• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.440-444
• /
• 2010

A 7-year-old neutered male Shih Tzu dog weighing 5.2 kg was presented because of severe neurological signs (paddling, unconsciousness, blindness, seizure). ECG revealed accelerated idioventricular rhythm (AIVR) with ~140 bpm ventricular rate. Based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, the neurological condition was tentatively diagnosed as disseminated granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis (GME). The neurological signs were managed with steroids, anticonvulsive drugs, diuretics and antibiotics with 20% mannitol infusion. The rhythm disturbance (AIVR) was managed with oral medication of mexiletine. Because the heart rhythms were unstable without anti-arrhythmic therapy in spite of improvement of clinical signs after emergency treatment for neurological problems, the anti-arrhythmic therapy was maintained till the neurological signs were abolished.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.38-42
• /
• 2001

Dark band artifacts are often observed in angiograms of arteries obtained by 2D time-of-flight (TOF) angiography with saturation of veins by presaturation RF pulses. At some arteries the arterial blood velocity varies in a triphasic pattern during a cardiac cycle. The arterial blood, that is saturated by presaturation RF pulses in the saturation band, can flow back into the imaging slice during the retrograde flow phase of the triphasic variation. When such saturated retrograde flow occurs during the acquisition of the central part of the K space, a signal void can result in base images and consequently dark band artifacts can appear in angiograms. This phenomenon is experimentally demonstrated by varying the gap between the imaging slice and the saturation band. Furthermore, a new pulse sequence is proposed to eliminate the dark band artifacts by changing the profile of the saturation band front a rectangle to a ramp.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.36 no.6
• /
• pp.379-383
• /
• 2003

Background: An accurate diagnosis of the severity of the rejection after a heart transplantation relies on endomyo-cardial biopsy, but because of its invasiveness and the need for repeated examination makes it is an inappropriate monitoring method. Therefore, we have tried to find a monitoring method that is continuous and less invasive. Material and Method: Heterotopic heart transplantation using Ono-Lindsey Method was done in 20 rats, and then $^{99m}$ Tc-Pyrophosphate (PYP) scan was done after a month, Uptake ratio of transplanted heart to vertebrae (H/V) was obtained to be compared with the biopsy result. Result: Rejection was defined when the H/V uptake ratio was higher than 0.09, and we compared the uptake ratio with the results of biopsy. The result was true positives was 3, true negatives 12, false negatives 2, andfalse positives 3. Therefore sensitivity was 60% and specificity was 80%, diagnostic value was 75%. Conclusion: $^{99m}$Tc-Pyrophosphate (PYP) scan was a useful method for the evaluation of the heart transplantation rejection and it will be helpful for monitoring rejection as an non-invasive and simple method.hod.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.32 no.8
• /
• pp.693-701
• /
• 1999

Recently non-invasive diagnostic imaging replaced the invasive catheter angiography in the diagnosis of vascular disease. Catheter methods are now almost confined to the purpose of intervention. Coronary artery or coronary artery bypass graft still needs catheter technique because of small diameter and the cardiac motion. The last challenge for radiologists in this domain is to obtain a non-invasive imaging. Electron beam tomography(EBT) for high temporal resolution is able to obtain a coronary arteriogram or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), of which CABG imaging is quite useful for the evaluation of patency. In our experience as well as others, the accuracy of EBT angiogram in evaluating CABG patency revealed that the accuracy of patency of saphenous vein grafts(SVG) is high due to relatively wide lumen, short and straight course and less influence from cardiac motion. The sensitivity and specificity of patency of SVGs were 92%, 97% respectively in the prospective evaluat on and 100% each in the retrospective evaluation. A false positive and a false negative case are rudimentary errors in the initial learing period. In contrast the analysis of left internal mammary artery(LIMA) graft was difficult due to the inherent small size and the adjacent surgical clips provoking beam-hardening artifact; therefore, the method of combining 3 dimensional reconstruction and flow mode study was important in improving the accuracy of LIMA patency. The sensitivity and specificity of LIMA patency were 100% and 80% in both prospective and retrospective evaluation. Therefore, EBT angiography is an accurate non-invasive diagnostic modality for evaluating the patency of CABG, particularly in SVGs. The accuracy can be improved with the improvement of the EBT and the development of the image reconstruction software.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.40 no.8
• /
• pp.569-573
• /
• 2007

