• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.456-463
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• 2009

Background: Although the reports on re-operative coronary revascularization (redo-CABG) have increased, there are only limited reports on redo-CABG using arterial grafts. The aim of this study was to analyze the safety and feasibility of using various arterial grafts for redo-CABG. Material and Method: A consecutive series of patients who underwent 33 redo-CABGs from March 2001 to July 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. We performed conventional CABG in 17 patients, on-pump beating CABG in 7, off-pump CABG in 7 and minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass in 2. The grafted that were used included 34 internal thoracic arteries (ITA), 14 radial arteries, 14 right gastroepiploic arteries and others. Arterial composite grafts were constructed in 26 patients. Of these, a previously patent in-situ left ITA was re-used as the in-flow of a composite graft in 10 patients. Result: No hospital deaths or major wound problems occurred. The post-operative complications included 2 myocardial infarctions (6%), 1 intra-aortic balloon pump insertion (3%), 5 cases of atrial fibrillation (15.1 %) and 3 neurologic complications (9.1%). The meanfollow-up duration was 31.1$\pm$22.7 months and the 3 year survival rate was 86.4%. There were 4 late deaths (2 cardiac deaths) and no recurrent angina during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Redo-CABG with using various arterial grafts is currently a safe, feasible procedure, but further investigation and long term follow-up are needed.

• 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 Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.7 s.264
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• pp.505-510
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• 2006

Background: Small animal cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) model would be a valuable tool for investigating path-ophysiological and therapeutic strategies on bypass. The main advantages of a small animal model include the reduced cost and time, and the fact that it does not require a full scale operating environment. However the rat CPB models have a number of technical limitations. Effective maintenance and control of core temperature by a heat exchanger is among them. The purpose of this study is to confirm the effect of rectal temperature maintenance using a heat exchanger of cardioplegia system in cardiopulmonary bypass model for rats. Material and Method: The miniature circuit consisted of a reservoir, heat exchanger, membrane oxygenator, roller pump, and static priming volume was 40 cc, Ten male Sprague-Dawley rats (mean weight 530 gram) were divided into two groups, and heat exchanger (HE) group was subjected to CPB with HE from a cardioplegia system, and control group was subjected to CPB with warm water circulating around the reservoir. Partial CPB was conducted at a flow rate of 40 mg/kg/min for 20 min after venous cannulation (via the internal juglar vein) and arterial cannulation (via the femoral artery). Rectal temperature were measured after anesthetic induction, a ter cannulation, 5, 10, 15, 20 min after CPB. Arterial blood gas with hematocrit was also analysed, 5 and 15 min after CPB. Result: Rectal temperature change differed between the two groups (p<0.01). The temperatures of HE group were well maintained during CPB, whereas control group was under progressive hypothermia, Rectal temperature 20 min after CPB was $36.16{\pm}0.32^{\circ}C$ in the HE group and $34.22{\pm}0.36^{\circ}C$ in the control group. Conclusion: We confirmed the effect of rectal temperature maintenance using a heat exchanger of cardioplegia system in cardiopulmonary bypass model for rats. This model would be a valuable tool for further use in hypothermic CPB experiment in rats.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.154-159
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• 2004

The arteriovenous fistula (AVF), which maintains satisfactory blood flow, is necessary to the patients of end-stage renal disease for the long term hemodialysis. We performed the snuffbox fistula as the first operation for hemodialysis vascular access. This study was performed to investigate the patency rates, complications, risk factors for occlusion of the AVF, and the types of reoperations. Material and Method: We performed 146 snuffbox fistulas from Jun. 1994 to Dec. 2001 The records of the patients except six patients who were lost from follow up were analyzed retrospectively, Mean age and male:female ratio were 52$\pm$15 years (range, 17∼79 years) and 80 : 60 respectively. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension were combined in 47 patients and 101 respectively. Preoperative levels of creatinine and potassium were 9.09$\pm$3.68 mg/dL (range, 2.55∼20.09 mg/dL) and 4.7$\pm$0.9 mmol/L (range, 2.3∼8.1 mmol/L). One hundred thirteen cases of the snuffbox fistulas were done at left side hand and the others at right hand. Result: Mean follow up period of the patients was 41.8$\pm$31.0 months (range, 0.2∼108,8 months). During the follow up period, 35 occlusions of AVF occurred and these AVFs were patent for 9.8$\pm$10.1 months (range, 0.1∼40.4 months). The patency rates of f month, and 1, 2, 3, 5 years were known as 92.8, 80.2, 73.8, 71.3, 69.6% respectively. Right sided snuffbox fistulas (p-value=0.045) and old age (p-value=0.048) were revealed as significant risk factors for occlusion of AVF. The postoperative complications consisted of occlusions of AVF caused by intimal hyperplasia of vein in 24, thrombosis in nine, stenosis of anastomosis site in three, and venous hypertensions in two. After the first operation 37 patients underwent 86 reoperations. Conclusion: The snuffbox fistulas showed acceptable patency rates and low complication rates. The snuffbox fistulas as the first operation for AVF formation can be a good option for the patients with end-stage renal disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.10
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• pp.970-975
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• 2007

