during aortic arch surgery. The author previously published the data, however, for the safety of it, there still remains many controversies. The author performed RCP and checked various parameters to clarify the possibility of early detection of cerebral injury. Material and Method: The author used pigs(Landrace species) weighing 25 to 30kg and performed RCP for 120 minutes. After weaning of cardiopulmonary bypass, we observed pigs for another 120 minutes. Rectal temperature, jugular venous oxygen saturation, central venous pressure were continuously monitored, and the hemodynamic values, histological changes, and serum levels of neuron-specific enolose(NSE) and S100$\beta$ protein were checked. Central venous pressure during RCP was maintained in the range of 20 to 25 mmHg. Result: Flow rates(ml/min) during RCP were 224.3$\pm$87.5(20min), 227.1$\pm$111.0(40min), 221.4$\pm$119.5(60min), 230.0$\pm$136.5(80min), 234.3$\pm$146.1(100min), and 184.3$\pm$50.5(120min). Serum levels of NSE did not increase after retrograde cerebral perfusion. Serum levels of S100$\beta$ protein(ng/ml) were 0.12$\pm$0.07(induction of anesthesia), 0.12$\pm$0.07(soon after CPB), 0.19$\pm$0.12(20min after CPB), 0.25$\pm$0.06(RCP 20min), 0.29$\pm$0.08(RCP 40min), 0.41$\pm$0.05(60min), 0.49$\pm$0.03(RCP 80min), 0.51$\pm$0.10(RCP 100min), 0.46$\pm$0.11(RCP 120min), 0.52$\pm$0.15(CPBoff 60min), 0.62$\pm$0.15(60min after rewarming), 0.76$\pm$0.17(CPBoff 30min), 0.81$\pm$0.20(CPBoff 60min), 0.84$\pm$0.23(CPBoff 90min) and 0.94$\pm$0.33(CPBoff 120min). The levels of S100$\beta$ after RCP were significantly higher than thosebefore RCP(p<0.05). The author could observe the mitochondrial swellings using transmission electron microscopy in neocortex, basal ganglia and hippocampus(CA1 region). Conclusion: The author observed the increase of serum S100$\beta$ after 120 minutes of RCP. The correlation between its level and brain injury is still unclear. The results should be reevaluated with longterm survival model also considering the confounding factors like cardiopulmonary bypass.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.350-355
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• 2002

Background: Most of pulmonary regurgitation with or without stenosis appears to be well tolerated early after the repair of pulmonary outflow tract. However, it may result in symptomatic right ventricular dilatation, dysfunction and arrhythmias over a long period of time. We studied the early outcome of pulmonary valve replacement with tissue valves for patients with the above clinical features. Material and Method: Sixteen consecutive patients who underwent pulmonary valve replacement from September 1999 to February 2002 were reviewed(9 males and 7 females). The initial diagnoses included tetralogy of Fallot(n=11), and other congenital heart anomalies with pulmonary outflow obstruction(n=5). Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT Pericardial Bioprostheses and Hancock porcine valves were used. The posterior two thirds of the bioprosthetic rim was placed on the native pulmonary valve annulus and the anterior one third was covered with a bovine pericardial patch. Preoperative pulmonary regurgitation was greater than moderate degree in 13 patients. Three patients had severe pulmonary stenosis. Tricuspid regurgitation was present in 12 patients. Result: Follow-up was complete with a mean duration of 15.8 $\pm$ 8.5months. There was no operative mortality. Cardiothoracic ratio was decreased from 66.0 $\pm$ 6.5% to 57.6 $\pm$ 4.5%(n=16, p=0.001). All patients remained in NYHA class I at the most recent follow-up (n=16, p=0.016). Pulmonary regurgitation was mild or absent in all patients. Tricuspid regurgitation was less than trivial in all patients. Conclusion: In this study we demonstrated that early pulmonary valve replacement for the residual pulmonary regurgitation with or without right ventricular dysfunction was a reasonal option. This technique led to reduce the heart size, decrease pulmonary regurgitation and tricuspid regurgitation as well as to improve the patients'functional status. However, a long term outcome should be cautiously investigated.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.131-138
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• 2004