A 3 month old female baby, who had been diagnosed with right atrial isomerism associated with total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR), a functional single ventricle and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCA), underwent left MAPCA unifocalization and left Blalock-Taussig shunt (3.5 mm) at 3 months of age. The post-operative course was complicated by pulmonary venous congestion, and the drainage site of the TAPVR was found to be stenotic on echocardiography. We performed sutureless repair of the TAPVR along with unifocalization of the right MAPCA. She was put on an extracorporeal membrane oxygenator for 8 days after the 2nd operation, and she was able to come off the oxygenator with the placement of a central shunt (3 mm). She developed tracheal stenosis, which was presumably due to longstanding endotracheal intubation, and she then underwent tracheostomy. She was discharged to home on day 104 after the 1st operation, and she has been followed up for 2 months in a good clinical condition.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.757-762
• /
• 2009

Background: Compression of the left common iliac vein by the overriding common iliac artery is frequently combined with acute deep vein thrombosis in patients with May-Thurner Syndrome. We evaluate the results of treatment with thrombolysis and thrombectomy followed by stenting in 34 patients with May-Thurner Syndrome combined with lower extremity deep venous thrombosis. Material and Method: The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of 34 patients (mean age: $65{\pm}14$ year old) who had undergone stent insertion for acute deep vein thrombosis that was caused by May-Thurner syndrome. After thrombectomy and thrombolysis, insertion of a wall stent and balloon angioplasty were performed to relieve the compression of the left common iliac vein. Urokinase at a rate of 80,000 to 120,000 U/hour was infused into the thrombosed vein via a multi-side hole thrombolysis catheter. A retrieval inferior vena cava (IVC) filter was placed to protect against pulmonary embolism in 30 patients (88%). Oral anticoagulation with warfarin was maintained for 3 months, and follow-up Multi Detector Computerized Tomography (MDCT) angiography was done at the date of the patients' hospital discharge and at the 6 months follow-up. Result: The symptoms of deep venous thrombosis disappeared in two patients (4%), and there was clinical improvement within 48 hours in twenty eight patients (82%), but there was no improvement in four patients (8%). The MDCT angiography at discharge showed no thrombus in 9 patients (26%) and partial thrombus in 21 (62%), whereas the follow-up MDCT at $6.4{\pm}5.5$ months (32 patients) revealed no thrombus in 23 patients (72%), and partial thrombus in 9 patients (26%). Two patients (6%) had recurrence of DVT, so they underwent retreatment. Conclusion: Stent insertion with catheter-directed thrombolysis and thrombectomy is an effective treatment for May-Thurner syndrome combined with acute deep vein thrombosis in the lower extremity.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.73-78
• /
• 2003

The Fontan operation has undergone a number of major modifications and clinical results have been improving over time. Nevertheless, during the follow-up period, life-threatening complications develop and affect the long-term outcomes. Surgical interventions for these complications are needed and are increasing. Material and Method: From April 1988 to January 2000, 16 patients underwent reoperations for complications after Fontan operation. The mean age at reoperation was 8.8 :-5.5 years. Initial Fontan operations were atriopulmonary connections in 8 and total cavopulmonary connections in 8. Total cavopulmonary connections were accomplished with intracardiac lateral tunnel in 5 and extracardiac epicardial lateral tunnel in 3. Five patients had variable sized fenestrations. The reasons for reoperations included residual shunt in 6, pulmonary venous obstruction in 3, atrial flutter in 3, atrioventricular valve regurgitation in 2, Fontan pathway stenosis in 1, and protein-losing enteropathy in 1 Result: There were 3 early and late deaths respectively Patients who had residual shunts underwent primary closure of shunt site (n=2), atrial reseptation for separation between systemic and pulmonary vein (n=2), conversion to lateral tunnel (n=1), and conversion to one and a half ventricular repair (n=1). Four patients who had stenotic lesion of pulmonary vein or Fontan pathway underwent widening of the lesion (n=3) and left pneumonectomy (n=1) In cases of atrial flutter, conversion to lateral tunnel after revision of atriopulmonary connections was performed (n=3). For the atrioventricular valve regurgitation (n=2), we performed a replacement with mechanical valve. In one patient who had developed protein-losing enteropathy, aorto-pulmonary collateral arteries were obliterated via thoracotomy. Cryoablation was performed concomitantly in 4 patients as an additional treatment modality of atrial arrhythmia. Conclusion: Complications after Fontan operation are difficult to manage and have a considerable morbidity and mortality. However, more accurate understanding of Fontan physiology and technical advancement increased the possibility of treatment for such complications as well as Fontan operation itself. Appropriate surgical treatment for these patients relieved the symptoms and improved the functional class, Although the results were not satisfactory enough in all patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.127-132
• /
• 2010

