• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.268-271
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• 2007

Purpose : Premature narrowing of the foramen ovale is rare but serious clinical entity. Prenatal narrowing or obstruction of the foramen ovale shows symptoms such as right heart failure, fetal hydrops, triscupid regurgitation, left heart obstructive disease, and supraventricular tachycardia. This study aimed to assess the prenatal diagnosis and postnatal clinical course of restrictive foramen ovale in utero in otherwise normal heart. Methods : The subjects were five patients diagnosed with restrictive foramen ovale in utero from January 2001 to June 2005 at Chungnam National University Hospital. The diagnostic criteria was defined when the maximum diameter in a 4-chamber view is less than 2.5 mm and there is a continuous doppler velocity at the foramen ovale of more than 0.6m/s. Results : At the time of diagnosis of restrictive foramen ovale, gestation age was 34~37 wks, and chief complaints were fetal arrhythmia(2 cases), pericardial effusion, Ebstein anomaly and subaortic stenosis. Two cases which were diagnosed fetal hydrops and supraventricular tachycardia delivered by emergent cesarian section. Five cases were found to have right heart dilatation on echocardiogram after birth, but right heart dilatation became normalized at day 7 after birth and the clinical courses were not eventful. Conclusion : Identifying an obstructed foramen ovale in the fetus warrants the further search for additional cardiac and extracardiac anomalies, which may alter the prognosis. Delivery should be induced if possible in cases of foramen ovale obstruction with signs of cardiac decompensation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2004

Background: Currently, the cardiopulmonary machine with non-pulsatile pumps, which are low in internal circuit pressure and cause little damage to blood cells, is widely used. However, a great number of experimental studies shows that pulsatile perfusions are more useful than non-pulsatile counterparts in many areas, such as homodynamic, metabolism, organ functions, and micro-circulation. Yet, many concerns relating to pulsatile cardiopulmonary machines, such as high internal circuit pressure and blood cell damage, have long hindered the development of pulsatile cardiopulmonary machines. Against this backdrop, this study focuses on the safety and effectiveness of the pulsatile cardiopulmonary machines developed by a domestic research lab. Material and Method: The dual-pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass experiment with total extracorporeal circulation was conducted on six calves, Extracorporeal circulation was provided between superior/inferior vena cava and aorta. The membrane oxygenator, which was placed between the left and right pumps, was used for blood oxygenation. Circulation took four hours. Arterial blood gas analysis and blood tests were also conducted. Plasma hemoglobin levels were calculated, while pulse pressure and internal circuit pressure were carefully observed. Measurement was taken five times; once before the operation of the cardiopulmonary bypass, and after its operation it was taken every hour for four hours. Result: Through the arterial blood gas analysis, PCO2 and pH remained within normal levels. PO2 in arterial blood showed enough oxygenation of over 100 mmHg. The level of plasma hemoglobin, which had total cardiopulmonary circulation, steadily increased to 15.87 $\pm$ 5.63 after four hours passed, but remained below 20 mg/㎗. There was no obvious abnormal findings in blood test. Systolic blood pressure which was at 97.5$\pm$5.7 mmHg during the pre-circulation contraction period, was maintained over 100 mmHg as time passed. Moreover, diastolic blood pressure was 72.2 $\pm$ 7.7 mmHg during the expansion period and well kept at the appropriate level with time passing by. Average blood pressure which was 83$\pm$9.2 mmHg before circulation, increased as time passed, while pump flow was maintained over 3.3 L/min. Blood pressure fluctuation during total extracorporeal circulation showed a similar level of arterial blood pressure of pre-circulation heart. Conclusion: In the experiment mentioned above, pulsatile cardiopulmonary machines using the doual-pulsatile structure provided effective pulsatile blood flow with little damage in blood cells, showing excellence in the aspects of hematology and hemodynamic. Therefore, it is expected that the pulsatile cardiopulmonary machine, if it becomes a standard cardiopulmonary machine in all heart operations, will provide stable blood flow to end-organs.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.309-315
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• 2003