Purpose : Accurate measurement of defect size is important in transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD). We performed this study to analyze the difference between the measured ASD size and balloon occlusive diameter (BOD) by transthoracic (TTE) or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Methods : We investigated 78 patients who underwent transcatheter closure of ASD. The defect size and the distance between the surrounding structures were measured by TTE and TEE. The BOD was measured by TEE during cardiac catheterization. Clinical characteristics and echocardiographic data were compared and analyzed. Results : The difference between BOD and diameter by TTE was $4.8{\pm}3.6mm$ on short axis view, $5.4{\pm}3.2mm$ on long axis view. The difference between BOD and diameter by TEE was $3.6{\pm}2.2mm$ on short axis view, $4.2{\pm}3.1mm$ on long axis view. The difference between BOD and the diameter of defects on TTE, TEE had statistically significant positive correlations with the age of the patients, distance between the, defect and posterior atrial septal wall, the distance between the defect and the mitral valve leaflet, and the diameter of defects and the length of the atrial septum on TTE (P<0.05). Conclusion : BOD of ASD can be estimated by the diameter on TTE and TEE. BOD is expected to measure larger, depending on the size of defects, the distance from surrounding structures and the location of defects on echocardiography. Our data offers important information on details of transcatheter ASD closure which can be helpful in predicting suitability and judging the procedural appropriateness during the procedure.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.2 s.259
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• pp.91-98
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• 2006

Background: There are many different opinions regarding the proximal anastomotic sites of radial artery in coronary artery bypass surgery. Therefore, we compared the clinical and angiographic findings according to anastomosis of radial artery to develop a guideline. Material and Method: From January 2003 to December 2004, 48 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery using radial artery in Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital were studied for clinical and coronary angiographic findings and were divided into group I for radial artery that anastomsed to aorta independently and group II that anastomosed to left internal mammary artery. Result: Patients in group I were 33 (men 26, women 7; mean age 61.93$\pm$6.56) and group II were 15 (men 13, women 2; mean age 59.53$\pm$6.02) and there was no difference in preoperative characteristics. Patients in group I had longer cardiopulmonary bypass time (169.36$\pm$40.28 versus 139.40$\pm$20.45, p=0.026) and patients in group II had more sequential grafts with RA per patients (5/33 versus 11/15, p < 0.05). Patients in group I used more vein graft for distal anatstomosis (47/117 ($40\%$) versus 9/48 ($18\%$), p=0.011) and there was no difference in perioperative outcome and overall survival. Mean follow-up time was 15.87$\pm$7.33 (1 to 28) months in patients of the group I and 21.40$\pm$2.85 (17 to 25) months in group II. Postoperative coronary angiography was performed 17/33 ($51.5\%$) in group I and 14/15 ($93.3\%$) in group II. Early perfect patency rate was not statistically different in left anterior descending artery (15/17 ($88.2\%$) versus 2/14 ($85.7\%$), p=1.00) and radial artery (17/20 ($85\%$) versus 30/30 ($100\%$), p=0.058). Late mortality was 1/33 ($3.0\%$) in group I and 1/15 ($6.7\%$) in group II. Conclusion: There was no difference in terms of clinical and postoperative angiographic findings except in cardiopulmonary bypass time, the number of sequential grafts with the RA per patients and the number of the used vein graft.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.760-769
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• 1997

This study aimed to determine factors that influence blood flow through coronary bypass grafts and to analyze relationship between the graft flow and postoperative outcome. Blood flow through 146 bypass grafts(GBF) was measured with transit-time ultrasound flowmeter during coronary artery bypass grafting operations in 50 patients. Single and multiple regression analyses were done for relationships between the GBF and four variables: internal diameter of recipient coronary artery, myocardial value of bypassed branch(es), type of graft, and finding of preoperative myocardial perfusion scan. The relationship between GBF and postoperative scan finding was also analyzed. 1. The mean GBF was significantly higher in sequential grafts than in single vein grafts or in internal thoracic artery grafts(61.5 vs. 46.9 and 42.5 ml/min). 2. Myocardial value and recipient artery diameter were found to be the factors determining GBF. There was no correlation between GHF and presence of perfusion defect in the preoperative scan. 3. Myocardial value was found to be more important than recipient artery diameter in determinintg GBF. 4. Reversible perfusion defects were more frequently found in the areas upplied by grafts with low GBP. But this fact had only mild statistical significance. These results suggest that blood flow through a bypass graft is more determined by the size of its supplyinf: myocardium than by the size of recipient artery. So, we can expect effective improvement in myocardial flow reserve after grafting of small(1~1.5mm) coronary arteries, if they supply substantial area of myocardium.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1329-1336
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• 1996