Background: Femoropopliteal artery bypss grafting is an effective form of treatment for infrainguinal artery occlusive disease in those patients who have either intermittent claudication or resting critical ischemia. The objective of this analysis was to evaluate the long-term patency of a femoropopliteal bypass graft that is classified as an above-the-knee saphenous vein graft or an above-the-knee PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) graft. Material and Method:From January 1998 to February 2005, 103 above-the-knee femoro-popliteal bypasses were performed on 87 patients. There were 74 male and 13 female patients with a mean age of $65.7{\pm}9.69$ (range: 31~82). The surgical indications were intermittent claudication in 65 cases (74.7%), foot ulceration in 2 cases (2.3%), foot necrosis in 10 ases (11.5%) and toe necrosis in 10 cases (11.5%). For the bypass graft, a reversed saphenous vein was used in 31 limbs and a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) prosthesis was used in 72 limbs (6 mm: 27 limbs, 8 mm: 45 limbs). The perioperative risk factors were diabetes mellitus in 33 cases (37.9%), hypertension in 47 cases (54.0%), a history of ischemic heart disease in 13 cases (14.9%) and smoking in 72 cases (82.8%). Result:There were three perioperative deaths (3.4%) and seven late deaths (8.3%). Major leg amputation was necessary in 12 patients (13.8%) during the entire course of the study. The primary patency rate at 5 years for the vein grafts, the 8 mm-PTFE grafts and the 6 mm-PTFE grafts were 84.7%, 77.4% and 74.2%, respectively and the overall primary patency rate was 78.7%, and there were no significant statistical differences among the graft groups. By using multivariate analysis, the number of patent tibial arteries was determined to be a significant factor that influenced the primary graft patency rate (p<0.005), but risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, smoking and age had no statistically significant affect on the primary graft patency rates. Conclusion: The great saphenous vein is considered the most durable conduit for infrainguinal revascularization, but the overall results of this study show that saphenous vein and PTFE grafts have comparable patency rates when used above the knee in patients with claudication or critical ischemia. The use of PTFE above the knee is a reasonable alternative for a femoro-poplitael bypass and it is associated with acceptable long term patency rates.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.36 no.10
• /
• pp.734-740
• /
• 2003

Increasing interest in the use of arterial conduits is based on the better patency of left internal thoracic artery (LITA) than that of saphenous vein (SV) graft and radial artery (RA) is emerging as one of them. We compared the early result of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using UTA and RA (RA group) with CABG using UTA and SV only (SV group). Material and Method: We compared the early operative results of 45 cases in RA group with 45 cases in SV group selected from 165 cases who had CABG between January 2000 and December 2002. The two groups had similar profiles of age, sex, NYHA functional class, left ventricular ejection fraction and coronary angiographic anatomy. We analysed each group on the preoperative risk factors and operative results. Result: There were no statically signigicant difference between groups in operative mortality and each morbidities (stroke, IABP insertion, perioperative MI), respectively. However, the overall incidence of mortality and morbidities was lower in RA group compared to SV group (p < 0.05). RA group (2.93$\pm$0.62 days) had shorter duration of ICU stay than SV group (3.55$\pm$0.95 days) (p<0.001). The patency on postoperative coronary angiography at 7∼14 days after operation in RA group patients were 100% of LITA and RA and 94.9% of SV. Conclusion: We had better early operative results in RA group compared with SV group.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.39 no.6 s.263
• /
• pp.456-461
• /
• 2006

Background: Distal anastomosis using artificial vascular graft is difficult when luminal size mismatch occurred owing to severe occlusion of popliteal artery and its branches. So we reconstructed blood flow to ischemic lower limb by using autologous greater saphenous vein in situ graft (GSVISG) as vascular graft material. Material and Method: From July 2000 to July 2005, 26 patients treated using GSVISG. We analyzed clinical results retrospectively by chart review. Result: There was no in hospital or early postoperative death and 6 late deaths occurred during follow up period. Postoperative complications were 5 cases of early graft obstruction, 2 cases of wound dehiscence, 1 case of graft aneurysmal change, 1 case of seroma formation at inguinal wound and 1 case of graft injury during valvulotomy. Overall patency rate during follow up period was 69.3%. Conclusion: Greater saphenous vein in situ graft is acceptable vascular graft for arterial occlusive disease of lower extremity.