High-flow gas insufflation to get a bloodless field during off-pump coronary artery bypass may have adverse effects on the coronary endothelium. This study was designed (1) to elucidate the effect of carbon dioxide gas insufflations on the coronary endothelium at different flow rates and (2) to assess the protective effect of humidifcation against the coronary endothelial damage. Material and Method: In nine pigs, the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was exposed after a median sternotomy. The LAD was divided into 4 segments and a coronary arteriotomy was made in each LAD segment in the beating heart. The far distal arteriotomy was exposed to room air for 10 minutes and was harvested as a control. Non-humidified carbon dioxide gas at a continuous flow rate of 5 L/min (Group I), humidified carbon dioxide gas at a continuous flow rate of 5 L/min (Group II), and humidified carbon dioxide gas at a continuous flow rate of 10 L/min (Group III) were insufflated for 10 minutes on each coronary arteriotomy site, respectively. After harvesting the coronary segments, hematoxylin-eosin staining, elastic fiber staining, and immunostaining with a CD34 monoclonal antibody were performed to evaluate the depth of endothelial damage and to count the residual endothelial cells, Result: In all three groups (Group I, II, and III), internal elastic laminae were preserved, however, the endothelial layers were significantly damaged by carbon dioxide gas insufflation. The mean percentages of remaining endothelial cells were 20,9$\pm$16.7%, 39.3$\pm$19.6%, and 6.8$\pm$5.3%, in groups I, II, and III, respectively. The percentages of remaining cells were significantly higher in group II than in groups I and III (p=0.008). The percentages of remaining cells were significantly higher in group I than in group III (p=0.008). Conclusions: The harmful effect of carbon dioxide gas insufflation on the coronary endothelium was dependent on the flow rate. The addition of humidification did not protect the coronary endothelium from denudation injury caused by high flow carbon dioxide gas insufflations.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.4 s.273
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• pp.292-296
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• 2007

Background: This retrospective study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of the 8-French (Fr) catheter ($Pleuracan^{(R)}$) for the initial treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Material and Method: Between July 2004 and July 2006, 59 patients (72 cases) underwent a closed thoracostomy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax. We divided these patients into two groups: group T (large bore (>20 Fr) chest tube group) and group P ($Pleuracan^{(R)}$ group). Result: Initially, the $Pleuracan^{(R)}$ catheters were inserted in 41 cases. There were four catheter malfunctions (9.8%) : three cases had a subsequent closed thoracostomy with a large bore chest tube. Ultimately, there were 34 cases in group T and 38 cases in group P. There were no significant differences in indwelling catheter time ($T:\;2.1{\pm}1.5\;days,\;P:\;2.1{\pm}1.3\;days$), hospital stay ($T:\;6.4{\pm}5.4\;days,\;P:\;5.2{\pm}2.9\;days$) and complications (T: 3%, P: 0%) between the two groups. The percentage of cases that needed intravenous analgesics in group P was 60% (23/38); this was significantly lower than the number for group T (90%, 31/34) (p=0.003). In a subgroup of patients that did not undergo bullectomy(T: 17 cases, P: 19 cases), there were no significant differences in the duration of air leakage ($T:\;0.5{\pm}0.7\;days,\;P:\;0.5{\pm}1.2\;days$) and in the percentage of patients with complete lung re-expansion (T: 94%, P: 84%) between the two groups. Conclusion: Application of the $Pleuracan^{(R)}$ catheter for the initial treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax was as effective as the large bore chest tube.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.604-609
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• 2009

Background: Recently, percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) has been widely used to rescue patients in cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest. However, patients with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) weaning failure during open heart surgery still have very poor outcomes after PCPS. We investigated clinical results and prognostic factors for patients who underwent PCPS during open heart surgery. Material and Method: From January 2005 to December 2008, 10 patients with CPB weaning failure during open heart surgery underwent PCPS using the CAPIOX emergency bypass system ($EBS^{(R)}$, Terumo Inc, Tokyo, Japan). We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of those 10 patients. Result: The average age of the patients was $60.2{\pm}16.5$ years (range, $19{\sim}77$ years). The mean supporting time was $48.7{\pm}64.7$ hours (range, $4{\sim}210$ hours). Of the 10 patients, 6(60%) were successfully weaned from the PCPS While 5 (50%) were able to be discharged from the hospital. Complications were noted in 5 patients (50%). In univariate analysis, long aortic cross clamp time during surgery, mediastinal bleeding during PCPS and high level of Troponin-I before PCPS were significant risk factors. All of the discharged patients are still surviving $34{\pm}8.6$ months (range, $23{\sim}48$ months) post-operatively. Conclusion: The use of PCPS for CPB weaning failure during open heart surgery can improve the prognosis. More experience and additional clinical studies are necessary to improve survival and decrease complications.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.128-137
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• 1991