From January, 1994 to January. 1996, mitral valve replacement was performed in 27 patients. Among these, 17 patients underwent mitral valve replacement(MVR) with preservation of the annulo-papillary continuity(PAPCMVR) (-Group I), and 10 patients underwent conventional methods of excision of all the chordae(Group II). The operative technique for PAPCM VR consists of the division of the anterior leaflet into anterior and posterior segments, shifting and reattachment of the divided segments to the mitral ring of the respective commissural areas. This retrospective study has been designed to evalute the postoperative left ventricular function in the two groups. In the group 1, LVEF(Left Vnetricular Ejection Fraction : %) was 52 $\pm$ 3 preoperatively And 50$\pm$3 postoperatively, LVESI Vent icular End Systolic Volume Index/mL/m2) wIns 59 :6 and 51 $\pm$ 7, LVEDI Ventricular End Diastolic Volume Index/mL/m2) was 124$\pm$ 11 and 91 :8. In the group II, LVEF was 56$\pm$1 and 47:), LVESVI 62$\pm$12 and 61$\pm$15, LVEDVI 133$\pm$27 and 104$\pm$17. : the variation of the LVEF in these two group was statistically different(p(0.05). A comparison of left ventricular function data between Group I(n: 17) and Group II(n: 10) revealed better results in echocardiographic LVEF(p<0.05), LVEDVI(p<0.01) in the former group. The mean functional class(UYHA) was 2.6 preoperative and improved to 1.0 postoperatively In group 1, and 2.8 and to 1.0 in group II. We conclude that maintenance of continuity between the mitral annulus and papillary muscles is expected to have a beneficial effect on postoperative left ventricular performance.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.439-448
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• 2002

Pulmonary artery banding (PAB) in the functional univentricular heart (UVH) is a palliative procedure for staging toward the Fontan procedure; however, it is known to be a risk factor. Material and method： The records of all 37 patients with functional UVHs who underwent surgical palliation using PAB between September 1989 and August 1999 were reviewed retrospectively. We investigated the aortic arch obstruction, the development and progression of subaortic stenosis after PAB, and risk factor of mortality according to surgical method. Result： In 37 neonates and infants with single ventricular physiology, aortic arch obstruction was combined in 7. There were 6 early deaths (16.2%) after PAB and 3 late deaths (8.1%) after Fontan operation. The actuarial overall survival including early mortality at 3 and 5 years were 80.7$\pm$6.6%, 72.2$\pm$8.2% respectively. Among 31 patients who survived PAB, 27 patients (87.1 %) could become candidates for Fontan operation； 22 patients (71.0%) completed Fontan operation with 3 deaths and 5 were waiting bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt(BCPS) or Fontan operation (follow-up mean 4.5 year, minimal 2 year). Subaortic stenosis developed in 8 patients after PAB (8/29, 27.6%)； 3 cases in the patients without arch anomaly (3/22, 13.6%) and 5 in those with arch anomaly (5/7, 71.4%). The subaortic stenosis was managed with Damus-Kaye-Stansel procedure (DKS) in 6 patients without operative mortality and conal septum resection in 2 without long-term survivor. Analysis of risk factors established that aortic arch obstruction was strongly associated with subaortic stenosis (p＜0.001). The only risk factor of late mortality was Fontan procedure without staged palliation by BCPS (p=0.001). Conclusion： PAB is effective as an initial palliative step in functional UVH. And the high risk group of patients with aortic obstruction can undergo effective short-term PAB as an initial palliative step, with subsequent DKS for subaortic stenosis. This strategy, initial PAB and careful surveillance, and early relief of subaortic stenosis can maintain acceptable anatomy and hemodynamics for later Fontan procedures.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.4 s.261
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• pp.281-288
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• 2006

Background: Extracardiac pericardial-flap lateral tunnel Fontan operation has theoretical advantage of growth potentiality of the extracardiac tunnels. The mid-term results of this technique and morphologic change of the lateral tunnel were studied. Material and Method: Clinical data was reviewed in 42 patients who underwent extracardiac pericardial-flap lateral tunnel Fontan operation between November 1993 and December 2004. The age was $2.8{\pm}1.5$ years and the body weight was $12.3{\pm}3.2$ kg. Extracardiac tunnel was constructed using the pedicled pericardium with the base undetached. By reviewing the follow-up cardiac angiograms, the diameter and the cross-sectional area of the lateral tunnel was compared to those of inferior vena cava. Result: There were four operative mortality cases (9.8%) and the causes of death were low cardiac output for all four cases. Postoperatively, five patients had prolonged pleural effusion longer than two weeks and one patient required a permanent pacemaker due to complete heart block. Follow-up was possible in 37 patients and the follow up duration was $3.8{\pm}2.2$ years. During that period, one patient died, of upper gastrointestional bleeding combined with heart failure and one patient died a sudden death of unknown cause. Two patients required reoperation due to subaortic stenosis and anastomosis site stenosis between inferior vena cava and lateral tunnel. In one patient, bradyarrhythmia was anew but there was no thromboembolic complication. The lateral tunnel showed growth in proportion to the size of the inferior vena cava. Conclusion: Extracardiac pericardial-flap lateral tunnel Fontan operation is relatively simple and safe. The mid-term result was favorable and the extracardiac tunnel showed potential for growth.