Background: To avoid the adverse effects of cardiopulmonary bypass and to overcome late vein graft failure we routinely peformed off-pump total arterial coronary revascularization. Material and Method: From July 2000 to August 2001, 104 consecutive patients underwent first elective off-pump total arterial coronary revascularization. Both internal mammary, radial and gastroepiploic arteries were used. Sequential and composite grafts were used to achieve complete revascularization. Perioperative adverse events and postoperative angiograms were analyzed. Result: A total of 252 arterial conduits were used with an average of 2.47 grafts per patient. A total of 326 distal anastomosis were performed with a mean of 3.13 distal anastomosis per patient. Cross over to on-pump occurred in seven patients (6.7%). Of these 4 were due to unstable hemodynamics during lateral or posterior wall stabilization as a result of cardiomegaly and 3 were due to uncontrolled bleeding during dissection of diffusely dimunitive deeply placed intramyocardial coronary arteries. There were no opeartive deaths. Two cases of perioperative myocardial infarction and transient neurologic complications occurred, respectively. Of the 312 distal anastomoses, 308 (98.7%) were compatible with Fitz-Gibboll A or B patency grading. Conclusion: Off-pump total arterial coronary revascularization was technically feasible in most elective cases with satisfactory early results. However, on-pump coronary bypass surgery should be considered in difficult circumstances, such as cardiomegaly or unfavorable anatomy of the target coronary artery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.502-508
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• 1998

Proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$(TNF-$\alpha$) have been implicated in myocardial and organ dysfunction associated with postperfusion syndrome. We tested the hypothesis that cytokine productions are depressed by preoperative cortiosteroid injection for cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) and the postoperative courses will be better than without steriod pretreated cases. Cardiac surgery was performed in randomized blind fashion for 20 patients from June 1996 to September 1996. In the steroid group(n=10), corticosteroid(dexamethasone 1 mg/kg) was injected 1 hour before anesthetic induction, but in the control group(n=10), nothing was injected. Each of groups were sampled 11 times as scheduled for TNF-$\alpha$ bioassays. We have checked EKG, cardiac enzymes(CPK, LDH with isoenzyme), WBC count preoperative day, one day and three days after operation. Viatal signs were continuously monitored for three postoperaive days. In the postoperative period three patients in the control group had elevated body temperature and four patients had hypotension that required considerable intravenous fluid administration. But steroid injected patients showed normal body temperture and acceptable blood pressures without supportive treatment. CPK enzymes rose in control group higher than steroid group at postoperative 1st and 3rd day(CPK; 1122$\pm$465 vs 567$\pm$271, 864$\pm$42 vs 325$\pm$87), and CPK-MB enzymes rose in control group higher than steroid group at postoperative 1st day(106.4$\pm$115.1 vs 29.5$\pm$22.4)(P=0.02). Arterial tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ rose during cardiopulmonary bypass, peaking at 5 minutes before the end of aortic cross clamping(ACC-5min) in steroid group(11.9$\pm$4.7 pg/ml), and 5 minutes before the end of cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB-5min) in control group(22.3$\pm$6.8 pg/ml). The steroid pretreated patients had a shorter period of time in respirator suport time, ICU stay day, hospital admission day. We conclude that corticosteroid suppress cytokine production during and after cardiopulmonary bypass, and may improve the postoperative course through inhibition of reperfusion injury such as myocardial stunning and hemodynamic instability.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.418-427
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• 2003

Objects: $^{99m}-lactosylated$ human serum albumin (LSA) is a newly synthesized radiopharmaceutical that binds to asialoglycoprotein receptors, which are specifically presented on the hepatocyte membrane. Hepatic uptake and blood clearance of LSA were evaluated in rat with acute hepatic injury induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) and results were compared with corresponding findings of liver enzyme profile and these of histologic changes. Materials and Methods: DMN (27 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally in Sprague-Dawley rat to induce acute hepatic injury. At 3(DMN-3), 8(DMN-8), and 21 (DMN-21) days after injection of DMN, LSA injected intravenously, and dynamic images of the liver and heart were recorded for 30 minutes. Time-activity curves of the heart and liver were generated from regions of interest drawn over liver and heart area. Degree of hepatic uptake and blood clearance of LSA were evaluated with visual interpretation and semiquantitative analysis using parameters (receptor index : LHL3 and index of blood clearance : HH3), analysis of time-activity curve was also performed with curve fitting using Prism program. Results: Visual assessment of LSA images revealed decreased hepatic uptake in DMN treated rat, compared to control group. In semiquantitative analysis, LHL3 was significantly lower in DMN treated rat group than control rat group (DMN-3: 0.842, DMN-8: 0.898, DMN-21: 0.91, Control: 0.96, p<0.05), whereas HH3 was significantly higher than control rat group (DMN-3: 0.731,.DMN-8: 0.654, DMN-21: 0.604, Control: 0.473, p<0.05). AST and ALT were significantly higher in DMN-3 group than those of control group. Centrilobular necrosis and infiltration of inflammatory cells were most prominent in DMN-3 group, and were decreased over time. Conclusion: The degree of hepatic uptake of LSA was inversely correlated with liver transaminase and degree of histologic liver injury in rat with acute hepatic injury.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.118-124
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• 1998

Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting without using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is a recently accepted modality of myocardial revascularization prcedures which is particularly suitable to the patients with lesions in the left anterior descending(LAD) and the right coronary arteries. Of the consecutive 35 patients of coronary artery bypass grafting performed at Sejong General Hospital from March to August 1996, six patients underwent minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting without CPB. All had stenotic lesions of the LAD more than 90%. Bypass grafting of the LAD was approached through midline sternotomy in one, through ministernotomy in two, and through limited left anterior thoracotomy in three patients, respectively. The internal mammary arteries were prepared without the use of thoracoscope. The mobilized mammary arteries were connected directly to the LAD in 5 patients, and the anastomosis required interposition of a segment of the radial artery in the remaining one. The diagonal branch was revascularized with the saphenous vein graft at the same time in one patient. No blood transfusion was necessary in 2 patients, and average blood required during surgery was 800ml in 4 patients. All patients were extubated from 4 to 14 hours(mean 9 hours) after operation. Early postoperative coronary angiography in 5 patients between 7 and 10 days after surgery has proved full patency of the grafts. With these limited clinical experiences, the clinical results demonstrated that minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting without CPB is an useful procedure especially in patients with isolated lesion in the proximal LAD.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.4 s.249
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• pp.284-290
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• 2005

We evaluated the early and mid-term results for repair of Ebstein's anomaly. Material and Method: Between January 1989 and June 2004, 29 patients underwent repair of Ebstein's anomaly. The median age was 11.4 years (4 days-50 years). Tricuspid insufficiency equal to or greater than grade 3 was present in 21 $(72.4\%)$ patients. Surgical techniques included tricuspid valve repair with vertical plication of the atrialized ventricle (n=14), Carpentier's technique (n=7), tricuspid valve replacement (n=4), systemic-to-pulmonary arterial shunt (n=2), tricuspid valve repair (n=1), and Fontan operation (n=1). Bi-directional cavopulmonary shunt (BCPS) was required in 5 patients. Among the 2 neonates, one patient underwent successful biventricular repair, and the other patient underwent systemic-to-pulmonary arterial shunt. Follow-up was possible in 21 patients $(75\%)$, and the average follow-up was 37.6 months (3 months-11.3 years). Result: There were $1(3.4\%)$ early and 1 late deaths. Reoperation was required in 4 patients. Two patients underwent tricuspid valve re-replacement, and the other 2 tricuspid valve repair. At recent follow-up, only 2 patients showed tricuspid insufficiency equal to or greater than grade 3, and most patients showed clinical improvement. Excluding the patients who underwent tricuspid valve replacement, the actuarial rate of freedom from reoperation at 1 and 5 years were $94.7\%\;and\;79.0\%$, respectively. Conclusion: Tricuspid valve repair was possible in most patients with good mid-term outcome. Most patients showed clinical and hemodynamic improvement. Indications for the BCPS should be clarified.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.637-647
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• 1999

Background: Ischemia-reperfusion injury is one of the major contributing causes of early graft failure in lung transplantation. It has been suggested that triiodothyronine (T3) may ameliorate ischemia-reperfusion injury to various organs in vivo and in vitro. Predicting its beneficial effect for ischemic lung injury, we set out to demonstrate it by administering T3 into the in situ canine ischemia-reperfusion model. Material and Method: Sixteen adult mongrel dogs were randomly allocated into group A and B. T3 $(3.6\mug/kg)$ was administered before the initiation of single lung ischemia in group B, whereas the same amount of saline was administered in group A. Ischemia was induced in the left lung by clamping the left hilum for 100 minutes. After reperfusion, various hemodynamic parameters and blood gases were analyzed for 4 hours while intermittently clamping the right hilum in order to allow observation of the injured left lung function. Result: Arterial oxygen partial pressure $(PaO_2)$ decreased 30 minutes after reperfusion and recovered gradually thereafter in both groups. In group B the decrease of $PaO_2$ was less marked than in group A. The recovery of $PaO_2$ was faster in group B than in group A. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant from 30 minutes after reperfusion $(125\pm34$ mmHg and $252\pm44$ mmHg, p<0.05) until the end of the experiment $(178\pm42$mmHg and $330\pm37$ mmHg, p<0.05). The differences in the arterial carbon dioxide pressure, airway pressure and lung compliance showed no statistical significance. The malondialdehyde (MDA) level, measured from the tissue obtained 240 minutes after reperfusion, was lower in group B $(0.40\pm0.04\mu$M) than in group A $(0.53\pm0.05\mu$M, p<0.05). The ATP level of group B $(0.69\pm0.07\mu$M/g) was significantly higher than that of group A $(0.48\pm0.07\mu$M/g, p<0.05). The microscopic exami nation revealed varying degrees of injury such as perivascular neutrophil infiltration, capillary hemorrhage and interstitial congestion. There were no differences in the microscopic findings between the two groups. CONCLUSION T3 has beneficial effects on the ischemic canine lung injury including preservation of oxygenation capacity, less production of lipid peroxidation products and a higher level of tissue ATP. These results suggest that T3 is effective in pulmonary allograft preservation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.275-281
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• 1997