Peritoneal dialysis has been widely considered to be the dialytic treatment of choice for acute renal failure in infants and young children, because the technique is simple, safe and easily adapted for these patients. Also peritoneal dialysis in infants might have more effective ultrafiltration and clearance than in adults. In certain circumstances associated with hemodynamic instability, ordinary volume peritoneal dialysis(30-50 ml/kg body weight per exchange) or hemodialysis may not be suitable unfortunately. But frequent cycled, low volume, high concentration peritoneal dialysis may be more available to manage the hemodynamically untable acute renal failure of newborns and infants. Seven infants underwent peritoneal dialysis for hemodynamically unstable acute renal failure with low exchange volume($14.2{\pm}4.2ml/kg$), short exchange time(30 to 45 minutes) and hypertonic glucose solution(4.25% dextrose). Age was $1.9{\pm}1.3$ months and body weight was $4.6{\pm}1.6kg $. Etiology of acute renal failure was secondary to sepsis with or without shock(5 cases) and postcardiac operation(2 cases). Catheter was inserted percutaneously with pigtail catheter or Tenkhoff catheter by Seldinger method. Dialysate was commercially obtained Peritosol which contained sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, lactate and calcium. Net ultrafiltration(ml/min) showed no difference between low volume dialysis and control($0.27{\pm}0.09$ versus $0.29{\pm}0.09$) Blood BUN decreased from $95.7{\pm}37.5$ to $75.7{\pm}25.9mg/dl$ and blood pH increased from $7.122{\pm}0.048$ to $7.326{\pm}0.063$ after 24 hours of peritoneal dialysis. We experienced hyperglycemia which were controlled by insulin(2 episodes), leakage at the exit site(2), mild hyponatremia(1) and Escherichia coli peritonitis(1). Two children of low volume dialysis died despite the treatment. In our experience, low volume and high concentration peritoneal dialysis with frequent exchange may have sufficient ultrafiltration and clearance without significant complications in the certain risked acute renal failure of infants.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.10 s.267
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• pp.759-764
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• 2006

Background: We analyzed post-operative angiography performed in symptomatic patients to evaluate the patency rates and the roles of grafts. Material and Method: We reviewed 52 (15%) coronary angiograms performed for recurrent angina after prior coronary artery bypass surgery from January 1995 to June 2005. A total of 345 patients underwent coronary artery bypass surgery during this period. There were 41 men and 11 women and the mean age was $64.07{\pm}15.58$ years. The median period from operation to re-angiogram was 68.5 months (range, 1 to 126 months). The numbers of grafts and peripheral anastomoses were 42 and 43 for internal thoracic artery (ITA), 14 and 20 for radial artery (RA), and 49 and 89 for saphenous vein. The mean number of anastomosis was 2.9 per patient, Result: The patency rates of ITA, RA and saphenous vein graft (SVG) were 37/43 (86%), 17/20 (85%) and 34/89 (38.2%). The patency rate of arterial grafts was significantly higher than that of SVG (p< 0.001) and the patency rate of the RA was comparable to that of ITA (p=0.942). The patency rate of sequential SVGs was higher than that of single SVG (40.3% vs 31.8%, p=0.478) and the patency rate of proximal segments in sequential anastomosis was higher than that in single anastomsis (55.6% vs 31.8%, p=0.097), but statistically not significant. Conclusion: Arterial grafts have markedly superior patency rates than SVGs, so consideration should be given to the vigorous use of arterial grafts. The patency rate of the RA was comparable to that of ITA.