The radial artery as a graft for myocardial revascularization was introduced by Carpentier in the early 1970s. Mid-term results were unfortunately discoura ing, and the clinical experience with this graft was interrupted. At the end of the 1980s, these authors reproposed the same arterial conduit with more satisfying results, because of improved technique and pharmacological management of the graft. Between October 1994 and July 1995, 36 patients underwent myocardial revascularization with a radial artery graft in Seiong General Hospital. Left internal mammary artery was concomitantly used as a pedicled Vift in 34 patients. Fifteen patients (42%) had a complete arterial waft revascularization. A total of 12) distal anastomoses were performed (average 3.4 per patient), including 36 left internal mammary artery wafts (two sequential in 2 patients), and 23 saphenous vein grafts. The remaining 64 distal anastomoses were perFormed with radial artery grafts (mean 1.8 per patient). The radial arteries were anastomosed to the circumflex (n=38), diagonal (n= 18), right coronary(n=G), and left anterior descending coronary artery(n=2). The percent ge of radial artery graft anastomoses (64) to the total anastomoses(123) was 52%. The radial artery was used as a single graft in 10 patients, as a sequential graft in 25 patients, and two grafts in 1 patient. Twenty patients underwent associated procedures coronary endarterectomy (14), coronary artery patch angioplasty (4), mitral valve repair (1), and repair of ventricular septal rupture (1). One patient died of low cardiac output syndrome and the others had no perioperative myocardial infarction. There are no ischemic and functional complications in the arm or hand aftcr removal of the radial artery. Only 1 patient required reexploration of the am, for the hematoma evacuation, and 2 patients complained transient thumb dysesthesia of the side of the havested arm. This dysesthesia improved within one month. Postoperative angiovaphic controls were obtained in 11 patients(31%) postoperative 79 to 210 days (mean 126 days). The patency rate were as follows : left internal mammary artery (100%), saphcnous vein (100%), and radial artery(95%). We concluded that the radial artery is useful alternative graft, but long term clinical and angiographic studies are required to derterminc whether wider application is warranted.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.364-374
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• 2010

Background: We assessed the early and mid-term results of the modified Norwood procedure for first-stage palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and its variants to identify the risk factors for hospital mortality. Material and Method: Between March, 2003, and December, 2009, 23 patients (18 males and 5 females) with HLHS or variants underwent the modified Norwood procedure. The age at operation ranged from 3 to 60 days (mean, $11.7{\pm}13.2days$) and weight at operation ranged from 2.2 to 4.8 kg (mean, $3.17{\pm}0.52kg$). We used a modified technique that spared the anterior wall of the main pulmonary artery in 20 patients. The sources of pulmonary blood flow were RV-PA conduit in 15 patients (group I) and RMBTS in 8 (group II). Follow-up was completed in 19 patients (19/20, 95%) in our hospital (mean $26.0{\pm}22.8months$). Result: Early death occurred in 3 patients (3/23, 13%), of whom 2 had TAPVC. Fourteen patients underwent subsequent bidirectional cavopulmonary connection (BCPC, stage 2) and seven underwent the Fontan operation (stage 3). Three patients died between stages, 2 before stage 2 and one before stage 3. The estimated 1-year and 5-year survival rates were 78% and 69%, respectively. On multivariate regression analysis, aberrant right subclavian artery (RSCA) and associated total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) were risk factors for hospital mortality after stage 1 Norwood procedure. Conclusion: HLHS and its variants can be palliated by the modified Norwood procedure with low operative mortality. Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection adversely affects the survival after a stage 1 Norwood procedure, and interstage mortality rates need to be improved.